‘Hmph,’ said her father. ‘It’s not always like that, I promise you.’
‘I know, Dad!’
Eleanor led her to the sitting room where a fire was burning brightly, adding a fragrance to the air which was particular and special.
‘Tea?’ said Eleanor.
‘Whisky?’ said her father.
‘Both,’ said Cass.
Later, at dinner, her father said, ‘Darling, when Ranulph brought back my camera, he told us a bit more about what you’d done on Dominica. I realised you’d thoroughly underplayed it when you told us about it yourself. Had I known you’d have to cope with evenhalf that, I would never have asked you to go.’ He paused.
‘Ranulph told us what an absolute heroine you’d been. How much you’d done in Dominica. You definitely gave us the expurgated version, so as not to worry us.’
‘Dad! I loved it. I don’t mean I loved being in danger or anything, but I fell in love with the island, loved the people, and I loved doing something important. It made me really grow up and I needed to do that.’
‘You do seem a different young woman from the one who had dodgy boyfriends and was the despair of your mother. I had a bit more faith in you, I think,’ said Howard. ‘So tell me – I couldn’t work it out from anything that Ranulph said – are you and he … an item?’
In spite of the pain this question caused her, Cass couldn’t help laughing at her father’s tentative choice of words. ‘I’m afraid not, Dad. He’s an “item” with somebody else, an old flame he’d met when he first went to Dominica and who turned out to be still there.’
‘Shame.’ Howard looked as if he was going to say more but Eleanor interrupted him.
‘More cheese? There’s pudding—’
‘He’s a good man,’ Howard persisted. ‘I think you’d be well suited.’
Cass forced another laugh. ‘Sorry to disappoint you.’
Her father made a noise as if he wanted to pursue the subject but Eleanor put her hand on his. ‘I don’t think Cass wants to discuss her love life with us, darling. Apart from anything else, she’s had a long day.
‘So, tell us about this illustration job you’ve got?’ said Eleanor when she’d served the pudding. ‘And areyou pleased to be going back to Dominica? Or has the place become a nightmare to you?’
‘Nothing of the sort! I just wish I knew when I was going. I’m travelling with my publisher and his wife. Lovely, but they can’t seem to commit to a date.’
‘I can’t say I’m not a little disappointed that you haven’t followed up on your early talent for photography,’ said Howard. ‘But at least you’re doing something artistic. Your half-brothers and -sister are all very staid and sensible in their career choices.’
‘So you’re pleased I’m going for something freelance and unlikely to make me eligible for a mortgage?’ Cass was laughing.
‘I wouldn’t object to you having a steady income but it’s important for you to enjoy your work. They do say that if you love your job you never work a day in your life, but although I love photography, it can be bloody hard work!’
The next few days were spent exploring with Eleanor, eating, sleeping and sketching. Eleanor had taken her to the highest point on the island where the view was spectacular.
‘Do you ever feel isolated, living up here, so far away from the rest of the world?’ Cass asked.
Eleanor didn’t answer immediately. ‘I’m not saying I don’t wish it didn’t take so long to get anywhere else,’ she said. ‘But now I’m with Howard and we’re living in the house I built, I’m very happy to be here.’
Cass didn’t speak immediately, and Eleanor went on. ‘I stopped Howard questioning you last night, andI know from what you said last time that you think nothing is ever going to happen between you and Ranulph. But if you and he did get together, couldyoulive here?’
Eleanor let the pause last. Eventually, Cass said, ‘I think I could live anywhere with Ranulph, and if we were settled here, I would be very happy.’
Eleanor put her arm round Cass’s shoulders and gave her a squeeze.
That night Cass slept as if pole-axed. She was the perfect temperature, the room was very dark and it was so quiet. She awoke feeling much better. She felt she would always love Ranulph, but she was not going to let this blight her life. She would live it to the full.
To add to her more positive attitude, there was an email giving her a date for their flight. It was a little close to Christmas, but Cass wasn’t going to grumble. She’d just see as much of the island as she could in the time.
‘Thank you so much for having me,’ said Cass when it was time to leave. ‘I feel so much better for having been up here and spent some days being fed wonderful meals with wonderful scenery.’
