Page 156 of The Secrets of the Tea Garden

CHAPTER 33

Newcastle, mid-August

On Friday the fifteenth of August, Adela and Sam returned from the café with half a dozen leftover fairy cakes decorated with yellow, white and green colouring. They found Tilly, James and Mungo finishing afternoon tea in the sitting room. Josey was nowhere to be seen. In the past couple of weeks, Adela had noticed how Tilly’s companion had been keeping out of the way, not wanting to be caught in the middle of Tilly and James’s bickering.

‘Cake!’ Mungo grinned, helping himself to one straight away. ‘What are we celebrating?’

‘It’s India’s Independence Day,’ said Sam, with a look of astonishment. ‘Surely you knew that?’

‘Oh, yes, so it is,’ said Mungo. ‘Should we really be celebrating it?’

‘Libby will be,’ said James.

‘Well, we’re marking the occasion if not exactly celebrating,’ Adela said with a smile.

At this, Tilly got up quickly. ‘I’ll leave you to it. I’ve got to get ready for a committee meeting. I’ll see you all at supper.’

As Tilly hurried away, Adela offered James a cake. She thought how haggard he appeared. He was perched awkwardly on a dainty upholstered chair that was too small for his wide frame, looking forlorn.

He took one with a grateful expression. ‘Thank you, Adela. Nice to know someone else has been thinking of India today. I wonder what will be going on at Belgooree.’

Adela heard the longing in his voice and knew, like her, he would rather be there on such a day.

‘If Libby and Sophie are there with Mother,’ said Adela, smiling, ‘then definitely a party.’

Mungo picked a second cake from the plate as he sauntered towards the door. ‘Tell Freda these are very good,’ he said through a mouthful of cake.

‘Where are you going?’ James asked.

‘Tennis club,’ he answered. ‘Doubles match. Don’t include me in supper.’

‘Tell your mother before she goes out,’ James told him.

‘She knows,’ Mungo called over his shoulder and disappeared.

James sighed. ‘I always seem to be the last to know what’s going on around here.’

Adela sat down on the sofa and patted the space next to her for James to join her. ‘Have you been up to Willowburn today?’

‘Yes,’ James said, as he sat beside her, his face brightening. ‘I’ve signed the lease on the house for six months. Will you come up and take a look soon?’

‘Of course,’ said Adela. ‘We’d love that, wouldn’t we, Sam?’

Sam nodded, occupying the chair that Mungo had just left and stretching out his long legs. ‘Do you think we could spend an afternoon riding up there too?’ Sam asked.

‘I’m sure that could be arranged,’ James said with a nod of enthusiasm. ‘You’ll like the Major and his nice young wife – second wife. Gus was widowed young in Burma. New wife’s American. I’ve tried to get Tilly to meet her but I think she’s already decided not to like her just because I do.’

‘Aren’t you being a little unfair?’ said Adela. ‘Tilly’s very broad-minded about people – she’s probably just been too busy.’

‘You’re right,’ said James. ‘I’m just so afraid of putting my foot in it where Tilly’s concerned. I can’t seem to say or do the right thing.’

Adela felt a surge of sympathy for the unhappy man. ‘Just give it time,’ she said. ‘You’ve got to get to know each other all over again.’

‘Yes,’ James said, putting on a brave face. ‘I’m so glad that you and Sam are here – you two know what it’s like trying to adapt. Sometimes I wake up wondering where on earth I am. And I find myself calling out for Breckon. Ridiculous, isn’t it?’

‘Not ridiculous,’ said Sam. ‘You’re bound to miss things about your old life – it would be odd if you didn’t.’

‘Mother says that Harry is missing you,’ said Adela. ‘She lets Breckon sleep in his room because it comforts him.’