by Carl Leckey
“No it’s not a problem as such Billy and Father Peter went to collect Oscar’s truck as you know. Father Peter had made arrangements to meet the German friend of his.” I must have looked puzzled. She explained. “You know the officer that allowed him to take the children and Sister Maria through his lines to safety?”
“Oh yes. I remember. Peter told me he had stayed in contact with the German.”
Denise remarks. “Isn’t it strange how our lives have been completely changed by our former enemy Oscar. I never thought I would ever forgive the German’s after Father was killed by them. I’m ashamed to say I condemned a whole nation.
Now Father Peter has befriended an ex German officer. Considering what he experienced, don’t you think it’s some kind of miracle?”
I have to agree with her, as she has asked my opinion as an explanation I offer. “Maybe there is a strange force that brings the good people of opposing nations together. The Christmas truce in 1914 was a classic example. Oh! All this is too deep for me Denise. You should ask Father Peter. I’m sure he will tell you God moves in mysterious ways.”
Denise explains. “Father Peter. It seems he is in the transport business himself he is only helping Billy and Louise out but he is so enthusiastic since Billy taught him to drive. It is his idea to establish links for cross border transport with the blessing of Harry and Gunter.
Billy has taken the opportunity to meet Herr Straus to negotiate terms for a possible deal. Father Peter is acting as the interpreter and is driving the other truck back.” She adds quickly.
“Of course nothing is agreed until you get home. There is no rush to settle the deal. They are hoping to get things going in the spring if the conditions are satisfactory.”
“That seems alright but why didn’t Louise come with you I still don’t understand?”
She laughs and explains. “That is because Billy and Father Peter are snowed in somewhere in Germany. Louise had to rush home to carry on with the routine work they have established.
She has the business manager Gunter recommended looking after the Chateau business, but she is still in overall charge and signs papers, makes agreements that kind of thing.
Fortunately Hazel is back in Le Havre to look after Daisy, her Mother died you know?”
“Oh Poor Hazel mind you her Mother has been at deaths door for a long time, what’s Hazel doing since she came back to France apart from looking after Daisy?”
“She is living with Harry in the guest house. They are both working hard redecorating and installing modern conveniences. When I last saw them they were talking about inviting guests for Easter.” “Hmm that’s good news, so the tourists are coming back are they? Alec and Marguerite will be pleased.
Hey Denise I was going to ask you when you arrived but it didn’t seem the right time.”
“What is it cheri?” She inquires. “I was looking forward to seeing Louise.”
Denise gives me an odd look. Whoops! Looks like I have put my foot into it again. I add hurriedly, “As well as you, of course.”
Her smile encourages me to continue “I have missed you all while I have been over here. I have to admit I have even missed sweet Yvette. Incidentally, how are the love birds doing?”
Denise informs me. “Well up to now she is behaving well, she still can’t cook but she is trying. Their funeral business is doing well the cold weather has brought them many customers. They have lots of bookings for spring weddings.”
Suddenly Denise confesses. “Adam I told Louise all about Mathew and showed her Peggy’s letter. I wasn’t coming over at first when I read it I was very upset with you. Louise advised me to come over and face you. She agreed to come with me until the last minute when the problem with Billy and Peter arose. I was going to cancel myself but she persuaded me to come. We had a long talk and cleared up a number of outstanding matters. You know all about her affair with the Marquis? Well she told me the whole story about losing her baby and how she tried to commit suicide. It was after she revealed everything I began thinking. You and I have been given a second chance thanks to Peggy.”
She gives me a kiss and says. “Come on enough of this kind of talk let us get ready for breakfast.” She picks Mathew up gives him a hug and says. “This little man is joining the family this morning downstairs.” This is the opportunity I have been waiting for. “Before we go down for breakfast Denise, please sit down it will only take a few minutes. I want to have a word with you alone, about something that’s really bothering me?” Denise takes a seat with Mathew on her knee. “Go on Adam. I‘m intrigued. I hope you are not about to confess another indiscretion?”
“Good God! No it’s nothing like that, you don’t think? Oh! Lor!”
She smiles one of her mischievous smiles. I realise she is teasing me.
“Phew! Denise my love, don’t even think things like that. No, it is about this Lordship title.
I don’t like being addressed in such a manner it’s not for me. This is Emily’s doing. She is a bit of a snob about things like that. I have asked my lawyer friend to look into it. Legally I don’t believe I am entitled to use it anyway. To be honest it embarrasses me. Imagine Billy having to call me my Lord. I feel it’s already putting a wedge between Toot and myself.
You know he’s been like a Father to me. Do you know I invited Toot and his Wife over for dinner and he declined. He reckons it wouldn’t be the right thing to do.
Isn’t that awful? I realise he is right it would put him in an awkward position with the other servants. But he has been my friend long before all this happened to me. I feel really bad about it, do you understand Denise?” She takes my hand and replies. “I do my love but I am afraid this is the world we live in now and we either reject it or live within the silly rules.”
“Aye I suppose you are right. I am sorry to burden you with my problem. I just wanted to know how you feel about it after all it will affect you as well?”
