Either Side of Midnight by Tori de Clare

Author:Tori de Clare
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Tori de Clare
Published: 2013-07-10T18:30:00+00:00

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There was a crisis from the outset, a very unexpected one. At twenty to seven with everything on track – though not a single guest had arrived, including Naomi – Camilla dragged herself from her seating plan and the placing of the table tags, to investigate a commotion in the hall. Unusually, Lorie was agitated with somebody, which drew Camilla from the dining room. The musicians had arrived. One of the four was Tom Butterworth.

After observing for a moment and taking in the details, Camilla said, softly, ‘I’ll deal with this, Loretta.’ Camilla, dressed and ready for the evening, felt it only appropriate that her speaking voice should reflect her appearance.

Lorie turned. ‘Camilla, I’m so sorry. I had no idea Tom was part of the group. I can show him the door.’

‘Which may be a dreadful mistake,’ Camilla said, as she weighed up two boys, two girls, who were standing looking sheepish and embarrassed, clutching their instruments and their music stands to their bodies as if they weren’t sure there was a point putting them down.

‘But Tom – ’

‘I know all about Tom,’ Camilla said, eyeing him, letting him know that whatever tricks he’d performed in her home in the past, had not been forgotten. When Tom shifted his stare, Camilla turned her attention to Lorie. ‘You have to understand that viola players are an essential part of a string quartet and don’t grow on trees. It isn’t going to be possible to replace him at this stage.’

Lorie’s cheeks were slightly flushed. Her hair, normally up during the day, was long and full and she was beautifully dressed in a fitted knee-length low-cut dress that was tangerine-red, like her lip colour.

‘I’ll check on the chef,’ Lorie said, heading for the kitchen. Camilla returned her eyes to Tom Butterworth. He couldn’t stand it and flicked concentrated glances to the floor. The other three stood still, utterly confused.

‘Look, Mrs Hamilton,’ Tom began, trying to align a steady gaze. ‘I only knew we had a booking for tonight. Until I got in the car, I didn’t even know where it was. I’m sorry – ’

‘Please,’ Camilla cut in, one hand raised. ‘Naomi will be here at any moment with her . . .’ Camilla tried to smile, then gave up . . . ‘young man, and I don’t want a scene. As you’ll realise, my daughters turn nineteen today and tomorrow and you are here to create an atmosphere conducive to a pleasant evening. Please don’t try to speak to either of them. If that’s agreed, I see no reason why we can’t proceed as planned. Can you do your job without distraction?’

He nodded uncertainly. ‘Yes.’

Camilla indicated that they should follow her. ‘Very well, then. I’ll show you to the dining room so you can set up. Music to begin promptly at six fifty-five please. I hope you haven’t brought that dreadful Cannon in D by Pachelbel.’

Nobody responded. Camilla pictured the exchanges of glances behind her. ‘I suspected as much,’ she said, looking behind to check they were still following.

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