Jenny's War

by Dickinson, Margaret

  ‘I’ll be your first passenger.’

  Georgie grinned at her. ‘You’re on. But it won’t be yet. It’s got to pass it’s airworthiness test first.’

  ‘Easter?’

  ‘I hope so. I want to start taking the visitors up by then.’

  ‘Let me know and I’ll come home.’

  ‘I’m not sure I ought to let you,’ Felix said, his eyes twinkling. ‘People with a talent like yours shouldn’t endanger themselves.’

  ‘Georgie will look after me,’ Jenny said and was delighted by the glare Cassandra gave her.

  Despite Cassandra’s moodiness, they managed to have a merry Christmas. The only time she smiled was when she opened her numerous presents. Georgie had showered her with several expensive gifts.

  ‘She hasn’t got much family. Only her mother and father,’ he explained.

  ‘You don’t have to excuse yourself,’ Charlotte said softly. ‘Look how your father has always spoiled all of us and he still is doing.’ She laughed as she pointed to her own pile of parcels under the tree. ‘And Louisa has a veritable mountain to open.’

  ‘It’s a shame she’s too old to believe in Father Christmas any more,’ Georgie murmured. ‘I used to love creeping into her room when she’d finally gone to sleep with a pillowcase stuffed with presents.’

  ‘Happy days. But one day you’ll have children of your own and you’ll—’

  ‘Cassandra doesn’t want children,’ he blurted out. ‘She’s made that very clear already.’

  Charlotte stared at him with something very close to horror on her face. ‘Doesn’t want children! Oh my dear, you’d be such a wonderful father.’

  His eyes clouded. ‘I’d certainly like the chance to try,’ he murmured.

  ‘Then—’ Charlotte put her hand on his arm. Out of all the family, only she would have dared to say such a thing to him. ‘Do you really think she’s the right one for you?’

  ‘I – think so, Charlotte. She’s pretty and vivacious. She’s the life and soul, as they say, of any party.’ Georgie was spending more and more time at Cassandra’s home near Nottingham.

  ‘But?’

  He shifted uncomfortably. ‘But nothing, really. I mean, her parents approve. They always make me very welcome. They throw a big party nearly every time I visit. They’re big on parties.’

  ‘And we’re not, you mean?’

  ‘No, no, Charlotte, I didn’t mean to imply—’

  Charlotte touched his hand quickly. ‘No, I know. City people are very different to us country bumpkins.’

  ‘Oh now Charlotte—’

  She laughed. ‘It’s all right, I’m teasing you. We can’t alter just to please her, but we’ve tried to make her welcome in our own way.’

  ‘You have, you have.’

  Serious now, she added, ‘We all just want you to be happy, Georgie. Just be sure she’s the one, that’s all I ask.’

  He nodded and said huskily, ‘I will. I promise.’

  Jenny went back to start the spring term with a heavy heart. She hadn’t won the war against Cassandra; she couldn’t even claim a small victory. Cassandra had spent most of her time in the morning room reading glossy magazines that she’d brought with her. The only time the girl had brightened up had been when Georgie suggested going to a New Year’s Eve dance in Lynthorpe but even then she came back grumbling about ‘clod-hopping farmers’. The day after New Year’s Day, she insisted that Georgie should drive her back to Nottingham.

  ‘She’s not right for him,’ Miles burst out as soon as the car had driven off down the drive and Georgie and Cassandra were safely out of earshot. He ran his hand through his thinning hair. ‘I thought it before and I haven’t changed my opinion.’

  ‘Well, she certainly wouldn’t do for me,’ Ben said, showing an unusual spurt of anger. ‘Why on earth is he so blind? Can’t he see for himself the one person who’d be perfect for him? The girl who’s loved him devotedly for years.’

  Miles frowned and shook his head, trying to stop the usually taciturn Ben from saying any more, whilst Charlotte cast an anxious glance at Jenny, who was trying to stop the colour rising in her face. Now Ben seemed to realize that, for once in his life, he’d opened his mouth and put his size-ten boot right in it! He cast an apologetic glance at Jenny. ‘Sorry! I’ve said too much.’

