Ariadne let Simon tell the guests the news. No one spoke.
‘It was peaceful,’ she added. ‘I don’t think he suffered. He just fell asleep.’
Chloë sat down, winded. ‘Such a character. I shall miss him and his stories. Perhaps the choir was too much for a man of his age.’
‘Nonsense,’ said her husband. ‘He enjoyed the music and the company. He wouldn’t want us to sit around moping, so let’s toast his passing and enjoy the rest of the day.’
Kelly Partridge nodded. ‘My uncle Jeff was watching the Cup Final when Arsenal won. He went out like a light, with a smile on his face. I thought the old gent looked dapper in his uniform.’
‘I’m glad we sang “Silent Night”. It meant so much to him. Simon’s right – he will be missed, like all our absent friends,’ said Clive.
Natalie saw a tear in his eye. He was thinking of Lucy.
‘At least Lucy will have company now,’ he added, smiling.
‘I can smell something burning.’ Natalie jumped up. ‘Can I help, Chloë?’ The women rushed into the kitchen and saw the roast potatoes sizzling on the barbecue. Natalie whipped them off the heat, while Kelly found the plates to warm them.
Alexa was sitting down, feeling faint, the colour drained from her face.’ It’s hot in here.’
Chloë was by her side. ‘Into the hall – it’s cold there. She’s just a little dizzy. It’s her condition.’
‘You mean…’ Natalie smiled
‘I’m going to be a grandmother in the spring. I was saving it up to tell everyone but Arthur’s passing skittled my exciting news.’
Kelly left the room in a rush. Natalie could see she was upset, so she followed her.
‘What’s wrong with me and Gary that we can’t have one?’ She sniffed into her handkerchief.
Natalie hugged her. ‘Give it time, your turn will come.’
‘Are you psychic, or something? It’s making me feel sick with envy and I know that’s not right. Santaniki’s nice and all that, but maybe it’s time to go back to the smoke and see a specialist again,’ said Kelly, wiping her eyes.
‘That’s for you and Gary to talk over, but being tense and anxious won’t help. Remember what Della said about relaxation?’
‘I know, but it’s not done me any good, just made me tired and tearful. What’s wrong with me?’
‘Dry your eyes and have a drink, for Arthur’s sake. That cushion you knitted for Chloë in those colours was a super present. Who taught you?’
‘My gran. She could crochet and make shawls that thin they’d go through a wedding ring. I like knitting – it takes my mind off things.’
‘With your talent, you could sell online or in a craft shop. Such an exquisite blend of colours too. No one can teach you that sort of eye for colour.’ Natalie was trying to comfort her.
‘Do you really think so? I just do it to pass the time.’ Kelly sniffed and smiled. ‘Thanks. You’ve cheered me up. I shall be jealous, but I get that way. Then I’m mean to Gary, who don’t deserve it. He’s going to do this novelist’s stuff that Ariadne found and enjoy the challenge.’
‘So both of you will be busy.’ Natalie looked across the drawing room towards Clive.
Kelly said, ‘My turn to give you my advice. Mr Podmore’s very nice. He seems to look your way regular and really fancies you.’
Natalie blushed. ‘I know, and I like him too. He’s so very kind.’
‘What you waiting for, then?’
‘Not sure, the right moment, I suppose.’ Natalie laughed. ‘Kelly Partridge, are you matchmaking?’
Kelly clutched her arm. ‘I think it’s past that stage, don’t you?’
‘Cheeky!’ They returned to the kitchen, as Chloë called everyone into the dining room, with its table decorations, crackers and beautiful flower arrangements.
‘Blimey! Homes and Gardens, eat your heart out,’ Kelly whispered, as they sat down for the feast.
Afterwards Ariadne leant back in her chair. ‘That was what our daily in Yorkshire would have called “a right belt-loosener”. What a marvellous repast, Chloë. Thank you for inviting us all into your home again, and I’m glad you left the empty chair in Arthur’s honour.’
Natalie had never eaten so many delicious dishes and, for a change, she hadn’t made them. She was learning to enjoy food again, to taste flavours instead of shoving anything into her mouth to keep her energy flowing. Dear Arthur had given her good advice and she would ever be grateful to him for showing her the way to greater peace of mind.
Suddenly there was light and a hum of electricity back on. ‘Praise the Lord,’ Ariadne said. ‘I don’t think the freezer food would last much longer.’
‘I’ve rather liked having no TV or internet,’ said Alexa. ‘It feels good to be cut off from the world for a few days.’
‘It’ll come and go for the next few days, but the temperature’s going up,’ said Simon. ‘It will soon thaw.’
Natalie smiled, feeling at one with the world, knowing it was time to accept new things into her life, new friends and a future. She saw Clive across the table winking at her. He, too, was learning to let go of the past, but was it too early yet to think of anything more than friendship?