by D J O'Leary
‘It sounds wonderful, Henrietta. But I think you’re wise to want to hear what your parents and Charlie here have to say before you go jumping in and saying yes or no.’ She turned to Charlie. ‘And what news of you, Charlie? How’s the new job going?’
‘Far better than I had anticipated. I’m running a good team of financial analysts and we have enjoyed a fair amount of success over the last few months, which should be reflected in my bonus at the year end. The hours are fairly long, but that doesn’t bother me, well, it hadn’t bothered me until recently, when I began seeing more of young Henry.’ He turned to Henrietta and smiled. To Tolstoy’s eyes she seemed to melt under his friend’s gaze, and he could not help but feel the faintest twinge of envy, partly because his best friend had found a partner, and was clearly extremely in love, and partly because of his own attraction to Henrietta. Meanwhile, he remained single. Since officially moving in to Stottenden Manor he had not set eyes on Kate, and what with Jo, whom he had briefly entertained the thought of asking out, now clearly settling down with Harry Stoke, Tolstoy was feeling rather neglected and alone. He gave a mental shrug.
‘Is everyone happy staying in here?’ asked Elspeth. There were nods of assent. ‘Good, that means I won’t miss out on any of the conversation.’ She looked up at Charlie, then at Henrietta, specifically, Henrietta’s left hand. ‘Oh my goodness! Is that an engagement ring?’
‘It looks more like a boulder,’ quipped Tolstoy, in a rare moment of humour, as Henrietta held up her left hand for inspection. There on the ring finger of her left hand could be seen a diamond, the size of a large pebble, surrounded by, as far as Tolstoy could tell, more, but slightly smaller, pebble-sized diamonds, set in yellow gold. It was big. It was obviously expensive. And it was definitely a permanent-looking fixture, auguring well for the forthcoming union, thought Tolstoy, who, not for the first time recently, wondered just how wealthy his old friend actually was. Of course he would never ask Charlie how much the ring had cost, but the mind boggled around the five figure mark, or maybe more.
‘Um, yes,’ said Charlie, in response to Elspeth’s question. ‘That was actually the reason for dropping in on you like this. I popped the question a few days ago, was accepted by “H” and last night I gained the approval of her parents.’
‘Well, congratulations both of you,’ said Elspeth.
‘Yes, jolly well done, you two,’ said Tolstoy with a huge smile. ‘Now we have even more reason to carry on with the bubbly. Have you set a date yet?’
‘It’s looking good for September next year, after the cricket season,’ said Charlie, ‘providing Henry can get the time off.’
‘And where are you going to live?’ asked Elspeth.
‘Well, we have a family home in the West End, which is lying idle at present, because my elder brother, the duke, is recuperating from an operation and has removed himself to the family seat in Essex. When I broke the news to him about the forthcoming nuptials, he told me that Henry and I could take the place over, since he didn’t see himself needing to make much use of it. He’s getting on a bit, there’s twenty-five years between us. I was a real afterthought. My parents thought their days of producing heirs were long over, but it seems they were wrong, because along I came.
‘Now all this brings me to another item for the agenda. Tolstoy, my dearest and closest friend, would you do me the honour of being my best man?’
‘Do you the honour? Do you the honour?’ he repeated, to emphasise how he felt. ‘It is you who honours me with such a wonderful invitation,’ said Tolstoy with a broad grin. ‘I should be deeply honoured and delighted to be your best man – well, provided Henrietta has no objection.’ He glanced quizzically in her direction.
‘As long as you keep your big feet off my hair, my veil and my bridal train, I should be delighted if you were to be Charlie’s best man,’ she said with a warm smile.
Tolstoy was deeply moved. He felt strangely tearful, yet wildly elated for his friend. A huge step was being taken. Whether it would be a step away from Charlie’s old life and his old friends only time would tell. It was marvellous news though, and Henrietta certainly seemed better disposed towards him, compared with their first two meetings. This could only be good. Glasses were raised again, and contents drained. Tolstoy went over to the fridge, took out another bottle of champagne and uncorked it; Elspeth busied herself preparing the meal, and conversation moved gently on to other goings-on in the village and the surrounding area. ‘Have you heard about Jo, the barmaid at the Snitcher’s Head?’ asked Tolstoy.
