by Lotte Moore
“I must get in some extra practice today. It’ll be a good chance to work on the Scriabin uninterrupted,” he said as they went downstairs, having seen the show.
“Let’s have a drink here first,” suggested Sergei, taking his client’s arm as they sat down at a table.
“Alright, I’ll have a beer. Have you managed to get a ticket for Baba next week?”
“Yes, in the front row so she can watch her clever son closely.” Sergei paused, then smiled. “You really are a most remarkable man. Such powerful feelings in every interpretation you play. It’s a rare sensation to hear a well-known piece performed as if for the first time.”
Theo was flattered and a little embarrassed at the same time. “I get so deep into the passion I feel for the music. I’m in another world when I play.” He seemed almost dream-like, then suddenly glanced at his watch. “I’ve booked my room at the Conservatoire. Thanks, Sergei, for Kandinsky and the drink.”
Theo tapped his arm and was gone.
Sergei watched him disappear.
Chapter Twenty Eight
Kensington
Lang almost fell through the front door, his tall frame stooped and weary. “Hello darling.”
Serena took his arm. “You look exhausted. What about a stiff gin? You really must try and get home earlier sometimes.” She watched him as he lay back on the sofa.
“Business is great, but being a director takes up more time than ever. The firm is anxious we’re overtrading and we’ve got to keep enough capital in-house to sustain the turnover.”
Serena frowned. “But why must everything be so worrying? The burden’s affecting you. I don’t want my man having a stroke. The stress has never been so bad,” she said anxiously. “I think we must somehow have a holiday.”
Lang shook his head. “I’m a director now. I’ve got greater responsibility and—”
“Yes darling, but even directors need a break,” Serena interrupted. “Isn’t there a law which says everyone must have at least one two-week holiday a year?” She was trying hard to weaken Lang’s stubbornness. “Let’s go to the Seychelles. You know we’ve been offered a villa there.”
“I’ll see, my lovely, persistent Fig Tree.” Lang smiled fondly.
“This is going to be a hectic week with Mummy arriving,” Serena said.
“Let alone staying in our house and interfering,” grumbled Lang.
“Fat Betty’s making a birthday cake covered in Madeira flowers. Alicia’s going to paint meringues. Freddie’s trying to draw an aeroplane card. Now, what shall we give her? Maybe a cosmetic bag from Cartier?”
“Yes, I suppose she’d enjoy carrying all that gaudy makeup in it.”
Lang disliked Beady’s painted face. Lipstick oozing from her lips and all that green eye shadow…
*
Serena had received forty-five replies for her mothers party. Even the vicar from Madeira was coming.
“The marquee’s being erected on Friday, three days after Ma’s arrival. Rosie Fellows has agreed to bring her charming quartet,” Serena regaled over breakfast. “I’ve suggested Handel, Mozart, Boccherini and Vivaldi (Ma’s favourites) at fifteen-minute intervals.”
Lang smiled and put down his coffee cup. “By the way, you’ll be delighted to hear that the Chairman popped into my office suggesting I take a holiday next month. I’ve earned it with all the new business I’ve brought in.”
“Oh, whoopee!” cried Serena, hugging him. “Where shall we go?”
“Let’s get over this mother-in-law drama first,” Lang said rather brusquely.
“You really get irritated by Ma, don’t you?”
“Just a bit,” Lang said and walked out of the room.
Chapter Twenty Nine
Chiswick
Vivi had just shown out her third client of the day and was in the middle of some peaceful exercises when the phone rang. “Serena, I’m doing my yoga. Can you ring back in fifteen minutes?” she asked wearily.
Vivi found it imperative to relax after the intensity of her morning sessions. Half an hour later she returned her sister’s call.
“It’s about the food for Mum’s party,” explained Serena. “Yes, I’m making an enormous lasagne, or would you rather fish?” asked Vivi.
“I think a whole salmon would be far more special; she does love fish,” suggested Serena.
“And then how about a big meringue and strawberry tart?” went on Vivi. “Georgie could put a picture of Beady on it!”
