The Secrets of Tenley House

by Patricia Dixon

  “Diddums, poor Simon. I’m sure there’s a lot more where that came from. He sounds like a spoilt brat. How delightful for you. Anyhow, back to our situation. What do you intend to do with Tenley and more to the point, me? Is Simon demanding a divorce or will he make do with your body and bank balance? I need to know where I stand and if I will have a roof over my head because I can’t see lover boy settling for second best. I imagine he wants it all. Am I right?”

  Georgie’s tone had moved up a notch, she sounded bitter but knowing her so well, Kenneth could hear fear too. But she was right, as always, and there was no point lying, she would see right through him.

  “I don’t think there’s any need for divorce or selling up although it is what Simon would prefer. I could just go to America with him and leave the running of the estate in Vanessa’s hands then the two of you could continue to live here. That way the busybodies would be in the dark and I will concoct some story about taking a sabbatical, whatever works best for all of us.” When Georgie laughed out loud, shaking her head in a derisory manner, Kenneth was both astounded and offended. After all, he was doing his best to find a solution for everyone.

  “My dear, darling Kenneth. You have no idea what you are getting yourself into, do you? If you think for one moment that Simon will agree to that you are sadly mistaken. He wants me gone for good and I doubt if his ambitions are all for love. I suspect it’s more to do with power and getting his way. You have to understand that he’s insanely jealous of us and what we have, or had. He will not allow me to remain here and he doesn’t want to share. If he did he wouldn’t continually push the boundaries, expecting more than you can give. The mere fact he wants you to throw away your life and relocate thousands of miles away tells me that. And I fear the drip-drip effect will soon intensify to ultimatums so please tread carefully, Kenneth, because you are out of your depth.”

  Kenneth was stunned into silence. Surely Georgie was wrong, how could she know what made Simon tick or second guess his motives? And then the light dawned and he knew she was right, a realisation that scared and depressed him equally. Georgie was an excellent reader of people and could play anyone like a fiddle which was why she saw through Simon, or thought she did. He had to think this through because it was huge, too huge to mess up.

  In the midst of the silence came a knock at the door and from the other side, Vanessa’s voice asking if she could enter. Before either of them answered, Georgie leant over and took Kenneth’s hand in hers. She had one more thing to say.

  “Please, darling, remember I love you very much and I will honour and respect our agreement and your wishes. Whatever you decide, I will stand by you always and if I have to let you go, I will. Let’s get Christmas over and then you must make up your mind, for all our sakes.” She smiled kindly at Kenneth whose eyes were misted with tears, then called for Vanessa to enter.

  Christmas went as planned with the actress taking the starring role and in between fending off phone calls from Simon, Kenneth played his part well and Vanessa was none the wiser. When Georgie headed up to London to see the doctor about her troublesome chest, Vanessa begged to tag along and sulked for a whole day when she was fobbed off. Instead Laurie accompanied Georgie on the train and back at the Kensington house, and then held her hand after the deed was done.

  Kenneth had literally replaced the receiver after enquiring over Georgie’s state when Vanessa appeared at his office door. He could see her through the frosted glass and as she entered, he was rubbing his temples with his forefingers, hoping that the magic circles would ease away tension. Her next words almost caused his head to explode.

  “Daddy, Sandy has just telephoned from the house and says there’s a young man to see you. She said his name is Simon. Should I ask him to come down here or will you go up? I did try to connect you but you were on the phone to Georgie.”

  Kenneth was stunned and quite stiff from shock as he stared at Vanessa, his fingers glued to his temples. Somehow he spat out an answer.

  “No. I’ll go up there. Ring Sandy and tell her I’m on my way. You hold the fort here.” With that, he stood and grabbed his coat from the hook and barged past Vanessa who closed his door and went back to her desk looking somewhat baffled by her father’s behaviour.

