by Lotte Moore
Meanwhile, the Vienna concert hall had asked for information about Theo’s career which Sergei rapidly supplied, eager to promote his new prodigy and to attract a large audience.
There were also rumours that a big agent in Vienna had shown interest in poaching Theo which made Sergei anxious.
Theo invited Baba to Vienna too. She beamed when he suggested it, especially at the chance of seeing Georgie.
Chapter Thirteen
Aylesbury
Jonty listened to his mother’s chatter all the way down to Aylesbury. She’d clearly loved staying with Vivi and the children but was sad not to see Theo, saying she would have loved to hear him play, especially Rachmaninov.
Cheryl was waiting in the drive, waving as she opened the gate.
“Ah, what lovely air,” said Beady, breathing in deeply. “I’ve got lots of herbs and, of course, tomatoes and lettuce, but you’ve got everything here already I see.”
“Yes,” replied Cheryl. “We both enjoy working hard at our produce.”
After an omelette and salad, Jonty proudly brought out their new cheese, which he had aptly named ‘Aylesbury Croft’. “How delightful, I must take some back to Madeira with me.
How is your riding school, Cheryl? I hear you do wonderful things for the children.”
“She’s a marvel. The kids have to deal with disabilities and learning difficulties but Cheryl gets them confident and full of courage to try new things,” said Jonty proudly.
“Well, I just love helping the children to be honest. It’s extraordinary how the ponies seem to sense these youngsters need extra support and attention,” added Cheryl.
“What about your wood, JJ? It sounds like an enormous project. I’m longing to see it, but I’d like to have a little rest in my room first if I may.”
“Yes, of course Mum, let me take your case. Your room looks out to the Chilterns from over the front porch.”
In the late afternoon, refreshed from an afternoon nap, Beady and Jonty ambled down toward the woods.
“These are chestnuts and the beeches are further down. There are some other varieties across this clearing. We had a virus on the maples but discovered it early and had to cull quite a few. Prince Charles’ office has been most helpful with advice,” explained Jonty.
“I was so proud of you when I read The Times article. What a great legacy to leave the next generation,” said Beady.
“Yes, Serena and Vivi’s children will see them fully grown,” said Jonty, drawing Beady over to a bench. “I love being down here. It’s very peaceful just quietly walking around.”
“Yes, you’ve always loved nature since you were a little boy and grew enough carrots in your garden for two meals. When you were ten you were climbing trees and would sit in them for hours.” She smiled. “And do you remember me hauling your lunch up on a pulley?” They both laughed.
“How are you feeling about Henry?” Jonty asked delicately. Beady shrugged. “It’s just shocking, but at the same time, it’s not, if that makes sense. Obviously I know Henry was elderly but dying like that, in the middle of a party. So upsetting. I hope to die in a better way.”
“Mum!”
Beady chuckled. “Oh love, it will all be our time one day.”
They sat for some time in silence. As the sun went down it became chilly and Jonty led his dear old mother back to the house.
*
Cheryl took Beady to the new riding centre to see the extension being built.
“I’m going to give you both a cheque towards your wonderful ventures,” Beady said enthusiastically.
Suddenly, a bus packed with noisy children drove round the corner.
“Here’s my other family,” said Cheryl laughing. “They’ve all come for their lessons. Do you want to watch them?”
“Oh yes, I’d love to,” said Beady excitedly.
“I’d better get you some wellies, it’s very muddy in the paddock.”
Beady watched entranced as some of the more fragile children were lifted up onto their docile ponies, each one excited and laughing. There was a chubby little boy with one leg who looked just like Jonty when he was seven with blond curls falling over his face and a cheeky giggle.
Beady longed to help, then suddenly had no choice in the matter.
“Here, hold this rein!” Cheryl called to her, thrusting the pony’s reins in her hand to guide the little boy around the paddock.
“My name’s Tom,” said the curly haired boy. “I like to go fast.”
