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Diedre, naturally observant, had had this particular trait underscored by years of training at the War Office, and she thought watching people was a fascinating occupation even when it was her own family under her scrutiny.
And so, as they all sat at the other end of the loggia enjoying lunch, she was able to indulge herself. Saying hardly anything at all, she made a show of savouring the food but kept her ears wide open.
During the first course, a cold vichyssoise soup with chives scattered on the top, her family talked about Wallis Simpson, the American divorcée for whom Edward VIII had given up the throne so that he could marry her.
Diedre was not especially interested, and only listened with half an ear, her thoughts focused at this moment on her immediate boss, William Lawson. He had joined ‘the firm’, as he called it, several years before she had returned in 1935, a year after Paul’s sudden and tragic death. He had welcomed her warmly, and with enthusiasm, and made no bones about his admiration for her and her many talents. In consequence, he had given her a lot of leeway in the three years she had worked closely with him, and he listened to her ideas.
She focused on that now, knowing that if she asked for a few extra days off, he would agree. Certainly he had had no qualms about her coming to Zurich today, to spend the weekend with her sister and other family members. She might phone Will later and ask for this favour.
Diedre had relaxed for the first time in months when she had arrived at the villa only a few hours ago. Much of that had to do with Daphne, who had always shown love and understanding to everyone. And Diedre was no exception to that rule.
Surreptitiously, she looked down the long table at her sister and couldn’t help feeling a great sense of pride. Daphne was now forty-two, but did not look it. She was still the great beauty of the family, the gorgeous peaches-and-cream blonde she had always been. She had put on a little bit of extra weight, but not much, and there was a lovely aura around her. It’s goodness, sincerity and devotion, Diedre decided, knowing how much of herself Daphne gave to others. Although underneath the loving wife and mother was a steely determination that had enabled Daphne to run Cavendon Hall since their mother’s departure and death.
Hugo, too, helped to make Diedre feel better, perhaps because he had such a gift with people, knew how to make them welcome. Also, he had been close to her Paul, her husband’s business partner and best friend. So many of her happiest memories were associated with her sister and brother-in-law, and these memories warmed her, took away some of the pain inside.
Diedre was brought out of her reverie when Bruno placed the main course in front of her, and Hugo said, ‘Anna does the best sea bass in the world, as you know.’
Smiling at him, she said, ‘I do remember. And Daphne always creates the greatest menus.’
‘Mama is the best,’ Charlie announced. ‘The magical mother. Who does everything perfectly.’
Hugo grinned and Alicia agreed, as did Miles and Cecily. It was Diedre who added, ‘And without a doubt the best sister that ever was.’
A slight blush crept up Daphne’s neck to her cheeks, and tears glistened in her eyes, but they all knew they were tears of happiness. She sat there smiling at them, obviously pleased.
Diedre let go of her people-watching habit and concentrated on her plate of food. The sea bass had been grilled; it was served with a lemon sauce, with tiny segments of lemon mixed with capers in it, and small new potatoes.
‘It’s delicious,’ Diedre said to Hugo, and added, ‘Are you going to be here next week, Hugo? Or will you be in Geneva?’
‘Oh, here, of course, Diedre. No business next week. We just want to enjoy the Villa Fleurir for a couple of weeks longer. Then it’s back to Cavendon.’
‘I thought I might go to Berlin next week,’ Charlie said, looking from his mother to his father, a brow lifting quizzically.
‘Berlin!’ Daphne exclaimed, staring at her son in astonishment. ‘Whatever for?’
‘To see it. Get a feel about it. I’ve read so much about all these little men prancing around in ridiculous, operetta-style uniforms—’
‘Which would only be funny if these little men, as you call them, weren’t a bunch of dangerous gangsters,’ Diedre interrupted, her tone serious, her face grimly set as she looked at her nephew. ‘Make no mistake, they are tyrants, and will stop at nothing to attain their aims. Be assured of that, Charlie.’
‘I’ve no intention of allowing you to go to Berlin,’ Hugo said in a firm voice. ‘And what would be gained by it, I ask you?’
‘This is a particular time in history,’ Charlie said in a mild, steady voice, not wanting to alienate his parents, who always stood together on all things. ‘As a budding journalist, I want to see what’s happening, take photographs with my Kodak camera, do a general walk around. I hear Unter den Linden looks amazing … Nazi flags, great German eagles atop high columns, searchlights beaming. Very colourful.’
‘No,’ Diedre said in a harsh tone. ‘They’ve ruined that beautiful avenue with their theatrical trimmings. Anyway, no one should go to Berlin alone, Charlie, and especially a twenty-year-old.’
‘I’ll soon be twenty-one,’ he interjected, still speaking in the mildest voice.
‘I’d go with you,’ Alicia said. ‘But I’m off to Cavendon on Monday.’ Wanting to avert a quarrelsome scene between her brother and her parents, she hurried on, ‘I had a letter today from Felix, who’s in Los Angeles with Dulcie and James. He and Constance have agreed to represent me, and be my managers. I want to make films, you see, not tread the boards.’
‘What? You? A film star!’ Charlie cried, shaking his head, chuckling. ‘You’re the ugly duckling of the Inghams.’
‘No, she’s not,’ Cecily said. ‘She’s a graceful and elegant swan, if you’ll excuse the use of my name.’
Charlie grinned at his aunt, and said, ‘I’m only teasing the beautiful Alicia, and every one of you knows that.’
‘Yes, we do, darling,’ Daphne said. ‘And you’ve taken lovely pictures of Alicia on your Kodak. But it’s still no to Berlin.’
Cecily looked at Diedre, and said hesitantly, ‘Maybe we all ought to go with Charlie … what do you think, Diedre?’ She sat waiting for an answer, quaking inside, hoping Diedre wouldn’t be angry with her.
Diedre didn’t respond immediately, not particularly surprised by Cecily’s suggestion. She always said what was on her mind. Her sister-in-law had never shown fear in her life. And, as a matter of fact, she had voiced what Diedre had herself been thinking at that moment. It would be a way for her to speak to Toby Jung in person, and plan the extraction, if there was going to be one. But how to pull it off? Finally she spoke.
‘What do I think …? Well, I believe a family like ours would be perfectly safe in Berlin. Particularly if we were invited to a reception at the British Embassy by Sir Nevile Henderson, the ambassador—’
‘Gosh, Aunt Diedre, could you arrange that?’ Charlie asked, cutting in, awe echoing in his voice.
‘Oh no, Charlie, I don’t have that kind of clout, but I know my superior has had wind of the annual reception being given some time soon. For important visitors to Berlin. I could investigate, find out if that’s true.’
‘Hitler loves the British aristocracy. We all know that, and yes, of course, we would be safe,’ Miles said in a positive manner. ‘And I see what you’re getting at, Diedre. Being fêted at the British Embassy would give us the stamp of approval.’
‘Oh, surely we have that already,’ Daphne exclaimed. ‘We’re the Clan