  They were in the garden, out of sight of the house and shrouded by a circle of trees, seated under the pagoda that was littered with dried brown leaves being tossed around by the gentle breeze. It was cold but not bitter for the time of year yet Simon had already taken umbrage at not being offered refreshments or a seat by the fireplace. Instead he was herded from the house the moment Kenneth arrived.

  There was no question of talking inside as lately, Simon was prone to flying off the handle whenever a discussion didn’t go his way and the minute Kenneth had laid eyes on him, knew a confrontation was on the cards. They had walked through the grounds at the back of the house in silence, through the flower beds until they reached the pagoda where Kenneth sat first, gesturing for Simon to do likewise.

  “Why are you here, Simon? We had a pact and I’ve already agreed to meet you next week. You should have waited. What if Georgie had been here or Vanessa?”

  “See, there you go again, pushing me aside and putting them first like always. I’ve spent Christmas alone, and New Year is going to be a God-awful bore with you stuck here in the back of beyond. I just wanted to see you. Is that such a bloody crime?” Simon was raising his voice and Kenneth told him to be quiet.

  “No, I’ll not be silenced any longer. Have you told her that we’re leaving and you want a divorce?” Simon stood and faced Kenneth, the fury in the young man’s face clear to see.

  “Simon, please, keep your voice down, I insist. And for the record we have discussed certain matters but not made firm plans. Georgie is unwell and I cannot risk her health. I still have a responsibility to her; she is my wife.” In hindsight it was a stupid thing to say and Kenneth regretted it the moment the words came out and he heard Simon’s anguished cry.

  “Oh my God… what’s wrong with you? Can you not see she is playing for time? We discussed this, all of it. You were supposed to demand a divorce and say that you want her out, is that so difficult? And what about Vanessa, have you told her about finishing school yet… no of course you haven’t, or put the estate up for sale? How can we fund our new life and do all the things we planned in the States if everything is tied up here… Don’t you want us to be together and live as a couple? It’s our right to be happy and we can have it all if you’d just grow a spine and tell them you are leaving.” Simon was pacing, white with anger and flicking spittle as he spoke.

  “Simon, I agreed to nothing. These were just ideas, flights of fancy that sound wonderful but they will take time and what’s more, don’t you think we need to take things slowly, build trust between us before I throw away my life, never mind Tenley and the estate. This should all go to Vanessa and I can’t just sell it from under her feet. She’s my daughter and I must do the right thing by her and Georgie.”

  Simon placed his hands on his head and stared at Kenneth in mock horror before spewing forth a torrent of bitter words, the sum total of his pent-up frustration aimed solely at his apathetic lover.

  “She’s not even yours, you stupid man, she’s someone else’s bastard child and as for Georgie, she doesn’t even warrant the title of mistress let alone wife. What use is she to you? She serves no purpose, not anymore. You don’t need a shield or a safety blanket and anyway who cares what society says, fuck them, fuck the lot of them and their bigotry.”

  Kenneth stood, similarly angered, and about to object but he was interrupted, the palm of a hand shoved in his face preventing him from speaking.

  “No, I swear I will not listen to another of your weak excuses. I have had enough so just listen to what I came here to say. I’m leaving for America on the tenth of January with or without you, but hear this, Kenneth, if you want to spend the rest of your life with me then think long and hard about my terms because
I will not share you. It’s all or nothing otherwise I will go alone and you will never see me again. It’s up to you now. That’s all I have to say.” And with that Simon turned and marched away, his blond hair blowing in the wind as Kenneth raced after him, imploring him to wait and not be hasty, desperate to talk it through and state his case.

  As they burst through the circle of trees, Kenneth grabbed the cuff of Simon’s jacket which was angrily pulled free before he continued along the path, refusing to stop, hell bent on having the last word. Kenneth would have pursued him had something not caught his eye. The sight froze him to the spot and before she could duck further from view he called out Sandy’s name, forcing her to reveal herself. Rather than appear ashamed that her snooping had been discovered, she looked indignant and waited for Kenneth to speak first. When he did, he was surprised by the anger in his own voice.

