‘My dear friends, neighbours and fellow parishioners, welcome to Netley Hall. I am delighted to see so many of you here today in support of St Peter’s Fete. Reverend Hardman … he twists to acknowledge the gracious man of God behind him, ‘and I are eternally grateful for your generosity, especially those of you who have donated time, energy and endeavour to make the fete the success it always is.’ He pauses, his smile fading to genial regret. ‘I am glad the rain that threatened our festivities today moved off in good time to see us blessed with this wonderful sunshine and warmth. I can only hope that the storm clouds that have been blighting our far horizons in recent days will similarly disperse, and I pray we find ourselves blessed by clear skies there also, in the not too distant future. We must keep faith with our politicians during these difficult times and trust them to steer us safely through this crisis. We must not give up hope. We must also remember that however dark the days may seem there is always joy to be found, and I am delighted to take this opportunity to share some good news with you now. I cannot think of a more appropriate setting to make such an announcement than this.’

As he pauses, a crow heckles from the branches of the cedar.

‘My son, Gordon, this morning asked Lady Helen Ashworth to be his wife, and to all our great delight … she said yes.’

Chapter Twenty-Four

Jack

July 1939

Jack is acutely aware of Gwen’s calcifying figure. She stares at the dais, her eyes glazed. It is as if Lord Allingham’s announcement has drained her soul and now only a lifeless shell remains.

A murmur whips around the crowd like a crisp leaf carried on a gust, rising and falling. Lord Allingham beckons his son forward and Gordon brings with him the young woman he had escorted from the Hall. Jack had benignly identified her then as a sister, but now she takes on a more sinister role. She is a blight on Gwen’s blooming heart, a canker set to devour her hopes and dreams.

Lady Helen is certainly a beautiful girl – it would be pointless to deny it. Fine-featured with high cheekbones and a long nose sculpted to perfection, her bud-like mouth creases with suppressed pleasure. She is all honey and roses and perfect for the summer afternoon setting, which seems to further enhance her natural charms. Gordon grips her hand. They bask in the light applause and calls of ‘Congratulations!’ that ring out from the crowd, beholding each other with ill-masked satisfaction that seems to say, This is it, we are born for this. In this moment they are adored. The announcement of their union has brought happiness to those they do not even know. It is a gift they bestow with benevolence.