Bibi’s stricken expression made Dulcie feel uncomfortable. This wasn’t going as well as she had planned. Somehow, when she had envisaged this scenario, everyone had looked a lot happier.
Instead, Bibi looked as if she was about to pass out.
Panicking, desperate to get to the happy bit – and how could it be reached, until someone said something? – Dulcie gabbled, ‘Now listen, James, it was just a harmless fib that got out of hand ... and now the time’s come to sort everything out, clear the air, start afresh—’
‘Sort what out?’ demanded James.
Dulcie attempted a merry laugh but it didn’t quite come off. Unable to stand this torture a moment longer, Bibi turned and left.
‘Sort what out?’ James repeated, his voice dangerously quiet.
‘Look, women lie about their age, they do it all the time,’ burbled Dulcie. ‘You love Bibi, don’t you? All she did was lop a few years off ... What does it matter if she’s older than she said she was? It’s not as if she’s done something really awful, like have an affair!’
‘When I met Bibi she told me she was forty-six,’ said James. ‘Now you’re telling me Patrick’s forty. For pity’s sake, Dulcie. How old does that make her?’
Dulcie cringed. She did her best to soften the blow. ‘Nearly ... um ... sixty.’
‘Nearly sixty! How near?’
Oh well, that hadn’t worked. ‘Er ... that’s it, really. Sixty.’ Hurriedly she added, ‘But only just.’
James closed his eyes. He looked as if he was having a bad dream and wanted desperately to wake up.
‘Oh James, I know it’s a shock, but is it really so terrible?’ Wearily, he opened his eyes. ‘Thanks, Dulcie. I’ve heard enough.’
‘But Bibi’s still Bibi—’
‘Stop it.’
‘—and the only reason she wouldn’t marry you was because she was scared of you finding out!’
‘I’m not surprised.’
In desperation Dulcie cried, ‘We only wanted you to be happy.’
‘Really?’ James studied her for a second. ‘You’ve got a funny way of showing it.’
When he had gone, Liza and Pru joined Dulcie. Hovering not far behind her throughout the uncomfortable exchange, they had heard it all.
‘Was that it?’ said Liza. ‘Was that your other surprise?’ Miserably Dulcie nodded.
‘Oh dear.’
‘I was trying to help.’
‘Hmm. Somehow I don’t think trying to help is your forte.’ Patrick had returned Suzannah to her husband. He came up to them, looking grim.
‘Congratulations.’
‘It needed to be done,’ said Dulcie defensively.
‘And with such style.’
‘Oh shut up.’ She was feeling got at. ‘Anyway, James might be okay. Once he’s over the shock.’
‘You saw his face, Dulcie. Don’t count on it.’
So much for marital solidarity.
‘How can you be so horrible?’ Dulcie longed to kick his shins. ‘After all my hard work too. I organised this party for you. I wanted it to be memorable—’
‘Oh, it’s that all right. Nobody’s going to forget this night in a hurry. Especially not Bibi.’
Patrick’s tone was derisive. ‘You’ll be lucky if she ever speaks to you again.’
But luck wasn’t on Dulcie’s side. Bibi did speak to her again.
She reappeared as Dulcie was helping herself to a quadruple gin and tonic and grumbling, ‘Next time I say I’m planning a surprise party, just make sure you hit me over the head until I stop.’
Pru – who somewhat bizarrely was now comforting her – murmured, ‘Bibi’s back.’
For a split second Dulcie fantasised that everything was going to be all right. James had forgiven Bibi and Bibi had come back to thank her. There would be laughter and tears, emotional hugs and happy endings all round...
Extremely wishful thinking.
The fantasy skidded to a miserable halt the moment she turned and saw the stony expression on Bibi’s pale, unlined face.
The atmosphere was horribly reminiscent of the gunfight at the OK Corral.
‘Well, he’s gone. I don’t suppose I’ll see him again, thanks to you.’
Dulcie shivered. Was it her imagination or had the central heating just been turned off?
‘Bibi, I can’t tell you how—’
‘Sorry you are? Oh please.’ Bibi spat the words out like loose chippings. ‘You knew exactly what you were
