by Pam Rhodes
“Really?”
“Really!”
“So, can we go now, before you make all of us late?” muttered Trevor.
“You’re sure, Kath? Do I really look okay?”
“You look just lovely, and I shall be extremely pleased to walk in with both of you. I don’t really know Celia at all, but I think you two have spent quite a bit of time with her in the past, haven’t you?”
“Well, Trevor has. I’m not usually invited to the occasions where he meets her.”
“Because they’re committee meetings, Mary, and you’re not on the committee. And what’s more, you’d be bored to tears if you were!”
“You always put me down, Trevor, as if I’m some airhead without a sensible thought in her head. We have a guest in the car. Please don’t embarrass me.”
Trevor pursed his lips in indignation. Kath settled down in the back seat so she could gaze out of the window as the three of them travelled in stony silence.
The journey took little more than fifteen minutes before Trevor was turning the car in through an impressive pair of wrought-iron gates and down a long driveway towards an elegant grey-stone house with wide bay windows on both sides of the central doorway. Kath immediately saw what Trevor had meant when he said that calling this a cottage was an understatement.
It seemed the party was being held at the back of the house, and their car was duly directed by a uniformed steward towards a parking area to one side. Strains of jazz music drifted across the lawns as Kath got out of the car, noticing the slight trepidation that flashed across Mary’s face as the three of them started to walk over to the gathering crowd.
“You look just fine,” Kath whispered as she linked her arm through Mary’s, and together they made their way towards yet another suited steward, who was greeting each guest and ticking their names off his list. There were many “madams” and “sirs” from the steward during their short conversation before they were shown to their table, where a wine waiter immediately appeared proffering glasses of champagne. Mary perked up considerably once she had a glass of champagne in her hand, and clearly decided that she might enjoy this afternoon after all. She settled herself down in a chair before turning to have a good look all around, hoping she might spot a celebrity or two from the glossy magazines she liked to read whenever she went to the hairdresser’s.
Rather than sitting down, Kath thought she should probably circulate and try talking to the groups of people who were chatting very enthusiastically around her. After all, the event was to raise money for their Good Neighbours scheme, and she was the administrator of that. Perhaps these supporters would like to know more about their work? She tried standing alongside a couple of the groups, but they seemed to move even closer together to make it clear that a stranger was not welcome to join in with the conversation. Feeling rather awkward, she looked around to see if there were familiar faces she knew through her work at Hope Hall, but could see none.
Suddenly, an arm gripped hers and spun her around. Kath was surprised to find it belonged to Celia, who didn’t bother with niceties as she spat out instructions.
“There you are! I could do with you keeping an eye on the donations table, just in case there are any problems with bank cards and transfers, anything like that.”
“Well yes, of course. I’ll help however I can,” Kath replied. “I wondered if you needed me to say a few words about the Good Neighbours scheme, so your guests understand just how valuable their donations will be to the local community here.”
“No need,” smiled Celia imperiously. “We have a professional master of ceremonies; the best in the South East of England. He will cover all the relevant material beautifully.”
“But has he ever been to Hope Hall or seen the project in action?”
Celia gave Kath a withering look. “He really doesn’t need to. He’s got the picture. His particular skill is in working an audience, making sure that they respond emotionally as well as financially to his appeal. If you want us to make a lot of money for your little project today, it’s best to let him get on with his job. As I said, I would appreciate your help over on the finance table, making sure all the payments go through smoothly.” And with that, Celia turned on her heels, leaving behind a cloud of expensive fragrance and Kath bristling with shock at the way in which she’d just been spectacularly dismissed.
“Hello,” said a familiar voice behind her. Richard Carlisle came up to greet her, a welcoming smile on his face.
“Oh, my goodness, I’m glad to see you!” sighed Kath. “I really don’t know anyone here, and Celia’s just explained to me that I have no significant role to play today, which feels a bit strange when the whole event is in aid of the Good Neighbours scheme, which I organize!”
Richard laughed. “Oh, don’t mind Celia. She gets on her high horse on days like this when she wants everything to go smoothly.”
“Of course, and we really are so grateful to her for opening her home up in this way. It’s extremely kind of her.”
“Our dear girl is not as relaxed with all these high-class guests as you might think. It’s Douglas who’s done the inviting.”
“But he knows nothing about the scheme he’s raising money for today!”
“That’s of no consequence at all. He doesn’t care what the occasion is. He just loves having an excuse to invite the great and the good of both county and country to an Ainsworth residence for tea! The Lord of the Manor role suits him very comfortably indeed.”
Kath couldn’t hide a wry grin. “I think I move in rather different circles.”
“I think you would be an asset in whatever circle you chose.”
She looked at him quizzically. “But isn’t this your circle of friends too? You must be used to this.”
“These are Celia and Douglas’s business and social acquaintances mainly. I’m in agricultural machinery. That’s a bit too down-to-earth for most of the people here! Now, do I see that your glass is empty? So’s mine. Shall we walk over to the bar to see what’s on offer?”
