Page 110 of The House on Sunset Lake

‘I just thought you should know,’ she said, her voice cracking.

She turned and disappeared back towards the big white house glowing like a spectral face in the darkness. Back to the Plantation House. For Casa D’Or was gone now, and so was she.

Chapter Thirty-Six

1994

It was past two o’clock by the time Jennifer reached Casa D’Or. She parked her car on the driveway, and as she slammed the door of the vehicle behind her, she wiped her clammy palms on her skirt to steady herself. Glancing up at the big house, she wondered whether to go inside. On the drive over from the Gilberts’ house, she had steeled herself for another confrontation with her mother. Her showdown with Connor had not been easy, but it had given her the confidence to see this through. But as she stood in the shadow of Casa D’Or, she felt quite small, and a little less brave.

She heard a rustle behind her and turned anxiously. Relief made her sigh when she saw it was just Marion, coming from the direction of the walled garden carrying some tools.

‘Hey,’ she grinned, shielding her eyes from the sun.

‘Just been pruning some of the roses,’ Marion smiled. ‘It’s so warm for the flowers out there.’

Jennifer looked up to the sky and shrugged.

‘Not sure we’re going to have any rain this afternoon.’

‘News says there’s a storm coming,’ said Marion, putting her trowel in the enormous front pocket of her apron.

‘Your mama’s gone out,’ she said after another moment.

‘Good,’ said Jennifer without even thinking.

Marion gave a soft smile that suggested she agreed with her.

‘Did you have fun at the party last night?’ she asked.

‘It was incredible,’ Jennifer said, unable to hide a small, giddy laugh.

‘Feels good, doesn’t it?’ said Marion, looking intently at her.

‘What does?’

‘Being in love.’

Jennifer felt her cheeks flush, but she couldn’t help but smile.

‘Why do you say that?’

‘I saw you with Jim Johnson last night. I’m glad you two finally sorted it out after all this messing around.’

‘Messing around? Is that what you call it?’ she asked.

‘First night you ever saw each other, I knew what was going to happen. Didn’t think you’d leave it quite this late, though.’

‘You knew he liked me?’ Jennifer said, grinning more broadly.

‘And you him. It was obvious.’

Jennifer glanced over towards the lake, which she could see through a tiny clearing in the gardens.

‘I wouldn’t exactly say I’ve sorted it out yet,’ she said, grateful to share her thoughts. She wasn’t particularly close to Marion. Although she had known her all her life, the fifteen-year age gap between them had always seemed too big for them ever to be friends. But suddenly she found strength in the housekeeper’s presence and wished that they could have shared confidences earlier.

‘Be brave and you will,’ said Marion with wise authority.

Jennifer walked around the lake to get to the Sittenfields’ house. The heat was still fierce and the water shimmered. Telltale tongues of orange had begun to appear on some of the foliage, but otherwise there was no clue that it was almost fall and summer was drawing to a close.