by Lotte Moore
*
Three days later, Baba lay in an open coffin in the nearby church. Several friends came to pay their last respects. Vivi had arrived the day after her death and was a great support to Theo, especially during the poignant service.
At the Orthodox church everyone held a lighted candle and walked round the coffin, tenderly kissing her goodbye. There were more than thirty friends and neighbours at the service who found it deeply upsetting saying farewell to such a special lady.
Theo clung to Vivi, occasionally glancing at Sergei and his cousin, who were on the other side of the coffin.
At the cemetery, Theo sobbed uncontrollably as Baba was lowered into the grave, each person throwing a handful of earth onto the disappearing coffin. One of her friends screamed in pain when it was covered.
An hour later, everyone gathered at the apartment. There was a large picture of Baba on the table beside a slice of black rye bread. In turn they each gulped down a small glass of vodka and touched the bread in her memory. Vast amounts of food were consumed amongst tears and the babble of people reminiscing about events in Baba’s life.
Theo was bewildered not knowing any of her friends but smiled as people spoke her name. By the time he and Vivi returned to their hotel, he was emotionally drained.
“I have to stay on to sort out the will and her apartment. I’ll return as soon as possible. I must practice for the concert, too. Give a big hug to Georgie and Jago for me.” Theo held Vivi in his arms tightly. “Oh! The baby just kicked me!” He lingeringly kissing Vivi. A tear slipped down her cheek.
Over the next few days Sergei helped Theo sort things out in the apartment and took him to a lawyer. It was a time of emptiness for Theo who found it hard to cope with any of the practicalities. Sergei looked after him as far as the musician would allow. Theo’s fingers were itching to practice.
Once they had sorted out everything, they flew home and Theo went straight to the rehearsal rooms. Woolsey quietly welcomed him back and they all began to play enthusiastically. It was such a comfort to be deep into music again. Theo felt inspired as the Rachmaninov grew within him.
This concert was going to be for Baba.
Chapter Seventy Eight
Oving
Georgie was having a wonderful time with Alicia. Every morning they went to help with the riding lessons, then they were allowed a long ride with Cheryl who encouraged them to gallop after a few canters. The girls loved grooming the ponies and Cheryl enjoyed watching them.
Lang arrived in the early evening to collect the girls and found Freddie looking like a scarecrow.
“I’ve been driving a tractor all morning with Uncle Jonty,” he shouted.
“You’re giving my family a lot of fun,” said Lang.
“Do you fancy a glass of home brew?” asked Jonty.
“That would be a treat,” replied Lang.
“We’ll soon be on holiday all together. Mum’s really looking forward to it. Don’t know how she’ll cope with so many hungry mouths though.” Jonty laughed, as they sat watching the kids, holding a glass of brew each.
“It’s great that Serena’s coming too,” added Lang. “The children will so love being with her. She’s working very hard on the banqueting room. And I think there’s been a call from a Swiss banker for her to advise on his home in Wiltshire. Can’t imagine how she’ll fit that in as well. We’ll see even less of her.”
“It must be so hard for you,” sympathised Jonty, laying an arm on his brother-in-law’s shoulder.
Lang shrugged. “It’s our new normal, I suppose.”
*
Lang drove the carload of muddy children home.
“Right. Everyone in the bath, then supper afterwards.”
“Your wife rang to say she’d be late. Something about a new client,” Maggie said as Lang handed her a heap of dirty riding gear. “It’s bangers and mash tonight. I’ve fed Benjie. He’d love to see you.”
Lang read a short story to Benjie, then tucked him into bed, and finally got the other three children downstairs for supper in their night clothes.
Serena arrived home even later than usual to find Lang half asleep in the sitting room.
“You’re late,” he said softly.
“Yes, I had to meet this Swiss banker chap at a hotel in Knightsbridge. He’s called Oleg Paranosky, is absolutely loaded, apparently! Got a lovely estate in Wiltshire and houses in New York and St Petersburg. He’s quite a young man. His wife is charming with blond plaits coiled elegantly round her head,” said Serena. “There are several four-poster beds to be upholstered plus bedroom walls covered in silk and heavy old tapestry curtains.”
