‘I know. The whole thing is ludicrous,’ Molly agreed. ‘But she is.’
‘She’s Hester’s age, for God’s sake, what does she know about marriage?’ ‘Nothing. If she knew more about it I don’t think she’d leap into it like this. But Mum says he’s a substitute for the father she never had.’
‘Well, that’s it then. Father-figure syndrome,’ he said bitterly and his heart plummeted.
‘Quite.’
‘When’s the wedding?’
‘In the spring.’
‘What, this spring?’ he exclaimed, taking his glasses off and rubbing his eyes, which suddenly felt tired and uncomfortable.
‘Torquil wants to marry as soon as possible. You know he’s stopped her working already?’
‘No!’
‘Yes, he has. She’s moved lots of her things into his house.’
‘Where does he live?’
‘The Little Boltons,’ she replied, her voice heavy with resentment.
‘Well, she won’t have to work, will she? He’s undoubtedly rich.’
‘Everyone should do something,’ she argued. ‘She’ll become one of those ghastly women who do nothing but shop all day.’
‘Not Fede,’ said Sam defensively.
‘Yes, Fede,’ she insisted. ‘He’ll make her into whatever he wants her to be. She hasn’t exactly got the strongest character, has she?’
‘She’s young.’
‘Hester’s young and she’s got more backbone than Fede.’
‘She’d have to with a sister like you,’ he snapped coldly.
‘What do you mean by that?’
‘You’re just jealous that Fede’s been swept up by someone handsome and rich,’ he accused, wondering why he was giving her such a hard time.
‘Look, I just called to let you know, not to get into a heavy discussion,’ she retorted in exasperation.
‘Sorry, Mol. It’s just been a trying day,’ he apologized, sighing deeply. When he put down the telephone he felt nauseous. Unable to focus on his work he pulled on his jacket and left the office early, not caring what his boss thought. He didn’t want to work much longer in the City anyway. The sooner he returned to Polperro the better. He certainly didn’t want to be in London if Federica and Torquil were married.
He took the tube to Hyde Park Corner and walked around Hyde Park, kicking the leaves and scowling at the squirrels in fury. When it began to rain he stood in the shelter of one of the stone follies, watching miserably as the grey skies opened around him. He couldn’t understand why he minded so much that Federica was getting married. After all, he had had his opportunity and let it go.
He had kissed her then left her. He consoled himself that he didn’t want to be in a relationship, any relationship. He didn’t want to be tied down. If Federica were free he still wouldn’t make a play for her. He just didn’t want anyone else to have her. When he walked through the drizzle back to his flat he felt much better. So Federica was marrying Torquil, what of it? There were many more fish in the sea.
For a while Sam managed to convince himself that he no longer cared for Federica, but the moment he came face to face with Torquil Jensen he was unable to pretend any longer. All his instincts screamed out against the marriage, which, in his opinion, was doomed to fail before it had even started. But no one else seemed to see it like he did.
Torquil and Federica arrived at Toby’s house on a Friday night. He had insisted they drive down, stopping on the way at small inns and pubs for the odd break and refreshments. As they weaved along the winding lanes, Torquil felt an odd sense of deja vu.
‘I know I’ve been here before,’ he stated, staring out in front of him at the winter hedgerows and bare trees, wondering why it all looked so familiar.
‘Probably in a past life,’ Federica suggested with a shrug. ‘We might have been lovers then too.’
‘No,’ he insisted seriously, ‘I really have been here and it’s bugging me.’
Federica shook her head and thought nothing more about it. She was barely able to sit still in her excitement to show her fiance off to the family. When they pulled up outside Toby and Julian’s cottage Torquil tooted the horn. Toby appeared and stood jovially in the doorway while Rasta bounded out to greet them with unrestrained enthusiasm.
‘Welcome,’ Toby said, smiling warmly. Julian appeared behind him to capture the moment on film. It was then that Torquil remembered why he was so sure that he knew this place. He still had that Polaroid of Lucia which Julian had taken. He took a deep breath and stepped out of the Porsche. He hoped their memory of him had faded with the years; if his recollections were correct it hadn’t been a very positive introduction.