Daisy read the letter aloud in a shaky voice:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Taylor,
We regret the lateness of our reply regarding your manuscript of False Impressions of the Social Wannabe. Fleur D'Lis books has recently expanded and thus had a backlog of submissions. We are pleased to tell you that we are very interested in this novel and will, with your permission, publish it under our new imprint, Lifedays Books, which will feature humor/comedy fiction. See below for technical and legal details and contact information…
"We're getting published, Dais'," Onslow said faintly. "We did it."
…
Two more months passed, and False Impressions of the Social Wannabe was in London bookshops, though only for a limited run. Daisy and Onslow did not delude themselves into thinking that there might be enough success that the printing would be extended; rather, they were just more than content to be published at all—how many beginning writers could say that?
Enormously pleased at the result of their hard work, they sent complimentary copies of the book to everyone who'd given them inspiration or help—whether it had been directly or indirectly. Rose organized a congratulatory dinner for the authors at a locally famous restaurant.
It was a merry, laughing group that had gathered to celebrate the authors and the book's publication. There were only two who hadn't accepted the invitation to the party—the outraged Major, and Mrs. Councilor Nugent, who had been remorselessly blunt when giving her opinion of the book.
"It's rife with weak, predictable humor, and the plot is positively flimsy," she'd said, but Daisy and Onslow accepted the negative reviews as well as they did the positive ones.
The Major's reaction had been rather scathing
"So, Florence is inspired by Mrs. 'Bouquet', aye?" he had said bitterly when calling Rose in order to decline the invitation. "I say you didn't give her a fair shake. I can see that 'General Sherman' is based on myself—he's the only one who can see how lovely Florence—or Mrs. 'Bouquet', if you will—is!"
Rose had protested that it was all in good humor, but the Major uttered a few choice words before slamming down the receiver on his end.
The group gathered that night, however, had all enjoyed the story and spoke highly of it. Daisy and Onslow were pleased, and felt quite humble. They knew that their friends would never patronize them, so what they said really was what they thought. Mrs. Fortescue had even brought her copy of False Impressions along and asked for an autograph!
"You really want an autograph? You like it that much?" Onslow exclaimed.
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't," the heiress said simply.
"I'm telling everyone about this book," Emmett said while Daisy and Onslow were signing their names in Mrs. Fortescue's book. "I'm spreading the word! And when you two are rich"—Emmett grinned at Daisy and Onslow—"you can pay me back for publicizing your novel!"
"Did Hyacinth and Richard get a copy yet?" Liz inquired. Onslow was making his way through at third plate of roast beef and mashed potatoes, so Daisy answered, albeit with a rather chagrined expression. She said, slowly:
"Yes, I think we'll give them a copy. We've been procrastinating—or rather, I have. Onslow is letting my decide, since she's my sister. I know I should've sent one by now, but I'm a little worried about Hyacinth's reaction! I guess it's irrational—we wouldn't have written the book if we thought it might sound spiteful!"
"I don't see why Hyacinth should be offended," Liz said reassuringly.
Hoping to steer Daisy's mind away from her worries, Violet asked the present company if everyone had read the entire book. Everyone said they had—except for the vicar. Michael explained, almost apologetically, that an inter-parish conference had kept him busy for the past week, but assured Daisy and Onslow that he certainly was looking forward to reading the last few chapters.
"You really will enjoy the whole book, Michael," Alice said cheerfully, and then with a significant glance toward the authors, she added:
"There's one part in particular that I find especially amusing."
Mrs. Fortescue then raised her glass in a toast to Daisy and Onslow. "To our brilliant authors!" she cheered, and the others heartily chimed in.
…
After two weeks, False Impression sold nine hundred copies, to the authors' delight. It wasn't a huge number, but, of course, great success wasn't to be expected right away—if ever.
Just a few days after the celebration dinner, while Daisy was signing their first check from the publisher, the telephone shrilled.
"I'll get it, Dais'!" Onslow shouted from downstairs.
"'Ello?" he said when he'd picked up the receiver. A familiar voice greeted him cheerfully.
