'Yes I have', said Harry. 'That would be Mrs Delarosa. We don't see her that often; she lives upstairs in the house and she talks to Angela on occasions. I must admit I can't take my eyes off her; she is a hauntingly beautiful young woman - in her thirties I would say. She must have money but I have no idea how she has made it; I don't think Angela knows either. She is a generous lady by all accounts and we all enjoy working for her'.
Bill knew then that it must be Peggy. He felt excited but he would have to be careful and play it cool. First of all he would have to gain the confidence of Angela Klinke. He couldn't afford to be dismissed for "prying and spying".
After a pleasant evening with Harry, Bill headed home full of hope that at last he might be getting somewhere in finding his beloved Peggy.
****
So it was on the Tuesday as arranged, Bill arrived at the gates to the Delarosa property and he pressed the communication button.
Bill heard a woman's voice with a German accent snap. 'Who is it?'
'Peter Martin, your temporary gardener', Bill replied.
'What's your code?' the voice snapped again.
Bill gave his code. After a pause while the woman verified the code, the woman said. 'Just wait there, I will be out in a moment'.
When the woman arrived at the gate Bill could see that it would be Angela Klinke as Harry had described to him. She was a little overweight, quite tall and would have been in her late forties. Harsh, black, dyed hair made her look a little foreboding - she was certainly no oil painting. "No doubt", Bill thought to himself. "She would be good at her job".
With the gate remaining closed, Angela ordered Bill to step out of his vehicle so she could take a good look at him. Bill wore the appropriate gardener's garb: shorts, working boots, complete with floppy sunhat and sunglasses.
'Hmmm', Angela uttered in almost a grunt. 'You're certainly better looking than Harry'.
Bill of course was good looking and he put on one of his "best smiles" that would make any red blooded woman melt. He could see he had almost "won a heart" with Angela when her foreboding appearance softened as she returned a smile.
Angela opened the gate with a remote handheld control and directed Bill to drive around to the rear of the property. When Bill had parked and climbed out of the Rambler, Angela came over and introduced herself. It seemed to be that her bark was worse than her bite, and that really under the hard exterior she was quite a pleasant person. In fact she was quite sociable and commented how she hadn't seen a Nash Rambler for years - apparently her father used to own one!
Angela then showed Bill to where there was a gardener's shed close by; this was basically a tool and implement shed. Here were kept such things as mowers, rotary hoes, hedge trimmers, fertilizers, and a full range of gardening hand tools. Angela explained to Bill - not in an unpleasant manner - that he was on trial and he would be accordingly advised as to his suitability when he had finished that day. It was apparent that Angela had checked out the referrals Harry had given her and found them to be satisfactory. "So far so good", Bill muttered to himself under his breath.
When Angela had shown Peter (Bill) the gardeners shed she said. 'Peter, come inside the house and I will show you my office and other facilities you need to know about'.
Bill followed Angela around to the front and then on inside. Bill was quite surprised. The whole of the ground floor was devoted to offices, a security centre, a library, conference rooms, a kitchen and a cafeteria. Angela controlled a staff of six - two office assistants, two chefs who worked in the kitchen on a shared shift basis, and two I.T. staff who looked after computers and the security cameras.
Angela took Bill into her office and went over details of payment and rules of employment. Angela's office was bright and tastefully decorated. On her desk were what appeared to be photos of her children - a boy and a girl - she was obviously fond of them. Angela saw Bill admiring the photos and she said proudly. 'That's my Becky and Marty - they are my whole life, I am a solo mum'.
'They're beautiful children', said Bill. 'You must be proud of them'.
'I am', said Angela smiling with Bill's kind comments. 'Come with me Peter I will show you around'.
Angela then took Bill and introduced him to the other staff members. Angela also showed Bill around and took him to the cafeteria where he was permitted to help himself to food, tea and coffee.
