Page 45 of Wild Swimming at Croftwood Lake
‘How was your day? Presumably busy?’ Archie asked once they were in the car.
‘I was experimenting with something new and I lost track of time.’
‘That must be a good sign.’
‘It’s too soon to say, but I enjoyed it until I realised what the time was. How about you. What have you been up to today?’
‘You might be pleased to hear that I spoke to Betsy and Mama about selling the vase.’
‘Did you?’ Nora had thought that subject was closed. Since the lunch, she’d deliberately put the topic out of her mind. That and the odd reaction from Constance. At some point she’d have to reconcile the Archie she knew and was starting to love with the Archie that lived at the Croftwood Court, but that didn’t need to be now, because it was going to take some getting used to.
‘As you pointed out, it’s ridiculous to allow the house to crumble around us while we have assets within it.’
‘And did they agree?’
‘They did. They felt the same way as you. For the sake of putting a single, overlooked vase up for sale, we should be able to repair the roof and have some cash left over to help with the lake project.’
‘That’s fantastic news.’ Nora was so pleased that he’d come to his senses. Not only because it meant that Archie would have the money he desperately needed, but because it meant that the gulf between their ideals had closed a little bit.
Toby was hosting the dinner party at his house because according to Hilary, his kitchen was made for entertaining.
‘I’m so sorry we’re late,’ Nora said as Hilary opened the door.
‘Fashionably late,’ Hilary said, kissing them both on the cheek as she ushered them in. ‘Go through.’
Nora couldn’t help lingering in the hallway. The Minton floor was one of the best she’d seen.
‘Your hallway tiles are incredible,’ she said to Toby.
‘I knew I could count on you to notice,’ he said as he came over to welcome them.
Seb and Jess were sitting at the kitchen island, sipping wine.
‘Good to see you Arch,’ said Seb, standing up and clapping Archie on the back.
‘Something smells delicious,’ Nora said, taking the stool next to Jess.
‘We’ve gone to as little effort as possible,’ said Hilary. ‘It’s lasagne.’
‘I’ll eat anything,’ Jess said. ‘It was so busy in the shop today, I only had time to eat a banana.’
‘That’s not true,’ Seb said, lifting his glass towards her. ‘I brought you coffee and a pastry for elevenses.’
‘You did. And it was much appreciated,’ Jess said, blowing him a kiss and then grimacing at the others. ‘I hadn’t forgotten, honestly.’
‘Did you swim this morning, Nora?’ Hilary asked.
‘No. I set off early for work so that I could leave early.’
Archie chuckled.
‘I know. It’s my first dinner invitation since I moved here and I was late.’
‘Oh, we forgive you, said Hilary.
‘Have you been in the lake yet, Hilary?’ asked Jess.
‘I haven’t found the time yet,’ Hilary said. Jess and Nora grinned at each other. ‘No, really, I do want to.’
