A Vengeful Reunion

by Catherine George

  ‘So Jonah’s forgiven you.’

  ‘Something I’m very grateful for, and jolly well should be, according to Jess.’ Leonie described their evening together, including her sister’s parting shot. ‘She thinks I should have trusted Jonah.’

  ‘Jess tends to see everything in black and white,’ said her mother with affection.

  ‘By the way, she’s driving down for the lunch party. Says she wants in on the excitement when Jonah’s parents meet Fenny for the first time. Pity Adam’s so far away.’

  ‘We don’t know that Flora and James are free yet,’ Frances reminded her.

  ‘Once Jonah tells them about Fenny—and me—I’m sure they will be,’ said Leonie with certainty, then gave a deep sigh. ‘Oh, Mother, I’m so happy.’

  When Fenny came out of school that afternoon her woebegone little face lit up when she saw Leonie had come to drive her home. ‘You came back!’ she said, scrambling into the back seat.

  ‘Of course I did. I promised.’

  ‘I was afraid you’d gone back to that school,’ accused Fenny, her eyes on the large parcel beside her. ‘What’s in there, Leo?’

  ‘Your present. I promised that, too, remember?’

  Jonah had bought an outsize Paddington Bear at the station, complete with hat, boots and a suitcase full of the requisite marmalade sandwiches. While they waited for Kate the wrappings were summarily removed, and Leonie’s fears that the toy might be too babyish vanished at Fenny’s cries of rapture.

  ‘Kate is coming home with us this afternoon?’ said Leonie suddenly, when they were on the way to the senior school. ‘I forgot to ask.’

  ‘Course she is. You promised you’d be home today.’ Fenny eyed Leonie with disapproval. ‘Kate said we had to share you with Jess, but she was sad, too.’

  ‘Oh, darling, I’m sorry! But I’m back now, and when Kate gets here I’ll tell you both a secret.’

  ‘Marzi came back?’ said Fenny, eyes blazing with hope.

  Leonie could have kicked herself. ‘No, not yet, darling. But he will. You’ll see.’

  The moment Kate spotted Leonie she detached herself from a group of friends and raced towards the car, smiling. ‘You got back, then,’ she said breathlessly, fastening her seat belt. ‘Had a good time? Jess OK?’

  ‘Yes, yes and yes,’ said Leonie, laughing as she drove off.

  ‘Kate’s here now,’ prompted Fenny imperiously. ‘Tell us the secret, Leo.’

  ‘What secret?’ said Kate, then whistled as she spotted the ring on her sister’s hand.

  ‘Jonah and I are getting married,’ announced Leonie, the words like honey on her tongue.

  Fenny let out a squeal of excitement. ‘When? Where? Can I be bridesmaid? Alice had a long dress when her sister got married, and satin shoes. Can I—?’

  ‘Hey, steady on,’ said Kate, laughing. ‘Give Leo a chance, brat.’ She smiled at her sister smugly. ‘You obviously made good use of the trip, just like I said.’

  ‘It wasn’t quite like that!’

  ‘I’m sure it wasn’t.’ Kate was suddenly serious. ‘I’m so glad for you, Leo. I bet Mother’s over the moon. I think she was afraid you’d never be really happy again.’

  ‘So was I,’ admitted Leonie, then chuckled as Fenny drew Kate’s attention to her present.

  ‘I had noticed,’ said Kate, laughing. ‘I could hardly miss him.’

  ‘Did you bring Kate a present, too?’ demanded Fenny.

  ‘Of course I did—three bestsellers for Miss Bookworm.’

  Frances Dysart had a special celebration tea party waiting for them, and once Fenny had recovered from the disappointment of Marzi’s absence she ate as many sandwiches and freshly baked scones as the others. During the meal Frances went off to answer the phone, and was away so long Leonie and Kate exchanged questioning glances as they cleared away.

  ‘I wonder who Mother’s talking to,’ said Leonie.

  ‘Telling Mrs Anderson the glad news, I expect—’ Kate broke off as her mother burst into the kitchen, her face wreathed in smiles.