Serena laughed. “Good idea! We’re also doing a large sirloin followed by fresh fruit salad. I’ve spoken to Cheryl and Jonty who said they’ll do all the fresh veg and cheese. Lang’s ordered the red and white wine through his office.”
“Phew! Thank goodness you’re good at organising big parties.”
“Yes, I love arranging events, although Mum will probably want to change things or interfere, of course!” Serena was used to ‘I know better’ statements from Beady. “She’ll be arriving in two days and there’s so much to do.”
Just then the doorbell rang out.
“Oh, hang on Vivi, that’ll be the man about the marquee I expect,” said Serena. She opened the door. “Mum!” she gasped.
“Thought I’d come a few days earlier to surprise you!” Beady laughed as she hugged Serena, her scrawny body jangling with beads over a cerise silk shift.
As she walked into the dining room a minute later, Alicia and Freddie were jumping around with excitement, pulling presents from Granny Beady’s bag. Little Benjie revelled in the tissue paper, tearing strips and throwing them into the air. Alicia sat beside Beady asking her to read some of her gift, Swallows and Amazons. The elderly woman’s voice filled the room. Vivi could hear all this on the phone, which had been completely forgotten about, and felt very sorry for her sister.
“Hello!” she shouted down the phone, just as Serena remembered to pick it up again. “
Well, you heard her arrive!” she whispered. “It’s a bit much to come without any warning, don’t you think? Anyway, could you have her over for lunch tomorrow while I do some more party planning?”
“Yes, of course, I’ll collect her on the way back with Georgie at midday,” agreed Vivi.
As Serena walked back into the dining room, she exclaimed, “Well Mum, this is a surprise. What made you come earlier?”
“Well, you know me, I like to do the unexpected,” she said.
Serena’s hidden fury had hardly subsided before it erupted again, as a stinking coil of smoke wafted across her face.
“Oh Mum, please don’t smoke while you’re with the children. I don’t want them inhaling that filthy tobacco.”
Beady pushed Alicia off her lap, then glowered, stood up and stubbed out her the cigarette in a nearby plant pot.
“But do finish that chapter. Alicia so loves being read to,” Serena asked her mother icily.
“Let’s continue in the garden, Alicia. Are you coming too, Freddie?” Beady asked.
“No. I’m going to help Mummy bathe Benjie,” said Freddie.
“What a pity it’s Bella’s day off,” said Serena, still vexed at the disruption.
An hour later, bumps and shrieks of laughter drew Beady upstairs.
“Look at all that water!” she remarked, stepping over the boats and balls bobbing about in two inches of water.
“This is their fun time, Mum!”
“Hello squidgy, squidgy.” Beady leaned over the bath handing Benjie a duck that he promptly squirted into her face. “Oh dear! Gran can’t see now.” Both boys roared with laughter. “I think I’d like a shower before supper.” Beady, wiped her glasses with a tissue.
“You remember where your room is? Straight down this passage, bath and shower to the left. If you wait here with the boys I’ll go and get your suitcase.”
Serena hurried down to the hall, then heaved the suitcase upstairs.
“Thank you, darling, I’ll be down in a bit. Let me know if I can help with supper.”
“That’s okay, it’s all prepared,” Serena quickly replied.
A little while later, on her way to the stairs, Beady popped her head round the door to examine Serena’s bedroom. The spare room’s new curtains, and Alicia’s room which had been completely revamped into a feminine bedsit, even with a 40-inch plasma!
“How disgraceful,” she murmured under her breath.
Ten minutes later, Alicia handed out crisps as Serena and her mother enjoyed their cocktails.
“That bit of the garden could do with some weeding,” said Beady. “I’ll have a go tomorrow. Your herbaceous border is lovely.”
Serena smiled thinly. “Oh, by the way, Vivi would love to see you for lunch tomorrow. Pick you up here at midday, alright?”
“Well, I’m not sure. I’d much rather help you.” “Oh, you can’t disappoint Georgie,” insisted Serena.
