Rumours by Freya North Page A

the years.
    The rain had stopped, everything glistened and shone but Stella shivered and put her coat on, hugging it tightly around herself as she walked across the driveway to her car. Inside, she put the heat on high and realized how that old house had quite chilled her to the bone. She thought again of Tess Durbeyfield, how Tess had wondered about Mrs d’Urberville.
    â€˜If there is such a lady, it would be enough for us if she were friendly …’

Chapter Nine
    Stella gave herself a stern talking-to as she raced to pick up Will from after-school club.
    Lady Whatnot didn’t say you
won’t
be representing Longbridge.
    She said you’re to come back tomorrow.
    Money she may have – manners she has none.
    She’s just an old dragon.
    But Stella felt despondent – as if she’d failed a test and a carrot that had been dangled in front of her had been snatched away in a harsh peal of upper-class laughter; as if she’d been one of the balls hit around in a game of croquet. Why would she want to work for the old battleaxe anyway? She felt impotent – it seemed she didn’t have a choice. It appeared if Lady Up-Her-Bum wanted Stella, then Stella she would have.
    â€˜Shall we go over and see the Twins? Aunty Ju said it’s fish and chips for supper.’
    Will was delighted. Actually, Stella had food prepared at home for Will but her need for adult company – sane, sweet, adult company – overrode her usual timetable of homework, supper, telly, bath, bed and a long evening alone muttering at the telly. She’d phoned Juliet who was only too pleased to hear from her and to be able to help.
    â€˜But it’s a school night, Mummy.’
    â€˜I know!’ Stella said, as if it was the coolest, most daring concept ever.
    With Will upstairs with Pauly and Tom, happy not to touch a thing, just to look at their stuff and be in their company as if hoping their cred was catching, Juliet had Stella to herself downstairs.
    â€˜You all right, chook?’ Juliet asked nonchalantly while rooting around the cupboard for the ketchup.
    â€˜Can I borrow a suit, do you think? One of yours?’
    â€˜Well, I hardly thought you meant Alistair’s. Yes, of course.’ She looked at Stella, who looked glum and distracted. ‘But why? There’s not a funeral I don’t know about, is there? Uncle MacKenzie?’
    â€˜No – Uncle Mac is still hanging on. I just need to look a bit more formal and estate-agenty tomorrow.’
    â€˜Charming! Is that your sartorial judgement of me, then?’ Juliet gave her a long look, up and down, as if assessing which suit Stella would be entitled to. ‘You’re not wearing my Paul Smith then – I’ll dig out my old one from Wallis for that!’
    Stella laughed. ‘You know what I mean – and I just need
not
to look like a waitress in a gastro pub.’
    â€˜Firstly – you don’t, you look lovely. Secondly – why?’
    â€˜Awkward client.’
    â€˜Oh?’
    â€˜Lady Up-Her-Bum Fortescue-Barbary OK-Yah Di-Fucking-Da.’
    â€˜Oh,’ said Juliet. ‘
Her
.’ She paused. ‘Who?’
    â€˜Lives in a Georgian pile over at Long Dansbury. It’s worth millions. She called for me – and then spent most of this morning being rude yet demanded I come back tomorrow.’
    â€˜Can’t you send someone else from the office?’
    â€˜She asked for me by name.’
    â€˜Perhaps it’s just her manner.’
    â€˜She may be a Lady – but she has no manners. She’s horrible.’
    â€˜Yes, but blimey, Stella – have you calculated the commission?’
    â€˜Exactly – it could be the solution to everything. That’s why I have to go. I’ll have to swallow my morals and sell my soul to the old devil – but hence the need for your suit.’
    â€˜And you think she’ll be more polite if you dress the