But Lottie knew they hadn’t got a choice. They needed this income desperately.
‘Pandora rang and gave me a telling off.’
‘Telling off?’ Sam was indignant.
‘She more or less threatened that they’d stop the filming if we carried on letting people watch. I mean I don’t know if they can, really, because we haven’t done anything wrong, but we do need the money and if they sued us we’d be totally knackered.’
‘Sued you? Can they do that, babe? I know a really good lawyer if you need one. She’s a gem, worked for loads of my friends.’
‘It’s okay, I don’t think they can, but it won’t come to that. She more or less said all the bad publicity was my fault. So, I talked to Gran and we thought it was better not to do it.’ She sighed. Elizabeth had also said that she suspected that Pandora was jealous of the attention Sam was getting from the spectators. After all, she’d added, there was no such thing as bad publicity if you were a celebrity. But, Pandora was the star, and she wanted all the adoration, not to share it. ‘It wasn’t really worth the hassle. They made such a mess, it took hours to clear up after them and Rory was really cross about that picture in the paper. I’m just hoping they all get fed up.’ She really couldn’t win. If they snarled up the village again she’d be in trouble with her dad, and if she let them in the grounds she’d be in trouble with everybody else.
‘I bet he was cross, babe. I mean, even my Davey would be put out if I was caught snogging that Xander.’
‘I wasn’t snogging him!’
Sam winked. ‘You were nice and close, though. It’s hard, isn’t it, when you see your first love again. Aww, so sweet isn’t it? After all this time. Your first one.’ Her voice had a dreamy edge.
‘Sam! Honestly, he wasn’t my first anything. I can’t believe you just said that. I hardly spoke a word to him at school, him and Pandora hated me, and they were both so miserable all the time.’ She paused. ‘And competitive, they were always making out they were better than everybody else. She scowled and he used to glare.’
‘I think the correct term is smoulder, my dear, or glower.’
They both jumped at the sound of Elizabeth’s voice, and Roxy bounced up and down in the saddle giggling. ‘I saw you, Lizbet, I saw you.’
‘I know you did, clever little girl.’ Elizabeth winked and put a finger to her lips. ‘I remember Alexander’s mother, such an attractive girl, quite stunning, if I remember rightly, but slightly unstable. Flighty type. They weren’t here long, but she so wanted to stay. That man was having none of it, though. Domineering type. That poor boy didn’t know where he was supposed to fit in, and the disgrace of having Pandora here as well made it that much worse.’ She sighed. ‘It was quite a scandal at the time, having such a dysfunctional family in the area. I hear the poor woman has gone completely doolally now, so her husband has finally left her. For Alexander’s sake, I do hope it isn’t genetic, poor child.’
‘What scandal, Your Ladyship?’
Lottie cringed. Sam insisted on treating Elizabeth like royalty and it had taken her over a year to convince her friend that there was no need to curtsey. She still hadn’t managed to persuade her that no title was necessary.
‘That girl, of course.’ She waved her stick in the direction of Pandora. ‘It was no secret. Michael Rossi, Alexander’s father, had an affair, and quite honestly one can’t really blame him, that dippy girl he’d married really was away with the fairies at times. But to have a child from the union and then parade her so publicly was quite outrageous, unforgivable. One does not wash one’s dirty laundry in public. But Pandora’s mother was just like she is; what she wanted she got, and her child had to have what Alexander had. Where he and his parents went she followed, dragging her daughter with her. So sad. Alexander was rather stoic about it, for a child so young, but I gather his father would rather they had not associated. There was quite a rumpus just before they left Tippermere. I do believe Michael made a substantial settlement and attempted to cease contact with Pandora and her mother.’
‘Oh, I didn’t realise.’ Lottie couldn’t really remember much at all about Xander or his mother, and she certainly couldn’t remember his father.
‘You were children, far too busy having fun, but I really wouldn’t have said the boy glared. He just has that dark look about him.’
Lottie wasn’t convinced. He’d certainly glared the one time she had really noticed him, but he seemed much nicer now. In fact, she’d got quite used to having him around.
‘Well, you’d have thought Xander wouldn’t do what his sister wanted, wouldn’t you, babe? Your ladyship? I mean, he doesn’t look like he’d let somebody push him around.’
