Jane struggled for a few seconds to find a suitable answer. In the end she just replied with a smile, ‘No. Not yet.’
‘He’s taken one of me,’ announced Cissy.
Jane almost laughed. There was a hint of one-upmanship in Cissy’s statement. She did not let on that she had seen the photograph of Cissy. She was beginning to like her a lot. Bob had already warned her about Cissy’s forthright approach to everything, but she started to wonder what Cissy’s next question might be. It was clear that she wanted to extract as much information as possible from her. She continued to ask Jane questions about her relationship with Bob, to most of which Jane thought up suitably vague answers.
A shortage of time saved Jane from more interrogation. Bob’s voice called up the stairs, ‘Are you two ready? We’re about to leave.’
They took the hint. Jane flew into the bathroom, leaving Cissy to struggle out of the jeans and man’s shirt she was wearing into something more appropriate.
*
Jane enjoyed the rest of the day. She felt that she was getting to know Bob’s family. All of them were friendly and welcomed her into their midst. She had been just a tiny bit worried about meeting them all, but any fears were quickly dispelled. Bob’s mother was clearly very loving towards her and appeared to be more than willing to take her on as an extra daughter. Even Bob’s father, after a slow start, had warmed towards her. Later in the afternoon he had insisted on showing her round his garden and then spent some time introducing her to his collections of various things, including old banknotes from around the world, which he kept in a small room in the house. Cissy had been spontaneous and friendly and seemed quite happy to have Jane be an additional member of the family.
It was late in the evening when Bob and Jane finally took their leave and drove back to Kew. It had been a good day and it had taken Jane’s attention away from her concerns over her past. She had not heard from Gerald for a few days and her own efforts on her laptop had not produced any further evidence. Now it seemed that the only glimmer of hope lay with Miles Ashington, but the big question there was whether she could get to see him – or, to be more correct, whether he would condescend to see her.
Chapter 27
During a quiet spell at work the following Monday morning, Jane tried again to contact Miles Ashington. She was disappointed. He was out of the office for the rest of the day, the receptionist told her. Yes, he would be in the office on Tuesday. Jane felt disappointed, but there was nothing she could do about it. She would just have to try again the next day.
She felt pleased about the weekend she had just spent. The time with Bob’s family had been particularly enjoyable, and she felt that now they were more to her than just names referred to in casual conversation. She and Bob had taken things leisurely on the Sunday. They had gone for a walk and then Jane had cooked a simple lunch for them while Bob played on her laptop, trying to glean more information from the family history program. Bob had needed to be home early to prepare for some work he and Jeff had undertaken to do in the coming week, and despite his protests Jane had decided to run him back to Tatting Green. It was after six when she had finally taken her leave. On her way home she had been held up by an accident ahead of her that had resulted in a blocked road and a delay of over an hour. It was nearly nine when she had finally arrived at her apartment. After pottering about for a while, she had decided to have an early night.
For once Monday was an uneventful day at the office. Nevertheless Jane was glad when the office clock showed it was time to finish for the day. The sky had clouded over, and by the time she left her train at Kew station it was raining quite heavily. She had an umbrella with her but decided to wait in the station foyer and see whether it eased off. This proved to be futile. The rain continued to fall steadily and it looked as if it would remain that way. After five minutes she decided to make a move. By the time she reached her apartment, though the umbrella had kept her head and shoulders dry, the lower part of her was decidedly wet. She could feel the water running down her legs into her shoes.
She was glad to be back in the comfort of her apartment. She had felt cold walking home from the station and she had been aware of the thinness of her business suit. She lost no time in discarding it and having a hot shower to warm up. While she was eating a hastily prepared evening meal, the telephone rang. She rushed out to the hall and picked the handset up. It was a familiar voice.
‘Jane, it’s Gerald. I hope I haven’t interrupted your meal. I was wondering if I might pop up for a few minutes. I have some interesting information for you.’
Jane was immediately curious and slightly excited. What had he found?
