This Is Your Life (27 page)

The evening
of Edward’s party Leo arrived on time for once, as immaculately dressed as before and every bit the perfect escort, Lizzie thought. As long as he kept his hands to himself.  Leo however, fully aware that Lizzie’s interest in him had waned, had decided that tonight he’d have some fun.

They were greeted with great enthusiasm by Ginny,
already a little the worse for wear, with cheeks that matched the rather revealing cerise cocktail dress she was wearing. Giggling flirtatiously at Leo, she handed them both a glass of pink champagne.

‘Don’t you dare ask for a beer,’ muttered Lizzie through gritted teeth in his ear.
Leo smiled disarmingly at Ginny.

Actually, Ginny had carried the whole pink thing off remarkably tastefully
in the end. Lizzie had been prepared for the worst, but the fairy lights were sufficiently buried in the trees, and the garden umbrellas that looked so garish in daylight had thankfully faded as it got darker. And the garden, she thought with enormous satisfaction, was a triumph.

Alice, dressed rebelliously in black despite her mother’s best attempts to persuade her otherwise, had been thrilled to see Lizzie. Lizzie likewise.
But she was about the only person Lizzie knew here and after a couple of hours of circulating and mingling with Ginny’s guests, she was longing to go home and put her feet up.

‘Have you seen Leo?’ she asked Alice. ‘
I imagine he’s probably sussing out the talent, but I need to find him.  He’s supposed to be giving me a lift home.’

Lizzie squeezed through all the guests again to check
the kitchen, expecting Leo to be rooting out some beer, when she heard a muffled crash. Then a door burst open, and Ginny practically fell out of the downstairs loo giggling uncontrollably, her eyes bright, her pink lipstick smudged and her dress skewed all over the place. Lizzie boggled. More so when behind her hostess, she spotted Leo.

Oh
. 
How could he
...

Seeing Lizzie’s face, Ginny winked a huge, exaggerated wink at her. ‘Oh
Lizzie! Don’t be such a spoilsport! I’m having the best time I’ve had in years!’ She gave Lizzie one of her botox grins and hiccupped, as she lurched slightly.

‘
Awfully sexy isn’t he? And marvellous at kissing...’ Though she’d lowered her voice slightly, it was still loud enough for quite a few people to hear. Heads were turning to stare, but oblivious, she continued, completely trolleyed.

`
              ‘And it serves Edward right, doesn’t it?’ she slurred. ‘You know...he’s such a prick! Oh!  Did you know Lizzie, he’s got a teeny little…’ 

‘SShh!’  Lizzie hushed her, but Ginny wasn’t having any of it.

‘Not like that lovely boy over there…’  She glanced in Leo’s direction and hiccupped.  ‘But it’s a teeny weeny one…’ She held up a finger and thumb to show exactly how teeny.

‘
Have I told you that before?’ she slurred. ‘Oooh, I think I better go and find him. It’s time to make an announcement...’ and she wobbled off, singing to herself as she tottered among her guests, grinning maniacally at them.

Lizzie
panicked. With Ginny in that state, impending disaster was round the corner.

Catching Leo’s eye
and giving him a glare that would have matched any of Dave’s slitty-eyed ones, she marched off after Ginny. Leo winced, grabbed a beer, and slinking back into the loo, locked the door behind him.

Lizzie couldn’t be sure what Ginny’s intentions were, but couldn’t help thinking that perhaps a glass of water and some fresh
air might be the best plan. Even though Edward deserved everything he got and more.

But
she was too slow, and before she could stop her, Ginny had stood next to Edward, silencing their guests, as she started to speak. Too late.  Lizzie sat back and watched as the shit hit the fan.

Loudly and unambiguously,
wobbling slightly, Ginny raised her glass to Edward, her eyes a-glitter.  ‘I’d like all of you to join me in wishing Edward a truly memorable birthday…Darling…’

She
raised her glass even higher and poured the contents over his head. After spluttering his indignation, Edward stalked off, red-faced and furious.

‘Ooh, Edward darling
! 
So
sorry!’  Ginny watched him go, looking extremely pleased and only slightly shocked at herself.

