Second Chance by Sian James Page A

vulnerable at the moment. And rather worthless.’
    She decided to ignore my bid for sympathy. ‘Your cousin came over from Gorsgoch, I hear.’
    â€˜Yes. Do you know him?’
    â€˜No. Only his wife is sister to Edwina Williams, Buarth, and of course, she’d heard all about you. Yes, very natural Grace thought you were. No side. Well, I must be off. My mother-in-law asked me to tell you she’s got everything organised and you’re not to worry about a thing.’
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    I’m pleased Rhydian and Grace are coming again tonight. It’s strange how close I feel to Rhydian; someone I’d half-feared, half-worshipped all my childhood revealed as mere mortal. But an interesting one with a bit of Auntie Jane in his looks and his character. And with a lazy, summer voice.
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    In spite of assuring me that she’d got everything under control, Maggie Davies called again at midday today. With a problem. Did I want her to use the vestry china, plain white, with several of the larger plates chipped and cracked, or should she ask for the Women’s Institute china, pale green and in much better condition. Only they charged five pounds.
    â€˜I think the green,’ I said firmly. ‘Let me give you the five pounds now, while I think of it.’
    â€˜No, that will be a separate bill from the Institute. You think green is in order? For a funeral, I mean?’
    â€˜Absolutely.’
    â€˜What about the floral arrangements for the chapel? With the funeral being on a Friday, the floral arrangements would normally be left in place for Sunday worship.’
    â€˜That seems a sensible idea.’
    â€˜So who exactly is going to see to the floral arrangements? I’m sorry to say that I have too much in hand at the moment.’
    â€˜I appreciate that. I intend to see to the floral arrangements myself.’
    â€˜For the chapel and the vestry?’
    â€˜That’s right.’
    â€˜Since I’m in charge of setting the tables in the vestry, can I suggest five all-white floral arrangements with trailing greenery.’
    â€˜Exactly what I had in mind. For the vestry and the chapel.’
    Maggie Davies probably wouldn’t have got so annoyed with me if I hadn’t been using my Edith Evans voice.
    â€˜I hope you realise that all the florists in town are closed on Wednesday afternoon,’ she said, ‘and that they will want more than twenty-four hours’ notice for half a dozen floral arrangements.’
    â€˜Ah, but I’ve already ordered them from London.’
    She didn’t believe me, I could tell that by the way her eyes narrowed. All the same, she seemed to be readjusting her opinion of me.
    When she’d left I phoned Paul yet again, leaving yet another message on the answerphone. ‘My mother’s dead but you don’t seem to care. When you finally get home will you please get in touch with me about floral arrangements.’ I slammed down the receiver realising that I was still speaking in my ‘grande dame’ voice. Good .
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7
    â€˜I’m Edwina Williams, Grace’s sister. Just calling by to express my condolences...’ Her voice changed abruptly. ‘What I mean is, I’m ever so sorry to hear about your poor mother’s death. I didn’t know her, myself, but everybody seemed to have a good word for her.’
    â€˜Thank you, Edwina. Nice of you to call. Grace is being very kind as well. You look alike, I could tell you were sisters… But of course, you’re a younger version.’
    â€˜And bigger of course. Grace and I would have seen to the funeral for you, no problem, only we heard Maggie Davies had taken it over.’
    â€˜That’s right – Lorna suggested her. Anyway, I wouldn’t want to impose on family.’
    â€˜Maggie Davies was telling a neighbour of mine this morning that you were getting the flowers all the way from London. Now, there’s no need for