Country Wives Read online

  “How dare you! You don’t even begin to understand how I felt. I couldn’t help myself.” Out came the lace-edged handkerchief. “I really couldn’t bear it.”

  “What’s more, I will not hear one word against Mia. She is being so good to me about you, standing back and trying hard not to influence me. Nor do I want to hear one more bad word about Dad. I found all his letters to you. The photos he took, the letters he wrote to you after you left and never posted …”

  “Letters to me, after I left that he never posted? What was the point of that, for God’s sake?”

  “To ease his broken heart, I expect. He adored you.”

  Tessa had the grace to look ashamed for a moment, but then that element of amazement at Gerry having been so devoted to her came back into her face. “Fancy, him with such passions. I’d no idea. Though I wouldn’t have stayed even if I had realized. He was a bore. With his Beetle car and his obsession with keeping his house like some nineteen-thirties mausoleum. Hell!”

  Kate felt as though her tea was choking her. She put her cup on the trolley, her plate beside it and stood up. “If you imagine this is going to endear you to me, you are very wrong. The more I hear, the more I realize you and I have nothing in common. I’ve fantasized all my life about this wonderful mother I had, who one day would come and …” To her absolute fury, Kate burst into tears.

  She blundered out of the room and headed down the hall, but the front door was locked and she hammered against it in despair with clenched fists.

  She smelled Tessa’s perfume close at hand, felt Tessa’s arm round her shoulders and furiously shook it off. “Unlock this door. I want to go home. Please.”

  “My dear, I’m so sorry.”

  Kate snorted her disbelief. “For what?” She turned her tear-streaked, crumpled face toward Tessa and demanded, “Well? For what?”

  “For letting you down so badly. For leaving you with Gerry. I know I shouldn’t have done, but please forgive me. It’s a long time ago now and … I realized before you were born that I’d made the most terrible mistake going to live with Gerry. He wanted me to marry him so you wouldn’t be illegitimate. Well, he used the word bastard, which only served to emphasize the enormous gap there was between us. Frankly, I’d just lost my father, and I think I must have been looking for security, a base, someone to be a substitute for him, and at the time Gerry seemed to fit the bill. Then, when I found myself pregnant, I could have died. A baby from him! Oh, God! I didn’t want one in the first place … but his! Heaven forbid. A girl like you, your mother’s daughter, must have felt embarrassed sometimes at his coarseness, his lack of … well … refinement? I’m just so glad you’ve inherited my refinement. It makes me so proud. So do you understand my side of it a little better now?”

  “Well, thanks for shedding so much light on the matter.”

  “I knew you’d understand.” Tessa smiled and patted Kate’s hand. “It’s better to have cleared the air, isn’t it?”

  “You’ve certainly done that. You’ve made it all clear as crystal. You’ve made me feel a whole lot better, made me understand, you know.”

  “I have? Oh, that’s good. I am glad.”

  “So much better, in fact, that I never want to see you again. I’ve tried to like you, but I just don’t want to try anymore. It’s finished. For good. Don’t try to contact me ever. Never ever. I mean that. Goodbye.” Kate found the latch for herself and left, closing her ears to the anguished howl her mother gave, possibly the only honest thing Tessa had done since that first fateful night they’d met.

  Kate stormed down the steps onto the drive, couldn’t unlock her car, managed it, got in, shut her coat in the door, released it, started the engine twice before it fired and drove out into the road in exactly the state of mind her father had always warned her against. Within two hundred yards she nudged the car in front as she stopped for the lights and was faced with a furious persnickety owner who physically threatened her, even though no damage had been done.

  After they’d exchanged addresses, she pulled into a service road, switched off the engine and began to calm herself down. Five deep breaths later she knew she needed to get home. To Mia and the familiarity of that much-despised nineteen-thirties house her dad had so lovingly preserved. Stuff Tessa, just stuff her! Mother? Huh! Kate drove home, knowing that Tessa had killed dead the whole idea of being restored to that caring mother she’d so mistakenly conjured up all these years.

