Angelique

by Carl Leckey

  “Oh! Thanks Cecil it sounds great to me. I am sorry I missed this year’s shindig I shall look forward to being involved in the festivities next year. I am thinking the General will be a hard act to follow Cecil.

  I hope you know how much I appreciate your input into the running of the estate and the hard work you and your Wife undertake. Come new year I want to sit down with you and talk about remunerations for yourself and the rest of the staff.”

  Cecil waves his hand and informs me. “We are more than satisfied my Lord, the General was a very fair man and believe me when I tell you, my Wife and I are happy with our lot as it is.”

  “That’s ok Cecil but we should still meet and discuss it. When I learned you hadn’t had a holiday for years it appalled me.”

  “That was our choice my Lord.”

  “Yes ok Cecil but things are going to change. I have my motives. I can’t have my right hand man exhausted, how would I manage without you? And supposing your Wife cracked under the pressure. Who would be able cook my steak and kidney pudding and Jam Roly Poly like her?

  By the way I forgot to ask what time do you leave in the morning?”

  “Toot is running us to Dover station in the Rolls for the six o’clock train my Lord. We hope to be in London to get an early start up to Newcastle. I hope this is satisfactory?”

  “Of course that is Cecil. What about a hotel I hope you find a decent one. No scrimping Cecil. I want you three to enjoy the trip and not be out of pocket.”

  “I will take care of everything my Lord. Regarding a hotel, when I telephoned to inquire regarding a suitable one I was informed we are to be guests of Lord Armstrong for the duration of our visit. Arrangements have been made to collect us at the station and delivery us to his house in the country where all the innovations are located. The engineer is also arranging a tour of the factory. From my conversation with him it appears Lord Armstrong is quite excited about our interest in his inventions and he was an acquaintance of your late Grand Father.

  All being as planned we shall be home again in five days.”

  “Well Cecil as usual you have the matter in hand. All I can do is wish you, a pleasant trip. I’ll see you at dinner tonight?”

  “Yes my Lord it should be interesting.” As I leave the room for the second time I wonder why he remarked that dinner this evening should be interesting.

  I join Denise in our room. Mathew is having his time with Emily and Pamela. I describe the great day I have had enthusiastically. Meanwhile Denise began undressing ready to bathe. The sight of her bare body is very inviting. Feverously I cast off my clothes and join her in the huge bath. The foreplay ends in the double bed when we make passionate love.

  Dressed for dinner Denise and I join the others in the lounge for pre dinner drinks. The Ladies look fantastic in their finery. I note with a great deal of satisfaction Mother also wears the tiara I was instrumental in rescuing from the pawn shop in Birkenhead. As I glimpse myself in one of the many mirrors dressed in my monkey suit I realise how my life has changed in a few short years. At one time I would have ridiculed toffs dressed in this manner I now adapt as a matter of course for an evening meal. Now I am very much part of the toffs scene.

  Marcel and Gunter look equally grand in their dinner suits but they appear more at ease than I feel. Sometimes I yearn for the old days when a huge bacon or fish and chip butty sufficed for supper dressed in what I had been wearing all day. When we all are gathered Cecil enters the lounge accompanied by two of the maids bearing large brown paper parcels. A hush settles over the room, Cecil and the maids leave.

  I am intrigued and wait impatiently for someone to explain the intrusion. Denise whispers.

  “Well go on my Cheri aren’t you going to open your presents.” Excitedly I rip the parcels open to reveal a full length leather flying coat, a helmet, fur lined boots and gauntlets, a cork life jacket a set of goggles, last but not least a pack marked with a German emblem.

  Gunter roars with laughter the others join him as I model the flying kit. My face must be a picture when Denise announces. “Cheri now you can fly without a care in the world. I hope I have covered every eventuality.” She then addresses Gunter. “Gunter my dear friend I hope you won’t take offence I am not questioning your piloting skills but your life jacket and parachute are in your room.”

  I muse, so that is where Toot has been all day. He has been on an errand for Denise to the Army and Navy shop in Dover where they sell surplus military equipment. She kept that secret from me very well I must admit.” Gunter examines the articles and expresses his approval particularly of the purchase of the German parachute. He explains when I remark about the need to have a German parachute as opposed to a British manufactured one. “Not to worry Adam, your friend Toot has made the right choice. The German parachute is of a much better quality and far more reliable than the British one. They have had more experience using them and their design is far superior to the British parachute as a result.” He evidently feels the need to explain in detail to the gathering when he hears a few tuts of disapproval.

  “Did you know the British Generals forbade the issuing of parachutes to their flyers until late on in the war?”

  “Why would they do that Gunter, please explain?” Mother requests.

  He responds. “I hate to criticise your Army and particularly you’re Generals but I am afraid they are responsible for the deaths of many of your own bravest men. They refused to allow the pilots to carry parachutes in their planes. They assumed if the pilots had the means of escape they would not fight the enemy with as much vigour. As they had no conception about flying themselves they reasoned if the planes were damaged in combat the pilots should land them rather than abandon them by taking to the parachute. The Generals are still in the dark ages and think the cavalry, infantry and artillery are the real fighting force and consider the planes with distain. On the other hand the enemy issued parachutes from the beginning of hostilities thereby saving many of their trained pilots to fight another day.”