“You must wait for the others I think,” Beady told him wondering how she would keep up.
By the end of the morning, Beady had assisted, along with the other helpers, several groups of children. She enjoyed seeing their eager spirit respond to the activities.
“You were a great help this morning,” said Cheryl afterwards.
“Well, it was wonderful to watch the youngsters responding. Some are so brave, you can see they are in pain,” replied Beady sadly.
Chapter Fourteen
Chiswick
Vivi heard Georgie rush down to tell Bella about Vienna.
“Wonderful! Now give your little brother a hug,” replied Bella as she held Jago in outstretched arms.
Vivi smiled as she followed the excitement. “Yes, Theo’s arranged a wonderful surprise for us both, tickets to his concert! Will you be alright looking after Jago on your own? It’s only for a couple of nights. Perhaps Benjie can come over one afternoon with Serena?”
“Yes, of course I can manage, Miss Vivi,” Bella said.
“We’ll be going in two weeks on Friday.” The doorbell rang. “Ah, that’s for me. Perhaps you could take both of them to the park? There’s a puppet show on by the café.”
The puppet show was quite a violent Punch and Judy act, and little Jago clung tightly to Bella every time Punch bashed Judy on the head. After the show, Georgie bumped into a school friend who invited her to lunch.
“Can I go home and ask Mummy if I can go?” she asked.
All morning Vivi worked hard with some troubled clients and was quite exhausted. After they left she sat on the floor doing a little yoga to refresh herself.
Suddenly, she could hear Georgie calling and a minute later heard a whisper outside her door, “Mummy, Anya has asked me for lunch. May I go? She only lives up the street. I met her in the park and… ”
“I’ll be down in ten minutes, darling,” said Vivi quietly.
Walking downstairs, Vivi heard shrieks of laughter from the garden.
“Mummy, can I go with Anya?” asked Georgie. They were both swinging from the climbing frame.
“Yes, of course, have a good time,” she called after them as they scampered through the front door.
Vivi wandered into the garden and sat on the swing thinking about what Theo might be doing. This continual separation was sapping their relationship. She kept meaning to write a letter expressing her sad feelings—maybe now was the time to do it.
Bella came out with Jago.
“Mama!” he called, running up to hug her knees.
“Hello, my lovely boy.” Vivi picked him up, tickled his toes and put him in the swing. His laughter warmed her needy feelings.
“He’s going to lunch with Tom next door,” said Bella.
With both children away, the house was empty. Vivi sat down to write to Theo, choosing her words carefully. She mustn’t deliver an ultimatum because he had to fulfil his passionate ambition, but there could and should be alternatives that would allow them to be together like any normal family.
After all, although he was very attached to Russia, the orchestra, his mother, and Sergei, he was also wonderful at home. The children needed stability. They needed their father.
A tear fell on the page. Vivi put her pen down and sobbed. She was always telling her clients to let go and express their feelings, yet she couldn’t do so herself… not to him.
An hour later, the letter remained unfinished when Bella quietly appeared.
�
��Are we going to have a party next week for Jago’s birthday, Miss Vivi?” She put a cup of mint tea on the table.
“Oh yes. He’ll be two already! A ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ cake would be fun. I can’t decide what to give him. He has so many toys. Perhaps a scooter?” Vivi suggested.
“I’m giving him a singing CD. He loves songs,” said Bella.
What a generous girl, thought Vivi. Back in Indonesia, Bella came from a poor family and had eight siblings.
“I must do more nursery rhymes on the piano with him and try and find a singing class,” said Vivi.
The doorbell rang.
“I’ve had an enormous burger for lunch, Mummy. Anya wants to play duets on the piano,” said Georgie excitedly. “She’s got an uncle who lives in Vienna. Could she come and see Daddy play?”
“I don’t think so because there aren’t any tickets left this time,” Vivi said.
The girls ran off distracted by the piano. Bella went next door to collect Jago who arrived hand in hand with his friend Tom.
