Authors: Madeleine Wickham
Ìsobel, haven't you got it into your head yet?' he said. Ì want everyone to see you! I love you! I want to ' He broke off and looked at her with a different expression. `Try this for size. What would you think about . . . about giving the baby my name?'
`You don't mean ...' Isobel stared up at him, feeling her skin begin to tingle.
Ì don't know,' said Harry. Ìt depends. Do you already have a husband I should know about?'
`Bastard!' said Isobel, kicking his shins.
Ìs that a yes?' said Harry, starting to laugh. Òr a no?'
`Bastard!'
James and Alexander sat at the kitchen table, drinking brandy and waiting for Olivia to come off the phone.
Ì got these developed, by the way,' said Alexander suddenly, pulling out a stiff brown envelope from his bag. Òn the house.'
`What are they?' said James.
`Have a look.'
James put down his drink, opened the envelope and pulled out a sheaf of glossy black and white photographs. He stared at the top one silently, then leafed through slowly to the bottom. Milly stared up at him again and again, her eyes wide and luminous, the curves of her face falling into soft shadows, her engagement ring sparkling discreetly in the corner of the frame.
`These are incredible,' he said at last. Àbsolutely extraordinary.
`Thanks,' said Alexander offhandedly. Ì was pleased with them.'
`She looks beautiful, of course,' said James. `She always looks beautiful. But it's not just that.' He gazed again at the top print. `You've captured a depth to Milly in these pictures that I've never seen before.
She suddenly looks . . . intriguing.'
`She looks like a woman with a secret,' said Alexander. He took a swig of brandy. `Which is exactly what she was.'
James looked up at him.
Ìs that why you teased her? To get these pictures?'
`Partly,' said Alexander. Ànd partly because . . .' he shrugged . I'm an evil bastard, and that kind of thing gives me kicks.'
Ànd never mind the consequences?' said James.
Ì didn't know there would be any consequences,' said Alexander. Ì certainly didn't realize she would panic. She seemed so ...' He paused. Òn top of herself.'
`She may look strong,' said James, `but she's fragile underneath.' He paused. `Just like her mother.'
They both looked up as Olivia appeared in the kitchen.
`So,' said James grimly. `Did you speak to Canon Lytton? Was it Esme who told him?'
`That silly young curate wouldn't tell me!' said Olivia, with a spark of her old vigour. `Can you believe it? He said it wasn't up to him to break a confidence, and Canon Lytton was too busy to come to the phone. Too busy!'
`What's he doing?' asked James.
Olivia exhaled sharply and a curious flicker passed across her face.
`Conducting a wedding rehearsal,' she said. `For the other couple getting married tomorrow.' There was a subdued little pause. Ì don't suppose there's much we can do about it,' she added, pouring herself a glass of brandy.
`Yes there is,' said James. `We can go round there and we can get an answer.'
`What, and interrupt the wedding rehearsal?' Olivia stared at him. `James, are you serious?'
`Yes,' said James. Ì am. If my cousin has betrayed Milly's confidence and deliberately ruined her wedding, then I want to know about it.' He put down his drink. `Come on, Olivia! Where's your fighting spirit?'
Àre you serious?' repeated Olivia.
`Yes,' said James. Ànd besides ' he glanced at Alexander '-it might be fun.'
Simon was sitting by the window of his bedroom, trying to read a book, as the doorbell rang. A spasm of nerves went through him and he quickly got to his feet, discarding the book. It was Milly. It had to be Milly.
He had driven back to Pinnacle Hall from Esme's house with a hopeful happiness bubbling through him like spring water. After the wounding shock and anger of last night, he felt as though life was once again on course. He'd made the first move towards a reconciliation with Milly; as soon as she responded, he would renew his apologies and try to heal the wound between them as best he could.
They would wait patiently for her divorce to come through; organize another wedding; start life again.
And now here she was. He descended the wide stairs, a foolish grin spreading over his face, and briskly crossed the hall. But before he was halfway across, his father's study door opened and Harry appeared.
He was laughing and gesturing to someone in his room; a whisky glass was in his hand.
Ìt's all right,' said Simon quickly. Ì'll get it.' Harry turned round in surprise.
Òh, hello,' he said. Àre you expecting someone?'
Ì don't know,' said Simon awkwardly. `Milly, maybe.'
Àh,' said Harry. Ì'll get out of your way, then.'
Simon grinned at his father and, without thinking, allowed his eyes to roam inside the open study door.