  Jenny sighed and glanced around the room at them, including Felix, but they all avoided meeting her gaze. Only Louisa looked puzzled. Then, suddenly, she sidled up to Jenny and took her hand. With a child’s candour she said what none of the others dared to put into words. ‘It’s you, isn’t it, Jen. You love Georgie, don’t you?’

  There was no point in trying to deny it. ‘I always have,’ Jenny admitted. ‘Ever since the moment he came into the bathroom when I was a scruffy little evacuee screaming the place down because your mummy was trying to give me a bath.’

  Louisa leaned her head against Jenny’s shoulder and squeezed her hand. But now even she could think of nothing to say.

  Sixty-Four

  Jenny threw herself back into her work and life at college. Felix was full of plans.

  ‘As soon as your end-of-year exams are out of the way, we must have an exhibition of your work in my gallery. In fact, I’ve been in touch with my friend at the Slade and have offered to have a special students’ exhibition. What do you think about that?’

  ‘It’s a splendid idea,’ Jenny said.

  ‘Just your class, I thought, to start with. Do you think they’d like that?’

  ‘They’d love it and be so grateful, Felix.’

  ‘I don’t want gratitude,’ Felix chuckled. ‘I want to be the one who discovers the next generation of famous artists and you, my dear, are certainly going to be one of them.’

  When their tutor announced the proposal to Jenny’s fellow students, her friends were ecstatic and, as she had predicted, grateful for the great man’s interest.

  ‘He’s a fabulous artist in his own right, you know,’ they told her. ‘And to think you’ve been friends with him for years.’

  ‘He’s been very good to me,’ Jenny was swift to acknowledge. ‘I don’t think I’d be here at the Slade if it hadn’t been for him.’

  ‘Don’t knock it, kid,’ one of her classmates said and the rest agreed. ‘And don’t feel you have to apologize. Because of you, we’re all getting the chance to show our work in a prestigious gallery. And we promise not to be jealous if your work has pride of place.’

  As the time for the proposed exhibition drew close, Jenny confided in Matthew Baxter, one of the students in the same class to whom she’d become close. ‘I don’t know whether I’m excited or just plain terrified.’

  ‘Well, I know. I’m petrified. It’s almost more important than the exams. It could launch our careers.’

  The exhibition was set to run for a month and a grand opening night was fixed for the week after the students had finished their exams.

  ‘It’ll give everyone time to finish any work they want to exhibit,’ declared the ever-thoughtful Felix. ‘And put the thought of exams behind them for a while.’

  It was a frantic week but everyone loved the excitement and the tension. Those who had no work to finish turned up at the gallery every day to help or just to be a part of it. Every student in Jenny’s year was represented, each allowed to show a maximum number of three works of art in whatever medium they chose.

  As the evening of the grand opening drew closer, Jenny’s nerves got worse. ‘Oh Matt, I feel sick.’

  ‘What on earth have you got to be nervous about?’ he laughed. ‘The whole thing’s being put on by your mentor and your family’s coming to London to support you. What more could anybody want?’

  She grinned ruefully at him, realizing just how very lucky she was to have such wonderful support. Even Georgie was coming, though she did wish that he wasn’t bringing Cassandra too.

  They arrived and booked into a hotel the day before the grand opening.

  ‘And this afte
rnoon,’ Charlotte said firmly when Jenny joined them for lunch, ‘you and I are going shopping. You must have a lovely new dress for tomorrow night.’

  ‘Oh, I couldn’t let you—’

  Miles chuckled and touched her hand. ‘Don’t spoil Charlotte’s fun. She doesn’t get the chance very often to go shopping in Knightsbridge.’

  ‘And you must have your hair done too.’ Across the table Charlotte and Jenny exchanged a fond glance; they were both remembering another time when Jenny’s blond curls had caused such a problem.

  ‘Me too,’ Louisa piped up. ‘Can I have my hair done in a salon, Mummy?’ It was the first time she’d come to London and the young girl was wide eyed with wonder.

  ‘I can show you all the very best shops,’ Cassandra offered. ‘And I know a very chic hairdresser. He’s quite famous.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you.’ Charlotte smiled. ‘We’ll be glad of your help.’

