The Nothing Girl Part 38

I knew Russell was in the house. Id been hearing echoes of his voice this last half hour.

Taking a deep breath and wis.h.i.+ng more than ever for the comforting smell of warm ginger biscuits, I made my way downstairs. At Mrs Crisps request, I inspected the dining-room. It was never going to be beautiful, but the table was nicely laid, the old carpet hoovered, and most of the chairs matched.

The first guests were Andrew and Tanya, a good half an hour early; at Russells request, I suspected. Once they were inside and welcomed with a drink, the master of the house appeared, ignored me, and went to stand with Tanya at the other end of the rom. When Andrew came to stand close by, Mrs Crisp, clear-eyed this evening, left me and drifted back into the kitchen.

Next up were Daniel and Francesca. Francesca ignored Russell, turning a shoulder very pointedly. I wondered what he thought about this very public rejection by the former love of his life. Battle lines were being drawn up. Andrew and Daniel chatted aimlessly. I stared into the fire and ignored the drink waiting for me. I know Russell was down the other end of the room, out of reach, but I wasnt taking any chances. The further away he was, the safer Id be.

Finally, Aunt Julia and Uncle Richard arrived. Soberly dressed and stern-faced. Mrs Crisp got us lined up and marched into the dining-room.

I had no idea what, if anything, was going to happen that night. I had no idea who, if anyone, was on my side.

Russell began to fill gla.s.ses. Everyone got one but me. Mrs Crisp took a gla.s.s, filled it from a bottle on the trolley, and pa.s.sed it to me with a warning frown.

'Your wine, Mrs Checkland.

I sipped and kept my face straight. It was water.

The implications of the separate gla.s.s and bottle were not lost on the others. I braced myself and wondered who would open the batting.

It was Aunt Julia. Of course it was. I just prayed Russell would keep his head down and his mouth shut.

'Oh, G.o.d, he said, loudly. 'Shes going to orate.

'You could at least try to remember the courtesy due to your guests, she said, angrily.

'Youre not my guests, he said, draining his gla.s.s and refilling it. 'You invited yourselves, remember? Feel free to leave anytime.

That reminded her why she was here. She turned to me, her face tight with anger. 'Jenny ...

I cleared my throat and focused ...

'Before anyone goes any further, I said, interrupting her for the first and last time in my life. 'Im not ... going anywhere. Im staying here. I like it here. Im not sure how many plans that ruins, Russell, Francesca, Aunt Julia, but thats the ... bottom line. Im staying here.

I recklessly finished my water and Mrs Crisp, equally recklessly, filled it up again.

Aunt Julia drew breath.

'Never mind all that, said Francesca, homing in on the important issues like a heat-seeking missile sighting Krakatoa. 'Daniel, Ive been thinking about which part I shall play Mary Stuart or Elizabeth Tudor. I mean, obviously Elizabeth wins in the end and lives longer so its a bigger part, but Mary has a wonderful death scene. Tragic, but defiant. But its up to you, of course, darling. I prefer Elizabeth, but whichever you think best.

He didnt speak. The table, to a man, braced themselves.

'Actually, Francesca, I already have someone in mind for Elizabeth.

'Oh. Well, never mind. Mary it is, then.

'And for Mary, too.

'But ... you cant ... what about me?

Good old Franny straight to the heart of the matter.

Acutely embarra.s.sed, he s.h.i.+fted in his chair. 'I hardly think this is the place ...

'No, said Aunt Julia, dragging the conversation from one crisis back to the other. 'Jenny ...

Again, she got no further.

Mrs Crisp served the pte.

I received a separate portion. She stripped off the protective cling film and placed a blue plate in front of me. Everyone else had white. Everyone stared at my blue plate and then back at their own.

Aunt Julia pushed hers away with loathing. Francesca stared at hers as if it was about to go for her throat. Andrew, Tanya, and Daniel got stuck in. I waited. Things were happening here, and as usual, I didnt have a clue.

Francesca regrouped.

'So what part do I have? she said. 'There must be something for me. I have red hair.

That more qualifications for appearing in a major new TV drama might be required never seemed to enter her head.

Silence fell. I looked down the table at Russell, flanked by Aunt Julia and Tanya. I had Uncle Richard on one side and Andrew on the other. Francesca and Daniel occupied the neutral zone in the middle. I felt very alone.

Even as I looked, Russell caught my eye, stared expressionlessly for a moment, and then looked away. My stomach lurched.

'Jenny, my dear. Try and eat a little. Uncle Richard pushed my plate forward, smiling gently. His expression said, 'Well let them fight it out, shall we? Then well put our heads together and do the sensible thing. You and I together.

I remembered my last evening in his house, sitting at the kitchen table, cosy and warm while he waited for his milk to boil. Before all this started. I could have cried my eyes out. Cried for all the opportunities missed. Cried for everything that had gone wrong.

'Leave her alone, said Russell, harshly.

For the third time, Aunt Julia said, 'Jenny ...

'Yes, Aunt Julia? Are you enjoying your pte? Mine is delicious.

'So, Jenny, said Daniel, weighing in again. In his own, but much more charming way, he was at least as single-minded as Francesca. It crossed my mind that she might have met her match. 'I was wondering if you might like to contribute. You know, ideas, suggestions, a bit of research. And youll get a credit. From an idea by Jenny Checkland. That sort of thing.

