“I believe you saw the studios upstairs?”
“Yes,” she said. “Major Harrington said it would be okay. It was very interesting. I hope you didn’t mind?”
Jeremy waved his hands. “Don’t mind in the slightest.”
She felt awkward now. She would have to say something. “I really liked some of the sculptures and paintings. Particularly the metal poppies.”
His eyes lit up. “That’s one of mine. Did you like any of the other ones?”
She tried to remember. She moved her head up and down. “The lady sculpted from jewellery.”
“Really?”
“Yes,” she confirmed. “I thought it was lovely.”
“Excellent! So the nudity didn’t offend or anything like that?”
Angela felt her face flush. She felt he was really studying her now – first her face – and then his eyes moved down to her neck and the top part of her body. “No, not really...” She could not think of anything else to say. Why, she wondered, had she picked that particular one to mention? It hadn’t really struck her as being a naked woman. It was simply the outline of a female filled in with old brooches and earrings and suchlike. It was just a shape with no identifiable body parts.
“I’m glad to hear you’re a forward-thinking young lady,” Jeremy said now. “It’s a pity I’m here on a flying visit, leaving in the next few minutes for an exhibition over in Liverpool.” He paused. “But I wondered...you have such a striking face and, well...everything else is beautifully proportioned.”
Angela felt a little stab of alarm.
“I wondered if you might be interested in posing for one of my paintings? If you would be a life model for me? Unclothed preferably. ”
“What?” She started to laugh. “Are you joking?”
“Your leg wouldn’t be a problem, we could have you positioned so it wouldn’t be noticed in the painting.”
Just then there was a quick tap on the door and the major came in.
“Ah, Jeremy, Marjola was wondering where you had disappeared to...” He looked at Angela now, then back to Jeremy, sensing something. “Is everything all right?”
Angela quickly decided that she had no allegiance to Jeremy, and it would be best to let him know how the land lay if she was to come across him again. Also, should his pestering continue she would have to tell her employer about his cousin’s proposition.
“Jeremy was just asking if I would like to pose for a nude painting for him,” she said, her voice light. “I’m sure he was joking.”
“My motives are purely artistic,” Jeremy cut in. “I think Angela has much more to offer in life than her typing skills.”
He moved across the floor to stand nearer the window and the way the light hit his face, Angela suddenly noticed the wrinkles around his eyes and mouth, and then it struck her as she saw a thin tell-tale line of grey at his parting that Jeremy’s shiny black hair was indeed dyed.
“Angela has brains, Jeremy,” the major said, raising his eyebrows, “something you’re not too well acquainted with.”
Angela caught her breath, wondering if the major had gone too far.
Jeremy grinned, obviously enjoying the banter. “She’s a grown woman, Edward, and I thought she might like to explore her artistic side. I was merely giving her the chance to do so.” He turned to Angela. “You’re a rare beauty, my dear, and I would have been honoured to have you as the subject of one of my paintings.”
Angela started to laugh. “I’ll take that as a compliment, but my answer is ‘no’.”
“Jeremy,” the major said, going over to open the door, “I think you said this was a flying visit and you had to rush to Liverpool for a boutique opening?”
Jeremy held his hands up and grinned. “Okay, I get it – my presence is no longer required since I came up with the deeds and documents.”
“Spot on,” the major said. “We would like to get on with our work.” He made a sweeping, bowing motion with his arm to indicate to his cousin that he should leave.
Jeremy came across to Angela and took her hand and kissed it. “Give me a ring should you change your mind about the painting,” he said, looking into her face, “and it needn’t be nude. There’s a famous American painting of a girl with polio – Christina’s World – and I’m sure we could come up with a modern twist on it.”
“Out!” the major said, moving towards his cousin. “Time to go, Jeremy.”
“I’m going.” He gave a theatrical sigh as he went towards the door. He paused. “You say you’re in London next week and here again the week after?”
The major looked at him with raised eyebrows, but said nothing.
“Pity, I’m in Paris then over to Malaga for a Picasso convention...Ah well, maybe another time.” He suddenly grinned. “Oh, and Edward, a word of advice, which I’m sure Angela would agree with – I think you should drop the ‘Major’ tag, it’s not very avant garde to use military ranking these days.”
The major sighed and shook his head.
After the camper van rolled down the driveway, the major came back into the dining-room.
“What can I say? He’s incorrigible and getting worse as he grows older.”
“Did you get all the documents you needed?” Angela asked.
“Yes, thank goodness.”
“Well, that’s the main thing.” She started to laugh. “I can’t imagine how people back in Tullamore would react if I told them about his suggestion to paint me.”
The major slapped the palm of his hand to his head. “I am truly embarrassed by him, and sorry for that poor girl who is trailing around after him. She is one of dozens, you know.”
“I’m not surprised.”
He paused. “I think he might have raised one worthwhile point. How would you feel about calling me Edward – while we’re here? Would it make things easier?”
She gave it a few moments’ thought. It would feel strange being so familiar with him, but she supposed she would get used to it. “I don’t mind either way.”
