As the heatwave ratcheted up another couple of degrees, the air became still and sticky. Life slowed down at Willow Tree Hall as August arrived.
Most afternoons, Arthur was to be found dozing in his deckchair under the new pergola that Tom had built. Dylan had also slowed down in the heat and would normally stay next to Arthur, sleeping in the cool of the shade.
Thankfully the house stayed relatively cool. Annie would open all the windows at night to let what fresh air there was inside. The thick walls would keep the temperature low so it was always nice to walk through the house, especially with masses of jam jars and vases filled with the sweet peas from the garden. The beautiful scent filled the air, as did the sound of happy birdsong.
Before she had left for Majorca, Megan had often been found sitting in the paddling pool in her back garden cooling down with the children. Fans were on in every room. Ice cream became a daily treat. Iced drinks were a necessity.
The fresh, albeit muggy air, was having an effect on Eleanor’s skin. It was clearer than it had looked for a long time. No dirty London air clogging it up. Early nights and country living, she realised. And perhaps being happy. The biggest side effect was that her pulse had stopped racing every day or so. Her stress levels were low and she was relaxed most of the time.
Now that she had managed to book herself a haircut to get rid of her split ends, she felt even better about how she looked.
Despite persuading her mum to go with her to the hairdressers, June still wasn’t feeling quite so relaxed.
That evening, she came downstairs in a complete panic.
‘I’m going to ring Ben,’ said June, picking up her mobile. ‘Tell him I’m ill or something.’
‘What? Why?’ said Eleanor, taking the phone off her.
‘Because I’ll probably embarrass him,’ said her mum in despair. ‘He’s taking me to some fancy pub restaurant. We’ve never gone anywhere like that before. I don’t know what he was thinking of.’
‘He was probably thinking that you might enjoy it,’ said Eleanor. ‘And that perhaps it might be more romantic for the both of you.’
‘But look at me!’ said her mum. ‘I can’t go looking like this.’
Eleanor stepped back and looked at her mum. Despite her hair looking in better shape that it had done for years, June was wearing her normal baggy top and tatty, cut-off jeans.
‘Come upstairs with me,’ said Eleanor, grabbing her Mum’s hand. ‘I must have something you can borrow.’
In her old bedroom, she flung open her wardrobe doors.
‘I can’t wear any of your stuff,’ said her mum. ‘It’s too posh for me.’
Eleanor dismissed a few items until her hands touched a skirt. ‘Not sure why I even bought this,’ she said, scrutinising the garment.
It was an A-line skirt, with pale yellow flowers on a white background. Not really her style or colour but she had always felt it was too pretty to get rid of.
She brought it out and looked at it properly. ‘It would really suit you,’ she said.
‘Me?’ Her mum looked shocked and quickly put it down. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘I do,’ said Eleanor, warming to the idea. ‘Right. I’ve decided. I’m staging a fashion intervention here.’
Her mum was still shaking her head, but Eleanor wasn’t to be put off. ‘Go on. Try it on. You have shaved your legs, haven’t you?’
‘Of course.’
‘Hang on,’ said Eleanor, grabbing a white peasant top with some sparkly sequins dotted across the front. ‘Put this on as well.’
Eleanor could see her blushing, but her mum duly did as she was told and left the room.
After a while, she heard her mum softly clear her throat and turned around.
Eleanor’s eyes clicked wide. ‘Wow. Look at you.’
Without the familiar baggy jeans, it was like looking at a different person.
‘You’ve got such great legs,’ she said. ‘And that top’s so pretty on you.’
Her mum looked a bit bewildered, as if she couldn’t believe she was wearing this beautiful skirt and couldn’t stop glancing at her reflection in the mirror as the flowers glittered in the light.
‘Right,’ said Eleanor, checking the clock. ‘There’s just time to paint your toenails. Come on. He’ll be here soon. You can borrow a pair of my sandals. I’ve got loads and we’re the same size.’
Her mum gulped so loudly that even Eleanor heard it.
‘Be brave,’ she told her mum, giving her a hug. ‘He’s not going to hurt you. It’s just Ben, remember? Lovely Ben who you’ve known for years.’
June nodded. ‘You’re right.’
Ben was completely stunned when he came into the house half an hour later and saw June.
‘Well,’ he said, clearing his voice as he stood in the hallway. ‘You look very beautiful.’ He frowned. ‘I’m not sure I’m smart enough now.’ He glanced down at his short-sleeved shirt and a tailored pair of shorts and made a face.
‘Nonsense,’ said her mum briskly, putting a hand on his arm. ‘You’re smart enough for me and that’s all that matters.’
Eleanor noticed that her mum wasn’t stooping. She was standing straight with the confidence of being with someone she totally trusted.
‘Have a lovely evening,’ she called out as they headed out of the front door.
And then she closed the door behind them, smiling.