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The Ashley model in one of its delicately flowered prints suited Catrin’s youth and dark Celtic colouring. Davina smiled in appreciation before turning back to the mirror to complete making up her face. She put down the box of eyeshadow, gave a last pat to her curls and with a sigh said, ‘I should have used a mauve tint, but that will have to do. Come on, Cat, let’s go and tell Gran how super she looks in
her
new dress.’

It required no affectionate stretching of the truth for the two girls to assure their grandmother she would be the belle of the ball, for even at eighty Mrs Brehm was still a striking woman. Tonight, clad in full evening dress and with her well coiffured hair and clear, almost unwrinkled skin, it was difficult to believe she was an octogenarian. And her twinkling blue eyes almost outshone the sapphire collarette around her throat as she kissed her two favourite granddaughters with affection as they complimented her.

‘Away with the pair of you!’ Mrs Brehm said in indulgent tones as she went to await the arrival of her first guests. ‘Sixty years ago I might have given you both a run for your money, but age can’t compete with youth. You’ll have the young men buzzing around you like flies.’

‘We don’t intend to compete with you, Gran,’ Davina laughed. ‘In any case, in that dress you’ll be the honeypot.’ Mrs Brehm smoothed the folds of her lace dress. ‘I’m pleased you approve, but don’t try and tell me I look twenty, you bad girl. Once everyone’s here, I shan’t be able to see either of you in the crush.’

Her prophecy was not far short of the mark. Mrs Brehm had invited as many friends as her house could comfortably hold and Davina and Catrin discovered among the guests many young people with whom they had played as children while here on holiday. It was the grandest affair to be held since before Grandfather Brehm’s death, and until the six-piece orchestra started playing Davina was happily occupied in greeting old friends and admiring some of the gorgeous dresses and jewels of the female guests.

But as soon as the music began, she found herself on the area cleared for dancing being whirled from one pair of arms to the next. She did, however, notice that Catrin was claimed several times by Rex Fitzpaine, laughing up into his face as if they shared a secret joke.

He had made no effort to approach Davina for a dance and after his consideration in taking her for an outing this very afternoon, she was puzzled by his aloofness. She was on the floor for the second time with her cousin James when he suddenly said, 'I'm hungry. Have you had supper yet?’ and as Davina shook her head he went on, ‘Let’s have it now, then. The first rush on the buffet should be over. It was packed when I tried to get a glass of champagne for Miranda half an hour ago.'

‘Doesn’t she look stunning!’ Davina asked as James danced towards the door. ‘That Thai silk dress looks simply gorgeous with Miranda’s red-gold hair and must have cost a bomb. I bet it’s an Italian model.’

‘I wish her disposition was as gorgeous as her appearance,’ James replied gloomily. ‘Mirry did nothing but complain when I had a dance with her. Something’s rubbed her up the wrong way, that’s for sure.’

Davina could have given an educated guess as to what that ‘something’ was—Miranda’s lack of success with the tall stranger from Australia. She kept discreetly silent, however, as James danced her to the door and then took her hand to lead her in the direction of the buffet room.

They were about to pass the closed door of the library when James pulled his cousin to a halt as Miranda’s high-pitched voice came clearly to their ears. Davina and James exchanged dismal glances as they recognised that a full-scale quarrel was in progress and that Miranda obviously did not care if the whole house heard her accusations.

In seconds they were inside the room. Miranda, her face unbecomingly flushed with anger, was confronting a whitefaced Catrin almost spitting with rage as she accused the younger girl of ‘... making a spectacle of yourself and embarrassing Grandmother by monopolising one of her guests. Not that Rex isn’t embarrassed too. How can he ask anyone else to dance with you hanging round his neck all evening?’ Miranda ended venomously.

Davina was about to spring to Catrin’s defence when Paul Brehm strolled through the open French window. ‘The way you’re shouting, my dear Miranda, they must be able to hear your spiteful accusations as far away as Lucerne,’ he drawled. ‘What a dreadful bore you’re becoming. But this is one evening when your tantrums are
not
going to spoil everyone’s fun. You’re coming with me and for the rest of Gran’s party you’re going to smile and behave yourself so she doesn’t guess what a selfish little beast you really are,’ and before Miranda could recover from her astonishment, Paul had possessed himself of her hand and had forcibly marched her through the French window into the gardens beyond.

