Chapter 20
“Where’s George?” Joseph demanded to the stunned secretary at the law firm.
“He’s in a meeting, Mr. Delmott,” she said, clasping her hands together at her chest. “He’ll be finished in a few minutes.”
“Really? He’s finished now!” said Joseph, walking straight to George’s office and throwing the door open. He found George there with his partners and two other men. “Get out! Now!” Joseph told the men and pointing at the doorway.
“Gentlemen, please excuse us,” said George, his voice laced with irritation.
After the men left, George closed the door. He turned to face Joseph. “How dare you come here and interrupt me like that!”
“‘How dare I’ you ask? How dare I? How dare you, brother! What do you want with my daughter?” Joseph shouted. “I heard you wanted to kill her!”
“Lower your voice! I have no idea what you’re talking about,” said George.
Joseph walked straight up to George, grabbing a fistful of his shirt and twisting it around his hand. He spoke directly into George’s face, enunciating each word through his teeth. “You leave my daughter alone, or so help me God, I’ll ensure you never draw another breath.”
“Threatening me, are you Joseph?” said George. “That’s never a good idea. I’ve got the law on my side, remember that. What do you have?”
“You tried to get Stanley to poison her at the competition!” said Joseph, releasing his grip on George as he pushed him backwards. George stumbled but did not fall. “Stanley came to Windsor today and told me so himself!”
“That weasel!” said George. He straightened his shirt and brushed himself off. “You have no proof. It’s his word against mine.”
“But why do you want to kill my daughter? What have you got against her that is so serious you’d actually want to kill her? Is it because she knows you caused the fire? Is it because you wouldn’t help Papa after his heart attack?”
“Joseph, if you ever come here again, I swear I’ll have you arrested. There are witnesses. However, I have no grudges against your daughter. Nobody knows how that fire started and what caused Papa’s sudden death. You’re insane. Please leave.”
“Very well, but remember this: I will stop at nothing to protect my daughter – especially from the likes of you. Keep away from her. If you harm a single hair on her head, I’ll make sure that that day is your last.”
Joseph turned round and left the office, slamming the door shut behind him. He returned to the café where he found Stanley still sitting outside.
“Were you able to find out anything from your brother?” asked Stanley.
“No, he didn’t tell me anything.”
“Pity,” said Stanley.
“As I understand it,” said Joseph, “you’re a druggist yourself, not just a drug company owner. Is that correct?”
“Yes.”
“Very good. Now listen carefully. I have an idea and I need your help,” said Joseph.
* * *
Joseph knew Alexandra would be pleased to learn about their visitor from London, and his prediction was confirmed the following morning after she came down the stairs.
“Sir Charles is in town!” Alexandra exclaimed upon hearing the happy news.
“Yes, Angel, and I expect him to be here directly. Marcie is coming in today and you, I, and Sir Charles are going on a little shopping trip to Walkerville. He’ll be here only a few days, and I know he wants to get a few things for his wife.”
“How wonderful! Do you think he has any more concerts? Oh I’d love to play again!”
“What about shopping? Aren’t you excited about that, too?”
“Well yes, Papa, of course I’m excited about shopping, I like shopping!” she said as she chased the blueberries around her plate and jabbed at them with her fork.
“Don’t play with your food. Eat it up and get dressed. We’ve got a big day ahead. Sir Charles will be here soon and we mustn’t keep him waiting.”
Sir Charles arrived a few minutes past 8:00, followed almost immediately by Marcie.
“Morning!” Joseph said to them both. “Thank you for coming in on a Saturday, Marcie. I appreciate that.”
“You’re welcome!” she said as she disappeared into the kitchen. “Don’t mind me! Lots to do! The Saturday regulars will be here soon!”
Turning to Stanley, Joseph offered him a chair at one of the tables near the window.
“Alexandra is getting dressed. I expect she’ll be down in a few minutes,” Joseph said. “Where are you staying?”
“I’ve taken a room at the British American hotel and have decided to stay in Windsor for a week. I’ve never visited this part of the country and there are a few things I’d like to do, and some places I’d like to visit, before I leave for good. I should also pay that visit to your brother.”
Joseph sighed. “Alexandra is really looking forward to seeing you. She lit right up when I told her you were coming today. I’m sure she’ll be very disappointed when you tell her you’re leaving Canada permanently.”
