Page 37 of The Widow's Irish Secret
‘You’re not going?’ Tricia asked, feeling a pang of disappointment.
‘No. I was invited by your lovely mother-in-law, but unfortunately I have another commitment.’
‘It would have been fun to dance the Charleston with you,’ Tricia said. ‘But maybe another time.’
‘Not for the Charleston,’ Ted remarked. ‘Or any other dance except perhaps a bit of jiving. I used to be good at that in my youth about a hundred years ago. But now I bid you farewell, lovely lady. See you next week when you’ve moved in. I’ll leave the Hobnobs for you as a housewarming gift.’
‘Thanks,’ Tricia said. ‘I won’t touch them until after the party. See you soon, Ted.’
‘Hasta la vista,’ Ted said and went back into the house.
Tricia smiled as the kitchen door shut behind him. She had enjoyed the coffee and the chat with this charming, empathic man who seemed so happy in his own skin. She had felt herself forget her worries as he told her about his wife and then made her boast about her accomplishments which she found funny. She felt she had gained another new friend and it was nice that it was a man who had been through a similar sadness to her own.
But now it was time to get back to the gatehouse and get ready for the party. Tricia grabbed the packet of Hobnobs and put it into one of the kitchen cupboards on her way out. She’d have them with a cup of coffee when she moved in at the weekend. There were busy times ahead that she looked forward to with great excitement. The only fly in the ointment was Cillian’s odd behaviour. And what to do about both the drawings and the painting Ted had found. She needed to give it all some thought. Should she face the accusations and contest Terence’s claims? Or go against what she had promised Cillian and get both the drawings and the painting valued? Then that might all be resolved by the time Cillian came back. But could she trust him and get used to the way he was? Always rushing off, never staying in one place for too long?
19
There was a great buzz at the gatehouse as they got ready for the party. As promised, Theresa, the cheery hairdresser, arrived half an hour early to do Vi’s hair, giving her an intricate chignon that looked both elegant and timeless. She then applied a straightener to Tricia’s blonde waves turning it into a straight bob which went beautifully with her outfit. She also helped her to secure the headband with the feathers and her twenties look was complete. Vi and Tricia then did a twirl in front of the tall mirror in the hall while Jack put on his white tux and gelled his hair back, adding a fake black moustache because he hadn’t had time to grow one. Then, laughing and chatting, the three of them walked up the avenue to the manor, then around the corner to the terrace, from where the tinny sound of music from the old gramophone could be heard. The weather was perfect for an outdoor party behind the house with warm sunshine and a soft breeze from the sea that could be seen glinting in the distance.
Most of the guests had already arrived and had gathered on the terrace where a long table, covered by a white damask tablecloth, had been laid with platters of finger food and glassesof champagne. Everyone had made a huge effort with dressing up and Tricia felt as if they had stepped back in time.
Sylvia, dressed in a knee-length dress covered in silver sequins, stood on the top of the steps greeting everyone as they arrived. She kissed Tricia on both cheeks and then did the same to Vi and Jack. ‘You all look wonderful,’ she declared. ‘And Violet and Jack, you are such a beautiful couple. I’m so proud of you.’
‘You look amazing, Granny,’ Vi exclaimed. ‘That dress is magnificent.’
‘The queen of Magnolia Manor,’ Jack said and kissed Sylvia’s hand.
‘Thank you,’ Sylvia said, looking more than pleased. ‘You’re very kind. But now you must help yourself to food and drink and we’ll start the dancing. At least you young ones will. I’ll just sit and enjoy watching you all having fun. Arnaud will be here in a moment to help serve the champagne. After a little bit of dancing, we’ll have more food, then the cake and the formal announcement of your engagement.’
‘Hello,’ a voice said behind them. Tricia turned and discovered a pretty woman with jet-black hair cut in a razor-sharp bob and grey eyes under thick, dark lashes. ‘I’m Ilse,’ the woman continued and held out her hand. ‘And you must be Tricia and this gorgeous couple Violet and Jack.’
‘Well done,’ Sylvia said and kissed the woman on the cheek. ‘You got everyone’s name right. Welcome, Ilse. So glad you could make it.’
‘So nice of you to invite me,’ Ilse said in perfect English only slightly laced with a German accent. ‘I’m delighted to meet your family at last.’ She looked around at the people gathered on the terrace. ‘Isn’t this fun? Everyone looks incredible.’
‘So do you,’ Tricia said, admiring Ilse’s grey silk shift that came to just over her knees. ‘Love the black beads.’
‘Thank you.’ Ilse ran her hand down her long necklace that hung to her waist. ‘I picked them up in that second-hand shop. They had a great stock of vintage accessories.’ She turned to Arnaud, who had just joined them. ‘Bonjour.You look just like Cary Grant in that tux.’
Arnaud laughed and ran his hand over his thick white hair. ‘Except for the difference in hairstyles. But thank you.’ He kissed Ilse on both cheeks. ‘Lovely to see you again, Ilse. You look perfect for the theme of the party.’
Rose and Lily arrived together at that moment, both looking beautiful in their own different ways. ‘Hi,’ they said in unison and then burst out laughing.
‘That must have sounded weird,’ Rose said, still giggling. ‘We don’t usually talk as one like that.’
‘We don’t usually get on either,’ Lily remarked, poking her elbow into Rose’s side. ‘Do we, darling?’
‘No, we don’t,’ Rose quipped. ‘We like to entertain our nearest and dearest with our bickering. But we thought we’d behave today.’
‘Good luck with that,’ Vi said with an ironic smile.
‘We’re giving it an hour,’ Lily said. ‘What’s your bet?’
Arnaud kissed them both and stepped back, smiling. ‘Adorable both of you, even if you start fighting.’
‘Thanks, Arnaud,’ Lily said. ‘But remember that if we do, it’ll be all Rose’s fault.’
‘Oh, never mind, you both look fabulous.’ Tricia studied her elder daughters with great pride. Lily’s red dress suited her to perfection, bringing out her big brown eyes and dark, glossy hair. Rose, so like Tricia, had recently cut her blonde hair into a pixie style and it went beautifully with her white top and palazzo pants. ‘Love the trousers, Rose.’