  “I don’t take kindly to eavesdroppers, Sandy, and I’m most disappointed by your behaviour. I would like to speak to you in my study. Please wait for me there while I see our visitor off the property.” Kenneth glared, especially when Sandy merely nodded and walked away.

  By the time he had reached the drive, out of breath and panting, Kenneth was just in time to see Simon slam his car door before driving off at speed, gravel flicking everywhere as he went. Turning despondently, ignoring the sound of stone as it pebble-dashed the Bentley, Kenneth headed indoors to have it out with Sandy or more pointedly, find out exactly what she had heard.

  Kenneth was furious and stormed straight past her as she stood outside his office, subservience etched on her face. After summoning her inside, he began by asking why she was listening to a private conversation. Instead of her usual civility, Kenneth was shocked when Sandy’s whole demeanour changed. It appeared as though the worm was enjoying turning.

  “I didn’t intend to, I was on an errand for Vanessa. She telephoned to ask when you were coming back as she wanted to lock up. She has completed her work for the day and said she was bored. I merely came to find you and pass on the message. When I heard you arguing, I wasn’t sure what to do, in fact I was rather concerned owing to the young man’s temper but then you both came bolting through the trees and spotted me. I did nothing wrong, nothing at all.” Sandy held his gaze, her cupped hands resting in front of her apron, relaxed and seemingly unperturbed by Kenneth’s accusations.

  Kenneth puffed out air and squinted, the anger in his voice receding slightly. “That’s as may be but whatever you did hear I would ask that you keep it to yourself as the matters discussed were private and I wouldn’t want Georgie or Vanessa to be upset in any way. If one word of this gets out, I will have no alternative than to dismiss you immediately. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yes, crystal clear. But at the same time, I’m in a very awkward position myself and my loyalties are torn. Poor Georgie is about to be evicted and divorced and as far as I am aware lives in ignorance of your adultery. Not only that, Vanessa is to be banished to a finishing school, I imagine overseas, all on the whim of your young lover. Is that correct?”

  Kenneth was rather nonplussed by Sandy’s forthright retort and thoroughly exhausted by his dash through the gardens and the strain of the day’s events so decided to sit. It was a schoolboy error because Sandy looked down on him, a belligerent child being scolded by his nanny.

  “Excuse me, Sandy, I would remind you to know your place and not speak out of turn on matters regarding my private life. However, for your information, nobody is being evicted, divorced or otherwise. It is complete conjecture at this moment in time.”

  “Ah, I see. So, on the one hand you regard me as a valued member of staff and I am to behave accordingly but when the occasion suits you, encouraged to feel like part of the family whereas now I need to know my place. It all seems rather confusing and may I say, unfair. I have dedicated twelve years of my life to you and your family and have become very attached to Vanessa and this house. I would thank you to remember that it is also my home and I too stand to lose it and my livelihood should you acquiesce to your lover. There are many people to consider in this situation, Mr Tenley, and I hope you appreciate the ramifications of running away to America.”

  Kenneth could not believe he was being spoken to like this, in his own home. Jumping to his feet, he raised his voice yet Sandy stood firm, fixing him with her best school-ma’am glare. “That’s enough, Sandy. I do not wish to hurt or displace anybody. As I said, I have not come to any decisions and therefore respectfully ask that you keep your counsel and avoid unnecessary hurt to my family while I put my affairs in order.”

  “And I respectfully suggest that you should have thought about that before you embarked on an affair and jeopardised all you hold dear. However, under the circumstances I will do as you wish but only to protect the feelings of Vanessa and your wife.” Sandy’s omission of Kenneth spoke volumes.

  Ignoring the slight which had hit home, Kenneth simply nodded. “Thank you, Sandy, and if it makes you feel any better I will ensure that you are compensated for your loyalty and service, perhaps by way of a New Year bonus and if the situation arises, provided with a fair and generous settlement should your employment be terminated. In any event I will endeavour to ensure that alternative arrangements can be made to prevent that. Are you agreeable to these terms?”

