Angelique

by Carl Leckey

  “That’s nice Mother there is no shortage of orphans the damn war created.

  God knows there is plenty enough out there that need help. Have you considered this aspect Mother I was adopted, you were adopted. Pamela was also taken in by Mrs Jones when she lost her family. Yes they could give some unfortunate kid a good life here. How do you feel about it yourself Mother?”

  Considering my question before replying she says. “It will be their decision. I already have my Son and Grandchild to occupy my life now. And if! She adds wistfully. And if, Luigi.” She shrugs her shoulders. “Oh I think that is wishful thinking. Then there is her proposal to take on the responsibilities of a child on a permanent basis? I don’t know? She has really taken to our dear Mathew, but he’s already out of nappies and tottering about. I wonder could she cope with a new born baby with all that entails? I should like to give her more time to settle down. I believe it is not a passing fad this time, she and Pamela are so made for each other. I very much hope they will settle down here. The financial crisis is resolved thanks to you. Emily my dear Sister has a chance to be more responsible and make a new life for herself with someone she really loves.”

  I remark in a teasing manner. “Talking of love Mother, you are really taken with Luigi aren’t you?”

  With a wry smile she quickly moves onto another subject.

  “Now about tomorrow you informed us you are taking Mathew with you when you go to meet Denise. How will you manage on your own, you have no experience in looking after a child?”

  I reply hesitantly. “To tell you the truth Mother I have not thought it out. I considered asking Toot to drive me. He’s has kids of his own and will be able to advise me. Dover is only about half an hour away by automobile. Surely I will be able to manage for such a short time? Denise will take over when she arrives anyway.”

  Mother replies. What about taking Pamela or that nice girl Edith with you?”

  “No, no. I want to meet Denise on my own and present her with Mathew. How would it look if I turned up to meet her with a pretty girl in tow?”

  “That makes sense my dear you will be able to ride in the rear together. We will make certain he is well wrapped up against the cold. I am sure Denise will accept the situation if she loves you as much as you love her. Try not to worry my dear I have a feeling everything will work out fine. Now let’s go down to dinner and enjoy our first meal together as a family in our family home.”

  I expected a cooling in relationships when I meet the others in the dining room since my outburst but no. Emily. Mother and Pamela are the perfect company with no mention of my bad tempered outburst.

  The dinner goes well with the excellent food served by two of the maids while Mr Humphreys oversees the meal and attends to the wine.

  When we have finished dinner and the sweet is about to be served Mr Humphreys excuses himself to the Ladies and whispers in my ear. “Jam Rolly poly for you my Lord, compliments of my er? Misses.”

  Ah! What a treat. I thank him and the maids and ask him to pass on our compliments to his Wife for an excellent meal. We retire to the lounge for coffee and in my case cigars and brandy. Young Edith, Pamela’s aid attends Mathew in the nursery while we dine. Casual conversation gets around to the studio again when I remember the portrait of the pregnant Lady I discovered amongst all the others.

  The Ladies show some interest but the conversation moves onto the subject of Christmas and where I intend to spend it. The consensus of opinion is Denise and I should spend Christmas over here at the estate. I dodge the issue as best as I am able.

  I am afraid Denise’s response to my indiscretion with Peggy will govern where I will be spending this Christmas.

  Pamela excuses herself to check on Mathew and heads upstairs. I have just disclosed my colleague Gunter is exploring the possibility of flying his plane directly to the estate from France if there is a suitable field to land in when Pamela returns. Unexpectedly she clears the tray and decanters from the small table without a word. We watch her mystified as she leaves the room and returns carrying the painting of the pregnant Lady. She sets it on the table and switches on the wall light illuminating the picture. Emily and Angelique rise to their feet and examine the painting. The Ladies are admiring and commenting on the painting when Mr Humphreys enters the room. As soon as he sees the focus of their attention he gasps and stands transfixed.

  I enquire. “Are you alright Cecil you look like you’ve seen a ghost?”

  He replies in a weak voice. “I have my Lord, the ghost of Lady Dianne Carstairs. May I ask you my Lord where did that picture come from?”

  I reply. “I found it in the studio upstairs.” He asks a question in an unbelieving manner. “You have been in Lady Dianne’s studio?” His statement draws the attention of Lady Emily she immediately begins to bombard him with questions about her Mother.

  Mr Humphrey’s answers hesitantly.

  “Lady Emily it was nearly thirty six years ago since I last saw Lady Dianne my memory is not what it was. What I can tell you is she was the most beautiful very caring Lady it was my privilege to serve.”

  Emily complains bitterly. “I have never seen a portrait or likeness of my Mother before.”

  Mr Humphrey’s says “You have Lady Emily, you have seen one every day when you looked into a mirror at your own reflection.”

  Amazing he is so right when she stands next to the self portrait of her Mother they look like identical twins. The Ladies chatter on excitedly about their future plans, after about another hour I call it a night. I wish the Ladies good night with a kiss for Mother, Emily, and for the first time Pamela. Emily beams with delight at my apparent acceptance of Pamela into our family.

  A long restless night follows as I toss and turn and worry about my forthcoming meeting with my Wife.

