‘Well, now we know who’s coming to stay,’ she said. ‘She’s certainly not going to be boring.’
‘I can’twaitto meet her,’ said Martha dreamily, ‘even if neither of you could care less. Maybe if we manage to gel, I’ll get an invitation to the wedding. I wish Hugh was coming as well, though, it would be lovely to see them together.’
‘She should be the one dying to meet you,’ said Frankie. ‘She should be in awe of your talent, but I doubt any of them knows who you are.’
‘Ooh, that’s an idea,’ said Martha, her eyes lighting up. ‘Maybe I’ll ask her if she wants me to paint their portrait. It could be a wedding present. Then I’d be almost certain to getan invitation – and it wouldn’t do business any harm if I got a mention inHELLO!either.’
‘That’s more like it,’ said Frankie approvingly. ‘That’s not a bad idea at all, actually. She can hang in your rogues’ gallery with Rascally Ralph.’
‘Oh, drop it, Frank,’ said Juliet, concerned that Martha would feel low all over again about her unrequited feelings for one of her previous subjects. ‘I don’t see you doing much work recently. Whathaveyou been up to?’
‘Nothing of any interest to you,’ said Frankie airily. ‘I’m sure I’m very boring. Now, if you do get invited to this wedding, M, who are you going to take as your plus one? You could pluck up the courage to ask Wet Will along?’
‘If you’re not careful, Frank, I’ll take you,’ said Martha, squaring her shoulders.
Juliet laughed.
‘Now that I would love to see. Game, set and match to Martha, for once. Come on, it’s late, I’m going to bed. We’ve got to welcome this paragon tomorrow, and if she’s as gorgeous in real life as she is on screen, I for one would like a decent night’s sleep first.’
The next day, there was a palpable buzz at Feywood. Although they had entertained small groups previously, this was the first time they had welcomed in a celebrity, however ‘Z list’, as Frankie put it. When Juliet woke up, early, the bed next to her was empty, and she could hear Léo and Sylvia downstairs. Looking longingly at the coffee pot and the sofa, she groaned and instead pulled on some clothes and went to see if she could help.
‘I think everything’s ready,’ said Sylvia, ‘but if you could be a dear, Juliet, and ask the girls if they’ve got their pieces ready, that would help.’
‘No problem. It all looks lovely; I’m sure Pandora and her friends will have a great time – and the photos will look amazing. Are you looking forward to it, Léo?’
He shrugged.
‘I am going to treat it like any other class. I’m not pleased about the magazine photos, but I know it’s good for business.’
‘Why not?’ asked Juliet. ‘You’re not camera shy at all.’
‘Just publicity shy,’ he muttered. ‘Can you go and ask your sisters? The party will be here soon.’
Feeling rather dismissed, Juliet pushed open the door and stepped into the morning. The autumn sunshine lifted her mood, and she breathed in the chilly air with its sharp yet comforting scent of fallen leaves. Léo was being scratchy yet again, although he had been fine the previous night, and her concern that he was playing some sort of game to keep her on her toes was beginning to harden into certainty. Why did he suddenly have a problem being photographed for a magazine? She shook her head. Surely therewasno problem. It was just another way to be snippy with her, to squash her. Well, he needed to be careful; she wasnotgoing to put up with that kind of thing for a second time. As she reached the house, she squared her shoulders; today was no time to be dwelling on such things. For now, he still had the benefit of the doubt, and she smiled as she remembered his gentle touch and loving, sincere words of the night before. Today was an important day for the whole family, and she was going to do her bit.
‘Frankie, Martha!’ she called, as she went in. There was no response. She jogged up the stairs and opened Frankie’s door. The bed was empty and had not been slept in: no chance Frankie would be up already and have made it so neatly. Martha’s room was also empty, so she went along to the room she used as her studio and found her sister there.
‘Morning.’
Martha jumped and quickly pulled a sheet over the painting she was working on.
‘Oh, hello, Juliet, how are you? I was too excited to sleep late so I thought I’d come and get some work done.’
‘What is it?’
‘Oh nothing, nothing. Not ready to be seen yet.’
‘Well, Sylvia asked me to come and get the pieces you and Frank want up in the cookery school. Have you got them? I can’t find Frankie.’
‘She went out last night. I wish I knew what she was up to. But yes, she left the sculpture, it’s gorgeous. And I’ve got a little painting I did of Sylvia. Here they are.’
She handed the items to Juliet who looked at them in admiration tinged, she had to admit, with a little jealousy.
‘You’re both so ridiculously talented. I doubt the readers ofHELLO! Magazinewill appreciate these, but you never know. Thanks, I’ll take them down. The party’s due to arrive at ten, so don’t get lost in what you’re doing and forget, will you?’
‘Not a chance. Not today. I’ve got my eye on the clock, I promise.’
‘Good. See you later then.’