  ‘That was the dog warden! A golden retriever was rescued from the quarry earlier today, and from the description it must be Marzi—’

  Fenny let out a scream of joy and hurled herself at her mother. ‘Where is he? Let’s go and get him now—’

  ‘Hey, hey, hold your horses! Let Mother tell us what happened, Fen.’ Leonie hauled Fenny on her lap to listen as Frances told them that one of the quarry men had spotted a dog lying on a ledge forty feet down in a disused part of the local limestone quarry. The manager had rung the police, who went immediately to the rescue. The dog was concussed and dazed, with deep scratches on his face and neck, and had been taken to the local vet, who had put him on a drip and was keeping him in overnight.

  ‘What’s a drip?’ demanded Fenny, alarmed.

  Frances explained reassuringly. ‘I rang the vet, and he says we can fetch him tomorrow. But here’s the best part. Although I’m certain it’s Marzi by the description, to make certain the warden said we must watch the local news on television this evening. Would you believe it? A camera crew filmed the rescue!’

  After that the excitement was so intense not even Kate could settle to any homework, and Fenny was given a special dispensation to skip hers all together for once.

  ‘Fat chance, anyway,’ said Kate, as Fenny danced round the room with Paddington Bear, her face scarlet with joy.

  ‘Ring Dad,’ Leonie urged her mother. ‘Tell him to get home in time for the news. And we’ll video it as well, for Jess and Adam. And Jonah, too,’ she added. ‘I’ll ring him now and give him the glad news.’ She jumped up, glad of the excuse, and hurried upstairs to her room to talk in private.

  ‘Guess what?’ she said breathlessly, when Jonah answered.

  ‘You’ve changed your mind!’

  ‘Never,’ she assured him huskily. ‘Don’t even joke about it. Resign yourself to your fate, Jonah Savage. You’re stuck with me.’

  ‘Can I have that in writing?’

  ‘I’ll hand a sworn affidavit over to you tomorrow. With my love,’ she added huskily.

  ‘Talking of which,’ said Jonah, his voice deepening. ‘Since there’s a general celebration at the weekend I demand time alone with you tomorrow night.’

  ‘I’ve thought of that already. Where shall we go?’

  ‘Just as far as the lodge. Let’s have a picnic.’

  ‘Perfect. I’ll need to lend a hand here for a while, but after that I’m yours.’

  ‘Damn right you are!’

  She sighed with deep satisfaction, then laughed suddenly. ‘I’m forgetting—I had a special reason for ringing.’

  ‘To say you love me, of course,’ he said smugly.

  ‘That too,’ she admitted. ‘But the other big story of the day is the return of the prodigal!’

  Jonah roared with laughter when he heard about the television coverage. ‘You mean I risked life and limb climbing down the wrong cliff?’

  ‘We’re not absolutely sure it’s Marzi yet—’

  ‘Of course it is. It has to be. How’s Fenny?’

  ‘Last seen bopping round the kitchen in transports of delight with Paddington Bear.’ Leonie heaved in a deep sigh of thanksgiving. ‘Jonah, I wish you were with me right now.’

  ‘Where are you?’

  ‘Sitting on my bed.’

  ‘I’d rather it was my bed. Leo, you’ve got a hell of a lot to make up to me.’

  ‘I’ll make a start tomorrow! What time are you coming?’

  ‘I’ll ring once I’m on my way, darling.’

  ‘Jonah!’ said Leonie in sudden remorse. ‘I forgot to ask. How did your parents take the news about Fenny?’

  ‘They were bowled over, as you can imagine. Mother had a little weep at first, but Dad soon cheered her up by talk of shopping for presents.’

  ‘Flora was very sweet to me on the phone. More than I deserve after the way I treated you so badly.’

  ‘She’s never
quite managed to get her head round that angle,’ he said dryly. ‘Both of them are utterly delighted we’re together again. So am I,’ he added, in a tone which made Leonie’s pulse quicken.

  ‘I love you so much, Jonah,’ she said in a sudden rush, and rang off before she said a whole lot more things better kept until they were together, and alone.

  Tom Dysart got home that evening just in time to see the local news, which ended with an item showing the police rescuing a very pathetic, dazed-looking Marzi from the quarry. The dog was last seen looking mournfully through the window of the van bearing him off to the vet.

  ‘A happy ending to a doggy adventure,’ said the presenter, and smiled at the camera. ‘I’m sure someone out there will be happy to give him a home.’

  ‘He’s got a home,’ yelled everyone in unison, laughing in relief now Marzi had been identified beyond all doubt.

  Tom gave Fenny a smacking kiss. ‘Right then, Fenella Dysart, no more tears.’

