Page 128 of One More Christmas at the Castle
Xan and Sophie lingered behind, though, and as soon as the others were out of earshot, Xan said to me, ‘Dido, you remember that last day at your friend’s house, when Gerry and I had to change our tickets and flew out to Greece early?’
I nodded, numbly, suspecting what was coming.
‘It was all a bit of a mad rush, but I left you a note to give to Sophie when she came over, didn’t I? Only she says she never got it.’
I opened and closed my mouth a couple of times, but Sophie spoke first.
‘I told him my friend happened to be ill that day, so I’d popped in just to say goodbye, not knowing they’d already left. But I found the house empty, not a soul about.’
‘But …’ I stared blankly at her, then found my voice, ‘Ididsee you that day. You were coming out of the side door of the house.’
‘Your memory must be playing tricks,’ she said, with a silvery laugh. ‘I didn’t go in the house, because there was no reply when I rang the bell … and it was too hot to trail down to the tennis courts to see if anyone was there, so I just went home.’
While I was still gazing blankly at her, wondering if I’d contracted False Memory Syndrome – though actually, that scene was burned on my subconscious for ever, because of the guilt – Xan said, ‘So Dido never got the chance to deliver my letter? And then I suppose she forgot all about it.’
He smiled at me, but I avoided his eyes.
‘What a shame you didn’t get the chance to give me the letter, Dido,’ Sophie said.
And into my mind slid the very clear image of seeing her slipping out of the side door of the house, a very strange, almostfurtive, expression on her face.
‘But, Sophie,’ I began, ‘I definitely saw—’
‘What a long time ago it all was,’ she said brightly, cutting across me.
Then she laid a red-taloned claw on Xan’s arm and said,looking winsomely up at him, ‘But now, let’s have our coffee and then go skating, as dear Mrs Powys suggested. It’ll be such fun!’
Xan said uncertainly, ‘What a pity you and Henry can’t join us too, Dido.’
‘Oh, I’m sure they must have way too much work to do,’ she said, and again gave that tinkling laugh. If she was a bell, I’d be ramming paper round the clapper right at that moment.
‘Yes, indeed – duty calls,’ Henry said cheerfully from behind me and I started. I think we’d all forgotten he was still in the room.
Xan scooped up Plum. ‘Would you mind having him till we get back, Dido?’
‘Not at all,’ I said, automatically, and Plum, passed across to me, tried to lick my nose.
‘Henry, Ididsee Sophie coming out of the house that day and told her Xan had already left, even if I didn’t give her the letter. Can she have possibly forgotten?’
‘No, I think she was lying,’ he said thoughtfully. ‘I’ve no idea why she would do that, though.’
‘Nor me … unless she felt awkward about having gone into the house, when no one answered the front doorbell? But that side door was always left open.’
I told him about the strange expression I’d remembered seeing on her face, too.
‘Perhaps she was secretly a burglar, casing the joint?’ he joked.
‘Don’t be daft!’ I said, though his words rang a vague bell in my mind … but whatever it was proved elusive.
‘It’s a mystery – but for now, we must press on with the gay round,’ Henry said. ‘Let’s clear in here and then I’ll go and getSimon’s room ready. It’ll be fun having him staying here, too. He can sneak off with Dom and Xan to slum with us when no one is watching.’
‘I wouldn’t count on Xan. I think as far as he’s concerned, I’ve lost my charm.’
‘But not for Plum,’ Henry consoled me as the little dog tried to lick my nose again. I had forgotten I was still holding him.
36
Wicked