  With a curt nod, Sandy signalled that she did and watched as Kenneth opened his desk drawer and withdrew his cheque book. In the uncomfortable moments that followed in which he paid for Sandy’s silence, Kenneth’s pen scratched the paper as he filled in the box, each zero a mark of shame, scribbling his signature before tearing at the seam. After folding the cheque in half, he passed it across the desk without making eye contact.

  It was clear that Sandy was determined not to bow or scrape or let him off lightly and instead, asked Kenneth a question, just like nothing had happened. “Will that be all? I need to prepare tea for Vanessa and tend to the fires.”

  “Yes, that will be all.”

  With that, Sandy popped the cheque into the pocket of her apron, turned and left the room, leaving Kenneth alone to ponder his own fate and foolishness.

  Kenneth had reached the blocked gutter and downpipe so held on tight to the top rung of the ladder, telling himself not to look down and if possible, not to look at the sludge he was scraping out of the gutter that felt like mashed up leaves and twigs, even through his gloves. He really hoped that was all it was because in the past, Ernest had fished out maggoty birds and mounds of pigeon shit, and Kenneth was rather hungry and didn’t want putting off his lunch.

  Determined to concentrate on the task, Kenneth forced thoughts of his confrontation with Simon and then Sandy from his mind. He still hadn’t decided what to do about Simon but at least he’d been able to get it off his chest with Georgie when she returned from the clinic. Whilst livid at the intrusion, she respected Kenneth’s honesty and after giving erudite advice, left him to make his choice. She really was an amazing woman and despite her introspective opinion, Kenneth admired her in so many ways, not least for giving him the chance to be free should he so wish.

  He knew it was cruel, dangling her on a string and her nerves were shot, but he had to be sure and as much as he yearned for the delights of Simon, after his behaviour in the garden and the callous denunciation of Georgie and Vanessa, Kenneth was getting cold feet. Maybe Georgie was right in her summation of Simon’s ambitions and motives. If this were the case he would be foolish to throw away everything away and for what, lust? There were hundreds of Simons in London and as Georgie pointed out, the odd dalliance here and there had sufficed before. She had even suggested a test, to let Simon go, quoting the oft-used bird analogy and the Wisdom of Solomon. Come to think of it, Georgie came out best in both scenarios because she loved Kenneth so much she was prepared to let him go while Simon just made demands and gave ultimatums.

  In his head, Kenneth had almost made up his mind to stay with Georgie, if only his heart weren’t so divided because as he’d told h
er time and time again, that very morning in fact, despite her moods and histrionics, he loved her very much. He loved Simon too and that was the problem.

  The rain was easing off slightly and Kenneth thought it was sod’s law that as he was reaching the end of his task the clouds were thinning and a speck of winter sun looked about to peep through. The bloody idiot weather forecasters had said it would rain all day, causing Kenneth to tut as he continued to scrape and flick, glad that after a good rummage it seemed to be clear and he could finally descend.

  It was as he took his first step down that he felt the ladder move and in a panic, grabbed the gutter in order to steady himself, but then it moved again which was impossible because he was standing still. When the rung beneath his feet slipped downwards, Kenneth knew he was going to fall as the slippery gloves, covered in rainwater and slime, grappled for a hold on the gutter as he desperately tried to secure the wobbly ladder. It took only seconds before he was dislodged completely, toppling sideways, leaving his legs dangling, fingers slipping, terrified heart pounding.

  As Kenneth flew through the air, dropping downwards, screaming in fear, his final sight was that of the sun breaking through the clouds, casting a bright white light, perhaps a glimpse of heaven, before his skull smashed onto the concrete balustrade below.

  Thankfully his brains and blood remained contained within his hood that was still tied firmly around his head, saving his watchful murderer from a grizzly sight. The thud and strange crunching sound was gruesome enough without being splattered by organs and bone fragments. Satisfied the job had been done and life was definitely extinct, a silent figure smiled and began to retrace its steps, eager to escape the heavy drops that began to fall once again.

  Demons hate the rain.