"Ah, it's you, Vicar," Onslow said. "What's that? You want to talk to us about the book?"—a pause—"no, we'll come by your place. Don't trouble yourself! We'll come along in about an hour."
Onslow went upstairs to tell Daisy about the telephone call.
"The vicar wants to talk about the book?" Daisy said, and Onslow was slightly surprised that she sounded worried. "Onslow, maybe it was unkind to trick him like that. I keep feeling a bit guilty on occasion. I'd hate to have upset such a nice person."
Onslow shook his head in disagreement. "The vicar sounded friendly enough. He's not the kind of chap to get upset easily, and I don't think he'd be hard on us, even if he was."
Michael, to Daisy's relief, was smiling when he escorted her and Onslow into the Evanses' home. They were shown into the comfortable living room, where Daisy and Onslow each took an easy chair across from the vicar.
"Ally, our esteemed guests have arrived," Michael announced, and Alice looked up from where she was sitting on a nearby sofa.
"How lovely of you two to come," she said warmly. "Well, Daisy and Onslow, so we did make an appearance! We're quite delighted!"
"You're the ones who set up that false phone call!" the vicar said, pretending to sound accusatory.
Onslow, who felt suddenly obliged to admit his part in the setup, chimed in and said that he hoped their little joke hadn't caused any terrible inconvenience.
"Really, I'm not upset," Michael assured him.
"I'm glad we haven't caused you any great trouble," Daisy said. "But I would have been to blame if we had—it was my idea."
"Don't you worry, Daisy," Michael said lightly. He gave her one of his warm, charming smiles, and Onslow noted how foolishly Daisy smiled in return. This, for just a moment, gave him an odd feeling of annoyance. That 'dishy vicar' certainly had a powerful effect on women—even those who were sixty-odd years old, married, and living in a council house with someone self-proclaimed as 'work shy, bone idle and out of condition'!
With Michael's reassurance that he didn't mind Daisy and Onslow's little ploy, discussion of the book began. The Evanses were especially keen on learning how the book had been inspired, and what it had been like for Daisy and Onslow to take on such a big project. When the authors had answered all questions Alice read aloud her favorite scene.
Reverend Jerry opened the door and was startled to see Florence standing before him, smiling broadly. With as genuine a smile as he could muster, he looked at his most notable parishioner and said, "Why Mrs. Fontaine…sorry, Fontaine, what are you doing here?"
Florence smiled sweetly. "Every time I ring the vicarage, your wife says you're busy, but I know what's really happening."
The vicar eyed Florence warily. "And that would be?"
"I know you want my help so much," Florence said, "but I'm certain you feel a little intimidated by my years of gracious and successful volunteerism! I figured if I came to your house and talked to you directly, you'd see that I'm quite a down-to-earth woman."
Reverend Jerry had a desperate desire to bolt inside and close the door, but he knew that it would be rude—even if it was Florence. Where was his wife, Blair, when he needed her? She was a little more tolerant of Mrs. Fontaine, and was excellent at relieving him of having to talk to Mrs. Fontaine.
Thus, the vicar bore Mrs. Fontaine's monologue as well as possible. To hurry her away, despite his misgivings, he numbly agreed that she could help organize the church's monthly visit to the residents of the local retirement home.
"I just have one criticism," Michael jested when his wife had finished reading. "I think you made my Alice's 'alter ego' much too nice."
"How very kind of you," Alice pretended to chide.
Laughing, Daisy and Onslow bid farewell to the Evanses and left. Daisy, always a light-hearted soul, fairly danced back to the car. People loved their book! Perhaps word would spread and she and Onslow be known all over England! They'd have people begging them for autographs, sending them fan mail, demanding that they travel to London for a 'meet the authors' session…
Onslow, who'd also caught himself daydreaming, glanced at his wife and surmised that they were both having the same fantasy.
"Let's not get carried away, Dais'," he said sagely. "And let's not get too proud, either."
Surprise! I was bored and wanted to finish this chapter early :) The next chapter, which will be the last, will take a few more days. I want it to be just right (especially deciding what Hyacinth's reaction will be!)