“I wish I could find some way of contributing to our finances,” Lang said anxiously.
“You’re doing a great job with the kids. It’s lovely to see them settled so quickly into country life. You too, for that matter,” Serena added. “It’s a big help, Lang.”
“It is?”
Serena nodded. “I appreciate it and you for that matter.”
Lang felt his heart skip a beat. He finally felt like him and Serena were getting back on track.
*
Lang phoned a number of his City friends to see if they had any ideas for part-time work. No one came up with anything positive. They all chatted and exchanged gossip, but he felt completely out of the loop. When Lang finally put the phone down, he once again felt rejected and depressed. How his life had changed.
The mobile rang.
“Lang, can you come over and give me a hand? Jacob’s gone to the market and one of the plantation fences needs repairing urgently,” asked Jonty.
“Yes, of course.” Lang was relieved to get out of his despondency.
Half an hour later, he felt increasing calmness in the plantation while he worked with Jonty straightening the fence. It was very peaceful amongst the saplings.
“Goodness, how beautiful this place is. There’s something tangible in the air.” He sat down on the grass as Jonty finished tightening the wire mesh.
“Yes, I often come here and amble through the trees. Imagine how magnificent it will be in the future. Just think of Alicia in forty years looking at the huge, mature oaks spreading out to the sky.”
Lang wiped his sweaty brow and followed Jonty up the hill. “Have you any idea what I could do for a part-time job? I’d like to contribute… take the pressure off Serena somehow.”
“Well, I don’t see how you could manage anything else. Besides, you’re doing a splendid job with the kids, I’ve never seen you cross with them—you’re a natural,” said Jonty.
“But they’re missing their Mum such a lot and I’m missing work terribly.”
“Would you go back to work in the City?”
“That’s all I know,” Lang said. “But none of my City friends have any work. It’s just strange being so far away from my former life.”
Jonty wrapped one arm around Lang’s shoulders. “Something will come up soon. Don’t lose hope.”
Chapter Seventy Nine
London
The Festival Hall concert was getting near. Preparations were hectic with only a few days to go before rehearsals in the Hall itself. Woolsey felt the orchestra was at its best, and Theo was excelling.
When the big night arrived, the concert hall was buzzing with excitement. All the family, including Alicia and Georgie, were sitting in the third row and cheered as Theo walked in. Rachmaninov’s Variations on a Theme of Paganini filled the Hall with passion.
Theo knew he was playing for Baba, so his emotions were doubly intense. Everything melded into an astonishing climax. Perhaps I overplayed the end? he thought.
There was a moment of silence, then the audience gave a standing ovation. Theo looked down at Vivi and his family clapping wildly. He couldn’t see Sergei anywhere.
Walking off stage, Woolsey patted his shoulder. “What a performance, Theo. Your best ever.”
“A great reception, Maestro.” Sergei was waiting in the dressing room a
nd hugged his client proudly. “Never have I heard you play so well.”
“Yes, Baba was here willing me on,” Theo said, glancing up at the ceiling.
There was a knock at the door.
“Oh, Theo. What a wonderful performance,” Vivi said tearfully. “I’m so proud of you.” She kissed him.
“Daddy, I watched your fingers going so fast I thought you’d fall off the stool!” Georgie laughed. “Do your hands hurt now?”
“That’s what I call a marathon,” said Lang.
“Oh Theo, it was so moving.” Serena hugged him.
As usual, Sergei had arranged a wonderful celebration dinner. The whole family was full of laughter and enjoyment at being together. Many bottles of wine were consumed.
“We’ll all be in Madeira on Friday,” said Jonty, very flushed. “I think we must be getting back, I’ve got an early start,” said Serena around 11pm. “Jonty and Cheryl, you’re staying with Vivi aren’t you?”
“Yes, if we can stand up!” Jonty laughed.
