Now it was the great day of departure for Cornwall. Garth returned from dropping off Cindy and Adrian, looking weary. 'I watched the coach go and Cindy was at the window, mouthing "Barker" at me,' he said.
'Don't worry, I've called the vet. His appointment is in an hour.'
'Faye-actually-'
'I'll take him,' she said, smiling.
'Thanks. And by the way, before I go, will you make a date in your diary for next Monday, at noon? I'm having a press function for the anniversary range and I need you there.'
'You mean I've got to meet journalists and talk to them?'
'It's no big deal. It's not the proper launch. That will be on the exact date of our anniversary. This is a kind of teaser, to let the property press get a hint of what's in store. We'll have models of the houses on display. I'll give you some booklets about them in advance, so that you can discuss them knowledgeably.'
'I'm just kind of shy about being on show,' she demurred.
'But you promised to help me out,' he reminded her, 'and this is the sort of thing I need you to do.'
'Of course it is,' she said, pulling herself together. 'Don't worry, I'll turn up and do my stuff.'
'Great. And buy a new outfit. The best of everything.'
'So that when they look at me they'll say, "Boy, must he be doing well if she can afford to dress like that!'"
He grinned. 'You're developing a real talent for this.
Miss McGeorge examined Barker thoroughly and said his painkillers weren't quite strong enough. She prescribed some different pills and gave him the first one immediately. By that afternoon he was moving more easily and by early evening he was as mischievous as ever.
'I see he's back to normal,' Garth observed when he returned. 'Down, boy! This suit's just been cleaned.'
'The vet gave him stronger pills,' Faye said. 'I think they're doing the trick.'
'Good.'
'But it'll be a few days before we're certain. I've made another appointment-'
'You're doing a great job, Faye. Now, I've got a pile of work to get on with-'
'But you need to know all this. You're supposed to be caring for Barker.'
'Of course, and I promise you I'm taking it very seriously. But you can brief me later. Tell Nancy to bring me a snack in the study, will you?'
'But Cindy will-'
'By the way, I brought this home for you.' He handed her a thick folder. 'It'll tell you everything about the anniversary range.' He vanished.
Faye glared at his study door, then sighed. When she'd spoken to Nancy she returned to studying a list of traditional anniversary gifts.
'Paper after the first year,' she mused. 'He gave me a book that I'd been longing for. It was terribly expensive, and he starved himself to pay for it. The next year it was cotton and he gave me that lovely summer housecoat. The third year, leather-that was a shoulder bag-'
How his eyes had shone as he offered his gifts to her! How happy he'd been when she was pleased! She drew a breath and firmly dismissed the memory.
At last came the call from the children to say they'd arrived safely. Adrian told her all about the journey, before saying, 'Cindy's here and she-' His voice faded, there was a slight scuffle and Adrian hissed, 'Let me finish, you little brat.'
Then Cindy's voice. 'Hello, Mummy.'
'Hello, darling. Is it nice in camp?'
'It's super. Mummy, how's Barker? Did Daddy take him to the vet? What happened? Is he any better?'
'Just a minute.' Faye pressed a switch to connect the call to Garth's study, and walked in.
'Pick up the phone,' she said. 'Cindy wants to talk to you.'
She stayed there while he answered. She could tell that the little girl must have launched straight into her favourite topic. Garth became slightly defensive, while trying to sound in control.
'Yes, darling, of course I took- That is, Barker's been to the vet and he's much better- Well, because the vet gave him stronger pills,' he finished, repeating Faye's words. From his frown it was clear that he was trying to recall the rest.
'They seem to be working,' he continued gamely, 'but it'll take a few days to be sure- Well, on his next appointment- That's right, he's booked in for-'
He signalled wildly to Faye, who mouthed, 'Next week.'
'Next week,' he repeated into the phone. 'The exact day? I forget-' He appealed silently to Faye, but she shook her head and backed out.
Listening from the hall, she had to admit that he improvised pretty well for a man who didn't know what he was talking about. But the way he slammed the phone down made his feelings clear.
'I suppose you've been standing out here, enjoying yourself,' he grunted, emerging from the study.
'Don't blame me,' she said impishly. 'I tried to give you a full briefing earlier, but you were too busy to listen.'
'So you landed me in it.'
'You landed yourself in it. After all, you know the saying.'
'No, I don't, but I'm sure you're going to have fun telling me.'
'If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.'
'What?'
'If you can't keep the promise, don't make it. If you want to take the credit, you've got to put in the work. Cindy asked you to care for Barker, not me, because it matters to her that you should do it.' She smiled at him cheekily. 'So do it.'
'Thanks! Thanks a lot!'
He would have died sooner than let her suspect that she'd startled him, not only with her challenge but in what she'd learned about tough dealing. As a tough dealer himself he respected that. He wondered where his wife had learned all these disconcerting lessons.
Faye finally bought herself a matching blue silk coat and dress. It cost a fortune and looked it, which she knew would satisfy her husband. On the whole she was pleasantly surprised by her own appearance.
She rejected his offer to send his chauffeur-driven car for her and drove herself there. A parking space had been reserved for her. Doors opened at her approach and she was instantly conducted to the top floor, where Garth reigned.
She was interested to see his new London premises, which he'd acquired since their parting. She found them much as she'd expected, quietiy luxurious and efficient.
Money had been spent, but not on frills. Garth got value from every penny.
As she stepped out of the lift an overpoweringly gracious young woman was waiting for her. Faye knew at once that this could only be Lysandra. Everything about her fitted the superior voice she'd heard on the telephone. Lysandra was tall and slender, dressed in an elegant charcoal business suit. With her shoulder-length red hair and gold accessories, she looked stunning. Faye had felt stylish until that moment, but next to the super- chic Lysandra she could sense herself retreating into dowdiness.
'Good morning, Mrs Clayton,' she said, advancing with her hand outstretched. 'I'm Lysandra Bates, Mr Clayton's Director of Publicity. We've all been looking forward so much to meeting you.'
'We?' Faye asked, surprised.
'Everyone in the Publicity Department. It's such a coup for us to have you part of the campaign.' Her tone implied that Faye had no other existence.
'Mr Clayton said you were a little hesitant at first, but I was sure you'd be glad you agreed when you knew how much this mattered to us,' Lysandra continued. She led the way into a room that was luxuriously furnished with pale grey leather armchairs, offering her tea, coffee. Nothing could have been more gracious or deferential than her manner, yet Faye detected a faint hint of contempt. This smooth, beautiful young woman had sized her up and found her wanting.
Garth appeared and greeted Faye with a polite smile and a kiss on the cheek. She responded in the same way. They were like two actors performing their roles perfectly on cue.
'Lysandra will show you the models and explain everything,' he said. 'The press will start to arrive in about an hour.'
'Everything is quite ready,' Lysandra told him. 'Press packs, free samples-'
Faye attempted a mild joke. 'You give free samples of houses?'
Lysandra's laughter managed to combine weary courtesy, exaggerated patience and restrained derision in equal measure. 'Naturally not. But there are many smaller items, which the construction press appreciate. It's part of my job to know them all personally and to select free gifts to suit the individual.'