Chapter Forty-One
CHAPTER
FORTY - ONE
‘Oh, hello, Violet!’ Lucinda was just putting her key in the door of the house at the same moment that Violet came up the steps on the same mission. ‘Felicity is back!’
‘Oh!’ Violet was taken aback. ‘Is everything all right?’
Lucinda made a languid gesture. ‘Of course! Why shouldn’t it be? It’s my birthday tomorrow and she has come back to celebrate with me.’
Violet got the impression that while pretending not to be bothered, Lucinda was actually delighted. ‘Well that’s a lovely surprise—’
But Lucinda wasn’t going to show too much enthusiasm. ‘My birthday is not a surprise to me, obviously – it happens every year – but I never usually celebrate it. And although in some ways having a young person in the house can be a bit of a trial, I am pleased to have her home in London with me.’
Violet knew that Felicity thought of Provence as home and was longing to know why she’d had a change of heart so soon after arriving back in France.
‘I suspect she got bored,’ said Lucinda, answering Violet’s unspoken question. ‘The chateau is charming but it’s in the back of beyond! Anyway, I’m glad I’ve seen you because I want you to come to a little drinks party. It’s tomorrow. Very last minute but I don’t expect that’s a problem for you.’
Violet stiffened. She wanted to say she had a prior engagement so much that it was all she could do not to blurt it out, but she didn’t have one, and she really wanted to see Felicity. ‘Not a problem at all, Lucinda. What time would you like me?’
‘Oh, about seven. I’ll book a table at that little restaurant round the corner so Felicity and I can go out with the other guests for dinner afterwards.’
Violet was on tenterhooks to see Felicity so she could hear about France and find out why she’d come home. Had she heard from Oliver? Was she going to forgive him? Although Violet’s days were full and at least for part of the time she was doing interesting work, she longed to be with someone whom she could really relax with.
She didn’t have to wait long. She’d just had time to retrieve Oliver’s finds bag from the kitchen cupboard and open a bottle of wine before there was a knock on the door. She put the bag out of sight before opening the door.
When they’d finished squealing in delight, they hugged each other hard. ‘Come in and have a glass of wine immediately,’ said Violet. ‘I’ve missed you so much and I’m longing to know why you’re back in London.’
‘I’ve used Mummy’s birthday as an excuse. I was going to arrange a party for her but of course she’s taken it over. But never mind, I’m here.’
‘So what’s the real reason?’
‘Well, I think I was a bit bored. After I’d seen everything and been with the family I didn’t know what to do with myself. And I did feel I’d run away and that it was a bit cowardly of me. Alexandra said that heartbreak follows you around like a bad smell and I knew I wouldn’t get over it deep in the country.’
‘Oh?’ Violet handed Felicity a glass of wine. ‘Do sit down.’
Felicity did as she was told. ‘These biscuits are so delicious. I will always associate them with you.’ Felicity took a few and started crunching.
‘You only love me for my cheesy biscuits,’ said Violet. ‘But I’ve got something else you might love me for.’ She went to a cupboard in her bedroom and came back with a brown paper parcel.
Felicity opened it and then almost screamed in delight. ‘My jeans! You’ve washed them!’
‘I’m afraid I didn’t. Anna rescued them. I told her to keep the other pieces, including your tweed jacket, because I knew you didn’t like that, but she got the jeans clean by some magic.’
‘I’m going to put them on! I’ve missed them so!’
‘Here are also the finds that Oliver gave you. They’ve been waiting for you, still in their bag.’
‘Ergh! Oliver!’ said Felicity, taking off her skirt before pulling on her jeans and wriggling into them.
‘But, surely, it’s why you’re back, isn’t it? Because of him?’
Felicity pursed her lips. ‘He has still got my boots and I want them back …’
Violet waited. She knew Felicity could buy more boots if she wanted to.
‘Alexandra said I didn’t really know the whole story, and that I should fight for him. She’s probably right.’ But Felicity obviously didn’t feel ready to talk about him because she changed the subject. ‘What about you? Has anything interesting happened while I’ve been away?’
