Homecomings
Page 25
‘It would be a squash for them in Clem’s little car,’ Adam says. ‘It’s OK. I don’t mind.’
But Dossie knows that he wants to do this: to bring Janna and Sister Emily to The Court. She wonders if it’s making him feel that this party is truly a joint affair, not just for her friends, and she agrees that it’s a good idea.
They carry extra tables and chairs into the garden as the sun begins to draw up the mist, and Adam finds two old umbrellas and their metal stands in the barn. These can be dusted down and erected so that they will provide shade on the terrace.
He unpacks the extra plates and cups that Dossie keeps for her parties, though there’s plenty of pretty china on the dresser.
‘Just in case,’ he says. ‘Best to be prepared.’ He grins at her. ‘This is fun.’
She grins back at him. She loves to do this; to be getting ready for a big party that lasts on into the evening. She remembers that the last big occasion at The Court was for Pa’s birthday – and that Adam made some excuse and didn’t come. She tries not to think about it but wishes that Mo and Pa could see this difference in Adam; could be here to celebrate with them. She knows, though, sometimes it needs change, however final and sad, to bring about a new direction.
‘Jakey can make himself useful,’ Adam is saying. ‘He’s old enough to be sensible and if he thinks he’s responsible for certain things he won’t get bored. It’s a pity everyone’s so much older than he is. We should have suggested that he could bring a friend.’
‘Jakey’s used to it,’ she answered. ‘He lives alongside a convent, remember. He’s very good with older people. But I agree. We’ll keep him occupied.’
They have a scratch lunch of soup and rolls and then go upstairs to shower and change. It’s hot now and the big umbrellas cast welcome shadows across the terrace. They make a last check round and then Adam drives away to fetch Janna and Sister Emily. Dossie is suddenly and unaccountably nervous, wondering how it will be with all these very special people together, what it will be like to be with Jamie here amongst her family and closest friends. And then she hears a car engine, Clem and Tilly and Jakey come rolling up the drive, the atmosphere changes, and she feels happy again; confident and excited. The party is about to begin.
The tea party has been a great success. The festivities spilled out of the kitchen and into the garden, whilst the guests mingled, were introduced to each other, and little groups formed and re-formed, and Dossie flits about, now here, now there, making certain that everyone is being looked after. She watches and listens.
Ned sits with Sister Emily. His expression is amused, delighted, as if he has discovered some rare treat, and Dossie hears Sister Emily say: ‘Oh, but people get some very strange ideas about prayer, don’t they? Lists of requests and demands, a litany of names.’
She looks bemused by this approach, and Ned asks: ‘So what are your thoughts about prayer, Sister?’
Dossie moves slightly closer to hear the response.
‘Oh,’ says Sister Emily, ‘I think the short prayers are the best, don’t you? Prayers that come directly from the heart.’
‘Yes,’ says Ned slowly. ‘Could you give me an example?’
‘Well, yes.’ She looks surprised that he should need one. ‘For instance.’ She looks slowly around the assembled gathering in the garden, her face warming into love and amazement and raises both hands in appreciation. ‘Wow!’ she says. A little pause. ‘Then, of course, there are those moments of despair, of disaster.’
‘And then?’ he prompts her.
‘Well, that’s obvious.’ Her face creases, as if in anguish at the thought of world suffering. ‘I just cry “Help!”’
Ned nods. ‘I think I’m beginning to understand.’
‘And the last one is easy.’ She puts her hands together and smiles gratefully. ‘It’s “Thanks.” Quite simple, you see. You only need those three.’
Dossie turns away from the expression on Ned’s face, lest she should burst out laughing, and nearly bumps into Adam and Jakey, who are bringing out trays with glasses ready for the Prosecco moment before supper. She beams approvingly at them and hesitates near Hugo’s table, where he is seated with Clem and Tilly and Janna. He is discussing the probability of allowing the local TV news team into Chi-Meur, to film what happens there.
‘I’m sure I could arrange it,’ he is saying enthusiastically. ‘Just think what the publicity could do for you.’
She can see that Tilly is alight with the possibilities of getting the Retreat House out to a wider audience, whilst Janna is watching him with an expression that is a mix of admiration and alarm. Clem glances up at Dossie and raises his eyebrows, as if in disbelief and amazement at Hugo’s confident enthusiasm, his revolutionary ideas. Clem’s approach is much more cautious.
She beams at him, bends so that only he shall hear, and murmurs: ‘God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform,’ and Clem puts up a hand to hide his grin.
She goes into the house hoping that Ben and Prune have arrived. They couldn’t make it in time for tea but should be here any time now for Prosecco and then supper. Jamie is coming out of the kitchen and her heart does that foolish little jump, but she remembers Hugo’s advice and grins at him.
‘Hiding?’ she asks. ‘Nobody to play with? Billy No-Mates?’
‘No,’ he says. ‘I was just making sure that there were enough goodies left for our picnic tomorrow. Be ready, won’t you? Ten-ish?’
She stares at him. ‘Tomorrow? Why? Where are we going?’
And now she sees that he is carrying two glasses of prosecco. He holds one out to her and raises his own.
‘To Land’s End,’ he answers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Marcia Willett’s early life was devoted to the ballet, but her dreams of becoming a ballerina ended when she grew out of the classical proportions required. She had always loved books, and a family crisis made her take up a new career as a novelist – a decision she has never regretted. She lives in a beautiful and wild part of Devon.
Find out more about Marcia Willett and her novels at www.marciawillett.co.uk
Also by Marcia Willett
FORGOTTEN LAUGHTER
A WEEK IN WINTER
WINNING THROUGH
HOLDING ON
LOOKING FORWARD
SECOND TIME AROUND
STARTING OVER
HATTIE’S MILL
THE COURTYARD
THEA’S PARROT
THOSE WHO SERVE
THE DIPPER
THE CHILDREN’S HOUR
THE BIRDCAGE
THE GOLDEN CUP
ECHOES OF THE DANCE
MEMORIES OF THE STORM
THE WAY WE WERE
THE PRODIGAL WIFE
THE SUMMER HOUSE
THE CHRISTMAS ANGEL
THE SEA GARDEN
POSTCARDS FROM THE PAST
INDIAN SUMMER
SUMMER ON THE RIVER
THE SONGBIRD
SEVEN DAYS IN SUMMER
For more information on Marcia Willett and her books, see her website at www.marciawillett.co.uk
TRANSWORLD PUBLISHERS
61–63 Uxbridge Road, London W5 5SA
www.penguin.co.uk
Transworld is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com
First published in Great Britain in 2018 by Bantam Press
an imprint of Transworld Publishers
Copyright © Marcia Willett 2018
Cover illustration © Hannah George
Title lettering © Sarah J. Coleman
Author photograph © Emma Stoner
Cover design by Beci Kelly/TW
Marcia Willett has asserted her right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work.
This book is a work of fiction and, except in the case of historical fact, any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is purely c
oincidental.
Every effort has been made to obtain the necessary permissions with reference to copyright material, both illustrative and quoted. We apologize for any omissions in this respect and will be pleased to make the appropriate acknowledgements in any future edition.
A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
Version 1.0 Epub ISBN 9781473540859
ISBN 9780593076880
This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorized distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2