by Carl Leckey
How many seats will you require Sir we can handle everything for you?”
I enquire. “Is it possible to have the maid baby sit for us again Mr Gillon?” He replies promptly. “No problem Sir.”
I make a request. “In that case make it four seats together in the best circle please? Now I have another task for you Mr Gillon we intend leaving here tomorrow. I must congratulate you on the excellence of the hotel. We are heading for Kent, quite a long and tiresome journey for the Ladies especially with a young child.”
“I agree Sir, how may I help you?”
“I wish to break the journey in London, an overnight will suffice. Our baggage will be quite a handful to manage on and off trains. If we retained enough for an overnight and the journey could you arrange for the rest of our luggage to be transported to the family estate in St Margaret’s Kent?”
He drops his voice to a confidential whisper. “Not only will I arrange for the luggage to be transported My Lord. I will arrange rooms at the Victoria Station Hotel if you permit me I recommend the hotel. I have been assured it is on par with the Hotel Victoria.”
I reply. “In that case please do that for me.” He continues. “May I suggest a cab to take you from Euston to Victoria? In the meanwhile I will ascertain the times of the London trains from Lime Street Liverpool and I will have two cabs waiting to take you to New Brighton station in the morning.” I thank him and make another request. “Will you to contact Woodside Taxis for me? I would particularly like to have the driver Norman Hanson if possible. I will require the taxi for the entire day arrange for him to pick me up at the hotel at about eleven o’clock?” He replies, “Right away Sir.”
“You are very kind Mr Gillon and may I add very efficient?” He beams with pride and replies
“It is the duty of all citizens to assist representatives of the government to the best of our ability.
It has been a pleasure and an honour to have you as our guests I will have you notified when your telephonic calls are ready.
May I ask you about your meals this afternoon, and this evening Sir? I suggest afternoon tea and a late supper after the theatre?”
“That will be fine Mr Gillon. I will be out for lunch by the way.”
“Enjoy you breakfast Sir.”
I take the opportunity to send a telegram with all the details about the lad to Harry requesting him to contact Captain Hawkins if possible about my promise of a position on his ship for young Colin if he is suitable. Mother awaits me in the lounge as I conduct my business at the desk. She is surprised but pleased when I inform her what I have arranged. I believe I have made the right decision in booking another night in New Brighton with the prospect of a good night out at the Tivoli theatre to see one of the latest musical comedies.
She smiles and informs me. “Adam this will be a first for Emily and I we have never attended a music hall it should be quite an experience.” She adds with a mischievous smile on her face.
“I know, let us tell Emily we are attending a recital or something grand. It should be fun don’t you think?” When we are seated at the table before I have the opportunity to ask a question Mother says. “It looks as if Pamela and Emily have hit it off thank goodness. I suspected they would but your Aunt can be somewhat unpredictable at times.”
This is my chance I take it. “Mother how come Emily is sleeping in the suite this morning? I thought it was arranged you stayed in there with Pamela and Mathew?” She considers my question for a moment before replying. “Adam. Did you see Emily’s attitude to little Mathew? Never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe I would witness that.
My Sister is a changed woman and it is your Son and I must add Pamela that has brought about this miracle. When I went to the suite last night Emily and Pamela were playing with Mathew. They seemed so happy it was as if they were a family.”
I suppose I am childish when I complain. “Surely it was very late to have a child out of bed?”
Mother admonishes me with a smile. “Oh don’t be such a grump Adam the child woke up and they comforted him. You should have seen Emily with him? If a stranger had entered the room at that moment they would have sworn Emily was the child’s Mother.
Anyway right or wrong I made the decision and agreed to leave Emily in the suite and I slept in her room.” She looks concerned and enquires. “I hope I haven’t done anything to upset you?”
I respond. “No Mother if you are happy so am I. What have you planned today I will be out all day myself after I make my telephone call to France. Ooops! I nearly forgot I have arranged for you to make a phone call to St Margaret’s is that alright?”