As their footsteps faded, the three in the library could hear Miranda’s agitated protests, but they too soon faded away as Paul hustled her away from the house. James chuckled as he walked forward to put his arms round Catrin. ‘Good old Paul 1 Don’t worry, he’ll settle her. Now come on, Cat, no tears. It’s all over. How about slipping upstairs to powder your nose or whatever you girls do, then come and have some champagne with us. I’ll try and snaffle a whole bottle, so don’t be long.’

Catrin gave him a watery smile and gulped down a sob. ‘Thanks, James. Miranda can really hit below the belt when she sets her mind to it. I was dreading Gran or Mother hearing the row. Give me five minutes. I’ll slip up the back stairs and fix my face,’ and Catrin dived through the door with the words.

Davina gave a long sigh of relief. ‘What an escape! I can’t thank Paul, but I can thank you,’ and she reached up on tiptoes to kiss his cheek. James, however, took her by her bare shoulders and smiled down into her eyes.

‘It was Paul who broke up Miranda’s little scene, not me, but if thanks are the order of the day, let’s do it properly. I’ve always had a soft spot for you, dear coz,’ and with the words James bent his head and laid his lips on Davina’s. Suddenly, some sixth sense gave warning and she broke free, to turn and find Rex Fitzpaine framed in the opening of the French window.

There was: a disconcertingly mocking smile curling one corner of his firm mouth. ‘Forgive me. It seems I interrupt.’ He came right into the room to address Davina directly. ‘Accept my apologies. Were you not otherwise engaged I’d have asked you for a dance,’ and with the words he opened the hall door, closing it quietly behind him.

Davina’s eyes met those of her cousin as he said, ‘This certainly is not our lucky night. First Miranda, now him,’ and he jerked his thumb at the closed door. ‘What’s got into everybody? Come on, let’s drown our sorrows, for heaven’s sake,’ and Davina gladly followed him to the buffet.

While James went in search of champagne, Davina herself loaded three plates with some of the delicacies on the long tables and they had settled themselves at a small secluded table, when Catrin slipped into the third chair. She had got her colour back and reapplication of lipstick and powder had made her look more like her usual cheerful self.

When James handed her a brimming glass, however, she laughed a trifle shakily. ‘I don’t usually like this stuff much, but I could use a bit of Dutch courage tonight. I shan’t forget Gran’s birthday in a hurry. How I wish David could have come, then none of this would have happened.’

‘You’re not the only one, love,’ James remarked, gulping down his own wine with total lack of respect for its vintage. ‘But who’s this David?’

‘According to Catrin, he’s the love of her life. He’s the navigating officer on a frigate and at the moment he’s doing a NATO exercise. For goodness’ sake, James, don’t start her off. What I can’t understand is why you simply didn’t tell Miranda you were more or less spoken for,’ Davina accused her sister. ‘That would have put a stop to all that nonsense over Rex Fitzpaine.’

‘Don’t you believe it,’ James replied with a twinkle in his eyes. ‘Didn’t I say yesterday that our Miranda sees her crown slipping?’

Catrin, however, missed the implication, for her eyes were on the tall figure approaching their table. ‘Here’s Rex now. What shall I do if he asks me to dance again? Miranda will be more furious than ever.’

‘No, she won’t. Look, here she comes now,’ and he pointed towards the door where Miranda, surrounded, by a positive bevy of young men, was about to come in search of refreshment. Paul at the back of the group gave his brother and cousins a wink as he passed them and Rex, who had stopped at Catrin’s side, raised his brows.

‘Sit down, Rex,’ James pushed a chair towards him. ‘Like some wine?’

‘I’d prefer a beer, but it can wait. I’ve come to see if Catrin would like to dance. How about it?’ he asked, looking down at Davina’s sister from his great height.

It was James who answered for her. ‘Go on, Cat. Miranda’s had her claws clipped for tonight. You’re quite safe,’ and flushing, Catrin got to her feet. Rex’s gaze passed from James to Miranda and back before he turned and followed Catrin, but he asked no questions.

‘No flies on him,’ James remarked. ‘I’ll bet Rex has got the general picture.’

‘About Miranda and Catrin, maybe. About you and me, I’m not so sure,’ Davina said quietly.

