Chapter 14 #2
This wasn’t the first time someone had mentioned something off about Phil. What was she missing? ‘Phil, with the disarming smile and array of coloured chinos? Are we talking about the same Phil?’
‘Eliza, you should know better than to be taken in by first impressions. Didn’t your mother teach you not to judge a book by its cover?’ He began spritzing the blinis with a little lemon juice, nodding at her presentation.
‘Okay, Dan, spill. You don’t get to say that and not give me the gossip. In fact, now we’re on the subject, what’s the story with Bella? Is there something I should know? Or would I be better off asking Marjorie?’ she finished cheekily.
Dan chuckled, the corners of his eyes creasing as he did so. ‘Let’s just say Luke deserves a little happiness and he’s happier than I’ve seen him in a while. As for Bella and Phil, well, I’d say those two deserve each other.’
Eliza’s eyes widened. ‘Oh my God, there is something going on! It’s like a soap opera around here. There I was thinking village life would be simple and drama-free. But no, it’s where all the crazy people come!’
Dan laughed. ‘Oh, you’d be surprised. Small villages can breed big secrets. Everyone knows everyone else’s business, or at least they think they do. But there are always hidden depths. That’s what makes it so fun.’
‘What do you mean?’ Eliza leant forward, wanting to know more. But Dan stayed silent.
‘So, what about Luke, then? Where does he fit into all this drama?’
Dan’s expression grew more serious. ‘Luke’s always in the drama because he’s Luke. But he’s a good man; I like him.’
‘I really like him, too,’ she admitted with a small grin. ‘More than I probably should, given how little time I’ve known him. But there’s just something about him that draws me in.’
Dan smiled knowingly. ‘He generally has that effect on people.’
Eliza sighed, but when she looked up into Dan’s kind eyes, she ended up saying exactly what was on her mind. ‘Honestly, I try to tell myself it’s just a fling and I shouldn’t care, but then I see him and I feel like a lovesick teenager.’
‘Nothing wrong with that – a little passion keeps us young. Just look at me!’ exclaimed Dan with a grin.
As he put a final dollop of crème fraiche on the smoked salmon blinis, Dan looked up at her.
‘Now, could you do me a favour and take these through? Don’t want to leave them with only wine to drink this early in the evening, they’ll all be drunk as skunks!
We still have quite a few more stops to make. ’
Eliza picked up a plate of canapés to take into the other room, feeling a flash of adoration for this old man who had become her confidant. Maybe she could just hang out with him this evening, that would be so much simpler.
‘You know,’ Dan said, as she was walking out, ‘it’s great having you around, Eliza. You’ve brought a fresh energy, shaken things up a bit. I love it!’
Eliza laughed. ‘I’m not sure everyone would agree. I think Bella sees me as more of a disruptive force from hell!’
‘Ah, forget about Bella. She’s just very protective of what she thinks is her turf. Give her time, she might come round. Then again, she might not.’
‘Thanks Dan, that’s . . . reassuring!’
Just then, Eliza heard Mia call, ‘Come on, guys, you’re missing the party and we’re all starving! I’ve already eaten all the quiches!’
‘Sorry!’ said Eliza, as she walked into the sitting room holding the plate out. ‘Right, who’s for salmon blinis?’
‘What has Dan been bending your ear about, Eliza?’ asked Mia.
‘You’ve been gone for ages. We all want the gossip; Tom and Bill have been talking about tractors .
. .’ Eliza shot the two men a horrified stare, before they all giggled.
‘Or was Dan teaching you to do a ten-minute plank on the kitchen floor? He’s my best student, you know! ’
‘What about me?’ Vivi interjected. ‘Personally, I don’t think I’m bad.’
‘Well, you’re better than me, Vivi,’ said Eliza. ‘But surely no one will ever top Dan!’
They quickly got back into the swing of things, Bill recounting hilarious tales of the boy’s antics as younger lads – ‘Ah, the days of being fifty, remember that, Tom . . .’ – and Eliza wondered how she had ever worried she wouldn’t have anyone to talk to.
She was having so much fun, just standing in her neighbour’s living room, with a glass of wine in hand, and better chat than she had enjoyed in ages.
‘Attention, everyone!’ Dan called out, about half an hour later, holding a small stack of cream envelopes. ‘Time for your next destinations to be revealed!’
The group gathered around as Dan handed them out with a flourish. Eliza grabbed hers, feeling a flutter of anticipation. There was something delightfully childlike about the mystery of it all.
‘Have fun!’ Dan said, as he urged them all towards the door.
Eliza’s card simply said, For your main course, you are off to Marjorie’s. She could not have been more delighted, and turned around to see if anyone else was going with her.
