Never Too Late (35 page)

“Come on, kids,” Maggie called to them. “Let’s go and set up the swing ball and the badminton net.” Zoe went to help, considering playing with the children to be much more fun than being roped in to help with food prep. Simba and Deefor ran with them down the garden, Simba prancing and barking excitedly.

Maggie was in her element with the children. Sharon decided she saw enough of children at work, so settled happily with a glass of chilled white wine in the shade of a parasol. She was soon joined by most of the rest of the party. The courtyard had trapped the heat of the day and the cool drinks were sliding down rapidly. The noise of conversation rose and there was much laughter as jokes and banter were bandied across the tables.

The children were fed first, then Joanne took her two youngest, Amy and Peter, to the tent Maggie had put up under a tree close to the house. With a bit of luck they should settle quickly for a nap leaving her free to enjoy some food.

“Sorry about the children giving in to the scroungers,” she apologised to Maggie and Angela once she’d got them settled. “I know Simba and Deefor aren’t supposed to, but it was easier to turn a blind eye to the odd bit of sausage going under the table than start a running battle with my little monsters.”

“Don’t worry – it’s a barbecue day for them too so normal rules don’t apply,” Angela assured her.

“Absolutely,” Maggie agreed. “Are the children still pestering to have their own dog?”

“They are indeed, and now Amy’s three I just might give in. Nappies are long enough ago for me to have forgotten what it’s like to be continually cleaning up poo, so I’m vulnerable.”

“Liz couldn’t make it today but Schez works at the kennels – why not have a word about getting an older, ie housetrained, dog?”

“Hey, I hadn’t thought of that. A dog like Deefor would be brilliant!”

“I warn you, though; Liz will give you the fourth degree before she agrees you’re a fit person to care for one of her dogs.”

Jonathan had been all ears. “Mum, Mum, can we? Can we?” he begged, jumping up and down.

“I said I’ll think about it, now go and play with Liane and Andrew.”

The older children took their cans of coke to the tree house that Chloe and James had once played in as children.

“Adult food’s up!” Iain called and leered. “Who’s for a nice bit of rump?” He smacked Maggie’s behind as she went to hand out plates and she squealed.

“The accident hasn’t affected your libido then,” Oliver drawled.

They high fived each other and laughed when Maggie smacked the back of his hand with a serving spoon.

Schez felt a bit shy and hung back from the first mad rush for the food. Chloe stayed back too.

“Let’s have a proper look at that ring, then,” she said, taking hold of Schez’s left hand. “My, that’s… nice.”

Schez blushed. “I told Adam I didn’t want anything big and flash. It would get in the way at the kennels. I like this one very much. We chose it together.”

“How sweet. I hope you have a lovely time together – while it lasts.”

“What do you mean? This is for life.”

Chloe shook her head and looked at Schez sympathetically. “You haven’t known Adam very long have you? You don’t know his history. You don’t know our history.”

“Your history? You and Adam?”

Chloe nodded. “He’s always been in love with me, right from when we were very young. Unfortunately for him I’m not ready for a commitment – not yet anyway. I’m afraid he keeps asking and every time I say no he reacts by getting another girlfriend. Sooner or later he ditches her and comes back to me, though. I’m really sorry to have to tell you this, but I thought I should warn you what he’s like. None of the others would say anything as they’re too loyal to Adam, but I didn’t think it would be fair to you to keep silent.”

Chloe got up and went for some food, leaving Schez looking totally shell shocked.

James had been watching them while he cleared empty cans and resettled full ones in the ice. He held Chloe’s elbow as she passed him. “What have you been saying to Schez?” he demanded suspiciously.

“I’ve just been admiring her ring and wishing her well,” she replied innocently.

He would have interrogated her further but Andrew came running up. “Come quick! Liane has fallen out of the tree house!”

Veronica jumped up in a panic, visions of a fall from a great height and broken bones – or worse – flashing through her mind. Neils hadn’t seen the tree house before either and rushed with Andrew’s mother down the garden.

Phillipa, Maggie and Sharon calmly took their plates back to the table and sat down.

“Is this where we say ‘Is there a doctor in the house’?” Sharon said and they giggled like schoolgirls.