It completely killed the party
. The bewildered guests, wondering if they’d heard the last bit correctly before deciding they probably had, made their excuses, some of them embarrassed, some sniggering, which made you question what sort of friends they really were. Lizzie stayed long enough to make sure Alice was ok, which she was of course. Not that she’d exactly enjoyed seeing her father being made to look a complete idiot, but she was secretly proud of her mother, who up until now she’d thought was as weak as dishwater. The other daughters had yelled at their mother that she was ‘so embarrassing,’ before running upstairs to their bedrooms, slamming doors loudly behind them.

Lizzie extracted Leo from his hiding place, leading him forcibly by the arm, hissing at him that he was
totally vile and she never wanted to see him again. When they were safely in his car, she laid in to him.

‘How dare you come to a party with me, as MY guest, at the invitation of MY client, who you then seduce in the presence of her entire family and friends? Not to mention daughters? Oh Leo, how could you...’

‘But I was only doing her a favour...’ Leo protested weakly. ‘Hold on a minute...I was only…’ Should he try the puppy dog eyes? He thought better of it.

‘
…showing her what she was missing...’ he continued, but Lizzie wasn’t interested.

When
she glared at him again, he started trying to explain to her, that sometimes these things just happen, before changing his mind.  Perhaps on this occasion, it might be wisest to shut up and wait for her to cool down. Had he gone too far? Maybe he’d keep his head down for a while, till it all blew over and everyone had forgotten all about it…

             
With the highly efficient grapevine practically going into meltdown, Ginny’s public humiliation of Edward was soon the talk of the village, as was Leo. Antonia of course, was one of the first in Lizzie’s kitchen to discover just what had gone on.

‘Now,’ she enquired nosily, ‘what’s this rumour about Leo shagging Ginny whatshername at that party you went t
o? It’s all round the village. Thought he was supposed to be
your
date for the evening? Bit off don’t you think?’

Lizzie gave her a look. ‘He was my date, as it happens, but don’t go getting any funny ideas. I didn’t fancy him then and now I don’t even ever want to see him again. Leo is appalling, Antonia!
Ill-mannered, immoral, totally unscrupulous...’

‘Ok, keep your hair on...Just asking, that’s all. Only...well, y
ou probably don’t want to know.’  She broke off.

L
izzie however, was curious. ‘You can’t not tell me now,’ she told Antonia. ‘Come on. What is this snippet of gossip you’re not sharing?’

‘Well
darling… Believe it or not, Leo has been seen since that night.  In the Goat no less, and guess who with?  What if I said she was quite a little bit older than him and dressed head to toe in pale pink... Ha! I knew you wouldn’t know!  Bet she could teach him a thing or two! Men are so predictable...’

But Lizzie was gobsmacked.

‘This place is completely bonkers,’ said Katie, after Lizzie had filled her in about the party.  She was actually staying with Tim for the weekend, with all the dog-walking and sheep-feeding that entailed.  ‘Have you heard from Darius?  Only they were talking about having one of their dinner parties on Sunday, so keep it free!’ 

Darius had indeed called Lizzie.  ‘Now then
, flower.  Sunday evening, seven pm sharp.  You might want to dress up a bit, sweetie… Not that you don’t always look utterly charming, but you know…’ 

              It was a dinner party for about twenty people, rather than the cosy little get together Lizzie had imagined.                Tim and Katie were there, Antonia and Toby, and Susie and Rory only recently returned from their honeymoon.

‘Tom was invited,’ said Susie.  ‘But he’s away again.
Honestly - he’s hopeless.’

Nola and Julia
had arrived too, as well as others she knew less well… but in fact all the people who’d become closest to Lizzie over the last year had been invited.  All bar one, she thought, spotting an empty chair. 

             
Darius pulled out a chair for her at the head of the table

             
‘You’re the guest of honour, petal!  Don’t you know the date?  Well, not exactly but it was nearly a year ago that you
transformed
, darling, that – that complete bomb-site out there into this oasis of utter bliss…Everyone, be upstanding and raise your glasses to Lizzie!’

