Page 72 of Escape to the Country

After they had left, Eleanor stayed at the hall.

‘So what shall we do today?’ she asked. ‘How are the plans for the fete coming along?’

‘I don’t even know where to begin,’ said Annie, staring down at a blank piece of paper.

‘Okay,’ said Eleanor. ‘Well, we’ll have to put our thinking caps on.’ She turned to look at Megan. ‘Oh and I was thinking about offering to babysit for you one evening if you and Neal fancied going out.’

But Megan didn’t look excited at the offer. ‘Thanks, but we never go out anyway,’ said Megan, looking miserable. ‘Neal keeps saying that we’re saving up, although I don’t know what for.’

There was a short silence whilst they all reached for a biscuit, lost in their thoughts.

‘Well, at least we know Alex will cheer us all up when he arrives later on,’ said Annie.

‘Who?’ asked Eleanor.

‘He’s Sam’s friend from school. Alessandro… Our interior designer.’ Annie looked very excited.

‘You’ve got to meet him. He’s amazing,’ said Megan. ‘I can’t believe I’ll miss him because I’ve got to pick the kids up from school.’

‘And I can’t believe I’m finally going to get my brand new kitchen,’ said Annie, beaming.

Eleanor had envisaged someone tall, discreet and very Italian in the way the designer had been described. Only one of those things was right.

‘Ciao!’ yelled the dark-haired man in jeans rushing across the entrance hall to give Annie a bear hug. He was even shorter than Annie. ‘Let me look at you,’ he said, stepping backwards. ‘Jeez, am I ever going to get you out of those bloody skinny jeans?’

Annie gave him a kiss on the cheek before exchanging a knowing smile with Eleanor. ‘Nope.’

‘Well, we’re going to need a friggin’ meringue to put over them if you insist on wearing them at your wedding. You look tired. Has Sam been keeping you awake all night?’ he winked.

‘Shut up,’ muttered Annie, blushing furiously. ‘Anyway, he’s in Glastonbury.’

But Alex just laughed and hugged her. ‘Darling, I’ve missed you and your shy ways. And you must have missed me terribly!’

Eleanor was agog. He was a real character.

‘Of course we have,’ Annie told him. ‘But it’s not our fault you’ve been in your love nest with Mario every hour of every day. By the way, where is he? I thought he was coming with you?’

‘Dumped, sweetie.’

‘No! Why?’

‘That china doll collection of his I told you about? I couldn’t deal with it any more,’ said Alex with a shudder. ‘The damn things stared at me all night with those glass eyes. Felt like they were giving my performance marks out of ten. Then I accidentally knocked “Josephine” off the dressing table when I was dusting and he went completely psycho. I was outta there.’

‘Poor you,’ said Annie, laying a hand on his arm. ‘I’ve got some lemon drizzle cake just for you. Shop-bought at the minute because of the lack of kitchen, I’m afraid.’

‘I can’t eat my way through heartache, darling.’

‘There’s coffee cake as well.’

‘Excellent. Lead the way.’ They headed across the hall and Alex locked eyes with Eleanor. ‘You’re new,’ he said, giving her a once-over. ‘But at least you’ve got some style, much like myself. I’d recognise those Primarni loafers anywhere. Thought they’d sold out. Who are you?’

‘Alex!’ muttered Annie, shaking her head. ‘You’re so rude.’

‘Italian,’ he snapped back. ‘There’s a difference.’

‘This is Eleanor,’ said Annie, sounding proud.

‘Blimey, I thought she was your imaginary friend after all this time,’ said Alex. ‘Where have you been hiding, lovely?’