  Chapter

  • 15 •

  Joy went up to see Miriam as soon as she got to work to make sure she was all prepared for the lunchtime celebrations. “I know I’m early, Miriam, but we’re very busy today, and I thought I’d just confirm the arrangements.”

  “It’s all in hand, don’t worry. I’ve got everything out of the freezer, I’ve found a cloth to cover the desk, I’ve got the champagne in the fridge, and the paper plates and the glasses are all to hand. Don’t fuss!”

  “Sorry. But I want to make a good start for Dan. It’s a big day and not just for him. I can’t quite believe that Mungo has agreed; he’s always been so set against equine.”

  “With the state of farming at the moment and no prospect of it improving, I rather think he’s been forced into coming round to it. Have you time for breakfast?”

  “I’ll have a cup of tea. I don’t need feeding. Duncan brought my breakfast to bed this morning.”

  “Did he? I didn’t know he was that kind of person.”

  Joy smiled. “He isn’t, but he’s agreed to a new contract for a computer firm he’s worked for before. Consequently, he’ll be in another world for the next few months, so he’s trying to appease me.”

  Hearing footsteps in the hall, Miriam said, “Here’s Mungo. Sit down, Joy. Here’s a cup.” She handed Joy a cup and saucer, and Joy sat at the table. Mungo came into the kitchen and smiled at them both. “My two favorite women both breakfasting with me. What a pleasure.” He gave Joy a kiss on her cheek, blew one to Miriam and sat down.

  Joy kept her eyes on him, finding she could relish his freshly showered presence like a lovelorn teenager but without the old passionate longings. “You are a flirt, Mungo. A real flirt. No wonder we all adore you.”

  “You’re being ridiculous.”

  Joy tapped his wrist with her forefinger. “No, I am not. All the girls think you’re the absolute tops in men. Good-looking, handsome, athletic, charming. That smile of yours is worth millions.”

  “Nonsense.”

  “You’d have made a wonderful film star, romantic lead, you know; wouldn’t he, Miriam?”

  The phone rang and Mungo went to answer it.

  Joy, enjoying being free from her anguish about Mungo, pressed her case with Miriam. “He would, you know. Don’t you think so?”

  “I’m biased.” Miriam went to rescue a slice of toast which had sprung out of the toaster and landed in an African violet on the windowsill. “It doesn’t hurt like it did, does it?” She gave Joy a smile as she spoke, but Joy didn’t respond to it because she’d realized with a shock that it sounded as though Miriam must know her secret.

  Miriam gave Joy the slice of toast, and absentmindedly Joy accepted it and reached for the butter. By mistake she spread raspberry jam on it too, which she didn’t really care for at breakfast, but it served to cover her confusion. After all she’d said about never letting Miriam know, and here she was on the brink of it all being out in the open. What could she say to avoid a major revelation?

  Before Joy had collected her thoughts, Miriam said in a small voice and almost reluctantly, “I’ve always known, you know.”

  Joy’s head shot up in horror.

  “Right from the first day I met you. It was the pain in your face when Mungo said I was his wife. It wasn’t surprise I saw; it was terrible, terrible pain. I knew all right.”

  “Oh, God!” Joy was frozen with shock.

  Miriam sat down and calmly began to eat her cereal. “Don’t worry, Joy. But you did give yourself away, you kn
ow. It was the look in your eyes when I caught you watching him. The way you lit up when he spoke to you. Mungo doesn’t realize, I’m sure, and I shan’t say a word.”

  It was the sweetness of the way Miriam spoke, the gentleness, the obvious effort not to hurt which devastated Joy; there was no anger or jealousy, only sadness and understanding.

  With her head in her hands, Joy tried to explain. “I’ve never wanted you to know … I’m more sorry than you’ll ever know. I’d no idea you knew; you’ve always been so … Never let him know, please … I wouldn’t want him to and I’m so sorry, Miriam; so sorry, but he’s just so …”

  “But what about Duncan? Does he know?”

  Joy nodded.

  “He must be so hurt. Why ever did you marry him feeling like you do? The poor, dear man.”

  Mungo came back. “My first client won’t be in till later this morning. Car broken down on the way, so I can have a nice comfortable breakfast and read the paper before I go down.” He looked closely at Miriam as she handed him his cup of tea. “All right, darling?”