Luckily, she had rung Lang’s office leaving a warning message that Beady had arrived two days early. He reacted by arriving home at 9.00pm, even later than usual.
“Beady,” Lang said stiffly, kissing her dryly on the cheek. “Lang,” Beady replied in the same tone. “You look dreadful, dear.”
“Lang’s been promoted,” Serena said quickly, before Lang could respond. “He’s running the whole company. Lang, darling, your food is in the kitchen.”
Serena shot him an apologetic look. With a tight smile, Lang walked out of the room.
Beady tutted. “Really does look a mess. He must get it together.”
Chapter Thirty
Aylesbury
A group of children with a range of disabilities surrounded their ponies in an enormous field as local MP Tim Brant pointed to a large white plaque.
“This is the foundation stone of Cheryl Croft’s Riding School for Children with Disabilities,” he declared. “We proudly announce the commencement of building today, ready for the opening of this wonderful project in six months’ time.”
At this point his assistant freed a mass of balloons, and a local photographer zoomed round taking pictures. The children cheered and some decided to chase them. Jonty hugged Cheryl then offered Mr Brant a glass of home brew.
“What a fantastic setting. You’ve put so much work into this project. I’d like to contribute to it personally.” He handed a cheque for £500 to Cheryl.
“That’s most generous, Mr Brant. You’ll be rewarded when you see the children ride,” said Cheryl.
“I hear you’re planting lots of trees which will grow into one of the largest forests in the South,” said Mr Brant, turning to Jonty.
“Yes. It’s an exciting project. I’ll gladly show you round. Prince Charles has shown a keen interest in the idea, but it’s already got a few problems I’m afraid. Several maples caught a virus and had to be destroyed. I want to get the local schools involved. It would be an excellent educational subject combining the environment with future generations.”
Brant nodded. “When I’ve seen the trees I’d like to get Gully Fox, our Environment Minister, involved. Perhaps he would sort out a grant for you.” His lanky body leaned towards Jonty as they shook hands. “Must be off now to a pig farmers meeting.” And with that, and his assistant in tow, Tim Brant waved and jumped into his Jeep.
“What a great occasion, Cheryl,” said Jonty. He waved at the children who were on the bus that would deliver them safely back to their homes in the local villages.
“It was amazing. That Mr Brant is a good MP and it was really nice that he showed interest in both our passions—very generous of him to give personally towards my centre. Let’s relax in the field while the sun’s out.”
Cheryl got a rug from the kitchen and they sauntered into the long-grassed field behind the house.
“Listen to that silence,” Jonty whispered.
They lay totally at peace for over an hour, gazing at large woolly clouds until suddenly the silence was broken by the sound of a tractor roaring into the kitchen yard.
“One of yer sheep was savaged by a fox last night,” announced Jacob, when Jonty went to investigate. “I had to kill it, poor thing.”
Chapter Thirty One
Moscow
Baba was smiling broadly. “Who put up all those posters around town?” she asked proudly at dinner.
“That’s Sergei. He works very hard at promoting me. You must meet him sometime. He’s so enthusiastic about my playing.”
“Let’s give him supper here?” Baba suggested.
“Maybe when the concert’s over,” agreed Theo, spooning up the last of the borscht from his bowl. “The final rehearsal’s tomorrow. Sergei’s taking me out afterwards, so I’ll be late. Remember to wake me tomorrow at 7am, will you?”
*
Theo felt excitement running through his veins as he put on a purple shirt with a mandarin collar, confident it went well with his blond hair. As he reached the Conservatoire just before 9am, he heard the buzz from every instrument as it vigorously tuned up.
A few photographers were sitting in the front row of the empty auditorium for the dress rehearsal, eager to snap the prodigy Sergei was passionately promoting.
There was a hush as Theo sat down, then Murel, the conductor, swept in. Seconds later, an explosion erupted as they raced into the first movement. Tchaikovsky was transformed through Theo’s fingers. Even the orchestra was taken aback.