‘We all need somebody, Samantha. I’m sure he has his reasons.’ She peered at Lottie, who shrugged and looked down at her feet, hoping she wasn’t as pink-faced as she felt. ‘Well, I suspect Pandora is here for a reason other than fame and fortune. You need to be careful of that girl, Charlotte. Rory is right to be concerned.’
‘Has Rory told you that?’ Lottie looked at her gran in surprise. ‘He’s worried?’
‘Oh no, he doesn’t need to say a word, child.’
‘So you think we should stop it? The filming?’
‘Oh no, good heavens, no. The money will be a godsend, but you should keep a very close eye on Pandora. And do try and keep out of the newspapers, dear. All publicity might be good for this film, but it is not good for our reputation in my eyes. I do also rather suspect that Alexander would prefer to keep himself to himself as well, given past events.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘You’ll see. Well, I do believe he has turned into quite the horseman.’ Lottie was sure there was a naughty glint in her grandmother’s eye as she changed tack. ‘Despite the bad start.’
‘Gran!’ She was definitely beetroot-red now, and she couldn’t do a thing about it. ‘You read my diary.’
‘I did no such thing, young lady. I use these.’ She pointed to her eyes, ‘and these,’ then indicated her ears. ‘Just like little Roxanne does. Well, girls, if that Poldark man, Aidan Turner, isn’t going to make an appearance, I rather think it’s time for a G&T.’ She turned to go, then stopped. ‘Oh, and Charlotte dear, do tell Pandora to stop snooping around inside the house. They haven’t paid to use our facilities, just the grounds. Oh, and if you see young Tabatha and James, tell them to come and see me. I have a little job that needs taking care of.’
Lottie groaned as Elizabeth marched off, Bertie at her heels. ‘What on earth is she up to now, and why does she need Tab?’
‘She’s a right card, isn’t she, your gran? I wish I had a gran like that. What did you mean about your diary?’
Lottie shook her head. ‘It’s nothing, really. I’ll tell you later.’
‘Well come on, babe, let’s go and tell Pandora what she said about the snooping. I want to talk to her anyway. She’s got loads of stuff wrong.’
‘But it’s just a film, Sam.’ Lottie, pony in tow, hurried after Sam, who was already wobbling off on her heels in the direction of the house. Telling Pandora not to snoop was easier said than done. ‘It isn’t supposed to be real, and I’m not sure we should interrupt when they’re busy. Maybe at the end of the day?’
‘Look they’ve stopped for a cuppa. Come on, I want to talk to that Seb too. I mean everybody else is an extra, so I think my little Roxy should be. Look at her on her little pony, bless, she’s a natural, aren’t you poppet?’ The poppet waved both hands.
It was, though, Lottie decided, better to just bite the bullet and get on with it. If Gran had said something needed doing, then she knew from past experience that it was wise to do it – before Elizabeth took matters into her own hands. In theory Lottie was in charge, but whilst her gran was around she’d always have a say, either directly or by her own slightly more devious means. Some people called it interfering, but Lottie also knew that she was a wise old woman. She was seldom proved wrong.
* * *
&
nbsp; ‘Oh God, here come the cavalry.’ Pandora rolled her eyes as the trio approached, giving Lottie a disdainful once-over then narrowing her eyes more shrewdly at Sam. She didn’t know whether it was wiser to ignore the woman or try and get her on side. The child she regarded much as she would a dog, annoying, far too time-consuming and best ignored. Why anybody would want to waste such a large part of their lives on looking after another being escaped her.
‘Just try and be nice to the natives for once, darling.’ Seb didn’t bother looking up from the script, which he was red-inking with abandon. ‘Or they might take your country house away.’
‘Look I hope you don’t mind me saying this, babe. Maybe I shouldn’t, but—’ Sam gave Pandora the benefit of her full, disarming smile.
‘Well, don’t then.’ Muttered Pandora under her breath, unimpressed, and earned a severe look from Seb. ‘Please do.’ She smiled, sweetness personified. ‘I’m all ears.’
‘Well we were watching you earlier, and I’ve got to say you’ve got some of it wrong.’
‘You haven’t got to say that, actually.’
