Cassius’ estate is situated on a hill, and the yellow mansion is highly visible. The meadows and woods around it seem endless and you can’t even see the neighbours. Behind the house I catch a glimpse of the stables. They’re enormous and I’m truly intimidated now. Natalie jumps up and down in her car seat. “At last! See how beautiful it is here?” She’s right, the sun’s out and there’s no trace of fog anymore. In front of the house Cassius’ Bentley is parked and there’s a sleek white Mercedes beside Rupert’s van. I park my Panda and get out. The air is mild and the first flowers are already poking their heads out of the ground. Natalie’s right, it is kind of magical here. Seconds later an enormous black dog charges towards us but Natalie has warned me. It must be Rufus, the Neapolitan mastiff. He jumps up at Natalie, putting his mighty paws on her shoulders and licking her face. He’s followed by a pack of smaller dogs, two Jack Russell terriers, three Beagles and a Bassett. Enchanted I bend down to cuddle them.
“I hope you like dogs, otherwise you won’t enjoy the weekend,” Cassius grins, coming towards us. He’s is dressed in black jeans and his black leather jacket. My heart starts to beat faster as I gaze up at him.
“I love dogs,” I reply shyly, kissing the Basset on its snout. “I used to have a Jack Russell as a child.” But Cassius has already turned away from me and is kissing Natalie. He orders Rufus down and whistles to the pack.
“Good thing you’re already here. Mrs Roberts has prepared a picnic as it’s such a lovely day today. In the clearing it’ll surely be warm enough.”
“Great idea!” Natalie enthuses. “Country air always gives me an enormous appetite!” Without another thought for her luggage or for me she runs into the house, leaving me alone with Cassius.
Self-consciously I open the boot but when I reach for Natalie’s huge suitcase Cassius shoves me aside. The light touch of his hand sends an electric current through my body and I shrink back. Mercifully Cassius doesn’t seem to notice. Effortlessly he takes both Natalie’s and my case out of the car and turns towards the house. “I'll show you to your room,” he murmurs without even looking at me. Is he still angry with me? He isn’t exactly cold to me but he seems a bit awkward. Just like me. I follow him into the house and up a wide staircase to the first floor. I glance at the oil paintings of dogs and horses on the wood-panelled walls. “I hope you don’t mind sharing with Natalie,” he says, opening a heavy wooden door. I adore the room at first sight. It’s huge, with a large four-poster in the middle and old-fashioned furniture scattered around. Two windows look out onto a meadow where a couple of horses are grazing.
“They’re yours?” I ask without thinking. Very clever, who else’s would they be? Cassius takes a step towards the window and stands beside me. Instinctively I back away.
“Yes, they’re mine,” he murmurs and clears his throat. “I’m glad you’re here.” His voice is so low I’m not sure I heard him right. Before I can reply – not that I would know what! – he quickly turns away. “The bathroom is to the right. Come down when you’re ready, then we’ll have that picnic.” And he is gone.
It’s a strange feeling to be in his house, to see how he lives. I open the door to the bathroom which is equally large and old-fashioned, with a Victorian tub on claw feet. I wash my hands which are shaking slightly. I have to get a grip, at this rate I’ll be a nervous wreck after this weekend. Where on earth is Natalie? I could have used her support but she seems to have joined the others downstairs. Now everyone’s waiting for me, I have to hurry up. Quickly I run my hairbrush through my locks and touch up my lip gloss. At the last moment I remember my thank-you present for Cassius.
When I leave the room I notice a faint scratching sound coming from behind a door at the other end of the corridor. Should I go and get Cassius? I really don’t want to pry in someone else’s house but then I hear a high whine. Now I can’t resist, and when I open the door another Jack Russell shoots out, a white one with a brown patch over one eye, and scoots down the stairs. I follow the small dog which leads me directly to the big kitchen where everyone is waiting for me. Uneasily I hover in the doorway. They’re chatting and laughing, holding tall glasses in their hands. An older woman with her grey hair in a severe bun is packing food into two baskets. Everybody seems very much at ease and at home here. Natalie once suggested that I belong to them but somehow I very much doubt it. The dog slithers to a halt in front of a bowl and drinks thirstily.
“Nuala, old girl! You’re so slim again!” Natalie cries and cuddles the small dog. Nuala? My mouth drops open. Nuala is a dog? At that moment Will notices me. He hugs me and takes my hand, dragging me into the kitchen.
“Welcome to the most beautiful place in the world! Would you like a G&T before we go out?” Gratefully I accept and turn to the others. Ruth is leaning against the window sill, sipping her drink. She’s wearing a cream trouser suit. I force myself to extend my hand and at first I think she’s going to refuse to take it. After a moment she does but her face remains blank, the laughter gone. Her dark eyes scrutinise me critically. Kissing me on the cheek, Rupert breaks the tension.
“It’s great here, isn’t it?” he grins. “We’ll really relax and have fun before returning to that foggy city.” Will hands me a cold glass and I raise it to the others.
“What have you got there?” Natalie suddenly asks, pointing to the gift-wrapped book in my hand.
“Just a small thank-you present for Cassius,” I stutter, blushing crimson. Maybe a book wasn’t such a good idea after all. Ruth smiles her condescending smile. I should have left it in my room and given it to him later, not in front of everyone. But now it’s too late and I’ll look even more of a moron if I don’t hand it over. I take a step towards Cassius who is still crouched on the floor cuddling his dog. “Thanks for the invitation,” I mumble awkwardly, handing him the book. I’m glad that the others have resumed their conversation now and aren’t watching the scene. Cassius looks at me in surprise and unwraps the gift in one impatient movement. Suddenly I feel the temperature dropping and when I look up I notice Ruth hastily averting her eyes. Cassius browses through the book, smiling.
“Thanks, it’s great,” he says in a low voice. “Has Natalie told you about my passion for plants?” I shake my head.
“No, it was pure coincidence. By the way, I heard the dog scratching at the door and let her out. I hope that’s OK.” Suddenly I’m so nervous that my words are nearly inaudible. I can’t look him in the eyes, nor do I want to stare at his hands that are holding the book. They make me think about things that I don’t want to remember. Now I know for certain that it was a mistake to come here. If the first half-hour is this awkward the rest of the weekend will be even worse. I don’t fit in here, no matter what Natalie claims.