Chapter Eighteen
CHAPTER
EIGHTEEN
Felicity and her mother were Christmas shopping in Piccadilly.
‘Men are very difficult to buy presents for,’ she told her daughter as they walked down Jermyn Street. ‘You want to give something of quality, but not too expensive as to be vulgar. It really helps if they smoke.’
‘Does Hector smoke?’ Felicity asked, wondering what on earth she could get for Oliver.
‘Cigars. Such a relief. I’m just going to get him a box of Romeo y Julieta, which is lavish, but will also be a thank you for having us to stay.’
‘Do I have to get him a present?’
‘Yes. Handkerchiefs are always acceptable. Linen, of course.’
Having spent an inordinate amount of money on someone she didn’t like, Felicity said, ‘Who else do we need to buy presents for?’
‘Hector has married sons. Their wives will need presents. Chocolates and bath salts. Always acceptable.’
As Felicity had just spent almost her entire month’s allowance on Hector’s linen handkerchiefs, she decided to ask Alexandra to send lovely Provencal soaps over with Jenny. She still had to buy something for Oliver.
‘I’ll get that nearer the time,’ she said. ‘Is it lunchtime yet? I’ve got a blister.’
Lucinda laughed. ‘Let’s go to Fortnum’s. We might find more presents there, too. And after lunch, we’ll have to make sure you have suitable clothes. Scotland can be very cold, you know.’
A few days later, Violet was practically hanging out of the little window in her flat that looked over the street. Jenny had telephoned her from Dover to say she was in the country and Violet had been counting the hours – the minutes ever since. David had given an estimated time of arrival (or an ETA as he called it) but Violet knew not to rely too heavily on it. Things happened on journeys.
But it was only five minutes past the given time when Violet saw David’s big car turn into the street. She was at the front door moments after he pulled up, having fallen down the last couple of steps and nearly twisted her ankle.
‘Jenny! You’re here!’ Violet hugged Jenny almost before she had a chance to get out of the car. ‘And in such good time, too!’
Jenny hugged her back, just as hard. ‘David is a brilliant driver and he knew exactly how long it would take to get here.’
David, who had also got out of the car, shrugged. ‘Not exactly my first time for the journey, Jenny love. But all compliments gratefully received.’
‘Come in and have something to eat,’ said Violet. It was nearly eight thirty, so a bit late for dinner, but David had driven her friend across France and to her in London. It was a very long way and although David had insisted he was making the journey anyway, neither Violet nor Jenny were entirely convinced.
‘Sweet of you to offer, but I won’t. I have friends expecting me – indeed they are relying on me: I have a box full of cheese for them, some of which they’re hoping to eat now. So I’d better not dally.’
He stayed long enough to accept a very fond embrace from Jenny, and a more restrained one from Violet, who didn’t know him so well. Then he drove off and the two women went upstairs.
Jenny looked around her as they entered the hallway. ‘It’s a lovely little flat, isn’t it?’
‘It’s the height of luxury. Very well equipped. And Athene left treats for me – a full drinks cabinet, some wine, a random selection of clothes including a wonderful man’s dressing gown and some little cheese biscuits that I’ve since become addicted to.’
‘She always was the best godmother! I remember her taking us to see The Nutcracker every Christmas.’ Jenny paused. ‘How’s your father?’
‘He’s well, I think. Kiki – did you ever meet her? – is a brilliant cook, although she is funny about the dogs being on the furniture.’
‘I can’t imagine Aubrey being happy about that,’ said Jenny, sounding indignant.
‘Kiki is quite bossy, but she’s made some good alterations to the house. I’m not saying her taste in decor will ever be mine, but it’s much warmer there now. Although I suppose that’s because Daddy can afford to heat it since he came into money.’ She laughed but noticed that Jenny still looked a bit put out.
‘Now, are you starving? I have eggs, bread, cheese – lots of things I could cook for you?’
‘We had a meal on the ferry which has kept us going, but I am quite peckish. Although I have supplies too! I’ve got some cheese, paté, wine from the chateau and even some rustic bread. Antoine and Alexandra insisted we took food with us in case we couldn’t get anything en route. They’re so kind. I’ve got a few things for Felicity too, as well as my Christmas presents.’
Jenny unpacked the food while Violet found crockery and knives and forks as well as wine glasses.
‘It’s a shame Felicity is out tonight with her mother or I would have invited her to join us.’ She paused. ‘Although I’m glad to have you to myself for a while. I want to find out every detail of your time with the farmer.’