‘That’s fine, Gerald. Do come up. I’m quite intrigued to know what you have for me.’
There was a little nervous laugh at the other end of the telephone before Gerald replied. ‘Oh, I don’t want to raise your expectations too high, but I think it’s information you should have.’
Jane smiled to herself. Gerald was always so precise. ‘I’m still curious,’ she replied cheerfully.
‘Would it be convenient to come now, or later?’
Jane thought quickly. She was in her dressing gown. Memories of appearing in that garb in front of Gerald on a previous occasion rushed into her mind. ‘Could you give me ten minutes?’
‘Yes, of course. Let me see… I’ll see you…’ there was a brief pause as Gerald must have looked at his watch. ‘I see you at half past seven, if that would be all right.’
‘That’s fine. See you soon. Bye for now.’
Jane hardly heard Gerald’s goodbye. She was already replacing the handset.
She dashed back into the kitchen. She hurriedly finished her meal, gulped down the cup of tea she had made and then flew into her bedroom. Her dressing gown was flung onto the bed and she quickly put on a pair of jeans and a blouse and slipped her feet into the white pumps she sometimes wore at home. A touch of lipstick and a dab of perfume, and she was just about ready as the front doorbell rang.
Gerald stood there, a folder in hand.
Jane flung open the door wide. ‘Hello, Gerald. Come in,’ she greeted him breezily.
Gerald followed her into the lounge.
‘Now what have you got for me?’ she asked cheerfully.
Gerald took the seat she indicated and placed his folder on the coffee table. Jane sat down opposite him.
He started to open the folder. ‘I’ve been purchasing some certificates.’ He took out a piece of paper and handed it to Jane. ‘Ann Ashington’s birth certificate,’ he announced calmly.
Jane started to read the writing aloud. ‘Father Edward Ashington, mother Jessica, mother’s maiden name Bantree.’
She looked up at Gerald, who immediately handed her another certificate. ‘Have a look at this one,’ he said.
Jane studied the contents of the certificate for a second and then read out the name. ‘Name Ruth, mother Ann Ashington.’ She paused and looked at Gerald questioningly. ‘The birth was registered in Yorkshire.’
Gerald gave a hint of a smile. ‘That’s why we never found a birth for Ruth in Gloucestershire. She was born in Yorkshire.’
Jane looked at the certificate again and then, mystified, at Gerald. ‘But there is no father on it,’ she remarked.
Gerald smiled at her. ‘Exactly,’ he said.
Jane was still puzzled. ‘But does that mean that Ruth was illegitimate?’ she asked.
‘It certainly looks that way.’
‘But what about this John Henderson Ann Ashington is supposed to have married?’
Gerald took another piece of paper from his folder. ‘I’ve got a copy of the marriage certificate,’ he declared casually, handing it to Jane.
Jane studied the certificate. ‘John James Henderson, bachelor, and Ann Ashington, spinster.’
She looked at Ruth’s birth certificate again and then held the two documents side by side. She looked up at Gerald in bewilderment.
Gerald smiled at her. ‘The
interesting bit is that according to Eric, Ann Ashington and John Henderson were divorced eighteen months before Ruth was born.’
‘So that really confirms that Ruth was illegitimate,’ Jane suggested, looking at Gerald for confirmation.
Gerald was cautious. ‘It’s never a good thing in family history to assume things, but I would agree that in this case it does look as if she was.’ He did not give Jane time to respond, but spoke again almost at once. ‘What we really need is to talk to somebody who knew Ann Ashington at this period of her life.’
Jane was deep in thought for a few seconds. ‘Elizabeth, Mrs Marshall’s sister, was around when I was small. She took me to the orphanage, but she can’t tell me anything about my birth.’
Gerald stroked his beard as if for inspiration. ‘What about Miles Ashington?’ he asked. ‘Any luck there?’
Jane made a bit of a face. ‘I’ve not managed to make contact with him yet,’ she replied.
