by Peter Martin
‘Now then everybody, I expect you’ll want to get settled in your rooms, and have a rest after your long flight. Miss Matthews has asked me to tell you, you’re to treat this house as your own, but please don’t wander too far away.’ And as if to justify her last statement Charlene said, ‘It could be dangerous to go beyond the perimeter fence and you may get lost.’
‘I don’t think we’re that stupid, Charlene,’ Chris interjected, frank as ever.
Charlene chose to ignore Chris’s brusque manner by saying, ‘Good, so just make sure you’re outside the dining room at seven o’clock sharp – you wouldn’t want to keep your illustrious hostess waiting, now would you? And now I’ll take my leave of you. There’s much to organise, and most of it is down to me since Miss Matthews is always so busy.’
After filing out of the Awards and Pictures room, Charlene locked the door, leaving them to find the rooms they’d been allocated.
Back in their room Garry and Delia unpacked their suitcases which had been placed on the bed for them. Taking time to shower and get dressed neither commented on what had transpired concerning his mother. Sometime later having just got comfortable in their seats there was a knock on the door. Garry opened it to find the family assembled on the landing, all with eager faces. After inviting them in, all eyes were on Garry as they sat on the various seats around the room and the side of the bed.
Now the identity of his mother was known, it appeared everyone wanted to know more.
Tom fired the first question, ‘Dad, do you really think this is true?’
‘Looks that way. All the evidence points to it, and I see no reason for doubt considering the trouble they’ve gone to, to bring us here.’
‘It just seems so incredible, Dad,’ Cassie said. ‘And now we know it’s true, this could have a big impact on our lives.’
‘I don’t know about that Cassie,’ her mother said. ‘We might get to know her, maybe even visit her, perhaps have an invite or two to come here on holiday, but otherwise, we’ll live as before, so long as no one gets to find out about us… It seems to me that’s the important bit so far as your dad’s mother’s concerned… to keep everything secret.’
But changing the subject Cassie said, ‘I never thought she was that old. I mean when you see her in films, you’d think she wasn’t much older than you, Dad. Remembering nan and grandad, they always looked the part, but Lena Matthews must have looked after herself very well, or else paid a fortune to go under the surgeon’s knife, in an attempt to stay young.’
‘Yes, but we know she was very young when I was born, which probably explains it. But, what bothers me is that she waited until I was three years old before giving me up – why not do it when I was a baby? And how they managed to keep a child under wraps really is beyond me.’
‘It’s funny how nan and grandad just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Sounds to me like they couldn’t have children of their own, then when you appeared on the scene, they must have been over the moon. Probably unable to believe their luck.’
‘Well actually Cassie, we didn’t tell you before, but your nan and grandad did have a child, a boy, who unfortunately died when he was just one month old.’
‘Oh, how sad. That would have made them want a child even more.’
‘Yes?’ Garry agreed. ‘But there’s only one person who can give us an insight into what happened – and that’s Lena Matthews herself. Just think if it hadn’t been for your nan, the truth would have remained hidden forever.’
‘Yes, but you’d still have got that money – which might have set you wondering.’ Chris said, with an ironic smile. ‘There’s also the question as to where the money came from in the first place?’
‘Maybe. I’d have been curious, that’s for sure, but never in a million years would I have guessed I’d been adopted.’ Then a grin crossed Garry’s face. ‘It appears you have put two and two together, and like me assume this must be where mum’s money came from.’
Chris just nodded then asked, ‘Doesn’t it leave a bitter taste in your mouth, to think Lena Matthews never made any effort to contact you, and but for your persistence we wouldn’t be here now?’
‘Yes, but as Charlene said she wasn’t allowed to.’
‘You believe that?’
‘I don’t know - all we can do is to ask her. We have to give her a fair hearing Chris, or what’s the point in us coming over here in the first place?’
Delia had been silent until now but said quietly, ‘True, but then it’s up to each of us to make up our own mind about it. I mean giving up a child takes some doing.’
