by Lotte Moore
Chapter Twenty Four
Aylesbury
Prince Charles arrived in a black Daimler promptly at 10.30am with an assistant carrying a large notebook. Jonty and Cheryl shook hands just as the children were arriving.
“That’s a happy bunch of youngsters,” said Prince Charles smiling.
“Yes, they’re regulars at my riding school,” said Cheryl shyly.
“Let me lead the way to my ten-acre plantation, Sir,” suggested Jonty.
He and Prince Charles walked downhill in radiant sunshine with the Prince asking many questions about how the idea originated. He was enthusiastic about the long-term benefit to the environment. They also discussed the maple disease. After looking closely at a withered leaf, Prince Charles wondered if the virus was the same as that which had affected his own trees. A few minutes later he started talking about some of the produce that Jonty and Cheryl grew.
“We’re quite self-sufficient here,” replied Jonty proudly.
“Yes, so am I with the Duchy of Cornwall Estate. It’s very rewarding growing simple produce from the land. As I said before, I’d like my Trust to make a donation to your excellent project.”
“Oh, thank you very much, Sir,” replied Jonty, a little red in the face as they both ambled back up the hill, with the Prince’s assistant following a few paces behind.
Cheryl walked towards them carrying some pieces of Aylesbury Croft on a wooden platter.
“This is our latest cheese, Sir. Do try a piece.” She presented the plate.
“Delicious! It has a good crisp tang and a lively mixture of herbs.
Just then his assistant leaned over. “Excuse me Sir, but we have to go now. We’re due at a farmers’ meeting where they’re discussing pig-breeding.”
Prince Charles sighed. His visit had been all too brief.
Five minutes later, Jonty looked towards the drive where Beady was opening the gate, looking rather over-dressed but happy as she waved the royal party off down the drive.
“I do wish Mum hadn’t waved,” he muttered and led Cheryl back to the garden seat.
“Well, that went well,” Cheryl said, sitting down. “He has such enthusiasm for other people’s ideas. It’s refreshing to hear him offer advice and very generous of him to give us a grant.” Jonty didn’t respond. “What is it?”
Jonty stared into his hands. “I’m afraid I had a call from Serena just before Prince Charles arrived. Lang’s been sacked from his firm for malpractice. He’s got a huge debt and they think they’ll have to sell up and move to a new house. I said I’d go up and talk to them. It’s pretty urgent, they’re both in a terrible state.”
“Oh my God, JJ, what are they going to do? Those poor children will be so upset to leave their schools,” said Cheryl.
“First things first. Can you give me a lift to the station?
Oh, and we mustn’t say a word to Beady yet,” he called over one shoulder as he walked towards the kitchen.
Chapter Twenty Five
Vienna
The large Wiener Musikverein Concert Hall was packed with an expectant audience. There was a throbbing buzz as people waited for the concert to begin. Sergei took Vivi, Georgie and Baba to a box near the stage.
Georgie stared round the enormous gilt concert hall. “Oh Mummy, this is so exciting.”
Baba smiled at her granddaughter’s animated face filled with delight even though she couldn’t understand most of what the girl said.
The lovely sound of the orchestra tuning up gave Georgie plenty to stare at. A few minutes later, Murel strode onto the podium. There was an instant hush as Theo, head erect, walked to the grand piano and bowed low to the audience. Vivi held onto Georgie in case she stood up if he looked at her.
Shostakovich burst forth. Theo’s power swept across the piano, the wonderful acoustics reflecting his brilliance. Vivi was totally spellbound at the magnitude of his playing. Baba seemed enraptured and on the edge of her seat. Georgie watched Theo’s fingers race across the keys. It all seemed very loud as they were almost on top of the orchestra.
What an experience! The lyrical slow movement reached a peak of such tenderness that made Vivi cry inside. BANG! The bubbling final movement erupted from the keyboard, on and on, until the last chords were instantly drowned by a huge ovation. The audience cheered and even stamped their feet. After four rousing returns to the auditorium, Theo put his hands up, indicating an encore, and settled to play several Chopin etudes.