“It’s something I got used to in the army, and afterwards in Ireland I just continued with it without any real thought.” He leaned against the jamb of the door. “I was just thinking when we go to London...”
She looked at him and for the first time, saw uncertainty and perhaps even vulnerability. It occurred to her that he might not have anyone else to discuss such a personal thing with. “You have got to make that decision,” she said. “Don’t be pushed into anything because of what Jeremy says. He’s hardly a sensible person to take much heed of. It’s your name after all.”
He nodded and then turned away. “I’ll give it some thought.”
Chapter 38
The hotel the major had booked was a small one with only ten rooms, and a short walk from Victoria Train station. Angela had a room along the corridor from her employer, and he had insisted on giving her the bigger room as it had a table and chairs which would let her work more comfortably. He pointed out that it also had a bathroom next door which would be more convenient for her.
The first few days in London were busy with visits to a record office to check out family birth and death certificates, and to visit an elderly uncle of the major’s in Kensington. He had a large townhouse where he lived with his wife, who Angela found pleasant and welcoming, but strangely vague and forgetful. Within minutes, she had asked Angela her name and where she came from at least half a dozen times.
“If you could just humour her that would be kind,” the major’s uncle said at one point, “as she has recently developed a problem with her memory.”
In the middle of the week, the major spent a day on his own, visiting an aunt who was in a nursing home in Buckinghamshire, so Angela stayed alone in the hotel writing up her notes. Her aunt had given her Joseph’s number, so she rang the hotel he worked in and the girl on reception went through to the restaurant to get him. They chatted for a while and Angela was pleased that he sounded well and seemed to be enjoying his work. They mad
e arrangements to meet the following evening in an old pub across from the station called The Shakespeare.
The major was delighted she had her own plans, and he organised to catch up with some of his army friends while she was with Joseph.
The following day they worked, had lunch in the hotel, and then, since it was a nice afternoon, the major suggested they go to The Tower of London. Angela enjoyed it, and he was delighted to explain any of the English history she didn’t know.
She set off to meet Joseph for half past seven, and he was there as arranged, waiting outside the bar. The bar was busy – and with a good number of women in it, which made her feel relieved. It had a good, friendly atmosphere, and they went in and were lucky to find a table over in the corner. Joseph ordered drinks for them – a lager for himself and a gin and tonic for Angela – and then they sat chatting and listening to the juke box. The place he was working in, he told her, was great for experience, but not a long-term prospect.
“I miss Ireland,” he said, “but I know the longer I stay here, the more experience I’ll have for finding work in a decent place. I’d really like a place where we can have a bit of live music as well.”
“Wouldn’t you miss your girlfriend?” Angela asked. “Your mother was telling me you had met someone really nice.”
His face took on a serious look. “It’s finished,” he said. “She broke off with me two weeks ago.” He leaned forward and put his elbows on the table. He looked around and then spoke in a low voice. “Her family weren’t happy when she told them I was Irish and a Catholic.”
“You’re joking!” Angela said.
He shook his head. “I wish I was. They hadn’t even met me, so it wasn’t because I’d said or done anything wrong. But she didn’t put up any kind of fight, so I think she might have been having doubts herself. She didn’t like me working shifts, so...” He held his hands out.
“Maybe it’s for the best,” she said. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m grand,” he said, giving a sidelong grin. “I liked her well enough, but what can you do? It wasn’t going to go anywhere if her family are that prejudiced.”
“And have you come across any other people like that? People who don’t like the Irish?”
“No, not really. Most are nice.”
“I’m glad. You’ll meet someone else.”
“Ah, girls come and go in London, and there are nice ones working in the hotel, so I won’t be at a loose end if I need company.” He lifted his glass of beer and took a drink.
Angela smiled back, relieved he seemed okay. “I wouldn’t think you would ever be stuck for company, a fine-looking lad like you.”
He sat forward now and put his glass down on the table. “Talking of company, Angela, I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve just noticed my father coming in. He’s over at the bar.” He shook his head. “I was stupid – I phoned him last night and I told him you were coming to London and he asked me where we were meeting. I never thought he would turn up...I know my mother won’t be too happy about him coming to see you.” He craned his neck to look. “And, to make matters worse,” he said, nodding across to the bar, “it looks like he’s been in another pub before he came here. He looks more than a bit jarred.”
Angela felt uncomfortable at the thought of seeing her uncle again, knowing that he had deserted her aunt, but she knew she would have to make an effort for her cousin’s sake.
A half an hour passed, and there was no sign of him.
“Maybe he didn’t notice us,” Joseph said. “With the help of God, he’s gone out to another pub.” He tightened his mouth. “He’s become an awful heavy drinker since he came back over here. I know he liked a drink before, but he didn’t drink the way he’s doing now. I don’t want to mention it to my mother because she seems to be managing now without him. I don’t want to bring it all up again, because, believe it or not, she will worry about him.”
Angela was just about to say something, when a shadow loomed over the table and when she looked up her Uncle Ken was standing there, swaying backwards and forwards while precariously holding drinks for them. When Joseph saw him, he quickly stood up and took the glasses from him.