“I think one in attendance is more than enough, don’t you?” Phillipa said.

“Certainly more than enough in this case,” Montie agreed with her.

They knew that the tree house had a permanent safety net fixed below it. The worst injury the tree house could inflict would be a splinter.

Veronica and Neils were soon back. “A bit tearful from the shock, and she needed help getting across the net back to the ladder,” she reported. “Andrew’s now calling her a sissy and Jonathan is boasting about how brave he is when he falls.”

The distraction had given Schez chance to compose herself. “That’s a lovely bracelet, Maggie,” she said, admiring the platinum, onyx and opal creation. “Was that a birthday present?”

She rubbed it fondly. “Yes, Iain had it in the safe to give to me at my party.” She was silent a moment, thinking back over the shock of that night’s happenings, then pulled herself back to the present. “It’s exquisite isn’t it. Iain always had good taste.”

“As evidenced by my choice of wife.” Iain lifted her hand and kissed her fingertips. “As lovely today as when we first met. Will you dance with me once more?” he asked, echoing the words on the card he had written for the gift. “It will have to be the going round slowly in circles dance, though, as you’ll have to hold me up.”

Maggie blushed as she and Iain danced in solo splendour to the strains of Van Morrison singing ‘Have I Told You Lately That I Love You’.

The conversation ebbed and flowed as the food, alcohol and sunshine had their effect.

“Will you and Neils be looking to buy somewhere in the village now?” Maggie asked Kathryn.

“Good heavens no! My life is in London. I was called to the Bar this year and my hours are just too long to contemplate commuting as well. Besides, I love feeling part of the heartbeat of London. I don’t want to be just a visitor.”

“So how will that work with Neils needing to be on hand here?” Veronica asked. “I’m all in favour of equality but there are situations where a wife needs to support her husband, even if that means putting her own career on hold.” She looked fondly at Carl and he reached for her hand across the table.

“I would dispute that view comes anywhere near equality! Why can’t the husband support his wife’s career?”

Neils shifted in his seat uncomfortably. “I’m sure we can come to some sort of compromise.”

“More wine anyone?” James asked, trying to change the subject.

The younger children woke and rejoined the adults. Amy tugged at Chloe’s shorts. “Want a wee wee – you help me?”

“Certainly, poppet.”

She took Amy’s hand and led her indoors. She had managed quite successfully to avoid any one on one conversation with James, and Adam was unaware of the reason for Schez’s quietness. He thought it was her innate shyness with strangers coming out again. She was confident Schez wouldn’t tackle Adam about it, and the worm of doubt could well be enough to sour such a fragile, new relationship. Then Adam would be all hers again. Although Neils was very handsome too…

Carl got to his feet and invited Maggie to show him how her new climbing roses were doing. “I expect you’ve worked your usual magic and they’re blooming well now. Let’s go and sample those perfumes you were so looking forward to back in May.”

Deefor took up his accustomed place with his nose close to her knee. He still didn’t trust people he didn’t know well not to do harm to his mistress. Simba elected to join them too.

“That’ll solve the problem of watching Simba,” Oliver said as they passed him. “Angela and the kids let him get away with murder when it comes to food. I need Deefor to teach him some manners.” He took the last shish kebabs and corn off the barbecue and left the coals to burn down.

As they went down towards the new walk that led to the pond Carl asked her how she was coping now Iain was home again.

“You seem quite comfortable with each other. Can I take it forgiveness has been asked for and granted?”

Maggie hesitated. How to answer truthfully? “I’m doing my best to follow Jesus’ teachings about forgiveness. Sometimes, though, the rage just boils up out of nowhere. How can I say I’ve forgiven him if I still feel like that?”

Carl paused and turned to her. “He taught us what we should try for, but He never said it would be easy. All you can do is keep trying.”

“So much has happened so quickly. It’s difficult taking it all in and adjusting. It’s not just the anger, though. However much I consciously tell myself yes, I’ve forgiven him, and yes, I do trust him, subconsciously there’s still that doubt, that fear that I’m heading for heartbreak again. How could he have led such a double life all those years, and the only person who didn’t know was me? How naïve and gullible is that? Once he’s fully recovered, and doesn’t need me any more, will the temptation to do it again be too much? Would I remain in ignorance again if he did?”

