Chapter 6
Bunty and Perry were visiting Perry’s stepdaughter, Emma. She lived with Felix in Bunty’s former home, the huge, white art deco house on the peninsula. Last year, Emma had applied to become the housekeeper there, after Felix’s PA had forced him into advertising the post. It was poor Jennifer who’d been expected to play hostess and cook, as well as attend to her usual admin duties. While being interviewed, Felix had recognised Emma as the woman who’d played the piano at the open day when he’d bought the house. The attraction between the two had been patently obvious for all to see, especially Felix’s mother, Madeleine, who had predicted that the pretty, young housekeeper with long chestnut hair and plenty of spirit wouldn’t stay the housekeeper for very long. She’d been proved right. Within a few months, Felix had well and truly fallen for Emma, and in return, Emma too was smitten with the handsome, dark-haired, olive-skinned actor.
Emma, besides being housekeeper, was also a talented singer and musician. Felix had arranged for her to sing the theme tune for the latest drama he had directed,Lady Scarlett Investigates.The filming had taken place at his home, it being the ideal location with the show set in the 1920s.
Initially, Perry had had reservations about the whole setup. Being a very protective father, he hadn’t been too pleased to learn that Emma’s employer had in fact turned into her boyfriend. It hadn’t helped, either, that the man in question was the famous actor turned director Felix Paschal. In Perry’s eyes, he worried that his daughter was just a passing fancy, to be discarded once the novelty wore off. But, thankfully, after meeting Felix and seeing the two together, Perry realised he wasworrying unduly. It was plain to see that Felix adored Emma. It was also blatantly clear how happy Emma was too.
For Bunty, a trip back to her childhood home caused mixed emotions. It had taken some guts to put the place on the market, having lived there all her life. Every corner, nook and cranny held fond memories for her – well, almost. One particular incident on the sweeping staircase did not. Here her father had stood at the top, looking down dismissively on a young Perry, who definitely had not met his expectations. Because of Bunty’s father, who refused to even acknowledge him, she and Perry had been cruelly separated. Bunty had been forced to see him in secret, which inevitably led to an ultimatum. Perry had, quite rightly, made a stand. It was him or her father. Bunty, always the dutiful daughter, had made the biggest mistake of her life and chosen the wrong man. She couldn’t leave Daddy, heneededher, she’d pleaded, hoping to placate Perry. But no, Perry had exited her life and left Samphire Bay.
However, fate had played a part in reuniting the pair in later life. Jasmine, who had once lived on a narrowboat, had had contact with an older fellow sailor, named Perry, who’d owned a boat too. It later transpired that it was indeed the same Perry and Jasmine had persuaded Bunty to make contact. It was so the right move. This time shehadmade the right decision. Once the two reunited, they’d soon become inseparable and that Christmas Day saw them engaged to be married. The following spring in April, last month, they finally tied the knot.
Nobody more than Emma had been thrilled by her dad’s second chance at love. As far as she was concerned, he’d suffered enough when her mum had died of breast cancer and she’d often encouraged him to ‘get out there’. After over a decade, he was at last happy with another wife.
As Bunty and Perry pulled onto the driveway and made their way up the stone steps to the front entrance, Emma flung thedoors open. Once inside, Bunty couldn’t help skimming her eyes over the grand hall, taking in the high, cherry-yellow ceiling with glamorous lighting in gold leaf and chrome finishing, the full-length fan wall mirror and the curved staircase. The rooms leading off the hall had the typical art deco sunburst mantels above the doorframes and the light switches had the original brass cases. It was all so captivating and very fitting of the era it had been built. Oh, how she missed it!
‘Hi!’ Emma gushed, hugging each of them. It was so good to see the couple after their honeymoon. She eyed one, then the other. ‘You’re both looking well,’ she commented.
‘Married life obviously suits them,’ said Felix, coming up from behind Emma. ‘Hi, Perry.’ He shook his hand, then kissed Bunty on her cheek. ‘Bunty, you look as radiant as ever,’ he grinned, making Bunty roll her eyes.
‘Don’t overdo it, darling,’ she replied, making them all chuckle. Bunty was a hard nut to crack. Flattery would get this handsome famous actor nowhere. He was simply Emma’s boyfriend to her, and Perry too for that matter.
‘Come through. I’ll make us drinks.’ Emma ushered them into the impressive drawing room. The high dusky pink walls were covered with two elaborate mirrors and various water-coloured paintings in gold, ornate frames. Emma went to a retro glass drinks cabinet and began making them all cocktails while Bunty looked on with affection. How she’d loved that cabinet and made extremely good use of it! It had been a wrench to leave it behind, but the fixtures, fittings and art deco furniture were all included in the house sale. As a consolation, Robin and Jack had promised to keep their eyes open for a similar drinks cabinet in the house clearances they often attended.
‘There you go.’ Emma offered them all a drink on a silver tray.
‘Oh, lovely. What are these?’ asked Bunty, secretly craving just a stiff gin and tonic.
‘Ever After Appletinis. I thought them very appropriate.’ Emma smiled whilst Felix looked pensively at her. She turned and they locked eyes.
‘I see,’ replied Perry, taking everything in. Maybe there was to be another wedding in the future?
‘Hmm, these are delicious,’ remarked Bunty, a tad surprised at how much she did like them, then swiftly changed the subject. ‘So, when isLady Scarlett Investigateshitting our screens?’ They all looked at Felix.
‘Late summer apparently. The exact dates have yet to be finalised,’ he answered.
‘I can’t wait,’ gushed Emma. Not only was she super excited to see the drama, but also to hear her voice singing the opening theme tune. It had been a dream come true, knowing her voice was about to be heard by the nation, after years of her band trying to make it in the music business. She could still hardly believe it.
Perry smiled to himself. He too was elated for his daughter. He reflected on how unhappy Emma had been working as a bank clerk. The housekeeper position she’d taken had only meant to be a temporary thing until the band ‘made it big’. Now look at her.
