I put my horror to one side. ‘She was in pieces after her breakup.’ I never betray confidences but her future happiness could be hanging on this. ‘Also, she was worried she’d been too enthusiastic.’
He drops his voice. ‘So shedidenjoy it?’
I wouldn’t be telling anyone else. ‘Best night of her life, from what I gather … but for chrissakes, don’t say I told you.’
Charlie’s smile stretches right across his face. ‘That’s exactly what I needed to hear.’ He’s beaming as he pushes into George’s office. ‘I’ll catch you later. Thanks, Clems.’
I return his wave. ‘You’re welcome.’ Then I take the croissants back into the kitchen feeling sick to my stomach.
33
At Siren House
Going, going, going, going
Thursday afternoon, a week later
It’s not every day a mermaid tries to buy a castle by the sea, so when Sophie does it’s a no-brainer – the afternoon of the auction we’re all there at Siren House to support her. The agents have flung open the French windows of the main drawing room so the sun is making the mustard and green carpet even more bilious, and the airy entrance hall is full of people wandering around talking to each other behind the programmes we’ve all been given.
As Sophie hands over a sleeping Maisie in her push chair, she’s almost wailing. ‘Have you seen the crowds? There’ssomuch competition.’
Charlie lifts up his programme and tilts his head towards her. ‘Don’t worry, they aren’t all buyers. You’re here with a party of eight don’t forget.’ It’s the same gang from Charlie’s balcony barbie, with Maisie instead of Joe. He nods across to where Nate is filling in forms with George at the estate agent’s table. ‘Nate will know how many serious bidders there are when he gets his bidding number.’
Sophie wipes the sweat off her forehead and shoves her cardi into the bottom of the pushchair. ‘Everyone looks so smart, and I’m in my fifth T-shirt of the day, looking like something off the bloodyVampire Diaries.’
She’s right on both counts. The women from the estate agents have ditched their usual polo shirts and chinos and are strutting round in pinstripe dresses and navy jackets with heels the height of the castle turrets. Meanwhile Sophie could have been in collision with a ketchup factory.
Nate’s as laid back as ever as he sidles up with George, his number card in hand. ‘Maybe giving Maisie ripe raspberries on the way here wasn’t the best move, Soph.’
Sophie looks like she’s about to blow steam out of her ears. ‘I didn’tgiveher them, she helped herself while I was busy doing my “Siren House will be ours” affirmations.’ As she flaps her hands in front of her face she’s talking so fast it’s as if she can’t stop. ‘What number are we, Nate?’
Nate looks up from licking raspberry juice off his finger. ‘Twenty-four.’
Sophie lets out a shriek. ‘Twenty fucking four?’ Her Sophie May foundation fades to white. ‘We’ve got no chance; we might as well go home now.’
Nate gives a shrug. ‘It’s not that bad, they only started at eighteen.’
As George gets his phone out, Nell leans in for a look. ‘Only ten minutes to go.’
Charlie rolls back on his heels. ‘So are we all off to the Harbourside for a drink afterwards?’
I’m expecting Nell to react to the mention of the Harbourside but she doesn’t flinch.
All she does is to wrinkle her nose. ‘Sorry, I’m here on late lunch, I thought they’d have a sandwich van in the car park. I’ll head back to town for some food the second it’s over, then I’m off back to the office.’
I throw my apologies onto the pile. ‘I’m rushing off to prep for tonight’s Chocolate Truffle Fest. And Plum will be hurrying away too, the gallery’s packed out.’
George lifts an eyebrow. ‘Where is Plum, anyway?’
Nell grins up at him. ‘I’ll give you one guess.’
George’s other eyebrow lifts too. ‘Hanging out with the opposition?’
Nell nods. ‘Although the up side of that is if the Marlows win today at least Clemmie and Plum will get to be mermaids in residence from time to time.’
I’m ignoring what she’s implying about Plum’s connections. ‘I’m sure Joe will invite usallto his parties.’
Sophie lets out a moan. ‘I’m not going down without a fight. Now I’m here again I’m justso, sodesperate for it to be ours.’
