Louise nodded in agreement, but it was obvious that her mind was not on en-suite bathrooms.
As the day of Andrew’s arrival drew nearer, Meg could see that Louise was getting more and more excited.
Louise had given up trying to pretend that he was just the man she worked for and clearly wanted to make his homecoming special.
‘Why don’t we put a table in the library,’ said Meg, ‘just for the two of you?’
‘No! You must eat with us or it might be awkward,’ Louise said.
Meg realised her mother was nervous as well as excited. ‘OK. But I’ll just be in the way, you know.’
‘No, you won’t. He’ll want to meet you, to get to know you properly. I’m very proud of my daughter and everything you’ve done for Nightingale Woods.’
‘Well, that’s lovely, but—’
‘You can leave us alone when we have coffee if I give you the signal.’
‘What signal should it be?’ asked Meg, wondering if it was quite normal to be having a conversation like this with one’s mother.
‘I don’t know. We’ll think of something. Now I’m just going to change. What do you think I should wear?’
‘Well …’
‘Oh, don’t worry, darling. I’ll find something suitable. You were never very interested in clothes, were you?’
Meg considered this. ‘No, not really.’ As she went back to the kitchen to focus on what she had always been interested in, she concluded she’d never hadanyone to dress up for. Justin floated into her mind and she gave a little laugh. Imagine wanting to dress up for him!
Andrew was just as nice as her mother had said he was, and relief flooded over Meg as she greeted this pleasant-looking, kindly man, who wasn’t particularly dashing but had a beautiful speaking voice and obviously adored her mother.
‘It’s wonderful you were able to come down and help Louise when I had to dash off,’ he said, taking the glass of sherry she handed him. ‘I felt so guilty leaving her on her own with Geoff. Although he was always fine when I was here.’
Meg took a glass of sherry herself and sat down. ‘I was thrilled to be able to come. I didn’t much like the job I had in London. It had become very boring.’
‘So, Andrew, do tell us how you’re getting on in France,’ said Louise, seating herself near him on the sofa. ‘Is it lovely?’
‘It’s fine, I suppose,’ said Andrew, ‘but the estate is in a muddle and I missed being here.’
The ‘with you’ was silent, Meg realised, but still evident.
Meg went to put out the kipper pâté with Melba toast in the library, at a neat little table set for three. She was just taking the second batch of toast out of the oven, pleased that it had browned evenly and looked professional when she heard a motorbike. Oh God, she thought, Justin!
She didn’t know what to do. Should she set another place? Or should Justin take her place? She wasn’t a ditherer normally, but she found herself moving about the kitchen like a cat, unsure where to settle.
Justin came into the kitchen from the back door, nodded at her and then strode through to the main house, still wearing motorbike leathers.
Angry with herself for being so put out, Meg went to the door of the kitchen, trying to overhear what was going on in the drawing room.
‘Justin!’ Meg heard Andrew say.
‘Dad,’ said Justin.
‘I didn’t think you were going to be able to come over,’ said Andrew.
‘Raoul is taking my place on the pass tonight.’
‘Would you like a glass of sherry, Justin?’ Meg heard her mother say, her voice revealing how uncomfortable she obviously felt.
‘No, thank you. Have you got any whisky?’
