to London.'
'Oh, by the way, they said they wanted a circus theme.'
'Sorry?'
'You know, big top, that sort of thing! A circus!'
I have a feeling that's what we're going to get with or without my help. 'Marvellous!' I say and smile brightly. 'What will they think of next?' Yes, indeed.
I can't do much more without speaking to the charity first so we get up and wander towards the kitchen. 'Are you parked at the back?' asks Monty.
'Yes, Aunt Winnie brought me over.'
'Winnie did? Why didn't you say, Izzy? She should have come in!'
'Sorry, I always forget you must have met her once or twice!'
We charge along the corridor at a rate of knots. Monty strides across the kitchen and flings open the back door. The pea-green Mini still has opera booming out of it and Monty raps loudly on the driver's window. Aunt Winnie jumps in horror but her face soon spreads into a wide grin and she leaps out as best she can from the Mini.
'Monty you old dog!' she roars.
'Winnie, me dear, how the devil are you?' he booms.
God, it's like being at a convention for the hard of hearing. They don't know each other very well but Aunt Winnie always makes an impression.
I hang about while they noisily ask about each other's health and generally get skittish until Monty says, 'I've suggested that Izzy comes and stays with us for a few days at the end of the week to sort out this charity malarkey. Will you come and have supper with us?'
'Love to! As long as we're not having pork. Can't abide the stuff.'
'No pig it is then! I'll tell Mrs Delaney. Shall we say Thursday?'
'Marvellous!'
'Izzy, why don't you come over on Wednesday night so you're fresh for the charity folk on Thursday?' 'Thanks, Monty. That would be great.'
The following day I get into work early. I have a ton of stuff to do before I return to the estate at the end of the week. Since the job at Pantiles will involve so much work, I'll hand over all my other events to Aidan, except Lady Boswell's Nordic Ice Feast which no one will take on the pain of death. I daresay Aidan is not going to be very happy; there are some monster clients involved.
Stephanie is puffing on a cigarette and rather dispiritedly typing with one finger while trying to read the
Daily Mail
.
'Morning!' I say brightly. 'Any messages?'
'Where have you been?'
'Er, in Suffolk.'
'Oh.'
'Any messages?' I repeat.
'On your desk.'
'On my desk?' I query. Last time they were found next to the kettle.
She raises her eyes heavenward and mutters something about Hitler which I choose to ignore.
I walk through to the main office. Aidan is having an animated discussion with someone in the corner and waving around what looks like a pair of lederhosen. I turn on my computer and sit down. Aidan has spotted my arrival and comes rushing over, still brandishing the clothes.
'Izzy! What do the Swiss eat?'
I blink for a minute while trying to engage my brain. 'Em, Toblerone.'
'What else? What else?' he demands.
'Er, er' – I blink distractedly – 'I don't know, fondue? Wiener Schnitzel? Or is that German? Why?'
'We're launching a new Swiss cheese and I'm trying to get some ideas together for the launch party. We're having the VIP invites hand-delivered by a yodeller. We've got a couple coming in later to audition,' he giggles and sits down opposite me. 'How was the estate? Has it changed at all?'
'I think it's gone to pot actually. It feels … neglected.' Privately I think Simon could do with spending more time looking after his home and less time trying to take over other people's companies. Just a personal opinion of course. Completely unbiased.
'I think you're so lucky to get that project. I would
die
for it.'
'Aidan, it's a ball for five hundred and they've decided they want a circus theme.'
'Oh,' he says, not looking quite so enthusiastic anymore. 'A circus theme? At such short notice? Which sick individual thought of that?'
'I don't know but Dominic and I certainly have our work cut out.'
'Dominic's helping