‘No,’ replied Charlie.
‘Oh, she and Harry Stoke are an item,’ chipped in Henrietta. ‘In fact the talk in the village, according to my mother’s cleaner, is that they are going to be married early next year.’
‘Ah,’ said Tolstoy, ‘she sort of alluded to that when I was in the Snitcher’s earlier today. In fact, Harry was there too, sitting discreetly at one end of the bar. And Jo did intimate that she hoped and believed that the relationship might turn more serious.’
Henrietta smiled. ‘They make a good-looking couple. And they both have an amazing work ethic.’
‘Yes they do,’ agreed Tolstoy. ‘At one point she had three or even four jobs a day, and I remember she told me she was saving up to leave the village and head up to London, and see what real life was like in a city. I did not try to put her right, but she was clearly one of those people who think that the grass is always greener elsewhere. And show me an idle gamekeeper. Harry seems to work all the hours and more than there are in a day.’
Charlie butted in, ‘Well, if she is going to settle down and become Mrs Stoke, London is the last place she will be living. I don’t think there’s much call for gamekeepers or their wives in the West End or the Square Mile.’
While they had been chatting Elspeth had left the kitchen, but she now returned and took Tolstoy to one side. ‘I’ve just tried to reach the colonel, but there was no answer and I didn’t want to leave a message. I know he does enjoy a late snifter in the Snitcher’s Head on the odd night, so on the off chance that tonight is one of those when he pops in to the pub, perhaps you could slip over with Charlie and Henrietta after we’ve finished dinner and have a quiet word with him. Would that be OK?’
‘Yes. That’s fine. We can head over there after I’ve helped clear up.’
The meal passed cheerily and noisily, with Tolstoy having to descend once more to the cellar in search of a couple more bottles. When all were replete, the table cleared and chairs pushed back, Henrietta decided that she would not go to the pub, but rather she would stay behind and give Elspeth a hand with the washing-up. However, Charlie and Tolstoy were instructed by Henrietta not to stay too long at the Snitcher’s Head, no “one for the road” or similar nonsense, she warned. Tolstoy was reminded by Elspeth that he had a mission, so the pair promised that they would have no more than a couple of pints before returning to the Manor. Thus it was that they pulled on sweaters against the cold and crunched down the driveway to the gates of Stottenden Manor and the road beyond.
The bar was largely quiet. There were no more than perhaps a dozen people there, including Old Ned on his usual corner stool, nursing a cider, and, importantly for Tolstoy, the colonel was also numbered in the modest gathering. Tolstoy was disappointed not to see Kate among the other customers.
Charlie had insisted on buying the first round and after giving the order to Jo, including a pint of cider for Old Ned, he turned and called out, ‘Evening, Andrew. Care for a refill?’
The colonel had been chatting with Harry Stoke, but after raising his hand in Tolstoy’s direction, he turned back to his keeper briefly, said something, before making his way along the bar to the two of them.
‘Good evening, Charlie, Tolstoy. Thank you for the kind offer. A pint of Fuggles would go down rather well.’ And, after draining what little remained of his pint, he handed the glass to Jo for the r
efill.
‘Well, Tolstoy, how are you settling into your new home?’
‘Just fine, Andrew. Elspeth has been looking after me extremely well. She’s a great cook and hasn’t let me lift a finger as far as household chores go. However, I have been doing my bit for her by going into the cellar and rooting through some old trunks and suitcases, which she says Hubert had always meant to go through but never got around to doing it. They were tucked away in a distant, dusty and spider-infested corner. So I had to drag them out and get them under one of the bare lights to see if there was anything of interest.’
He paused long enough for the colonel, his curiosity piqued, to realise that Tolstoy had something of import to tell him, and was waiting for a nibble from him.
‘Really? And did you find anything of interest?’ he inquired, a smile playing gently at the corners of his mouth.
‘Yes, but I’m sworn to secrecy until you and Miriam are able to come over to Stottenden Manor for drinks, either tomorrow, Friday, or sometime over the weekend. At which point we have something of interest to show you.’
‘A mystery, eh? Well, I love a mystery, especially when, by the look on your face, it could well have a happy outcome. All right. What time do you retire at the Manor, because either I or Miriam could ring you later to let you know when?’
