The Nothing Girl Part 2

' Your host and hostess will greet you. Just smile and thank them for the invitation. Step aside for the next guests and look around. Do not find the nearest corner and stand there all night.

'But youll be there, surely? You will come with me?

' Of course I will, I just dont want to spend the evening standing in a corner. Now, you look around the room. Smile and nod if anyone catches your eye. Theres no need to say anything. I know you dont think so, but most people are kinder than you think.

I nodded again.

' When youve got your bearings, start to move slowly round the room. Hes got a great art collection and most of the rooms will probably be open so well wander round and have a look. I particularly want to see Checklands portrait of Francesca, dont you?

'Yes, I said, 'and the library will probably be open, too. We can look at the books.

' There you go. That should keep us out of mischief for a while. Then well get something to eat, have another non-alcoholic drink, and go home. Your aunt turns into a pumpkin at midnight.

I laughed, suddenly feeling better about the whole thing. It was a good plan. Shame we never got to use it.

I came nervously down the stairs, wearing a plain black dress. Id tied my mothers lovely purple, blue, and green gla.s.s pendant on a purple ribbon around my neck. Id left off my pony tail and wore my hair loose with a jewelled slide.

My aunt watched me. 'Richard, Im really not sure about this.

Well, at least she hadnt reeled back in horror at my outfit, but she could have said something.

'I think you look lovely, said Thomas softly, behind me.

'My dear, Jenny will enjoy an evening out. Its not as if sh.e.l.l be making a habit of it.

'No, but sh.e.l.l get tired and ...

Im right here, I thought.

'Just tune her out, said Thomas. ' Thats what I do. I havent heard a word shes said in the last ten years. Dont let her upset you. Stay calm.

Not easy. My heart was thumping away and my palms were clammy and I hadnt even left the house yet.

Somehow, Uncle Richard overcame her misgivings and we climbed into the car. I sat in the back and stared out of the window. Perhaps I could just stay in the car until it was time to go home.

'Dont make me come and get you, said Thomas, appearing briefly and then disappearing again. The Ches.h.i.+re Horse.

The Palmers lived in a lovely old house on the other side of Rushford. It was built of soft red brick and had those wonderful twisted chimneys.

I ran over Thoma.s.s instructions. Uncle Richard helped Aunt Julia out of the car and then me. He gave my hand a little squeeze, which I appreciated. Perhaps I could enjoy this after all.

It all went just as Thomas had said. I smiled at the person who took my coat and stood behind my aunt and uncle as they talked to Francesca and Daniel. They moved away and I stepped forward. Daniel was kindness itself. 'Im so glad you came. Look, Francesca, Jennys here.

But Francesca had already stepped aside to talk to more interesting people. My heart sank, but he glossed over it well. 'Never mind, sh.e.l.l catch you later. Most of the house is open tonight, so please feel free to wander around and have a look at my little collection. And I know youll be interested in the library. Francescas portrait is in there.

She called him to her.

'Nip along and have a look if you get the chance, Jenny. And I still want to talk to you later. Enjoy yourself. He disappeared.

Someone approached with a tray of gla.s.ses. 'Fruit punch, madam. Red is alcoholic and green is not.

I took a green. So, I was in. I had a drink and I hadnt yet had to say a word. Excellent!

Remembering Thoma.s.s instructions, I walked slowly around the hall. Soft lights were gently reflected in the wooden panelling and lovely and unusual objects were displayed on the walls. I itched to look more closely. Daniel and his parties were popular and the place was full. People had spilled into the nearby rooms. I could hear bright chatter everywhere. Soft music played. I looked around and did see one or two people whod come to our house occasionally. One woman waggled her fingers which was nice. I smiled back.

I found a quiet spot not a corner and sipped my drink, looking, I hoped, enigmatic and thoughtful. And here came Thomas.

'Dont you like your drink?

'Yes, its lovely. Why?

'You had a funny expression on your face.

'Im doing International Woman of Mystery.

'No, he said. 'Seriously, no.

'Youre a horse, I said. 'You cant even have an expression.

'Well, youre wrong there, clever clogs. Watch. He pulled his lips back and wrinkled his nose, exposing huge horsey teeth.

'Please dont ever do that to small children or pregnant women.

He snorted again. I liked it when he laughed. 'Thats better, he said. ' You look a little more relaxed now. Shall we take a gander round the place?

