Chapter Forty-Three
After a soak in the bath, Ava looked in the mirror.
The festival was over and she was both buzzing from the success and a little sad that after her weeks of planning and the two wonderful days, it was over.
She was already determined to make it happen again the following year, maybe for longer and this time with a proper committee behind her to organise it.
Everybody who had spoken to her congratulated her and thanked her for her efforts.
None had mentioned the ball, not even Pauline, who Ava was amazed didn’t crack when she spoke to her for a full five minutes on her plans for a relaxing evening.
Why the surprise? You’ve already learned the people of Dapplebury can keep a secret?
She tried to push the negative thought away.
Her mind had been whirring since arriving home.
Looking at the suntan she’d inadvertently got over the last two days, she hoped no visible tan lines would show in her dress — if she wore her dress.
And if she actually went to the ball. Even as she was going through the motions of getting ready, she still hadn’t fully committed to the idea.
Screwing up her nose, she looked at her freckles; they were back in abundance, and she quite liked them. They reminded her of her old self.
Walking into the bedroom, Ava looked at the dress hanging in front of her wardrobe.
Mary had picked very well, and had selected accessories to match too.
She hoped Mary had managed to salvage her own dress from the chocolate cake disaster or found another to fit.
Ava wondered if she should have stayed longer in the charity shop to help her, especially as she’d gone to so much trouble on her behalf.
Ava flicked her eyes to her bedside clock.
It was gone six. Mary had told her, guests would be arriving at the ball from seven.
Sitting on the edge of her bed — no longer adorned in an animal print duvet cover since taking Henry’s lead and modernising her room — she stroked Myrtle.
The dog was dozing with Blossom snuggled up, curled into her front paws.
Myrtle lifted her heavy eyelids, and Ava smiled.
‘So, Myrtle, shall I go or shall I stay? You, me and Blossom, a quiet night in celebrating the end of the festival. How does that sound?’
Myrtle sat up and barked. Blossom rolled across the bed and Ava wondered if it was a sign but as the doorbell rang, she realised the cause of the sudden reaction.
Swapping her towel for a robe, she walked down the stairs.
Sure that Mary and Gino had come for her to make sure she didn’t back out, she opened the door.
‘Bog off, you two. Oh, bugger me!’
‘Is that an automatic reaction each time a door opens near you?’
‘Lady Bramlington! You’re here! Shouldn’t you be there? At the ball, I mean. Shouldn’t you be at the ball?’
‘Shouldn’t you?’
Looking feistier than the last time Ava had seen her, Lady Bramlington cocked an eyebrow and gestured as if to ask if she was going to be invited in.
Ava stood speechless, trying to imagine this woman, dressed in a sleek black gown with what looked like diamond accessories, in her living room.
She had altered the place, to make it feel more like her own home, but still, it remained rustic.
As if reading her mind, Lady Bramlington looked at Ava apologetically. ‘I’ve been here before and I won’t keep you long. But I do need to speak to you.’
Ava nodded and glanced at Myrtle and Blossom who were scampering around behind the door, eager to see who the highly perfumed visitor was.
‘I’ll put the dogs in the kitchen.’ With that, Ava shut the door and ushered the dogs through the hall.
You’ve just shut the door on Lady Bramlington.
Ava blushed at the thought, despite the fact her teenage self was celebrating inside.
Glancing around the living room, she adjusted a couple of cushions and moved the dog blanket from the sofa.
Realising she was in a robe, she ran upstairs and slipped on some underwear, jeans and an All Critters Great and Small sweatshirt.
Running back downstairs, she stood for a beat behind the door before reopening it.
‘Please, come in.’
Lady Bramlington stepped inside.
Remembering she said she had been before, Ava gestured for her to go through to the lounge. As they both sat, Ava wondered if she should offer her a drink but hoped she wouldn’t be stopping that long.
Perched on the edge of the sofa, Lady Bramlington’s eyes flicked around the room. Ava wondered what memories she had of being inside the cottage. Deciding she might not want to know, she held the question back.
‘So, did Henry send you?’
