‘I’m not lonely.’
‘Stop spoiling my rampage. I’m on a roll here!’
Amanda gave in and chuckled.
‘Very well. It is just the loveliest dress. Your taste is always excellent. If you say it will work, I believe you.’
‘Now that’s what I like to hear!’
***
Claire’s present had somehow made Amanda think of Pamela, who had arrived back at The Grange for a long weekend, and to attend the Spring Equinox event.
‘I wish I could do something for Pamela,’ Amanda mentioned to Tempest, who responded with a gentle snore. A few minutes later, he replied in the same vein to her moment of enlightenment.
‘I’ve got it.’ Amanda made a call. Two days later, she introduced Pamela to her most glamorous friend.
***
At Tempest’s behest, they had arrived at the ball at the beginning of the evening. He wanted to get in a good hour or so parading around the gardens under Natasha’s window. This was in order that the unrelenting object of his desire might witness the extreme degree to which he was ignoring her.
Natasha, from her seat on the sill, warmed by the radiator beneath, enjoyed his performance immensely. She observed him with smug satisfaction, occasionally passing a cleansing paw over one ear with coquettish nonchalance. Unlike the humans of the village, this was how she liked her men: helplessly obsessed and comically desperate.
The evening began with Neeta Patel giving a fine performance, especially for an amateur, that put the piano through its paces. By the light only of the great chandelier, she began with an adaptation of Spring by Vivaldi and ended with An English Country Garden, getting everyone to sing along for the final chorus.
After the rapturous applause had died down, the next turn was introduced. This was an unexpectedly nimble Humpy and the athletic Hillers surprising the assembled company with a brief exhibition dance of The Black Bottom, including a somewhat risqué move. They wowed the crowd and put everyone in a dancing mood. Cynthia then bade DJ Bill MacNair, manager of the Asthma Centre, to ‘take it away’, and the party began in earnest.
Joan, in a long cream dress with daisies around a rather daring neckline, suddenly clapped her hands.
‘Hello, Inspector! Oo, black tie suits you no end. I hope you’ll ask me for a dance later.’
‘Good evening, Joan. You are looking very glamorous. I hope you’ll say yes when I do.’
‘Oh, you know the right thing to say to please a lady, Inspector. Looking for your Amanda?’
‘She’s not m— ’
‘Come along then, she’s right over here.’ Joan led Thomas along the edge of the tables lining the room, amidst music and the chatter of happy, excited voices.
‘Cooee!’ Joan called as they approached Amanda. ‘Dear, here’s your Inspector. Oo it’s a jive! Where’s my Jim? ‘Scuse me!’
‘He’s not —' Amanda replied to the empty air.
‘Your inspector,’ he supplied with a smile, ‘is here.’ She laughed. ‘And,’ he continued, ‘I’m hoping you’ll take the floor with me and remind me of the steps I’ve forgotten, with all of the classes I’ve missed.’
‘With pleasure.’
‘By the way, you look enchanting, Miss Cadabra. Belle’s dress, yes?’
‘You’ve seen that film?’ Amanda asked in astonishment.
‘I do have an array of nieces and nephews, you know. Actually, they’re my cousins’ offspring, but the results, are the same, believe me. Many’s the Sunday I’ve been tied to the sofa by Poppy and William, and schooled in the delights of Disney. You can ask me anything.’
‘Aha, that explains it! Yes, I shall quiz you at some stage,’ she promised teasingly. ‘I’m a fan too, you know.’
After a couple of dances, as Trelawney led Amanda back to her seat, he caught sight of an elegantly dressed young lady, shyly entering the ballroom. He did not recognise her at first.
‘Is that … Pamela?’ he asked.
Amanda responded with a mischievous smile,
‘It is indeed.’
It had taken a while for Pamela to gather her courage, even with her grandparents to support her. However, now, although blushing, she held her head high. She was arrayed in a mint green strapless dress. Its bodice accentuated her tiny waist then flared out and down to her ankles at the back and to the knee in front. From the elegant teased knot of her pale auburn hair, tendrils spiralled beside her face, which was subtly enhanced with skilfully applied makeup.
‘A remarkable transformation,’ he observed.
‘I’m glad you think so, Inspector.’
‘I gather from your delighted expression that this is your work.’
‘Oh no, I wish I could claim as much. I only played a very small part. Pamela looks gorgeous. I think it will take her a little time to get used to all the admiration and attention, though.’
‘My dance, I think!’ declared Dennis, coming up. ‘Amanda, you’re looking lovely as usual. Mind if I steal your partner, Inspector?’
‘Good evening, Dennis,’ replied Trelawney affably.
‘Hello Dennis, thank you, I’d love to,’ Amanda accepted.
‘Come on, let’s show them how the foxtrot is done, shall we?’
It was during the next dance, a waltz, that Pamela started to get her confidence. She was to be seen being squired around the floor by Trelawney. The girl was serious at first, concentrating on her feet but soon smiling and even laughing.
Suddenly Claire was at Amanda’s side looking at Pamela with narrowed eyes.
‘What’s wrong?’ Amanda asked anxiously.
‘Nothing … nothing at all … I'm just wondering.’
‘What?’
‘I recognise that dress. It’s been adapted, but I’d swear blind it’s one I’ve seen our Jess in.’
‘Jessica James?’
‘Yes. On the catwalk, in photos in the glossies.’
‘Very possibly. She did Pamela’s makeover.’
‘Hmmm… you don’t say …. That’s what I thought. Hm … yes … I think I may be having a brainwave ...’
‘Now then young Claire, Amanda,’
‘Hello Dr Patel,’ they responded with pleasure.
‘Claire, how would you like to show an old man around the dancefloor?’ he asked ruefully.
‘Well, I don’t see any old man,’ responded Claire gallantly, ‘but I’d be delighted to dance with you!’
‘Excuse us, Amanda.’
‘Of course.’
She stood watching her friends affectionately. This was always Amanda’s favourite moment of village
