Eleanor took Dylan for a walk the following day but he would only head out into the grounds when he had exhausted his search in every single room for Tom.
Having decided to stay for the weekend to stop the dog from howling, she quickly cycled home to pick up some clothes and help her mum with the animals.
Finally, in the middle of the afternoon, she staggered back into the drawing room and slumped on a chair. ‘Well, that was fun.’
‘It doesn’t look like fun,’ Alex told her, peering over his coffee cup. ‘It looks hot and sweaty and not in my favourite kind of way.’
‘Although that skirt is so pretty,’ said Rose, giving her a once-over. ‘Chanel?’
Eleanor shook her head. ‘Topshop.’
‘They’re so clever,’ said Rose, nodding her head in approval. ‘It’s only the quality and the workmanship of the seams that tells the difference.’
‘It looks okay to me,’ said Annie.
Rose stood up. ‘Darling, let this be your first lesson in fashion. Follow me.’
So Eleanor, Annie and Alex followed Rose up to her bedroom. It was a proper lady’s boudoir with luxurious carpets and decadent trimmings such as silver candlesticks and ornate mirrors. Alex had done a tremendous job designing the whole room, which suited Rose perfectly. Eleanor marvelled at the three huge wardrobes all bulging with designer clothes.
‘This is amazing,’ she said, running her hand along the rail.
‘When you work in the fashion industry, there are so many freebies,’ said Rose. ‘And I never could bear to throw anything away. Now, where’s that Chanel?’
Eleanor sat down on the end of the bed with Alex and Annie.
Rose closed one set of wardrobe doors and opened the next one along. ‘Ah, here we are,’ she announced. ‘This is the 1960s and 70s closet. Here’s some Chanel, of course.’ She brought out a black and white checked suit.
‘Lovely,’ said Alex, nodding his head in approval. ‘But the skirt’s a bit long, don’t you think? We need something younger. More edgy.’
‘I agree,’ said Rose, putting the suit back again and bringing out a silver dress that shone in the afternoon sun coming through the window.
‘Wowsa,’ said Alex. ‘That’s hot.’
‘It’s got lots of material missing,’ said Annie, making a face as she reached out to feel the edge of the large round holes cut across the material.
‘Darling girl,’ said Rose, with a sigh. ‘It’s a classic cut-out dress. Very funky, as they said in those days. And perfect in your size.’
‘No way,’ said Annie, shaking her head. ‘I can’t wear that. Half of it’s missing.’
‘Rubbish,’ said Alex. ‘Put it on.’
In the end, realising that they weren’t going to take no for an answer, Annie took the dress into the en-suite bathroom and changed.
Meanwhile, Alex got up from the bed and headed over to an ornate dressing table. ‘Shall we?’ he asked, smiling at Rose.
‘Why not,’ replied Rose. ‘It’s never too early.’
In reply, Alex opened up the cupboard of the dressing table, which was actually a drinks fridge stocked with mini bottles of champagne.
‘This was my little house-warming gift to Rose,’ said Alex, bringing out four mini bottles and matching chilled champagne glasses.
‘Which is why I love him so dearly,’ said Rose, blowing a kiss across the room.
At that moment, Annie came out of the bathroom in the cut-out dress.
Alex wolf-whistled. ‘Looking hot there, skinny jeans girl!’
‘It’s more draughty than hot,’ said Annie, looking at her reflection. ‘You can see my bra and knickers!’
‘There’s a simple solution to that,’ said Alex, with a wicked laugh.
Rose too gurgled with laughter as she handed a glass of champagne to Annie. ‘Here, darling. Drink this.’
‘Where did this come from?’ asked Annie, looking around in surprise.
‘Never you mind,’ Rose told her. ‘It’s our little secret. And one must have champagne when one is in fashion heaven. Don’t you agree, Eleanor?’
‘Absolutely,’ said Eleanor, taking a sip of the drink that Alex had just given her. ‘By the way, Annie, I’d kill for your legs.’
‘I know,’ said Rose, nodding sadly. ‘Isn’t she beautiful? God gave me many talents and gifts, but, alas, stunning legs wasn’t among them.’
‘Take off your underwear,’ said Alex, holding up his phone. ‘Then I can send your photo to Sam.’
‘Don’t you dare!’ said Annie, laughing.
