“The poor boy.”
“He’s ok now though isn’t he?”
“Oh yeah. He was miserable for a while, in fact he checked into a clinic he was feeling so sorry for himself, then he stopped drinking, lost two and a half stone and is now seeing a Swedish footballer who’s crazy about him.”
“And you think that’s going to win him TQ of the Year?”
“The first bit will. No question.”
“Shouldn’t it win him some other trophy like ‘Most Admired’ or ‘Most Improved’ or – ”
“We don’t have lunches like that Auntie Em – where would be the fun?”
The elegant woman didn’t answer, suddenly distracted by the thought of seeing Kanwar later that day – now that would be fun.
Nicky took advantage of Auntie Em’s silence. “Did I tell you Andy called? He’s back from Japan and was asking after you.”
“Really?” Ollie tried to feign disinterest which was never one of his strengths. He took a sip of wine and slowly wiped the side of his lips. “You know I sent him a text thanking him for his help with Hum – never heard back.”
“Well, you know how texts can get lost in the ether, and what with being in Japan…..”
“Actually I sent him three texts and a voicemail.” Ollie suddenly had a desperate urge to look at the tv. “What’s going on in Albert Square Auntie Gem?”
“Ollie!” Nicky said indignantly. “Andy wanted to know our, well more specifically your plans for New Year’s.”
“Aren’t we going to Lloyd and Clive’s?”
“That’s what I told him.”
“What so he can snog me rotten and give me some false name?”
“I thought you said he was a great kisser.”
“He was but I’m not into closet cases.”
Welcoming the distraction Ollie reached for the ringing phone but Auntie Em got there first. She handed the receiver to Rion, “It’s Tanya. Take it in my room.”
As soon as Rion had left the room Auntie Em turned to Nicky, “Have you told her yet?”
Nicky shook her head, “I’ll tell her when she gets back.”
Auntie Em rubbed her hands together in glee.
“Tell Rion what?” Ollie asked.
“Just something I heard from Angie.”
“Where are they spending Christmas by the way?” Ollie asked anxious to move the conversation away from Andy.
“Anguilla. Edwin went a couple of weeks ago, immediately after he got the all clear. Angie left on Thursday.”
“I think the staff at Peters & Peters were rather relieved he couldn’t attend the Christmas party,” Emma smiled.
“And certainly not give any speeches,” Ollie grinned, “not after his last explosive performance. I saw it online – in technicolour!”
Auntie Gem didn’t join in the accompanying laughter. Pretending she hadn’t heard she remained engrossed in the cliffhanging destruction bringing the Christmas edition to a close. They would never know the role she played in bringing Edwin to his knees.
Ollie looked over at the sofa upon hearing the Eastenders theme tune. “Good episode Gem?”
“You know it child,” Gemma pressed the mute button on the remote and returned to the table.
“Aren’t you going to watch the Queen’s speech?” Jake asked, his arm around Nicky who snuggled in closer.
“Don’t you – ” Auntie Em began then stopped. “Of course you weren’t here last year.”
“Or the years before,” Ollie laughed. “This is one of those difficult times for Gem. Torn between loyalty to the Royal Family and idolatry of Princess Di – and recognising the feelings the Queen had for her daughter-in-law – she has to compromise don’t you?” He poured a glass of port and handed it to Gemma who bobbed her head, smiled but remained glued to the set.
“She does this by watching the speech but with the sound down,” Nicky explained.
“She should be in politics,” said Jake getting out the battered tobacco tin.
“So what – ” Nicky stopped and listened but could still hear Rion chatting happily on the phone in Auntie Em’s bedroom. “ – was the deal in the end? I mean with the McGraths and the creepy guard?” her voice had sunk so low to be barely audible.
Ollie breathed out deeply, letting go the mystery and tension of the past weeks. “Auntie Em got it all figured out.”
Emma took a sip of champagne, letting the bubbles tickle her teeth before swallowing. “Well, from what I can gather it was a mid-winter ceremony chosen to symbolise the point where the sun was the most enfeebled, like the poor woman’s father.”
“But why didn’t they hold it on the winter solstice then?” Jake interrupted.
“It was the winter solstice to them,” Auntie Em stressed. “It appears they were traditionalists keeping to the old calendar which, of course, is several days out.”
Jake, Ollie and Nicky nodded their heads. Auntie Gem was still glued to the Queen’s speech.
“And they wanted a virginal girl because she obviously represents purity, but they also hoped her blood, her vigour, would replenish the old man. They also believed the Gods would smile on such a sacrifice.”
“I still can’t get over that,” Nicky shuddered
“And the chalice would catch her blood which would be mixed with water from the well and drunk, then – ”
“We don’t need to hear any more of that,” Auntie Gem said primly without taking her eyes from the Queen of England.
“Quite,” Ollie agreed as the Queen’s Speech turned into the Christmas edition of Top of the Pops.
The mood in the room lightened as Rion reappeared, returning the phone to its base. “Tanya sends everyone her love,” she smiled.
“When’s she coming down?”
“Some time in January.”
Auntie Em drew in the air over her teeth as if concerned. “Nicky has some news for you sweetness,” she took Rion’s hand. “Maybe you’ll be somewhere else in January.”
Rion’s eyes welled up. “But you said – ”
“Shhhhh,” Auntie Em hugged the young girl to her. “It’s good news angel.”
“Rion,” Nicky took a drag on the joint. “Angie had a call from H – ” she began to cough, “ – from H – ” the dry smoke tickling her lungs caused another outbreak.
“Who?” Rion asked nervously.
Nicky waved her hands about as she spluttered and gasped, trying to name the celebrated designer.
“For goodness sake,” Auntie Em said, “shall I tell her?”
Nicky, her face puce, nodded.
“From Hitherto Williams. Apparently she saw your picture and has made enquiries about booking you for the couture collections in January,” Auntie Em’s eyes twinkled as she looked at the young girl, “in Paris!”
As Ollie and Jake whooped and cheered Rion just felt her face flush a very deep, very hot, red.
Nicky had regained her powers of speech. “It’s not confirmed but there’s definite interest. She’ll be in London in a couple of days and wants to meet you.”
Rion didn’t have time to think. In the next instant Nicky had pulled her to her feet. “Turn it up! Turn it up!” she pointed to the screen where a successful girlgroup were getting ready to sing one of their hits.
The photographer also grabbed Ollie and Auntie Em as Auntie Gem increased the volume.
“I can’t dance to this,” Auntie Em complained.
“Don’t worry,” Ollie gestured to the tv where the girls were going lamely through the motions, “neither can they.”
Nicky arranged them all in the shape of a diamond. Watching the screen they followed the all-girl group as they rotated round, slowly putting their feet in and out in time with the music.
Gemma offered her hand to Jake, “Shall we?” Grinning they eased their way into the diamond, soon clicking their fingers, shuffling their feet and giggling with the rest of them.
Hum watched from his leopard-print bed by the fire. He rolled ove
r on his back, stretched and let out a deep sigh.
All was well with the world.
THE END.
Meanwhile Gardens Page 33