They continued to chat for a further five minutes or so and then Gerald declared that he had to get back to Anna. Jane could see that there was little else that could be done at present. She remembered that Gerald had purchased the certificates and she insisted on paying him for them. After that, with his usual courtesy, Gerald took his leave.
Afterwards Jane felt a bit downhearted. It seemed as if, despite Gerald’s efforts, she was getting nowhere in establishing her true identity. So much now seemed to depend on finding somebody who could confirm that she was Ann Ashington’s daughter. She realised that a lot now depended on a meeting with Miles Ashington – if he would see her. She thought about phoning Bob, but she realised that there was really nothing new she could tell him. She would just have to wait and see if she could make contact with Miles Ashington.
*
The following afternoon at work, feeling almost as despondent, Jane found a few minutes to try and telephone Miles Ashington’s office once more. The same receptionist answered the telephone and Jane repeated her request. This time the response was, ‘I’ll see if he is available. Will you hold, please?’
Jane waited for what seemed a long time, her expectations dropping further with each second.
Suddenly a man’s voice answered. ‘Miles Ashington. How can I help you?’
Jane’s heart missed a beat. She was actually able to talk to Miles Ashington! She knew she had to choose her words carefully if she was to achieve success. She took a deep breath and began.
‘Good afternoon, Mr Ashington. My name is Jane Carroll and I think you may be able to help me sort out a problem with my ancestry. There is some evidence that I may be related to the Ashington family.’
There was silence for a short time on the other end of the telephone. Jane held her breath.
‘That sounds very interesting. How do you think I might be able to assist you?’ The answer was cautious but not unfriendly.
‘Well, you see…’ Jane gave a brief account of her problem. When she had finished, again there was a pause before Miles Ashington responded.
‘I see.’
Jane felt that the reply was not unsympathetic, but she needed to make further progress. ‘Would it be possible to come and see you and ask you a few questions?’
That’s it, she thought. I’ve done it. There’s not much more I can do if it’s a refusal. She waited anxiously for a reply. It was not long in coming.
‘I’m afraid I’m tied up for the next two days, but would Friday suit you?’
Jane was on cloud nine. An interview with Miles Ashington was in the offing! ‘Yes, it would,’ she replied quickly.
‘Do you live in London, Miss Carroll?’
‘I live at Kew, but I work in central London,’ she replied.
There was another short wait. Jane held her breath. He was clearly consulting his schedule.
‘I shall be at my house in Maida Vale on Friday afternoon. Would half past two be any good for you?’
Jane’s thinking raced. She had nothing major on this Friday. She could come into work early, work her lunch hour, see Miles Ashington and still perhaps be back in the office before the end of the day.
She tried to sound not too eager as she replied. ‘Yes, that would be fine.’
‘I’ll put that in my diary. Can I get my secretary to email the address to you?’
Jane was puzzled for an instant, but then she suddenly realised that well-known people had to be especially careful about security.
‘Yes, of course.’ She gave him the email address.
She was unprepared for his response.
‘Ah yes, of course. Discerning Woman. I’ve met Annette Burrows socially on several occasions.’
Jane’s heart sank slightly. The last thing she wanted was for Annette to know what she was doing, but logic told her there was no reason why Miles Ashington and Annette Burrows should not be acquainted. Her reply was deliberately vague. ‘That’s interesting.’
It seemed to work. Miles Ashington’s next sentence returned to the business in hand. ‘I’ll get that confirmed, then, and I’ll see you on Friday.’
‘Yes, of course,’ answered Jane. ‘Thank you very much. I look forward to meeting you.’
‘Exactly. Goodbye.’
Jane just had time to say ‘Goodbye’ before the line went dead.
She put the phone down. She suddenly felt good. She had got a meeting with Miles Ashington! Surely he must have some information about her roots. Dared she hope that their meeting would reveal who she really was?
It was Amy appearing in her office and asking a question that brought Jane down to earth again.