‘I really like it here,’ Adam said suddenly as he’d sensed the downturn in conversation. ‘There’s lots to do, and I can go swimming anytime I want. They’ve got two swimming pools.’
They all laughed at this.
‘So what shall we do while we’re waiting, go for a bit of a walk or what? I don’t know about you, but I don’t fancy hanging around here until seven o’clock.’
‘Me neither, Garry.’ Delia agreed. ‘How about the rest of you?’
Eventually, they decided to have another look at the indoor swimming pool but with everyone dressed in their best bib and tucker, it was out of the question to take a dip. Leaving Garry to promise Adam he’d take him for an early morning swim the following day, he then led the way out into the gardens, on through the tennis court to a children’s play area which by the looks of it was brand new. Adam was in his element, having this play area to himself. In the end, Cassie had to drag him away as time was getting on. And he needed a change of clothes and a quick wash.
Back downstairs standing outside the dining room waiting for Adam and Cassie to return, Garry became aware of his wife’s nervousness and said, ‘You look absolutely stunning Deel.’
Her face reddened, saying, ‘Well I feel anything but stunning with this ordeal to come.’
‘It’ll come and go the same as everything else.’
‘I hope so. And I have to say, you look very smart yourself – trying to impress your mother are you?’
‘Not really Deel. But I’ve got to admit I’m having trouble thinking of her as a mother. It’ll be very strange meeting this woman, my mother. I keep wondering what she’s like. I don’t think I resemble her that much and I certainly don’t think I could possibly share her personality considering what she’s done. And then there’s the question of my father. Why isn’t he in any of the photographs. Who is he? And is he still alive? What were the circumstances surrounding the couple?’
‘Yes, I know all that, Garry. I just hope for your sake, your mother is open and honest with us, and doesn’t keep anything back.’
They were all brought down to earth when Adam arrived shouting in protest, ‘When will the dinner be done?’
Everyone laughed at his remark. Then taking his grandson’s hand Garry said, ‘Well, we are here to have a meal, Adam is quite right. The dining room is behind those doors and I imagine there’s a lot going on in there.’
‘Can we have a look?’ Adam asked.
‘No, no – I don’t think we should. I think it’s best if we wait to be shown in.’
Adam pulled a face.
‘Don’t worry, it won’t be long now.’
Adam went back to his mum and dad.
Turning round feeling proud of his family and with a look of pride on his face, Garry said, ‘Well, well, I must say you all look great. Let’s hope Miss Matthews will be as impressed as I am. This should be one of the most exciting nights of our lives. Let’s hope she’s worth the wait.’
‘Just think, we could become minor celebrities if only we could talk about it to the press,’ Delia said.
‘Maybe, but that’s not strictly how I see it. We’re here to find out what went on, aren’t we love?
‘I know, but we could make a small fortune out of giving loads of interviews, don’t you think Garry?’
Garry shook his head; she was teasing him. In reality, he knew if
the media got hold of just a shred of information they’d be pestered day and night, their lives would be a living hell.
Before long a tall pompous looking man approached. His solemn face gave nothing away, his bushy white eyebrows seemed to accentuate the scraggly hair at the back and sides of his head but topping it all was a shiny bald patch. He wore the same uniform as the man who had greeted them earlier and bore a similar comical appearance. However, on realising who they were his whole sombre manner changed. A smile formed on his lips emphasising his long beaked nose to its full extent as he said pleasantly, ‘Good evening ladies and gentlemen, I’m Benson, what you might call Miss Matthews’ butler. Please allow me to show you into the dining room, she’ll be with you shortly.’
He opened the double doors and stood aside allowing the guests to enter the enormous dining room with the immensely long table they’d already seen. It was laid with exquisite tableware, the like of which Garry had never seen. He tried to imagine the dinner parties that no doubt had taken place here over the years and the celebrities who must have stood in this room; this little get together tonight would be but a mere ‘splash in the ocean’ to such grand occasions.