We moved towards the stairs. I said, 'Upstairs first, then downstairs. Library last the big finish.

'Good plan, he said and we had started up the handsome staircase when we saw headlights flash against the windows.

'Late arrival, said Thomas and we paused to see who it was. The stairs were directly opposite the front door so we had the best view in the house.

The door opened and a single male figure walked into the room. All conversation stopped dead so I could clearly hear his footsteps on the tiled floor.

He stood, seemingly unaware of the consternation he was causing. He looked confidently round the room, seeking his host. Or more likely, his hostess. His tie was askew, his hair rumpled. He dug his hands in his pockets, relaxed and rude. I could hardly believe my eyes and stepped nearer to the banisters for a closer look. The movement must have caught his eye and he looked up. He stood staring up at me for far too long and I was unable to look away.

It was Russell Checkland and he was very, very drunk.

'Oh, wow! said Thomas. 'This is going to be good.

Chapter Two.

For a second n.o.body quite seemed to know what to do. Even Francesca seemed transfixed. She stood in a doorway, slightly behind him so he hadnt seen her yet. The moment dragged on endlessly until Daniel Palmer, wearing the politest smile in the history of the world, stepped forward.

'Russell, how good of you to come. We werent sure if you would be here or not.

I suspected this was Daniel-speak for: 'You werent invited and youre certainly not welcome but lets not make a scene.

'I was invited, he said, very carefully, swaying gently. 'Got the invite here somewhere to prove it, and looked vaguely around as if expecting to see it dangling in the air nearby. Someone, somewhere, gave a nervous giggle.

'Hes had a few, muttered Thomas. 'Why do you think hes here?

Because, I thought, he cant stay away. Like a moth to a flame. And she encourages him.

Francesca moved to his side, beautiful in black and white. 'Oh, here you are at last, Russell. Still, better late than never. She took his arm. 'Daniel, dear, I thought it would be nice for Russell to meet a few people socially, now that hes trying to re-establish himself in Rushford, and this would be a good start.

Daniels pause was only infinitesimal. 'What a good idea, Francesca. Why dont you take him around and introduce him? and stepped back to resume his conversation, apparently uninterested in the new arrival, leaving Francesca and Russell somewhat isolated in the centre of the room. A message had been sent.

'Nicely done, observed Thomas. ' She really is a complete nitwit, isnt she? I wonder if she realises the damage she does. I doubt it. If shes got any sense sh.e.l.l introduce him to Mr Splash of Cold Water, Mrs Strong Black Coffee, and Miss Taxi Home. Still, we dont want to miss any of this, do we? Shall we go downstairs? We can do upstairs later.

I agreed and we re-joined the now wildly gossiping throng downstairs. There was absolutely no sign of Aunt Julia or Uncle Richard, both of whom would have been magically absorbed into the woodwork at the first signs of social awkwardness.

We meandered from room to room, from picture to picture, admiring and criticising until we got to the library at the end. The lights were on, but the room was empty. Long and narrow, it ran along the back of the house. Every inch of wall s.p.a.ce was shelved. Heavy crimson curtains hung at the windows. The furniture was all dark wood and soft leather. It was a very masculine room. The only sign of Francesca here was the famous portrait over the fireplace, but, typically, it dominated the room.

The portrait was magnificent. The intricacies of the costume were wonderfully rendered, the folds and creases in the full silk sleeves being particularly eye-catching. The lace collar at the neck was delicately beautiful, drawn in with a swift, sure hand. The face was pure Francesca. She looked directly out of the picture, a small enigmatic smile on her lips, plotting something unpleasant; or more likely, knowing Francesca, wondering what to have for lunch. An unseen light caught her hair, highlighting red-gold curls amongst the dark shadows. It was, as they say, a work of art.

'Well, said Thomas, quietly. 'I forgive him everything. This is remarkable. Whats she holding?

I stood on tip-toe. 'A small gla.s.s phial.

'Do you think shes on her way to poison someone or has she just done it?

'Well never know.

'Why did he stop painting?

I shrugged. 'His Muse left him.

'Do you think she regrets that now?

'I dont know. Maybe she doesnt know either.

'Well, he certainly does. Poor old Russell.

I looked at him in surprise.

'He got a raw deal. I wonder if she realises shes probably ruined his life.

