‘And, of course, she’s very beautiful,’ said Lizzie, sticking to the subject of Electra, although she knew she should shut up about her.
He nodded. ‘Yes, in a racehorse kind of way.’
Still on a path she knew she should steer away from, Lizzie said, ‘So if Electra is a racehorse, I must be a sort of pony.’ She had in mind a cartoon pony, very round in the middle and hairy. Although she was not yet very round, and her hair was short, she still felt the analogy worked.
‘Lizzie!’ Hugo was shocked. ‘Why on earth would you think that?’
She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I suppose it’s because things are so odd between us. We hardly know each other but we’re getting married. I can’t help comparing myself with the woman you’d chosen to marry. After all, if I wasn’t pregnant, we’d probably not be still in touch.’
‘What makes you say that?’
His expression was concerned and she realised she’d gone down a dangerous path. She couldn’t bring herself to say, ‘Would you have even asked me out in the normal course of events, if I hadn’t been pregnant?’ because she didn’t want to know the answer, in case it was no. So she tried to pretend she hadn’t said anything, shook her head, smiled and shrugged.
He wouldn’t let her get away with this. ‘Lizzie? What do you mean?’
She desperately wished she’d never started this conversation. And although he’d said she’d make him happier than Electra would, she’d always feel she was second-best. Like the comfortable winter coat you’d get years of use out of instead of the glamorous scarlet one, which would always need dry cleaning but would look fabulous. Nor could she forget his words:make a girl pregnant by mistake and end up having to marry her.
She couldn’t explain all this. She didn’t have the words or the heart for it. ‘I don’t know! I expect I’m just tired. You should have seen me being helpful down at the church, when I’d done my own stand, filling watering cans, finding extra greenery from the churchyard.’
This seemed to satisfy him.
‘Are you too tired to look at the house? I gather from your mother it looks better at night.’
Lizzie laughed. ‘I don’t think she saw it through the same rose-tinted spectacles that I did. Perhaps another look now, with you, will make me see it more realistically.’
‘Oh, I do hope not!’ He held out his hand to her. ‘Come on. Let’s see it at its worst.’
‘Actually,’ said Lizzie, a few moments later, ‘I still really like it! I know the bathroom is a bit grim andthe kitchen isn’t exactly modern, but the sitting room is fairly spacious, it doesn’t seem damp and the bedrooms are both a good size.’
‘Yes,’ he agreed. ‘Do you remember that flat in Tufnell Park where we first met? Now that really was grim!’
She was surprised he’d remembered that first meeting, but definitely pleased. ‘It was horrible! And while this house may not have a proper modern kitchen – my mother’s feelings, not mine – it is at least pretty.’
‘And I’m sure when you’ve had a chance to make curtains – I gather from Patsy that that is the plan – and a few other changes as well, it’ll be delightfully cosy.’
Lizzie laughed. ‘Coming from your background, it’s also going to seem small, isn’t it?’
‘What’s more important is that you’re happy here.’
‘I love it! I even like the brass bedstead, upstairs.’
‘We need a new mattress though.’
‘Of course.’
‘Patsy said we were to make a list of things we need. She has her own list, of course.’
‘Of course,’ she said again.
‘Lizzie, I’m starting my apprenticeship on Monday morning. And on Sunday, I’ve been told, very firmly, by Patsy and your mother, that we’re going to church.’
‘Oh good, that means you can see my flower arrangements. And church won’t take all day.’
‘But Sunday lunch with Patsy and Tim will. They’ll insist we’re all there for it. Tim cooks the beef – he’s very modern; either that or he worries Patsy will overcook it – and Patsy makes wonderful Yorkshire pudding, which goes in a big dish in the middle of the table.’ He paused. ‘We might have to encourage them to be a bit more formal for your mother’s sake.’
‘Oh, don’t worry – If Patsy does it, it’s the done thing, I’m sure!’
He laughed. ‘Well, that’s good. Now, shall we have a last look round before I take you back? Patsy said you were to have a nap. Apparently they’re essential for pregnant women.’
