Chapter Forty-Five
‘What the hell are you doing here? You almost gave me a heart attack!’ Ava stared at Mary and Gino, her eyes wide and her heart thumping as they burst through the door of the charity shop.
‘We could ask you the same thing.’
‘But I literally just asked you!’ Ava looked at Mary.
‘I thought something terrible had happened. I got your note.’ Mary held the piece of paper Lady Bramlington had given her up so Ava could see it.
‘The note that says,’ — Ava took it from her and read aloud — ‘I am so bloody happy! I am going to the charity shop but will be with you as soon as possible.’
‘Yes.’
‘What part of that made you think I was in trouble?’
‘I thought it was a coded message. The allusion to happiness, the mention of blood, the fact you were coming here when you should be there.’
‘I told you nobody, and I mean nobody does that! Didn’t Lady Bramlington tell you she’d spoken to me when she gave it to you?’
‘Briefly, yes. But she said not to tell Henry and then when he came over she started acting all cagey and I thought maybe you’d sent the note as a cry for help.’
Ava looked at Mary in disbelief and then at Gino who was usually the voice of reason.
‘Hey, I didn’t read it. I just followed Mary’s lead and then drove straight here.’
‘You are both as crazy and as lovely as each other.’ Ava smiled. ‘What must Henry think?’
‘He’s probably thinking where the hell is the guest of honour?’ Mary stated, putting her hands on her hips.
‘Oh, God! We have to get there. I’m so late.’
‘We know!’ Mary and Gino chimed in unison.
‘Henry loves me.’ Ava couldn’t help saying it.
‘We know!’ they chimed again.
‘I love—’
‘We know!’
‘But if you don’t hurry up you’re going to miss the ball and this beautiful opportunity to tell him,’ Mary said, her exasperation evident in her tone.
‘Well, now you’re here you can help me. Here, take this.’ Ava passed them the package she was tying string round when they’d burst through the door.
‘What’s in it?’
‘It’s a surprise but hopefully a good one.’ Ava smiled at them both for a moment, before remembering herself. ‘Quick, now let’s go.’
‘Wait!’
Ava and Mary halted and turned to look at Gino as he spoke.
‘You look beautiful, by the way. Molto bella!’ He smiled a very lovely smile.
Mary pulled Ava into a hug. ‘He’s right. You look bloody gorgeous.’
Ava beamed. ‘Thank you. I have an excellent wardrobe lady. And you both look pretty amazing yourselves. I’m so pleased the cake came out. Now let’s get to that ball.’
‘Talking of cake, I’m starving. Do you think we’ll make it back for the food?’ Gino rubbed his stomach, and turned out the lights of the shop. ‘I know what’s being served, and Mary, there’s a vegan menu for you.’
Mary kissed Gino’s cheek. ‘I’m a lucky girl!’
Finding her key, Ava giggled. ‘For somebody so sworn against it, you’re turning into quite the romantic, Mary Clarke.’
The words earned her a playful punch but there was no time to feign injury.
Gino had the car doors open and they were ready to go.
Grateful she wouldn’t have to ride her bike back up the hill out of the village, something she was sure wouldn’t be as easy as freewheeling down in her gown had been, Ava slid into the back seat, her gift for Henry safely at her side and her heart pounding.