Why was she so appallingly nice? It was incredibly irritating.
'Thanks, Alice, but we can manage. I'll bunk with Kate and they can have my room.'
It had a large bed, which Karl and she had once shared, and she'd often wondered why she'd bothered to keep it. Subconsciously she must have hoped she would have someone else to share it with her.
'You slip away,' Alice said. 'I'll tell Flick. You won't want to disturb her when she's with her parents.'
Well, that was a strong enough hint. She'd have no chance of talking to Doc, or seeing what his reaction was to Edward's infatuation with Alice. Then she began to worry about her parents. After a long flight, and the distress of seeing Margaret, they'd be exhausted and Mum would probably be tearful. She and Margaret had been neighbours as children, gone to the same schools, and married friends within months of one another. Margaret's husband had died ten years ago, and Lucy knew she'd been planning to visit Mum in Australia next winter.
'We can probably get them a room here tomorrow,' she said to Kate as they wove their way through the bars of the King's Head. 'Flick's friends will have gone.'
'Including Edward.' Kate was scornful. 'Did you see him making calf's eyes at Alice? In front of you!'
'But Kate, you know I want to be finished with him. If this does it, I'm all for it.'
She didn't add that it also revived her hopes of Doc. She didn't know how she felt about him, and she hadn't told Kate much about their trips to supervise Rosa's honeymoons. But if Alice returned Edward's infatuation, or if Doc thought she did, would he finish with her again?
They said no more as they'd reached the car, squashed illegally into the single passenger seat, and within minutes were home, and kissing their parents.
Justin didn't get out of the car, and her opinion of him was improving by the minute.
'They won't want to meet strangers now,' he said when Kate invited him in. 'See you at work on Monday, and thanks for a pleasant evening.'
*
She left Kate to make coffee and sandwiches while she changed the bed and tried to tidy up her room so that it was respectable. She cleared part of her wardrobe and dumped a load of her clothes in Kate's room, planning to hang them up later. Kate's room had a much smaller bed, but she had so much stuff there wasn't a lot of space.
Their parents were exhausted, and soon went to bed. Kate and she sat in the kitchen, and Lucy opened a bottle of wine. They'd not had much at the party, but they both needed it.
'Did they say how long they'd be staying?' Lucy asked.
'No, but I gathered Margaret has only days to live, and Mum would like to stay for her funeral, so that's a couple of weeks, I expect. Lucy, I'll be on my course next week. I really can't get out of it, so will you be OK?'
'You mustn't miss the course. I'll manage, of course. Maybe they'll go to the King's Head. Where is Margaret? Did they say which hospital? Where in Oxford?'
'They didn't say. I expect they'll want to go there every day when they've got over the flight.'
They soon went to bed. There was nothing else to do. The party would go on for hours yet, and Lucy wondered about the possibility of going back, but soon discarded the idea. She wouldn't be able to lie in tomorrow, and she wasn't too keen on seeing Edward making a fool of himself over Alice, or watching Doc's reaction. She'd accepted that her own chances of talking to Doc were almost non-existent, so she'd just have to bide her time and see what developed.
That resolution didn't stop her lying awake for hours wondering what the outcome might be. Had Alice and Doc made up, as they seemed to have done when she saw them dancing together? If they had, what was she doing being so friendly with Edward? Perhaps they hadn't got back together, and she was trying to make Doc jealous. For a short while the notion pleased her, and then she knew it was unlikely. Alice was just too nice to play that sort of game.
They stayed in bed late, though Lucy was keeping one ear open for when the parents woke up. Then those wretched doorbells started carolling about 'The Old Folks at Home'. Appropriate, but noisy. She shot out of bed, realised she hadn't brought a dressing gown from her room last night, grabbed Kate's, and almost fell down the stairs.
It was Miss Brown at the front door.
'Dear Mrs Latimer,' she purred. Had she forgiven her for what she imagined Doc and she had been up to? Or did she think the risk of contamination was now over?
