Winston's Spy

by Robert Webber

  Simon lumbered to his feet, and Alex feared that his best man had indulged a little too freely in Dutch courage. Simon told the gathering of his first meeting with Alex many years previously at Lassiter’s, and, glossing over the details, said how pleased he was that they had stumbled upon each other in His Majesty’s navy. He proceeded to read out the cards and telegrams that the couple had received.

  It was soon time for the party to break up.

  As is customary on such occasions, nobody leaves before the bride and groom, and Teddy and Alex slipped upstairs to change into their going-away outfits before returning downstairs and being seen off in Uncle Walter’s Rolls-Royce by the assembled guests. It was only for show as the car took them to Onslow Gardens, where they waited for a suitable time before returning to The Berkeley so that they could spend the night together in the bridal suite.

  Just about all the guests had departed when they returned, just Alex’s mother, Uncle Walter, Teddy’s parents and brothers, Simon, and, interestingly, Dmitry Sergeyevich Obolensky lingered. Alex was perplexed that the emissary from Paris had remained.

  ‘Your Illustrious Highness,’ Obolensky said directly to Alex, ‘regarding the dispatches that I brought, I believe that His Highness the grand duke is expecting a reply, and I am charged with delivering the same.’

  Alex had forgotten about the package that Obolensky had brought.

  Simon handed it to him and confirmed, ‘I thought this might be private, so I didn’t read it out with the other greetings.’

  Alex looked at the seals and, using his penknife, he opened the package carefully. Inside was a box holding the badge of the Order of Saint Stanislaus, the breast star and a luxurious red ribbon with double white borders. There was also a citation signed by the Grand Duke Nikolay Nikolayevich and countersigned by the Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich; these he passed to his mother, who held them close to her heart. There was another envelope, bearing the cypher of the Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich and sealed with the Imperial Seal, which Alex opened carefully, and he read the contents quickly.

  He folded the letter and placed it back in the envelope, then placed the envelope inside his jacket. He paced up and down for two or three minutes before returning and saying to Obolensky in Russian, ‘Please send the warmest regards to His Highness the Grand Duke Kirill Vladimirovich from his obedient servant. I am happy to accede to his request insofar as I shall not commit a treasonable act against the United Kingdom, but I acknowledge his assurance that the interests of Great Britain and her dominions are allied to our cause. Please convey my message precisely.’

  Obolensky bowed and made to leave, but Uncle Walter called him back and asked where he was staying before returning to Paris. Obolensky mentioned some nondescript hotel, and Uncle Walter insisted that the emissary should stay with him. Obolensky accepted graciously but warned that he had to leave early in the morning so that he could return to Paris without delay.

  Those who remained collected their coats, and there was a general round of farewells, hugs, kisses and shaken hands as they departed, leaving Alex and Teddy to go upstairs to the bridal suite.

  *

  Thus it was that the newlyweds retired to celebrate their marriage in traditional style, and, as Alex swept his bride into his arms so that he might carry her across the threshold, he thought what a fortunate fellow he was to have married such a delightfully light woman.

  As they undressed, hungry for the opportunity to consummate their marriage, Teddy noticed a large envelope propped against an ice bucket in which stood a bottle of 1911 Louis Roederer Cristal, with two crystal glasses. Uncle Walter had lived up to his promise that the second bottle would be drunk at their wedding. She pushed Alex away reluctantly and indicated her discovery.

  ‘It’s probably the account for the room; let’s leave it until the morning,’ Alex proposed as he was eager to resume where they had left off.

  ‘Why would the hotel leave the account propped against your uncle’s champagne? They will prepare it tomorrow morning when we are about to leave. Come on, let’s see what it is; after the events of today, nothing can surprise me!’

  She was wrong.

  Alex popped the champagne and poured himself and Teddy a glass, and together they sat on the bed. Alex took his penknife from his waistcoat pocket and slit the envelope open. Inside, they found a pack of legal-looking documents, neatly tied with ribbon, and a letter. It was written in English, so that translation was unnecessary.

