Page 79 of Wild Swimming at Croftwood Lake
Archie felt like a rabbit in the headlights. ‘Why would you think that?’
‘I was telling Mama, I have a friend who had morning sickness at all times of the day and night. It took her ages to cotton on that she was pregnant. Nora seems to be similarly unwell.’
He couldn’t bring himself to lie to his sister, but his loyalty to Nora, having promised not to tell anyone, made him. ‘It’s probably some nasty gastric flu. I’ll suggest she see a GP next week.’
After Ursula had served the food, the conversation turned to the festival. Constance had been part of an impromptu planning session at the Croftwood Haberdashery and had already volunteered to help man the craft tent.
‘I feel I simply must stay on site this year,’ she said to Archie.
‘You do know there won’t be a flushing toilet in your tent, don’t you, Mama?’ Betsy said, winking at Archie.
‘I think a motorhome like Eunice and Bill had would suit me better,’ said Constance.
Archie almost choked on his wine. ‘That’ll cost a fortune!’
‘I shall have a word with Sebastian,’ she said, confidently.
Before Archie could point out that he doubted Seb had an in with anyone willing to hire out a camper van in prime festival season for next to nothing, Betsy had chimed in.
‘We ought to come to the festival, Caspar, don’t you think? We could hire something like an old VW camper. Wouldn’t that be amazing?’
‘They most definitely don’t have a toilet,’ Caspar said, grinning at his wife.
‘If we park next to Mama, we can use hers.’
‘No one needs to stay on site. It’s the other side of the estate, not the other side of the country,’ said Archie. ‘Of course, you’re very welcome to stay here if you decide to come,’ he said to Betsy.
‘Perhaps Ursula could babysit Florence?’
‘No,’ said Archie firmly. ‘Ursula and Mrs Milton will have the festival weekend off, as will the rest of the estate staff.’
‘Really? Well, I’m sure I can find someone to look after her.’
‘There were lots of children there last year,’ said Constance. ‘Florence might enjoy it.’
‘Yes, but I won’t,’ Betsy pouted. ‘What’s the point of going to a festival if you can’t have a drink and let yourself go?’
Aware that he was going to sound like the party police, Archie said, ‘It’s not really that kind of festival. It’s a book festival with a few other things thrown in for good measure.’
‘But you had Ned Nokes there last year.’
‘Not officially,’ Archie pointed out.
‘Having an unofficial person like Ned Nokes means it wasthefestival,’ Betsy continued.
‘I didn’t realise you’re a Ned Nokes fan, Bets,’ said Caspar, raising an eyebrow.
‘Of course not. I’m just saying having a secret appearance by someone of his calibre is something. Come on, Archie, you must have some idea of who they’re getting this year,’ said Betsy.
‘No idea. I’m not sure anyone knew Ned was turning up. It was entirely unplanned as I understand it,’ said Archie.
‘He’s very charismatic,’ said Constance. ‘The girls at knit and natter are quite taken with him.’
Betsy stifled a giggle.
‘I hear you’re developing a swimming lake, Archie,’ said Caspar, trying to divert the conversation away from Ned Nokes and festivals that he might get dragged along to.
‘The lake was always there, we’re just giving it a bit of a makeover,’ said Archie.
