Page 80 of Wild Swimming at Croftwood Lake
‘Eww. You haven’t been in there have you? Remember when we were children and Papa tried to get us to swim in there?’
‘I have been in,’ said Archie, thrilled to be able to get one up on his sister. She briefly widened her eyes which told him she was impressed, although he knew she’d never admit it. ‘It’s rather wonderful. There’s a group of local women who have been swimming regularly on a Thursday morning for the past few weeks and they’ve given us invaluable feedback.’
‘I must have a walk down there sometime. I’d be interested to see what you and Nora have been up to,’ said Constance.
‘Nora’s involved?’ Betsy asked.
‘Very much so,’ said Archie. Mindful of what he’d promised Nora with regards to the baby news, nevertheless, he needed his sister to understand the nature of his relationship with her. Perhaps then, when they did announce the pregnancy, it wouldn’t be such a shock. ‘Nora and I are serious about each other,’ he began.
‘You’re getting married?’ Betsy said, putting her hand on her chest in shock.
‘Not necessarily. Nora left a long-term relationship and is a very independent woman. Actually that’s one of the things I love best about her. But I think it’s important that you know she’s going to be part of my life whether we marry or not.’
‘God, Archie. You can’t be lord of the manor and be...’ Betsy stalled, but she’d said enough.
‘Be what? Shagging around out of wedlock?’
‘Archibald!’ Constance said.
‘Forgive me, Mama. But we’re not youngsters, and we’re not living in the last century. The expectation on me to follow a traditional path fell away a long time ago. I want to be happy with the woman I love, that’s all. I doubt anyone, aside from my family, it appears, would bat an eyelid these days.’
‘Hear, hear,’ said Caspar, raising his glass, then lowering it again when he realised no one was joining in.
Archie took a large gulp of wine. It would be so satisfying to tell them about the baby. But Nora’s voice rang in his ears.I don’t think we should get married, Archie.He really wished now that there had been the time for them to talk all of this through properly before he’d had to rush off for dinner. Who knew what she must be thinking now?
‘Please excuse me,’ he said, pushing his chair back from the table.
‘Archie! Wherever are you going?’ Constance said.
‘I must check on Nora. I’ll see you all tomorrow.’
Having had a drink, Archie set off on foot to Nora’s cottage. Her car wasn’t there and there was no sign of her being at home. Perhaps she’d popped out for something. He felt in his pocket for the key to her front door.
‘Damn.’ In his haste, he’d left it in his other jacket.
He dialled Nora. It rang a couple of times then went to voicemail. Had she rejected the call?
I’m at your house. Can we talk? A x
It was a few minutes before he received a reply.
I need some time. I’ll call you tomorrow.
He tried not to read anything into the fact that she hadn’t finished the message with a kiss as she usually would. That sort of thing wouldn’t have crossed his mind a few weeks ago and if he wanted to keep his sanity, it shouldn’t now.
But he knew he’d messed things up. He had no idea what Nora thought about the pregnancy and hadn’t taken the time to ask. Instead, he’d blundered into saying they needed to get married, as if he was living in the bloody nineteen-fifties. It had seemed like the obvious thing to suggest, but seemed to have been the catalyst that made Nora leave.
There was nothing to be gained by waiting at her house. He had to give her time as she’d asked. And that would give him time to think things through properly. To consider what her concerns might be, and perhaps even come up with some solutions.
The walk back to the Court was a sombre one. He felt so alone. He’d imagined finding Nora in her cottage, apologising, and then spending the night together making plans. He lingered outside, reluctant to go back in and face the Spanish Inquisition from his mother and sister about where he’d been and what had happened. That could easily lead to him blurting out the news, and that wouldn’t improve the situation at all. It just showed that all those years of being single could still trip one up. He wasn’t used to putting himself in someone else’s shoes.
He pulled his phone out and called Seb.
‘I don’t suppose you’re in the pub are you?’ he asked hopefully when Seb answered.
‘The next best thing. I’m at the Backstage Bar at the cinema. There’s a relaxed showing of Jaws but Jess is sat with her knitting friends so I’m hanging out with Jack.’
‘Would you mind if I join you?’