‘We are!’ chorused Vivi and Mia together.
‘And us,’ joined Bill and Tom in unison.
‘And me!’ said Dan, following them out.
‘Dan!’ said Eliza. ‘You have totally rigged this!’
‘I’ve no idea what you’re talking about,’ Dan replied with mock innocence, his eyes twinkling with mischief. ‘It’s a total coincidence we’re all heading to the same place!’
‘Yeah yeah,’ said Vivi, ‘just like it’s a coincidence that Jean Pierre ended up at The Bush while I’m here with all the attractive men!’
As they arrived at Marjorie’s door, the most delicious smells were wafting out to greet them. ‘Bloody hell,’ said Eliza, ‘I need to learn to cook. It smells so good I might actually start drooling!’
The door was ajar, and as they all walked into the kitchen, Marjorie was stirring various pots, her face flushed with excitement and a suspiciously fresh application of red lipstick.
‘Come in, come in!’ she called. ‘So lovely to see you all – now, no time for chat, go straight through to the dining room as the table’s laid and the food’s ready.’
The next few hours passed in a haze of too much wine, delicious food, and copious amounts of local gossip. Maybe this was what life was all about: finding great friends to laugh with around a table piled high with delicious food.
After dinner Marjorie handed them all a glass of sloe gin before they moved on to their desserts. ‘Marjorie, this is insane!’ said Eliza, the fruity liqueur warming her inside and out.
‘Family recipe.’ She beamed, clearly thrilled with Eliza’s enthusiasm. ‘The sloes come from the hedgerows at the edge of Luke’s fields. That sweet boy and I pick them together every autumn. He calls it our Annual Date.’ Marjorie blushed a little and Eliza felt her heart glow.
‘Speaking of Luke,’ Bill chimed in with a mischievous grin, ‘I hear he spends quite a lot of time at Willow Tree Cottage.’
Eliza nearly choked on her sloe gin. ‘Oh my God!’ she said, now quite pissed. ‘Is nothing sacred in this world? Does everyone in this village know everyone’s business?’
Although to be fair, it was hard to muster much indignation, as there was something slightly cool about being part of the village rumour mill.
She felt a surge of affection for this crazy group of people, who had so quickly welcomed her into their world with no judgement.
She had come to escape and heal, but never for a second did she expect to find a community that would embrace her so completely.
‘Oh, darling,’ said Vivi, putting her arm around her, ‘that’s just the price of admission for living in Farmington! But on the plus side, we generally only gossip about people we like.’
‘Thanks, Vivi. That makes me feel so much better . . .’ responded Eliza.
‘Now,’ said Marjorie, ‘next destination!’ She bustled off to the kitchen and returned with another set of cream envelopes, distributing them with the same ceremony Dan had done earlier.
Eliza ripped hers open. ‘The Old Rectory? For pudding and dancing. I’ve never heard of it! Anyone?’
‘We’re all going there!’ said Bill, as they gathered their belongings. ‘It’s my house, and it’s where the party ends tonight! Hope you’re all ready for some proper music. The gramophone’s warmed up and the vintage records are waiting!’
‘Oh, I love a good dance and a party!’ shrieked Eliza.
Walking next to Bill on the way to his house, she was thrilled to spend more time with him.
He was surprisingly good company – he had an unexpectedly dry wit and wonderful historical knowledge.
He told her he had bought his house from the church over fifteen years ago.
By all accounts it was the grand dame of the area, and the previous rector was quite the socialite.
Apparently it was the house that used to host all the grand parties.
‘Okay, how is this not on my radar, Bill? I’ve never even seen it!’ She immediately filed it away for future use if her wedding event company came to fruition as she so hoped.
‘Oh, this village has a lot of hidden treasures, Eliza,’ Bill said with a wink. ‘There’s still a lot for you to discover!’
As they walked in, Eliza was struck by the grandeur of the hallway. It had a black and white tiled floor, sweeping staircase, and walls adorned with oil paintings of terrifying-looking clergymen.
‘Bill, why are we not having Fenella’s wedding here? This place is epic!’
‘Well, it’s not exactly the rustic feel you were all after, and I’m not sure I want it to be an events space, so don’t get any ideas, Eliza!’
‘Okay, point taken, but it’s just that this space is so unique. Maybe one day I’ll persuade you to throw a debauched rave here, or how about a white mischief party?’
Bill laughed. ‘Well, I’m rather partial to some Glenn Miller and a bit of swing, so if you can handle some proper dancing, and not this modern stuff you all jump about to, then you’ll get your party tonight!’