Nuno was the first to mention the transformation. ‘Cara mia,’ he sighed his approval. The duckling has grown into a swan.’
‘Pa, she was never a duckling,’ said Ingrid in Federica’s defence. She
brought her cigarette holder up to her scarlet lips and dragged in exasperation, the way she always did when she found her father’s comments inappropriate.
‘Compared to the swan, my dear, she was a duckling,’ he retorted firmly, smiling at Federica.
‘Thank you, Nuno,’ she laughed. Then her eyes fell on the tortured face of Sam, who still watched her from the sofa. She returned his gaze with a smile, but he didn’t smile back. He turned to Toby who was seated beside him as if he were ashamed to have been caught looking.
‘It’s the new London life,’ Helena said. ‘Hal’s going to go to university, though,’ she added, desperately trying to lure her son out of his sulk with compliments. But Hal scowled at his mother. He knew he’d never get into a university and had no desire to go. He had only come to the drinks party because she had begged him to. He didn’t like Lucien much, he was too clever, just like his brother Sam, whom he didn’t like either. They both made him feel inadequate. He watched his sister in the doorway and resented the attention she was getting; he wasn’t used to the spotlight shining on her. But when she sat down next to him his bitterness mollified and he allowed her to coax him out of his mood.
‘How’s it going at school?’ she asked. He shook the black hair that fell over his forehead and looked up at her with their father’s dark chocolate eyes.
‘All right,’ he replied impassively.
‘You’re frustrated there, aren’t you?’ she said sympathetically.
‘I want to leave as soon as possible.’
‘And university is not an option,’ she added, noticing the rebellious curl in his mouth when he grinned.
‘Right,’ he said, glancing across the room at Helena.
‘Don’t worry. You won’t have to go. You can do what you like. Come to London. You’d love London,’ she said enthusiastically.
‘The minute I leave school I’m out of here. I’m sick of Cornwall.’ He scowled. ‘I’m sick of living with Mama and Arthur. It’s claustrophobic. I need my space. I don’t need anyone looking over my shoulder all the time.’
‘It’s not for much longer,’ she said. ‘Then you’ll be free.’
Once more she raised her eyes to find them unwittingly lock into Sam's. He got up with the excuse of going to get another bottle of champagne from the kitchen and disappeared out of the room. Federica left Hal to wallow in self-pity and followed him.
‘Hi, Sam,’ she said, finding him alone patting the dogs. He looked up at her in surprise and his face broke into a small smile.
‘Hi, Federica,’ he replied casually. ‘How are you?’
‘I’m well. Do you have anything soft?’
‘Soft?’
‘To drink.’
‘Oh, yes,’ he replied, feeling stupid. ‘Lemonade, Coca-Cola, orange juice?’ ‘Orange juice would be nice. Thank you.’
He opened the fridge and pulled out a jug of freshly squeezed juice. He poured it unsteadily into a glass and wondered why after having known her for over ten years she suddenly had the power to make him nervous.
‘I gather London is treating you well,’ he said, endeavouring to extend the conversation in order keep her in the kitchen. Federica noticed that he was beginning to lose his hair. It was no longer blond but darker and cut very short. He looked older and less glossy than before. He blinked at her from behind his glasses and handed her the drink.
‘I really enjoy it,’ she replied, leaning back against the worktop.
‘I hear from Molly and Hester that you’ve got a new boyfriend,’ he said,
trying to look pleased for her, but all he could muster was a tight smile that sat awkwardly on his face.
Federica was barely able to contain her excitement. When she talked about Torquil her eyes sparkled and her skin glowed. Sam felt his stomach churn with resentment.
‘Yes. He’s lovely,’ she said and grinned broadly. ‘Molly and Hester have met him.'
‘What does he do?’
‘He works in property,’ she replied. ‘He has his own company.’
Sam raised his eyebrows, trying to look impressed. ‘Good. I look forward to meeting him,’ he lied.
‘I never see you these days,’ she said, shaking her head regretfully. ‘Funny, we all live in the same city and yet, you don’t even come around to see your sisters.’
‘I know.’ He sighed, wishing he had been around more often. ‘We move in different worlds.’