Federica gave Julian and Hal a lift in her chauffeur-driven car. Hal was impressed. Julian was not. ‘Why don’t you learn to drive, Fede?’ he asked.
‘I don’t need to.’
‘Of course you need to, it’s a question of independence.’ Federica eyed him nervously and nodded towards the chauffeur. Julian raised his eyebrows. She knew that Paul reported everything back to Torquil.
‘I think it’s really cool to have a chauffeur,’ said Hal. ‘Swish car too. You married well, Fede.’
Julian looked at Federica and watched her smile at her brother. But he could feel the unease behind her smile because the light in her eyes had grown opaque. He took her hand and squeezed it, but Federica only squeezed it back jovially as if she didn’t want her pain to be recognized by anyone.
The atmosphere at Pickthistle Manor was lighter compared with the heaviness that had hung like an invisible miasma in the church. Everyone unburdened their grief with the effect of the wine and Ingrid asked her guests to celebrate Nuno’s life, not to mourn it. The sitting room at once filled with smoke and the vapour of alcohol and body heat as it throbbed with the people Nuno had
acquired throughout his life. When Lucien brought in a sodden hedgehog he had found in the driveway Ingrid burst into tears, recalling Nuno’s aversion to flea-ridden animals, and knocked back half a glass of vodka.
Helena embraced her daughter and complimented her on her designer suit. Then she launched once again into a soliloquy about Hal. ‘We’re not doing very well at school at the moment,’ she said sanctimoniously. ‘We're going to fail our A levels. We’ve got the brains, we just refuse to use them.’ She sighed helplessly. ‘We’re going through a particularly painful time at present. But our heart’s in the right place, we’re just a little bit misguided.’
Federica’s attention drifted, as it always did when her mother obsessed about Hal. She was relieved when Jake intervened and directed the conversation away from his grandson. ‘Hal’s fine, Helena, your problem is you won’t let go,’ he said wisely.
‘He needs his mother, Dad,’ she replied, offended. ‘I don’t care what any of you say, I’m not going to leave him to flounder when I can pick him up.’
Molly was too affronted by Federica’s fickleness even to greet her. She saw her making her way through the crowd in her perfect black suit, her perfect black
shoes, her perfect little black bag and perfect black hat and turned her back and walked in the opposite direction. But Hester remained and embraced her friend with the same loyal affection that she had always shown her throughout their childhood. ‘You look well,’ she said kindly, noticing her larger frame and pallid skin and wondering what had caused it.
‘I am well,’ she replied.
‘How’s Torquil?’ Hester, asked wondering if Federica would open up to her like she had always done in their secret cave. But she was disappointed.
‘He’s a dream,’ she replied enthusiastically. ‘I only wish he were here today. I hate to be parted from him, even for a minute.’
‘How nice,’ said Hester flatly. ‘It’s great that you’ve found your soul mate. I’m still looking for mine.’
‘No one, then?’
‘No one. It’s a desert out there,’ she sighed. ‘Molly has a penchant for picking up builders,’ she added, trying to lighten the conversation. ‘She’s happiest on a building site.’
‘That sounds like Molly. I was lucky Torquil found me so early on. But you’re young, you don’t need to find someone yet. Enjoy your freedom while you have
‘You’re right. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for a Torquil. He doesn’t have any handsome friends by any chance, does he?’ They both laughed, but their laughter was uneasy.
‘Sam’s miserable.’ Federica said, watching him talking gravely to his father.
‘Oh, he’s devastated,’ Hester agreed. ‘He gave a good address, didn’t he?’
‘He’s so talented.’
‘I know. I’m so proud of him.’ She sighed. Then she touched Federica on her arm and looked at her imploringly. ‘Go and talk to him. He needs cheering up’
‘Sam, I’m so sorry,’ said Federica, when Inigo had moved off to seek the quiet sanctuary of his office.
‘Federica.’ He kissed her. ‘I’m glad you could make it. We’d almost forgotten what you looked like.’ Federica smiled awkwardly, recalling their last meeting. ‘Let’s get out of here, I’m feeling claustrophobic,’ he suggested. Sam led her down the corridor to Nuno’s study. Once inside he closed the door, blocking out the low drone of voices. ‘You can see why Nuno liked it so much in here. It’s quiet,’ he said, sitting down on his grandfather’s worn leather chair.