A Change OF SCENE

When her pal from school days came to visit, Daisy had a thrilling idea

- Matthew Batham

Lucinda, darling!’ Daisy exclaimed. ‘For the three days you’ve been staying with me, all you've done is bemoan the idea of returning to your beautiful London apartment.’

Daisy looked up from her canvas — she was painting the view from the rear of her cottage for the umpteenth time — and rested a critical gaze on her friend. She had no great desire for another watercolour of the flat, misty vistas of Norfolk as seen through the French windows of her sitting room. But painting relaxed her and, after spending three days with her old school chum, Lucinda Duncan-Amis, she needed to relax.

Lucinda’s visit marked their first meeting since leaving boarding school 15 years earlier. Daisy had been most surprised to receive a letter from Lucinda, who had got her address from a mutual acquaintance Lucinda had been talking to at a party.

Daisy had been pleased to hear from her old friend and had written back, suggesting Lucinda visit her in Norfolk some time, hardly expecting Lucinda to take her up on the offer. But now they had spent more time together, Daisy couldn't help but notice that they had grown apart since their school days.

Their friendship had always been challenging. Lucinda had been the archetypal spoiled little rich girl. At first, she’d had little to do with Daisy, apart from giving her the odd imperious look across the classroom or the dorm they shared with 12 other 11-year-old girls.

Daisy had been a plain child, or at least she’d considered herself to be so because she lacked confidence, while Lucinda had been incredibly pretty. Even when trussed up in the hideous school uniform they were forced to wear, her natural good looks had shone through. Fifteen years later, she was still very attractive, with a pale complexion, large blue eyes and perfect Cupid’s bow lips.