Meanwhile Geraldine's navel-gazing continued..
Geraldine had convinced herself that, much like guilty feet had no rhythm, guilty eyes would have tainted vision and had not allowed herself to dwell on the questionable paternity.
The nanny, Maisie, came from an equestrian background, (though mostly her recent riding experience was from mounting famous dads hence her affordability,) and had delighted in taking the girls once they were of suitable age.
Maisie had once mentioned Rupert's name in front of Geraldine and her new friend (who became her Lovely friend, Susi) and Rex to quite a reaction.
Rex had turned puce, ranting and raging so much that, the colour that had quite literally drained from Geraldine's face, went unnoticed to Rex, though did not escape Susi's eagle-eye. Susi had volunteered to accompany the girls to any events Rupert would be at and had never pried any further.
When Scarlett's talent and commitment led to the offer of her using Dobbin, (the message passed via Susi), Geraldine had panicked and claimed she part-owned him with a colleague from work, Jan, who was a lady of a similar age to Geraldine but sadly suffered from agoraphobia so little chance of social world's colliding.
Of course Geraldine's social circle were fully aware of Dobbin's true ownership, however, as devoted disciples to Debrett's they would never be so uncouth as to challenge Geraldine's assertion. (Though what got said behind her back was another matter; the suspicion erroneouslying being related to Rex having financial difficulties).
Snapping back into the present, Geraldine glanced up at her carriage clock. Nero may have fiddled whilst Rome burnt, but she'd be damned if her Coq au Vin would be reduced to cinders. In 25 years of marriage she'd never had a cooking catastrophe and she wasn't going to let today be any different.
She put on her finest Rigby and Peller underwear; recalling that they were the preferred fitters of our dear old Queen Geraldine felt overwhelmed with patriotism. She dressed quickly then fired off a succession of texts to Susi, Sebastian and her daughters determined to take back control and her dignity.
Rushing into the kitchen, Geraldine was relieved to find she still had time to prepare some parsley potatoes and buttered peas. Timed to perfection she called Rex to choose the wine as she dished up.
Just as they sat down there was a knock at the door. "Oh for Pete'a Sake!" Blurted Geraldine, unable to keep her composure. Rex eyed his wife with bemusement and went and answered the door to Henry, the Vicar, who'd arrived on his bycicle.
Henry had readily agreed to join them for dinner, partly due to the magnificent smell but mostly to avoid his cantankerous wife. Choosing his words carefully he explained that Griselda was unhappy with her earlier interaction with Rex.
Geraldine couldn't decide whether to be angrier at Rex or Griselda but opted instead to rise above it all. "I'd simply love to take your daughter out with both of mine to a spa day, with your wife if she'd like to come to." lied Geraldine. Rex kept Henry's glass topped up and by the end of the feast the Vicar was considerably tipsy. Placated, the subject was dropped and Henry had droned on at length about Jack's marrows.
"You'll not be safe to ride home, I'll give you a lift. Rex offered benevolently. "I'll just pop to the bathroom first."
Geraldine had thought it curious that he'd stuck to mineral water but was grateful nonetheless. Henry was proving to be quite a difficult guest in that he was steadfastly ignoring his hosts' signals that he should leave.
"Ooh did Jack grow these?" Henry boomed as he examined her vegetable stores.
"Yes he did, I'll arrange a selection for you to take home." Geraldine hastily put a selection of mushrooms, peas and broadband into a pink gingham-lined mini wicker basket.
When Rex called to Henry he was ready to go, it didn't escape Geraldine's notice that he was trying to conceal his Pierre Cardin overnight bag. Geraldine went along with the pretence she hadn't seen and closed the door. Where was he going? It would give her the opportunity to copy those nasty emails between him and his little slut immediately shuddering at the memory of what she'd seen.
Still, she'd handled everything with a lot of grace and nothing more could possibly go wrong could it, she counselled herself. Failing to notice the hand-delivered envelope laying on the cherry-oak floor, Geraldine hurried to Rex's office.
