Foxden Hotel (The Dudley Sisters Saga Book 5) by Madalyn Morgan (ebook reader ink txt) 📕

Frank looked horrified at the suggestion. ‘There isn’t room for musical chairs!’

‘Oh, all right then, scrap the idea.’ And putting a tray of food in each of his hands, she sent him back upstairs.

Claire and Maeve arrived at the same time. Bess gave Claire the birthday cake. ‘Don’t take it up yet,’ she said. ‘Oh, we need matches to light the candles.’ She ran over to the chef’s store cupboard and helped herself to a box of Swan Vestas. ‘Right!’ Bess said, and giving Maeve the tray of individual cakes she led the way to the nursery. Outside Bess and Claire held back. Bess lit the candles on the cake and Claire carried it in to a rousing round of “Happy Birthday To You”. When they had finished singing there were calls for Aimee to blow out the candles. She did, in one breath, to more cheers.

Bill and Margot had put the tablecloth on the table and laid out the food. Because so much was still rationed the party food was no different to what they would have eaten for tea any other day, but with a little rearranging it looked appetising enough. Bess realised there weren’t any small plates and set off downstairs to get some while Frank poured everyone a soft drink. When she returned she put the plates on the end of the table and told the adults to help themselves.

‘Children?’ she called to Aimee, Nancy, Archie and Matthew. ‘Would you like egg sandwiches, corned beef, or cheese?’ It seemed they all wanted one of each, which suited Bess. ‘If you want more, come and tell me. And when you’ve eaten your sandwiches we’ll cut the cake.’

The party was in full swing. Margot was telling Maeve about her pregnancy, how she had tried to eat sensibly, to keep her figure in some sort of shape, but had failed miserably. ‘Eating for two,’ Bess heard her say.

Frank was telling Bill about the hotel’s bookings, and how the summer differed from the winter. ‘In the winter the guests seem to be older. And there are more city folk wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of trains and trams and spend a relaxing time in the country. In the summer the hotel attracts families. The children love the animals,’ he said smiling. ‘In the winter, it’s brisk country walks over the Rye Hills and visiting the farms. In the summer, it’s days out to Warwick Castle, or trips to Coventry, to see what’s left of the Cathedral. Some people, couples mostly, drive as far as Stratford-upon-Avon.’

Bess noticed Aimee picking at the corner of a box gift-wrapped in pink paper. She caught Claire’s eye and was about to suggest Aimee open her birthday presents when she realised Claire wasn’t looking at her, she was gazing past her at the door.

Bess turned to see who Claire was looking at. ‘Mitch?’

‘Hi, Bess. Hi, honey,’ he called to Aimee.

‘Dadd-ee!’ Aimee ran to her father. He picked her up and hugged her. ‘I’m having a birthday party like the Queen of Hearts,’ she said, wriggling to get down. ‘This is my friend.’ Nancy smiled up at Mitch, but stayed close to Frank. ‘And these are my friends Archie and Matthew.’ In turn the boys approached Mitch, shook his hand and said, ‘Pleased to meet you.’

Mitch was welcomed warmly by his brothers-in-law and joined in with their conversation.

By the time Aimee had opened her presents - a doll dressed as a ballerina from Margot and Bill - a pad of drawing paper and a set of paints and brushes from Bess and Frank - a dress from her mummy - a colouring book and crayons from Nancy - and a box of liquorice allsorts from Matthew and Archie - the party had come to a natural end.

The boys’ parents, back from their afternoon out in Coventry, thanked Bess for letting their sons join the party and took them off to get ready for bed. Maeve said she had better make tracks too, as the Reverend and Mrs Sykes would be expecting them anytime. She thanked Aimee for inviting Nancy to the party and Aimee, who had been laughing all afternoon, suddenly frowned. She ran to Nancy and put her arms around her. ‘Can she come and play again tomorrow?’ Aimee asked, looking up at Maeve.

‘Not tomorrow, honey,’ Mitch cut in, ‘We’re going home tonight. It’s school tomorrow, right?’ Aimee’s bottom lip began to quiver. ‘We’ll let Maeve know when we’re next coming up to see Grandma and Aunt Bess, and she’ll bring Nancy over to play then,’ Mitch said, looking at Maeve for conformation.

Maeve looked shocked, as everyone in the room did, by the sudden change of plan that Mitch had made for Claire and Aimee, and said, ‘Of course.’

That’s it then, Bess thought, her sister and niece are going back to Oxford tonight. Bess didn’t say anything, nor did she allow her face to show surprise, as Maeve’s had done. She didn’t want to cause trouble between her sister and her husband. Though she had a feeling trouble was brewing.

The two children, clearly not wanting to be parted, stood facing each other but didn’t speak. ‘Bye-bye, Nancy,’ Bess said, breaking the silence. ‘We’ll see you another day.’

Nancy looked up at Bess with big eyes, whispered goodbye, and said, ‘Thank you for having me, Mrs Donnelly.’ She looked at Frank, ‘Thank you, Mr Donnelly.’ Then turning her attention to her new friend, she said, ‘Goodbye Aimee,’ and kissed her on the cheek. ‘See you another day.’

Bess could have cried watching the two little girls saying goodbye to each other. She wished her niece and her sister lived nearer. She didn’t see them often enough. Her gaze crossed to Mitch. If her brother-in-law had his way, she’d wouldn’t see them at all.

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