29
ARCHIE WENT DOWNSTAIRS for dinner reeling from the news that he was going to be a father. He was desperate to share the news, but wanted to respect the fact that Nora wasn’t ready. Whether it was because she was feeling poorly, or whether the news had overwhelmed her and hadn’t quite sunk in yet, he was a little sad that she hadn’t been more excited.
‘Darling, is Nora joining us?’ Constance asked as Archie escorted her to the dining table.
‘She sends her apologies, she’s not feeling well, Mama.’
‘Oh dear. This bug does seem to be lingering.’
‘Are you sure she’s not pregnant?’ Betsy said.
Archie felt like a rabbit in the headlights. ‘Why would you think that?’
‘I was telling Mama, I have a friend who had morning sickness at all times of the day and night. It took her ages to cotton on that she was pregnant. Nora seems to be similarly unwell.’
He couldn’t bring himself to lie to his sister, but his loyalty to Nora, having promised not to tell anyone, made him. ‘It’s probably some nasty gastric flu. I’ll suggest she see a GP next week.’
After Ursula had served the food, the conversation turned to the festival. Constance had been part of an impromptu planning session at the Croftwood Haberdashery and had already volunteered to help man the craft tent.
‘I feel I simply must stay on site this year,’ she said to Archie.
‘You do know there won’t be a flushing toilet in your tent, don’t you, Mama?’ Betsy said, winking at Archie.
‘I think a motorhome like Eunice and Bill had would suit me better,’ said Constance.
Archie almost choked on his wine. ‘That’ll cost a fortune!’
‘I shall have a word with Sebastian,’ she said, confidently.
Before Archie could point out that he doubted Seb had an in with anyone willing to hire out a camper van in prime festival season for next to nothing, Betsy had chimed in.
‘We ought to come to the festival, Caspar, don’t you think? We could hire something like an old VW camper. Wouldn’t that be amazing?’
‘They most definitely don’t have a toilet,’ Caspar said, grinning at his wife.
‘If we park next to Mama, we can use hers.’
‘No one needs to stay on site. It’s the other side of the estate, not the other side of the country,’ said Archie. ‘Of course, you’re very welcome to stay here if you decide to come,’ he said to Betsy.
‘Perhaps Ursula could babysit Florence?’
‘No,’ said Archie firmly. ‘Ursula and Mrs Milton will have the festival weekend off, as will the rest of the estate staff.’
‘Really? Well, I’m sure I can find someone to look after her.’
‘There were lots of children there last year,’ said Constance. ‘Florence might enjoy it.’
‘Yes, but I won’t,’ Betsy pouted. ‘What’s the point of going to a festival if you can’t have a drink and let yourself go?’
Aware that he was going to sound like the party police, Archie said, ‘It’s not really that kind of festival. It’s a book festival with a few other things thrown in for good measure.’
‘But you had Ned Nokes there last year.’
‘Not officially,’ Archie pointed out.
‘Having an unofficial person like Ned Nokes means it was the festival,’ Betsy continued.
‘I didn’t realise you’re a Ned Nokes fan, Bets,’ said Caspar, raising an eyebrow.
‘Of course not. I’m just saying having a secret appearance by someone of his calibre is something. Come on, Archie, you must have some idea of who they’re getting this year,’ said Betsy.
‘No idea. I’m not sure anyone knew Ned was turning up. It was entirely unplanned as I understand it,’ said Archie.
‘He’s very charismatic,’ said Constance. ‘The girls at knit and natter are quite taken with him.’
Betsy stifled a giggle.
‘I hear you’re developing a swimming lake, Archie,’ said Caspar, trying to divert the conversation away from Ned Nokes and festivals that he might get dragged along to.
‘The lake was always there, we’re just giving it a bit of a makeover,’ said Archie.
‘Eww. You haven’t been in there have you? Remember when we were children and Papa tried to get us to swim in there?’