  I welcome daylight and take a leisurely bath before heading down stairs about eight o’clock without calling on Mathew. Mother is already in the dining room drinking coffee and reading the daily paper. After we exchange greeting Mother informs me she was awaiting breakfast until I arrive. Cecil appears as if by magic carrying the morning post on a salver.

  He delivers a letter to Mother and three to me and places a couple more by an empty place. He explains. “Post for Lady Emily she will be down shortly.” This task completed he takes orders for breakfast. A sudden thought strikes me. “Cecil would do you do me a favour?” He gives me a reproachful look. I quickly rephrase it to an order. “Mr Humphreys I want an itemised list of the staff including their age their duties where they live are they married do they have kids where are the kids educated. In particular I want to know?”

  I pause and add. “And this is the delicate part I don’t have to ask you to handle it with discretion? I want to know the members of the staff and their children who are unable to read and write.” He looks disturbed I reassure him. “It is nothing sinister Cecil I will explain. A couple of years ago I was uneducated myself but thanks to a few caring comrades they taught and educated me during my army service. I would like to give the same opportunities to any member of the staff that wishes to take advantage of my offer.” He replies. “I will have the details available for you by tomorrow morning my Lord.”

  He bows and leaves the room admitting Emily and Pamela on his way out.

  The two Ladies take seats alongside each other Mother waves a greeting she is completely engrossed in her letter.

  Emily enquires. “I heard you talking to Humphreys about educating the staff what is that all about?”

  I reply. “It’s an idea I have. I want everyone that is employed by the estate to have the opportunity of education.”

  Pamela and Emily give each other knowing looks Emily informs me. “Well Adam you might not believe this but we spoke of the very same thing after you retired last night. One of my ideas is to establish a finishing school for young Ladies of quality similar to the one I attended in Switzerland. You know horse riding, etiquette, deportment dancing?

  We have the
accommodation and the staff available. I have the experience, with the addition of a few tutors it would be a practical suggestion don’t you think Adam?”

  “Oh yes!” I reply with scorn. “That will be a snob school for the spoilt brats of the privileged idle and wealthy? I don’t think so.” To my surprise Emily smiles and replies. “That is exactly the same sentiments expressed by my dear Sister and Pamela. You will be pleased to know I have dropped that project. Tell him your idea Pamela dear?”

  Pamela explains with enthusiasm. “A boarding school for talented youngsters we could give the children lessons in other subjects as well, but the main purpose would be to encourage artistic talent.”

  I reply. “This is more like it. And where would you find these children, presumably they would have to pay some kind of a fee? What about the talented kids whose parents are poor or orphans even?”

  She replies dolefully. “I haven’t given that much thought yet.”

  Her face lights up as she suggests. “But what about establishing a competition to find the talented youngsters? We could raise cash for scholarships for the poor and needy. You must have some wealthy and influential friends Adam and you Emily and Angelique.”

  The maids arrive with the breakfasts interrupting the flow of ideas.

  I advise my companions. “Put the scheme together Ladies and let me have a look at it. I like the idea but it will have to be planned to the last detail.” To my amazement they take my advice without any objection. It feels strange for me to be giving orders to Emily but it appears to come naturally. Maybe my Father’s genes are kicking in now I am in the family home.

  The maids leave and we begin breakfast after Emily says grace.

  I turn my attention to Mother. “Now then Angelique you haven’t contributed to the debate what is so interesting in your post today that makes you almost ignore your family?”

  Mother waves the sheets of paper with a huge smile she informs us.

  “I have received a letter from Luigi.” She continues reading her letter.

  Emily gives me a knowing look.

  When breakfast is over I scan my mail, two are nothing of interest the other is from Denise giving me general gossip about the family the old man at the farm etc but the good news is that the house will be completed by the new-year.

  I request Pamela to have Mathew ready for eleven o’clock then leave the house to seek Toot to make arrangements for my critical trip to Dover.

  On the way to the coach house I drop into the kitchen to thank Enid the cook for the excellent meals she has prepared especially the jam rolly poly I consumed last night.

  The maids scatter when I enter the kitchen Enid blushes like a little girl when I attempt to hold a conversation with her. On my last visit I took her to see her friends in Sandwich as a birthday treat and we had a lovely day. On that occasion I was a mere chauffeur but now my role has changed. Things are definitely not the same, much to my regret. After a stilted conversation I give up disappointed and head towards the coach house to seek my pal hoping he will still treat me as a friend and not as a bloody Lord and employer.

  Much to my surprise I find Toot cleaning windows. I greet him from the foot of the ladder. “What you doing up there you old bugger I thought we employed you as a chauffeur?” He descends laughs and shakes my offered hand. “You know me Adam? I can’t be idling my life away doing nothing. I like to earn my crust.”

  “Surely I can find something in my organisation that uses your talents better than that of an odd job man?”

  Toot restrains me. “Whoa don’t bother Adam. Don’t you remember me in the old army days? It was only after it was imposed on me that I took promotion to be a corporal. I don’t want any more responsibilities except for my family, thanks just the same for the offer. I do all kinds of jobs around here when I am not chauffeuring and I enjoy every minute of it. Just look at the surroundings I work in and remember I have been living in army camps since I was a kid, who could wish for anything more than this piece of heaven?”