Stanley sat forward in his chair. “On the one hand it pains me to have to leave at all, but on the other hand it’s good to know I’ll be missed by someone!” said Stanley, laughing.
“I understand perfectly. Wait here, Stanley, and I’ll go upstairs to see what’s keeping her.”
“No, please Joseph, sit. She’s getting ready and if you go up you’ll spoil her entrance. I do happen to know a thing or two about women, you know!” Both men chuckled.
Marcie, rushing around as always, walked past them. Joseph was surprised that Stanley saw fit to interrupt her. “Excuse me ma’am, could I trouble you for another cup of coffee?” Stanley said, gazing into his empty cup.
The busy waitress stopped in her tracks, turned around, and laughed. “Sir Charles, really now! You’ve been here longer than ten minutes. You’re no longer considered a guest. You can get your English backside out of that chair and get it yourself!”
Joseph burst out laughing. “Don’t even think you can try winning an argument with Marcie, ‘cause you’ll lose every time –” He diverted his attention towards the stairs. “Unless you want to try arguing with that one. She’ll give you a good run for your money, too!”
Alexandra came down the stairs wearing her pink Sunday dress with pleats adorned with lace.
“Hello, Miss Alexandra,” said Stanley. He rose from his chair at the same time as Alexandra curtsied to him. “It’s a pleasure to see you again. How are you?”
“Angel, really now,” said Joseph. “Aren’t you just a bit –”
Stanley placed his hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “Shh, Joseph, let her.”
Joseph nodded.
Just before the café officially opened, the trio stepped out into the frost-draped morning and boarded a streetcar for Walkerville. The seats were all full, so they stood together grasping hand rails, swaying like reeds in the wind with the movements of the streetcar.
“Do you like travelling by train and streetcar, Sir Charles?” Alexandra enquired with one curious eyebrow raised.
“Well now, I –”
“I perfectly love it – especially trains. I can even imagine what it would be like to travel around the whole country, looking out the window at the passing scenery, feeling the movement of the train below my feet, the happy passengers admiring the view. You do like seeing happy passengers, don’t you, Sir Charles?”
“Naturally, my dear, as a matter of fact I –”
“I like seeing happy people too because when they’re on the train, I figure they’re almost always on holidays and, therefore, are probably always happy. Not so much with people on streetcars, though. I could never abide people with long, sour faces. Don’t you agree, Sir Charles?”
“Certainly, I can’t see any other way,” he said, chuckling.
As the streetcar rattled along, Joseph watched as Alexandra needled poor Stanley with ever more questions.
“Do you like
autumn, Sir Charles? I love this time of year and all the scents and freshness of autumn – especially October. It’s like a second spring. However, once November arrives things will be different. That month has only cold, rain and skeletonised trees. It seems so barren and forlorn.”
“Well, it’s certainly different than in England,” said Stanley.
“Maybe,” came the response from Joseph. “By the way, I hear that England is quite rainy at this time of year. Is it true?”
Stanley laughed. “It’s absolutely not true at all, sir! In fact, it’s rainy the whole year through!” Both men chuckled while Alexandra, not understanding the joke, wrinkled her nose.
Upon their arrival in Walkerville, the three stepped off the streetcar.
“I won’t be a moment,” said Stanley. “I’ve got some business to tend to in the pharmacy here.”
“Very well,” said Joseph, “Alexandra and I will just be in the shop across the street. There are a few things we need to get, so come join us when you’re finished.”
* * *
Indeed, Alexandra did need to buy some things – especially shoes. She set out across the street with her father as Sir Charles disappeared into the pharmacy.
After Alexandra tried on several pairs, they were ready to leave. Still, Stanley had not yet joined them. “What could possibly be keeping him so long?” Alexandra wondered aloud. “He said he’d join us directly!”
“Well, it’s not our business, Angel. I’m sure whatever he’s doing is important and he’ll be along – well, look who’s here!”
“So sorry!” said Stanley. “I was engaged in conversation and couldn’t very well break away! In any event, I have what I need. Shall we go?”
When they returned to the café later that day, Stanley stood beside Alexandra but kept a strange silence. Finally, he took a deep breath and addressed the girl directly. “My dear young lady, I had a wonderful time with you today. However, I’m afraid I must tell you that my wife and I are returning to London, England permanently. I wanted to come here to bid you farewell as I shall be taking my retirement in my home country and won’t be doing any more travelling.”
