‘I’ll have the drop,’ Hugo said to Alexandra. ‘And you just give me what’s easy, Lizzie.’
Hugo had to leave very soon but seemed to enjoy his brief picnic. He kissed Vanessa’s cheek and Lizzie’s, but then he put his hand round her cheek for a moment. ‘I’ll see you later. I’ve got a little outing planned.’
Lizzie’s heart gave a skip of joy. ‘I’d love that!’
‘I wouldn’t call this kitchen primitive,’ said Alexandra, having inspected it. ‘It has rustic simplicity.’
She was having a good look at the house while Meg and Vanessa were walking Clover in the woods.
Lizzie laughed at this glamorised description. ‘Do tell my mother. She thinks a kitchen without Formica and stainless steel is a kitchen no modern woman could be expected to use.’
‘Honestly, by the time you have curtains at the windows and in front of the sink and anywhere else that needs covering, and get some shelves up – is Hugo any good at putting up shelves?’
‘He should be,’ said Lizzie. ‘He’s training to be a cabinet maker!’
‘Oh well, shelves on every wall, with pretty china, and it’ll be completely charming. Now let’s look at the bathroom.’
Alexandra agreed this was a bit more of a challenge. ‘Honestly? I think this place needs a coat or two of paint, curtains and a good paraffin heater. It’s dank even in summer!’
‘I know. When I live here, I’ll fill that jug that comes with the wash-stand set with flowers.’
‘If you’re not too busy with the baby …’
‘Ah yes … I’d forgotten about the baby for a minute.’
‘But you are excited about it? I mean, now you’re getting married and everything, you’re pleased?’
‘Definitely. I don’t often have time to think about the baby but when I do, I’m thrilled really.’
‘I think Hugo will make a wonderful father,’ said Alexandra. ‘He’s so caring and he obviously loves you very much.’
‘Oh! Do you think so?’ Lizzie was as surprised as she was delighted. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘Just the way he looks at you. It’s obvious!’
‘He’s never said anything,’ said Lizzie, wistfully.
‘I think perhaps he doesn’t like to, in case you don’t love him. After all, you’re both getting married because you have to. If he says he loves you, and you don’t love him back, he’s going to feel awful.’
‘But I do love him back.’
‘Then maybe you should tell him?’ Alexandra said this gently, but Lizzie could tell she didn’t expect her to take the advice.
‘Perhaps,’ said Lizzie doubtfully. ‘Shall we find the others and go up to the house now? You must meet Patsy. She’s wonderful.’
They arrived to find Lizzie’s mother talking about bridesmaids’ dresses.
‘We will need to have dresses made as soon as possible – when Elizabeth has chosen her bridesmaids. Which she needs to do. And don’t let Elizabeth say she’ll make them. She’s insisting onmaking her wedding dress although the wedding is nearly upon us!’
‘Is it?’ said George who was playing with his toy cars. ‘I thought it wasn’t for a month.’
‘Oh, hello, Elizabeth, Alexandra,’ Mrs Spencer went on. ‘We’re talking about bridesmaids’ dresses. And you’re not to say you’ll make them, Elizabeth. You won’t have time.’ Her voice was stern. ‘You haven’t even made the pattern for your own dress. I do wish you’d let me get a dressmaker organised. We’re really very behind on that. We should have a toile.’
Lizzie glanced at her friends, who were looking bemused. ‘My mother means a dress made out of muslin or something, to see if it fits, before the dress is made in the expensive fabric.’
‘That does sound time-consuming,’ said Vanessa. ‘If you’ve got to make your dress twice.’
‘I probably won’t bother with a toile,’ said Lizzie.