'Mrs Delarosa is quite a generous lady', Angela said with a degree of firmness. 'We make sure we don't take advantage of her generosity. While you are with us Peter, I would just ask you do the same and don't exploit the offer of free food in the cafeteria. If you do it will affect all of us; something we enjoy could be withdrawn'.
'Absolutely, no problem', said Bill. 'I am just not that sort of person. Just as a matter of interest Angela, who is Mrs Delarosa? She is obviously successful and somebody to be admired'.
'We don't really know Peter', Angela replied. 'She lives in the top level of the house. It's a mystery to me but she has her own access somewhere. I have contact with her regarding administration issues on occasions, but apart from that we know nothing. My team and I are basically responsible for the administration and security of the property. We enjoy working for Mrs Delarosa and we just don't pry - it's actually a condition of our employment. I know whatever it is Mrs Delarosa is involved in must be legitimate because the president of the USA came here last year for a meeting. I suppose in reality, me and my staff just feel honoured to be working for her. So Peter I just ask that in taking you on, please don't do anything to breach the trust Mrs Delarosa has in me and my team'.
Bill embraced Angela in a display of platonic affection and said. 'Believe me Angela; you have nothing to worry about'.
'Thanks Peter', said Angela sincerely. 'I can see you will be no problem to work with. By the way you will probably see Mrs Delarosa around on occasions. She comes down for meetings with various people who arrive. You no doubt saw a lift alongside my office; that is her private access to the facilities here on the lower level'.
Bill thanked Angela for her time and headed off to the gardening shed to commence work. Bill actually had a good knowledge of gardening; he had learnt a great deal from his father in his younger days and was quite looking forward to using that knowledge again.
That first week, Bill worked on the Tuesday (first day), Friday and the Sunday. Angela was very impressed with the work Bill did so there was no question of retaining him for the full month that Harry would be away. In fact after that first day, Angela and Bill (Peter as Angela knew him) really did get along together quite well.
While Bill worked over the three days that first week, he kept up a constant vigilance for any sign of Peggy - much to his disappointment he saw nothing. Something Bill thought to be quite strange was what Angela had touched on. No vehicles came and went from the premises apart from Bill's Rambler as well as the vehicles of Angela and her employees. It really puzzled Bill as it did Angela.
It was during the second week of Bill's employment as a gardener, Tuesday morning to be precise, when something of interest finally happened. Bill, happy in his work in the fall sunshine, was mowing the huge area of lawn that surrounded the house. He was doing it with a ride on mower.
Bill happened to be at the front of the property at the time, when a party of what appeared to be Japanese businessmen arrived in a chauffeur driven stretched limo. They pulled up and stopped outside the gate. It was then Angela, who after various security checks, opened the gate and let the Japanese party in. The limo pulled up outside the front entrance to the house and four Japanese got out
It was then Bill saw her. It was Peggy; his heart missed a beat - several in fact! He felt overwhelmed, almost crushed with the love he felt for her. It had been such a long time, yet there she was - only a few yards away. She looked so incredibly beautiful in a royal blue corporate style dress and a stunning white jacket.
Bill could have revealed who he was there and then. He didn't however, partly because it
was a business meeting for Peggy and partly because of a nervous reservation that he might be rejected.
Bill knew that it would be unlikely that Peggy recognise him in his floppy sunhat and dark sunglasses so he dismounted from the mower and moved closer to where the group stood at the front of the house. Bill pretended to cull dead growth from some rose bushes that were close by.
As it had been when he had first met Peggy, Bill was so overcome with desires for her that it showed quite clearly at the front of his shorts! This time though, Bill didn't have a napkin to try and hide it!
Just before Peggy led the Japanese party inside, she glanced in Bill's direction and stared momentarily. Peggy hadn't immediately recognised Bill but something about him held her attention. Momentarily a smile flickered across her face, then she turned and took her visitors inside the house - she was gone.
Bill could hardly breathe with emotion; his love for Peggy was so overwhelming. Tears streamed down his face, not with sadness but absolute joy that he had at last seen the love of his life once more. She was real and she was close by to him.
