‘We have got a few. David and his friend who puts on plays in the open air, as well as Vanessa and her mother.’
‘That is a lot at such short notice, especially when Louise is away. Do you need a hand? I’ll dress your salmon if you like. Give you time to get on with something else?’
Meg opened her mouth to refuse but just then Cherry came in. ‘Hello, Justin! Have you come to help? We could do with it, couldn’t we, Meg?’
‘Yes,’ said Meg, although admitting it nearly killed her.
Susan appeared just then and was even friendlier to Justin than Cherry was being. Meg wondered if she should announce, in a loud voice, that he had nearly kissed her, just to see if it changed their attitude to him. Except that he had held back. Nor did she want to reveal that he wanted to sell the hotel, so she didn’t do either of those things.
After Susan had joked with Justin for a few moments she turned to Meg. ‘I’ve ironed the sheets again, now they’re on the bed. I don’t think your flowers are quite good enough though. Otherwise, the room looks very nice.’
Where was Lizzie when you needed her? Meg thought, turning her mind to one of her dearest friends, who was a genius with flowers, among other things. ‘Cherry? Are you any good with flowers?’
‘No, but Ambrosine is,’ said Cherry. ‘Why don’t you ask her?’
‘Good idea,’ said Meg and left the room swiftly. A few words with Ambrosine would make everything seem better.
Ambrosine was more than happy to do the flowers for Lady Lennox-Stanley’s bedroom when Meg offered to bring them to her. She also agreed to come to dinner and invite her colonel. ‘Not only will it look as if we have a few more guests than we do actually have,’ Meg explained, ‘but Vanessa’s snooty mother will see she isn’t the only grande dame we have in the place!’
Ambrosine laughed. ‘I’ll be my very grandest, I promise,’ she said.
‘My old friend David is coming too, with a director friend. They want to put onA Midsummer’s Night’s Dreamin the garden.’
‘I met him when he was here before. Delightful chap. But good Lord, Meg! Shakespeare in the garden? Whatever next? Still, it’s a lovely idea. Now you run and get me the flowers and I’ll see what I can do. But before you go – can I suggest you put a dress on? You don’t want to be greeting your grand guests in those scruffy checked trousers and a chef’s jacket.’
Meg did as she was told and then went into the garden to find some more white flowers at Ambrosine’s request. She hadn’t found very many when she came round the corner to see David’s car pull up in the drive.
She was so happy and relieved to see him that she flung the few bits of a shrub she’d picked into the hedge and ran up the drive to greet him.
He got out of the car and took her into his arms. ‘Meggy! What’s all this?’
He hugged her tightly and Meg closed her eyes, knowing that here was a true ally, who would make everything all right. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Justin looking coldly at her. David released her.
‘Let me introduce you,’ Meg said. ‘Justin, this is David, my old friend from London who now lives in France.’
‘We’ve met,’ said Justin.
Meg could have kicked herself for forgetting.
‘And let me introduce you to Russell,’ said David as his passenger got out of the car. ‘Russ, this is Meggy, who I’ve told you about. Russell wants to put a play on in the garden.’
Russell laughed. He was handsome and well dressed and very self-assured. ‘Meg, I’m delighted to meet you. David has told me – at length – what a good cook you are.’ He turned his attention to Justin.
It was like looking at dogs deciding whether or not to fight, thought Meg. Justin was still looking bad-tempered and Russell seemed not to care. It was only a matter of seconds before they shook hands and greeted each other but Meg couldn’t help wondering why Justin was being quite so frosty.
‘Do come inside, everyone,’ said Meg, wishing her mother was here but so glad she wouldn’t have to cope with Lady Lennox-Stanley on her own.
‘Is it too early for a drink?’ asked David. ‘I bought some Monbazillac on the ferry and I’m dying to try it.’
‘It’s four o’clock, David,’ said Meg. ‘But if you can’t wait until six o’clock for a drink, like a civilized humanbeing, don’t let me stop you. You’d better be quick, though, as Vanessa and Lady Lennox-Stanley will be here soon.’
‘I’d better go,’ said Justin. ‘My presence is obviously surplus to requirements.’
‘What do you mean?’ asked Meg. She didn’t want him to stay, his presence felt a bit awkward, but she wanted to find out why he was being so huffy – even for him.
‘I’ve dressed the salmon and you’ve got your friends to assist you.’ Then he relaxed a little. ‘Although I admit I’m curious to see this Lady What’s-her-name.’
‘She may well turn up at your hotel,’ said Meg.