*
That evening Jane just had to phone Bob and tell him the good news. He was almost as enthusiastic as she was and they chatted for quite a long time. Towards the end of their conversation Bob made a suggestion.
‘I’ve been thinking,’ he began, and then slowly continued. ‘I promised I’d take a portrait of you sometime. The studio is free on Saturday afternoon. How would you feel about it?’
For a couple of seconds Jane was completely thrown. Bob’s suggestion had come completely out of the blue, but she remembered when he had first expressed a desire to photograph her. She had been agreeable then, so why not, she thought.
‘I’d love to,’ she replied.
Bob was immediately enthusiastic. ‘Great. I’m working Saturday morning, but what I suggest is that we meet up somewhere for lunch, then go to the studio and perhaps do something in the evening.’
‘That sounds super, and I can get my hair done on Saturday morning then.’ Jane was already planning the day.
‘That would work out fine,’ replied Bob. ‘I’ll think of somewhere nice for us to go in the evening.’
‘That would be great.’
Jane suddenly decided to be a bit humorous and tantalising. ‘I hope you’re not suggesting that I pose nude.’
Bob took up the challenge. ‘Ah. I’m disappointed. I suppose I’ll just have to wait.’ Jane heard a faked big sigh.
‘I might – I say might – agree to it once I am a married woman and respectable. A single girl has to protect her modesty.’ Jane started to giggle.
‘I shall have to make it a condition of marrying you,’ remarked Bob, almost casually.
‘In that case I may have to review our current agreement,’ said Jane haughtily.
‘I think you’re being extremely difficult over such a minor issue,’ retorted Bob, echoing her manner.
Jane started to laugh. She decided to change the tone of the conversation. ‘Seriously, I’d like a photograph similar to the one you’ve got hanging up in the studio – the black and white head and shoulders one. It looks really nice.’
‘That’s what I have in mind for you,’ replied Bob.
Before Jane had a chance to reply, he broke in again. ‘Jane, I’ve got somebody at the door. I think it’s Mrs McGinty. She’ll have some bits and pieces for me. Can I ring you later in the week?’
‘Yes, of course. Bye for now, darling.’
There was a hurried ‘Bye’ from Bob, and she heard him call ‘Coming’ as the telephone clicked off.
Jane was also determined to tell Gerald her news that evening. It was Anna who answered the telephone. She immediately insisted that Jane come down to their apartment. As soon as Jane arrived, Anna offered her a cup of coffee. She accepted, as she had not had a drink since the afternoon, although she declined any cake, explaining that she had just eaten.
Gerald was quite enthusiastic about her forthcoming meeting with Miles Ashington and kept thinking of questions he thought she should ask him. It was a good hour later when Jane at last managed to take her leave.
Back in her own apartment, she decided to call Lucy. Patty had been put to bed, Raymond was out, and Lucy had time to linger on the phone. They chatted for a long time, first about Jane’s meeting with Miles Ashington, and then about old times at the orphanage. It was Raymond’s return home that ended their conversation.
Jane went over the day’s events. Despite a rather depressing start she felt that she should be pleased with how things had gone. She had at last got an interview with Miles Ashington. The big question was, how much information would he be able to give her? And if her real name was Ashington, what then? How should she deal with that situation? She would just have to wait until Friday to find out.
Chapter 28
Jane made a point of being in the office well before her usual time on the Friday morning. She caught a much earlier train, opened up the office, and was already hard at work when Margaret arrived. Margaret popped her head round the door of Jane’s tiny room on the way to make herself a drink.
‘Good morning, Jane. You’re an early bird today!’
Jane looked up. ‘Good morning, Margaret. Yes – I have to go out later on and I wanted to finish a couple of things first.’
Margaret gave a quick glance at Jane’s desk and then asked, ‘Can I get you a drink?’
Jane grinned as she handed Margaret her mug. ‘Marvellous. Yes, please. I’d better have a coffee. I was up at the crack of dawn.’
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