You are shaking like a leaf. Leonard looks at me.

“Shall I call a cab?”

I nod. It seems pointless going on with the party.

The bowl glides over the grass and comes to rest within a hair’s breadth of the jack. Leonard, in his official capacity as referee, measures the distance then pronounces you the winner. You turn toward your opponents and bow.

“Angelica,” I call, “will you help me bring out the tea?”

I see you whisper something in Angelica’s ear. She nods then runs after me. We go into the kitchen together and I hand her a tray.

“Can you carry the cups and saucers for me and put them on the table?”

Angelica hovers awkwardly near the range.

“What is it?” I ask as I pour boiling water into the pot.

“Aunt Ginny says she’s going to ask the fairies for money to buy me clothes,” Angelica begins.

I fill the pot and give the tea leaves a stir.

“But you have lovely clothes.” I struggle to keep my voice neutral.

Angelica shifts from one foot to the other.

“She said I could spend it on whatever I wanted to. I know we often don’t have enough—and Aunt Ginny’s very rich.”

I flinch.

“We’ll think about it,” I say, putting the teapot and a plate of scones onto a second tray. “Now let’s take this out into the garden before it gets cold.”

I am uncomfortable all through tea. When it is over I encourage Angelica and Quentin to take Leonard for a walk. As soon as they are out of earshot I seize my chance.

“Angelica says you have offered to give her an allowance.”

“Yes. She loves pretty things and I thought . . .”

“You thought you could barge in and do exactly as you pleased!”

“You’re being unfair, Ness.”

“Am I? If your intention really was to be kind you should have consulted me first. Don’t think I don’t see how you use her as a pawn.”

You stop stacking the dirty cups and look up.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“All those messages from the fairies meant for me. What are you trying to tell me now? That I am inadequate as a mother.”

You look away. I begin to regret my outburst.

“Things are difficult enough between us at the moment.” I bite my lip, wondering whether to go on. You sense my hesitation.

“Angelica adores you. All your children do.”

I shake my head.

“No, I don’t mean that. Angelica’s been asking questions about Clive.”

You put the stacked crockery onto a tray.

“What sort of questions?”

“Oh, nothing very specific. She wants to know why Clive is always in London.” I busy myself with the plates.

“She still doesn’t know?”

I shake my head.

“Don’t you think it’s time you told her the truth?”

I stare at you, horrified.