To his surprise he caught a glimpse of female leg by the fire. A mild curiosity began to rise through him and he glanced questioningly at his father. Harry seemed to think for a couple of seconds, then he flung the study door open.
Isobel Havill was sitting by the fire. Her head shot up, a shocked expression on her face, and Simon stared back at her in surprise.
`You know Isobel, don't you, Simon?' said Harry cheerfully.
`Yes, of course,' said Simon. `Hi, Isobel. What are you doing here?'
Ì'm here to talk about the wedding,' she said after a pause.
`No you're not,' said Harry. `Don't lie to the boy.'
Òh,' said Simon confusedly. `Well, it doesn't-'
`We have something to tell you, Simon,' said Harry. Àlthough this may not be quite the best time ...'
`No, it's not,' interrupted Isobel firmly. `Why doesn't one of you answer the door?'
`What have you got to tell me?' said Simon. His heart began to thud. Ìs it about Milly?'
Isobel sighed. `No,' she said.
`Not directly,' said Harry.
`Harry!' said Isobel, a note of irritation entering her voice. `Simon doesn't want to hear this now!'
`Hear what?' said Simon as the doorbell rang again. He looked from one to the other. Isobel was giving his father a private little frown; Harry was grinning back at her teasingly. Simon stared at the two of them, communicating in a silent, intimate language, and suddenly, with a lurch, he understood.
`Get the door,' said Isobel. `Somebody.'
Ì'll go,' said Simon in a strangled voice. Isobel shot his father an angry look.
`Simon, are you OK?' said Harry apologetically. `Listen, I didn't mean to '
Ìt's OK,' said Simon, not looking back. Ìt's OK.'
He strode up to the front door and yanked it open with a shaking, clumsy hand. On the doorstep was a stranger. A tall, wellbuilt man, with blond hair that shone under the lantern like a halo, and bloodshot blue eyes full of a miserable wariness.
Simon stared back at the stranger in disappointment, too nonplussed by events to speak. Thoughts were skittering round his mind like mad bowling balls, as his brain tried to link this new information to all the evidence that had been before him over the last few months. How many times had he seen his father and Isobel together? Hardly ever. But maybe that fact should have been a sign in itself. If he'd paid more attention, might he have noticed something? How long had their affair been going on, anyway?
And where the hell was Milly?
Ì'm looking for Simon Pinnacle,' said the stranger at last. His eyes shone entreatingly at Simon and there was a curious, preemptive defensiveness to his voice. Àre you him, by any chance?'
`Yes,' said Simon, forcing himself to focus; to pull himself together. Ì am. How can I help you?'
`You won't know who I am,' said the man.
Ì think I do,' interrupted Isobel, from behind Simon. Ì think I know exactly who you are.' An incredulous note entered her voice as she gazed up at him. `You're Rupert, aren't you?'
Giles Claybrook and Eleanor Smith were standing at the altar of St Edward's, gazing silently at one another.
`Now,' said Canon Lytton, smiling benevolently at the pair of them. Ìs it to be one ring or two?'
Òne,' said Giles, looking up.
`Giles won't wear a wedding ring,' said Eleanor, a slight flush of annoyance coming to her features.
Ì've tried to persuade him.'
Èllie, love,' said Eleanor's uncle, filming behind on a video camera. `Could you move slightly to the right? Lovely.'
Òne ring,' said Canon Lytton, making a note on his service sheet. `Well, in that case ...'
There was a rattle at the doors at the back of the church, and he looked up in surprise. The door swung open, to reveal James, Olivia and Alexander.
`Forgive us,' said James, walking briskly up the aisle. `We just need a moment with Canon Lytton.'
`We won't be long,' said Olivia.
`Sorry to interrupt,' added Alexander cheerfully.
`What's going on?' said Giles, peering down the aisle.
`Mrs Havill, I am busy!' thundered Canon Lytton. `Kindly wait at the back!'
Ìt won't take a second,' said James. `We just need to know who told you about Milly's first wedding?'
Ìf you are trying to convince me, at this late stage, that the information is false . . .' began Canon Lytton.
`We're not!' said James impatiently. `We just need to know.'
`Was it him?' demanded Olivia, pointing to Alexander.
`No,' said Canon Lytton, ìt wasn't. And now if you would kindly-'
`Was it my cousin, Esme Ormerod?' asked James.
There was silence.