Sam ignored the mutter. ‘I mean if you’ve got this money, like I have, then you’ve got to do everything the right way, haven’t you? It was just the same when me and my Davey moved here, we were like moving to the country.’
‘If I hear one more word about my Davey …’ She was only talking loud enough for Seb to hear, or so she thought, until Roxy piped up.
‘That’s Daddy, my daddy is Davey.’
Pandora scowled and Seb hissed at her to keep her mouth shut.
‘Well I wanted to do stuff, you know, and fit in, like you’re doing in this film. Well not the horse stuff for me personally, but anyway if the girl you’re playing wanted to fit in and ride horses, she wouldn’t just put anything on to do it, would she now?’
Pandora looked at her blankly.
‘Look at my Roxy.’ Sam beamed at her daughter. ‘She’s got everything, dressed the part she is. I mean, you’ve got to be authentic.’ Pandora straightened at the sound of the word ‘authentic’, and stopped sniping. ‘Even Mandy got all kitted out when she had a lesson with you, didn’t she, Lots? She looked just like one of them pictures in Horse and Hound or Tatler. You know she did it proper, babe, the right gear and everything, and you just aren’t, are you? And if I was going to put one of those riding helmet things on I’d get my hairdresser to style my hair so it didn’t go all flat afterwards. I mean what if you didn’t and then some photographer took a snap and made you look a real flat-head?’
‘She’s after a shag from a polo-player, darling, not to ride the Grand National.’
‘Exactly.’ Sam nodded sagely.
‘Sorry?’
‘A shag, not a slag. He’d just think you were after his money or something, not that you were loaded.’
‘But I own this frigging place.’ Pandora waved wildly at the house. ‘Why would he think that, you stupid woman?’
‘Because,’ Sam wasn’t fazed, ‘women like you are good at pretending, aren’t you, babe?’ She studied Pandora for a second too long. ‘For all he knows you could be some gold digger and you’ve just borrowed the place. I don’t like to be nasty, babe, but you’ve not convinced me. I’d be right suspicious. If I was that polo-player I’d think you might be a right slapper.’
‘But my husband’s a rock star.’
‘An ex-rock star. Look at some of them, babe. They’re broke, spent it all on getting bladdered, and looking at the one you’ve got …’ She shook her head. ‘If you were a proper rock chick then you’d put some effort in, wouldn’t you, even if he was old and fat? Or he’d have dumped you a long time ago and got off with one of them groupies. Plenty of kids out there that are after a sugar daddy. None of us girls would turn up half done, even if we were only going to the gym.’
‘I’m not,’ Pandora spoke through gritted teeth, ‘a footballer’s wife.’
‘No, you’re not, babe, are you? He’d see straight through you. In the countryside you’re only allowed to be poor if you’re a lady, like Lottie. What do they call it, impoverated?’
‘Impoverished,’ corrected Lottie.
‘She’s got the breeding and everything.’ She turned back to Pandora. ‘And you haven’t, have you, babe? You’ve got to buy your way in.’ Pandora spluttered and Seb dropped his red pen. ‘Oh and I nearly forgot the message from her ladyship with all the excitement. She said, could you stop snooping in the house, you’ve only paid to use the grounds not the, what did she say? Oh, yes, facilities. That was it, wasn’t it, Lottie? I think by facilities she meant the loo didn’t she, babe?’ She didn’t stop for a response. ‘You don’t want me to give you the number of my stylist do you? She’s ace. Got me some amazing clothes since I’ve been here. I mean, they’re different in the country than in the city, aren’t they? I had some lovely stuff when me and Davey lived down south, but it just doesn’t look right here.’
‘Thank you.’ Pandora was tight-lipped, and Seb looked like he was smirking. ‘But I’m fine. Wardrobe are responsible for what I wear on set.’
‘No, babe, I was talking about your stuff, you know the stuff you wear the rest of the time. If you think it’s getting a bit, you know, stale then just let me know. I could even take you into the Kitterly Heath boutiques if you like? I never thought there would be any good shops here, but they’re amazing.’
‘So kind. But we aren’t going to be here long, are we, Seb?’
‘Not at all.’ His tone was brisk. ‘Well, ladies, nice to chat, but we must crack on while the light’s good.’
