Not wanting an argument, I sigh, conscious that I am supposed to be meeting Rupert in just over an hour, when he says he’s going to introduce me to his brother. My stomach gives a flip at the idea of being introduced to the most important people in his life. ‘No, OK, I do understand that. I’ll call in future, if that will stop you worrying. And I am sorry – you know I’m not used to having people worry about me.’
‘It’s OK. Maybe we can do something together today?’ She taps her chin, thinking. ‘We could go to Coate Water, go for a walk round the lake?’
‘No, Mags, I’m sorry.’
‘No, you’re right. It’s still a little bit chilly out there, even if the sun is out. What about shopping? We could go to that vintage place you like on the High Street.’
‘I can’t, Mags,’ I feel a twinge of guilt, ‘I’m meeting Rupert. I only came home to get showered and changed. Let’s do something in the week – I’ll take you out for dinner after work.’ And if I’m honest, if I wasn’t meeting Rupert, I still don’t think I’d want to spend the day with her. Much as I do appreciate what Mags has done for me, I can’t get used to having someone fuss over me the way she does, and twice since I started working for Rupert I’ve woken up to find her at the foot of my bed, having sleepwalked there, her shadow making my heart stop in my chest every time.
‘Fine. I’ve been waiting to go to that new vegan place.’ She injects a breezy note into her voice that doesn’t match the expression on her face, before it passes and she smiles, letting me past to the bathroom. ‘I’ve got things to do today anyway. People to meet. Old friends.’
‘Right.’ I manage a smile, and close the bathroom door, locking it behind me before sinking onto the toilet and scrubbing my hands over my face. Hopefully the promise of dinner will keep Mags happy – I don’t want to upset her; after all, I still have to live with her.
Chapter Seven
‘Are you sure I look OK?’ I pull down the sun visor and peer into the tiny mirror for the fifth time since we left Rupert’s house half an hour previously. I push my tongue over my teeth to remove any rogue lipstick marks before flipping the visor back up and running my hands over my dress, easing away any creases.
‘Beautiful. As always. Come on, we’re late as it is. Plus, we’re sitting in their driveway, so that looks weird.’ Rupert opens his car door and I think that maybe I detect a hint of irritation in his voice, or maybe it’s just nerves. Rupert is about to introduce me to his family and friends for the first time, after all. I met his brother, Will, a couple of weeks ago, but I’ve yet to meet the rest of them, although Rupert assures me they know all about me. When he comes round to my side and opens my door – ever the gentleman – there is a smile on his face and I think maybe I imagined it.
‘Ready?’ Rupert holds his hand out and I take it, easing myself gracefully out of the car. I straighten my shoulders and mentally gird my loins, ignoring the flutter of nerves that bounce around in my stomach. Today is A Big Deal. It’s Sadie and Miles’s annual Easter party – and thanks to Easter coming late, the weather means a garden party, which means I am about to be introduced to every important person in Rupert’s life in one go.
‘Finally, I thought you were never going to make it.’ Sadie appears in the front doorway, looking as though she’s about to step onto the catwalk in a clinging, green silk dress, just as glamorous as I remember her. I try not to feel underdressed in my white linen shift dress, resisting the urge to smooth out the creases again. ‘Rupert, darling, it’s so good to see you. It’s been absolutely ages.’ She kisses his cheek warmly and then turns her attention to me. ‘Emily. How nice of Rupert to bring you along.’ There is a hint of coolness in her tone, that I am sure only I can hear. ‘Come through, both of you. Everyone is already here.’
Sadie turns and walks down the long, light, narrow hallway, not waiting to see if Rupert and I are following. Rupert obviously knows the way and leads me through a spacious kitchen and then out through bi-fold doors into an impressive landscaped garden, like nothing I have ever seen before – it makes Rupert’s garden look tiny.
‘Rupert! And this must be Emily! How lovely to meet you. I’m Miles, Sadie’s better half.’ The portly man with the rosy cheeks standing in front of us as we step onto the patio is more welcoming than Sadie, and I feel my shoulders drop down from somewhere around my chin. As I listen with one ear to Rupert and Miles’s conversation, I let my gaze roam across the grounds, taking in the structured landscaped borders, the small orchard of apple trees that cluster at one side of the expansive garden, and if I crane my neck discreetly I’m pretty sure I can see the glint of water, a swimming pool, tucked away behind the pagoda. It’s a far cry from John’s three-bedroom detached house in Surrey. Even further from the tiny council flat Mum and I lived in before that.
‘Emily?’ Sadie appears beside me, a flute of sparkling wine in her hand. ‘Would you like a drink? I brought you a glass of
