Page 65 of A Sky Painted Gold

I make a move towards her, but Alice sweeps out of the room.

“Is everything OK?” Caitlin asks, and she looks anxiously at my face. “I hope we didn’t… I hope it’s OK that we came?” She sounds uncertain.

I smile. “Of course it is.” I draw my shoulders back. “It’s just sister stuff. Now, the real challenge is over here.” My voice dips low as I guide Caitlin over to where Aunt Irene sits. A mischievous look flickers across Caitlin’s face before she pulls up a seat beside the sour-faced woman and settles in for battle.

Robert, it seems, has been commandeered by Tom, who whirls into the room, shouting that the blue car is sitting on the drive and that somebody owes him a ride. By the time Robert returns with a windswept and jubilant Tom, lunch is ready. And what a lunch it is. A feast of summer tarts and vegetables fresh from the garden, there is warm bread and ham and cheese, and cold roast chicken, then three different types of cake and strawberries and cream for dessert.

It is scorching hot again and we eat in the front garden, where Pa has created a long makeshift table out of some big planks of wood resting on several trestles. Mismatched bed sheets have been thrown over the top as tablecloths, and Freya has filled milk jugs with posies of wild flowers for decoration. We sit in the long grass, looking out over the sea while bees hum sleepily from flower to flower. Pa brings the old gramophone outside, and the familiar crackle of the needle against our old records drifts through the air.

At first the conversation is awkward, and I fret over how the Cardews will fit into the scene, as if a jigsaw puzzle piece from the wrong box has crept in by mistake. Gradually, though, the talk becomes easier, and Robert and Caitlin seem to be enjoying themselves. Even Aunt Irene appears to be working hard to cover up her pleasure, but I am still worried about Alice. While everyone else chatters and laughs, Alice is mostly silent. She picks at her food, even leaving her cake untouched. It is then that I know that something must be really wrong. Finally, Caitlin gets to her feet. “I’m so sorry,” she says, “I really do hate to leave, but we have to get back to the party preparations.”

Robert stands as well. “Thank you so much for inviting us,” he says. “And for the wonderful food.”

They say their goodbyes to everyone. “Lou, we’ll see you at seven,” Caitlin calls as they make their way to the car. “And don’t worry about bringing anything … we have it all covered.”

“What a nice pair,” Aunt Cath says as we watch them drive away. “No airs and graces. How lovely that you’ve made such good friends, Lou.”

“Hmmph,” Aunt Irene sniffs before I can reply. “It will all end in tears, mark my words.” She shifts in her seat. “Although I will say that the newspapers seem to have exaggerated their behaviour atrociously,” she concedes grudgingly. “I spent quite some time talking to Lady Cardew and she was terribly kind about my poor Art.” Out comes the handkerchief, and we all bow our heads dutifully for a moment.

“Well,” Midge says brightly, breaking the silence and ignoring Aunt Irene’s stormy glare. “Is everyone finished? Shall we get these things packed up inside?”

As everyone starts bustling around, Alice appears at my side and tugs on my arm. “Come with me,” she says. “I have to talk to you about something.”

I follow her in silence, and we wander through the garden towards the coastal path. “Here,” she says, when we are out of earshot of the others. “Sit here with me,” and she pulls me down beside her on a grassy bank.

“What’s all this secrecy in aid of?” I ask.

“I need to talk to you,” Alice says.

“I’m glad,” I breathe in a rush. “I hope you didn’t mind Caitlin and Robert turning up. I didn’t invite them, but they’re my friends and…” I trail off hopelessly.

“Mmm.” Alice makes a nondescript noise, and I don’t know how to interpret it.

“Is everything … OK?” I ask. “I’m sorry I haven’t seen much of you lately, I—”

Alice waves her hand and cuts me off here. “That’s not what I want to talk to you about,” she says, and her voice is almost wary, uncertain.

“Well?” I say after a moment. “What is it?” I aim for cheerful. “The suspense is killing me!”

“I wanted you to be the first person to know,” she says. “It felt right that you should be first. I don’t know how to…” She pauses and takes a deep breath. “Jack and I … we’re having a baby.” The words are as fragile as tissue paper, and I feel the earth shift beneath my feet.

“C-congratulations!” I stutter, in a daze.

“You look so surprised!” Alice smiles. “I was sure you would have guessed already, somehow. You always seem to notice everything. I can’t keep my food down, so I didn’t eat my cake, and I think I’m already showing,” she rattles breathlessly as she pulls her dress tightly over her flat stomach.

“I had no idea,” I say, grasping for words, for thought. “I’m just … I can’t believe it.”

Alice frowns. “Well, there’s no need to say it like that,” she says, and her voice holds something peppery and sharp. “It’s not that shocking. I am married, you know, these things do happen.”

“Of course they do,” I say, and I squeeze her hand. “It’s just so soon.”

“It’s not that soon,” Alice snaps, pulling back her hand. “We’ve been married for nearly two months.”

“You’re right, you’re right,” I say, and all my words sound wrong. I’m off balance. The news of the baby changes everything. Nothing will be the same now, not for Alice. She’s starting something wonderful and new, something that pulls her even further away. “I just thought you’d have more time,” I finish lamely.

“More time?” Alice echoes dangerously, and I close my eyes. “More time for what exactly?”

“Nothing, nothing,” I say quickly. “I didn’t mean anything, I’m just surprised. But of course I’m happy; I’m so happy for you.”