After Benson had showed them to their places, Adam shouted, ‘Grandad, my name’s written on a card on the table!’
‘Yes, we all have a card with our names written on, it’s just so we know where to sit.’
‘So where are you sitting Grandad?’
They all looked round for their places and Garry pointed to where he and Delia were to sit opposite each other towards the top end of the table.
‘Can I come and sit by you, Grandad?’
With a suppressed smile, Benson gave Garry the nod of approval and quickly swapped the place cards, much to Adam’s delight.
The empty seat at the head of the table, without a place card, was presumably for their host.
The general mood in the room became tense as the minutes ticked by, and Garry sensed his family were getting a little riled. He glanced past Benson to the pendulum clock on the wall - fifteen minutes past seven, late already. This is no joking matter he thought, we’ve travelled halfway round the world, surely she could keep to the appointed time. Then quite abruptly he said, ‘Benson, any idea when Miss Matthews is going to show up?’
‘I’m not sure sir. Miss Matthews did plan to be here at seven o’clock on the dot, but you have to bear in mind she has a heavy schedule – I’m not altogether surprised she’s late. Please, I beg of you to be patient. She has promised to be here, and I’m sure she will be just as soon as she can.’
Garry smiled, but the tone in his voice belied his smile, ‘It’s not your fault Benson. I don’t suppose another few minutes will make much difference. After all, I’ve been waiting all my life!’
The snide remark had not been lost on Benson, who, choosing not to comment, and with a straight face said, ‘Nevertheless, I apologise on her behalf. Now if there’s anything I can get you while you’re waiting, a drink perhaps. Would anyone like one?’ Benson looked across at all of them, but they shook their heads. ‘Well, in the meantime, I’ll see if I can find out what’s going on.’
While his family made small talk, negative thoughts went round and round in Garry’s head as to why his mother was so late; they’d been sitting in this room for a good thirty minutes. What on earth could have happened to cause such a delay? Then suddenly, as if someone had read his thoughts, the double doors opened. And there she was - Lena Matthews herself, in all her glory.
Chapter Twelve
Garry’s eyes never left the woman as she walked leisurely into the room. In truth he hadn’t really known what to expect – a superstar maybe, someone larger than life, but actually she looked quite normal. He was amazed how different she appeared from her photographs.
Lena Matthews was a small plump woman; perhaps 5ft 3in in height, with shortcut highlighted blonde hair, her large breasts accentuated by the off the shoulder low-necked white chiffon dress.
She had an oval face and high cheekbones; her eyes hidden behind a pair of round sunglasses. Considering her age, it seemed highly likely that her unlined skin, may have been due to cosmetic surgery as indeed Cassie had implied.
But for Garry, this was a very emotional experience.
Standing at the edge of the table she exclaimed in a high pitched voice, ‘Hallo everybody! I’m so happy to meet you all at last. Before I do anything else, I’d like to meet my son – where are you, my darling?’
As she took off her sunglasses and scanned the room in search of Garry, it was some performance, one which wouldn’t have been out of place at Drury Lane Theatre. He stood up, a little embarrassed, and walked over to her, all the time recognising the resemblance between them. He saw the raw emotion in her eyes and a tear trickled down her cheek as he walked easily into her arms. Being quite short she reached up and kissed him on both cheeks before hugging him to her. The smell of strong, no doubt expensive perfume, filled the air. But that didn’t matter because he’d found her at last.
Several moments passed before she pulled away from him, laughing now amid her tears.
‘Let me look at you, son,’ she said admiring his appearance. ‘You’ve grown so tall and strong, a fine man with such a pretty wife and a family to be proud of. I’ll bet you’ve worked hard for them, haven’t you my dear? Worked your little fingers to the bone, I’d say. Isn’t this so wonderful? Come on, tell me about yourself and your family.’
