just on the rebound from Wudolf. Because if it is—’
‘It isn’t,’ Charlotte broke in decisively. ‘As you yourself said, Rudy’s very Byronic, and I was on the verge of being infatuated, but that’s all…’
‘So it won’t rock the boat if I let on that he rang this morning wanting to speak to you?’ Sojo revealed.
‘No, it won’t. What did you tell him?’
‘That you were away for the weekend, but just in case he had the nerve to ring Farringdon Hall, I didn’t say where.’
Charlotte breathed a sigh of relief.
‘I hope I did the right thing?’ her flatmate asked.
‘Yes. I wouldn’t have wanted him to ring here.’
‘Knowing how painfully honest you are, I suppose you’ll want to put him in the picture. What will you do? Ring him up, or write to him?’
‘I can’t do either,’ Charlotte said. ‘I don’t know his home address or his phone number, or where to contact him in New York.’
‘Well, if he hasn’t got fed up and stopped ringing before I get back, I’ll be pleased to tell him that you’re going to marry someone far nicer. Incidentally, I’d love to see his face,’ Sojo said naughtily.
‘I hope he won’t be hurt,’ Charlotte remarked a shade anxiously.
‘Don’t start feeling guilty. The only thing likely to be hurt is his pride. I know his sort. That’s why I’m glad you’re not still hankering after him… You aren’t, are you?’
‘No, not in the slightest. In retrospect I can see that I wasn’t in love with him. I’m not sure I even liked him.’
‘What about Simon? Are you in love with him? Or is that a question I shouldn’t ask?’
‘Ask it by all means. The answer is madly. I was lost the moment I saw him. A coup de foudre.’
‘And it was mutual, I take it?’
‘Yes.
Sojo sighed. ‘How romantic. But to get to the nitty-gritty, does Sir Nigel know?’
‘Yes, we told him almost as soon as we got back.’
‘What did he say?’
‘For some reason he seems to have taken a fancy to me, and he was genuinely pleased. He’s going to give me away.’
‘I thought he was very ill,’ Sojo commented.
‘He is. That’s why Simon would like us to get married as soon as possible. He’s going to apply for a special licence so we can arrange the wedding for Wednesday or Thursday.’
‘You don’t mean this Wednesday or Thursday?’ Sojo asked faintly.
‘Yes…’
‘Well, he certainly doesn’t waste any time.’
‘And I’d like you to be my bridesmaid.’
‘I was only joking, you know,’ Sojo protested laughingly.
‘I’m not.’
‘What does Simon think of the idea?’
‘He suggested it.’
‘Then I’d love to! I’ll dig out my best frock.’
‘Speaking of frocks, I’d be grateful if you could pack my clothes and shoes et cetera and bring them down with you.’
‘All of them?’
‘I suppose so. I won’t be coming back.’
‘Of course you won’t.’ Just for a moment she sounded lost. ‘I’m afraid it hasn’t sunk in yet. Do you mind if I keep the flat on? It’s become home.’
‘Of course I don’t mind. I was hoping you would.’
‘What about the shop?’
‘I’m going to ask Margaret if she’ll manage it, at least for the time being,’ Charlotte said.
‘She once told me she felt far too young to retire, so it’s my bet she would be happy to manage it on a permanent basis. I don’t suppose you’re planning to work after you’re married?’
‘I haven’t even thought that far ahead. But I can’t imagine Simon would want me to.’
‘Aah…’
‘What do you mean, aah…?’
‘You used to be so cool and self-sufficient. Now, I’m delighted to say, your voice goes all soppy every time you say Simon.’
‘It does no such thing,’ Charlotte protested.
Taking the denial for what it was worth, Sojo added, ‘I can’t wait to meet the man who’s had such a devastating effect on you, so I’ll grab a sandwich and get cracking with the packing. See ya!’
The line went dead.
Smiling to herself, Charlotte pressed end call and tapped in Margaret’s number.
When the older woman had heard the news, after a flurry of oohs and aahs and excited congratulations, she expressed her willingness to manage the shop for as long as Charlotte wanted her to.
‘It’s all happened so quickly,’ she added, ‘I can hardly believe it.’
Charlotte felt very much the same.
‘Fancy being swept off your feet like that!’ She sighed gustily. ‘Isn’t it wonderfully romantic? I hope you’ll both live happily ever after, just like they do in fairy tales…’
But were fairy tales bound to have happy endings? Charlotte wondered as she replaced the receiver.
Not necessarily. She recalled a poetic version of Spellbound that ended, ‘glass coffin, no prince.’
Despite the warmth of the room, a sudden cold chill, a premonition, drained the colour from her face and made a shiver run through her.
‘Is there a problem?’ Simon’s voice asked.
Feeling silly, she said, ‘No… No, everything’s fine. Sojo seems highly delighted, and Margaret is quite willing to manage the shop for as long as I want her to.’
‘Then why are you looking so upset?’
She managed a smile. ‘I’m not.’
Plainly dissatisfied, he was about to probe further when there was a tap at the door and Mrs Reynolds appeared, to say, ‘Lunch is ready when you are.