  “Fine.”

  Joy stood up, her toast left half eaten on her plate, her tea not touched. “I’ll switch the phones through, then you can eat in peace. See you later, Miriam. We decided on twelve-thirty for Dan’s celebration. He knows and he’ll make sure to be back.” She shot out of the kitchen with the speed of light.

  “What’s got into her?”

  Smoothly Miriam said, “Getting worked up about the celebration. There’s going to be quite a crowd. I’ve planned champagne and orange juice for those who don’t drink. I’m not bothering with wine as there won’t be enough time.”

  “Where? In here?”

  “No. There’s not enough time like I said. We’re holding it in reception. If clients come they can join in. I’ve done plenty of food.”

  “You’re a marvel, darling, you really are.”

  “I love doing it and after all, I’ve got my own way, haven’t I?”

  Mungo grinned at her. “You have, haven’t you. We’re all putty in your hands.”

  “Do I come across as manipulative? I do hope not.”

  “Of course you don’t. Not at all. Just persuasive. Yes, that’s right, persuasive.”

  Miriam had to laugh at his attempt at discretion. “All right. All right.”

  “I’ll have more tea, please.”

  “Certainly. What does it feel like to be a film star?”

  “She’s talking rubbish and you know it. It’s all nonsense. She’s just pulling my leg. I’ll get the paper.”

  Miriam smiled to herself as he left the kitchen, certain he hadn’t realized about Joy’s feelings for him. In her mind’s eye she could see Joy’s face the day Mungo had introduced her as his wife at the old surgery. The terrible shock she saw registered there and the pain. It had been disconcerting and because she was so nervous she hadn’t been able to deal with it at the time. Afterward, from the security of her own deep love for Mungo, she’d taken it in her stride. Joy, she had realized, presented no threat to her and Mungo. The one most hurt must be Duncan.

  When Mungo came back in, Miriam put an arm round his shoulders and hugged him. “Love you, darling.”

  “I love you. Seen this headline? What will they come up with next?”

  MIRIAM organized the two Sarahs and Stephie to carry the food and drink down to reception. “This all looks gorgeous, Miriam, absolutely lovely. Better than a packed lunch any day. I don’t suppose …” Sarah One raised her eyebrows, quizzing Miriam with a hopeful look.

  “Get on with you. I’ve better things to be doing than making lunch for everyone every day. Take care down the stairs. I’ve laid out the cloth already.”

  By twelve-twenty-five they’d had a phone call from Dan to say he was running ten minutes late, but he’d be there.

  “Typical!” said Stephie who’d taken his call. “Why can vets never be on time? Ten minutes. I guess that means twenty minutes really, but we can’t start without him, can we?”

  They’d all gathered: Bunty; the two Sarahs; Stephie; Annette; Kate; Letty; Colin; Zoe; Zoe’s mother with little Oscar; Graham; Rhodri; Valentine and his wife, Nina; Mungo; Miriam; Duncan and Joy. All they needed was the man himself.

  “Got a speech prepared, Mungo, have you?”

  Mungo smiled at Letty. “Indeed I have. Not often we welcome a new partner, is it?”

  “No. Sorry to be mentioning money, but it is all watertight, is it?”

  “Of course. Naturally. All legal.”

  “Good. He’ll be a great asset.”

  Hunger and pleasurable excitement were just beginning to get the better of them when the glass door opened and they all prepared to applaud, expecting it to be Dan at last. But it wasn’t. On the mat stood a stunning young woman. From the top of her beautiful head all the way down to her feet, she shouted wealth and style.

  “Hi, there!” She looked at them all staring at her and added, smiling, “Thanks for the welcoming committee.”

  Her slight American accent took them by surprise, and they fell silent.

  She said, “I’m looking for Danny Brown?”

  Miriam answered, “So are we. He’ll be here any moment. And you are?”

  “I’m his wife. Rose Franklin Brown.”

  If a bomb had dropped, they couldn’t have been more stunned. En masse they stood open-mouthed with bewilderment. Kate recognized that this was the girl in the photograph, but she had become so convinced that she had died that the sight of her, apparently coming back from the dead, silenced her completely.

