Chapter Eleven

Emily's sister Cassandra visits from London and uncovers something about Daniel

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Cassandra's weekend was going better than she had expected. The children, having fully recovered from chickenpox, had been despatched for a weekend at Granny and Papa's country cottage, with only a modicum of fuss. Christopher had departed for his office half an hour before Cassandra had left for Yewell.

Her husband had insisted she make the trip. It was important, he had told her, to keep up her family ties. It was her duty to visit her Great Aunt Jen in hospital, no matter how arduous it might be. And Cassandra always did what Christopher advised; well almost always.

“Give her my love” he had said. “Anything she needs, she just has to ask. Money no object.”

Granny herself had packed up the children's clothes, while Cassandra saw to her own things. She did not need much; something warm for bed, undies, weekend outfit. Her travelling clothes had been hung on the bedroom door; her make-up-cum-toiletries bag was on the dressing table. She had thrown in a thick jumper; Emily's house was always freezing due to the heating system being somewhat prehistoric.

Cassandra had bought herself a new dress specially for visiting Aunt Jen in the hospital. It was Royal blue, just like one worn by the Duchess of Cambridge, but not designer labelled.

“Treat yourself to a new outfit, darling” Christopher had urged.

So she had. But Cassandra had gone to New Look; high street fashion. She would only be wearing this for one weekend then she would gift it to her sister. Cassandra did so hate the cloying stench of hospitals. It clung to ones hair and clothing for ages afterwards. Her new dress would have to be well laundered before she gave it to Emily. Besides, she could never wear an off-the-peg outfit when meeting her friends. High couture was de rigueur. Cassandra had decided to treat herself next week with a trip to Harrods for that candy pink Prada handbag she had seen. It was only £1500 and Christopher would be none the wiser.

It was now Sunday morning and Cassandra was heading back to London later that afternoon. She had left Emily cooking Sunday lunch while she wandered down to Richmond Street in the early Spring sunshine. There was not much for her to do at the bungalow; there was no postal delivery on Sundays. Cassandra watered Aunt Jen's pot plants, which her sister had been neglecting. As she plucked a dead leaf from the rather limp looking Swiss Cheese plant she realised her great aunt would not be around to take care of it herself for much longer. Jen had been pleased to see her niece, but the shock of seeing how old and weak her aunt was left Cassandra feelingvery upset. She had not prepared herself for what she might find or indeed thought much about the whole situation.

Outside a rather ancient looking motorcycle came to a stop across the road. Cassandra gave it no more than a passing glance. She would much go for a ride in the scarlet coloured Lotus parked in the driveway, but not Christopher. He always said Lotus stood for 'lots of trouble, usually serious.'

“Good morning!” a female voice called just as Cassandra was locking the front door. It made her jump.

The rider loosened the catch of the shiny black helmet, removed it and ran one hand through a mass of short dark curls.

“Emily, isn't it?”

“I'm Emily's sister” Cassandra answered warily, her eyes taking a elevator look at the biker who had turned out to be a girl.

She was tall and athletic in build. Her hair was cut a little too short in Cassandra's opinion, and not at all flattering.

“I'm staying with Daniel for a few days” the girl explained. “He told me about your aunt being in hospital. How is she? I know Daniel would like an update.”

“Not too good, thank you for asking.” Cassandra was not about to discuss Aunt Jen's condition with a stranger, even if she was a neighbour.

“Well, enjoy the rest of your Sunday” the biker chick called over her shoulder as she wheeled the motorcycle easily down the driveway.

Cassandra started the homeward journey up Perry Hill, cursing leaving her car outside Emily's house. She had not visited Yewell in quite a while and had forgotten it was almost impossible to go anywhere without encountering some sort of incline. Surely this hill had not been so steep the last time he had traversed it. And whose idea was it to build a pavement with steps in it? Cassandra did not do much walking at home; but London was far too congested for her to drive either. Usually she took a taxi when she went shopping, or to Pilates or the theatre with her girlfriends. Nanny was in charge of delivering Jemima and Nicholas to the school gates each day, and Christopher saw to their weekend activities. Cassandra did take them for treats in the school hols, usually on the tube. There was little reason to walk anywhere.

Cassandra was tired and hot by the time she reached Swan Street. She flopped down onto the sofa to rest a while until Emily was ready to serve lunch, but the enticing aroma of roast chicken drew her to the kitchen.

“Is that Gran's special stuffing I smell?”

Emily smiled in assent.

“I still miss her” Cassandra added, “ and Mum too.”

“I'm glad to hear it” her sister answered, and then wished she had not.

“Just because I don't visit doesn't mean I don't care” Cassandra retorted.

“I know” Emily sighed, “it's just hard for me, Aunt Jen being so ill and you in London. We're all she's got left, Casey.”

“I'll try to come down more often”, Cassandra promised. “Anything you need, just call me, or Christopher.” She really meant to keep her promise this time, but the look on Emily's face made Cassandra think her younger sister did not believe her.

The chicken was delicious. Emily had inherited the family flair for cookery, something that had passed Cassandra by. Her abilities were very much basic.

“I saw that new neighbour you mentioned, when I was at the bungalow” Cassandra told Emily over dessert. “What's her name, Danielle, was it? You know, the one across the road with the red Lotus in the driveway.

“It's Daniel, not Danielle.”

“Must have been his girlfriend; she said she lived there. Biker chick, came roaring up on an ancient bike. Seemed like a nice girl. Bit macho maybe.”

“It's Daniel's bike. You saw a biker, not a chick, “Emily corrected her, thinking big sis had made one of her usual scatterbrained mistakes. Sometimes Casey did not know if she was coming or going.

“She removed her helmet and spoke to me. I can tell the difference between boys and girls, Sis” Cassandra protested. She spooned apple tart and custard into her mouth then pointed her spoon at Emily. “Which is more than I can say for you.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” her younger sister bristled.

“Your BFF is Dolly Dolland, for heavens sake. Get out there, Em. Find a husband who can buy you a better place than this. Dolly's never going to marry, you that's for sure.”

Emily clattered dishes together and made a point of retreating to the sink. She really needed to hold her tongue and avoid an argument with Casey right now. But she could not deny to herself that Casey's news worried her a little. More than a little. The thought that Daniel Cooper might have a girlfriend was not one she wanted to pursue right now.