“Oh! That’s nice. I didn’t know we could call direct. Yes thank you Adam I will inform Mr Humphreys to expect us the day after tomorrow with a few extra guests.” She smiles as something she is thinking tickles her. “It will be interesting when the former chauffeur turns up as the Lord of the manor. Now may I ask where are you going today?”
I reply. “Oh! Here and there I want to visit the graves of my friends and family. Then I have to see Mr Pinketon about tracing Sister Monique. After that I just want to have a drive around my home town before we leave. For old time’s sake I plan on having lunch in a great little café we used before the war. I might not return to England again, France is my country now.”
Mother looks concerned at my statement.
“What’s wrong Mother?” I enquire. She replies. “I hope you haven’t forgotten you have responsibilities in England as well.”
I assure her. “I appreciate that Mother but let me sort out my big problem first, if I survive when Denise learns of my escapade with Peggy. If she doesn’t shoot me or even worse leave me I will accept any family responsibilities here in England I can assure you of that. Now let’s forget our troubles and have a happy last day here in the Wirral.” She requests. “May I come with you I would like to see more of the area and I certainly want to visit Peggy’s and Millie’s grave for the last time?”
I reply. “You are welcome to spend the day with me but what about Emily Pamela and the baby?”
Mother assures me. “I’ll have a word with them after breakfast while you make your telephone call. I will explain we are staying over and the arrangements you have made. It will be a nice surprise for them tonight Emily will be pleased you have included Pamela. That will indicate to her you have accepted the situation. Don’t worry about them. I think they will be only too pleased to be left alone in their own company, don’t you?”
I inform her. “In that case we leave at eleven o’clock. I have arranged a taxi, we shall be having lunch out you will enjoy the pie and chips and mushy peas with gravy of course, they are the best in the world believe me?” She gives me an odd look I don’t believe she knows what mushy peas are. Well today’s the day she learns that not all gourmet food goes to the toffs table. Mother has her phone call to Kent then leaves to see Emily. There is a delay in putting me through I wait in the lobby for my call to be connected ten minutes passes by.
I am reading the morning paper when Colin the page informs me my call is ready. The operator warns me I have twenty minutes only as she connects me with the hotel in France. Marguerites voice is on the other end of the line. After exchanging pleasantries she informs me excitedly “Denise is here in the hotel if you will hang on I will send the page for her?”
While I am waiting for my Wife Alec comes on the line he asks. “When you getting home to your lovely Wife you old bugger? Whoops! Marguerite just gave me a slap for swearing.”
It’s great to hear my old pal’s voice again I realise how much I miss their company even though I am with another part of my family.
The operator interrupts and tells me. “You have only ten minutes left.”
I place my pocket watch on a ledge in front of me. Denise my darling Denise speaks her voice sends pangs of heart ache and longing through my entire body. I want her so badly if it were possible I would leave and head home in an instant. She begins to cry and a
sks “when are you coming home I miss you so much?” I try to console her, the minute finger on my watch appears to speed up. I have to tell her about Mathew “Denise, Darling listen carefully I have only a few minutes do you recall me telling you about Tommy’s cousin Peggy?” She sniffs back tears and asks. “What about her?” My watch appears to be gathering speed the finger races around I explain. “She has died Denise and has left a lovely baby boy. She has no relatives they are going to put him in an orphanage, do you.”
CHAPTER TEN
Explanation time?
Without hesitation Denise interrupts me. “Don’t let them do that. Oh! Please adopt the child and bring him home to me. I will have him, we will have him. Oh! Adam please get the child.”
The operator informs me. “Sorry Sir your allotted time is up, please book another call.” I reply angrily. “I would like to do that now, will you connect me onto that number in France again, it is very urgent?”
The operator apologises and advises. “I am sorry Sir your time is up the lines are completely booked for the next twenty six hours.”
