Page 62 of Escape to the Country

‘Of course,’ said Arthur, following him. ‘And I really must see to my paperwork.’

Eleanor squeezed in front of Arthur and dashed into the entrance hall after Tom, who was already at the French doors leading onto the patio.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ she asked him, rushing up to stop him going any further. ‘About the donation, I mean.’

He looked down at her. ‘It was a personal decision and nobody else needed to know.’

He turned away, leaving her feeling mortified that she had ranted at him a week ago.

She sighed. He was a nice guy. Too nice, she told herself. It was no use pretending to herself any longer. She was never going to write an expose on him. It just wasn’t fair.

Because she really was beginning to like Tom and enjoy his company. She inwardly groaned.

Besides, he was too close to Annie and the family. She couldn’t let any scandal touch them. She wouldn’t betray any of them.

So what did that mean for her future now?

She headed back to the kitchen deep in thought, nearly bumping into Rose as she went down the stairs.

‘Just remember,’ said Rose, as they went in opposite directions. ‘My wardrobe is always open, darling! But I’ll only show you mine if you show me yours.’ She gave a gurgle of laughter.

‘Thanks,’ said Eleanor, smiling. ‘I will.’

But she was still so deep in thought about Tom that she didn’t register how quiet it was in the kitchen until she reached the table. Then she looked up and realised that Annie was looking upset.

‘What’s the matter?’ she asked.

‘I’m being silly,’ said Annie, with a shrug.

‘What do you mean?’ said Eleanor.

Annie blew out a long sigh. ‘This whole pressure to be a good countess is so hard. You’re the one that thought up the charity walk. But I’m not sure the fete will be any good when you’re not around to help.’

‘Gee, thanks a bunch,’ muttered Megan.

Annie looked at her friend. ‘You know what I mean. You’re so busy with the kids. I’ve got the wedding to organise and the family to take care of. And Eleanor will go back to London. And then it’s all on me to make this fete be the best it can be.’

Suddenly Eleanor was sharply reminded how low Annie’s self-esteem was. Her teenage years had been particularly bad and had wrecked what little confidence she had ever had.

‘But I can help,’ she said, stepping forward to give Annie a hug of reassurance when she realised that Megan was shaking her head at her.

‘Sometimes you don’t answer our texts until the next day,’ Annie said gently.

‘Well, that’s going to change from now on,’ Eleanor replied, in a firm tone.

And she realised that she meant it.

Now that she had decided that she couldn’t possibly write the story on Tom, she had some changes to make in her life. She was so sick of lying. So tired of her make-believe world. It was time to be honest. It was time for the truth. She owed that to her friends, regardless of how it would affect her burgeoning friendship with Tom.

She took a deep breath. This was it. The moment she had been dreading. ‘Actually, I’m not sure I will be going back to London after all,’ she began.

Annie frowned. ‘What are you talking about?’

Eleanor took a beat. ‘I lost my job.’

‘Oh no!’ They both rushed forward to give her a hug. She let herself be smothered by their support before forcing herself to step backwards. She looked at her friends.

‘It’s okay. They’re downsizing and all that. It’s rubbish, but I’ll live. But there’s something else I need to tell you. The job that I just lost. I lied about what I really did for a living. And to Mum too. Nobody knew the truth.’