Vanessa appeared from the office. ‘Are you going to help Meg get dressed? Can I come?’
‘Actually, Nessa, you couldn’t be very kind and go up to the attics? You can use the back stairs. Meg’s mum has got Letty, but I know there are things she needs to do. You could take Letty to join the other actors in a little while?’ She took a breath. ‘Your mother has gone up to get changed. You’ll be quite safe.’
Lizzie wasn’t usually bossy, Meg realised, but now she seemed very determined. Vanessa obviously reached the same conclusion and made for the back stairs with no further argument.
‘I am capable of getting dressed on my own, you know,’ said Meg as Lizzie accompanied her to the flat.
‘I know, but I need to tell you – I had a message from Hugo.’
‘Oh, did he ring? Nessa has been in the office—’
Lizzie shook her head. ‘He sent a message with Lady Fussy-Knickers’ chauffeur. Hugo and Vanessa have known the chauffeur since they were children. He often used to get them out of scrapes.’
Meg nodded. ‘That’s very useful. But can’t you tell me what he said? You don’t need to come with me.’They were at the foot of the fire escape that led to the door of the flat.
‘I’m still coming. I might need to make last-minute alterations and I want to make sure you don’t leave on your chef’s trousers by mistake. Also,’ Lizzie went on, ‘I’ve been longing to take my scissors to your hair.’
Meg shrieked. ‘Have you become a hairdresser since I last saw you?’
Lizzie laughed. ‘I suppose I have!’
When Meg, showered and in her bra and pants, was sitting on her bed with a towel round her shoulders, with Lizzie snipping at her hair, the plan was explained.
‘You remember that Simon is Hugo’s best friend, don’t you?’ she asked.
‘Of course. Simon was Hugo’s best man,’ said Meg, frowning slightly.
‘Sorry,’ said Lizzie. ‘I think being pregnant has gone to my brain. Well, Hugo is going to bring Simon to the play tonight.’
‘Really? Oh my goodness! That’s wonderful! Nessa will be thrilled – if she doesn’t die of shock.’
‘Yes, but the thing is, Hugo doesn’t know exactly when they’ll get here. I’ve told David already, and he says he’ll get good seats out of my mother-in-law’s sightline. He’ll make Nessa sit inside and you and he will sit at the end. Then, when Hugo and Simon turn up, you and David can nip out, and Simon will sit next to Nessa.’
‘OK. It sounds a bit complicated.’
‘It’s not really,’ said Lizzie. ‘It’s probably just the way I’ve explained it. Anyway, if they don’t arrive during the play, and only turn up when the party is going strong, they’ll find you. But you’ve got to stick to Nessa like a leech, in case she leaves early, which she’ll want to do because she’s avoiding her mother – aren’t we all? And, well, she’s unhappy.’ Lizzie seemed excited. ‘But Simon was so relieved to hear from Hugo. He had been devastated when Nessa called off the wedding. He thought it was something he’d done.’
Meg allowed herself to think of Justin, how she’d long to go to him the moment he appeared at the party, if he couldn’t make the play. ‘I’ll do my best to keep Nessa under guard,’ she said, not sounding enthusiastic.
Lizzie obviously realised what Meg was feeling. ‘I’d love to help the lovers get together myself, but I’ll have to field Letty the moment she’s done her bit. She’ll be tired and I don’t want her to have a tantrum, especially with her grandmother here. Imagine the horror on Lady Lennox-Stanley’s face, seeing her only grandchild face down in the mud, drumming her fists and screaming.’
Meg smiled. ‘She might feel Letty’s a kindred spirit! And it’s fine. I’m really happy to keep my eye on Nessa.’ She paused. ‘Tell me one thing, does Letty really call her Gan-Gan?’
‘I’m afraid so!’
A few moments later, Lizzie whisked Meg’s face for hair with a tissue. ‘What about that?’ she said. She had snipped and combed and moved Meg about. She held up the mirror that Meg had avoided looking in.
‘Who is that girl?’ said Meg, staring at herself. Lizzie hadn’t done much but suddenly Meg’s eyes looked enormous and her cheekbones sharp. ‘I look really – I don’t know – as if I don’t live in the country.’
Lizzie laughed. ‘I’ll take that as a compliment. But I’m glad I’ve got my dressmaking scissors, and not just the kitchen ones that Alexandra used to use.’
‘I’m afraid she still does,’ said Meg.
‘Really? And her a countess and all.’ Lizzie laughed. ‘Such a shame she’s been delayed.’
‘I know! But they’ll be here soon, if not today.’ Meg was still staring at her reflection. ‘I can’t believe it’s me.’
‘The right fringe does a lot. You do look fab. Now, what about make-up?’