“Good idea,” she laughed. “I’m really not that used to champagne. I think I might need a soft drink after this!”
“Will home-made elderflower cordial do? The cook here is renowned for her brew.”
“That sounds delicious.”
As Richard guided her over towards the drinks tent, she asked, “Isn’t William here today? I thought he might be.”
“You remember he was going off on that training course with the Sea Cadets in Portsmouth when we last met? Well, he’s staying down in the area for a couple of weeks with old family friends of ours who’ve got their own boat. He goes there every summer holiday because he’s grown up with their kids. In fact, their boy Stephen is probably William’s best friend.”
“How lovely for him! He’ll certainly enjoy that. So you’re rattling around at home with no teenager to look after at the moment, then.”
He grinned widely. “It’s bliss. No thumping music bouncing off the walls! I’m really enjoying the peace and quiet.”
“Richard, darling, I need you!” The voice was unmistakeably Celia’s. She was completely oblivious to Kath as her eyes fixed on the man standing beside her. “Diana’s driving me mad, and those two boys of theirs certainly haven’t learned any manners at that posh school they send them to! Worst of all, Douglas is being a pain in the neck trying to lord it over everything. This is my house and my party! I know if I say anything it’ll only start a row. You’re so good at smoothing things over with him. Be a love and go and have a word, please?”
Richard shot a look of apology towards Kath, which Celia noticed immediately.
“I thought you were supposed to be helping on the banking table, Kath. Have you checked in there yet?”
“That’s not fair,” said Richard. “Kath is the administrator of the scheme you’re raising funds for today. She has much more important work to do mingling with your guests and answering what I’m sure will be many questions. I’ll find someon
e suitable to oversee the banking table, if that’s what’s needed.”
“You’re right. You’re always right, you wonderful, irritating man! I just thought she might like to make herself useful. Anyway, I can’t think about that now. Darling, I need you to go and speak to Douglas. Sort him out, will you?”
As Celia took Richard’s arm and purposefully led him away, he turned to grin at Kath, mouthing the words, “I’ll be back!”
Kath took a very deep breath, paused for a few moments, then smoothed down her dress and hair and headed off into the crowd. Almost immediately, she was greeted by the familiar figure of the mayor who, along with his delightful wife, was very popular in the town. Other local dignitaries came to join them, and she found herself relaxing in their enjoyable company.
Before too long, the master of ceremonies announced that lunch was about to served, so would they all make their way to their tables, where waiters would be happy to take their orders. Kath moved back to her table to find that while Trevor had obviously been circulating, Mary hadn’t moved at all, and there was now a row of three empty champagne glasses in front of her. A little worried, Kath bent over to check in with Mary, who responded by throwing her arms around her neck and greeting Kath as if she hadn’t seen her for several years!
Thankfully, Trevor made his way back to the table at that moment, which was just as well as Kath had been allocated a seat on the other side of the table from them. She found herself sitting between two businessmen: one with an exclusive performance car garage in Guildford, and another who lived with his wife and family in Richmond but worked as a banker in the City. The former immediately started telling her about himself, outlining with great pride all the money he’d made from cars in the past few months, obviously thinking she’d be riveted and hugely impressed by his success. In fact, as she realized from the start that this was a monologue that wouldn’t require her to respond in any way, Kath largely tuned out. After more than ten minutes, just as she felt her eyes begin to glaze over, she was delighted when the gentleman on her other side tapped her on the arm to offer her a bread roll, which she took gratefully as a cue to strike up an alternative conversation.
They chatted for a while about London, and Kath found herself explaining about her former role as Senior Administrator at one of the leading London hospitals. He knew the hospital well, and could even name some of the board members. He went on to explain that he was a partner at the large City firm that organized the hospital’s pension arrangements.
“Of course. That’s probably how you know Celia, then,” said Kath. “I believe she runs the pension scheme at Apex Finance?”
“She does indeed, and it’s a very significant investment portfolio. She’s an impressive expert in her field.”
Kath silently considered other adjectives she might choose to describe Celia, but decided it was better to keep her thoughts to herself. Instead she said, “Well, it’s certainly very kind of you to come all this way in order to support our work with the local community here.”
“Oh, is that what we’re doing? There’s always some sort of charity appeal, but I hadn’t clocked which one it was this time. It doesn’t really matter, because we all just like coming. This is one of those events where it pays to be seen. There’s a lot of money sitting around these tables.”
Kath was both slightly shocked by his offhand attitude towards the charity and pleased that however offhand the attendees were, the vulnerable and often very lonely people who benefited from the Good Neighbours scheme wouldn’t care one jot where the money came from. They’d simply be grateful for it.
Lunch was exquisite, as plate after plate arrived in front of them on which there were tasty, beautifully displayed morsels with flavours that were difficult to define and mouth-wateringly delicious. After about an hour of sampling one sumptuous flavour after another, Kath had reached the point of thinking she would never be able to eat again. At that moment, just as coffee and petits fours were presented to every table, the master of ceremonies took over the proceedings, introducing the auction items that had been donated in aid of today’s charity.