             
‘Lizzie!’ they chorused as she sat there rather shell-shocked.

             
‘Speech!’ yelled Toby, who was already rather squiffy, and Lizzie shrunk in her chair.  She didn’t do speeches, but then suddenly she changed her mind.  She stood up.

             
‘Actually, as you’re all here, and before you’re all completely legless, I would like to say something.  Firstly, thank you.  Darius and Angel – you are wonderful friends and I love you!’  Rowdy cries of
hear hear
erupted.  ‘…but secondly, I want to talk about Hethecote.  You see the article in the magazine is about to come out.  Miriam’s petrified – she already doesn’t know how to cope with the numbers of visitors.  So if anyone has any suggestions…’

             
Lizzie’s phone had rung early the next day while she was still sleeping off the night before.  It had been well after midnight when Tim had eventually dropped her home.

             
‘Ah… Lizzie…Just thought you ought to know, only the magazine’s in the shops and the phones are jumping off the hooks.’  Julian coughed affectedly before adding.  ‘Um, only I
do
hope you are prepared…’

              By the time Lizzie raced up the drive at Hethecote, a small crowd had already gathered.  In the yard, Miriam was racing around mopping her brow looking more anxious than ever.

             
‘Oh Lizzie, I’m wondering what we’ve started…’

             
‘Miriam, it’ll be fine,’ said Lizzie, far more calmly than she felt.  ‘Anyway, today people are just coming to look around, remember?  If they want to handle the animals, they can come back later in the week.’

             
‘Darling…’  It was Antonia, with a happy looking Cassie beside her.  ‘It is the hols after all and I thought she’d be jolly useful.  What shall we do then?  Oh golly, just look…’

             
Darius and Angel were walking into the yard, immaculately turned out as ever and looking like two fish out of water, with Nola and Julia just behind them.

             
‘Sweetie!’  Darius kissed Miriam on each cheek.  ‘We simply had to come and help… You see, Angel is just
inspired
with interiors as you know.  He’s just
dying
to branch out into shop-fitting… ’

             
‘Come with me,’ said Lizzie firmly, before Miriam could turn them away.

             
‘We thought perhaps we could walk around with people,’ said Nola.  She was wearing lime green Hunters with glitter on.  ‘If perhaps you could just show us round first…’

             
Perfect, perfect, perfect
thought Lizzie. 

              ‘But darling, it’s a barn,’ said Angel, looking shocked.  ‘Do you think she’ll mind if I scout around, and see if I can find some props?’

             
‘Of course she won’t…and I’ll shoot over to the gardens and see what’s ready to sell.’

              ‘It will be fine,’ said Nola, touching Miriam’s arm reassuringly.  ‘There is so much energy here – you can feel it.  Oh, what a beautiful cat… Is he one of Mrs…’

             
‘…Einstein’s?  Yes, he is – Navajo, I call him.  He’s been with me for years.’ Miriam was beginning to feel less anxious.

             
‘This is such a wonderful place,’ said Julia softly.  ‘You must help so many people, Miriam…’

             
‘Well, the children I think, perhaps…’

             
‘Not just the children,’ added Julia thoughtfully as Sid poked his nose over his door and bared his teeth.  ‘Oh look at the donkeys – aren’t they sweet?’

              By eleven o’clock, everyone was in place, and with the half dozen of her regular helpers in place as well as Lizzie’s friends, they were ready to open.

             
‘It’s rather a bodge, petal,’ said Angel apologetically, when he showed her the makeshift shop.  Actually it was rather charming, thrown together from old apple boxes and hay bales, and a couple of old doors as counters.  Produce from the schools’ gardens was stacked up and Lizzie had filled one of the horse’s buckets with wildflowers she’d picked in the fields.  Piles of the magazine were there too, just as they promised Julian and the boys had chalked the prices on a rough old bit of wood.

             
‘But I’ll have to come back and do it properly, flower…’ he fretted.

              At eleven, Miriam opened the gate to loud cheers from beyond.  Someone from the local paper photographed her as the first of the visitors walked in.