I s.h.i.+vered. Suddenly, this wasnt a mildly amusing soap opera, to be viewed from a safe distance and speculated over. This was three peoples lives. And yes, if Russell Checkland didnt pull himself together, his life was probably ruined. And I suspected Daniel and Francesca werent that happy either. All at once, my quiet life in the attic didnt seem so bad.

'Imagine, said Thomas, softly. ' Just imagine. You have your whole life ahead of you, glittering and full of promise with a woman who is your inspiration, whom you adore, who is everything to you. Then one day you wake up and shes waltzed out of the door to be with someone else who can give her the new toys she wants. How must he have felt? You know he trashed his place, dont you? Ripped up his canvases and threw the whole lot in a skip. And he had such talent, Jenny. There was so much joy in his paintings. And now its all gone. I wonder if he can ever get it back. I wonder if he even wants it back.

He sounded so sad. I turned to him and reached up and gently touched his forehead. I dont often stroke him. Hes not a pet.

'You quite like him, dont you?

' I do, yes. His father was an unsympathetic man. His mother, who might have been a buffer between the two of them, died when he was still young enough to need her. The love of his life left him. Even his talent deserted him. So yes, despite all his efforts to alienate the world, I do like him.

I remembered that long look on the stairs. 'I do too.

We stared at the picture for a while. I finished my drink and looked for somewhere to put the gla.s.s. A hand came out of nowhere and a voice said, 'Shall I take that?

Im really quite hopeless in social situations. I didnt know what to do. Give him the gla.s.s? Recoil in horror? Ignore him? Give him a smile? Struggle through a long h.e.l.lo? And where was Thomas when I needed him? Oh yes, down the other end of the room, helpfully peering at first editions.

I turned and looked at Russell Checkland properly for the first time. His hair was damp. I suspected he had been under the cold tap after all. He hadnt changed that much since I last saw him, but there were new lines at his eyes and mouth. His face was thinner and if Thomas was right, and there had been joy, then there wasnt any now.

The silence had gone on for far too long.

'Its all right, he said defiantly. 'Ive been told I can stay if I behave myself and who better to behave myself with than you? Although actually, as I say that, I realise it wasnt the most flattering remark to make. Feel free to box my ears.

Oh, good. I was a safe option. Just what every woman wants to hear. For a brief moment I wished I was dark and dangerous, and did not allow my eyes to flick to the portrait.

I knew how to get rid of him. I took two deep breaths, focused on the ragged knot of his tie and began the struggle.

It had completely the wrong effect. He didnt wait politely, or try to help, or sigh and edge away. He said, 'Good G.o.d, Jenny, thats got worse since I last saw you. Wait here a minute, and disappeared, leaving me still clutching my gla.s.s and struggling to catch up. I had forgotten his nervous energy and how quickly he could move.

He was back in seconds, clutching a cup and saucer and a gla.s.s of the red punch. 'Here you go. Get this down you.

I reached for the cup and saucer, but he said, 'No, thats for me. This is yours, and thrust the gla.s.s at me. I took a cautious sip. It seemed OK. A little tangy, but otherwise quite innocuous.

He started talking again while I sipped. I had also forgotten he could chat for England. 'So, what have you been up to while Ive been away? The last time I saw you, you were clutching a sheath of exam results and grinning fit to bust. Did you go to college? University? What are you doing now? Are you still in Rushford?

I stared at him hopelessly. He grinned down at me and that stupid fringe fell over his eyebrow and suddenly, I was determined to do this. I would do this. I would.

Nothing happened.

I tried again.

Nothing happened.

He was waiting expectantly and then I saw the penny drop. He reached out and gently touched my forearm with two fingers. 'Im sorry. Im an idiot. And Im drunk. And Im angry. And none of its your fault. Would you like me to go away?

As far as I could see, Thomas had completely disappeared. So no help there. I shook my head and gestured to an old leather sofa set back from the fire.

'Good idea, he said. 'My legs feel as if they belong to someone else at the moment. I wish my tongue did. I didnt mean to frighten you. You look so pretty tonight that I just forgot.

Did I also mention he was a silver-tongued charmer?

He sat down very carefully. I sat alongside feeling a little more confident and warmly glowing.

'Right, lets start again. Its good to see you. Are you well?

I nodded and raised an eyebrow at him.