  Alex read the neat copperplate writing swiftly before uttering, ‘Good God!’

  He passed the letter to Teddy, who read it.

  My dearest Theodora and Alexander,

  Today, I have been privileged to witness the marriage of two people who have become very dear to me; one of whom I met as a child, and the other who has made such an impression on me since she was introduced a few weeks ago. But today also marks another significant landmark as a son becomes detached from his parent’s responsibility and ventures forth in this world to build a new family with his bride.

  Over the years, only a blind man would have failed not to notice the affection and esteem in which I hold your mother, Sasha, especially since the death of my beloved wife, Viktoria Livovna. I am delighted to tell you both that the Countess Tatiana Ivanovna has agreed to be my companion in life, and should it be that, in the future, it can be absolutely proven that she is widowed from her husband, your father, it is our intention to formalise our companionship. Whereas I am sure that this will come as a shock to you, I have faith that you will approve of our plans.

  Together with this letter in this envelope, you will find some documents. Firstly, the deeds to the dwelling in Onslow Gardens that has been Alex’s family home for many years. This house was originally rented to Alex’s mother by a business associate of mine, who (sadly) died three years ago, and I acquired ownership at that time. It was intended to provide security for you – Sasha – and your mother after my death, but, circumstances having changed, it is the wish of us both that you start your married life together having the reassurance of a home that is free of lien. It is our wedding gift to you.

  Secondly, you will discover shares in a company. You are both aware that I have many business interests, and these are consolidated into a holding company that I fully own. In assigning some of the shares in the holding company to you, dearest Sasha, I am planning for the eventuality when I am unable to run the business. This terrible war cannot last forever, and when His Majesty no longer has need of your services, it is my fervent desire that you will join my business as a director, thereby ensuring continuity and growth of that which I have built during my life in England, while paying a handsome salary to support your family. In their own right, the shares that I have assigned carry an annual dividend that, for the past five years, has exceeded £1,200 per annum. With your agreement, Sasha, while you are serving your country, I shall arrange for that dividend to be paid to your wife in order that you, Theodora, may have independent means now that the allowance from your father will cease.

  You are both very dear to Alex’s mother and I, and we both anticipate that these wedding gifts will provide a foundation on which you are able to build. When I first came to England, I had very little; as a refugee from a war-torn country, I had to work extremely hard to create what I now have, and I would not wish the hardships and privations that my wife and I suffered on you or your family.

  May God go with you both, and I pray that you both live a long and happy life together.

  With love,

  Walter M. Compton

  By the time she had finished reading the letter, Teddy was in tears. She looked at Alex, who held her close to him, and she stained his shirt with the remains of her make-up.

  She declared, ‘Your uncle is one of the most generous and kind-hearted men that I have ever known, but I wonder whether his generosity is too great. What he says is p
erfectly reasonable, and wanting to plan ahead is common sense, but the house in Onslow Gardens must be worth over £3,000!’

  ‘Throughout my life,’ Alex explained, ‘I have learned that Uncle Walter is an extremely generous man but his generosity is tempered with realism. He would not have made such a generous offer out of altruism; there is a plan afoot, and he once told me that he considered me to be his natural heir. I believe Uncle Walter is merely reinforcing that relationship. Whether I shall be of benefit to his company remains to be seen, but he is right that, after the war has finished, there will be many soldiers, sailors and airmen who will be hunting very limited work, and it is sensible to plan for that happy day. Cleverly, it also takes the worry from my shoulders concerning your situation should the unthinkable happen to me. On balance, I believe that this solution serves us both admirably: Uncle Walter achieves an heir, and we achieve security.’

  Teddy acknowledged the practicality of the proposal and acquiesced graciously as Alex poured another glass of champagne each, with which they toasted Uncle Walter and Alex’s mother.