Denise remarks. “Mother used to say. A problem aired is a problem shared. That what husbands and wives do, isn’t it?” Denise follows her statement with one of her infectious giggles before explaining. “This situation has delicious connotations. Well, our friend Billy may have his own problems with titles? Have you forgotten already my Sister Louise could be Marquises? How would you feel about addressing Billy in such a manner after they marry?”
She giggles again adding. “But on the other hand, wouldn’t it be nice if my other Sister Yvette has to address me as My Lady?” Like a couple of conspiratorial kids we laugh uncontrollably at the implication. Wiping her eyes Denise informs me.
“That is your decision Adam. I don’t care one way or another. But please do me a favour will you? Make sure I’m present when you inform Emily, if you decide to reject the title.”
I shudder at the thought. “Aunt Emily is quite a formidable Lady I know she won’t take it lightly. I plan to choose the moment with care. Sometime, Somewhere, but only when I have the advantage over her.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Intriguing discoveries
Again Mother is already in the dining room waiting breakfast when we arrive. She immediately hugs and kisses the baby and welcomes Denise. I notice the post has arrived Mother has evidently read her letters.
As she plays with Mathew I enquire “Have you had another letter from Luigi Angelique?”
She smiles and informs me. “One everyday he promised me, two days have passed and two letters have arrived. She adds with a blush. “He is telephoning me at three o’clock this afternoon.”
Cecil hands me the list I requested and takes our breakfast orders.
I check my post. One letter is from my French bank itemising my expenditure since I left France on my trip to England. I am shocked by the huge amount I have gone through already. I have certainly spent money like water. Thankfully the deposits from my various enterprises more than cover my extravagant expenditures. An expression my adopted Mother used comes to mind. “Easy come easy go.” It didn’t
mean much to me before but now it exactly covers my situation.
Denise noticed my look of concern and enquires. “Adam not bad news I hope?” I reassure her. “It is nothing for you to worry yourself about my love. The fact is the business is doing so well without me I am tempted to stay away permanently. We need to decide about Christmas Denise, time’s marching on.” Mother requests. “I don’t want to pressure you my dears but I wish you would decide about Christmas. There are arrangements to make, we have a big staff party with firework displays, there will be lots to do. I am sure you will enjoy yourselves if you stay with us.” Denise is still unsure when she informs Mother. “I will try to let you know by tomorrow. I need to contact my Sisters they are expecting us home to join them for the festivities at the hotel OSCADA I have booked a telephone call for four o’clock this afternoon. I will definitely know by then what we are doing.” I continue looking through my correspondence from the bank. My mind goes back to the time when five pounds would have seemed a fortune. Yet some of the bottles of wine we had consumed in the hotel cost twice that amount. I fold the letter and say to myself. It’s only money I console myself as I rip open the other letter which carries a Swiss stamp. I guess correctly this one is from my other bank based in Geneva. Instead of bad news condemning my lavish extravagance it is notification that an account has been opened in my name and the money from the sale of Oscar’s property in Germany has been credited to the account. I gasp as I stare at the final deposit amount. If my calculations are correct combined with my assets in OSCADA and the cash in the Swiss account I am now a millionaire. Without realising I am speaking aloud. The words, “Bloody Hell!” explode from my mouth. Both Mother and Denise stare at me with concerned expressions. I laugh and explain. “Forgive my profanity but I have just been informed by my bank that I am now in the millionaire category.” Denise replies as she turns back to the baby. “Oh is that all? I thought for a moment there was something wrong.” Mother says nothing she winks, smiles and returns to rereading her letter.
The letters reminds me of the envelope Jonah gave me. I decide to retrieve it and show it to Mother. Excusing myself, I go into the lounge to find the envelope concealed in a sideboard drawer. On returning to the dining room I find Cecile and two of the maids serving breakfast. When I hand Mother the envelope I neglect to inform her I am the purchaser of the painting and the coin collection. “Mother this envelope was attached to the back of the big picture Emily disposed of. Jonah returned it he thought it might be of interest to the family.”
Mother carefully opens the fragile envelope, extracts the papers, lays them on the table scans a few then excitedly invites Denise and I to see her discovery. They don’t make much sense to me as I attempt to translate the faded writing. But Emily and Denise are ahead of me Mother gasps, then explains. “That painting is not one of Emily’s ancestors as we always believed it is my Great, Great Grand Father. Adam this is wonderful news these papers explain the reason why my family and Emily’s are so linked together.” Mother eyes fill with tears. She apologises.
“Forgive me this is so emotional I need time to absorb this information. I am taking these papers into the study, you finish your breakfast my dears I will see you shortly.”
Denise hugs her and whispers something I am unable to hear. Mother thanks her gathers together the papers and leaves the room. It takes me about quarter of an hour during breakfast to enlighten Denise of the painting and my Mother’s new friend Luigi.
Denise is feeding Mathew when Pamela and Emily enter the dining room happily chatting and laughing. Emily takes her seat after greeting us. After giving her orders to a maid she notices Mother abandoned breakfast. Emily asks. “What’s all this then, where is Angelique?”
I have hardly finished explaining when Emily leaps to her feet and leaves the room without explanation.