However, after she’d finished her champagne, Annie did as she had been told and almost immediately received a phone call from Sam.
Eleanor smiled as she watched Annie blush at Sam’s hushed words down the line.
‘She’d better keep that dress,’ said Alex, also noting Annie’s soft expression. ‘Especially if we want to expand the family line in a few years.’
They enjoyed a raucous afternoon with Eleanor, Annie and even Alex trying on various clothes from the 60s and 70s. Finally, they all slumped downstairs in the drawing room to watch the first night’s television coverage of Glastonbury with Arthur. Eleanor looked at the TV screen. The mud had increased hour by hour, thanks to the constant rain that week. The sun came out briefly but mostly it rained. A lot.
‘So Rose, did you ever go to Glastonbury?’ asked Eleanor, reaching for the bowl of peanuts that Annie had laid out for them.
‘Of course, sweetie,’ said Rose, with a wave of her manicured hand. ‘Naturally, I can’t remember most of it.’
‘Anyone for a drink?’ asked Arthur, obviously hoping to stop his sister’s story. But it was in vain.
‘The whole place was as high as a kite back in the early seventies,’ Rose carried on.
‘Gin? Anyone? Rose?’ said Arthur.
‘Everyone was naked,’ said Rose. ‘Hippies. God love them. It was marvellous. A total orgy.’ She beamed in memory.
‘Well, I definitely need something stronger after enjoying that mental image,’ drawled Arthur, heading across the room to the drinks globe.
As they watched the programme, there was an interview with Tom who was headlining Sunday night on the Pyramid Stage. Eleanor found that she had to stop herself leaning forward to take him in. He was charming with the interviewer but reserved. Funny, but there was still a sense that he was holding back. That he wasn’t comfortable with the intrusion. She wondered how he would feel about her sleeping in his room whilst he was away. But it was only for Dylan, she was able to tell herself.
*
After the fashion catwalk in Rose’s bedroom, the following afternoon Eleanor and Megan took Annie into the nearest large town to try on some wedding dresses.
They found some bridesmaid dresses almost immediately. Annie had decided on silver, to fit in with her wintry colour theme as the wedding was to be in December.
‘I thought silver would go with the red flowers I want,’ said Annie.
Eleanor nodded her approval. ‘That will be lovely with touches of greenery everywhere.’
‘And hundreds of fairy lights,’ said Megan, spinning round in front of a mirror. ‘What do you think?’
The long dresses were a subtle sheen of silver which suited both Eleanor’s dark colouring and Megan’s red hair.
‘I love them,’ said Annie, smiling.
So did Eleanor. She just needed to sort out the patches of eczema on her neck and hands which would look horrible on the official photographs.
So the bridesmaids’ dresses were sorted. But despite trying on quite a few wedding dresses, none were declared good enough to be ‘the one’.
‘I was hoping for something unique,’ said Annie, looking downcast. ‘I don’t know. Different perhaps.’
‘Don’t despair,’ Eleanor told her. ‘There’s plenty more time for dress shopping. You’ve got six months yet.’
Afterwards, they went to Megan’s house to watch the second night of Glastonbury. Eleanor was surprised to find Megan snapping at Neal, especially as they’d had such a fun-filled day, but she didn’t say anything. Having three kids was stressful enough without being judged as well.
Whilst they were there, Annie received a call from Sam. ‘I’m with the girls,’ she said. There was a pause and she smiled. ‘I miss you too.’
Megan rolled her eyes and reached for the bottle of wine to top up their glasses.
‘What?’ shrieked Annie suddenly.
‘Shhh!’ said Megan, running to the door to listen out to see if the children had woken up.
But Annie was looking wild-eyed at them. ‘Sam’s got us tickets!’ she said, breathlessly.
‘For what?’ Eleanor was confused.
Annie pointed at the television. ‘Glastonbury!’
Sam had got them passes for the whole of the last day, with VIP passes to gain backstage entry for Tom’s set, which was closing the whole festival. Then they all screamed so loudly that this time the children definitely woke up.
‘What will we do with Dylan?’ asked Eleanor, once everyone had settled down again.
Annie frowned in thought. ‘We’ll be home late tomorrow night. I’m sure he’ll be okay until then with the family.’
‘Whee! We’re going to Glastonbury!’ shouted Megan.
Eleanor was so excited. Even more so when she realised that she would be seeing Tom again the following day.