             
‘I say, thanks awfully!’  Antonia’s voice shrilled above everyone else’s as she took money and gave out tickets, telling everyone very loudly that she was taking donations.

             
Nola and Julia were in their element, homing in on the families who needed their help, and Lizzie was in the garden, showing people around and telling them how it had all come about.

             
‘We needed to raise funds,’ she explained.  ‘But the idea just took off.  The schools have worked so hard on each plot… it’s them who deserve the credit.’

             
‘Smile Lizzie,’ a camera flashed.  Then another…

              At the end of the day, when the last of the visitors had left, Miriam closed the gate with relief.  Then she went into the end stable where Marble and Hairy Mary were peacefully munching hay and stroked them, while an extraordinary feeling washed over her.  It was as though all those years of hard work and grind had been leading to this one day.  Lizzie, Tim… they were right all along.  She had needed to change things…she just hadn’t seen it.  And if Lizzie hadn’t come along that first day, none of this might have happened.

             
‘Miriam?’ said Lizzie quietly behind her.  ‘Antonia’s got something to tell you.’

              ‘Golly darlings…’  Antonia was looking shell-shocked.  ‘We’ve taken over two grand - in cash - and tons of donations are promised!’

             
Miriam went terribly pale and looked as though she was going to pass out.

             
‘Come and sit down,’ said Nola taking her arm.  ‘You’ve had quite a day…’

             
A loud popping noise came from the shop, and Darius appeared with a tray of glasses.  ‘Champers petals!  A toast!  To Hethecote!’

             
‘Actually, I’d like to propose another,’ said Miriam unexpectedly, getting her colour back and standing up.  ‘To all of you, who have done so much… But especially to Lizzie, without whom none of this would have happened.’

             
‘Lizzie!’ everyone yelled, as one of the donkeys farted loudly.  Everyone except Darius roared with laughter.  He looked round in horror.  ‘What was that?’

              After the initial publicity, Miriam was flooded with volunteers and the new programme of opening was a walk in the park.

             
‘I can’t think why I ever worried about it,’ she confided to Lizzie.  ‘I think it was just the change that bothered me.  I was rather set in my ways…’

              Ginny had invited Lizzie over for coffee.  Slightly ashamed of her behaviour, life without Edward clearly suited her.

             
‘I know I behaved appallingly,’ she said, as Lizzie took in the untidy kitchen which had always been so spotless.  ‘But golly!  He came off far worse than I did!’

             
To Lizzie’s relief, no mention was made of Leo.

As it happened, for once the timing side of things was on Lizzie’s side, and just as everything settled down at Hethecote, a wonderful new project had come her way.  It was largely thanks to Timmy, who’d recommended her to clients of his, the Buchanans, who ran a thoroughbred stud a few miles away.  They wanted to restore the formal rose garden at their old manor house.  Lizzie had been given a precious collection of old photographs to work from, and in addition, the gardening journals of the elderly lady who had been its custodian sixty years ago. The garden had remained untouched since she had died.

The Buchanans always had guests staying,
some of whom she got talking too as they wandered through the gardens.  Her handiwork had caught the eye of many of them, but one in particular was impressed.

‘I’m
actually looking for someone to restore some gardens for me,’ he said to her one day in conversation.  ‘I’ve bought a place in Devon.  Bramley House it’s called. It’d be quite a project, but looking at what you’ve done here is making me see it’s potential…’

Eric
Masterson was in his sixties.  He’d inherited money years ago, he told Lizzie, and invested in commercial property at just the right time.  Sadly though, with his wife suffering from Alzheimers, he didn’t have the time to oversee such a huge project himself.

‘If you were interested, I’d love you to meet my wife and
take a look for yourself.  I don’t want to get just anyone in, but nor do I want to leave it too much longer…’

‘It sounds like a wonderful job,’ said Lizzie, slightly wistfully.  In truth, it sounded like her dream job
, but she’d have to move and leave everything here behind.

‘
I don’t know what to say’ she added.  ‘Would you give me time to think about it?’

