meeting was breaking up, with nothing very much resolved. It was clear that economic conditions were causing nearly all the company’s projects to be scaled down, except for the eco town, as Noel realised when he looked through the figures once again when he was back at his desk. Now why didn’t that surprise him?
Marianne felt hesitant as she drove up the drive of Hopesay Manor. She hadn’t been back for two months. Not since that dreadful night on Christmas Eve. She’d only glimpsed Luke once in the street since. As usual with Luke, his business seemed to be taking him up and down the country, and it seemed that he was rarely at home, preferring to spend more time in his bachelor pad in London.
Marianne had some stuff of his to return. She could have taken a chance that Luke was away and dropped it round at his place, but she couldn’t bear the thought that the blonde bimbo was still hanging about, although Pippa reckoned he’d moved on to the next one by now. On Christmas Day Marianne had toyed with throwing most of his possessions in the lake at the front of Hopesay Manor, but she hadn’t quite been able to bring herself to. And then she’d hoped that, by keeping them, maybe Luke would have to call round to pick them up. Pathetic, she knew, but she couldn’t help that sneaky little hope that he’d still come back. Terrible thing, hope, it kept you going against all the odds, even against the constant battering that Pippa was prone to giving Luke, who as far as Pippa was concerned was systematically trying to destroy all that was good about Hope Christmas.
It was hope that had brought her here now. Hope that if she gave Luke’s things to his lovely charming grandfather, maybe Ralph could smooth the way not only for a meeting, but also for the happy-ever-after reconciliation that Marianne knew she shouldn’t be contemplating, but couldn’t help thinking about. So, here she was, standing like an idiot in front of that imposing door. The first time she’d come here had been the best day of her life. The last time, the worst. What would happen to her here today?
Taking a deep breath, Marianne lifted the large door knocker. She realised looking at it now that she’d made a mistake before—it wasn’t a man squashing a serpent, it was an angel. The wings spread round the circle of the door knocker. How unusual.
The sound of the brass knocker ringing against the door echoed ominously, making Marianne feel more nervous than ever. It seemed aeons before the door opened and Humphrey appeared. His face was implacable and, if he felt any surprise at seeing her, he didn’t betray it.
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