'Can I help?' Lucy asked, trying to tug the dressing gown across her front. Somehow the belt had got tangled, and was holding the bulk of the material in a bunch behind her.
'I understand from dear Alice your parents have arrived, and I wondered whether they would like to come to morning service later? I know you and your sister don't attend regularly, but often the older generation is more – well, likes to go.'
She wished dear Alice had kept her mouth shut.
'Thank you, Miss Brown, but my parents are still in bed. They flew in from Australia last night. Didn't Alice tell you that? But it means they are rather tired.'
'No, we've had a wonderful sleep, dear.'
Mum was behind her on the stairs. She went on.
'Do invite your friend in, Lucy. I heard her very kind offer, and I think I would like to go and say a prayer for Margaret. How long do we have?'
Miss Brown didn't wait for her invitation, but marched past her into the kitchen. 'There's a good hour, but I thought you might like plenty of warning. Lucy can show you the way to the church.'
Mum began to fill the kettle, while Miss Brown looked at the pile of unwashed dishes in the sink and the empty wine bottle and two glasses on the table.
'I'll go and get dressed,' Lucy said, 'then I'll get breakfast.'
*
Miss Brown had gone when she got back downstairs, but Mum and Dad were sitting round the table drinking coffee, and Kate, bless her, was making toast.
'You're really rested?' she asked after she'd kissed them both. 'It's lovely to see you, but so sad about Margaret.'
Mum blinked and sniffed, and Kate silently handed her a tissue.
'We were so upset when we heard. Her son phoned, and Mum said we had to come at once,' Dad said, taking Mum's hand in his and squeezing it.
She was the one trying not to sniff now. They'd always been demonstrative, and were clearly still very much in love. It was the sort of marriage she'd once dreamed of herself.
'How's the business?'
In England Dad, an electrician, had set up a small building company with a friend. He'd begun another when they emigrated.
'Doing fine, love. I'm taking on a couple of new chaps.'
'And you still like your new house?' she asked.
She hadn't seen them since they'd flown back for a few weeks after Karl died, and at that time they hadn't finally decided where they wanted to live.
'We love it, and the warmth has been good for your mother's chest problems,' Dad said.
That was the main reason they'd gone, though Dad had a brother who'd emigrated years ago, and who had been trying to persuade them to join him for years. They'd waited till Kate had finished school, and was old enough to look after herself, then they'd made the break. They'd have liked the girls to go too, but neither Kate nor she wanted to, yet. They'd promised to visit them and consider it, but neither of them could afford the fare at the moment, so they'd put it off for now.
'We were sorry to drag you away from your party,' Dad said. 'What was it? I could hear music in the background when you answered your phone, Kate.'
'It was a birthday party, a neighbour who lives at the farm over the hill behind the cottage. At the King's Head. In fact, she was wondering whether you might be more comfortable staying at the hotel there? This cottage is rather small.'
'No, Lucy, we want to see as much of you as we can, since we're here, and we don't mind how small the cottage is, do we, Dad? We'll be going to see Margaret most days, so we'll be out except for evenings.'
'I have to work some evenings,' Lucy warned them, 'but I'l
l try to rearrange my appointments.'
'And I have to be away on a training course next week for my job,' Kate said.
'Oh, Kate, must you?'
'Sorry, Mum, but I can't afford to miss it if I'm to qualify as soon as possible. Then I'll be earning enough to come out to Oz and stay with you.'
'The girls have their own lives now, Mum,' Dad said. 'We're no doubt disrupting things for them, turning up so suddenly. Like that party.'
'Well, yes, I know that, but it's so nice to see you both.'
'And good to see you.'
Lucy meant it, even though it complicated her life just now. What would they say when they heard about her trips with Doc? Miss Brown, she was sure, would make certain she told them.
'We'd better get ready for church,' Mum said. 'So kind of your friend to invite us. Are you coming, girls?'
'I'll have to cook lunch,' Lucy said hastily, 'and I really need Kate to help. Besides, she's got to sort out what she needs for next week, and she can do that while you're out, so that we can spend the rest of the day together.'