  *

  For many, the first night as a husband and wife is celebrated in raucous debauchery, not so Teddy and Alex’s; their lovemaking on the first night of marriage was gentle, loving and, above all, passionate. They experimented, they discovered, they loved each other completely and respectfully, and they were complete. They fell asleep together holding each other’s naked body close, almost as if letting go would cause the other to disappear; they were as one.

  *

  Breakfast at The Berkeley was a leisurely affair; it is often said that breakfast is an antisocial meal best endured alone, but Alex and Teddy tripped into the breakfast room, holding hands gleefully and set about ordering just about everything on offer, such was their appetite after the previous night’s exertions.

  After breakfast, Alex and Teddy collected their cases, checked out of the hotel and made their way to Onslow Gardens.

  Arriving at their new home slightly after 9.15am, they were unsurprised to find that Alex’s mother had yet to rise. The maid greeted them, congratulated Alex and Teddy on their marriage, and told them that she had placed the wedding gifts in the drawing room for their attention. In the excitement of the previous day, the newlyweds had entirely forgotten that guests brought gifts to weddings, and it was like children experiencing their first Christmas that they descended on the pile of wrapped offerings that awaited them.

  Many were of a new useful nature, and others decorative. From Teddy’s parents there was a cheque for £2,000, impersonal perhaps, but generous nevertheless. That left a carefully wrapped box that did not bear any identification of the sender.

  Using Alex’s pocket knife, Teddy removed the wrapping paper delicately and found a leather box measuring about 6-inches cubed. She opened the box and found nestling inside an exquisite gold-and-enamelled egg that had been set with semi-precious stones, which was attached to a beautifully crafted bejewelled stand. The predominant colour of the enamelling was a light blue, almost identical to the colour of Teddy’s eyes. She showed the box and its contents to Alex, who lifted the egg out carefully and inspected it closely before releasing an unnoticeable catch that allowed the egg to open. Each half of the egg was lined inside with deep-blue silk, and, as the egg opened, a jewel-encrusted star rose from the pedestal to stand proud; as the egg was closed, so the star receded.

  ‘Oh, Alex,’ Teddy was enthralled, ‘this is exquisite.’

  Alex replied, ‘This is from Mr Feldman; I wonder why he was not at the wedding?’

  As they were admiring the beauty of Mr Feldman’s gift, Uncle Walter arrived and entered the drawing room. Alex and Teddy rose and were about to thank Uncle Walter for his extremely generous wedding gift, but he waved them to silence.

  He looked at what Teddy was holding, and the appearance of astonishment washed across his features. ‘What you have in your hand? May I see?’

  He held out his hand, and Teddy placed the egg carefully in it.

  He inspected it and asked the question, ‘Where did you get this from?’

  ‘We think it must be from the goldsmith who made our engagement and wedding rings,’ ventured Alex.

  ‘This is from Levi Feldman,’ Uncle Walter stated as a matter of fact.

  ‘Yes,’ said Alex, ‘that’s what we thought.’

  ‘Are you telling me that Levi Feldman made your rings?’ asked Uncle Walter.

  ‘Yes. Why? Do you know him?’ Teddy chipped in.

  Uncle Walter explained, ‘Levi Feldman made the ring that I gave to my beloved wife Viktoriya on our thirty-fifth wedding anniversary, the year before she died. He used to work for Fabergé, you know, and he showed me several replicas of eggs that he had made in the style of the Imperial eggs that the company made for the tsarinas. If this is what I think it is, then inside will be a star encrusted with diamond dust?’

  Both Teddy and Alex nodded.

  ‘I had no idea that Feldman was still alive. So he is still here working in London? Incredible! Feldman is one of the finest jewellers, and it is extraordinary that you should choose his workshop to make your rings. Will you let me see?’ Uncle Walter asked.

  Teddy and Alex felt a little uncomfortable removing their rings and handing them to Uncle Walter, but they did so; he looked inside, and barely imperceptible next to the hallmark was the monogram ‘ΛΦ’.

  ‘Look!’ Uncle Walter announced, ‘His initials, LF!’

  Alex and Teddy looked and concurred with Uncle Walter.