Pamela is mystified until I repeat the story regarding the painting again, she asks uncertainly. “Should I join Emily and Angelique?” I advise her. “No Pamela I should leave them to it, they will have a great deal to discuss.”
Leaving Pamela and Denise fussing over Mathew I go in search of Cecil to discuss the list of employees. I find him sitting down to breakfast with nearly all of the rest of the staff. The only exceptions are Toot and Joe the boiler attendant. I feel most embarrassed as they all leap to their feet when I enter the kitchen. How I should like to join them as I did when I first visited the Elms. The meals were a time to relax, enjoy the excellent food and company but listening to the gossip was especially entertaining.
I realise circumstances have changed I feel I am no longer welcome in their domain. I hurriedly explain my visit and inform Cecil. “I will be in the coach house when you have finished eating.”
I apologise for intruding and assure him. “There is no rush Cecil enjoy your breakfast.”
I eventually find Toot pruning roses by the tennis court. I show him the list and explain what I intend doing. He cautions me. “Look Adam if you approach these people in the wrong manner you could upset them. Take Tom for instance. I had long talks with him but he doesn’t see the point in being literate. In his own mind he has enough education to carry out his tasks and he’s is satisfied with his lot. He reckons his Granddad and Parents managed and he is only doing the same job as them anyway.”
Toot consults the list again. “I see there are another four of the staff unable to read and write and they are all farm labourers.”
“Yes I noticed that and something else struck me. There are no kids on the list.”
Toot explains. “That’s because when we moved here, the first thing my misses did when she got the teachers job was to go around all the parents and persuade them to allow their children to attend the village school.
The kids that had not attended school before soon caught up with the extra lessons my Misses arranged.” Cecil appears and joins us, I suddenly feel the cold and shiver as I realise I have come out of the warm house without a top coat.
Together we head towards the coach house. As we walk together I remark on the flag pole situated on a plinth in the centre of the well tended lawn. A pair of old cannons stand guard either side of the pole. “That’s a splendid looking monument Cecil. What’s that all about?”
Cecil explains. “We always flew the Union Flag my Lord when the General was alive. As far as I know the flagpole has been there since the house was built. The General told me it was his family’s tribute to all the fallen soldiers of the many wars Britain’s have fought in.”
“Why aren’t we flying the flag now then Cecil?” I inquire.
“It was lowered to half mast when the General died it remained like that on the insistence of the Ladies. Gradually the flag rotted away and was not replaced. It would be nice to see it flying again,” He thoughtfully adds. “If I recall we have a new flag in the coach house.”
I reply, Well why not fly it, see to it please Cecil.”
Hesitantly Cecil asks. “Should we consult with the Ladies my Lord? I would hate to bring the wrath of Lady Emily down on my head?”
I laugh and instruct him. “Do it Cecil I will bear the wrath of the Lady Emily. Besides it will be a symbol to represent the new age for this family as well as being a memorial to fallen soldiers of this latest war.”
We arrive at the coach house and take seats on boxes around the glowing pot bellied stove.
Cecil opens the debate by explaining “I have interviewed all the staff I know have had no education, incidentally they are all men. Without exception they will not have anything to do with your idea.” I declare in despair. “Ah well we can only offer. Thanks for trying Cecil I give up.”
Toot offers his opinion thoughtfully. “You know I have come across something like this in the army? When the lads were approached all together they wouldn’t have anything to do with the education scheme. We had an excellent Sergeant at the time he had been a teacher for backward kids in Civvie Street. He took the trouble to interview them all individually. To a man the
y agreed to be taught by themselves, it was a matter of pride you see. They didn’t want their mates to know they were thick.” Toot adds hurriedly. “By the way that was their description of themselves, not mine.”
I stand to leave when Cecil reveals. “Adam er, my Lord, Toot and I have investigated the possibilities of landing an Aeroplane on the estate, There is a field suitable for your friend’s flying machine to land on the very edge of the estate. It is the only one without trees or a pond. He would have to come in over other people’s land which could be a problem? Will it put the hens off lay and stop the milk from the cows. I have heard all kinds of things happen when those things fly over.”
“I must admit Cecil I know nothing about those flying machines so I don’t really know what happens. The only ones we actually came across in the war were usually trying to kill us.
Isn’t that right Toot?”
He smiles and replies. “Ah there were others as well do you remember our fly boys chasing the Boche aeroplanes?” “I’ll tell Gunter what facilities we have when I write to him next. I believe he is away for a week or two. He will have to make his own mind up if it is fit to land his daft machine here. Oh that reminds me while you two are together Toot tells me the house has tunnels underneath. What’s all that about Cecil?” He replies. “That goes back a long time. You wouldn’t know it now but there was another house on this site before this one. Of course you have to use your imagination to picture the scene. There was no development around here then. I believe this was the only house for miles around. The road to the beach wasn’t built then either. The story goes the squire of the time found the caves on the beach.
He had a tunnel dug to the site where he had built his house to give him access to the sea without having to climb down the cliffs. There is talk of smuggling and all kinds of foul deeds but they might just be rumours and fairy tales.
