‘Well ... er, of course,’ responded Trelawney, caught between two stools.
The amusement on Hogarth’s face was clear enough even for Amanda to read, as he spoke,
‘But, to continue. Our interviews had taken place over many months. I had to be discreet about the frequency of my visits to Vera and Harry’s villa, and … how I spent my time while there. Also, policemen don’t get all that much time off. This was not part of my official role but my undercover work. And so ... the process had been a slow one. During that time, I realised that in Lucy Penlowr, I had met what I had always hoped for: someone extraordinary, kind, diverse, mysterious, captivating. Someone like no one I had ever known.’
‘And did they reciprocate?’ asked Thomas.
‘I had reason to believe that the family had become fond of me too, yes. And so, I took the plunge ....’
***
‘Marielle,’ began Hogarth, ‘I know that usually Elodie speaks for everyone but, strictly speaking, the only one I can ask is you.’
‘Oh? Is it something naughty?’ she asked hopefully.
‘It’s because of your age and gender,’ Hogarth explained.
‘You’ve got my attention.’
‘I’m going to ask you something. I would like you to talk about it with the others, and give me the answer tomorrow.'
‘All right,’ Marielle agreed, making herself more comfortable against the sofa cushions and regarding Hogarth expectantly.
‘Promise you won't answer until tomorrow?’ he asked.
‘I promise. What is it?’
Mike took a deep breath, then:
‘All that is Lucy Penlowr, will you marry me?’
Chapter 27
Answer, and a New Puzzle
‘Oh! How romantic!’ exclaimed Amanda rapturously.
Thomas, on the other hand, looked vaguely concerned.
‘What did she — they — say?’
‘I got my answer the next day. Marielle explained that they had failed to arrive at a consensus and, in a matter as important as this, that was essential.’
‘It was “no”?’ asked Trelawney.
‘It was “no”.’
Amanda’s face fell.
‘Oh, but why not?’
‘I asked Marielle that ....’
***
‘Look,’ said Marielle, ’maybe it’s not exactly a “no” but a “not yet’. Not until we can come home with you and marry you as Lucy Penlowr, our own name in our own homeland. While the people who attacked Growan House — the Flamgoynes and the Cardiubarns, right? — are still at large, that is impossible. Much as we love our life here, the fact is that we are refugees, we are still in hiding.’
‘I could come and live here,’ Hogarth offered impulsively.
‘No, you couldn’t. We wouldn’t let you. You have a life, a purpose, a mission. We won’t let you make that sacrifice.’
‘Then I’d be with you whenever I could.’
‘Long-distance relationships are near impossible,’ countered Marielle.
‘Then consider yourself free, but I will be back, I assure you, as often as I can,’ Hogarth assured her.
‘And you’ll always get a warm welcome,’ Geoffrey assured him.
‘Finally,’ Hogarth responded hopefully, ‘a vote in my favour.’
‘And you’ll always get a warm welcome from me too,’ Marielle put in.
Peter clapped him on the shoulder. ‘I’ll always be glad to see you, dear chap.’
‘We can have ice-cream,’ stated Zoe.
‘We can have tea and go to the beach,’ said Elodie comfortingly.
Hogarth was resigned to the best he could get for now.
‘That’s settled then.’
***
Trelawney was looking at Hogarth with narrowed eyes.
‘No. That wasn’t the whole truth, was it? About having to stay in hiding.’
‘Hm, I wondered when your legendary instinct would kick in,’ remarked Hogarth jovially. ‘Quite. Early, the next morning I came back to the villa, as I thought, discreetly, to find Harry waiting for me on the deck. He had been aware of my occasional dawn returns, and had kindly held his peace. And Vee too. Now I was glad of his presence. He must have read it in my face. Harry somehow knew Lucy had turned me down and asked if I knew why. I told him the reason I’d been given. We decided it didn’t wash with either of us.’
‘Yes,’ agreed Amanda, ‘the distance thing aside, in Lucy’s shoes what would make me say “no” to a proposal from a man I loved? One who was ready to come and live with me. I can only think of one thing.’
‘Did you pursue the matter with them?’ asked Trelawney.
‘Yes, I did. And so, arrived at the truth ....’
***
‘Is it that the boys can’t see me as brother-in-law? I do have reasonably decent prospects, you know,’ Hogarth said lightly.
Marielle smiled at that, but was silent.
‘Well then, Zoe can’t see me as a future provider of ice-cream?’
‘No. She likes you. Says you’re her new friend,’ she replied.
‘Elodie doesn’t see it as a prudent match?’
Marielle shook her head.
‘Of course, it’s not that.’
‘Is it ... Marielle, is it you? Is it that you don’t love me?’
She rolled her eyes.
‘Oh, don’t be such a twit.’
‘Sorry. I’m just trying to understand.’
There was silence. Nevertheless, Hogarth could tell that the five were in conversation. It looked serious. Finally, Peter turned to him, hands in pockets.
‘Can you give us some time? We’re going to hold a conference in the studio.’
‘Of course. I’ll wait. As long as you like.’
Hogarth sat down, tried to think, tried to distract himself, looking around the room. Occasionally he heard a voice from the studio. The ‘family’ had told him that they often talked out loud to one another when no one else was around. Suddenly, Hogarth heard an audible:
‘No!’ That was Zoe.
‘We don’t have to tell him.’ Marielle.
‘Maybe it's his decision,’ came the reasonable tones of Peter.
‘What if he ....’ that voice sank out of hearing: Geoffrey.
Finally, they returned. Hogarth stood up.
‘Elodie speaks for us all,’ said Peter, rocking