  Mother protests with feeling. “Surely there must be some of the General Staff that appreciate the power of the aeroplane?”

  Gunter replies. “I am afraid their opinions were swayed by their leader.”

  Mother makes a request. “Please elucidate Gunter”

  He pleads. “I really don’t want to discuss the war Angelique on this lovely evening in such beautiful company.”

  The others do not agree and protest.

  Mother requests. “You know Gunter we led a sheltered life in England, all we knew about the war is what we were spoon fed by the newspapers. I now suspect it was heavily censored by the government.

  I would welcome some insight into what it was really like over there.” The rest of the company agree with her.” Gunter under pressure reluctantly complies. “To give you an example of the General Staff’s thinking. I can do no more than quote General Foch.

  He as you are aware was appointed Marshal of France and was the supreme allied commander. When asked by a reporter for his opinion regarding using aeroplanes, as weapons during the war he stated. “Aeroplanes are interesting toys but are of no military value.”

  There is a stunned silence. Grunter shrugs his shoulders and takes a sip from his drink. I feel the need to say something.

  “Gunter is right about the bloomin Generals, it’s a wonder we won the war with those idiots leading us. I have personally been bombed, strafed and machine gunned by enemy planes. Believe me if there are any wars in the future in my opinion the aeroplanes will be a force to reckon with. By the way it was the decision of the Generals that the infantry should only advance towards the enemy at a walking pace. I saw the result of that ridicules criminal order by the hundreds of casualties we sustained. Then there was the rolling barrage fiasco. Have you any idea how many of our own men died as result of that stupidity?”

  A silence prevails until Gunter informs us. “On a rough estimate, and these are your war departments figures seventy five t
housand of your own soldiers were casualties of the rolling barrage. Although the Americans joined the war towards the end their Generals appeared to have become affected with the same stupidity. Approximately ten thousand American soldiers died on the last day of the war because the American General Pershing insisted on fighting until the last minute. From reliable reports I have heard the German soldiers were shocked when they were attacked by them up to the very last minute before the armistice was declared.”

  Mother remarks in a shocked voice. “Good God we never heard of these happenings during the war. How we were kept in the dark is a national scandal.” The others agree with Mother. I reveal what I witnessed at the front on the last minute of the war. “The last casualty I evacuated from the front line was a young chap shot in the face by a sniper ten minutes before the actual cease fire.” I add after pausing for a moment. “Lucky for him I suppose he survived his wound. I met him later in a recovery hospital. Surprisingly he was thankful to be alive very cheerful, but massively disfigured.”

  “Good God!” Denise whispers sympathetically. “The poor boy, what kind of life will he have now I wonder?”

  I reply. “I don’t know Denise I was told by the record clerk he is only twenty, married with two children.” I turn to my Mother and ask.

  “Do you remember those crippled ex army chaps begging outside the Cathedral in Canterbury?” I am about to continue ranting about some of the wartime cock ups I have witnessed I feel the anger welling up in me. I cease talking suddenly as I realise all eyes are upon me.

  Slightly ashamed of my outburst I begin to apologise until the traditional dinner gong sounds saving me from further embarrassment.

  Denise takes my arm gives me a squeeze as we troop into the dining room. The table is an amazing sight laden with silver and crystal.

  Cecil had pulled out all the stops this evening. The electric lights had been extinguished the room is illuminated by only the ceiling chandeliers and the candelabras on the table. The flames radiating from the huge log fire cast a welcoming flicker around the room reflecting in the crystal. The conversation over dinner is both illuminating and entertaining. Various subjects are discussed with no further mention of the war. The food as usual is magnificent prepared and served by our excellent cook and her assistants. I consider the dinner this evening is a great success and a night of passion with Denise to follow is even better.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Back to France by aeroplane

  The next morning after breakfast this is it! No turning back now even the weather doesn’t help me to dodge the flight, it is a brilliant day. Gunter telephones Susan to notify her we are on our way and requests her to have the landing strip prepared for us near her depot.

  I put on of a brave face as we walk towards the aeroplane in reality I am terrified. Strangely enough it is not so much the fear of the actual flying but it is the crossing of the channel I fear the most.

  We gather at the aeroplane, Gunter stows our bags then bids farewell before he climbs into the cockpit. The young gardener that assisted Toot on the last occasion when we flew stands by to swing the prop.

  I bid everyone goodbye hug and kiss my Wife then clamber aboard with difficulty hampered by the huge amount of clothes, the leather flying coat plus the life jacket and parachute. I have to virtually squeeze myself into what was the gunner’s position when it was a fighting machine. Gunter instructs everyone to stand clear, the engine fires on the third swing. The lad removes the chocks, away we go taxiing up the field we turn and race into the wind. Halfway down the marked landing strip we take to the air.