All at once Vivi realised the enormity of Theo’s talent in a way she’d never done before. All his senses were there in his beautiful playing. As the Chopin finished, Theo gave a special bow towards their box and Georgie blew him a kiss, Baba waved, and Vivi looked deep into his eyes.
Sergei collected the family from their box and took them to Theo’s dressing room.
Georgie ran to him. “Oh, Daddy, Daddy!”
Vivi kissed and hugged him, then he embraced Baba warmly.
“Well, the audience loved you,” enthused Sergei. “I’ve arranged a long table at the restaurant next door when you’re all ready.”
It was a happy gathering and although Baba could understand very little, Sergei was able to translate most of the conversation for her.
“So, tomorrow!” said Theo at one point, taking Vivi’s hand. “I thought the three of us could go to Mozart’s house before you catch your plane home.”
Sergei glanced at Theo but said nothing.
*
They entered Mozart’s house. Theo glanced at the ancient church next door. It was the oldest in Vienna and where Mozart had first rehearsed The Marriage of Figaro. It had perfect acoustics.
Up some narrow stairs, a beautiful spinet stood in a sparsely decorated room. Various ancient scores were placed near the keyboard. There was also a wooden piano which looked odd, while on the walls hung several beautiful pictures of Mozart wearing a grey wig and velvet jacket.
The room had a wonderful feeling, as various arias were piped through concealed speakers. It was like walking back into the Eighteenth century.
“This is so beautiful. I wish we could stay longer,” said Vivi.
Arriving at the airport, affectionate hugs made Vivi and Georgie unable to leave Theo. He tenderly nudged them towards the barrier.
“I’ll be home in a week,” he reassured them. “It will fly before you know it.”
Chapter Twenty Six
Kensington
Serena fell into Jonty’s arms as he arrived on her doorstep in the morning.
“Let’s go into the garden,” she whispered.
Jonty put an arm round his sister’s trembling shoulders as they sat under the huge chestnut tree. Maggie had tactfully left some coffee on the table.
“Lang’s in his study and will be off to see the bank about our mortgage in half an hour. It’s all such a shock and quite devastating. I never thought he’d do such a thing. I’m scared Jonty. Do you think he’ll go to prison?” she asked in a whisper.
“I don’t know enough about it. Let’s be practical though. Where are you going to live? A good friend of mine who’s got a dairy farm has a cow-man’s cottage that’s empty. I’ll ring him and ask if he’ll consider renting it. It’s quite big, I think. You can store your furniture in one of our barns if you like. Of course, it’ll take some time to sell this, and it’ll be a real change of lifestyle for you being in Aylesbury instead of…”
“But I’m not going to live there fulltime!” interrupted Serena. “I’ll have to commute. My work is becoming very successful. I’ve just been invited to go to Rome, for heaven’s sake.” She paused. “Although… I suppose I can’t really go now, can I?”
“Don’t be crazy, you must. You’re the breadwinner now,” Jonty exclaimed.
Lang suddenly appeared at the kitchen door. “Hello, JJ. Darling, I’m off to see the bank.” He looked ashen and dishevelled.
“Shall I come with you?” Jonty asked unexpectedly.
“You mean now your brother-in-la
w’s a crook?”
Jonty ignored the remark and walked over to Lang. “Come on, let’s face the melt-down together.”
He looked back at Serena for a moment, then guided Lang towards their front door.
At the meeting, Jonty was able to fill out Lang’s monosyllabic explanation. Luckily, it emerged that there would be no difficulty in paying off the mortgage when the house was sold.
When they got home two hours later, they walked into the garden where Alicia, Freddie and Benjie were all splashing in the paddling pool. Serena was pacing up and down the kitchen talking to Gems, organising her Italian trip.
“She’ll always be in the fast lane, even when she’s ninety,” said Lang despondently. “Let’s have a drink JJ. Oh, and thanks for being here today— it was quite an ordeal.”
Finally, all three adults sat round a bottle of wine with the occasional splash of water from the kids in the pool.
“Who were you on the phone to, Fig Tree?” asked Lang wearily.