'But I'll drive you to the church first,' Kate offered. 'And I can come and fetch you later. It's not far, but you must still be tired.'
*
Chapter 14
Kate was soon back, with some interesting news.
'Guess what! Edward and Alice were going into church together, and they came over the road from the King's Head. I wonder if the saintly Alice spent the night there?'
'She wouldn't.'
Lucy couldn't explain how she was so certain, but she didn't see Alice jumping into bed with a man she'd only just met, and neither could she believe Edward would move so fast. He'd been seeing her for months and only recently got around to hinting he wanted to stay the night. Then the depressing thought hit her that perhaps he wasn't as fond of her as she'd imagined.
Had Alice and Doc been to bed? Had they stayed at that hotel in Oxford together? She couldn't resist the thought, but tried to push it away as she peeled potatoes and defrosted some lamb chops. She didn't go in for Sunday joints, and Mum would probably think she hadn't had a proper meal, but it was the best she could do. They'd have to put up with frozen veg too.
'What on earth can we give them for a pudding?' she wondered.
Her mother was the apple pie and lemon meringue type, but Lucy was incapable of making pastry she could approve of, and anyway didn't have any apples and only one lemon which was reserved for the gin she was going to need pretty soon.
Kate had her head in the fridge.
'We only have a mouldy bit of cheese,' she said. 'The minimarket in the High Street will be open, I can get some fruit and ice cream there. Some cheese as well if they have any. Do we have butter and biscuits? They'll have to make do, they can't expect a feast, descending on us out of the blue like this.'
She went to pack her case for tomorrow, then to do the shopping and wait for her parents. Lucy had been panting for the gin, but restraining herself as Kate would not have one and drive, and it would be mean of her to have one in front of her.
At last she was on her own and had leisure to think about last night. Had Doc and Alice got together again? If they had, what was she doing with Edward? He might be besotted, and if he was going to church, something she'd not known him do since they'd met, he must be. But Alice?
Could she possibly have fallen for Edward? He was good looking, but not a maiden's dream. He was rather staid, though last night he'd shown he could be struck suddenly with strong emotions.
She gave up the puzzle and decided to lay the table in the sitting room. Then she remembered the lack of a dressing gown, and went upstairs to rummage through her wardrobe for anything else she might need during the next few days. She was still there when Kate came back with the parents, using the kitchen door, and shouted up to her.
'Lucy! Where are you? The potatoes are burning!'
She don't know why she hadn't noticed the smell. It filled the kitchen, and the potatoes, and probably the saucepan, were ruined.
Kate was being far more efficient than she was. She almost pushed her mother, who wanted to help, out of the kitchen, told her to get them a drink, and said she'd cook some rice and grill the chops. Lucy was frazzled, and only too glad to leave it to her. Her father, she suspected, when she joined him and her mother in the sitting room, was laughing to himself, but Mum was tutting, no doubt blaming herself for not having made her more domesticated. Why was it that mothers always blamed themselves for the faults of their offspring?
*
The meal wasn't the complete disaster it might have been, if she'd been left to herself. They took coffee into the garden, and were catching up on family news when Doc's collies raced into the garden. Kate had clearly forgotten to close the gate. They came rushing up, tails furiously wagging. Kate and Lucy, used to them, grabbed the coffee cups, and Lucy yelled 'Sit!' in what she hoped was a firm enough voice they'd recognise as a command to be obeyed.
She looked up, half hoping, half afraid of seeing Doc. But it was Flick who followed them in. To her astonishment the dogs had sat down, and Flick slipped on their leads, apologising as she did so, and tied them to the fence.
Lucy introduced her to her parents, and she said Alice had explained why they had left the party so suddenly.
'So I came to invite you all to supper tonight. Nothing special, and definitely no leftovers from the party! Do say you'll come. Has Lucy told you about my brother's llamas? He's dying to show them off, introduce them to as many people as possible. Do you have llamas in Australia?'
