The Forget-Me-Not Sonata(34)

Audrey followed her mother into her bedroom then closed the door behind her as instructed. Rose leant against the windowsill. She was suddenly pale and her lips twitched with worry. ‘I need to ask you something, Audrey,’ she began in a grave tone. Audrey felt sweat tickle the skin under her arms and her knees grew faint with anticipation. She sat down on the bed and played with her nails.

‘What is it, Mummy?’ she asked, trying her best to act normally. Rose was too busy fretting to notice Audrey’s unease.

‘I’m afraid that Isla and Louis are . . .’ she hesitated, searching for the words. ‘Affair’ was too sophisticated, ‘romance’ too playful. ‘I think they’re in love,’ she said finally. Audrey could have cried with relief.

‘What makes you think that, Mummy? It’s absurd,’ she exclaimed.

‘I could have sworn I saw Isla pass Louis a note this evening.’

‘I don’t think so,’ she reassured her. ‘It certainly wouldn’t be of the romantic kind, Isla’s not interested. She tells me everything and I would know if she was.’

‘You really think so?’ Rose asked, stepping away from the window and sitting next to Audrey on the bed. ‘You really think so?’

‘I know so,’ she added with emphasis.

Rose wiped her eyes. ‘You’ve lifted a great weight off my shoulders, Audrey.’ She sighed. ‘You really have.’

‘But, Mummy, what’s so wrong with Louis?’ She ventured bravely.

Rose shook her head. ‘There’s nothing wrong with him, dear,’ she explained lightly, happy to be generous now there was no danger of him courting her daughter. ‘He’s just rather irresponsible. You know, Henry’s heard all sorts of things about him from friends in London. He’s a loose cannon. He’s unreliable and he’s got a reputation as long as a ball of wool. He’s a charming young man, and handsome too, there’s no doubt about that, I just wouldn’t want him courting a daughter of mine. I simply wouldn’t tolerate it. He isn’t a man of honour, my darling. Imagine not fighting for your country. It’s a disgrace.’

Audrey felt tears sting the back of her eyes and swallowed hard. ‘I don’t think he’s anything like as bad as you all say,’ she protested angrily. ‘I think you’re all being unnecessarily cruel.’

Rose believed Audrey was defending Louis because he was the brother of the man she loved. She patted her daughter’s hand and smiled indulgently. ‘My dear girl, no one has the slightest doubt about Cecil’s integrity and good character.’

‘But Louis is a good person too. He’s spontaneous and impulsive, outspoken and unconventional but that doesn’t make him a bad person.’

‘Of course it doesn’t,’ she agreed. ‘He’s a pleasure to have in the house.’

‘Just as long as he doesn’t get romantically involved with one of your daughters.’

‘Well that doesn’t seem likely, does it?’ she replied, her cheeks now glowing with relief. ‘Tell me, what did Cecil talk about on your walk? He looked very happy when he came in.’

Audrey sighed heavily, aware that she had to play the game. ‘He’s asked me out for dinner,’ she replied in a small voice.

‘Oh, how kind of him,’ Rose responded, trying not to look too hopeful. ‘Will you go?’

‘He said he had to ask your permission first.’

‘Really, how very correct,’ Rose exclaimed with admiration. She stood up and began to arrange the small Victorian boxes on her dressing table in order to calm her hopping nerves. ‘He has our permission. I can speak for Henry,’ she said calmly. ‘It’s what you want, my dear, that’s important.’

‘Oh, I’m happy to go,’ she said, trying to inject some enthusiasm into her voice. ‘It’s only dinner.’

‘Of course,’ said her mother. She must be afraid, she thought, after all it’s her first dinner alone with a young man. Then she said out loud, ‘I’m sure he’ll take you somewhere nice, he has very good taste. Ah, what to wear? I think we need to go into town, don’t you?’

That night, behind the cold wall of the orange orchard, Audrey pressed her body against Louis’ in a bid to stay warm. He had spent the entire evening bashing out his fury on the piano until Diana Lewis had asked him to either play something harmonious or not play at all. ‘I don’t want you to go, my darling, but if it means we can still go on seeing each other, it’s worth it. Please tell me your parents are coming around to me.’