Chapter 40
Bunty and Perry sat in deckchairs on the lawn, enjoying a cup of Earl Grey tea and the view before them.
‘Ah, this is the life,’ exhaled Perry, his hand shielding the sunlight. He gazed out to sea, watching the silver waves glimmer in the distance against a clear, azure-blue sky.
‘It certainly is,’ sighed Bunty in contentment.
When first moving from her childhood home to the old fisherman’s cottage, she had worried about how life-changing it would be.
But that worry had all been in vain. Both she and Perry had built their new lives together seamlessly in the enchanting, flintstone house, and still to have such stunning, panoramic views of the bay was an absolute God’s send.
Granted, the art deco house on the peninsula was undoubtedly in a prime location, standing prominently on the rocks with uninterrupted vistas, but even Bunty conceded it had been time to leave and start a new chapter. She had no regrets. None whatsoever.
Turning sideways, she glanced over at Perry, the one and only true love of her life. Yes, her old house was a huge, impressive place packed with timeless charm and character, but it didn’t completely hold such happy memories within its walls. It contained good and bad recollections.
Then, just as she was reminiscing about her previous home, the current occupiers walked up the garden path.
‘Emma!’ cried Perry in delight, making Bunty’s mouth twitch. She noticed Felix didn’t get the same welcome.
‘Hello, you two,’ she said, rising from her deckchair to greet them both.
‘Hello, Bunty,’ replied Felix, kissing her cheek, then nodded towards Perry.
‘Here, sit down, Emma, I’ll fetch some more chairs,’ directed Perry, then disappeared into the cottage.
‘And I’ll fix us some drinks. Felix, sit here.’ Bunty tapped the back of her chair.
Soon they were all sat chatting, drinking Pimm’s.
‘Hmm, lovely,’ said Emma closing her eyes and savouring the taste. Then, putting her drink down on the grass, she faced Perry and Bunty with a big beam. ‘We’ve some wonderful news,’ she gushed.
Perry’s eyes darted to her left hand, preparing himself.
‘Oh yes?’ laughed Bunty, sensing the same as Perry.
‘Lady Scarlett Investigates has been nominated for a BAFTA award!’ trilled Emma.
Bunty’s heart sank a little, wishing it had been news of their engagement. Perry’s didn’t. Their heads turned to Felix. Bunty was the first to speak.
‘Congratulations, Felix, you must be delighted.’
Felix broke into a grin. ‘I’m thrilled.’
‘What’s the nomination for?’ asked Perry.
‘The best drama series,’ replied Felix, looking him in the eye.
‘Isn’t it fantastic? Felix’s first shot at directing and his drama’s been nominated for a BAFTA!’ cried Emma.
‘It is. Well done, Felix,’ agreed Bunty, subsequently turning to Perry with an expectant look, eyebrow slightly raised.
Perry coughed. ‘Err… Yes, well done, Felix,’ he mumbled.
‘So, the show’s really going to get full exposure now,’ continued Emma, almost at fever pitch.
‘Does this mean your singing will too?’ Perry swiftly cut in, ever mindful that his daughter’s sweet voice had sung the theme tune to the show.
‘Yes, Perry, it definitely does,’ assured Felix, still looking directly at him.
‘Oh, Emma!’ Bunty clapped her hands together in glee.
Perry’s eyes filled with emotion. His little girl was finally getting the recognition she deserved. All her life she’d longed for a singing career. Maybe now could be the big breakthrough?
‘So, you may get a singing contract of some kind?’ he tentatively asked.
‘Hopefully!’ exclaimed Emma, raising crossed fingers.
Perry looked at Felix for confirmation.
‘I seriously suspect there’s going to be a lot of interest from record companies,’ he reassured, then squeezed Emma’s hand.
‘That’s amazing news, Emma,’ said Perry on the verge of tears. He got up to hug her. Bunty looked on with affection. Something told her that this revelation was far more pleasing to Perry than the one she’d wanted.
When voicing this later that evening, Perry had feigned puzzlement.
‘Don’t know what you mean, Bunty,’ he frowned.
‘Oh, come on. You know perfectly well what I mean,’ she spluttered.
‘What?’ he asked, wide-eyed.
‘Stop pretending, Perry. You thought, as did I, that they were going to announce an engagement.’
‘Well…’
‘You did, Perry. I saw your eyes flicker over Emma’s hand, expecting to see a ring there,’ she replied firmly, arms crossed over her chest.
‘OK, yes, I suspected Felix may have popped the question,’ he admitted, then added, ‘but he didn’t, did he?’
Bunty shook her head in disbelief. ‘No, not on this occasion, but it’s highly likely that he will at some point,’ she countered, suddenly feeling a spark of irritation at Perry’s attitude.
Talk about déjà vu. Then, unable to stop herself, she spoke in a low, menacing tone.
‘You know, you’re beginning to remind me of someone. ’
Perry flinched, immediately comprehending what she was insinuating. Hamish Deville, Bunty’s manipulative, selfish, old bastard of a father, who had scuppered any chance of his daughter’s happiness – was this who he reminded her of? Dear God, surely not?
‘That’s a touch harsh, Bunty,’ he replied in a quiet voice.
‘Is it? Is it really?’ She looked straight at him.
‘I’m nothing like your father,’ Perry stated flatly.
‘There’s definitely shades of him in you, or at least there will be, if you don’t change your attitude,’ Bunty told him straight. ‘What is it about Felix you resent?’ she asked in exasperation.
‘I don’t resent him. He’s always been good to Emma…’
‘Then what is it?’ Bunty asked, her voice a little calmer now, seeing the genuine confusion in Perry’s expression.
‘I… don’t know. I’m just scared he’ll…’
‘He’ll what?’
Perry blew his cheeks out. ‘That he’ll hurt her, I guess. It doesn’t help that he spends so much time in London, leaving her in that big house all alone.’
‘Like I was for years, you mean?’ she replied with soft sarcasm.
‘Yes. Exactly like you,’ came the direct reply, making her blink. ‘Only, unlike your father, I don’t want that for my daughter. I want her to be cared for, looked after,’ he raised his voice with passion.
‘But Emma is cared for by Felix. He’s a rich movie star, for goodness’ sake!’
‘It’s not just about the money, Bunty,’ he argued. ‘It’s about that someone who loves you, being there by your side, all the time.’
‘Yes, and that someone who wants to marry you, to enable that to happen,’ answered Bunty in a patient tone.
Perry, without realising it, had contradicted himself. Their eyes met.
‘Am I being unreasonable?’ He swallowed, the comparison to Hamish Deville still stinging.
‘Only if I let you,’ she laughed gently, glad he’d finally seen sense.
‘Sorry.’ He looked at her with doleful eyes.
‘Oh, come here, Perrywinkle,’ she teased, wrapping her arms around him. Then, pulling back she faced him. ‘Listen, you are a loving, protective father and Emma couldn’t have a better parent, but—’
‘It’s time to let go, let her live her own life, make her own choices and stop worrying,’ he acknowledged dryly.
‘Yes, you’ve finally got it.’ Bunty gave the thumbs-up.