Page 131 of The Christmas Invitation
‘Is it a bit strong?’ she asked, anxiously. ‘I don’t usually bother, except for a splash of Penhaligon’s Violetta, but they sent me a trial size of this new one. I’m not quite sure if it’smeor not. I did dab a bit on when it arrived on the day of the Solstice, but I was mostly outside, so I didn’t notice it.’
‘Ithoughtit was familiar!’ I said. ‘I must have noticed it at the Gathering, when you were cleaning up my hands and face.’
‘I like it, but I think it’s wearing you, rather than the other way round, Syb,’ said Tottie.
‘It’s a delightful scent,’ River assured her kindly. ‘Perfect for special occasions, like this happy gathering.’
He beamed around the table, though not everyone was looking entirely happy and at that moment I saw Zelda’s face freeze and her eyes suddenly widen. Then Piers, who was sitting next to her, gave a yelp and snatched his hand from under the tablecloth.
‘I think my bloody finger’s dislocated!’ he exclaimed.
‘Oh dear, have you hurt yourself?’ Zelda said sweetly. ‘You really should be more careful!’
‘I caught it on the table edge,’ he said, seeing all our eyes on him and swallowing down the angry remark he was clearly about to make.
‘I’d try not to do that again,’ suggested Clara drily.
Sybil had missed this byplay, for she was deeply engrossed in a comfortable chat with River about gardening. They appeared to be getting onverywell, something Piers didn’t seem pleased about, because he kept scowling in their direction until we rose from the table.
Zelda and Tottie took a very sleepy Teddy straight up to bed. Lex and I helped Den clear the table while the others went into the drawing room.
‘Nearly time to get rid of ghastly Piers,’ Lex said, closing the door on the dishwasher. Then he grinned. ‘I don’t think he’ll try anything on with Zelda again, do you?’
‘No, it served him right! Though I do feel atinybit sorry for him,’ I confessed. ‘I mean, he doesn’tknowhe’s ghastly, does he? He thinks he’s God’s gift to women. And then, heisvery old.’
‘Late seventies isn’t that old these days and, anyway, being old doesn’t entitle you to be obnoxious, does it?’
‘’E’s always been bleedin’ obnoxious,’ observed Den, who was now making the coffee. ‘A nastier pair than ’e and that George were, yer’d never find. ’Ard to believe ’e was ’Enry’s brother.’
Andmygrandfather, I thought, though I didn’t feel madly keen to acknowledge the relationship with him.
Den went off to his flat and we took the coffee through. Predictably, Piers spurned it and demanded something stronger.
‘If you’re not having coffee, Piers, then I might as well take you down to Flora’s now,’ suggested Lex. ‘She’s expecting you, and we don’t want to leave it too late because the roads will be freezing again.’
‘I don’t think I want to go out into the cold again this evening,’ he said pathetically. ‘It’s too much to ask of a man my age and—’
‘I’m driving you down; it’s not as if you’re going to walk,’ pointed out Lex. ‘I’ll bring the pick-up round and you can get in when it’s warmed up, so you’ll only be out in the cold for two seconds.’ He got up and left the room.
Piers turned to Sybil. ‘I wanted to have a little private chat with you after dinner, dear girl,’ he began. ‘Perhaps before I leave we can—’
‘You’d better start putting your outdoor things on now, Piers,’ Henry interrupted. ‘Lex has gone for the pick-up and he’ll be ready for you in a few minutes.’
‘Yes, you mustn’t keep him waiting,’ Sybil said.
I thought she looked relieved, until he gave her a hard stare and snapped, ‘Come and see me at this guesthouse tomorrow morning, Sybil. I’ll be expecting you.’
‘Oh … but I’m not sure I …’ Sybil stammered.
Piers’ voice became oily. ‘I came all this way to see you, my dear. You don’t want todisappointme, do you?’
She stared at him, swallowed hard and then, summoning up a weak smile, said, ‘No, of course not. I’ll walk down if there hasn’t been heavy snowfall overnight.’
Lex sounded his horn and everyone enthusiastically bundled Piers into his coat and scarf, then urged him out. It was snowing, but in a half-hearted way. Lex helped Piers to get in and then went back round to the driver’s side.
Before I could stop myself I’d called anxiously, ‘Be careful, Lex!’
‘Don’t worry about me. I’m used to the weather up here,’ he said, smiling at me, and got in.