‘I have been in,’ said Archie, thrilled to be able to get one up on his sister. She briefly widened her eyes which told him she was impressed, although he knew she’d never admit it. ‘It’s rather wonderful. There’s a group of local women who have been swimming regularly on a Thursday morning for the past few weeks and they’ve given us invaluable feedback.’
‘I must have a walk down there sometime. I’d be interested to see what you and Nora have been up to,’ said Constance.
‘Nora’s involved?’ Betsy asked.
‘Very much so,’ said Archie. Mindful of what he’d promised Nora with regards to the baby news, nevertheless, he needed his sister to understand the nature of his relationship with her. Perhaps then, when they did announce the pregnancy, it wouldn’t be such a shock. ‘Nora and I are serious about each other,’ he began.
‘You’re getting married?’ Betsy said, putting her hand on her chest in shock.
‘Not necessarily. Nora left a long-term relationship and is a very independent woman. Actually that’s one of the things I love best about her. But I think it’s important that you know she’s going to be part of my life whether we marry or not.’
‘God, Archie. You can’t be lord of the manor and be...’ Betsy stalled, but she’d said enough.
‘Be what? Shagging around out of wedlock?’
‘Archibald!’ Constance said.
‘Forgive me, Mama. But we’re not youngsters, and we’re not living in the last century. The expectation on me to follow a traditional path fell away a long time ago. I want to be happy with the woman I love, that’s all. I doubt anyone, aside from my family, it appears, would bat an eyelid these days.’
‘Hear, hear,’ said Caspar, raising his glass, then lowering it again when he realised no one was joining in.
Archie took a large gulp of wine. It would be so satisfying to tell them about the baby. But Nora’s voice rang in his ears. I don’t think we should get married, Archie. He really wished now that there had been the time for them to talk all of this through properly before he’d had to rush off for dinner. Who knew what she must be thinking now?
‘Please excuse me,’ he said, pushing his chair back from the table.
‘Archie! Wherever are you going?’ Constance said.
‘I must check on Nora. I’ll see you all tomorrow.’
Having had a drink, Archie set off on foot to Nora’s cottage. Her car wasn’t there and there was no sign of her being at home. Perhaps she’d popped out for something. He felt in his pocket for the key to her front door.
‘Damn.’ In his haste, he’d left it in his other jacket.
He dialled Nora. It rang a couple of times then went to voicemail. Had she rejected the call?
I’m at your house. Can we talk? A x
It was a few minutes before he received a reply.
I need some time. I’ll call you tomorrow.
He tried not to read anything into the fact that she hadn’t finished the message with a kiss as she usually would. That sort of thing wouldn’t have crossed his mind a few weeks ago and if he wanted to keep his sanity, it shouldn’t now.
But he knew he’d messed things up. He had no idea what Nora thought about the pregnancy and hadn’t taken the time to ask. Instead, he’d blundered into saying they needed to get married, as if he was living in the bloody nineteen-fifties. It had seemed like the obvious thing to suggest, but seemed to have been the catalyst that made Nora leave.
There was nothing to be gained by waiting at her house. He had to give her time as she’d asked. And that would give him time to think things through properly. To consider what her concerns might be, and perhaps even come up with some solutions.
The walk back to the Court was a sombre one. He felt so alone. He’d imagined finding Nora in her cottage, apologising, and then spending the night together making plans. He lingered outside, reluctant to go back in and face the Spanish Inquisition from his mother and sister about where he’d been and what had happened. That could easily lead to him blurting out the news, and that wouldn’t improve the situation at all. It just showed that all those years of being single could still trip one up. He wasn’t used to putting himself in someone else’s shoes.
He pulled his phone out and called Seb.
‘I don’t suppose you’re in the pub are you?’ he asked hopefully when Seb answered.
‘The next best thing. I’m at the Backstage Bar at the cinema. There’s a relaxed showing of Jaws but Jess is sat with her knitting friends so I’m hanging out with Jack.’
‘Would you mind if I join you?’
‘Course not. Jack will be relieved he hasn’t got to entertain me for the rest of the evening. I’ll have a pint waiting for you.’