  We swing over the house and within a minute we are out over the channel heading towards France on a beautiful but very cold day. Although my muffled up body is warm my face is frozen. I recognise the cross channel ferries as they scurry back and forth to France. A flotilla of grey painted warships in line ahead pass below. There a magnificent sight of a ship in full sail heading down the channel no doubt to distant parts of the world. I wonder how long before the crew see their loved ones again. It seems it takes only minutes crossing the channel before we are over dry land again. Although I initially dreaded the crossing I wouldn’t have missed the experience for the world. I can’t wait to describe my adventure to Denise. I do relax a little when the solid earth appears below us. In just over an hour flying I recognise Suzanne Caspar’s depot. The yard, the warehouse, her office and the railway spur line snaking into the distance look so different from the air.

  We circle once, dropping lower as we pass over the site.

  I easily identify Suzanne, my Brother in law Paul and of all people Bob Hawkins our maritime director waving a welcome. The landing strip is marked out with a series of oil drums, a flag flies indicating wind direction. Gunter drops in, makes a perfect landing and taxis towards my friends and colleagues bringing the aeroplane to a stop in front of them. Gunter leaps down and greets them individually he gallantly kisses Suzanne’s hand. I have a strange emotion sitting in the machine on French soil again. Although I enjoy being in England I have a feeling of coming home now I am back in France. I have to admit this flying business is the way to travel. A journey that took nearly an entire day the conventional way took just over an hour and half by aeroplane. It takes me a few minutes to prize myself out of the machine and clumsily clamber down hampered by the accoutrements Denise insisted I wore for the flight. I waddle ever to them after a greeting and a laugh about my appearance they hurry us into Suzanne’s office out of the cold to be welcomed by the wonderful aroma of percolating coffee and the sight of a glowing pot bellied stove. We are seated comfortably in her warm office enjoying the hot drinks and fresh croissants conversing in a mixture of French and English for Paul and Captain Hawkins benefit when Suzanne remarks.

  “It is lovely to see you Adam but to be honest I was expecting Gunter to bring Marcel back with him. Where is he, what have you done with him?”

  Oh yes! I almost forgot the two of them are getting close. Suzanne is evidently looking forward to seeing him and I turned up instead. What a disappointment for her.

  I explain where he is what he is doing on my behalf assuring her he will be home for Christmas. She looks a lot happier when I give her this information. She turns to Gunter.

  “Oh by the way Gunter an English fellow called here yesterday he told me he knows you very well. He was very interested in seeing your Aeroplane he is sorry he missed you. I think he is keen on taking a flight with you. Maybe this is the beginning of the flying business you are hoping for. When I told him you had flown all the way to England he appeared very excited.”

  Gunter asks thoughtfully. “Hum that’s interesting what was his name?” Suzanne replies.

  “I have his card here.” She hands Gunter a business card. Gunter smiles and hands it to me. The card reads.

  Clarence Doomsday.

  International Interests.

  Gunter asks me “You know who this is don’t you?” I reply. “I have no idea.”

  “It’s your friend from Paris I believe he went under the name of Major Dunwoody when you had your little contretemps him at the British Embassy.” Shocked that he has reappeared in our lives I remark.

  “Good Lord what does he want with you now?” Gunter shakes his head and asks Suzanne. “Would you describe this chap to me Suzanne please?” She thinks for a moment before replying. “He is quite tall, well dressed, speaks very good French, has red face, and oh yes he has a huge bushy moustache.” Gunter nods. “I believe that confirms his identity.”

  I exclaim “Blooming Heck! Gunter I thought we had heard the last of him?” He smiles.

  “Oh don’t worry Adam. He is only letting me know he is aware of my latest aeroplane venture.”

  He addresses Suzanne again. “Did you tell him I had a passenger on my flight to England?”

  “No it did not arise.” Gunter looks relieved. “That’s good we don’t want him knowing all our business do we?” Paul looking baffled asks. “Tell me to
mind my own business but what are you three on about?”

  I explain. “It’s a long story Paul to be honest you don’t want to know. I think ignorance is bliss when dealing with this snooper.”

  I in turn ask Captain Hawkins deliberately changing the subject.

  “It’s nice to see you Bill but what are doing here?” Bill explains.

  “I was in the OSCADA depot having a meeting with Harry when Gunter telephoned to say you where coming over. My ship is not due for loading until tonight so I took the opportunity to have a ride out enjoy the scenery and see you. Hey here is a bit of good news. Regarding that telegram you sent to me about the kid you met at the Hotel Victoria. You wanted me to give him a chance to sail on our ships?”

  I reply. “Yes of course I do his name is Colin Collins he is a great kid. Poor little blighter, his dad was lost at sea in the first year of the war?” Bill continues. “Yes I was told about that. Well I had cargoes in and out of Birkenhead docks. The Dockers were on strike as a result I got a few days and nights at home for a change. I took the opportunity to take my kids to New Brighton for a day out. It was pretty cold, definitely not the time of the year for playing on the beach or swimming in the pool. While the kids spent the day in the fairground with the Wife I slipped up to the Hotel Victoria hoping to catch you there, maybe to have a pint together. But you had already left when I arrived. Anyway I didn’t waste my time there.