‘I’m usually in bed by midnight, Elspeth generally slips off around eleven. But tonight she is entertaining Henrietta Charles, while Charlie and I are indulging ourselves in a nightcap of Fuggles, so we should still be up and about. But failing that, you can always try us first thing in the morning. Elspeth is very much an early bird, she gets up at six most days. I am a little slower in surfacing, but I am still up and about by seven or seven-thirty. So you could give us a ring whenever. I’ll leave it up to you and Miriam. But it is most important that you call in to the Manor at some point this weekend. I think you will appreciate the urgency once you know what it is that is so important. I can assure you it’s most exciting. Elspeth and I can’t wait to tell you, but it needs to be revealed in absolute privacy, and as you know, bars have ears.’ Tolstoy winked theatrically and grinned. The colonel smiled.
‘By the way, Andrew, I take it you have heard Harry Stokes’ news?’ Charlie cut in.
‘Ah, the forthcoming nuptials with young Jo there,’ he indicated the barmaid with a nod in her direction. ‘Yes, I have and it is splendid news as far as Miriam and I are concerned. Ever since Harry arrived, Miriam, once she discovered he was single, has maintained it is a waste of a gorgeous man and has fretted about whether he would find someone suitable. But I must say, I think he has done rather well there. Jo is a singularly attractive young woman. They are a well-matched pair. And Miriam is pleased and relieved. The only sad aspect is that it means the cottage will fall empty again, because, as I understand it, they intend moving into Jo’s cottage. That means we’ll have lost a trustworthy tenant, who doubles up as a sort of security guard to us older folk. But never mind. I think it is more important for Harry to have someone with whom to share his life. And I cannot imagine a more suitable person than Jo. So they certainly have our blessing. What do you guys think?’
‘Marvellous news,’ said Charlie. ‘That should also go a long way to keeping Harry in the village, and that will be good news for the cricket team and the Guns XI.’
‘Quite,’ said the colonel. ‘Not to mention the benefit to the shoot. For some time now I’ve been looking to expand it, by renting shooting rights over the farmland adjacent to us, but on the north side. It’s Brian Marlow’s land, in all he has about 800 acres, but at the moment I’m just looking at shooting over around 250. However, he suggested why not shoot over all 800. That, though, would mean having to build probably another two release pens, which in turn would almost certainly entail having to employ an underkeeper for Harry. However, if we did use all of Brian’s land it wouldn’t cost us anything, because he has said that a gun in the syndicate for himself and his younger son Graham would be all we would have to pay him for rent. So it is tempting. And of course, if I took on another keeper that would mean our cottage would not remain vacant for long.’
Tolstoy moved up to the bar and caught Jo’s eye, indicating three more pints to her. She duly began filling clean glasses. Ordinarily Tolstoy would have stopped her, and insisted that the ones they had could be re-used, but not this time, he felt it would appear too fussy.
‘Ah, Tolstoy. Wicked man,’ said the colonel, as Jo pushed a full glass across the bar to him. ‘I promised Miriam I would be back by ten-thirty. It’s ten-fifteen now and I am no longer young enough to knock back a pint in seconds. But thank you all the same. I shall not let it go to waste. Too good a pint for that.’
Charlie and Tolstoy duly received their pints and all three sipped, savouring the singular hoppy flavour of their favourite beer. Tolstoy was halfway down his pint when Charlie said, ‘By the way, Andrew, Harry and Jo are not the only ones getting hitched in the not too distant future. I finally proposed to Henrietta last weekend. Then last night, after dinner with her parents I did the dutiful thing and asked her father for his daughter’s hand in marriage. He agreed, gave us his blessing, her mother gave me a hug, so now all that is left is to fix a date. We’re thinking tentatively of a September wedding, here in St Martin’s.’
‘Goodness gracious! The world’s gone mad for marriage. Well, congratulations, Charlie, I have to say that Henrietta is quite some catch.’
Tolstoy stepped in. ‘And so is Charlie.’
‘Yes, yes, of course he is,’ said the colonel, hurriedly correcting himself. ‘I didn’t mean that there was only one beneficiary in this union. Well, well! And presumably at some point he’ll be able to add a title to anything else that he brings into Henrietta’s life. I take it the ring is a fitting one, so to speak?’