  ‘Of all the jewellers in London, that you should choose the same man who made Viktoriya’s ring! What a coincidence! You did very well, my children, very well indeed. And to be given an egg by the master is extraordinary; you are privileged,’ declared Uncle Walter.

  Was that a hint of envy in my uncle’s voice? Alex wondered.

  They placed the egg carefully back in its case and discussed the practicalities of Uncle Walter’s gift to them: the house and the shares.

  Uncle Walter told them that his solicitor would deal with the necessary arrangements, so they need not worry, and he asked whether they would want to close the house up while Teddy was in Gloucestershire. ‘You could rent the house for a sizeable amount,’ he suggested.

  Neither Alex nor Teddy was keen on their new house being lived in by strangers, so they rejected the idea and thought it best to close the house up.

  Among the mail awaiting Alex’s attention was an account from Feldman’s, with an attached letter regretting that they were unable to attend the wedding due to the distressing news that their family in Krakow had been rounded up by the Nazis, under something called Intelligenzaktion, and had all disappeared. They were too distraught to attend the wedding, and they did not want their grief to spoil Alex and Teddy’s big day, but they hoped that their gift would please them. Alex made a mental note to write to Mr Feldman with condolences, and settle his account promptly. When Teddy read the letter, she crossed herself and prayed that such things would never happen in Britain.

  XXXI

  Having collected more suitable clothes, Teddy drove Alex in the Alvis to Cavendish Court, where she did similarly, with each packing enough for a long, autumnal weekend in the country. They then headed up the A40 towards the city of Oxford and beyond, towards the picturesque town of Burford. The journey took longer than expected, as they were repeatedly ordered to pull over as a convoy of military trucks, both RAF and army, were waved through. After turning north towards Stow-on-the-Wold, they travelled close to the RAF base at Little Rissington where Toby had started his flight training after university, and Alex wondered how Teddy felt being so close to where Toby had started his all-too-brief career with the RAF.

  They arrived eventually in the Market Square in Stow-on-the-Wold at just after 7.00pm, where the old coaching inn, The King’s Arms, had stood proud and welcoming for nearly 500 years. Alex got out
of the Alvis, which Teddy then parked while Alex went inside and proclaimed their arrival at the ominously silent bar.

  ‘You’ll be honeymooning, then?’ asked the landlord in a rich Gloucestershire burr.

  ‘That’s right,’ Alex confirmed, ‘we were married yesterday.’

  ‘Where were that, then?’ the innkeeper asked.

  ‘In London. We both live in London, but my wife will be moving to Gloucestershire shortly with my family while I am away.’

  ‘Ahhh, that be right; your family bought the old Ashton place out in the Oddingtons.’

  ‘That’s right,’ Alex confirmed, amazed that the innkeeper knew so much, ‘I was rather hoping that you might give us directions tomorrow?’

  ‘I reckon so,’ responded the innkeeper, ‘Mr Compton asked me to look after you proper, like, in his letter. My name’s Alfred, and I runs this place. If you wants dinner, you best hurry, as my Annie likes to finish cooking by 8.00pm, if she can. She’s a good woman, but you don’t want to go upsetting her. It’s rabbit or pigeon tonight. Breakfast is at 8.00am. You should find everything you want in the room; I put a pan in the bed to warm it for you, and the lav’s just along the landing. We’ve only one other guest at the moment, so you should not be troubled much. Now, if you’d just sign the register, you can go and get yourselves upstairs.’ He handed a leather-bound book for so that they could write their details down.

  Alex signed for them both as ‘Mr and Mrs Alexander Carlton’, and their host gave them a key to one of the rooms upstairs.

  *

  The room was lovely. It was furnished nicely with well-made country furniture, comprising a decent-sized oak bed, a wardrobe, a dressing table on which stood a florally decorated earthenware washbasin and pitcher, floorboards that shone from all of the polishing over hundreds of years, a carpet to retain warmth, floral curtains and a matching lampshade hanging from the central light.