Clive was clearly delighted to be working alongside her again and they talked fondly of Uncle David. Clive surprised her with tales of the dead man’s travels. ‘He was very popular with the ladies, you know,’ he said at one point and Davina was surprised because she’d always considered Uncle David a dry old bachelor. Perhaps that was why he felt she was missing out on life, she thought, but it was different for men.
Occasionally when she was at the main house she bumped into Todd or Tanya, but she never saw Pattie. Todd was very friendly and Davina liked him, particularly his enthusiasm; he was so different from Jay, completely open and up-front. It was easy to forget that he was Jay’s boss because his whole approach to life was far more laid back and less intense.
Finally it was Saturday. Davina sent the art work
recorded delivery from the local post office, and got back to the cottage just as Phil arrived. ‘We’ve been invited to dinner at the main house tomorrow night,’ she told him after they’d kissed. She fully expected him to complain but he looked pleased.
‘Good. Will it be the six of us, or are other people coming?’
‘It’s only four of us.’
‘Which four?’
‘Jay and Pattie, you and me.’
Phil frowned. ‘Why not Todd and Tanya?’
‘I’ve no idea,’ confessed Davina. ‘Anyway, he told me to pick all my favourite dishes and I made sure that they were things that you like too.’
‘In other words the food will be good even if the company’s crap.’
‘The company won’t be crap,’ said Davina. ‘I thought you liked Pattie.’
‘She’s okay,’ murmured Phil. ‘Did you get your work off?’ he continued. It was so unusual for him to take any interest in her work that Davina didn’t ask any more questions about Pattie but instead started discussing the drawings.
Early that evening as she and Phil were kissing on the couch, and just as Phil’s hands had started to move up beneath her T-shirt, the phone went. ‘Blast,’ he muttered. ‘Let it ring.’
‘I can’t,’ said Davina. ‘I won’t be able to concentrate.’ She heard Phil sigh as she went into the kitchen and picked up the phone. ‘Hello?’
‘Hi, I’m back,’ said Jay’s familiar voice.
‘How nice.’
‘Don’t sound too enthusiastic, will you. I’d like you to come across, we need to discuss tomorrow.’
‘Now?’
‘Yeah, now. Pattie and I always have a lie-in on Sunday mornings, if you get my drift.’
‘I get your drift,’ she said hurriedly. ‘I’ll be right over.’
‘Where the hell are you going?’ demanded Phil as she picked up a sweater.
Davina sighed. ‘Over to the main house. Jay’s back and wants to discuss tomorrow’s meal.’
‘Can’t he wait?’
‘It seems not. Even the slow progress of the English law courts hasn’t taught him patience.’
‘Well, don’t be long.’
‘I won’t,’ promised Davina.
‘Nice to see you don’t feel you have to dress up for me,’ remarked Jay, opening the front door of the house.
‘You wanted me to come over at once and this is what I was wearing when you rang,’ retorted Davina.
‘Sure, like I said, I’m glad you feel relaxed enough to let it all, what’s the expression, hang out?’
At that moment Pattie drifted by wearing a long tight-fitting dress, her blonde hair piled high on her head and the fragrance of an expensive perfume all around her. She made Davina feel like a grubby child.
‘Why ask me over now if you’re about to go out?’ she asked.
‘We’re not going out, we like to dress up from time to time. Most women enjoy that, I believe.’
‘I didn’t organise a special dinner for tonight,’ Davina said awkwardly.
‘We’re not eating, we’re playing cards.’
She couldn’t help but look surprised. ‘Cards?’
‘Sure, we all get dressed up and then play strip poker.’
She didn’t know whether he was joking or not, but she saw Pattie give her lover a seductive smile as she walked towards the billiard room and at that moment Davina decided that Jay was telling the truth. She wondered what it must be like to share your life with a man like him. It would frighten her, but at the same time she couldn’t help being turned on by the idea.
‘Did you hear what I said?’ demanded Jay.
Davina jumped. ‘Sorry! I was miles away.’
‘So I saw. I can’t find the menu for tomorrow night. You had said you were going to leave me a copy.’
‘It’s in the kitchen, stuck to the pantry door.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘Positive.’
‘Show me,’ said Jay, and he stepped back so that Davina could lead the way. She could feel him right behind her; it was as though they were back at the cottage and he was watching her, despite the fact that this time she was fully clothed.
‘There you are,’ she said, pointing at the list.
‘Now how the hell did I miss that?’ he asked casually.
