Page 69 of The Importance of Being Emma
I stared at her. ‘Send it back? Why?’
‘I can’t possibly accept it.’
‘Nonsense.’ I paused. ‘Do you know who sent it?’
She went crimson. ‘Of course I don’t.’
Of course she did.
‘I’m sure the papers will tell you which garage it came from, but why send it back?’ I said. ‘It’s obviously a very thoughtful gesture by someone, just when you need it, what with Mary’s car being out of action.’
She gave a deep sigh. ‘I might just sit in it for a few minutes, but that’s all.’ She took the keys from me, opened the door, ran her hand lovingly along the leather upholstery and settled herself behind the wheel. She didn’t put the key in the ignition, however, and I really think she might have sent the car back — if Batty hadn’t arrived on the scene.
‘Jane, Jane, I came as soon as I heard,’ she bleated. ‘Oh my goodness, isn’t this a splendid . . . I feel so much better now that poor Mark doesn’t have to ferry us round any more.’
Jane immediately got out of the car and locked it. ‘I’m going to phone the garage that brought it here and get them to take it back.’
‘Jane dear, think about—’
‘I don’t even know who it’s from.’
Batty’s face brightened. ‘Oh, now don’t you remember? You mentioned all the inconvenience we were having when you were on the phone yesterday to the Campbells. This is just the sort of thing they’d do, isn’t it? I mean, money’s no object tothem. And I don’t like to impose on Mark, when he’s so . . . ’
I left them to argue it out and went back to my office. I knew Batty was wrong about the Campbells; they’d merely passed on the message. It was obvious to me who’d given Jane the car: Dan Dixon.
Jane’s argument with Batty must have lasted a long time; at any rate, she didn’t return to the office until twenty minutes after me.
‘Made your decision?’ I said, as soon as she walked through the door.
‘Yes, I’ll keep the car for the moment,’ she said primly. ‘By the way, Flynn Churchill’s waiting downstairs. Shall I get Reception to send him up?’
‘Please.’ While she was ringing Reception, I touched up my lipstick and wondered if anyone else would hear the thud of my heart.
A few minutes later, Flynn burst into the room. My gaze went automatically to his hair; it had been well cut and the shorter style really suited him. He came straight over, held out his hand palm upwards and looked soulfully at me.
‘Please miss, I’m ready for my punishment.’
I couldn’t help laughing as I waved his hand away. ‘Your punishment is to have lunch with me tomorrow instead.’ Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jane get up and go through toHarriet’s room. I added, in a low voice, ‘Did you notice a red E-type Jag when you parked your car?’
He frowned. ‘Don’t think so. Whose is it?’
‘It arrived this afternoon for Jane, from a secret admirer.’
‘Or a not-so-secret admirer,’ he said, with a knowing wink.
I giggled. ‘You think it’s from Dan, don’t you? A token of his undying affection.’
‘Well, it’s certainly a token ofsomeone’sundying affection, more like passion if it’s bright red. But I daren’t speculate who—’ He broke off as Jane came back, then went on, ‘I have to go. Can’t make tomorrow, Em, I’m going to a wine auction with Dad. Keep Thursday free instead.’
‘You’d better not cancel,’ I said, trying to sound severe and failing miserably.
He grinned and sauntered out of the room; I heard Harriet shriek with laughter at whatever he said to her in passing and smiled to myself. He couldn’t help it, could he? He just had a knack for making people, especially women, feel good. I reluctantly turned my attention to a string of unread email messages.
Jane gave a discreet cough. ‘Could I have Mark’s number, please? I’d better tell him there’s no need for any more lifts.’
‘His direct line’s 432501,’ I said absently, staring at an email from Dad which seemed to make no sense whatsoever.
Then it hit me. What if the car was from Mark? After this morning’s journey with Batty, no doubt he’d be willing to part with vast sums of money to avoid repeating the experience. But he could simply have paid for a hire car; a flamboyant gesture like this was so out of character.