By two a.m. most of the guests had left and Mrs Brehm, still looking as fresh as a daisy, suggested that they all had a hot drink before they broke up her birthday party. Davina, feeling unusually tired, was glad to sit down and swallow a cup of piping hot coffee, for her feet ached and she longed for the moment when she could slip away to bed. Rex Fitzpaine had not proffered a second invitation to dance, but surely this could not account for the depression which gripped her. No, it was his expression when he had caught James kissing her which stuck in her mind. Though he had apologised, something told her he had not been surprised. Surely he couldn’t suspect her of carrying on an affair with her own cousin right under Grandmother’s nose?

The
feeling of deflation and anti-climax
followed Davina upstairs
to bed, for she had not found the lavish celebration party an unqualified success. She wouldn’t admit to herself that this feeling was in part due to Rex’s unspoken disapproval, and it did not salvage even a shred of self-confidence to find next morning he was leaving.

She came downstairs shortly before ten o’clock to find the big hire car at the door and Rex himself loading the boot. Davina stood at the open front door and watched as he stowed his luggage and locked up.

As he turned and saw her he said shortly, ‘You’re down at last. I was just off. I thought I’d have to leave a message with James.’

Davina thought it wiser to ignore the implication in this last remark. ‘I didn’t know you were going so soon,’ she answered slowly.

Rex reached her side and halted long enough to say, ‘While I have the car and a few days at my disposal it seemed stupid to miss the opportunity of seeing Italy. The rest of your family will be going back to London anyway tomorrow, I gather, and in any case, I’m sure your grandmother won’t want me hanging around. I believe I’ve passed the test,’ he gave her a slow meaningful smile and Davina flushed. ‘Give me your telephone number again,’ he finished, the tone an order, not a request.

Wishing she had the courage to tell him she’d changed her mind and that he could keep his job, Davina complied. She was letting his offhand manner get under her skin. Usually she took people as she found them, so what was so special about this tall, brown-faced man? she wondered as with a brief, ‘So long. See you in London, then,’ he strode on past her into the house, presumably to say his goodbyes to her grandmother.

During the days which followed, Davina made a determined effort to put Rex Fitzpaine to the back of her mind, but she could not fool herself into believing she was finding the beautiful Swiss mountain scenery and the cooking of Frau Wilhelm as enjoyable as on previous visits. In fact, she was quite relieved when it was time for her and Catrin to pack their bags in preparation for the long train journey home. She saw Catrin on to the train for Wales, then went slowly down the escalator to take the Tube to her digs in Harrow, relieved to find the first rush hour was over and the trains relatively empty.

For the first time since her grandmother s birthday, she felt a stab of excitement as she put her key in the door and spotted the letter awaiting her. The name of the magazine was stamped across the left-hand corner of the envelope and dropping her suitcase, Davina tore the letter open.

It was short and friendly but simply confirmed that they were awaiting her first two short stories, ‘which if suitable will be published in our January editions.’ Stopping only to tell Mrs Styles she was back, Davina went to her bedsitter and squatting on the bed, read through the letter again.

Would there be time to write one before Rex contacted her? It was over a week since she had seen him and apart from a ‘thank you’ letter to her grandmother, there had been no word. Perhaps he was still touring on the continent. She’d ring James to see if he’d heard anything at the office, Davina decided, as with a yawn she lay back, her mind switching to the embryo plot she was toying with as a possible for her first professional short story.

There had been no rest on the long overnight journey, and still clad in all her outdoor things, Davina shut her eyes and fell asleep right in the middle of her eighteen-year-old heroine’s first encounter with the hero. When she awoke it was dark and someone was hammering on the door.

‘You there, Miss Williams?’ came Mrs Styles’ voice. ‘Telephone for you!'

Davina sat up with a jerk and an answering ‘Coming P She stumbled over to the light switch and saw by her watch that she had slept all day. All her clothes felt as if they were sticking to her as she hurried down to pick up the receiver.

‘I was beginning to think the good lady had hung up on me,’ came Rex Fitzpaine’s voice. ‘What took you so long?’ Then immediately, ‘Never mind explaining. Look, can you be ready to take off for the North tomorrow? I got back to find the lawyers had really got a move on and I’m told it’s okay to take over the place any time I like.’