  He adds proudly. “Do you know I can now shoe a horse, prune a rose, de-bollock a ram?”

  I have to smile he is evidently proud of his new skills. I enquire. “Where is Tom the coachman?” He informs me. “He’s shoeing horses at the big farm the smithy is down there. He helps out on the farms when the Ladies don’t require him.”

  I remark. “Your house is down there isn’t it? Remind me Toot how many kids have you got?” He replies. “Only three now we lost our littlest one Bella in that flu epidemic. Don’t you remember me getting sent home on compassionate leave?” I reply glumly. “I remember alright. Do you know Toot everyone I meet seems to have lost someone either as a result of the war or that damned flu?”

  Changing the subject I recall. “I remember you going home when you lost the little one. When everyone else began going down with flu I was left in charge of the ambulance pool, and I don’t mind admitting I made a right cock of it. Bloody paper work! I still hate office work despite having this big organisation.”

  He points out with a laugh. “Well you chose the high powered life my boy. How do you enjoy sitting behind a desk all day now?”

  I confess. “To be honest Toot I didn’t choose the life it kind of crept up on me. I am lucky I employ reliable people to do the office work for me. You would not believe it at my age I am semi retired I passed most of the organisations responsibilities over to my colleagues? Whenever I get the opportunity I get behind the wheel and do what I enjoy doing, truck driving.” I laugh and reprimand him. “It’s entirely your fault you know? You taught me to drive. I was quite happy pushing my hand cart about full of body bits until you made me drive them bloody awful trucks.” He responds with. “Yeah pull the other one.”

  “Look Toot I want to invite you and your family over to France as soon as you can make it? Our new house will be ready shortly. There is a lake for fishing and boating, we have horses and the beach is only half an hour away the kids will love it and they can keep little Daisy company huh and not forgetting my little fella.”

  I add proudly. “Could you come out for the Easter holidays? Of course as you are coming at my invitation I will pay the fares and any other expenses you might incur?”

  He replies with a smile.

  “Thanks for the invitation I would like to see France again now there is peace over there. I’ll have a word with the misses and see what she says. You know Audrey has a number of commitments beside the school. We have only lived here for five minutes and she is involved in all kinds of other things.”

  I am enjoying the chat with my old pal. What a relief that things are still the same between me and Toot. He was always the person I could take my troubles to while we were in the army together.

  “I want you to take me to Dover at eleven o’clock. I’m meeting my misses off the twelve o’clock ferry. I will be taking my Son with us so I might need some of your Fatherly advice if I get into trouble. In the meanwhile will you introduce me to your Misses?”

  He replies regretfully. “I would if she was here but she teaches at the village school. Audrey won’t be home until after four o’clock.”

  “Well I tell you what, why don’t you and Audrey come to the house for dinner tonight?”

  He gives me an odd look and replies. “I don’t think so Adam.” His refusal shocks me. “Why not Toot? Denise will be here by then. I know she will love to meet you and you’re Misses. I have told her how you looked after me during the war.”

  “I am sorry mate, it would not be appropriate. Could you imagine Lady Emily’s face if we turned up for dinner? I don’t think so. I tell you what though when you settle in you and Denise come to our house for dinner? Thanks for asking but no thanks.”

  It is at that moment I realise how my new position in life is driving a wedge between us.

  Without speaking both of us lost in our thoughts we wander into the coach house, the gleaming Rolls and landau coach stand side by side.

  Toot informs me proud
ly. “I can even drive that thing with one of those horses dragging it about.” He indicates the Landau. Amazed by his declaration I retort. “Bloody hell Toot you’ve change haven’t you? I recall how my mate Toot hated the horses when we were in the army. How did you refer to them when I transferred to the ambulances?”

  He laughs. “Food in, shit out and a bloody good kicking if you don’t watch the buggers.” We both laugh at our memories. Fags are lit we sit on a couple of boxes I remark. “I didn’t know your Audrey is a school teacher Toot?” He confesses. “I’ll tell you something I have never admitted to you before.

  When I met her I could barely read or write myself she taught me everything. That’s why I was so pleased to help the lads out in our unit with a bit of teaching after Sandy left.”

  After finishing our cigarettes we wander around the estate still chatting when I remark. “I am glad we met Toot I don’t know where I’d be today without you and Sandy? As a matter of fact I have asked Cecil Humphrey to prepare a list of the staff that can’t read and write. I want to offer them the opportunity to learn. Maybe your Audrey would be interested?” He replies. “Good idea Scouse but you would have to ask her yourself. I have to tell you she loves teaching in the village school, all my kids attend there except my eldest, which I must admit is very convenient.”

  Toot smiles. “I believe you met our Sheila yesterday? She told us all about it last night at supper, we had a good laugh.” I reply with a laugh. “I did myself Toot she is a nice looking kid. Did she tell you about pulling faces in the mirror?” “No what’s that all about?” He enquires. “I’ll leave her to tell you Toot ha, ha.” I glance at the stable clock. “Oops! Toot, time marches on I have to go shortly and make sure they have the baby ready.”