Page 46 of Wild Swimming at Croftwood Lake
‘How are the plans for the lake coming on, Archie?’ Toby asked.
‘We’ve made a start on tidying it up. The hedge has gone and the chaps are going to start on the paths next week. Then it’s just a matter of waiting for confirmation from the council that we can reinstate the entrance on that side of the estate.’
‘And get the planning permission for change of use of the lake,’ Seb said.
‘Yes. Of course,’ said Archie.
Nora guessed he’d been dragging his feet because of the lack of money available and wondered if deciding to sell the vase would spur him on.
‘It’s the perfect time to launch it now that the weather’s improving,’ said Jess.
‘Nora identified a valuable piece of Royal Worcester porcelain that has been in the family for some time, so we’re looking into selling that to fund some repairs and the lake project.’
‘That’s great news!’ Seb said, enthusiastically.
Nora was taken aback that Archie would share that with everyone. She’d thought he might feel ashamed that it had come to selling off assets to keep everything afloat, especially after he’d been so against the idea. Yet again, he surprised her with his willingness to admit he was wrong. She loved that. Julian would rather die than admit she’d been right about anything.
‘We have some news too,’ said Seb, his eyes falling on Jess. ‘We’ve set a date for the wedding. And Archie, would you be my best man?’
‘Seb, I’d be… honoured,’ Archie said, overcome.
‘Congratulations!’
‘Where are you having it?’ Hilary asked.
‘We’re having a very small family wedding in Dorset,’ said Jess. ‘Our engagement party felt as good as a wedding with my sister and her family there, and I can’t ask her to come from Australia so we can do that again. So it’s just a simple ceremony at the registry office.’
‘I can understand that,’ said Toby. ‘But we will have to have a celebration of some sort in Croftwood afterwards.’
‘We’d love that. We’re just sorry we can’t invite everyone but we’re keeping it low key and staying at my parents.’
‘No, you mustn’t worry about that,’ said Hilary. ‘Your engagement party will be hard to beat, unless you can talk Archie into a full-blown wedding at the Court.’
‘You had your engagement party at Archie’s?’ Nora asked.
‘It was amazing,’ said Jess. ‘Archie and his staff pulled out all the stops and it was absolutely magical.’
Archie beamed, but looked down at his drink in embarrassment.
‘To Seb and Jess,’ said Hilary, raising her glass.
‘To Seb and Jess!’
‘Right. Let’s eat,’ said Toby.
It was past midnight when Nora and Archie said their goodbyes. After a busy afternoon throwing, and a couple of glasses of wine, Nora was relaxed and happy but keen to get home.
‘What a great evening,’ she said, sinking into the seat of the Jaguar.
‘It was,’ Archie agreed. ‘It’s been a long time since I did anything like that.’
‘Me too. I’d forgotten how much fun it can be to talk about everything and nothing.’
Archie reached for her hand and gave it a quick squeeze before he needed it to make the turn onto Worcester Road.
‘You told everyone about the vase.’
‘Shouldn’t I have?’ He shot her a worried look before turning his attention back to the road.