Since he’d already been drinking, Archie put his best foot forward and set off for Croftwood Cinema. It wasn’t as far as the pub the night before, and once he got out of the estate, it was only a fifteen-minute walk and it wasn’t dark yet.
The cinema backed onto a secluded area of the park, and they had festival lights strung through the trees. The back door had been slid open slightly to allow the warm spring evening air inside and to allow people to wander outside if they wanted a break from watching the film. Archie slid inside and found Seb on a barstool, as Jack served another customer.
‘I haven’t been here since the festival,’ said Archie, looking around. The bar was designed with an Art Deco theme to match the original features of the rest of the building. There were mirrors behind the bar and Archie caught sight of himself, shocked that he looked so dishevelled.
‘It’s a nice quiet spot to have a drink. What’s up, then?’
Now that he was here, he realised he’d have to break his promise to Nora. Did it count if it was to get advice?
‘Come on, spit it out. You look bloody awful.’
‘Thank you. I’ve had some unexpected news today and it’s rather thrown me.’
Seb took a sip of his pint and waited for Archie to continue.
‘Can I ask that what I share with you goes no further.’
‘Course, mate.’
‘Nora’s pregnant.’
Seb gulped his pint and started coughing. ‘Christ, Archie!’ he said when he’d recovered. ‘Congratulations, that’s amazing news!’
Archie glanced behind him, worried at who might have heard Seb, but aside from Jack, there was no one else in the room with them at the moment.
‘It is,’ he said, grinning and feeling on top of the world again for a moment, just as he had when he’d first heard. ‘But I think I’ve buggered things up with Nora.’
‘Go on,’ Seb said, pushing Archie’s pint towards him.
Archie paused for a sip, then carried on. ‘I’m not sure she’s that pleased yet. I suppose it’s the shock. I hope that’s what it is.’
‘You haven’t talked about this yet?’
‘No. It was just as dinner was served so there wasn’t time.’
Seb raised his eyebrows. ‘And you went down for dinner mid-conversation?’
‘Bugger.’ Suddenly it seemed so obvious. What the hell had he been thinking? ‘I should have said sod it to going down for dinner. It’s just… I always go for dinner, Seb. It’s so habitual, it didn’t occur to me not to.’
‘And Nora?’
‘Nora left.’
‘Ah.’
‘I went after her as soon as I realised we needed to talk it all through, but she’s not at home. She texted and has asked for some time to think.’
‘That’s tough. But knowing Nora, that’s what she’s doing. She’s not the type of woman to punish you by cutting you off, Arch. Yes, you’re an absolute Charlie for going down to dinner after an announcement like that, for crying out loud, but that won’t be what’s riling her.’
‘No, I think that’s probably down to me suggesting we get married.’
‘So you managed to propose between her telling you she’s pregnant and you going down for dinner?’ Seb chuckled and shook his head. ‘Oh Arch. You need so much more help from me than the name of my barber.’
‘I know,’ Archie said mournfully. ‘It’s very easy to see all of this with hindsight.’
‘Look. She’s probably freaking out. She’s how old? Forty odd? This wasn’t in her plan. It’s different for you. You’re gaining everything in this. A child, an heir, someone to share your life with. You have nothing to lose here.’
It dawned on Archie like a cold hand on his heart. He nodded. ‘She will be feeling like she’s losing everything. And when she’s only just started again after Julian.’
‘I’m sure that’ll be it. God knows, I’m not an expert by any means, but for me, building up my business and then losing it when Covid hit was devastating. I know it’s not the same thing, but I bet Nora’s thinking along those lines.’
‘And then I wade in suggesting we get married as if I want her to leave everything behind and be a wife and mother,’ said Archie, his elbows on the bar and his head in his hands as he thought it all through. ‘You’re absolutely right, Seb. I need to think about how we do this together, so it’s not the end of her life as she knows it, but not the end for us either.’
‘There you go,’ said Seb, patting him on the back. ‘And I’ve got a smashing idea to start you off.’