‘There was something else, actually. Me and Davey were talking about it, and we’re happy for you to use Roxy as an extra. I mean, obviously she has to go to nursery sometimes, but we’re here quite a lot, aren’t we, poppet? Now we’ve got the pony it gives me a good excuse to come and see Lottie.’
Seb paled. He was having enough problems coping with the livestock, let alone adding children into the mix. ‘No need for any more extras at the moment, but you’ll be the first to know if that changes. And you can reassure Lady Elizabeth that we will not be snooping anywhere, will we, darling?’
Pandora scowled. ‘I wasn’t actually using the facilities. Ours are more than adequate, thank you. All I was doing was having a quick look at where the fire was. I mean it was in all the newspapers wasn’t it, so what’s the harm in looking? Honestly, I don’t know why you’re all so precious about the place.’ She glared at Lottie. ‘You really haven’t changed at all, have you? When you were at school it was all so secretive, like, like a private club. You and your friends talking about ponies and what Mummy said all the time.’
Lottie stilled. ‘That is so untrue, we talked about ponies because that was what we did after school, and,’ her voice dropped, ‘I didn’t have a mummy.’
‘Oh well, Daddy, then. Or in your case, Gran.’
‘You didn’t even know she was my gran.’
‘Oh whatever.’ Pandora waved a dismissive hand. ‘It’s not like I committed an offence is it?’
‘This is our home, Pandora. It’s private. I wouldn’t go wandering around yours without asking, would I?’
‘Oh do stop splitting hairs.’
‘And there’s nothing to see anyway.’ Lottie, who hated conflict, tried to soften the blow. ‘Honestly, it was just a fire, and it still stinks, so it isn’t very nice.’
‘The newspapers said it did extensive damage. Not that I’m that interested, of course.’
‘Well it did make a mess, but it was all the curtains and stuff like that more than anything, and the panelling is burned, and the ceiling.’
Pandora, who had seemed to briefly soften her attitude, went back to being sniffy. ‘Well I’m surprised you haven’t sorted it out more quickly, then, if you’re so,’ she paused, ‘impoverished and your business relies on it.’
‘We’re having to wait for the go-ahead from the insurance company, and it’s a very big room and it all has to be done pro
perly of course. Even the window frames …’ Lottie stopped talking when it became obvious that Pandora had lost interest and was gazing past her at Rupert.
‘Well that’s settled then, darling.’ Seb put a hand on his wife’s shoulder and was shrugged off. ‘We don’t need to go into the house, do we?’
‘Why on earth would anybody want to do that?’ Pandora sniffed. ‘It’s a good job we’ve got a better location for the interior, the smell of smoke gets everywhere. And it looks all dark and musty, I’m not surprised nobody wants to come and get married here. You are going to clear up that pile of mess that pony has just made, I suppose?’
Seb raised an eyebrow and the corner of his mouth lifted, which Lottie supposed was the nearest he got to apologising. Although it must be terribly hard working, or living, with Pandora, one must constantly feel one had to apologise for her.
‘We’ll leave you to, er, crack on, then.’
‘Cheerio, catch you later.’ Sam grinned. ‘And if you want them boobs sorting, I know just the man, these country types like something to grab hold of, if you know what I mean.’ She winked and Pandora visibly paled.
They were halfway back to the stables, and the sound of Pandora and Seb’s raised voices were fading, when Sam linked her arm through Lottie’s. ‘She’s not very nice is she, babe?’
‘She never was.’ Lottie sighed. ‘I thought she might have changed.’
‘You know what, hun? People like that never change. Oh look, Tab and Jamie are here, do you think there’s something going on with them?’ She grinned.
‘Oh heck, Gran wanted to see them and I completely forgot.’
‘Here, Tab, can you put Roxy’s little horse in the field for me, babe? And Lady Elizabeth says she wants to see you.’ She winked at Jamie. ‘And you as well, babe, have you two been up to no good?’
Tab looked at Lottie for confirmation. ‘She did ask. I don’t know why. Is she up to something?’
Tab shrugged and looked, Lottie thought, as guilty as Harry when he’d stolen the last biscuit. ‘She asked us to find some stuff out.’
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