Page 39 of A Brambleberry Manor Christmas
Melanie nods. ‘I know where the first aid kit is kept. I’llbe back with some plasters.’ She rushes away, and after a second’s hesitation,Constance puts her mug down and follows her out, without a backward glance.
‘Constance is lovely,’ remarks Flo solemnly, as she turnsoff the tap and pats my cut dry with a clean tea towel.
I glance at her and she’s trying hard not to smile.
She starts to laugh, and it’s so infectious I can’t help butjoin in. It sounds a little hysterical on my part, though, and very quickly Ifind my laughter turning to tears.
Flo looks at me in horror. ‘What? What is it, Jenny? Shouldwe get that cut properly checked out?’
I shake my head, finding it hard to get any words out.Constance’s words have devastated me. However unfaithful Harvey was, withhowever many women, I’ve been comforting myself with the thought that I was theone he really loved. Maybe he was the kind of man who’d never be content withjust one woman in his life. But that didn’t mean he didn’t love me. After all,I was the one he always came home to.
But I can see now that I was only trying to excuse hisbehaviour to myself – because if I didn’t, it would mean that he’d taken me fora fool all along. After Vivian left, he’d obviously realised he needed a newmum substitute for Tavie, and hey presto, thereIwas…happy to give upmy old life to suit Harvey because I was truly in love for the first time. Andbecause I loved Tavie, too…
But hearing Constance talk so scathingly of the ‘littlewifey’ had cut deep. And then learning that they’d been laughing at me behindmy back and planning to walk off into the sunset together was the final straw.
‘Sit down, love,’ says Flo, pulling out a chair and guidingme into it, then tearing off some kitchen roll and handing it to me.
I take it gratefully and blow my snotty nose, and Flohunkers down by my chair and takes my hand. ‘What is it, Jenny?’ she asksgently. ‘I can’t help if I don’t know what’s wrong.’
I take a few shaky breaths. ‘It’s…Constance.’ Saying hername sends a shiver of revulsion down my spine. ‘I thought Harvey loved me butit turns out he’d been seeing Constance behind my back. Well, I’ve known thatever since he died, but I only just found out he was planning on leaving me forher.’
Flo stares at me in horror. ‘Constance was bitching aboutyouthere? I don’t believe it. The utter cow.’ She shakes her head. ‘I knew Ididn’t like her. My instincts about people are usually right. But I totallyhate her now.’ She pauses. ‘Would you like me to poison her? It would be prettyeasy, being the cook’s assistant.’
I smile at her through a blur of tears. ‘Thank you. But I’dquite like that job myself.’
‘Understandable.’ She nudges me, her own smile laced withsadness. ‘But being charged with murder might just make things worse.’
‘You think?’
He door opens and we both turn. It’s Fen, looking worried.
‘Melanie said you cut your hand, Jenny. Are you okay? I’vegot bandages and plasters.’
‘I’m fine. Honestly,’ I tell her, watching as they choose aplaster and Flo dabs on some antiseptic cream first.
‘She’s…had a shock. That’s probably why the knife slipped,’explains Flo.
‘Oh.’ Fen looks dismayed.
I attempt a laugh. ‘I just found out Harvey was a serialcheat, and he was planning to run off with someone.’
Flo grunts. ‘Not just anyone. It was – ’
But I cut in. ‘No, Flo. I’d rather we didn’t talk about her,if you don’t mind.’ I don’t want Fen thinking she has to side with me againstConstance. That could be really awkward, considering Constance is her brother’sguest here.
Flo nods. ‘Of course. But I can’t believe what you’ve beenthrough.’
‘Would you like some tea with loads of sugar?’ asks Fen.‘It’s supposed to be good for shock.’
I look at her uncertainly. Being forced to drink a mug ofsugary tea would be the final insult! ‘No, but thank you so much, Fen. And you,Flo. I…I think I’d just like to get some fresh air.’
Fen nods. ‘Tell you what. Why don’t you two go out into thesnow for a little walk? It’s lovely out there. I think it’s even stoppedsnowing.’
I glance at the buffet dishes spread out over the counter.‘We’ll get the food into the dining room first.’
‘No, you won’t.’ She shakes her head firmly. ‘Melanie and Iwill do that. You two get wrapped up and have a wander outside, okay?’
I smile up at her and nod.