“He’ll always need you, because he loves you. He knows that now. Have faith in yourself, Maggie. He won’t feel the temptation again because your relationship is back on course, and you’re enough woman for any man.”

They walked on a few steps. “You know,” Carl said eventually, “some of the best advice I was ever given was when my mother told me not to invite future trouble into my life. I know it’s easier said than done, but worrying about what might, after all, never happen can only poison the day you are living. Today, right now, is the only time we can live in, so live it with hope in your heart. Pray for guidance, work hard at building bridges and I’m sure all will be well. He’s learned his lesson, and he really does love you, Maggie. It’s almost as though he’s courting you, the way he looks at you and wants to touch you all the time. Make the most of it.”

Maggie’s step lightened. “Yes, you’re right. We love each other and we can discuss things now so we’ll make a go of it – we have too much to lose not to.”

When they got back to the house the courtyard had emptied somewhat.

“Where’s everyone else gone?” Maggie asked Adam when she found him in the kitchen selecting some red wine from the rack. “We saw the rounders game in progress but I didn’t think they were all roped in.”

He grinned. “James and Keela have gone upstairs for some ‘therapy’,” he told her. As James’ oldest friend as well as business partner he knew the full details of what was happening.

Chloe came through the doorway from the hall as he spoke. “What therapy?” she demanded. “What’s going on and why has no-one told me?”

“They’re trying for a baby, it must be the right time in her cycle,” Adam told her, thinking on his feet. James didn’t want the details known widely as it was traumatic enough for Keela without all and sundry knowing. “I’d suggest you leave them in peace to get on with it.”

“Well, therapy’s certainly a new euphemism for it. I’ll have to remember that one. I couldn’t be doing with all that checking dates and temperatures and performing on cue stuff though. Yuk!”

“Where’s Iain? And Richard?” Maggie asked.

“They went in the study a while ago. Business update I suppose.”

Maggie decided on another first – she would interrupt this business meeting as she had valid contributions to make now. It was her business as well.

“Were your ears burning? We were just talking about you,” Iain said as she entered the study. He was seated behind the PC with dozens of papers spread out on his desk. Richard stood at his shoulder.

“Nothing bad I hope.” She went behind the desk to see what they were discussing. “I thought today was just a barbecue, not a business meeting.”

“Iain just wanted a quick update,” Richard said apologetically.

“The others were all amusing themselves quite happily so it seemed an ideal chance since I don’t get into London much at present.”

“You seem quite excited about it.” Maggie was very surprised, knowing as she did the dire straits the company was in. “You have that cat’s got the cream look on your face again. Why’s that?”

Iain slapped his hand on the papers in front of him, grinning broadly. “I still have the commission for a new house I did a rough spec for just before the accident. They liked it so much they decided to wait and see if I would pull through and still be able to do it for them.”

“That’s excellent news,” Maggie congratulated him. “If, of course, you feel you’re up to it so soon?”

“Don’t doubt me, Maggie, not now. This is exactly what I need. I’ll set up a meeting next week. It’s only about an hour’s drive away.”

“Just don’t forget I’m not your paid chauffeur, so check with me first if you want me to drive you anywhere.”

He saluted sharply. “Yes ma’am!” Then stood up and hugged her in delight. “If I didn’t know it was impossible I’d say I love the new forceful Maggie even more than the old one.”

Maggie left Iain and Richard to go over the details. She caught Richard on his way out and asked him quietly what Iain had said about the parlous state of the commercial division.

“Basically he just dismissed it as unimportant, didn’t want to know.”

“That’s not like him at all.”

“No it’s not, but as he has given me full autonomy. Our plan for Milward Farm will go ahead as we discussed. The court’s lifted the injunction, at the moment it doesn’t look as though there will be any proceedings for malpractice or fraud, the eco-warriors have gone home, so we should get the reduced project completed on schedule and the company will survive - just.”

Joanne joined them. “We’ll have to leave soon, darling, the children are getting tired and fretful. Thanks for a wonderful afternoon Maggie; you must come over to our place sometime soon.”