‘Hmm, I thought Jemima for our daughter?’ suggested Jasmine.
‘Jemima?’ replied Robin in surprise. This was one she hadn’t mentioned before. But yes, he quite liked it. Jemima Spencer… Yes, it sounded good. ‘That’s nice.’ He nodded in approval. ‘What about our son’s name?’
‘I’d like to name him after the consultant,’ said Jasmine firmly.
‘Good idea,’ agreed Robin before asking, ‘what’s his name?’
‘Barnaby.’
Robin paused. Barnaby? He looked into Jasmine’s searching eyes. Could he deny her anything?
‘OK… Could we shorten it maybe?’
‘To Barny?’
Now that’s more like it, thought Robin.
‘Hmm, Barny Spencer, I rather like that,’ he said with a laugh. He imagined a mischievous little boy with an impish smile.
‘It sounds… cute, doesn’t it?’ chuckled Jasmine.
‘Cool,’ corrected Robin. ‘Barny and Jemima, cool dudes.’ He winked.
‘Cool dudes,’ agreed Jasmine with utter joy.
After all the commotion of the day, it was hardly surprising that everyone slept well that night. As Emma and Felix wearily climbed the stairs, they were glad to be finally getting some rest. Their guests had retired hours ago, while they’d sat up with a night cap, reflecting on the day’s events. Even though the launch party had been somewhat interrupted, it hadn’t detracted from the reception Felix’s drama had received. The first episode ofLady Scarlett Investigateshad gone down a treat. He only hoped that the infamous critics would react the same way. As this was his first stab at directing, it was important to him that his work was well recognised, especially as he wanted to continue with directing, rather than acting again.
Emma was shattered. Playing hostess, as the lady of the house, was tiring work. But then, as the former housekeeper, she wasused to it. She was just glad to be heading to Felix’s bedroom, instead of her old one. Ironically, that’s where her dad and Bunty were sleeping tonight.
It had felt strange to Bunty being directed to that bedroom, instead of turning left on the landing where her bedroom since childhood had been. To Perry, it felt bizarre to be staying in the big white house at all. After being banned from the place a lifetime ago, it seemed surreal to be climbing up the sweeping staircase, where Bunty’s father had once callously dismissed him.
Madeleine always slept like a log, tonight even more so. Her son had chosen well. Emma was the perfect match for him. Gone were the days when she worried about his previous toxic relationship. Ditching that obsessive mad woman had been the best thing Felix had ever done. Now she could look forward to grandchildren…
Not wanting to drive home and leave Jasmine and the twins that night, Robin had been offered a family room to sleep in at the hospital. Like Jasmine, he was soon out like a light. Meanwhile, Barny and Jemima quietly kept each other company, snuggled contently side by side.
