Just when everything seemed to be working out in Edith’s favor, tragedy struck. Luna’s coughs increased in frequency and decibel. She became very ill. In a matter of weeks, her body grew frail and listless. Doctors came and went, but none had been able to help her. It was her heart; the burdens that she had to bear weighed too heavily on her. Her heart could bear it no more. The prognosis was not good. Three weeks left; maybe four. When Edith wasn’t working in the bakery, she was by her best friend’s side, reading to her, feeding her, tending to her every need. Marigold helped out more with the bakery, but in Luna’s absence, the quality suffered and the bakery’s reputation was sullied.
One evening, while Edith was attempting to knit a tea cosy, Luna said in a raspy voice, “Edith my dear, I want to give you something. And with all the energy she could muster, Luna held-out the locket that she always wore around her neck. It had the words “Best Friends” engraved on it.
“Edith, my sweet friend, you have been a best friend to me. This locket is my most cherished possession. One bright, sunny day in London, my husband and I stopped into a fashionable new jewelry store simply called ‘Claire’s,’ where we bought matching lockets – matching, except one was engraved ‘Best Friends’ and the other was engraved ‘Forever.’ I kept the Best Friends locket and my lovey kept the one that read ‘Forever.’ When I was imprisoned at the lunatic asylum, as a cruel joke my sister-in-law delivered the Forever locket to me – to make me believe that her brother loved me no more. Well, when they took my son away from me, a sweet, young nurse agreed that she would make sure that my son would be given the ‘Forever’ locket, for inside it were portraits of his father and of me on our wedding day. Now I give my locket to you, so if you ever find a young man with a ‘Forever’ locket holding matching pictures, you will know that you have found my son. Please tell him that I loved him with all my heart and I never wanted to give him up.” She gasped for air and gently closed her eyes. So much talking had taken its toll. Luna needed rest.
“Yes. Yes of course,” promised Edith. Carefully, she opened the locket. On the left side, she saw a picture of a beautiful bride, glowing as though it were the happiest day of her life. What she saw on the right side made her gasp. It was impossible, she thought. It was a picture of a younger Michael Gregson – her lover and Marigold’s father. Breathless, she clasped the locket to her heaving bosom.
Edith remembered her vow to take vengeance on the woman who stole Luna’s husband, long before she learned that she, herself, was that woman. She was indeed perplexed. She seriously thought Michael’s wife was a nut case and institutionalized in earnest. How could she have known otherwise!?! Nonetheless, she must give her life for Luna, as an act of repentance. Edith vowed to never leave Luna’s side for the short remainder of Luna’s life.
Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Rosamund’s doorbell rang, and the butler ushered in a stylish young lady. The guest introduced herself as Fiona, a friend of Marigold’s. “Is Marigold in?” Fiona asked. “I was just in the neighborhood and thought I would drop by. We’re having tea this afternoon with some friends at Café du Monde and I thought we could go together.”
The unexpected guest (with the unexpected inquiry), gave Rosamund quite a start, but do you know, that old Rosamund was so smart and so slick, that she thought up a lie and she thought it up quick.
“Why my sweet little child,” the stylish Rosamund lied, “I’m Marigold’s guest, and my train just arrived. She’s at flute lessons now, then going directly to tea. She’ll have tea with you, then dinner with me.”
And her fib fooled the child. Then she adjusted her hat, she got her a drink, and what after that?
“Oh, you must come with me to the tea!” Fiona squealed with delight. “Marigold will be pleasantly surprised to see you. I know I’m right.”
“Indeed,” agreed Rosamund.
On their way to the tea room, Fiona described the spectacular tea hosted by Marigold just weeks earlier. “It would have been lovely if you had been able to attend!”
Rosamund smiled.
When Rosamund and Fiona found Marigold and Colonia in the tea room, Fiona gleefully announced, “Marigold! Look who I found!”
Marigold did not recognize the extravagantly dressed lady, but she did recognize the look the lady gave her. It said, “Just play along with it. Your secret’s safe with me.”
Marigold rose to greet the mystery guest, who clasped her in a warm embrace. Fiona, unable to hold back her excitement, announced to the group at the table, “This is Marigold’s Great Aunt Rosamund, visiting from Somerset!”
After an appropriate amount of small talk, Rosamund excused herself to visit the ladies lounge and gave Marigold a glance that said she should do the same. Once both ladies were in the ladies room, they checked to make sure the loos were empty. Then the curious Marigold asked, “Who are you?”
“I am your Great Aunt Rosamund, Marigold. Your mother is my dear niece – I haven’t seen her for years,” Rosamund gently replied. “And you were just a small child when I last saw you. You have grown into a fine young lady – a clever young lady. I’m proud of you. Now let’s go back to the table. After tea, you must accompany me to my home, and tell me all about your mother.” Just before opening the bathroom door, she turned back to Marigold. “And I hope you enjoyed hosting your tea in my home,” Rosamund said with raised eyebrows and pursed lips that quickly curled into a soft smile. Marigold blushed.