  Rose surveyed them each in turn and eventually, getting no response from anyone, she asked, “I guess it must be a shock?”

  “A surprise rather,” said Miriam. “Yes. A real surprise. We’re about to have a celebration lunch you see, because he’s officially a partner from today. He’s never said … though he did mention the name Rose to me once. You’re from …?”

  “The States. Flown in, hired a car and driven here.” She looked down at herself and said, “I must look a mess. I’d like to freshen up before I see him. Is that possible?”

  Miriam stepped toward her. “Of course. Come upstairs to the flat and use our bathroom.”

  “Thank you. I appreciate that.”

  They all waited until they were sure Miriam had closed the door at the bottom of the stairs to the flat and then a hubbub broke out.

  “Did you see those gorgeous clothes?”

  “That fur coat will have to go.”

  “That fur coat must have cost a fortune.”

  “To say nothing of the handbag. Beautiful leather.”

  “And that wonderful blond hair. That’s not come out of a bottle.”

  “I bet when she’s done up, she’ll look fabulous.”

  “I’d never dare to drive just like that.” Stephie snapped her fingers. “Straight off the plane and here. What a woman!”

  “But, Dan, married.”

  Letty commented, “Dan’s a sly puss, isn’t he? I wonder what the story is behind her sudden appearance, and pregnant too.”

  “Letty!”

  “She is, I’m certain.”

  “There’ll be hell to pay if it isn’t his,” Zoe said sotto voce, with an odd look in her eyes.

  The comments stopped when they heard the door being opened and Miriam’s footsteps.

  They all looked expectantly at her as she came into reception.

  “She’s coming down when she’s freshened up. She’s lovely, isn’t she? Such a sweetie! But she’s totally exhausted. She needs to sleep and sleep and sleep.”

  Zoe commented, “Someone’s going to get a surprise.”

  Letty proclaimed, “I think ‘shock’ would be more appropriate. I don’t think he knows she’s coming; otherwise you would think he would have said …” She broke off when they heard the back door open and Dan’s quick step coming down the corridor.

  Miriam swiftly stood in front of them all and put her finger to her lips. “Not a
word.”

  The air of suppressed excitement bubbled about as Mungo said his speech of welcome to the practice, seconded by Colin, who, unusually for him, spoke with verve and enthusiasm, and was gazed upon approvingly by Letty. Graham, by practice tradition, opened the bottles of champagne, the two Sarahs poured out, and Valentine and Nina served it to everyone on two silver trays purloined from Miriam’s kitchen.

  Dan called for silence after the toast and made a speech. “First, I should like to say thank you to you all for making me so welcome to the practice. I know I made a bad start”—cries of agreement from everyone—“but I hope perhaps I may have made up for it by now. I have every intention of making a great success of the equine side of the practice, which, thanks to Mungo, I have been given the opportunity to do. I know some of my initiatives have not been welcome, but I think you have to admit that my knickknacks have proved a huge success and that the new staffing rosters are a boon.” He raised his glass. “To everyone, your very good health and a very prosperous future for us all. I give you a toast: Barleybridge Veterinary Hospital and its great future!”

  When they’d all drunk the toast, Miriam called out, “Food, glorious food! Please eat it all. I don’t want any left for Mungo and me to finish up.”

  Zoe nudged Miriam and whispered, “She’s a long time. Where’s she got to?”

  “I don’t know.”

  “If she doesn’t come down soon, you’ll have to go and see. Do you think she really is pregnant, or is it Letty fantasizing? I can’t think she’s much of a judge, can you?”

  “It was difficult to tell with her coat on. If she is, wow!”

  Two clients appeared early for the afternoon clinic and found themselves being fêted with a champagne lunch.

  Dan went round to each of the staff in turn to have a word of thanks and say how much he was looking forward to working with them on a permanent basis. Eventually Miriam, after he’d completed his rounds, could wait no longer. She took him to one side and said, “Dan, there’s someone up in our flat who’s come to see you. Take a plate of food and a glass of champagne with you.”