FCN 5: Chair/Linger
It’s a masterpiece, and that’s coming from Martin, who’s a perfectionist and thus doesn’t throw that word around easily. The wood is a beautiful, rich colour, and the curves of the back of the chair are smooth and symmetrical. Even so, Douglas seems to look at it with a critical air.
“Will it do?” he asks, apparently oblivious to the stupidity of that question.
Theresa is the first one able to speak. “It’s marvellous, Douglas,” she says. “It will more than do.”
“…because I can keep it at mine if you think home-made is a bit low brow for the palace,” Douglas continues, as if he hasn’t heard her. “That is, assuming she’ll be visiting regularly enough to warrant—”
“No!” Martin says quickly, then checks himself. “I mean, of course she’ll be visiting, as often as you like, and you’re welcome to keep the chair at yours if you want to, but it wouldn’t be because it’s not good enough. It’s beautiful.”
Douglas looks bashful, an expression that does not sit well on his face. “Well, Arthur helped. Quite a lot, actually. I based it on his design, and one of the arms was entirely his work.”
Martin peers closer. “I can’t tell which,” he says, feeling a bit mean that he’s surprised.
“No. He’s quite the little protégé. I’m going to miss our little woodworking sessions. By the way, you can’t tell Carolyn. Arthur’s working on his first solo project for her, and he wants it to be a complete surprise. Severed limbs and all. No, I'm joking, he's actually got a flair for it.”
“Noted. We won't say a word.”
Martin steps back from the highchair to take the whole thing in at once. “It’s so lovely, this. I can’t wait to try it out.”
Douglas gives a wry smile. “I was meaning it for the baby, really, Martin…”
Theresa giggles, and Martin looks confused for a second, before it clicks. “Ah. Yes, very funny. Obviously I meant ‘trying it out’ by putting Aida in it.” He shoots a glance at the nearby nursery door. “Do you think…”
“No,” Theresa says firmly, giving him a chastening prod in the side. “We’re not waking her up early.” She smiles. “But the Master Carpenter is of course welcome to stay for as long as it takes her to wake up by herself.”
“Do you know, I think I might,” says Douglas, following them through to the sitting room, though not before casting one last lingering glance over his handiwork, as if determined to find a flaw in it somewhere.
Martin notices, and grins. Somehow it means more, the fact that Douglas extended his already vast comfort zone to make Aida a truly special gift.
Now, if only the youngest princess of Liechtenstein will resist the temptation to spread her breakfast over it daily…