'I think so, but we've never seen any, here or there,' Dad said. 'We'd love to accept, wouldn't we, Mum?'
Mum didn't look so sure, but Lucy thought the idea of a meal she hadn't cooked appealed to her, so she nodded.
'Great!' Flick said. 'About six, then, feeding time at the zoo. Oh, I meant the llamas, of course!'
'Will – er – anyone else be there?' Lucy asked, as casually as possible.
'No, just us and Daisy, of course. My parents went back to London this morning. Don't dress up, and come in shoes you don't mind getting muddy in the paddocks.'
She went, and Mum said she thought she'd have a nap. Jet lag was catching up with her, and she was still feeling tired after the long flight. Dad went up with her, and Kate and Lucy had their first chance to talk properly since the party.
'Did you like Justin?' Kate demanded as soon as they were out of earshot.
'He seemed very pleasant, but not the sort of man you normally go out with,' Lucy said, trying to be honest.
Kate sighed. 'There aren't many like them in an accountancy firm. I'm hoping there'll be more choice on this course, though most of them will be trainees like me, so not rich enough. I'll have to concentrate on the lecturers.'
She was obviously still intent on finding a rich husband, and by now Lucy had decided there was no point in arguing with her. Kate was silent for a few moments, and then began to chuckle.
'What about Edward?' she asked. 'Have you ever seen anything so crazy as his behaviour? Did you mind? After all, he was supposed to be your date.'
'An uninvited one,' she pointed out. 'If Alice has relieved me of him I shall be eternally grateful. But I can't understand what she sees in him. She has the choice of every man in sight.'
'I wonder. Don't you think such perfection might become rather boring and uninteresting after a while?'
Lucy was startled. Had her kid sister understood something she'd never considered? It was an encouraging idea.
*
They walked up to the farm. Dad said they needed some fresh air and exercise. He seemed to have become an expert on Australian agriculture, and was commenting all the way on the differences. Mum was walking with Kate, grilling her about her degree result and her new job and prospects.
'Will you be qualified in Australia?' Lucy heard her ask. She obviously still harboured a wish that they would follow them out there.
She didn't hear Kate's reply, but she w
ondered whether accountants in Australia were richer than here. It seemed unlikely, but no doubt Kate would soon be asking the question, especially if she didn't meet Mr Wealthy soon.
Doc was in the yard, walking Rosa round. He looked up and came across, bringing Rosa, who seemed to recognise Lucy and pulled on the halter to get to her. Mum retreated behind Kate.
Lucy made the introductions while Kate, who had decided that if her sister could handle llamas so could she, started petting Rosa.
'Why the parade?' Kate asked.
'There's a big show in a couple of weeks, and I've entered her. She has to learn to walk beside me in the ring.'
'Like dogs at Crufts?' Mum asked, and Doc nodded.
'They are judged on all sorts of things, including behaviour. Rosa was once shown in a class for young ones, but I think she's forgotten the rules.'
Dad began to ask about feeding, while Mum talked to Flick about what the fibre could be used for. Doc led them round to the paddocks where the new llamas were standing in a row, leaning over the fence and appearing to watch them. Most backed away as they approached, but a couple allowed Lucy and Kate to stroke their necks, while Doc took Rosa inside the paddock and released her.
Flick had brought some treats, small horse cubes and carrot tops, but most of the animals refused to come and take them.
'They need to get used to us,' Flick said, scattering the food onto the ground.
After a while they walked back to the house. Doc asked Lucy a question, and she found herself walking beside him and some way behind the others.
'I was sorry not to dance with you last night,' he said. 'I'd been looking forward to that all week.'
'Me too,' she managed.
She wanted to ask him if he'd forgiven Alice, but it was too difficult. And it wouldn't tell her if they were back together.
'This show,' he went on. 'We're taking some of the alpacas too, but Flick's in charge of them. Will you come and help me with Rosa?'
She looked at him and frowned.
'Surely you don't need me. You'll have Flick there.'
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