Page 109 of Escape to the Country

‘Yes, yes,’ snapped Megan, before taking another swig of her Pimm’s. ‘We know the fete has got to be the highlight of our year.’

Annie looked chagrined. ‘Sorry,’ she said, giving them a sheepish look. ‘Have I been going on about it?’

‘Just a bit,’ conceded Eleanor eventually.

Annie blew out a sigh. ‘I just don’t know how we’re ever going to have enough stalls to keep everyone happy.’

‘Does it matter?’ prompted Eleanor gently.

‘Of course it matters!’ Annie told her. ‘This is going to be my heritage. If it starts off rubbish then I’ll get a reputation as a rubbish countess, won’t I?’

‘It’ll be fine,’ said Megan, removing the cucumber from her Pimm’s. ‘Can I put these on my eyes?’

Eleanor grimaced. ‘I’ll get you a fresh pair that aren’t covered in alcohol, shall I?’

‘The good thing is that all of your stuff is sustainable. And sustainable is the word of the moment,’ said Megan as she picked up another tub. ‘As in natural. Everything should be “free from”.’

‘That’s two words,’ said Annie.

‘Very funny,’ said Megan. ‘You know what I mean. Plants are in, big time. I really think you’ve stumbled across something here. Go natural and go big.’

‘Exactly how much have you had to drink?’ asked Eleanor, grinning.

She left her friends rummaging through what was left of the goody bags that she had picked up from the parties that she had frequented in her former life and headed into the kitchen where she found Rose and her mum in deep conversation.

‘Sorry to interrupt,’ said Eleanor. ‘I just need some more cucumber.’

‘Your creams are divine,’ said Rose, nodding her approval. ‘What a talented family you are. I was just asking your mother about her sewing skills that I’ve heard so much about.’

‘I don’t know about that,’ said her mum blushing.

‘Well, I do,’ said Rose in a firm tone of voice.

‘But you are going to help make some new curtains for Willow Tree Hall, aren’t you?’ asked Eleanor.

‘I guess it will keep me busy when all the animals start to leave.’ Her mum bit her lip, looking nervous.

‘I think you’re being terribly brave about it all,’ said Rose, reaching out to take her hand. ‘It takes a huge amount of courage to think that there might be another path to follow in life.’

‘Like my daughter here,’ said her mum, smiling at Eleanor. ‘Mind you, I don’t think I’ve ever used anything like her creams.’

‘Well, your skin is fabulous, so you probably didn’t need to,’ said Rose.

‘You didn’t used to mess around with make-up when you were young?’ asked Eleanor. ‘You weren’t that old when you had me.’

Her Mum smiled. ‘I know I let myself go after your father left. Probably even before he left.’

‘It wasn’t your fault,’ said Eleanor in a stern voice. ‘So you didn’t put on a full face of make-up every day. So what? That was no excuse for him to leave like that.’

‘Well said, sweetie,’ said Rose, nodding in approval. ‘A real man would see through all that and love the person inside. Someone like our lovely vet perhaps.’

‘Ben?’ said her Mum, hurriedly getting up from the table. ‘I don’t think he would ever think of me like that. Besides, we’re just friends.’ She quickly left the room with the excuse of filling up Annie and Megan’s glasses.

Rose looked at Eleanor and shook her head sadly. ‘She was so badly hurt by your father. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone more devastated. But perhaps a little encouragement might help.’

‘Ben and Mum?’ wondered Eleanor out loud.

‘He’s been in love with your mother ever since they went to school,’ said Rose, with a sad smile.