‘It resembles a highland cairn,’ quipped Tolstoy. ‘But one constructed from diamonds, rather than granite.’ Charlie grinned.
‘Well, once again my heartiest congratulations, Charlie,’ said the colonel, glancing at his watch. ‘Now, I’m afraid I must dash. If nothing else, I need to chat to Miriam about your drinks invitation and the mystery which is going to be uncovered when we drop in on you.’ With that he drained his glass, replaced it on the bar and headed for the door.
‘I suppose we ought to think of moving as well,’ said Charlie.
‘Yes,’ agreed Tolstoy. ‘We need to get back before the colonel rings. It wouldn’t do to be still here when he does call.’ They finished the last of their beer, said goodnight to Jo, Harry and Old Ned, and headed back to the Manor.There they found Elspeth and Henrietta sitting at the kitchen table, each nursing a balloon of brandy, their hands wrapped around each glass. The men were offered a late-night snifter. Charlie opted for a Scotch while Tolstoy declined any spirit, instead heading over to the table to see what wine remained, then they both joined the women, Tolstoy allowing Charlie to report on the meeting with the colonel.
‘I must say he seemed very excited about it, even though he hasn’t a clue what it is you two have unearthed,’ said Charlie. ‘And I must admit I’m getting quite excited about it. The suspense is wonderful.’
‘Do you think he’ll ring tonight?’ asked Elspeth.
‘Not sure. What do you reckon, Tolstoy?’
‘Well, I did give him the option of trying us from quite early tomorrow morning. I suppose it depends on Miriam. She may think it is too late now to disturb us. Then again, she may get caught up in Andrew’s excitement. I’ve no idea, really.’
‘Perhaps we should have invited Andrew around tonight,’ mused Elspeth. ‘By the way, Tolstoy, I have invited Henrietta and Charlie, although he doesn’t know it yet, to the great unveiling as well. So Charlie, you are to keep yourself free for the moment until we hear from Andrew. What other news do you have?’ She looked from Tolstoy to Charlie.
The latter obliged saying, ‘Only that Andrew is hoping
to expand the shoot and possibly take on an underkeeper to help Harry with the increased workload.’
‘How is he going to expand the shoot? I thought he was at an optimum size already. He would surely need more land, wouldn’t he?’ queried Elspeth.
‘Ah, well, he is hoping to persuade his neighbour, Brian Marlow, to rent him a few hundred acres. And apparently Marlow is interested, to the extent that, if he decided to go ahead, he would not charge any rent, but rather would want a gun in the syndicate for himself and his younger son.’
‘Gosh, that would make it a very large operation, wouldn’t it?’
‘I suppose so,’ said Charlie. ‘But I think he would probably set up a second syndicate to help to cover the capital outlay needed for the expansion. After all, he would need more birds, therefore more feed, more release pens, therefore more materials to construct them, and he might have to employ more than one extra full-time keeper as well. It will be something to ask him whenever he turns up this weekend.’
At that moment the phone rang. Elspeth got up to answer it. ‘Oh, Andrew, hello.’ A pause.
‘No, no, you’re not disturbing anyone. We’re all sitting around the kitchen table with a nightcap, half-hoping you would call, and lo and behold, you have. When can you drop in for a drink?’ Another pause. ‘Tomorrow is perfect. The sooner, the better. Shall we say around six o’clock?’ A pause again, then, ‘Perfect. See you both then. Good night.’
Elspeth returned to the table. ‘Good, that’s settled. Andrew and Miriam will be arriving around six tomorrow. So Charlie, will you and Henrietta be able to join us? And do you think I should offer nibbles?’
‘Yes,’ said Henrietta. ‘We should love to join you. And if you like I’ll prepare a couple of plates of nibbles myself and bring them round. How would that be?’
‘Oh that would be so kind. Thank you, Henrietta, that is a most welcome offer. Let me get a pen and paper and we can work out what each of us will do. We don’t have to be too fussy. And I do not need to make too many. But it would seem inhospitable if there was nothing to offer when we are having a drink. And of course you and Charlie must stay on for a meal.’