“The Babycham is for Angela,” Ken said, pointing to her. “All the girls love a Babycham! Isn’t that what the adverts say?” He sat down in the chair with a thud. “Yes, I’d loooooove a Babycham! Isn’t that what they say?”
Joseph put the drink in front of Angela and she smiled and thanked her uncle.
“Well,” Ken said, “you’re looking very well, Angela. You look like a new girl since I last saw you. I hear you have a new highfalutin’ job that’s brought you to London.”
“It’s just for the week,” Angela said. “It’s for research.”
Ken reached forward and took Angela’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m proud of you,” he said. “You’ve done well – in fact you’ve done fantastic. You’ve shown that uppity mother of yours that you didn’t need her. That you’ve managed to do well for yourself in spite of her.”
Angela felt her throat run dry. She lifted her Babycham and took a drink as though he had never spoken.
“Dad,” Joseph said, “there’s no need for talk like that. We’re meeting up for a nice drink and a chat. We don’t want any ill-feeling.”
“I’m only speaking the truth...but of course there’s no room for that.” He let go of her hand and sat back in his chair, a sullen look on his face. “There’s no room for the truth.”
Angela felt her stomach churning. She had never seen this side of her uncle before. She looked at Joseph. “So, the new job is going well? I hear you did some interesting courses on wine and what food to serve it with.”
“Yeah,” Joseph said, “I’ve really enjoyed it. There’s a lot more to it than you would imagine.”
His father suddenly laughed. “That’s the story of life, son – there’s always a lot more to things than any of us would imagine.”
“Dad,” Joseph hissed, “you’re talking crap here – will you just stop? You’re embarrassing yourself.”
Ken halted for a few seconds, thinking, then his face looked contrite. “Well, I’m sorry, son, I wouldn’t ever want to embarrass you.” He leaned over now and clapped a hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “You know how much I think of you, don’t you? No matter what ever happens, I’m your father. I’m the one who brought you up. Never forget that.”
Joseph looked at him, incredulous now. He glanced around him, concerned others might hear. “Are you talking about me being adopted?”
“Maybe...”
“But why would you bring that up tonight? I know all about it, Angela knows about it – and it doesn’t bother me. It never has. Why are you making it sound like a problem?”
Angela could see people at the next table looking at them, so she touched her uncle on the arm. “I’m only in London for a few days,” she said, “and Joseph and I came out to have a quiet drink together and catch up. We don’t want anyone arguing.”
Ken started waving his finger around. “There’s nobody arguing – I’m just saying there are bigger problems that have never been talked about.”
Joseph prodded his finger on the table. “The big problem was you leaving my mother, but we’ve managed to get over that too.” He held his hands out. “We’ve all survived.”
Ken reached out again and put his hand on his son’s shoulder. “We have survived, son, haven’t we?”
Joseph nodded. “And you and I are doing okay, Dad – so let’s leave it at that. There’s no point in looking back.”
“But I’m not looking back – I’m not talking about back then. I’m talking about now.”
“For God’s sake, what’s got into you?” Joseph said. “What the hell are you rambling on about?”
“I’ll tell you what it is,” he said. “There’s something been bothering me for a while, something I don’t understand. Something I want to know. And, I’ve decided that I’m going to put my cards on the table tonig
ht. I’m going to ask Angela about it.”
Angela’s head jerked up “What is it?” she said. “What is it you want to know?”
“I want to know why your mother wouldn’t give Joseph a job in the bar. She needs somebody to help her out – a man to replace your father – but she wouldn’t have him near the place. Can somebody tell me why that is?”
Angela gave a huge sigh and was ready to snap at him when she suddenly saw he had tears in his eyes. “How can I answer that?” she said in a quiet voice. “I don’t know why. It doesn’t make sense to me either. You know I’m not that close to my mother. You know I would be the last one to know the answer to that.”
“Dad, leave it,” Joseph said. “Just drop it. It’s not fair to Angela. I’m fed up with you and my mother both going on about this. I know you wanted to get me away from Dublin because of that trouble with the band, and losing my job. I understand all that.” He shrugged. “I’m having a break away from all that scene – whether it’s London or Tullamore it doesn’t matter. I’m here now for the time being, and the job is going fine and that’s all that matters.”
“That’s not the point,” his father argued. “She should have helped you. She’s your family. I always thought that when push came to shove, she would be on your side. I’m surprised at her.”
“Well, I’m not a bit surprised,” Joseph said. “I knew she wouldn’t want me down in Tullamore – she never has. For some weird reason, known only to herself, Aunt Nance doesn’t like me or my mother. But, at the end of the day, she is entitled to have whoever she wants working for her. If she prefers local people, then that’s fine – I don’t care. Good luck to her.”
“But that’s not the answer,” Ken said. “That’s not the answer at all.”
“I’ve had enough,” Joseph said. He took a gulp of his lager, then swung round to put his jacket on. “Come on, Angela, we don’t need all this crap. We’re going somewhere else.”
Angela started to put her coat on.
A Letter From America Page 34