Disappointed at losing the communications but relieved because Denise has urged me to adopt Mathew I return to my room to don my street clothes. Hurdle one over I just need to figure a way to reveal I am Mathews Father without losing my darling Denise.
I consider this will be the most difficult task I will have to undertake, that includes my army service. An idea comes to me as I change. A telegram! If Denise is in the hotel OSCADA they have telegram facilities. I race downstairs and carefully compose a telegram.
Denise. I knew you would agree I have already adopted the child. We leave for Mothers house in Kent tomorrow we should arrive the day after. Take care I miss you so much. Lots of love Adam.
I return to the lounge to await Mother when Pamela arrives with Mathew dressed ready for an outing. While she retrieves the perambulator from the porter’s luggage store I take Mathew into the empty lounge. He is a happy little soul and attracts the attention of one of the female hotel staff as he attempts to walk holding onto my hand. I am amused when he reaches out to her and leaves me for another. Mr Gillon stands in the doorway smiling approvingly. Pamela arrives with the perambulator she is about to take Mathew away from the woman when I invite her, “Pamela please sit with me for a while and talk to me. Mathew is alright for a moment with this nice Lady, isn’t he?”
I address my last remark pointedly to the woman. She waves agreement as she leads the boy around the room. Pamela sits opposite it is obvious she is not entirely comfortable in my company.
Attempting to put her at her ease I enquire. “So! Pamela are you looking forward to the trip to Kent and your new life as.” Before I finish the sentence she cuts across me, anger sparking in her eyes,
“You don’t approve of the situation that exists between Lady Emily and myself do you?”
Her sudden angry accusation takes me surprise I reply cautiously. “Pamela I must be honest I can’t understand it. I have no experience of this type of thing but as far as I am concerned it’s yours and Emily’s business, if you both are happy then who am I to judge?
My Mother approves, that is good enough for me.”
Pamela appears to relax after I reassure her. I continue self-consciously. “Mother informed me she has never seen her Sister so content. You are fine with my Son I am happy to leave him in your care. Now let us get back to the original question I was about to ask when you interrupted.”
I smile to take the sting out of my rebuke. “Are you happy about going to Kent and leaving all your friends up here in Birkenhead?” She replies her anger appears to have dissipated after my assurance. “I have only acquaintances around here not what you would call real friends since my family and dear Mrs Jones died.” The woman brings Mathew back and informs us. “I am sorry sir I have to get on with my duties.” I thank her as Pamela lifts Mathew into the perambulator. When he’s settled she says to me.
“Look let me try to explain. When I saw Emily last night I knew and she knew we are made for each other. I need her. I need someone to look after me. I need someone to look after. I believe Emily is the one I can spend the rest of my life with. I am not attempting to explain the love that does exist between two women all I am able to tell you is I love Emily and she loves me.”
Slightly embarrassed at her frank confession I reply. “Thanks for that Pamela now we are more or less a family member will you call me Adam?”
She retorts. “No I can’t do that, what will the other servants think when we get to St Margaret’s? I will address you as Mr Adam if that is satisfactory?” Thoughtfully I answer. “I don’t think you will be considered a servant Pamela. Er and I don‘t believe Emily would approve.”
Pamela retorts. “We will have to deal with that before we reach Kent then. May I take the child for his morning outing now?”
As she leaves, Mother arrives in the lobby dressed elegantly in her furs the page finds me and offers a telegram on the salver. I rip it open to read.
Dear Adam. Sorry to hear about Peggy. Thank goodness you have saved the baby from an orphanage. I am so excited. Louise and I will travel to Kent to meet you at the address in St Margaret’s. Hazel has returned to France she will look after Daisy while I am away. What is the baby’s name? Love you so much your Wife Denise.
Oh dear I feel the noose tightening around my neck how do I handle this one? Mother asks in a concerned manner. “Is it bad news Adam?”
I explain. “I have broken the news about Mathew to my Wife except I haven’t told Denise I am his Father. Now comes the difficult part.”