  ‘Dad,’ said Kate urgently. ‘Haven’t you noticed anything?’

  Her father eyed her closely. ‘In all the excitement, no. Have you had your hair cut?’

  ‘Hopeless!’ she said, laughing. ‘Show him, Leo.’

  Leonie held out her left hand to her father, smiling so radiantly he enveloped her in a bear hug.

  ‘I assume Jonah’s responsible for this,’ he said gruffly.

  ‘Of course he is.’ Leonie grinned up at him. ‘I told him he didn’t need your permission this time.’

  ‘It’s never been withdrawn.’ Tom looked at his wife. ‘I think this calls for something special to drink with dinner. You were right, Frances—as usual.’

  ‘About what?’ demanded Leonie.

  Her mother shrugged. ‘It was obvious to me since you arrived from Italy that you and Jonah were both still as much in love with each other as ever. Even if neither of you would admit it. The trip to London was a splendid idea. I know they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but in my opinion a little togetherness is a lot more effective.’

  Leonie woke next morning to the feeling of something wonderfully right with her world, and stretched luxuriously as she gazed at the ring on her hand. Sleep had been a long time coming the night before, after a secret midnight call from Jonah to say goodnight. The cellphone was a wonderful invention. She stretched luxuriously as she thought of the outrageously gratifying things Jonah had told her in the quiet night.

  The door burst open and Fenny hurtled in, already dressed, with Kate following behind with a mug of tea.

  ‘Special treatment today, Leo,’ she said, smiling. ‘Hope we didn’t wake you.’

  ‘Mummy says it’s time to get up soon anyway,’ said Fenny. ‘You have to go shopping.’

  Leonie sat up, accepting the tea with thanks. ‘What sort of shopping?’ she said, yawning.

  ‘Food, glorious food to celebrate the return of the prodigal.’

  ‘Marzi or me?’

  ‘Both, I should think.’

  ‘Mummy’s rung the vet,’ broke in Fenny, ‘but Marzi can’t come home until this afternoon, so you’re to wait for me. I want to see him first.’

  ‘Yes, Miss Bossie,’ said Leonie, grinning. She waved her sisters off, then slid out of bed, dressed quickly and ran downstairs to eat a hasty breakfast with her mother.

  ‘Mrs Briggs will be here shortly with one of her girls for a blitz on the house,’ said Frances, eyeing her shopping list. ‘I thought a cold buffet with one or two hot dishes. A spot of informality might be a good thing in the circumstances. But what shall we eat tonight?’

  Leonie smiled cajolingly. ‘You won’t mind if I play truant tonight, Mother? Jonah wants me to have dinner with him.’

  Frances looked up, smiling. ‘Of course he does. And I don’t mind a bit.’

  ‘Great.’ Leonie glanced at the clock and jumped to her feet. ‘Can we get going, then? I need to be somewhere near home when Jonah rings from the train.’

  Frances breathed out a long, heartfelt sigh. ‘You were just like this the first time round. I never thought to see it again. You’ve always seemed a bit detached about Roberto.’

  ‘Roberto!’ Leonie’s eyes met her mother’s in utter consternation. ‘Good grief, I’d forgotten all about him.’ She jumped up. ‘I’ll give him a quick ring—’

  ‘A quick ring?’ Frances looked scandalised. ‘You owe the man more than that, Leo.’

  ‘Yes—yes, you’re right.’ Leonie thrust a hand through her hair. ‘I’d better wait until I see him, tell him face to face. Which is something I don’t look forward to very much. Not,’ she added, ‘that there was ever any actual mention of marriage. We never got as far as being lovers, either, in case you’re wondering.’

  ‘I’m not. I knew perfectly well you weren’t.’

  Leonie stared. ‘How?’

  Her mother looked a little embarrassed. ‘Darling, I remember a certain aura about you when you got engaged to Jonah. It’s back again, in full force. But you were never like that over Roberto Forli.’

  Leonie shook her head in wonder. ‘As I’ve said before, nothing gets past you, Mother dear, does it? But I really must set Roberto straight as soon as I get to Florence.’ She pulled a face. ‘Only I hate the thought of going back now.’

  ‘When does your contract finish?’

  ‘At the end of next term. Then it’s home for the wedding, and this time nothing’s going to get in the way!’

  Leonie was in the car park of the supermarket, helping her mother load the car, when her phone rang.