  So the four ‘girls’ set out for an afternoon of shopping and pampering. If only, Jenny couldn’t help wishing, Cassandra wasn’t there. But, in fact, the girl was a great help. She knew the best stores, the best salons and even the best restaurants.

  ‘We couldn’t have done without you,’ Charlotte said generously, when they arrived back at the hotel laden with parcels.

  ‘I enjoyed it,’ Cassandra said and sounded for once as if she meant it, but then she spoilt it by adding, ‘Nice for you to see how the other half live for once.’ And then she flounced away to her own room to try on the new gown she’d bought for the occasion.

  ‘Who does she think she is?’ Jenny stormed.

  ‘Don’t let her worry you, darling, tomorrow tonight is your moment.’ Charlotte put her arms around Jenny and held her close. ‘We’re all so proud of you.’

  Jenny hugged her in return. ‘I don’t know how to thank you all. Just think what my life would have been like if I hadn’t met you.’

  ‘And I dread to think what mine would have been like if Miles hadn’t brought his family to live in Ravens-fleet all those years ago. I’d have been an old spinster still living with my irascible old father, I’ve no doubt. So, we’ve both been lucky.’ She held Jenny away from her and traced the line of the girl’s cheek with a gentle finger as she said huskily, ‘I just hope that one day you’ll find the happiness you deserve with – with someone who’ll love you.’

  Tears sprang to Jenny’s eyes, but she smiled through them. ‘You know there’s only one person for me, but he doesn’t seem to notice me. Not in that way, does he?’

  ‘Well, maybe that’ll alter. Tomorrow night, you, my dear girl, are going to be the belle of the ball, or rather the exhibition.’

  ‘Not while the beautiful Cassandra’s there.’

  ‘Oh, you just wait and see.’

  When they arrived at the gallery the following evening, Jenny stepped inside to be greeted by Felix, his arms spread wide. ‘My dear girl, you look stunning.’

  Jenny and Charlotte exchanged a smile. They had spent most of the afternoon getting ready. Charlotte had recreated the sophisticated style the hairdresser had suggested, piling her hair on top of her head with soft tendrils framing her face. Then she had shown Jenny how to apply make-up and now, in the midnight-blue gown they had bought, Jenny did indeed look amazing. And she’d been thrilled to see Cassandra’s mouth twist with jealousy as Georgie had kissed Jenny’s hand with a gallant gesture when they’d gathered in the foyer of the hotel to await the taxi.

  And now she was being whisked away by her friends into the meˆle´e of students and their families milling around the gallery trying to search out which paintings belonged to which artist.

  When everyone had arrived, Felix stood on a dais at one end of the long room and clapped his hands. ‘Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention for just a moment, please. Welcome to the Felix Kerr Gallery. I hope you have a wonderful evening, but before I let you loose, there are just one or two things I’d like to say. Not only members of the students’ families are with us tonight, but also tutors from the art school and members of the press, together with some of my friends and colleagues from the art world. This is a chance for all of us to see the artists of tomorrow. All the paintings are, of course, for sale but they are being shown anonymously. You’ll see that the names on the drawings and paintings have been covered up and this is deliberate because I want you to buy a picture you like and not because it is the work of your offspring.’

  A murmur rang amongst his listeners, but Felix raised his voice. ‘I realize you must think that a little unfair, but not all the students have family here and yet they deserve to have an equal chance of selling their work. The students’ – he cast a glance of mock severity at his prote´ge´s clustered together in one corner of the room – ‘have all been issued with dire threats if they give so much as a hint to any of you as to which is their work. So, now, please wander around and most of all – enjoy yourselves.’ His words were greeted with polite applause. ‘Oh, and just one more thing. I have been in conversation with the school and, if tonight is successful, we hope to make this an annual event and because of this I am inaugurating a Student of the Year Award. The recipient has been chosen by their tutors. Not by me, I hasten to add. Even I don’t know at this moment who has won. The prize will be a trophy and five hundred pounds to help further their studies.’

  Now the applause was more enthusiastic and as Felix stepped down, chatter broke out throughout the room. Jenny threaded her way through the crowd dragging Matthew in her wake.

  ‘This is Matthew Baxter. Matt, this is Mr and Mrs Thornton, Louisa, Georgie and Cassandra.’ She hesitated a fraction before adding, grudgingly, ‘Georgie’s girlfriend.’