I hand the telegram to Mother and inform her. “I know I am being a coward but I can’t cope with this at the moment let us enjoy the day.
It looks as if you will get to meet Denise sooner than you thought, seeing as she has made the decision to travel to the UK, I will have no choice but to confront her with the truth then. Thank goodness her Sister is coming with her. Louise is a great woman and if anyone can help me sort the mess out she will.”
Mother gives me a hug of sympathy as we leave the hotel.
Norman is waiting in his taxi he welcomes us. I introduce Mother and explain Norman and I are childhood friends.
When we are settled in the cab he turns and says sadly.
“Sorry to hear about your Peg and her Mum Adam she was a smashing girl. Her Auntie died as well. Rotten run of luck that family eh? I heard you have adopted her kid. Good for you mate. When I visited her in the Leasowe hospital I know she was worried about what would happen to him if the worse came to the worse. Me and my misses would have took him in but we are only just managing with the kids we’ve already got. He adds gloomily. “And my Misses definitely has another one on the way.”
“Thanks for that Norman and thanks for taking the trouble to find us I appreciate what you did.” He replies. “You’re welcome Adam I wish I could have done more for her I only heard she was ill when she was on her last.” I reveal. “Yes we have adopted the child he is a lovely little boy and will be well loved in our family. That’s where I would like to go first Flaybrick cemetery, stop at that flower shop on the way Norm.”
He sets off as I inform him. “We are leaving tomorrow and heading down south.”
Norman is a fund of knowledge and keeps a none stop entertaining commentary on sites we pass and the history and news from around the district.
After the visit to the graves we head to see Mr Pinketon. After thanking him for his efforts I give him all the details I have on Sister Monique. I also give him my contact address in France. He promises to do his best but points out there could be problems obtaining information from the convent. I am about to leave when a thought occurs to me.
I enquire. “Mr Pinketon, do you have you any contacts abroad?”
He replies proudly. “Worldwide Sir the Pinketon detective agency has operatives worldwide. Is there something else I am able to assist you with?”
“Yes.” I reply thoughtfully. �
�Lady Angelique my Mother was born in France she was adopted by an English family when she was about ten. I know she would dearly like to trace her roots.”
He replies eagerly. “Say no more my dear Sir you can count on me I have connections in France. Please give me the details and I will pursue the matter.”
“Hmm! Discrete enquiries I hope Mr Pinkerton? If you find out any information I would like it to be a surprise for my Mother. I am travelling down to Kent in a couple of days I will send you details from there. But any results and your bill of course forward to me in France.” He replies slightly indignantly. “Discretion is the motto of this organisation my dear Sir. I look forward to hearing from you.”
Mother is looking in shop windows when I return to the cab. Norman is alone having a smoke I enquire. “Norm when you were driving my Mother about a few weeks ago did you take her to a jeweller or pawn shop? Anywhere like that?” He thinks for a moment before replying.
“I didn’t but one of the other drivers Tom told us he had a passenger who wanted to know where she could sell some jewellery. He took the woman to Bentley’s by the hay market. I remember him telling the lads he thought it was a bit funny a posh woman going in there. I don’t know if that is any help?”
What a coincidence. Fancy Mother taking her tiara to the very same pawn broker I went to with the sovereigns when I was demobbed. Excitedly I reply. “That sounds right Norm take us there next will you mate don’t let on where we are going, it’s a surprise.”
Mother sees me and heads back towards the cab. When we arrive at the pawn shop Mother recognises the area she looks uneasy she asks. “What are we doing here my Dear?” I reply. “I believe this is where you sold your tiara Mother let’s get it back to where it belongs shall we. I hope you have the pledge ticket with you?”
“Ah! So that’s your little game is it? You don’t have to do this you know, we can live without it?”
I explain. “Mother it is part of your heritage I would like to retrieve it.” She looks about to object when I add. “Let’s say it is my present to you to celebrate our reunion, now have you got the pledge ticket please?” She takes it from her bag and hands it over.
