The annual Summer Fayre was for charity, and was paid for by the Betancourts. Colourful marquees and stalls were erected on the wide front lawns of Betancourt, either side of the long drive, and dotted around the sprawling grounds. One area of lawn was set aside for croquet; another for a friendly game of cricket; and yet another for various races or games, like an egg and spoon race, or a sack race, or a pass the balloon under your chin race, or even a tug of war.
And then there were the friendly competitions, like the best sponge cake, or the largest marrow, or the most amusingly misshapen vegetable. There was a Punch and Judy booth, a bouncy Castle, and a Fortune Teller’s tent. An ice cream van, a Candy Floss machine, and a hot Dog stand were hired in, but other than those, all the food was provided by caterers hired by the Betancourts, although this year, Eversley Events were handling that on the Betancourt’s behalf.
Most of the stalls were set up on the front lawns each year, along with all the games and other entertainments, but afternoon tea was taken in the beautiful gardens at the rear of the house which were always resplendent and brimming with colour.
A large, white Marquee was set up there, between the heavenly scented rose garden and the formal knot garden, and in addition to afternoon tea, champagne and canapes were on offer later in the day.
Tables and chairs for two, four, or six, were set up on the raised terrace running the width of the rear of the house, and beyond the York stone steps which led down to the rest of the garden, more tables and chairs could be found either side of a broad path that zig-zagged to the left and right at variousintervals, down the centre of the garden, as far as the eye could see. There was additional seating available around the large lake, with its tall fountain almost as grand as the one on Lake Geneva.
The lawns to the rear weren’t as manicured as those to the front and were dotted here and there with more shrubs and trees, some of which provided shade for the tables and chairs.
On each side sat a copse of trees, and a mini treasure hunt was set up, with clues tied to the branches. The wildflower garden was a popular place for people to stroll through via the designated paths and the only area that was strictly out of bounds was the kitchen garden to the left of the house.
‘There’s going to be one small difference this year,’ Russell said. ‘Now that Dad’s acquired several chickens, and also recently added some Indian Runner ducks, he’s agreed that the kitchen garden won’t be off limits. At least, part of it won’t. The youngsters will no doubt enjoy cuddling a hen, and laughing as the ducks waddle around. I was watching them last night and they’re so funny.’
‘Yes,’ Hanna said. ‘I saw them a couple of weeks ago just after they arrived. They’re adorable. And I don’t think it’ll only be the youngsters who’ll want to cuddle the hens and watch the ducks. Will the gates at the top of the cliff be open this year? Didn’t someone try to climb over them last year?’
Russell rolled his eyes. ‘Yes. There’s always one idiot who drinks far too much and then thinks he’s invincible. But no. The gates will be locked as always. And this year Griff has organised a larger sign warning of the danger. The private steps down to the beach are safe, but if you don’t stick to the path, those cliffs can be lethal. It’s better to be safe than sorry, especially as dogs are welcomed to the Summer Fayre. The last thing we’d want is for a dog to go charging over the edge. Or for a person, obviously.’
‘You’re excited about it, aren’t you?’
‘The Summer Fayre? Yes. I am. Apart from earning quite a bit for charity, it’s a fun weekend. Everyone in the village loves it, and people come from miles away to attend. It wouldn’t be summer without the Betancourt Summer Fayre. Just like it wouldn’t be Christmas without The Mistletoe Dance. You will be coming, won’t you?’
‘To the Summer Fayre?’ Hanna shook her head. ‘I don’t know.’ She was loathe to bring the subject up but he would no doubt ask why she was unsure about it, and what else could she say? He beat her to it.
‘If it’s because of the gossip, I think you should ignore that and show your face.’
Their eyes met and she found it difficult to look away.
‘That’s easy for you to say. The gossip isn’t about you.’
‘It was at Christmas, and at the New Year, and on Valentine’s Day, and even at Easter, so I know exactly what it’s like. But I still showed my face, Hanna.’
She raised her brows at him. ‘You also spent as much time in London, or travelling for work, as you could. You weren’t here every day.’
‘That’s true. But that wasn’t because of the gossip. That was because I needed to get over Hope, and seeing her every day made that harder to do. Being away from her, and also, if I’m honest, not having to see my brother and Grace so madly in love each day, helped. When your heart is broken, the last thing you want to be around is couples who are deeply in love.’ He blanched and his brows knit together. ‘Oh God. Sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned them.’
‘Why not? Oh! Yes. Erm. Because … because of the gossip about me.’ She had to think quickly. ‘But that’s why I think I should stay away from the Summer Fayre. To … to avoid seeing … them.’
‘So it is true then?’ He sounded annoyed and upset. ‘I didn’t think it was. Or maybe I just hoped it wasn’t. But you … you’re saying it is? You’re in love? With Griff?’
‘Erm. I’m in love.’
‘Excuse me,’ he said, getting up so fast it startled her. ‘I … I need to nip to the loo.’
Hanna wanted to burst into tears.
