Meanwhile at Vanilla Cottage, home of the Smithen-Hydes', Hugh and Katherine were enjoying their evening ritual of port and cheese in the conservatory. Watching the pampas grass blow in the gentle breeze, Katherine let out a yawn.
Their daughter, Maisie had been Petronella and Scarlett's nanny. With their paternal and maternal grandparents' deceased, Katherine and Hugh had thoroughly embraced their role as surrogate grandparents. The feeling was very much mutual; the girls reveled in the loving but relaxed atmosphere at Vanilla Cottage and were willing visitors (unlike their peers who grumbled at their duty visits to extended family).
Maisie, (who's full name was Margaret, that she loathed), had long since left the village after her brother, William, had introduced her to a wealthy Swiss financier, David. A far cry from the girl who'd run off to London finding work as an au pair; then later as a nanny within the Primrose Hill postcode.
When her affair with a celebrity chef was publicly exposed, Maisie found herself outsted and had returned tail between legs to Farkin-on-the-Water.
Katherine still blamed herself for pushing her daughter too hard, always done with love but too much pressure nonetheless. She'd seen Geraldine display similar traits so always ensured the girls could enjoy their privacy and a somewhat more relaxed approach to their whereabouts.
The sound of a vehicle approaching stirred Katherine into action. She nudged Hugh who was snoring on the sofa and despatched him to bed.
Scarlett and Petronella let themselves in. Greeting them with a hug Katherine asked:
"Did you have a good night girls?"
"Yes it was fantastic, we're legends and totally dined out on our success" laughed Scarlett.
"Really shattered now, think I'll head straight to bed. Got my A levels starting next week" said Petronella.
"You'll do just fine" Katherine soothed "I'm off to bed now too. Sleep well girls" and retired to her bedroom.
Scarlett and Petronella ambled off to their room. They always shared at the cottage despite the availability of 3 other rooms.
"What are we going to do about mum" fretted Scarlett. "She is acting so weird, jetting off to France and now a text booking a spa day" Scarlett wrinkled her nose.
"She's just a bit stressed, probably the combination of you doing your AS levels and me doing my A2s has got to her" reasoned Petronella.
"But I hate spa days!" Wailed Scarlett. "And I wanted to see Jim"
"Come on Letty she means well and does a lot for us. It won't do any harm to no be so available to Jim. Next year you'll be finishing school and she'll have a completely empty nest." Countered Petronella.
"Yes Nell, you're right as ever."conceded Scarlett. "Poor mum, maybe she should get a new hobby. Like dogging!"
Both girls collapsed with laughter as they recalled how their mother had innocently asked what dogging was and her reaction to the answer.
"I'm going to be physically sick" Petronella mimicking her mother, pretending to retch.
Scarlett's phone bleeped "ooh a message from Jim" she squealed. Ensuring her sister was completely engrossed, Petronella checked her phone and was disappointed to find no new messages.
Petronella had known forever that she was gay but hid it. She knew her family (including Kathy and Hug ) would be accepting, but couldn't bear village life as the only gay in the village. Fortunately a keen rugby player in the next Village, Jago, was also gay and they had a benefit of friends fake relationship.
She was planning to come out to them all once at university. Despite being noticeable by his absence for large chunks of her life, she was reasonably sure her dad knew.
Though her parents' would be accepting of her sexuality she doubted they would be accepting of her partner who was closer to their age than Petronella's. Then again with no messages in 2 days Nell wondered if there was a relationship to hide at all. She drifted off to sleep to the sound of Scarlett giggling and pinging messages back and forth.