  ‘Pleased to meet you all.’ Matthew smiled. ‘Can I get you anything to drink?’ Waiters were now moving amongst the throng, carrying trays of canape´s and glasses of champagne. As Jenny and Matthew went off to acquire drinks for the party, the rest of them wandered around the room, studying each picture carefully.

  ‘Felix is a crafty old so-and-so,’ Miles murmured. ‘But I can see his point about not divulging who the artist is. It does give them all a fairer chance, but I think this one rather gives the game away, don’t you, Charlotte?’ They’d come to the far end of the room where a small portrait hung. ‘I rather think we know who painted this one, don’t we?’

  ‘Oh my,’ Georgie said, staring at the oil painting. ‘That’s me.’

  Charlotte and Miles exchanged a glance. They could see the love that had gone into every stroke of the brush.

  ‘That’s amazing.’ Georgie was still gazing at the picture.

  ‘Isn’t it just,’ Cassandra murmured, her eyes narrowing. ‘However long did you have to sit for her to do that?’

  ‘I didn’t,’ Georgie said. Jenny had painted the portrait from memory and yet it was perfect, every bit as good as if he’d sat in front of her for hours.

  Jenny, arriving back with a plate of canape´s and drinks, felt the colour flooding her face. ‘He – Felix wasn’t supposed to put that one in the exhibition. I told him it would give the game away, but he insisted. I’m sorry.’

  ‘Sorry?’ Georgie turned to grin at her. ‘Don’t be sorry. It’s great. You’ve made me look even more handsome than I already am.’ As ever, Georgie had diffused an awkward moment and turned it into laughter. His grin faded as he held Jenny’s gaze. ‘It’s magnificent,’ he said quietly, ‘but I’m going to break Felix’s rule and buy it.’

  ‘You – don’t have to – ’

  ‘I know, but I want to,’ he said softly, his gaze never leaving her face. ‘I’ll treasure it always.’

  ‘Come along, darling,’ Cassandra said, hooking her arm through his. ‘We mustn’t let Jenny hog the limelight all evening.’

  As she pulled him away, Georgie cast a rueful smile over his shoulder before he disappeared into the crowd.

  ‘Am I mistaken,’ Miles whispered softly to Charlotte, ‘or do I detect the green-eyed monster rearing its ugly hea
d.’

  ‘Mm,’ Charlotte murmured. ‘Let’s hope so.’

  The evening was a huge success and when Felix announced the winner of the first Student of the Year Award – Jennifer Mercer – the rafters rang with the generous applause from her fellow students. Matthew lifted her off her feet and swung her round. ‘No one deserves it more than you, Jenny.’

  ‘It’s nepotism,’ Cassandra said loudly to anyone around her who cared to listen. ‘We all know she’s Felix’s prote´ge´ and I bet the college have given it to her because they want to keep on his good side.’

  ‘Well, that’s where you’re wrong, young lady,’ Felix countered, coming up behind them at that moment. ‘It was done completely anonymously. Each student submitted one work of art to be judged and it wasn’t until the decision had been made that the name was revealed. Rather like tonight.’

  Cassandra raised an eyebrow. ‘You can hardly call her painting of Georgie “anonymous”. It’s obvious.’

  But Felix only beamed. ‘Only to the family. No one else here knows who Georgie is. Besides,’ he added, putting his head on one side like a naughty schoolboy who’s been caught out. ‘I do own the gallery. And on that occasion, I even pulled rank on the artist herself. She said exactly the same as you and didn’t want it in the exhibition, but it’s the finest example of portraiture you’ll see in a long time, so – in it went. And now, if you’ll excuse me, some of my guests are leaving.’

  As he moved away, all a red-faced Cassandra could say was, ‘Well, really!’ And her temper was not improved when she sought out Georgie to find him standing once more in front of the portrait of himself, gazing at it with a thoughtful expression on his face.

  Sixty-Five

  It was just before the end of term. Exams were over and the exhibition had been a huge success and the students had sold at least one painting each, though Jenny had the sneaky feeling that Felix had kindly bought any that had been left so that no student felt left out. There was a suspicious new stack of paintings against the wall in the storeroom behind the gallery.