Ì was told in confidence,' said Canon Lytton at last, a slight stiffness entering his voice. Ànd I'm afraid that '
Ì'll take that as confirmation that it was,' said James. He sank down onto a pew. Ì just don't believe it.
How could she? She's supposed to be Milly's godmother! She's supposed to help and protect her!'
Ìndeed,' said Canon Lytton sternly. Ànd would it be helping your daughter to stand back as she deliberately entered a marriage based on lies and falseness?'
`What are you saying?' said Olivia incredulously. `That Esme was trying to act in Milly's best interests?'
Canon Lytton made a small gesture of assent.
`Well then you're mad!' cried Olivia. `She was acting out of spite and you know it! She's a spiteful, malicious troublemaker! You know, I never liked that woman. I saw through her, right from the start.'
She nodded at James. `Right from the start.'
Canon Lytton had turned to Giles and Eleanor.
`My apologies for this unseemly interruption,' he said. `Now let us resume. The giving and receiving of the ring.'
`Hold on,' said Eleanor's uncle. 'I'll rewind the video, shall I? Or do you want me to keep all this?' He gestured to James and Olivia. `We could send it in to a TV show.'
`No we bloody couldn't,' snapped Eleanor. `Carry on, Canon Lytton.' She shot a malevolent look at Olivia. `We'll ignore these rude people.'
`Very well,' said Canon Lytton. `Now, Giles, you will place the ring on Eleanor's finger, and repeat after me.' He raised his voice: `With this ring, I thee wed.'
There was a pause, then Giles said self-consciously, `With this ring, I thee wed.'
`With my body, I thee worship.'
`With my body I thee worship.'
As the ancient words rose into the empty space of the church, everyone seemed to relax. Olivia raised her eyes to the vaulted ceiling, then looked down at James. A wistful look came over her face and she sat down next to him. They both watched Alexander as he crept forward and took a discreet picture of Canon Lytton trying to ignore the video camera.
`Do you remember our wedding?' she said quietly.
`Yes,' said James. He met her eyes cautiously. `What about it?'
`Nothing,' said Olivia. Ì was just . . . remembering it. How nervous I was.'
`You, nervous?' said James, half smiling.
`Yes,' said Olivia. `Nervous.' There was a long pause, then she said, without meeting his eye, `Perhaps next week-if you felt like it-we could go up to Edinburgh. Just for a break. We could have a look around. Stay in a hotel. And . . . and talk about things.'
There was silence.
Ì'd like that,' said James eventually. Ì'd like that very much.' He paused. `What about the bed and breakfast?'
Ì could close it for a bit,' said Olivia. She flushed slightly. Ìt's not the most important thing in my life, you know.'
James stared at her silently. Cautiously, he moved his hand across towards hers. Olivia remained motionless. Then there was a sudden rattling at the door, and they jumped apart like scalded cats. The young curate of the church was striding up the aisle, cordless phone in hand.
`Canon Lytton,' he said, a note of excitement in his voice. `You have a very urgent telephone call from Miss Havill. I wouldn't interrupt, normally, but--'
`From Milly?' said Olivia in surprise. `Let me speak to her!'
`From Isobel Havill,' said the curate, ignoring Olivia. 'Speaking from Pinnacle Hall.' He handed the phone to Canon Lytton, his eyes gleaming. Àpparently there's been a rather startling development.'
Isobel put down the telephone and looked at the others.
Ì just spoke to Mummy at the church,' she said. `You know, it wasn't Alexander who told the vicar about Milly.'
`Who was it?' said Simon.
`You won't believe this,' said Isobel. She paused for effect. Ìt was Esme.'
`That doesn't surprise me,' said Harry.
`Do you know her?' said Isobel, staring at him in surprise.
Ì used to,' said Harry. `Not any more. Not for a long time,' he added hastily. Isobel gave him a briefly suspicious look, then frowned, tapping her nails on the phone.
Ànd Milly doesn't even realize! I must call her.'
`No wonder she wouldn't let me in the house,' said Simon, as Isobel picked up the phone again. `The woman's a bloody weirdo!'
There was a tense silence as Isobel waited to be connected. Suddenly her face changed expression, and she motioned for the others to be quiet.
`Hi, Esme,' she said, her voice airily casual. Ìs Milly there by any chance? Oh, right. Could you maybe wake her up?' She pulled a face at Simon, who grimaced back. Òh, I see. OK, well, not to worry. Just give her my love!'