“Thank you for coming all the way from Oving,” Theo enthused. “I haven’t even seen your new house yet!”
“Come over as soon as you can,” said Lang.
*
Sergei rang early to say Theo had received amazing notices in The Times and Guardian, ‘A Maestro is born.’ But there was a disappointing review in the Telegraph, criticising the performance.
“Oh, that’s an awful one,” said Theo.
“Never mind. You’ve got to move onto the next challenge,” enthused Sergei. “I suggest you come to Moscow after your holiday. Shut yourself away in the studio and practice all day and all night if necessary. This recording is going to be one of the peaks of your career.”
“Let me have a think about it while I’m away. Will I see you before we go to Madeira?” Theo asked quietly.
“Let’s have lunch on Friday,” suggested Sergei.
Chapter Eighty
Chiswick
Jago rushed into the bedroom, jumping on Theo.
“I’m a jellyfish Daddy, and Mummy’s a whale. What are you?”
“Where’s Georgie?” asked Theo sleepily.
“She’s asleep. I can’t talk to her!”
Theo smiled. Family life was beginning to involve him again after a long absence. Vivi now looked visibly pregnant, her usual serenity a little marred by maternity tiredness. They lay in bed exchanging news, Theo stroking her tummy, eager to feel the baby kicking.
Georgie floated in. “Come on Daddy, get up. You’ve been away too long with the piano.”
“I know,” Theo agreed ruefully.
“Are you going to be here when Mummy has the baby?” asked Georgie.
“Yes, of course I am. I’ll drive her to the hospital,” Theo assured her.
“I wonder if it will be a boy or a girl. What would you like to call it, Daddy?”
“Leo or Oscar maybe,” said Theo.
“Mirabelle or Katya you mean!” said Vivi. Jago began jumping up and down on Theo which drove everyone out of bed quickly. “Come on, breakfast time, get dressed. I’ve got to start packing for our holiday this morning.”
“Whoopee, we go tomorrow,” said Georgie.
The house was full of excitement all day. Theo helped by taking the children out to the park leaving Vivi to assemble all the holiday gear.
Bella helped pack the toys and beachwear. “I’m going to miss you all. It’ll be so quiet around here.”
“Do you want your friend Lara to come and keep you company?” suggested Vivi.
“Yes, actually I am a bit anxious at night here on my own,” she replied truthfully.
“I understand, ” said Vivi, thinking of the night they were burgled. “Call Lara and see what she says.”
*
The taxi arrived to take them to the airport. Georgie babbled all the way to Heathrow while Jago was enthralled by the planes taking off. The children took a baggage trolley and whizzed it about, narrowly missing other passengers, including Serena and Lang who were there already and came over to greet Vivi and Theo.
Cheryl and Jonty arrived in a fluster having been held up. Apart from Benjie, screaming with earache as the plane descended, the flight was peaceful.
Beady was waving excitedly as they came through customs. She’d ordered several taxis and directed Vivi’s family to her own car.
“It’s so warm, Mum, and what a glorious blue sky. I’m so glad to be here at last,” Vivi said stroking her bump.
Chapter Eighty One
Madeira
Beady’s spacious villa was welcoming, with plants everywhere and flowers in each room. A long refectory table was invitingly covered with various plates of cold meats, cakes, stuffed eggs and masses of local fruit.
“I’m starving,” said Alicia.
“Me too,” agreed Georgie.
“I’m longing for a swim,” said Serena.
“I thought we’d take a picnic to the beach,” said Beady, delighted to see all the family together at last.
“This is such a big house Granny,” said Georgie, looking around in awe.
“Yes, Grandpa bought it hoping all the family would come and stay. It’s a pity he’s not here to see you all,” Beady replied. “He loved watching the stars at night. I must show you his telescope.”
Soon everyone was relaxing in the midday sun. Georgie and Jago were busy making sandcastles and burying each other. Serena strode off towards the sea, anxiously followed by Alicia and Freddie.
“Where are you going, Mummy?” they called.