  ‘I’m on my way,’ said Jonah.

  ‘Good. Where are you?’

  ‘Just leaving London. I’ll come straight to Friars Wood.’

  ‘I’ll be waiting.’

  ‘Did you sleep well last night?’ he said huskily.

  ‘No. Did you?’

  ‘Likewise. Are you alone?’

  ‘No, darling. I’m in a car park with Mother.’

  Jonah chuckled. ‘And I’m surrounded by men in suits with laptops. See you soon.’

  As Leonie banged the car boot shut she gave her mother a cajoling look. ‘Could I beg a big, big favour?’

  ‘You want to borrow the car to meet Jonah?’

  ‘Not exactly. Jonah parked his car at Bristol Parkway. Could you possibly drive me over there?’ Leonie smiled sheepishly. ‘I was going to say I don’t think he should drive back by himself, but that’s not the reason.’

  ‘You mean you can’t wait to see him again,’ said Frances, laughing. ‘Come on, then. Let’s get going. I must get back to help Mrs Briggs.’

  Frances made such good time across the Severn Bridge to the station Leonie had a long wait for Jonah’s train. She bought some coffee and a magazine, but the time seemed endless until the station announcer said the train was due. She ran up the stairs to cross the bridge to the other platform, watching eagerly as the train came snaking into view. Jonah was first to get off, his dark glasses no disguise for the delight on his face when he saw her. He came striding to take her in his arms and kissed her with a lack of inhibition watched with interest by passengers in the nearest parts of the train.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ he demanded, hurrying her towards the stairs.

  ‘Meeting you, of course! Mother gave me a lift over so I could drive you home. I thought you might still have a headache.’

  ‘The only ache I’m suffering from is nothing to do with my head,’ he muttered in her ear, then laughed as the colour rose in her face. ‘God, I’ve missed you, Leo.’

  ‘It’s only been one night,’ she said breathlessly, as he hurried her towards the car.

  ‘It’s been thousands of nights, not just one.’ He thrust her into the driving seat, got in the other side and pulled her into his arms to kiss her again. ‘Soon,’ he muttered against her mouth, ‘I’ll be able to see you without wanting to do this all the time. But right now I get carnal thoughts every time I set eyes on you. And when I don’t.’

  ‘Me too,’ she a
dmitted frankly. ‘You look better, Jonah. How do you feel?’

  ‘I feel wonderful—so do you,’ he added huskily, his hands sliding beneath her jacket.

  ‘Mr Savage, would you kindly desist so that I can drive?’ she requested, eyes sparkling.

  Jonah subsided reluctantly. ‘If I must. But I’m glad I’m not driving. I can keep my eyes on you instead of the road.’

  On the journey back he reiterated his parents’ delight at the news he’d given them, and how much they were looking forward to seeing Leonie and her family again, and their excitement about meeting Fenny.

  ‘Does your mother mind that I’m stealing you away tonight?’ added Jonah.

  ‘Not in the least. Once I flashed my ring at her she was ready to agree to anything.’

  ‘Because she’s happy about having me for a son-in-law, of course,’ he said smugly.

  ‘That, too, conceited one! But mainly because she’s happy that I’m happy. And,’ she added, slanting a triumphant glance at him, ‘while Mother and I were out emptying supermarket shelves for tomorrow’s feast I did a little shopping on my own account for that picnic supper you mentioned.’

  Jonah sat back in his seat, giving a deep, contented sigh. ‘I knew there was more to you than those curls and that luscious pair of—ouch, that hurt,’ he complained as she pinched his thigh. ‘I was referring to your beautiful dark eyes,’ he added, aggrieved, then leered at her outrageously to give the lie to his statement.

  At Friars Wood all was in turmoil due to Mrs Briggs and her relentless advance through the house, like Sherman through Georgia.

  ‘Jonah, I’m delighted,’ said Frances, kissing him warmly when Leonie took him to the relative calm of the kitchen. ‘Though I should warn you that Fenny’s determined to be a bridesmaid.’

  ‘Want to change your mind?’ teased Leonie.

  He looked her in the eye. ‘Not a habit of mine,’ he said pointedly, then put an arm round her waist and kissed her cheek. ‘And don’t flash those eyes at me. This time I’ll make sure you don’t change your mind, either.’

  ‘I didn’t change my mind,’ she said soberly.