‘No! Definitely not. He doesn’t know I am here. I slipped out and can’t stay long.’
Phew! Ava tried to hide the relief she felt at this being a brief visit, before wondering what Lady Bramlington had to say that she couldn’t tell Henry.
She’s going to warn you off. Tell you to stay away.
With that thought, Ava knew she couldn’t; she wouldn’t agree.
The idea of not seeing Henry now that he’d returned to her life was too much.
‘I won’t not see him.’
‘I wouldn’t try to stop you.’
‘Oh. Then why are you here?’
‘Because I know how it feels to love someone and not be with them. I know the hurt. And I don’t want what I told you to stop you from following your heart.’
Ava looked at the woman before her, registering the sad expression in her eyes and the sincerity in her tone.
‘Henry loves you. He always has. I should never have come between the two of you. I put my feelings for Lily and my concerns for her, over my own son’s happiness. I have to live with that, but it’s not too late for both of you.’
Ava’s pulse quickened. Thoughts rushed through her mind: her mum’s determination that she stay away from the Bramlingtons, her dad driving too fast; her fear in that moment as she clung to Raspberry Rabbit, crying, screaming for him to stop. But he wouldn’t, he just drove on faster, more erratic.
‘Lily, Connor, my husband and I, we lived our lives. We made our mistakes and we have no right to stand in your way.’
‘But—’
‘He’s here to stay, Ava. He had the chance to sell the estate and not return.’
‘What?’
‘Like his father, he thinks I don’t know, but of course I do.
My husband was a proud man but a financial fool.
He made bad investments, squandered and borrowed money from the wrong people.
He wouldn’t accept help, from me or anyone else, even though he was running the estate into financial ruin; typically of his generation, he was too proud to admit any of it to his wife.
I wanted to give Henry the chance to walk away from the obligation of his title and his father’s debts.
I love Dapplebury House, but I love my son more.
‘The man, Dermot Dixon.’
Ava nodded, acknowledging she knew the name. ‘I had him contact Henry in Los Angeles, offering him a deal to sell — Dapplebury House, the grounds, the estate. I even got him to apply pressure once he was back. But by then, it was too late . . .’
‘Too late, why?’
‘Henry had rediscovered the things he loved and left behind. The grounds were so much a part of him when he was growing up. You know how passionate he was, and still is about the land. But that’s not the reason he’s staying.
His deal with Mr Dixon, moving the charity, the ball tonight, it’s all about you, Ava.
You’re the reason he’s staying. If you feel for him, as he does for you, don’t let anything stand in your way. ’
Ava felt a swell of emotion, unsure whether to cry or embrace Lady Bramlington.
‘Thank you. Thank you for telling me. I know all of this can’t have been easy for you.’ Ava stood, suddenly not knowing what to do first. She had to get dressed. She had an idea, something she wanted to do, and her plan meant she needed to go to the charity shop before going to the ball.
Lady Bramlington stood. ‘I’ll leave you, but I hope to see you later.’
‘Of course. Wait.’ Ava hugged her, unsure if that was something she should do.
Lady Bramlington stood back, looking as if that might be the first hug she’d received in years and was unsure what to do in response. When she smiled, Ava felt relieved.
‘You’re so much like your parents.’
Ava wasn’t sure if that was intended as a compliment but as Lady Bramlington was still smiling, she decided to take it as one. They walked to the door, Ava’s heart pounding even faster than when she had let her in.
‘Wait! Before you go. Do you know Mary? Is she at Dapplebury House?’
‘Yes, I know Mary.’
Ava had no idea what was implied in Lady Bramlington’s tone but was sure her friend had made an impact.
‘Please, can you give her something for me?’
Ava ran back to the living room and scribbled a note, folding it before handing it over.
Lady Bramlington cocked her head. ‘Of course.’
Ava shut the door and exhaled. And now you’ve got Lady Bramlington delivering notes! She shook her head; she really needed to read up on etiquette.
Letting the dogs out of the kitchen, Ava squealed and jumped up and down with them before running upstairs. The excited dogs followed. It was almost seven o’clock and she still had so much to do.