‘Here’s my card,’ said
Eric delightedly. ‘It’s probably best if you come down and take a look yourself rather than listen to my amateur ravings.  And it’s important that you meet Deidre.  You’d inevitably see quite a lot of her.  Poor Deidre… she’s not the person she used to be,’ he added sadly.

‘I’ll call you when I’ve had a chance to think,’ said Lizzie.

‘Oh, and did I mention there’s a cottage in the grounds for whoever takes the job?’ added Eric, as he walked off back to the house.

Antonia’s new liveries were a nightmare, she informed Lizzie that evening as they shared a bottle of wine in Lizzie’s back garden, even though the summer warmth had given way to a distinctly autumnal chill.

‘
Complete nutters, both of them!  Really, it’s more trouble than it’s worth, darling, especially Sid.  Complete arse he is – went off for the day and brought the poor horse home covered in mud and sweat.  Then he just left it and fucked off to the pub. Of course, I couldn’t just leave the poor creature. Got Cassie to clean it up.  Suppose I’ll have to have a word. I really don’t have time to go running round after other people’s horses...’

It was on the tip of Lizzie’s tongue to remind Antonia that these people were paying
her, but she hadn’t finished.

‘Anyway,’ she continued. ‘
It simply doesn’t make enough.  Truth is, I’m not sure what I’m going to do.  Now, the ball is in a month!  Old Woodleigh’s donating some beef, and William, bless him, is giving us a load of lamb.  The schools’ gardens at Hethecote are frantically growing carrots which were hoping to feed to the animals, but Miriam’s pulled rank and commandeered half of them.  The band are booked – um, Lizzie.  Darling, now I’ve got you down for the table decorations,’ she said in a hurry, ‘and before you say you can’t, think of Miriam.  You’re doing it for her.  We’ve got some spiffing prizes,’ she continued.  ‘Aubrey’s donating his Rolls for a weekend, complete with chauffeur, as well as a week in his pad in Marbella.  We’ve got tickets for football matches, music concerts and the Woodleighs have donated VIP tickets for Ascot.’  She frowned.  ‘I wonder if we can find someone to cough up for Badminton Horse Trials?  Haven’t been for years…’

B
ella’s walled garden was nearly finished.  There’d been no sign of Tom the whole time Lizzie had worked there and all Bella had said was that she’d hardly seen either him or Susie since the wedding.

‘Susie
as usual, has been whirling around like a dervish ever since she and Rory got back, and Tom’s away of course, off in some far flung corner of the globe. I couldn’t even tell you what the place is called.  He travels so much I lose track of them all...’

Lizzie
had felt a shock at the mention of his name, almost a physical blow. She was kidding herself if she thought she’d forgotten him and she realised that half of her had just been expecting him to turn up at her cottage.

‘
Idiot
,’ she told herself. ‘
Stupid, naive idiot
.’ And imagined an irritatingly smug Lucy lying on a glorious beach with him, in a tiny bikini which didn’t quite cover her perfectly tanned body, not letting Tom out of her sight for one single second.

Odd, Bella had thought to herself, when Lizzie
didn’t say anything. I could have sworn there was something between those two...what could possibly have gone wrong?

T
housands of miles away, under a palm tree on an idyllic beach in southern India which he’d just kayaked round a headland to, Tom was sitting gazing across the ocean, listening to the sound of the waves. He loved that sound. The air smelt hot and the sand was too hot to walk on, and with the cerulean sky above him it really was the most incredible place.  It should prove popular, especially with the rustic, back-to-basics accommodation he’d ferretted out.

But he was f
ar from loving this trip. For the first time, he was realising that this beautiful place would be so much more so if Lizzie were here to share it. He’d given up trying to get her out of his head. It was like he had a voice in there, saying her name over and over. Ok, he was working, and this was a great holiday they were planning to market next year, but ... Even this far from home, she was there. He hadn’t given Lucy a thought since they parted. The way Tom saw it though, he had a choice. He could either carry on as he was, thinking about Lizzie, imagining ‘what if’ for the rest of his lonely days, or he could take a risk and seek her out. He really wasn’t much good at this sort of thing. But he’d have to do it, he decided, though he fully expected to be rebuffed, which was probably no more than he deserved.