‘Well, there’s not much to tell –’
‘Oh, don’t be so modest. It’s hard to believe I have my son here with me, after what happened. It’s so long ago, but I still remember everything as if it were only yesterday. And I’ve never stopped thinking about you, son, wondering how you are, what you’re doing. Never a day goes by when you’re not in my thoughts – I regret what I did, and I’ve paid for it ever since. I’m sure God punished me, because although I’ve had a successful career, never again was I blessed with another child. I couldn’t have the family I yearned for.’ She sniffed back the tears.
‘You mean to tell me I’m your only child?’ Garry said with astonishment, wondering if this had contributed to her reluctance to meet him. Could she possibly have thought he was a gold digger hoping to inherit her money one day?
‘Of course.’ Lena grinned. ‘Anyway, I understand your adoptive parents named you Garry. I had you christened Simon. But I imagine you’d prefer to be called Garry, wouldn’t you?’
‘If you don’t mind. But how about you? It seems weird calling you mother now after all this time.’
‘That’s understandable - Lena will suffice. Now it’s time for you to introduce me to the rest of your family – come on Garry. I’m dying to get to know them all.’
She walked round with him, as he presented them to her. Lena hugged each member of the family, in turn, also kissing each of them on the cheek. She seemed sentimental and genuinely affected by this meeting.
After that, they sat down, with Lena at the head of the table, blowing her nose and wiping her eyes as she tried to regain control of herself.
With everyone seated, Benson appeared at Lena’s side.
‘Ah Benson, perhaps you’d be good enough to tell chef that dinner can now be served.’
‘Certainly madam,’ Benson nodded before departing to the kitchen.
At the end of the three course meal everyone commented on how they’d never tasted a meal so good. Even Adam finished every last morsel.
‘I’m so pleased you enjoyed it,’ Lena said to Delia. ‘As you probably realise everything has to be brought onto the island and I thought it best to get the ingredients for your meals from the UK. I guessed you might enjoy a real English style dinner, and I wanted to make you feel at home. I’ve had a few movies which were box office hits, so I can live comfortably.’
Garry found that amusing – almost every film she’d starred in had been a box office smash. And if these surroundings were anything to go on, the cost of a good meal woul
d hardly dent the budget. His mother had either got a sense of humour or was trying to make light of her infinite wealth.
The dessert came shortly afterwards, fruit salad and lemon sorbet, followed by cheese and biscuits and coffee while Adam had fizzy lemonade.
The atmosphere was pleasant but subdued and the conversation didn’t really flow. Once or twice Lena helped quell the tension by making small talk.
Afterwards, while Benson cleared the table, Lena seeming pleased with herself, got up from her seat saying, ‘Right folks, if you’ve finished how about we go out onto the patio? The sun is still warm and I’m sure you’ll find it relaxing sitting by the pool.’ She beckoned them to follow her and opened the French doors, letting in the warmth of the still powerful sun. The whole of the patio area, which included a substantially sized swimming pool, was fenced off. On the other side of the pool, a wrought iron gate led to the beautiful gardens with a view of the beach and coast below. Deckchairs had been placed around the edge of the swimming pool, and on one wall of the house, a canopy had been opened to provide shade.
‘I expect you’d all like a cold drink to cool you down,’ Lena said lowering her sunglasses to find Benson as usual close by. ‘Benson, please make a list of drinks my family would like to order. You’ll find there’s a selection of soft drinks Adam might like. If it’s ok with his mum, take him with you to choose which he’d like.’
After making a list of what everyone wanted Benson left with Adam close behind in full-flow. Garry knew there’d be no shutting Adam up and wondered what tale his grandson was relaying to Benson, whose straight face had turned into an amused smile, but he still couldn’t feel prouder of Adam at this moment.
Fifteen minutes later the duo returned. Adam, with a bottle of pop in his hand, held the door open for Benson carrying a tray full of various drinks and an ice bucket. He placed the tray on a small table and before leaving turned to thank Adam for his help.
Everyone sat back to relax. Lena, forever smiling, seemed so pleased with herself.
