‘I can't believe we pulled that off,' said Fenella to Sarah as they watched the two black cars go down the drive. It had stopped raining and they were all standing in front of the house having said goodbye to their visitors.
‘It was touch and go,' said Rupert.
‘I think it was your stately background that clinched it,' said Sarah, laughing. 'You'll have to produce some family portraits now. You can probably pick them up from auctions quite cheaply.'
‘No need,' said Rupert. 'There are dozens in the attic at home.’
Sarah glanced at Hugo who was laughing.
‘I'm going to let the dogs out,' said Fenella, unaware of Sarah's discomfort. 'The poor darlings have been cooped up all day. You excelled yourself with the roast, Rupes.'
‘Yes, the lunch really was fantastic,' agreed Sarah, on safe ground again. 'The apple pie was truly heavenly.'
‘Fen made it.' Rupert watched his wife go into the house. 'She doesn't do such a good roast as me and refused to take her share of the credit.'
‘Well, it was all stunning,' said Sarah.
‘We'd better make a list of what still needs doing before the big day,' said Rupert. 'I can't believe we've done it. How much will we be able to charge, do you think?’
Sarah told him. 'Wow,' he said. 'Fan-bloody-tastic.’
And they grinned at each other, Rupert shaking Hugo's hand and hugging Sarah.
With mugs of tea now in their hands, they toured the house again. Everyone made notes and Hugo took photos from every angle. 'Remember, you'll want a before and after album,' he said. 'And maybe some shots for a brochure.’
It was only when they were alone for a few moments that Sarah turned to him. 'Hugo, I can't thank you enough. If it hadn't been for you, she never would have gone for it.' She wanted to make some gesture, to mark her gratitude and was about to kiss his cheek but, suddenly feeling a little awkward, she stood back on her heels again. She would have liked to say something about his exhibition too. She opened her mouth to tell him how impressed she'd been, then caught his glance. He looked quizzical and wryly amused, and yet slightly wistful.
‘Hugo…' she said.
‘Sarah,' he said back, but before either of them could go on, Rupert came back and the moment was gone. She couldn't tell if he'd sensed her desire to say something or not.
‘Are you sure you won't stay for supper? Cold beef and apple pie?' asked Fenella as they stood in the hall.
‘No, really, I should get back. It's six o'clock already and I've got loads to do,' said Sarah.
‘You could stay the night,' Fenella went on, 'test out the spare beds. As you saw, we have several.'
‘Honestly, Fen, we'd better make tracks. Sarah's not the only one who has to work in the morning.' Hugo put his hand on Fenella's shoulder and kissed her cheek.
‘Not a wedding, surely?' Fenella asked him, kissing him back.
‘Nope, thank God,' said Hugo and turned his farewells to Rupert.
Sarah was hugged firmly by both of them and it was only when she was in Hugo's car and they were halfway down the drive that she realised she'd never asked them if the chapel was now licensed for weddings. She said so to Hugo.
‘Do you want to go back and ask now?' he said, braking slightly.
‘No, they'll just be relaxing with a glass of wine. I can always ring them tomorrow. There are bound to be lots of things I need to ask them.' She yawned. 'Wretched Carrie, she still hasn't decided what wedding dress to have. Elsa begged me to try and get her to commit.'
‘I don't think she means to be unreasonable, she just doesn't realise that things take time to make or organise, or whatever.'
‘I know,' Sarah agreed. 'I also forgot to confirm that her wedding cake will have to be sponge and not fruit. Bron says a pole wouldn't take the weight of a traditional cake. But at least she decided on Somerby. And I know it's the right choice. Fen and Rupert will do a fantastic job.' She chuckled reminiscently. 'You were outrageous, saying that Rupert was the son of a duke.'
‘Oh, but he is,' said Hugo, glancing at her. 'Not a very grand one, but a duke's a duke.'
‘Oh my goodness!' said Sarah. 'And he seems such a nice guy.'
‘The two are not mutually exclusive, you know.’
Sarah stretched back in her seat, feeling relaxed, if a little weary. They'd done a good day's work between them. 'I know.'
‘Why don't you close your eyes and have a doze?' said Hugo.
‘You must be tired too.'
‘I'll chew gum. That'll keep me awake. And put on some music.’
Some African jazz music filled the car with the limpid notes of a saxophone and Sarah let her eyes close. Count your blessings, she told herself. Carrie's wedding is on its way. Rupert or Fenella would have told her if there was a problem with the licence. It was going to be really beautiful. Somerby was idyllic – beautiful even in the rain, though of course it would be much better if it didn't rain. She was fine with Hugo. Yes, he was gorgeous, but they could be just friends now, and so what if he was engaged to someone else. Far better to have him as a friend. And she wasn't remotely jealous. She wasn't that sort of woman. She'd enjoyed those kisses but they seemed almost a lifetime ago now. And to show how cool she was about it all, she'd offer to take him out for something to eat when they got home. She owed him.
‘Your phone is ringing,' said Hugo.
Sarah snapped awake, found her bag and then scrabbled for her phone. It was Lily.
‘Sarah! Can you come over? I'm not feeling very well.’
‘What sort of "not very well"? Is it the baby?' Sarah was wide awake now.
‘It might be. I've got a pain. Oh, Sarah, I'm so frightened!’
‘Hush, it's going to be all right,' she soothed. 'But where's Dirk?'
‘Spending the night with his best friend. I've rung him but he said to ring you. He's miles away.'
‘Sweetie, I'm miles away.'