“Well, since you ask…” Serena glanced quickly at Jonty, then braced herself. “I’ve been invited to Rome to do a wonderful job for five days. The money’s amazing.”
Lang was silent for a moment. “But you can’t possibly go to Italy at such a dreadful time. We need you here.”
“Lang, you must let her go. You need everything she can get now,” stated Jonty.
Lang got up and walked inside, slamming the door behind him.
“Was that cruel of me?” asked Serena quietly. “No. Just necessary,” murmured Jonty.
At that moment there was a second loud slam. “Was that the front door?” asked Serena anxiously.
“I think so. Listen, you must go to Rome,” said Jonty. “Leave it to me and I’ll talk to him later tonight. Tell your client you’ll be catching the 7am flight.”
“Thanks JJ, I’m so grateful. I think it will be a big opportunity for my business. I’m getting an advance of £15,000. I’ll go and phone him now.”
“Lang’s gone off in the car,” she called from the hall a minute later.
“He’ll come round,” JJ said confidently and he prayed that he would.
Chapter Twenty Seven
Chiswick
Vivi had just said goodbye to a client and was surprised to see Lang walking slowly towards her.
“Hello Lang, come in. Is anything the matter?”
Lang slumped onto the sofa. “Oh Vivi, I’ve been such a fool. I’ve been sacked. I’m finished.”
“Now calm down and tell me slowly what’s happened,” she said softly.
Lang recounted in detail how he’d started speculating but the losses got bigger and bigger and the whole business spiralled out of control. He began sobbing.
Vivi went over and put an arm round his shoulders, letting him cry.
“I’ll never be able to work in the City again. No one will trust me. We’ll have to sell the house to pay off the mortgage and the rest will go to my firm. We’ll never be able to live in London again. Jonty’s trying to find somewhere to rent near his farm. Christ, I feel so ashamed. Poor Serena can barely look at me. She must hate me for letting her down. She’s going to Rome tomorrow. Oh, Vivi, I want to die. To be swallowed up. I don’t know if I will go to jail—the sheer humiliation and guilt.”
Vivi let him unburden himself. She was not only shocked but very sympathetic to see Lang, normally a self-controlled man, bent double in despair. The phone rang.
“If that’s Serena, don’t say I’m here,” he whispered.
“Oh, I must,” Vivi replied. “Hello, JJ. Yes, I’ve heard the awful news. Can I ring you later this evening?” she said and put the phone down. “I think you must have something to calm you down. Will you come with me to see our doctor if I ring him?”
“How will that help? The damage is done. I’ve ruined my reputation and my family’s lives,” he cried.
“I think a sedative will help you. Please come with me,” she begged.
Lang flopped limply on the sofa while she called Dr Falcon.
Vivi talked to Lang in the car after they’d seen the doctor. “I think you must go home now, Serena will be wondering where you are. She knows you’re in a bad state. If she goes off to Rome tomorrow, please try and support her. She’s going for both your sakes.”
Lang bit his thumbnail. “Yes, I’ll go to her now.”
“I’ll ring Serena tonight and maybe you and the kids could pop over at the weekend? Come and see me any time, won’t you?” Vivi said as they arrived back in Kensington.
Lang dragged his feet to his front door. Jonty was on the phone in the hall. Serena was feeding Benjie as the other children ate supper.
“Hello darling,” she said in a subdued voice.
“Daddy, Daddy, Daddy,” squeaked Alicia and Freddie in unison.
“Let’s have a game of hide and seek before we go up,” asked Freddie.
Lang put an arm round Serena’s tight shoulders. “Is that okay with you, Mummy?” he asked, looking at Serena.
“Yes, of course. You go and hide first, Alicia.”
Jonty walked into the kitchen smiling at Lang as the children whirled out of the room.
“I’ve been to see Vivi and told her about the awful mess,” he confessed.
“Ready!” shouted Alicia.
Lang called, “I’m coming!” and slowly walked out of the sitting room.
“Cheryl’s coming up tomorrow lunchtime and will stay two nights to help with the kids, so there’s no need to worry,” announced Jonty.
“Thank you, dear JJ,” said Serena; then, after a moment’s thought. “Will Mum be alright on her own?”