Bill walked around in a daze, not being able to think straight for a moment, before climbing back on the mower. His heart was racing.
"Had she recognised him?" Bill thought anxiously. "Was it a smile of recognition or was it just in Peggy's nature to smile at any of those employed at the property?" Bill just didn't know.
Bill in his desperation was almost prepared to run inside the house and openly declare his presence. "No, no!" Bill thought to himself. "Don't spoil it now. Just be patient you idiot".
Bill's patience was rewarded when later on in the afternoon, Angela came to see Bill while he was tending to the vegetable garden at the rear of the property.
'Peter', Angela said smiling. 'Mrs Delarosa is exceedingly pleased with your standard of work. She has asked me to give you this envelope; I think it is a note of thanks or maybe a cash bonus. She is always generous to those who serve her well'.
'Thanks Angela', said Bill also smiling in return. 'Much appreciated'.
'No problem', said Angela. 'In fact I must agree with Mrs Delarosa Peter, you do an excellent job'.
Bill blushed with pride and responded. 'Thanks Angela, I sure enjoy working here. By the way, just as a matter of interest, is there a Mr Delarosa?'
'Hmmm', said Angela smiling again. 'I know what you are thinking, you obviously saw Mrs Delarosa earlier when her Japanese party arrived. She surely is a beautiful woman isn't she, I sure wish I had her looks, but she is already spoken for - although she doesn't have a husband - not yet anyway'.
Bill's heart sank and he said to Angela. 'Forgive my asking Angela, how do you mean "not yet"?'
'Well', said Angela. 'I'm not really privy to the details of Mrs Delarosa's life as you know, but it was only a few months ago that she mentioned something to me. She said she had met the love of her life and that someday he would come. I don't quite know what she meant by it, but it seemed to make her exceedingly happy'.
'Sorry Peter', Angela continued with genuine concern in her voice. 'I don't think that there is any chance for you! You see I know she refuses to have anything to do with any males while she is waiting for her "Prince" to return. It's quite beautiful; it's almost like a fairy story - I hope it ends up being one of those "lived happily ever after" stories'.
Angela gave Bill a friendly pat on his shoulder. 'Plenty more fish in the sea', she said acknowledging in effect that Bill was a very handsome man. Angela was perhaps a little hopeful that someone as handsome and good-looking as Bill might take some interest in her!
Angela headed back inside to her office. Bill was left stunned. He hoped desperately that it was him that Peggy was waiting for. Bill was extremely nervous about opening the envelope. Maybe Peggy had recognised him and here was a "Dear John" letter because she did have someone else in her life.
Bill's fingers fumbled with nervousness as opened the envelope. While opening the envelope he kept saying to himself over and over again. "Please let it be that she loves me".
Inside the envelope was a note along with a gold ring. Bill's heart was racing and he was breathing hard.
The note read:
Dearest Bill
God I wasn't sure if it was you or not when I saw you. However, please forgive me for saying it, but I knew it was you when I saw what was in your shorts - it was my darling Wilbur. How I long for him to be inside me and to have us be joined as one once more.
With what I could see Bill, your love for me was more than obvious; just as it was that night when we first met on that wonderful Valentine's day; I could feel it, it was magic!
Believe me Bill, my love for you has only grown stronger by the minute since we have been apart. I know I have a lot of explaining to do but it has been necessary as I will ultimately tell you.
Bill I have enclosed a ring. It is a special ring as you will learn; please wear it for me to show you are taken. I couldn't bear to lose you now. I love you.
Please understand I can't openly communicate with you here at the property - not just yet anyway. However tomorrow, I know you are not working and this is what I need you to do. There is a gas station in the street that is immediately behind and below the property - you will notice that it is one of the Mountshaft chain. Just park out the front on the street and wait for me at 10.00a.m. I will be there Bill - that's a promise.