Violet put the rejected finds bag on the side table and sat down opposite Felicity. ‘Interesting would describe it.’
Felicity leant forward. ‘What? Tell me!’
Violet told her about Henry’s surprise arrival and how she was now working for him and Miss Wynter.
‘So how do you feel about working for him again? Are you going out now? Like you’re girlfriend and boyfriend?’
Violet couldn’t help laughing. ‘We’re too old to be that, I think, and even if we weren’t, we’re not. He was very annoyed with me for not saying goodbye.’
‘But do you still like him?’
Violet sighed. ‘Do you still like Oliver?’
‘When I don’t want to kill him? I suppose so. Even though he nearly killed me!’
Violet regarded her beautiful young friend. ‘I don’t know why we’re saying “like”. We both know we mean love.’
Felicity shrugged. ‘I have picked up many English ways, including never saying what you mean.’
Violet nodded. ‘And it could mean just a crush. It probably is that. Anyway, there’s nothing going on between me and Henry at the moment except work.’
‘Bring him to Mummy’s party tomorrow!’
‘Won’t she mind? An unexpected guest?’
Felicity made a dismissive gesture. ‘My mother would never turn away an attractive man. And anyway, I’ll tell her you’ll be bringing him.’
‘Supposing he can’t come?’
Felicity laughed and spread her arms wide. ‘ C’est la vie! ’
Violet was smiling as she made herself cheese on toast for supper later. She was very glad to have Felicity back, making her laugh and being surprisingly wise.
Too late Violet realised that she should never have agreed to invite Henry to Lucinda’s birthday party. Had she been thinking more clearly she wouldn’t have. But part of her wanted to turn up to Lucinda’s party with an attractive man beside her; Lucinda so obviously pitied her for being thirty and single. Even if it only worked for a few moments, she wanted to see the look of surprise on Lucinda’s face.
But before she could do that, she had to invite Henry.
The next morning, she walked Sigmund and changed Miss Wynter’s library books first thing, and then went along to the bookshop. Henry was already in the basement.
‘Morning, Violet.’
Violet could see that although he was trying to sound his usual cheerful self, he was worried. She put the kettle on.
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked when she had made them both tea.
‘Did I say anything was wrong?’
‘You didn’t need to. What is it?’
He sighed. ‘I need to face up to the fact that I can’t work out where the palace was. I’ve combed through all the evidence I’ve collected, all the files you sorted, even a folder that Sylvia found. It seems very unlikely I’ll have anything worth publishing in time to apply to this job in Oxford, let alone get it. I know they want me but obviously they have standards and currently I don’t come up to them.’
Violet considered. ‘I just wish I could help.’
‘Violet, you’ve already done so much! While I was gadding about abroad, you were down here organising everything and collating information. It’s made a huge difference.’
‘Just not enough of a difference.’ Like Henry, she felt disappointed.
‘Really, Violet, I wouldn’t even be able to consider going for this job if you hadn’t made sense of all those documents. If there’s ever anything I can do for you …?’
Violet took a deep breath. Now was her chance. ‘There is something actually. It won’t take up your work time. It’s a bit of an odd favour—’
‘Tell me, Violet. It can’t be that odd!’
Violet laughed. ‘Will you come with me to a birthday party? It’s tonight, so very short notice. But you don’t have to stay long.’
‘Whose birthday party and why don’t I have to stay long?’
Violet didn’t want to say that she only wanted him so she could look as if she had a boyfriend, even if only for half an hour or so. ‘It’s for the woman who lives in the main part of the house, Lucinda. She’s the mother of Felicity who I’ve told you about. Felicity asked if I’d bring – someone.’ This wasn’t quite true but it was a lie she could live with.
‘And I’m handy?’
Violet nodded. ‘Very. And I hope it won’t put you out too much.’
‘Will you come out to dinner with me afterwards?’ he said quickly.
Violet’s mouth went dry. This was exactly what she wanted. So why did she feel slightly sick at the prospect?
‘That would be lovely.’ It came out as a squeak.