“Oh, she’ll love helping out at the riding school. I think we’ll have to tell her soon though,” said Jonty.
The conversation was strained at supper. Television alleviated the tension as Lang and Jonty watched a football match.
Serena rang Vivi in the hall, then sat on the stairs, choking down a few tears. They talked for over an hour. Vivi offered to have Lang, Alicia and Freddie on Saturday night. She promised to keep in close contact with Lang and said she’d taken him to a doctor to get a mild sedative.
“Oh Vivi, it will be so awful if we move to the country away from you,” said Serena sadly.
“Yes, it’ll be a big wrench for me too, especially as Theo’s away so much, but I’ll pop down often. I’ll commute at the weekends.” She laughed. “Theo’s flying back next Sunday. The concert in Vienna was just amazing. I’ll tell you more when you get back. Have great success in Rome, you clever girl!”
Chapter Twenty Eight
Aylesbury
Cheryl and Beady had a wonderful lesson with the children. Beady’s little boy was improving his trot daily. After some work in the farm shop, Cheryl took Beady in the car to the highest point of the Downs with stunning views all over Buck-inghamshire. She brought out a thermos of tea and some homemade scones.
“Beady, I have to tell you some bad news.”
“Oh my goodness, what is it?” queried Beady.
“Lang has been sacked from his firm due to some dodgy business and—”
“How dreadful,” interrupted Beady. “What will happen?”
Cheryl described the situation and noticed the high colour mounting in Beady’s face, alarmed in case it would lead to a stroke.
“Perhaps I’d better give poor Serena some money. I always felt Lang was a weak man,” said Beady, shaking her head.
Cheryl looked anxious. “I’ve said I’ll go there later on to help with the children because Serena has got a wonderful contract in Rome for five days and it’s worth a lot of money. Hope you don’t mind if Jonty and I leave you here for two days?”
“I’m sure I’ll be alright,” said Beady. “But seriously, Cheryl, what will happen?”
“They’ll have to sell the house and Jonty is looking for a cottage around here.”
Beady gasped. “Oh my God, how dreadful. Sell that lovely house. I can’t bear it!” She started blinking un
controllably. Cheryl put an arm round her thin bony shoulders.
“We’ll all manage together,” she said soothingly. “We’ve got a great family, Beady, and we must all pull together during this dreadful crisis and not be angry.” Cheryl squeezed her hand.
“Yes, of course.” Beady sat bolt upright. “Yes, of course,” she repeated, then shook her head bitterly. “Although Serena probably hasn’t helped. She never stands still. Never did, since she was young. Maybe that’s what drove Lang to strive so hard. More money! It’s all too much!” she cried.
“Beady, I’m serious—try not to think too badly of them. After all, you’ve often said how much Serena’s like her dad.”
This provoked a short bark of ironic laughter. “Yes, she is. He was like an arrow. Zoomed everywhere, but he went too fast. It killed him in the end.”
When Cheryl left for the station, Beady walked up to the stables and waited for the children. She helped Jane, Cheryl’s assistant, get the riding hats ready.
“Wonderful lady, Cheryl. I love the way she runs this place. She does so much for the kids,” said Jane.
“She certainly is a marvellous teacher with great patience,” replied Beady, waving to the bus as it came up the drive.
Meanwhile, Cheryl arrived at Kensington around lunchtime.
“I left your mum eagerly going off to the stables,” she told Jonty, who gave her a big hug.
He replied, “Serena went off at 5am this morning to catch her flight to Rome. Lang’s here, but Benjie is at the park with Maggie and Jonty.
“Good to see you,” said Lang, giving her a peck on the cheek.
“Now, what can I do that’s most useful?” asked Cheryl. “How about I make a lasagne for supper and some meringues for the children’s tea?”
“That would be splendid,” said Lang quietly.
Cheryl and Jonty were a huge help to Lang and he started to feel not entirely himself, but in a much better place than before. Soon it was the weekend. Lang and the children waved goodbye to Cheryl and Jonty at Turnham Green tube station, then drove on to Chiswick where Vivi welcomed everyone.