Without a note in sight, the MC faultlessly repeated the exact words Kath had written to describe the Good Neighbours scheme in their latest brochure. He was good. Celia certainly wasn’t wrong about that, because he went on to speak in moving terms about how much difference this money would make to people in the area who lived dangerously isolated and often very lonely lives. Even Kath felt her eyes pricking with tears as he spoke; the MC was clearly adept at tapping into people’s emotions to cajole money out of them. Well, let him! If he raised the money, she could get on with her job of making sure the proceeds were used to the best possible advantage.
As the MC got underway with a seemingly endless auction of exclusive and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that just took Kath’s breath away, she found herself looking for the first time at the top table, at which Celia was seated alongside a younger man with whom she shared an obvious family likeness. That must be Douglas, Kath thought, as she watched him cheering loudly, encouraging potential buyers, and noisily tapping a knife against his wine glass whenever a sale was made. Next to him was a strikingly beautiful woman who she figured must be his wife, Diana. The daughter of a wealthy landowner, she had been a debutante, Kath knew, and there was no denying the loveliness of her bone structure and her casually elegant style. Their two sons were not beside their parents, so were probably sitting among the crowd somewhere. In fact, the only other person at the top table was Richard Carlisle, sitting right next to Celia. Well, where else would he be but alongside his “other half”?
The auction was a very relaxed affair that went on for almost an hour, during which time Trevor was obviously becoming very worried about Mary’s increasingly erratic behaviour. She rarely drank alcohol, but she’d certainly had her fill that afternoon!
“We’d better go,” Trevor mouthed to Kath across the table.
Kath immediately got up, said her goodbyes to her nearest lunch companions, and went over to put her arm around Mary in a way that she hoped would make her inebriated state less obvious.
“Are you leaving already, Kath?” It was Richard speedily making his way over to her. “There’s plenty more to come this afternoon. There’s a great band on next.”
Taking his cue, Trevor gently extricated Mary from Kath’s arms and continued to lead his wife towards their car.
“Trevor and Mary were kind enough to give me a lift today. Unfortunately, Mary’s feeling a bit unwell.”
“The heat, I expect,” said Richard.
“Well, it is a very warm afternoon,” Kath tactfully replied.
“So, I’m not going to get a dance with you, then.”
“I’m afraid not.”
“We’ll save that for another time. Take care, Kath. Oh, and you look lovely today, by the way.”
Caught off guard for a moment, Kath almost forgot to answer. Finally, she said a brief goodbye and quickly turned away in the direction of the parked car.
Chapter 9
Ray and Shirley both arrived at Hope Hall early the following morning, Sunday, to clear up after a wedding party the day before. The guests had obviously done their best at the end of the evening, but it had clearly been a tired and rather disorganized affair.
Ray glanced at Shirley as she immediately headed for the cupboard to pull out all the equipment they needed to get the place sparkling again. “Most people would look at this mess and groan. You look at it with a great big grin on your face!”
Shirley stopped to look over at him. “Mad, isn’t it? The sight of mess like this makes my fingers itch. I can’t wait to clear it up. I just want everything to be shiny and clean, as it should be.”
“That’s my girl!” laughed Ray, grabbing a huge roll of heavy-duty black bags. “Oh, and by the way, your boy is doing okay too.”
Shirley snapped upright. “Tyler? What do you mean by okay?”
“He’s proving to be very usefu
l. He’s got a real talent for computers and he’s brilliant at fixing things that go wrong, sorting out bits I can’t fathom, and setting up easy ways for me to organize my work. He’s helped Trevor out a lot too, and even Kath was impressed by the new booking system he suggested. You should be very proud of him.”
“I’m his mother. I know him too well. Of course I’m proud if he’s helping people, but I’ve also got a long memory.”
“You’re just waiting for him to get something wrong, you mean.”
“Precisely. He’s mucked up a lot of good opportunities in the past. Hope Hall is where I work. I won’t tolerate him mucking up things here.”
Ray’s expression was affectionate as he gazed at her. “So far, so good, Shirley. What he’s responded to most is recognition when he’s done something really efficiently. I’ve found that the more I encourage him, the more confident and helpful he becomes.”
“I nag him too much. That’s what you’re saying.”
Ray laughed. “You? Nag?”
“Look, I know I’m tough on him. I have been with all my kids. But life’s hard, and they need to understand that they’re not always going to have Mum and Dad picking up the pieces after them. They’ve got to grow up and get on with being adults. No one can do that for them. We can’t give them a rosy future. Nothing but hard work will get them that – and hard work has never really been on the agenda for Tyler.”
“But it’s horses for courses, isn’t it?” Ray suggested. “Some of us are built to work physically hard. You and I are like that. We actually enjoy it. But I struggle with figures and paperwork, and those bloomin’ computers drive me to distraction! Tyler is the other way round. He’s got a good head for all those office procedures and technology, and surely that is the future for his generation. I think you should encourage him to get some proper qualifications in that whole area.”