Reforming Bill

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

For that evenings party Lila had wound and fastened her hair into a coil about the crown of her head and left a few tendrils to frame her face. Her dress was emerald green and she had brought some matching diamond and emerald jewellery to go with it.

Bill thought that she looked stunning and told her as much. He felt like the proudest man in Devon when he walked into the ballroom with her on his arm.

There was a string quartet sitting on a raised platform playing Vivaldi and around a central dance, floor tables had been set for the guests. Lady Winders greeted them and showed them to their table but as soon as she left, they began making the rounds and chatting to the other guests. Ivy turned up not long after and had clearly gone to town, wearing a dress that was only just decent. Lila noticed her enter but chose not to tell Bill.

Bill was in the middle of an animated conversation with Charles Dhalmer about the new Bugatti type 57 motorcar. His wife, Victoria, roller her eyes at Lila as if to say 'boys and their toys' and Lila smiled although she actually found their conversation fascinating. Lila had always been interested in cars.

John excused himself as he went to find a bathroom and Lila noticed Ivy follow him out. She wondered how he would react to being cornered by her and silently wished him luck.

Victoria's husband drifted off to speak with someone else and Victoria began asking Lila about America. She answered as best she could but her eyes kept drifting to the doorway through which she expected Bill to reappear.

III

Bill couldn't say that he was surprised to find Ivy waiting for him when he exited the men's room but he really had no desire to speak to her.

"What do you want, Ivy?” he asked, his tone making it clear that he wasn't in the mood for games.

“I only wanted to make sure that you were all right.”

He made to move around her but she blocked his path.

“I know you got that letter I sent because I delivered it my hand.”

“Yes, but as soon as I realised who it was from, I threw it away.”

“I really am sorry, Bill. I was such a fool.” Tears were shining in her eyes. “Please say that you can forgive me.”

Bill's expression turned fierce and he took a step towards her, causing her to back away in fright.

“Don't ever ask that of me again, do you understand?”

Ivy nodded, letting her tears spill over. “I'm so sorry, Bill.”

Bill headed back to the party with Ivy following behind him.

“Will you at least dance with me later?” she asked. “For old times sake.”

Bill turned back and looked her up and down.

“Go and put some clothes on, you look like the whore that you are.”

Ivy stopped dead, stung by his words. He used to like it when she dressed provocatively, though granted that was only in their own home. She pulled a handkerchief from her bag and dabbed at her eyes before her tears could do too much damage.

As she walked back into the ballroom she glared at Lila, wishing that the other woman would just drop dead.

As she returned to her parents table she couldn't help but slow down so that she could overhear Lila's conversation.

“I say dear,” Miss Peavey said as she approached them . “I've been wracking my brain all afternoon trying to remember why your name seemed so familiar and I think I've cracked it! Are you by any chance related to John Thorn.”