“He wants to stroke our kitty cat,” announced Jago.
The two little boys ran into the garden where Tinky was fast asleep under a shrub.
The house was full of laughter again, Vivi felt happy and wanted in their young lives. How she loved them.
Wouldn’t it be lovely to have another one? she thought.
The phone rang and startled her.
“Hello Mum, how good to hear from you! Glad you’re having a busy time with JJ.”
“I wondered how you were, Vivi. I get worried seeing you alone so much,” said Beady.
“Actually, I don’t feel great, but we’ll talk about it another time.”
Chapter Fifteen
Kensington
“This really is crunch week. The Embassy must have everything ready for next Friday. They’ve only sent me one cheque, all the overtime is costing extra and I haven’t even given you a bonus yet, Gems,” said Serena anxiously.
“Don’t worry, you can give it to me later. The main thing is for you to deliver the goods,” said Gems. “You might be asked to go out to the Middle East, just think of that! I’d love to see you in a burqa!”
“Don’t be silly, they don’t want me out there,” replied Serena. Her mobile rang. “Who? The Sun? Yes, that’s me. What? Well, I don’t know if I’ll be at the Qatar reception. Yes, I’ve designed a lot for them recently. No, of course I can’t discuss my payment, that’s a private matter. I’m afraid I must go to a meeting—goodbye.” Serena switched off her mobile, saying, “Maybe not all publicity is good, they’re like leeches. Those journalists are so tenacious.”
A few anxious days passed, then early on Friday a delivery of loose covers arrived at the office to be inspected before delivery to the Embassy.
Serena was pleased to find the work flawless and directed the courier to deliver them to the Embassy. She knew they would be blown away by the covers and hopefully a cheque to cover her expenses—and her fee—would follow swiftly.
Chapter Sixteen
City of London
Lang’s office
A week later, Lang left his office deciding to have a quiet drink at the Tower Bridge pub fifteen minutes from his office. He felt heavy from the worries bearing down on him and utterly depressed. What a dreadful mess he’d got himself into.
The fact that he was deceiving Serena and Calder made the stress so much worse. He realised he couldn’t get the money to repay the dealing loss no matter how many times he told himself it would get sorted somehow or another.
Lang leaned over the river wall watching the murky water as the high tide slowly turned and started sluicing out to the estuary. Despite achieving so much in his business just one error of judgement had doomed his future prospects. There was no way out. He began to tremble.
What would happen to my family? Will I end up in jail? Lang leaned further over the wall.
“You alright mate?” Someone touched his arm as he bent over.
“Leave me alone, I’m fine,” replied Lang, tears coursing down his cheeks.
“You look as though you need a drink,” the thin-faced man said.
Lang walked away ashamed of his tears, his dilemma, his shuddering body. As he paced slowly along the Embankment he remembered Alicia asking him to play solitaire before bedtime. There was no answer to his problems and no reason to stay away from home longer.
His clothes were damp with drizzle as he walked through the front door to find Alicia and Freddie sitting on the stairs waiting.
“Oh Daddy, at last!” Alicia stood up. “Freddie’s missing Mummy and you promised solitaire before bedtime, so let’s play now. Your coat’s wet. Have you been crying?”
“No, of course not, it’s the rain. Come on, let’s play on the floor.”
Freddie jumped on Lang’s back as Alicia kissed him on his damp cheek. Maggie walked in carrying Benjie.
“Say night, night,” she instructed.
Lang hugged him. “Good night my lovely boy.”
After a fun round of solitaire, Serena suddenly burst through the front door, breathless.
“Hello kids. Hello darling, pour me a drink please.” She flopped into an armchair.
“We’ve been waiting for you for ages Mummy,” complained Freddie.
“Yes, we have,” said Alicia, crossing her arms.
“Sorry guys, I’ve been so hectic with the Embassy,” Serena replied.
“Supper is ready children.” Maggie came in to pick Freddie off the floor.