‘He's in Liverpool.'
‘Oh,' said Sarah.
‘Where do you want to be?' asked Hugo.
‘Just a minute, Lily.' She turned to Hugo and told him Lily's address. 'How long to get there?'
‘About an hour. Less if we're lucky with traffic.'
‘Lily? I'm about an hour away. I'll get to you as quickly as possible, but really you should ring the doctor. Or Dad.’
‘No. I want you.' Lily sounded tearful.
‘I'll be there soon. Don't worry, Lily, please. Why don't you have a bath while you're waiting? It might ease the pain and if you do have to go into hospital or anything you'll be nice and clean.’
Lily accepted this was good advice and they disconnected.
‘I can't believe I said that,' said Sarah, 'about her being nice and clean. I'm barking!'
‘Well, it did the trick. Lily will be occupied until we can get there. It'll distract her.'
‘That was what I thought, but how do you know it would? You've never met Lily.'
‘I've met plenty of girls like her. They revert to childhood if they're frightened.'
‘Lily is a bit like that. Better than she was though, and being pregnant must be quite nerve-racking sometimes. I really hope there's nothing wrong. I know she got pregnant by accident but she'd be devastated if she lost the baby. But Hugo..
‘What?'
‘You don't have to take me to Lily's. Home is much nearer. You've been such a star already, you don't have to do anything else. Take me there then I can pick up my car. You don't want to be involved in Lily's dramas.'
‘Don't be silly, it would take you much longer to get there that way. We don't want Lily to be alone a moment longer than necessary. Besides, I want to help.’
Sarah spent the rest of the journey trying to work out if Hugo had insisted on driving her for her benefit or for Lily's.
Lily was enveloped in white towelling from slippers to her head. 'Oh, Sarah! You should have told me you had someone with you!' she said, smoothing her hair and going all girly the moment she spied Hugo. It was a reflex action with some women when confronted by an attractive man, Sarah realised.
‘I thought you must have guessed,' said Sarah, examining her sister for signs of imminent miscarriage. 'Can we come in?'
‘Of course.' Lily smiled at Hugo. 'Who's this?'
‘This is Hugo. Hugo, Lily. Are you all right?'
‘Let me get you something to drink or a snack? I could make a sandwich or something.' Lily was looking at Hugo, over the embarrassment of being seen en dèshabille.
Sarah looked at him too. He may well be hungry. It was hours since lunch and although Fenella had offered cake with their mugs of tea she was fairly sure that he hadn't had any.
‘Don't worry about me, how are you?' said Hugo. 'Sarah's been really worried about you.’
Lily glanced at her sister a little guiltily. 'Oh, I think that may have been a false alarm. The bath helped.'
‘So you're not in pain any more? There hasn't been any -you know – other signs anything might be wrong?'
‘Shall I put the kettle on while you two have a chat?' Hugo, the epitome of tact, left the room.
‘You won't know where anything is!' Lily complained after him.
‘I'll find what I need,' Hugo called back.
‘He can't make tea in a house he's never been in!' said Lily, and then, 'He's gorgeous!'
‘That doesn't make him incapable! Now sit down, do, and tell me how you are. We've made a mercy dash to get to your bedside and you're worried about Hugo finding the tea bags!’
Lily subsided on to the sofa and Sarah sat next to her. 'Oh well, I had a bath, like you said, and the pain sort of – went away.'
‘What, completely?'
‘Mm. But tell me about Hugo! He's even better looking in real life and not a bit like Bruce, really. I thought you told me he was just a colleague?'
‘He is.'
‘Are you trying to tell me there's nothing in it? When he drove you to my bedside, so to speak? Sarah, are you telling piggies?’
Half of Sarah wanted to laugh at Lily's malapropism and half of her wanted to strangle her sister for teasing her. She had to nip this in the bud immediately before Lily said something hideously embarrassing. 'We were together -working. We were looking at the venue where Carrie is going to have her wedding.’
As Sarah hoped it would, this diverted Lily's attention from Sarah's supposed love life. 'Go on then, what's it like?'
‘I will tell you, Lils, but first I want to know why you're so fine now when you were practically in tears on the phone.'
‘I told you, I had a pain.'
‘And it went, just like that?’
Lily bit her lip and inspected her fingernails, which had transfers of cartoon kittens on them. 'Mm.’
Sarah studied her sister. 'Is there something you're not telling me?’
Lily nodded.
‘What?'
‘Well, I got into the bath..
‘Hurry up. Hugo will be back any minute!'
‘OK, I'm telling you! Be patient.’
Sarah fixed her with a glare she hoped might get Lily to tell her what had happened.
‘I farted,' said Lily, beginning to giggle. 'I got into the bath and lay back and then – it just happened. Bubbles and everything. Afterwards I felt loads better.'
‘So you didn't think to ring me?’
Lily shook her head. 'I was quite lonely. It's lovely to have you here. And Hugo's dreamy.’
Dreamy Hugo came back into the room. 'I've made some tea and I found a whole lot of left-over balti. Shall I heat it up?’
Sarah started to laugh. She looked at Lily who had her face in a pillow. 'That's a good idea, but not for Lily. Indian food seems to give her wind.’
They spent the rest of the evening eating and watching Sex and the City DVDs. It was cosy and surprisingly enjoyable.
While Hugo was making more tea, Lily said, 'It's good that you've got a man who's so in touch with his feminine side.’
When Hugo came back in he asked why Sarah was laughing so hard, but she wouldn't tell him.