Page 67 of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure
“He drank so much before,” Ellie said. “And he came home and he hit you and pushed you around, Mavis. You’re free of him. You don’t have to worry any more.”
“You’re right,” she said, pondering this, frowning. “I am free, aren’t I?” And she turned bright red. “Well, that changes things, doesn’t it? It would mean that ...” She broke off and wouldn’t say any more. Ellie did not press her.
“I’ll get you a glass of brandy,” Ellie said. “You’ve had a big shock.”
Mavis was staring in front of her. Ellie took down the brandy bottle and poured a little into a glass. “Get that down you.”
“I don’t normally drink, as you very well know,” she said. “But on this occasion ... well, blow me down. That’s the last piece of news I expected. Reg dead? I’m a widow.” She took a big swig of brandy, coughed, then finished the glass. Of course it would take Mavis time to process such a life-changing event, but Ellie was glad for her. She was now able to make a new life for herself and would not have to worry if they went back to England.
Went back to England ... Ellie toyed with this. If there was a war, would they be stupid and reckless to stay here? But then she pictured England. Dora could go back to her cottage, but she and Mavis, where would they go? What would they do? She imagined grey, rainy days,plodding to the local shop, nodding politely at people she knew. Yes, the weather has been frightful, hasn’t it? But yes, it is good for the runner beans.
She shook her head. No. That was not what she wanted. She was not going back.
Nico came about seven thirty, almost unrecognizable in a dark suit and striped tie, his unruly dark curls smoothed into place. Ellie had a desire to laugh but was actually charmed. She just nodded instead.
“You got dressed up for the occasion, I see,” she said.
“How often do I have a chance to wear a suit?” he said. “Only for funerals, and nobody dies here. Luckily the moths have not found it yet.”
They sat in the drawing room drinking Campari and eating cheese straws.
“I’ve always loved this view from your terrace,” Nico said. “The best thing about this place, in my opinion.”
She was about to ask how he knew about the view, but then she remembered that he crossed this terrace at night when he came up from his boat.
“Yes. It still takes my breath away,” Ellie replied. “It was when I saw the view that I knew I had to live here.”
“You had a nice house in England? A castle?”
Ellie laughed. “Nothing like a castle. But a nice house. Big garden. Five bedrooms. The sort of house a prosperous banker owns, close enough to London to take the train up every day.”
“And your husband still lives there?”
“He does. With his new wife.”
Nico made a small snort of derision. “I am sorry,” he said.
“Oh, don’t be. This is the best thing that ever happened to me,” she said. “I find myself truly happy.”
“You do not miss a man in your life?”
“No. I am content. I do not have to wait on anyone.” She paused, looking at him. “And you. You do not have a wife?”
“Not any more,” he said. “I married as a young man. She was beautiful. Perfect in every way.” He paused. “And then she died in the Spanish flu epidemic in 1920. And then my father died and my mother needed me, so I came home. And since then ... well, there was nobody to compare to Claudine.”
“Dinner’s ready.” Mavis appeared in the doorway.
“Shall we go through?” Ellie led him to the dining room, glad that the conversation had been interrupted. It had been a little too intimate. The long table had been covered in a white cloth, and they had managed to salvage enough chairs for the five of them to sit at one end. Yvette had declined to join them. “I don’t feel too well,” she said. “And I do not like fish.”
The fish was produced on its long platter, crisp on the outside but stuffed with herbed butter and plenty of garlic. Nico nodded at his first bite, impressed. “Ah, I see you have learned to prepare the fish à la provençale. I congratulate you. You are Cordon Bleu. Perfect.”
The fish was accompanied with scalloped potatoes and spinach and followed by chocolate mousse and cream.
“I must come and eat here more often,” he said.
“Stop for a snack on your way to the shed,” Ellie said before she had time to consider if this was wise.
“Ah yes. The shed.” He gave a little grin. “I hope you don’t mind that I use it.”