“Lang, you look ashen. Are you feeling alright?” Serena asked, glancing at the crumpled man sprawled on the floor.
He ignored her. “How was your day?” he asked.
“Oh, it was incredible. They loved everything! I was introduced to the Ambassador himself. He’s a huge man dressed in white and gold robes. Lots of people bow to him. He shook both my hands to show his approval and spoke through an interpreter. The reception’s tomorrow night.” Serena was bubbling. “And there will be more to do later.”
“I’ve had such a heavy day at the office—let’s watch a video together later,” Lang suggested.
“I’ll see the children into bed, then you can read to Alicia. I’ve got a few more calls to make.”
“Can’t you leave the office alone tonight, Fig Tree?” he asked as she left the room.
Lang sat staring into space. What am I going to do?
He could hear Serena’s voice and he pulled himself off the chair. He found her gushing on the phone to Vivi about her embassy job.
She rang off when she saw Lang’s gloomy face.
“I was just telling Vivi about—”
“I heard,” Lang said miserably.
She shot him a sharp look. She almost resented being dragged down by his gloom.
“Will you come with me to the big reception party tomorrow night?” she asked animatedly.
“No, I won’t, but you go. You’ve worked hard for it,” he said quietly. “I’ll go read to Alicia.” And he walked away before she could stop him.
Chapter Seventeen
Moscow
Theo was deeply immersed in Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No.2. The slow movement was akin to his soul. He wove into the tender emotions as his rippling fingers caressed the keyboard.
Briefly, he looked up to see Sergei sitting at the far end of the rehearsal room. Each lyrical phrase grew more and more passionate. His whole being lingered on each sequence of notes. Poetic harmony sank into the keyboard as each cadence rose and fell until the final drifting note finished and Theo rested his hands on the piano, eyes shut, head bowed in silence.
A minute later, he felt a soft stroke on his neck that sent a warm quiver down his back, then a gentle caress round his shoulders. Theo’s heart was racing as he felt Sergei’s soft fingers. Theo stretched his head back and Sergei tenderly cupped the pianist’s face. He opened his eyes and saw Sergei looking at him adoringly.
What am I doing? Theo abruptly rose and walked o
ut of the door.
Chapter Eighteen
Aylesbury
“Prince Charles’ secretary just rang to ask if he could visit the plantation next Wednesday,” announced Jonty.
“Oh, how splendid! I’ll still be here, I’d love to say hello,” Beady said enthusiastically.
“Well Mum, he may not have time to come to the house. We’ll see.”
“Should I cancel the children’s’ classes that day?” asked Cheryl.
“No, my love, just keep them riding. I’d better tell Jacob to make sure all the trees are tidied up and labelled.”
“What time is he coming? Will he want lunch?”
“He’ll only be here a couple of hours,” answered Jonty.
The sound of laughter rolled up the drive and a bus load of children pulled up outside the riding school.
“Can I help again today?” asked Beady.
“Yes, of course. I think Tom would love to see you. Come and give me a hand with their hats and boots.”
It was a beautiful, sunny morning. Cheryl loved hearing the children’s excited voices as they got ready for their riding.
Little Tom called out, “Hello!” when he saw Beady bringing a riding hat for him.
Soon the paddock was packed with docile ponies. Beady led Tom round while Cheryl instructed, “Hold the reins tightly, straight back, slow walk.” She smiled as she watched Beady’s pleasure guiding Tom, and the way they chatted away to each other.
*
The next day, Cheryl showed Beady the dairy, where some Aylesbury Blue was being made. The matriarch was impressed and also delighted when her daughter-in-law handed over an entire new cheese.
“How should I pack it when I go back to Madeira?” she asked.
“We’ll organise a special box for you with air vents, so it doesn’t sweat,” suggested Cheryl.
“This is a splendid place. I don’t know how you find time to manage it all,” Beady said, holding Cheryl’s arm.