Bubbling voices during the break pleased Theo as did some vociferous praise from Murel in the dressing room. Eventually, though, he broke off talking to the conductor and went to practise the Scriabin, anxious about its second movement.
Sergei came in quietly and listened at the back until he’d finished, then said, “Here’s a coffee.” He put it on a chair. “We’re very booked up for tomorrow night. How are you feeling about your big Moscow debut?”
Theo’s eyes glittered. “I’m longing to show them my passion for these two Russian pieces. I must do more work before this afternoon’s rehearsal though. There’s never enough time. Do we meet at the Bolshoi Theatre in the morning?”
Sergei nodded. “Yes, everything will be there for you.’
Chapter Thirty Two
Kensington and Chiswick
Vivi arrived just before midday, as Serena and Beady returned from taking Benjie to the playground.
“Hello Vivi, darling,” exclaimed Beady, hugging her warmly. “We’ve just had a beautiful walk in Holland Park.”
They bundled into the house, chatting avidly. Maggie took Benjie and handed Serena some messages.
“Georgie’s waiting by the car Mum, and I have a patient to see after lunch.”
Vivi kissed Serena goodbye. “Hope this afternoon goes well.”
Georgie gave Grandma Beady a terrific welcome and didn’t stop talking during the journey home. Little Jago tottered towards them as they walked up to the house, while Bella swept up a few toys in the front garden.
“My goodness, how Jago has grown!” Beady was being pushed through the big wooden front door by Georgie.
“Come and see my garden. I’ve got three baby carrots, two marigolds and some parsley,” yelled Georgie.
Vivi hastily prepared lunch, chatting to her mother when Georgie drew breath.
“Can we eat outside, Mummy?” asked Georgie, hugging her tabby cat.
“We can’t. I’ve laid the table here and the spaghetti’s coming now,” said Vivi, dishing out on the long wooden table. “Mum, I have to see a client at 2pm. Will you relax in the garden? Mind you, it may not be easy. I expect Georgie will want to play Snap.”
“Yes, I shall enjoy being with her. Jago will be playing with his bricks no doubt.”
They looked at the little boy in his high chair, winding spaghetti round one finger and grinning at the messy mince oozing from his upturned bowl.
After lunch, Georgie led her grandmother into the garden. “What a lovely, colourful mixture of flowers. What are those red ones with long stamens?” asked Beady and Georgie shrugged her shoulders.
After a few games of Snap, Georgie
jumped on the swing, swinging away and singing school songs, while Beady scanned a magazine and Bella came out to retrieve Jago for his nap.
“It’s time for your piano practice, Georgie, let Grandma come and listen in ten minutes,” Bella suggested.
Once everyone had gone, Beady wandered down to the bottom of the garden through several shrubs and a few old trees. On the other side of the grass was a large rockery raised against the wall with masses of big stones interspersed with tiny white and yellow rock-plants.
As she bent over to reach a yellow rose, her foot slipped on a boulder and she fell forward heavily. Beady lay there in shock for several moments before Bella rushed out.
“Oh, Miss Beady, let me help you up.” Beady raised her head. “Your face is bleeding. I’ll go and get some tissues.”
Beady slowly sat up with her mouth hurting and her limbs trembling. Having returned, Bella dabbed the blood gently.
“I think you’ve lost a tooth,” she said, handing Beady a mud-stained crown.
They walked slowly into the kitchen and Bella settled her into a chair.
“Can’t make you a cup of tea, it might hurt your mouth. Try this water.”
Beady smiled wanly, murmuring, “Thank you. With a straw please.”
Vivi shut the front door as her client left and turned to see Bella, who informed her of the accident.
“Oh Mum, how awful! Are you in pain? Your mouth looks very swollen,” she said anxiously.
“I’ve lost a front tooth. Bloody nuisance,” replied Beady.
Her face looked such a mess that Vivi didn’t know whether to take her to casualty, the doctor, or the dentist.
“What would you like me to do?” she asked, stroking Beady’s swollen hand. Then, getting no answer, “Tell you what; why don’t I ring Serena?”