I know you love and want me Bill, otherwise you wouldn't have come. The waiting is over. I pledge to give you myself and my body to have and to hold forever; I am truly yours Bill, you don't have to worry any more.
Once again, I love you Bill.
PS. I nearly forgot. Bring what belongings you have with you. You are coming to live with me! No arguments please!
All my desperate Love
Peggy (Mountshaft) XXXX
Bill was truly stunned with what he had read. He was shaking like a leaf. At last he had found his Peggy and he knew she was all his as his partner for life.
As Bill finished off the afternoon working in the vegetable garden, happiness overwhelmed him. Every five minutes he would stop and read the note again just to make sure it was real. I don't think Bill could even feel his feet touching the ground!
It seemed to be from what Bill could glean from Peggy's message, that within a few hours, he and Peggy would be together forever and Bill would learn why Peggy had behaved the way she did. Really Bill didn't give a dam how Peggy had behaved, as long as she loved him.
Chapter 5
Reunited At Last.
The next day, Bill parked outside the gas station as Peggy had directed. It was at the bottom of a low but steeply sided hill and partly set into the hillside. Partway up the hill and through trees, Bill could see the rear part of the stone security wall that surrounded the Delarosa property. In effect the Delarosa property was on a plateau at the top of the low hill.
The day was sunny but cool with little wind. It was early October and being fall the leaves on the trees were beginning to turn. Not that Bill really noticed; he had other things on his mind!
To make sure he was on time, Bill had arrived a quarter-of-an-hour early. He was nervous and apprehensive that something could go wrong - there were even thoughts that the note from Peggy may have been a cruel dream. However these thoughts were soon dispelled when Bill removed the note from his jacket pocket and read it again - several times! It was real alright.
Bill had dressed himself to the best he could. He wanted to look his best for Peggy. The previous evening he had bought himself a new shirt, trousers and a dark blue jacket so that he looked a little like he had when he had first met Peggy. Bill had also had his hair cut and he wore some of his Paco Rabanne aftershave that he knew Peggy liked. Bill looked absolutely immaculate; there was no question of it, he was very good looking.
As Peggy had asked, Bill wore the gold ring she had given him. While he sat waiting he looked at it and ran his fingers over the smooth surface. He wondered what its significance might
be as he quietly said to himself over and over again. "I love you Peggy".
It was at precisely 10.00a.m that Bill looked up and he could see what could only be described as an angel, walking towards him. It was Peggy, she looked stunningly elegant. She wore a white lacy knee length dress. The dress was flared beautifully by possibly several layers of petticoats. To keep herself warm, Peggy wore a neatly fitting lime green jacket. Her jacket was open and Bill could see the line of Peggy's slim waist and the exquisitely formed pinnacle of her proud breasts. To compliment her clothes she wore green high heeled shoes. White earrings sat just below the line of her dark almost black, immaculately cut hair.
Peggy, on seeing Bill, waved and smiled and scrunched her hands together with excitement. Bills heart just about stopped as feelings of love for her swept over him.
Peggy came around to the driver's side window as Bill wound it down. Initially nothing was said. Instead Peggy put her head though the window and gave Bill a long lingering kiss.
Peggy then whispered. 'I love you Bill - I love the car too, it suits you!'
'You've got to be joking!' Bill said.
'Yes I am joking', said Peggy. 'But I would love you Bill no matter what you drove. It's one thing that really attracts me to you. You are not pretentious, you are just my Bill'.
A tear or two rolled down Peggy's beautiful face. Emotion overcame her as she was reminded in seeing the Rambler, that Bill must have sacrificed a great deal to come in search of her.
'Sorry Bill', Peggy whispered. 'I mustn't cry, it's just so good to see you, you look wonderful Bill you handsome bugger. Drive into the gas station and follow me. I will show you where we are going'.
Peggy directed Bill to the rear of the gas station and waved him towards what appeared to be by external appearances, an automobile workshop that was set into the base of the steep hillside that rose at the back of the gas station.
Midnight Train To Chicago Page 6