Jenny laughed. ‘If you want detail, you’d better pour the wine!’
The two old friends ate and drank while Jenny told her story. ‘I think I knew it was a mistake as soon as I got there,’ she said. ‘But having made the grand gesture, I felt I had to give it a try. And it wasn’t too bad to begin with. There was a tree full of cherries and I used to climb up it and pick them. It was a bit of a break from tilling the soil.’
‘Did he work you terribly hard then?’ Violet was concerned, even though Jenny was safe now.
‘He did,’ Jenny said. ‘But he also taught me a lot. Luckily, I speak quite good French and he knew a bit of English. When we were in the field together and looking at soil structure I was fairly content, but that stopped after a while and I just seemed to be free labour.’
‘It sounded more like slavery!’ said Violet.
‘Well, when he insisted I pay for a rotavator, I did feel hard done by. But the farm needed it, so it would have been silly to refuse. Or so I thought at the time.’
‘He didn’t take all your money, did he, Jenny? You sold your cottage—’
‘Oh, no! I didn’t take it all with me. Only about five hundred pounds.’
‘That’s a lot of money!’
‘I know, but I have a savings account here, although I couldn’t get at it while I was there, and I couldn’t get to the local town—’
‘Why not?’
‘The car broke down. It was a Deux Chevaux – a traditional farmer’s car – and as I’d spent all my money by then he couldn’t get it fixed. Or so he said … I think he probably had plenty of money. The book he wrote sold a huge amount, I gather.’
‘So, he stole your money and made you do all the work?’
Jenny sighed. ‘It was awful at the time. But you sent the heroic David and Maxime to rescue me and then I was safe.’ She smiled and topped up Violet’s glass. ‘I’m so happy to be here! I’ve done all my Christmas shopping, more or less, and I also stocked up on French chocolate. Let’s have some now!’
‘So what was the best thing about France? Or do you wish you’d never gone?’ asked Violet.
‘There’s no point in wishing that,’ said Jenny. ‘And I’ve learnt a lot. But I do wish I hadn’t caused everyone so much trouble and worry. You for example.’
Violet gave her friend a little push. ‘Don’t be silly! We all have to follow our dreams, even if they turn out to be a nightmare after all.’
Jenny nodded. ‘And staying in the chateau wasn’t a nightmare at all. I loved it! So that was the best bit. Alexandra took me shopping in the market. I just loved that.’ Suddenly a huge yawn overtook her. ‘Sorry.’
‘Don’t be silly. You’re worn out. Let’s get you to bed. I hope you like your bedroom. It’s tiny but very charming. I even found a sprig of winter honeysuckle to make it smell nice.’
‘That’s my favourite. There’s a huge bush of it near the back door at your house.’
‘I know,’ said Violet. ‘Now come along.’
Although it was pouring with rain the following morning, they ventured out. Jenny, who was very smug about having filled her luggage with bars of wonderful Provencal soap, didn’t need to buy anything, but very much enjoyed the glamorous London shops after having been so far from such things in France.
‘I don’t know why you haven’t done this before now,’ said Jenny. ‘We’ve only got today and a bit of tomorrow morning before we have to go to Stoneyhayes. Now the shops are heaving.’
They were in Oxford Street fighting with umbrellas as well as the crowds. ‘I was working,’ said Violet. ‘And although they gave all the women half a day off for Christmas shopping last week, I preferred to take today off so I could be with you.’
Jenny laughed. ‘Come on, let’s buy some presents.’
Violet returned the laughter. ‘It would help if we knew who we were buying presents for. I think I’ll just go into Selfridges and buy everything I can on the ground floor. And then stock up on chocolates. No one is ever offended by being given a box of chocolates. Although I’ll get something nicer for Kiki.’
‘Why?’ demanded Jenny.
Violet found she couldn’t really explain. ‘I feel sorry for her, I suppose. She’s working so hard to attract my father but I don’t think it’s working.’
‘Then get her a nice silk scarf,’ suggested Jenny.
‘That’s a good idea,’ said Violet. ‘And what about you? What would you like for Christmas?’
Jenny looked suddenly wistful. ‘I’d love a really good book,’ she said after a few moments.
Violet got the impression Jenny’s wistfulness wasn’t anything to do with lack of reading material.
‘I love buying people books,’ said Violet. ‘So we’ll do the generic presents here and then we’ll go to Hatchards.’
‘After that, can we go out for tea? It feels like years since I had a cucumber sandwich and a fairy cake!’