Just as Lizzie was about to get in the car, David came out with the sewing machine and found room for it in the boot. ‘Alexandra said you must have this. You know you won’t be happy without it,’ he said. Lizzie tried to remonstrate but was overruled, Alexandra pointing out that she was really the only one of them to use it often.
‘Well, if that really is everything,’ said Hugo. ‘We should go.’
There was another round of hugs, thanks, kisses and promises to visit and then at last Lizzie was in the passenger seat.
‘They’ll miss you,’ said Hugo as he found his way out of London.
‘I’ll miss them too. They’ve been like family to me.’
‘You still haven’t heard from your mother?’
Lizzie shook her head. ‘I wrote to her. I told her about the cottage and that we were planning the wedding. I really don’t think they’ll pretend they don’t want us to get married for much longer. They’ll have looked you up in Burke’s Peerage by now. They’ll know who your family is.’
‘Just as well Burke’s Peerage doesn’t rank people by snobbery and bad-temperedness, isn’t it?’
‘I don’t think that would matter to my parents. If you’re in there, you’re OK by them.’ She paused. ‘I suppose Patsy and Tim are in there?’
‘In Burke’s Peerage? I dare say they are, although I haven’t looked them up. Why?’
‘I’m just a bit – anxious – about meeting them.’
‘I promise you, you won’t be, the moment you do meet. They are delightful. And so are you!’ He looked down at her briefly and smiled, and Lizzie’s heart turned over with happiness.
Patsy and Tim were on the steps of the big Queen Anne house when Hugo and Lizzie drove up. The front door was open and at least three Labradors were milling about on the grass in front of the drive. With them was a small boy in pyjamas.
Hugo got out and came round to let Lizzie out. Not for the first time, Lizzie was glad of his good manners. They meant he would be by her side when she first met these people who would be so important in their lives.
Tim came over. ‘Hugo, old chap.’ He clapped him on the arm. ‘I have to say, I like this fiancée a lot better than the other one. She’s far prettier and probably a lot more fun.’ Tim took hold of Lizzie’s hand and shook it. Then he kissed her cheek. ‘Really lovely to meet you, and I’m so glad you’ll be staying with us. It’s Lizzie, isn’t it?’
Lizzie smiled shyly. Although the welcome couldn’t have been warmer, she was still anxious. She didn’t have a lot of experience of hearty, country-based families who tended to have arcane rituals only known to members of the inner circle. And she was not part of the inner circle and possibly never would be.
Patsy joined her husband. ‘Hello, Lizzie. I’m Patsy, I’ve known Hugo and Nessa all my life. And they both speak very highly of you. Say hello to George. George!’ Patsy’s voice had a carrying quality she probably found very useful. ‘Come and meet Lizzie. She’s Uncle Hugo’s friend. They’re going to get married.’
Lizzie couldn’t tell how old George was, probably about five. The knees of his pyjamas had grass stains on them and his hair flopped into his eyes. ‘Hello.’He looked at his mother. ‘Do I call her Lizzie, or Aunt Lizzie?’
‘Just Lizzie is fine,’ Lizzie said. She took hold of his hand and gave it a shake. ‘Hello.’
George nodded shyly and went back to the dogs as soon as he could.
‘He’s a nice chap on the whole,’ said Tim. ‘But a bit awkward with the ladies.’
‘Timbo, he’s only four. What do you expect?’ said Patsy. ‘Now come along in. Let’s get you a drink. I’ve lit a fire. I know it’s summer but for me, a house without a fire is never welcoming. Besides, it’s chilly.’
The sitting room was full of tatty sofas and large armchairs. The fire burned in a very beautiful fireplace and there were large family portraits on the walls, but the room was definitely shabby.
‘Sit by the fire, Lizzie,’ said Tim. ‘That chair is quite comfortable. We haven’t been in this house long and we’re still deciding which furniture to burn and what to keep. That chair is a keeper.’
George and the dogs all flopped on the hearthrug in front of the fire and, suddenly, Lizzie found herself joined in her chair by a small brown dog.
‘So sorry, that’s Maud,’ said Patsy. ‘Shove her off if you don’t like her. She’s quite old and likes to be near the fire but not with the Labs.’
Maud was now sitting on Lizzie’s lap. ‘I like her. There’s a dog in the house in London. Clover. She’salways a comfort if you need cheering up. Sits on your lap like a furry hot water bottle.’
Patsy gave Lizzie’s shoulder a pat. ‘Have a drink. You need something after your journey. What do you fancy? What about a glass of sherry? Always hard to know what’s going to taste nice when you’re preggers. Timbo?’ she called to her husband who was on his way out of the room. ‘Don’t forget the cheesy biscuits!’ She turned back to Lizzie. ‘Don’t worry, it’s all going to be fine.’ Lizzie realised that she didn’t know if Patsy was saying their pre-dinner drinks would be fine, or if her whole life would be fine. But Lizzie felt reassured on both counts.
Patsy turned her attention to Hugo, who was making himself at home, obviously among old friends. He knew all the dogs by name and George went to him with a train that needed fixing.
Lizzie settled back in her chair, sipping her sherry and eating cheesy biscuits from a bowl that Patsy had put by her side. The others talked easily about events and people she didn’t know. But although she felt detached from the scene around her, she didn’t feel excluded. It was restful, she decided.