‘I’ve no idea.’ Davina’s voice was stiff with annoyance. Clearly he had seen it, he’d simply called her over
there for his own amusement, probably so that she could see Pattie and learn what was going on in the main house that evening.
‘It looks great,’ said Jay, running his eyes over the page. ‘I’m sure Tanya will love the lime dessert.’
‘Tanya?’ asked Davina in surprise.
‘You have a problem with that?’
‘No, but I didn’t think Tanya and Todd were going to be at the dinner.’
‘And who did you think the meal was for?’
Davina felt incredibly uncomfortable. ‘It doesn’t matter,’ she murmured.
‘Hey, tell me. You must have had someone in mind.’
‘I thought … That is, because you asked me to choose my favourite foods and …’
‘And?’
‘And you implied that Todd and Tanya weren’t going to be the guests, I’d assumed that Phil and I were joining you and Pattie.’
Jay’s face was expressionless. ‘You really thought I’d want to spend the evening in the company of your boyfriend without another man there. What kind of conversation was that going to provide?’
‘I’m sorry, it was a misunderstanding.’
‘It sure as hell was. I hope you haven’t mentioned it to Phil.’
‘Oh God!’ Davina’s hand flew to her mouth.
‘I take it that means you have. Well, not only are you gonna have to tell him that he ain’t invited, you’re also gonna have to tell him you’ll be over here serving us because it’s Jenny’s night off.’
Davina’s cheeks were scarlet, and she felt as though her skin was burning. She was absolutely mortified. ‘You want me to wait at table?’
‘That’s right.’
‘I’m not a servant.’
‘Careful, Davina,’ he said quietly. ‘If you remember I wasn’t able to collect my rent on Monday because I had to go to London. I’m collecting it tomorrow night instead.’
‘You needn’t think I’m serving you wearing just underwear,’ she said angrily, certain that this must be his intention and knowing that if it was she had to refuse, even if it meant losing the cottage.
He looked surprised. ‘What do you think I am, some kinda weirdo? A dark skirt and white blouse
will be fine. I trust that won’t make you feel too subservient?’
‘I think I can cope with that,’ she mumbled.
‘Excuse me?’
Davina raised her voice. ‘I said, I think I can cope with that.’
‘Good. We’ll need you over here about seven-thirty. You can help in the kitchen first and generally assist in getting it all together. Any questions?’
Davina shook her head. She knew that he’d planned this deliberately. He’d known perfectly well that he was misleading her, that she was bound to assume she and Phil were to be the guests. Now he was taking a perverse pleasure in her embarrassment and confusion. She was furious, and she knew that Phil would be furious too but she had no choice. She wanted to remain in the cottage and Jay knew that only too well.
‘What do you mean I’m not invited?’ Phil shouted incredulously. ‘I thought you said we were the only guests?’
‘I was confused,’ said Davina. ‘I misunderstood what Jay said.’
‘You mean you’re invited and I’m not?’
‘No, it’s not like that at all. I’m only going there to serve at table. It’s Jenny’s night off.’
‘You’re not a servant.’
‘I don’t have any choice,’ said Davina quietly. ‘I’m sure you haven’t forgotten the wording of the will. Jay wants me to help out so that’s what I’ve got to do.’
‘And what am I supposed to do?’
‘I won’t be gone long. Dinner’s at eight-thirty so it should all be over by say half-ten, eleven.’
‘I’m not sitting here on my own for the evening waiting until you’ve washed the last of the dishes. You’re a talented artist, Davina. Don’t you think perhaps you ought to consider leaving here?’
Davina couldn’t believe her ears. ‘Leave here? I couldn’t possibly.’
‘Why not?’
‘Because it’s my home.’
‘It isn’t,’ said Phil irritably. ‘You’re renting the cottage from a man you hardly know and he can throw you out at any moment simply by making some ridiculous request of you. It’s hardly a safe existence, Davina, and I know how much importance you place on safety.’
‘I’m not leaving because Uncle David never intended me to leave. If you don’t like what’s happening then don’t bother to come and see me any more.’
‘Are you saying you’ve had enough of me?’
‘Of course not, although sometimes I don’t think that you feel the same about me now you know I’m not the heiress to a vast estate.’
Phil had the grace to look slightly abashed. ‘I mind for you, Davina, not for myself.’
‘So what are you going to do on Sunday?’
‘Drive back to London. I’d thought of going back late Sunday night in any case. This has decided me.’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Davina softly. ‘I really did think that Jay intended us to be his guests.’
