She waved at Jilly, who was opening another present in the middle of the room. She turned to an elderly ruddy-faced man in a yellow jumper and kissed him on the cheek before she came over to join Louisa and Erin.
‘I need some fresh air,’ said Jilly, taking Erin by the hand and leading the two women outside to stand in the sun. The village sparkled in front of them, the sun bouncing off the whitewashed walls of the cottages, the grape-green sea rippling in the harbour.
‘So who was that man?’ asked Erin, raising an eyebrow.
‘Which one?’ asked Jilly playfully.
‘The man you just kissed on the cheek,’ said Erin.
‘I was just saying thank you for my present. Just being polite.’ Louisa and Erin didn’t miss a slight blush on Jilly’s cheeks.
‘It’s Jim Latimer. Erin, you don’t know him,’ said Jilly quickly, pre-empting her granddaughter’s next question.
‘He moved into Port Gaverne about six months ago. Retired, widower. I met him at the choral society …’
There was an excited hesitancy in her grandmother’s voice that made her wonder if Jilly and Jim did more than sing together. Maybe her grandmother had moved on more than she thought.
‘Oh, I’ve been meaning to ask you,’ said Jilly. ‘Jim’s taking a trip to London next Saturday. He has a grandson in London too. I thought perhaps …’
‘Oh, I’m away next weekend,’ said Erin, feeling a wash of guilt. ‘What about the weekend after? I’d love to make a fuss of you.’
‘Not to worry, lovie,’ said Jilly, trying not to look disappointed. ‘Where are you off to this time?’
‘Lake Como.’ She tried to say it casually but didn’t miss Louisa’s raised eyebrows.
‘My boss, Adam, is getting married to my former boss Karin. They’re having some glamorous engagement party in Adam’s villa in Italy.’
‘Is that the boss you like and the former boss that’s a bit of an old cow?’ said Jilly, her intelligent eyes twinkling. Jilly might be seventy, but she didn’t miss a trick.
‘Something like that,’ said Erin. ‘Actually, I can’t wait. I will no doubt be made to work like a dog – they’ve been trying to arrange this huge bash for a hundred and fifty people in less than three weeks – but the palazzo is supposed to be gorgeous.’
‘Gosh,’ said Louisa, loving all the jet-set tittle-tattle. ‘If the engagement party is being held in an Italian villa, where will the wedding be?’
‘I’ve no idea,’ said Erin. ‘I heard Adam talking about having it in Nassau or a private island in Greece which could be lovely. It will be super-glamorous, wherever it’s held, although one thing is making me laugh already.’
‘What?’ asked Louisa, seeing a mischievous grin on her niece’s face.
‘The thought of their vows. I found out the other day that Karin’s real name isn’t “Karin Cavendish”, it’s plain old “Karen Wenkle” – at least that’s what it says in her passport. All her flights are booked under the name of “Wenkle”. That’s not going to sound quite as glamorous when the priest reads out the vows, is it?’
Jilly’s face went pale, her eyes suddenly clouding over with displeasure. ‘Karin Cavendish is Karen Wenkle?’ she repeated.
‘Well, yes,’ said Erin, her smile fading. ‘What’s wrong?’
Jilly and Louisa shot each other a look.
‘How old is Karin?’ asked Louisa, taking a nervous gulp of wine.
‘Thirty-two. It was her birthday the day after they got engaged.’
Jilly was nodding, as if calculating dates. Again Erin caught a glance between
the two older women, a look loaded with apprehension.
‘Gran, what’s wrong? Louisa?’ She looked at her aunt who was staring at the ground. ‘Louisa, tell me!’
Jim Latimer walked out into the garden. He had a purposeful stride and smiling eyes. He was holding a glass of champagne. ‘You’d better start drinking this, Jilly, or it’ll lose its fizz.’
He glanced first at Jilly and then at Erin, as if hoping for an introduction. Jilly looked at Jim and shook her head in a tiny movement. Jim took the cue. ‘It’ll keep,’ he said, and moved back indoors.