“Just for a quick swim. You play with little Benjie and Jago, I’ll be back in a minute.”
Cheryl was rolling a ball into a little pool for Benjie who loved splashing in the water.
“Why has Mummy gone swimming alone?” Freddie asked.
“Perhaps she felt hot. Come on, let’s all have an ice cream,” Cheryl said.
They ran after her and were soon sitting at a table enjoying huge cornets. Benjie’s face was covered in chocolate.
“He looks like a clown,” Alicia said pointing at him.
“Can we go swimming with Mummy now?” Freddie asked.
“I don’t think so, because Granny said the waves are very big, but we can go over there to the children’s pool,” Cheryl replied.
“Yay!” said Freddie.
“Finish your ice creams first,” said Serena, wrapping a towel around her chest.
“Mummy, you’re back,” he shouted, running up to her.
Serena and Cheryl spent an hour beside the pool watching the children jumping in and out. Lang came over to join them and brought a message from Beady. The picnic was ready.
Alicia and Georgie skipped and paddled their way towards Granny, followed by the others. Beady sat in a low deck-chair handing out sausages which were devoured in seconds. Vivi gave each child a juicy slice of melon. It was a languid afternoon.
“We’re all unwinding at last,” Jonty said, quite red in the face.
“I think we should go to the flower market tomorrow,” suggested Serena.
They ambled back to the house as the sun began to lose some of its intensity, then asked Beady which rooms they’d be sleeping in.
“Now Serena, you and Lang are in here,” the matriarch replied, revealing a huge double bed alongside some big double doors leading onto the balcony, Vivi and Theo, I’ve put you in here overlooking the sparkling sea,” Beady said, then turning the corner, “Jonty and Cheryl, you’re here in the annex.”
Everyone started unpacking.
“I’ll go and supervise the children downstairs,” Beady announced.
Beady interrupted the children’s squealing hide-and-seek game and got them all to draw the beautiful sunset.
Afterwards, she went upstairs and knocked on Serena’s door. “I must show you something special, my dear.” She opened the wardrobe and took out an exquisite patchwork quilt. “This was made by your great aunt and I’d like you to have it.” Beady smiled as she unfolded
it.
“Oh Mum, it’s so beautiful. I’ll treasure it.”
She hugged Beady who then said, “Now you know why I wanted you all here. I’m giving Vivi and Jonty some other family items later.”
“Yes, you did say and that’s wonder—” suddenly Serena noticed the time. “Oh my goodness! I must get the children to bed, they’ve been up for hours. Come on, bedtime!”
“Hooray, Mummy’s putting us to bed,” squawked Freddie.
“We’re all going to sleep together,” said Georgie.
Serena organised them into their sleeping bags.
“Quiet now, I’m going to read you a story,” she said. “Some more of the Famous Five.” Alicia and Freddie snuggled up to her.
*
The following day, Serena arranged for everyone to visit the Funchal flower market. Vivi decided to rest at home so Theo stayed too, as did Jago and Beady. The house fell quiet as soon as everyone else went out. Beady sat on the veranda and read Jago a story, while Vivi and Theo dozed on the loungers. “Isn’t this peaceful, just the two of us?” murmured Vivi, flicking her long dark hair over the top of the seat.
“I’m beginning to unwind slowly, and you are looking radiant, dear,” he said softly.
“The children are loving you being back, especially Georgie.”
“I thought of taking her to a concert in Funchal. I think she’s old enough to appreciate composers like de Falla and Rodrigo,” Theo suggested.
“Oh, she’ll love that. Hello, Jago, have you had a nice walk with Granny?” asked Vivi.
“Mummy, I saw big, big fishes eating flowers.”
Theo whisked him up and threw him in the air to shrieks of delight.
“Shall I help you prepare supper, Mum?” enquired Vivi.
“Yes, that would be useful. I’m doing a fish pie. If you could peel some fruit for a dessert, darling.”
As they chatted in the kitchen, her daughter revealed the stress of Theo being away so often and his increasing moods.