I wrenched my attention away from Russell and back to Daniel. I must have gaped at him, because he grinned and said, 'Just nod if its easier.

I did. I supposed this must be what real life is like. Down one minute, up the next. Never quite sure if its the best or the worst evening of your life.

'Daniel, dear, you mustnt forget that Jenny is recovering from a serious accident. She must regain her strength first. Perhaps after a few months careful rest in our home ...

Did no one ever listen to me?

'Thats very kind of you, but this is my home. Im staying here. I looked at Russell. 'Unless you want me to go.

He said, neutrally, 'Its your decision.

'Thats settled, then.

Although, of course, it wasnt.

'Jenny, Im sorry, said Daniel, 'but we do have to get a move on.

'Ill be fine, I said.

'So well make a start next week, if thats all right with you?

I nodded.

'Have a think, jot down anything you think might be useful. Anything at all. Youd be amazed whats useable.

'But what about me? demanded Francesca, returning again to the crux of the matter.

'Well, my dear, its lovely that youre so enthusiastic. Perhaps a lady in waiting... he said hopefully.

'Or a courtesan? murmured an anonymous voice from the other end of the table.

'Russell! snapped Aunt Julia.

'What? he said in either genuine or well-feigned indignation.

'Yes, I said, before anyone else could say anything. 'Do I come to you, Daniel? Or will you come here?

'Come to me. All my notes are there. Shall I pick you up?

'No need, said Russell, curtly. 'Ill bring her over.

'Thank you, Russell. Then, when Thomas is better, Ill ride over. If thats all right with you, Daniel.

'Its not all right at all, broke in Aunt Julia.

'Nearly two minutes without emoting, said Russell, in what he probably imagined was a low voice. 'Could that be some sort of record?

If he was trying to deflect her, he was wasting his time. Where did he think Francesca got it from?

'You cant be serious, Jenny. Riding? After what happened? I dont expect much from you, Russell, when it comes to your wifes safety, but I cant believe that animal hasnt been destroyed. Its clearly unsafe.

He drank more wine and smiled dangerously.

'Never going to happen, Julia.

Her eyes narrowed. 'Youre hardly in a position to dictate to anyone, are you?

'Really? Why is that?

'You know very well why not.

'No, I dont, Julia. Youre just going to have to come right out and say it.

Uncle Richard said suddenly, 'Be quiet, Julia.

Russell cast him a mocking look. 'How wise. Only he could make it sound like an insult.

Uncle Richard put down his wine gla.s.s and said, with quiet dignity, 'I dont think it would be wise for you to argue with us, Russell. Not after the events of yesterday. Jenny will come quietly home with us tonight and well help her consider her future.

'Her future? That would be funny, Richard, coming from anyone but you. I think we both know what sort of a future is in store for Jenny. Its up to her, of course, but if she wishes to remain here, then she will. He smiled sardonically. 'With me.

'You!

And here was Aunt Julia again. Shed once told someone that one of her ancestors came over with the Conqueror. Considering the riff-raff he brought with him, my own theory was that she was descended from a camp follower or a black-marketeer, but you certainly had to have a pedigree of over a thousand years to put that amount of scorn and contempt into just one single-syllable word. Eat your heart out, Lady Bracknell.

'You Having made this promising beginning, she fell silent, apparently overcome by her emotions.

'What about me? said Russell, suddenly not smiling at all. 'Go on, Julia. Say it. What about me?

The lid came off.

'You evil, unspeakable man. You married my niece against our wishes and having secured her money, youve spent the last months engineering a series of suspicious accidents. Dont try to deny youve been violent to her. There are no words to describe your depravity, Russell Checkland, or your cruelty or your 'Well, as usual, you seem to have found plenty. Do you know, I cant remember a time when you werent talking, Julia. Anyway, youre wrong.

'Do you deny ?

'Of course I deny it. Youre spitting your poison at completely the wrong person.

Uncle Richard tried again. 'Julia, I forbid you ...

'Oh really, Russell? Well, if not you, then whom?

Silence.

He sat back in his chair, holding his wine gla.s.s. 'Do you really want me to answer that? Here? Now?

'Yes, yes I do.

She leaned forward in her seat, red-faced and furious. The rest of us watched in fascination is not the right word. It was like an oncoming car crash. You know its going to be bad, but you just cant look away.

Russell sat up and said, 'I am sorry, Jenny. I really am. But things cant go on like this. Youre going to be badly hurt and Im going to end up in prison. I hope you can understand.

'I do understand. Do whatever you think is best. Im standing right behind you.

He smiled sadly. 'No, dont do that. You can stand alongside me. Or back to back with me. You can even stand on top of me, if you like, but you are never to stand behind me, Jenny. Is that clear?

I nodded, suddenly unable to speak.

'Jenny, my dear, what are you saying?

I turned to Uncle Richard, suddenly too tired and sad to speak. Maybe it wasnt too late ... I groped for his hand but he pulled it away.

Aunt Julia leaned forward. 'Whats going on here? What are you saying, Jenny? Are you saying its not Russell?