Phil laughed. ‘I’m not surprised you got confused. Americans don’t speak English properly. Let’s go up, Davina. We might not have tomorrow evening, but we’ve still got tonight.’
‘I’m not certain this is a great idea,’ said Todd Lattimer to Tanya as the pair of them dressed for dinner the following evening. ‘What’s to stop Davina leaving as soon as she realises what’s happening?’
‘Jay seems certain she’ll stay,’ murmured Tanya, clipping the two ends of a gold chain onto each of her nipples before slipping on her satin blouse. ‘I assume he knows what he’s talking about.’
‘His judgement’s usually pretty sound,’ agreed Todd. ‘What do you think of Davina?’
‘I hardly know her,’ said Tanya, wrapping the sarong style black ankle-length skirt around her waist. ‘She seems nice. She’s classy, and intelligent too. If she was American I’d say she was the ideal partner for Jay.’
‘Yeah, but she’s a Brit, and in any case he isn’t looking for an ideal partner. He’s looking for an exciting sexual adventure.’
‘She doesn’t look like an exciting sexual adventure to me,’ confessed Tanya. ‘But we’ll have to wait and see.’
‘How does Pattie feel about all this?’
Tanya pulled a face. ‘She’s pretty fed up. She told me that when Jay caught her and that fair-haired boyfriend of Davina’s screwing on the steps of the summerhouse, he didn’t react at all. She’s certain that’s because he’s got designs on Davina. I think she planned it to make him jealous, but now she feels she’s given him carte blanche to do as he likes with Davina.’
‘You’d think Pattie would know it’s a waste of energy trying to make Jay jealous,’ said Todd. ‘It’s like in court when people try to get him to lose his temper. It’s impossible. That guy’s more in control of himself than anyone I’ve ever met. The problem is, he likes to control everyone else as well.’
‘That can be exciting,’ murmured Tanya.
‘Sure, and I know how much you enjoy these evenings of ours, but he’s a bit cold for a proper relationship, wouldn’t you say?’
‘He seems cold,’ said Tanya thoughtfully. ‘I wonder, if tonight goes the way Jay wants, whether you and I could give Davina a helping hand.’
‘In what way?’
‘You know, give her hints on the way to his heart.’
‘Has he got one?’
‘Of course he has, it’s just that no one’s found it yet. Maybe Davina’s the one to do that.’
‘Yeah, and maybe she’s not. Come on, time for us to go down. Next thing you know Jay will be ticking us off for being late for pre-dinner drinks.’ They both laughed and made their way to the study where Clive was standing behind the small bar that Jay had had
built. Pattie, wearing an ice-blue silk dress that left one shoulder bare, shimmied over to greet them.
‘Have you heard, Davina’s going to be waiting on us?’
‘We’d heard,’ said Todd. ‘How do you feel about that?’
Pattie shrugged. ‘I don’t see the point, but Jay’s excited about it.’
‘Is he getting her to dress up in a maid’s uniform?’ asked Todd eagerly.
Pattie shook her head. ‘No, nothing like that. It must be part of his plan to involve her. You know Jay, once he gets an idea in his head that’s it.’
For a while the two young women talked together while Todd and Jay discussed Jay’s week in London. The sound of a gong being struck finally interrupted their conversations and the four of them went through to the dining room.
The moment they’d sat down Davina walked into the room carrying four bone china bowls of consommé which she placed in front of each of them. She then went to leave the room but Jay held up a hand.
‘Don’t leave, wait there behind Todd. That way you can clear the plates as soon as we’ve finished.’ Davina
obediently stood by the wall, only moving when the bowls were empty.
With the main course of pork cooked with English vegetables and mixed herbs in front of them, the four Americans, relaxed by the excellent wine Jay had provided, began to discuss American politics. After dessert Jay suggested that they all took their coffee in the large drawing room, and requested that Davina should bring it in to them. When he gave the order Todd glanced at Tanya while Pattie exchanged a tiny smile with her lover.
For Davina the evening had been rather boring. She couldn’t imagine why Jay had felt it necessary to have her there. Clive could easily have waited on them all, and the cook had said that she hadn’t requested any extra help. Placing the cups on the silver tray and pouring hot water into the coffee jug, Davina glanced at her watch. It was only ten-thirty. With any luck she’d be tucked up in bed at home in another half hour. She hoped that Jay was satisfied. The only possible explanation she could think of for his behaviour was that he’d hoped to annoy Phil. If that was the case he’d certainly succeeded.