“I know,” sighed Alexandra, pouting.
“How did you know?”
Alexandra searched for the right words. She glanced at her father, to the ceiling, and then to some distant object in the room before her gaze came back to rest on Stanley.
“Why else would you come all the way to Windsor if it wasn’t to say goodbye?” she said, cocking her head to the side. “Windsor is going in the wrong direction if you wanted to take a ship across the ocean! But oh, how I wish I could join you in England! It would be so wonderful, wouldn’t it? Much better than taking a train somewhere! You could take me to all the famous opera houses in London! I could visit St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London, Loch Ness!”
“Loch Ness is in Scotland,” Stanley said, chortling.
“Oh that’s right! I was never good at geography!” she said with a bounce in her voice. “I have a question, though. Where will the Premier’s Competition be held next year? I had such a wonderful time there, despite my illness, and I’d love to do it all again!”
Stanley paused. “As for the competition, I’m not sure when or where it will be held. That information won’t be known until spring. However, there is a music festival in Ottawa in late May. It’s just as big as the Premier’s Competition and it attracts people from all over the country. It’s also a place where fresh, new talent like yours can be seen by a large audience and many influential people. I highly encourage you to go, if you can.”
“Oh Papa, please, can I go?”
“It’s a long way off, Angel, both in time and distance. We shall see.”
“All right,” said Alexandra. “I wish you could be involved in that one, Sir Charles. We’ll miss you in any case.”
“I’ll write regularly,” said Stanley.
“When I grow up maybe I can even come and visit you and your wife someday, Sir Charles Stanley,” she said, straightening herself up and saying his name in a correct and proper British accent. “That is, provided you have an extra bedchamber in your house for me!”
“Well, my dear, if I don’t have an extra room then I’ll just build one. So, you needn’t worry!”
“That’s really wonderful! Can my papa come too? Could you build a room for him as well?”
Stanley looked at Joseph and winked. “Of course. Why not? I’ll spare no expense in seeking the comfort of my houseguests.”
“Oh, Sir Charles! I’d love to play a song for you, please!” she said, bouncing up and down and clapping her hands. “I’ve been waiting all day!”
“Well now m’dear, there’ll be plenty of time for that! I really should get back to the hotel. It’s getting rather late.”
“It won’t take long, I promise!”
“Alexandra! Please give our guest some peace! He’s had a long trip and busy day!” said Joseph before turning his attention to Stanley. “How much longer will you be in Windsor?”
“I’ll be here another four days. After that, I’m catching a train back to London. I’ll be here to visit you both every day until then. We’ve got most of our belongings packed and my wife is spending these last days visiting her social circle. I’ll stay in Canada another week, then off we go to England. So, I’m moving from London to London. That’s rather remarkable, isn’t it, Alex?”
“Indeed it is sir!” Alexandra said. “But let’s agree that before you go I’ll play a special concert just for you.”
“I promise you, Miss Alexandra, you will most certainly play another concert for me.”
Chapter 21
George Delmott decided that Monday morning was the perfect time to pay a visit to the café with three of his clients. He planned his arrival about an hour after it opened to ensure Alexandra would be in school and there’d be no chance he could hear her play her violin. When they arrived at the café, they did not remove their hats or overcoats. George stood a moment with the men just inside the front entrance. He pointed to various things before walking amongst the tables, noting the fixtures and gazing at the floor and walls. They looked this way and that, surveying the entire establishment.
Soon George noticed that horrible waitress Marcie scowling at him as she served one of the tables. He never did like her and was quite sure the feeling was mutual. She glanced at him once more before disappearing into the back room, only to reappear moments later with Joseph.
“What are you doing here?” said Joseph.
“Why shouldn't I be here? Must I remind you that this café, nay, the whole cussed building is my legal property and I have every right to be here and you, of course, have every right not to like it.”
He turned his attention back to the three men. “My apologies, gentlemen. This way, please.”
The four proceeded up the stairs, sparing no time for pleasantries. Some of them tapped their walking sticks on the wooden steps and plaster walls to sound out the structure of the place.
“Why are you going up there? That’s where we live!” said Joseph.
George had quite enough. He stopped in his tracks halfway up the stairs and turned back to look down at Joseph. “Let me tell you a second time in case you’ve forgotten: this is my business and I’ve got a right to be here.”
George and the men entered Alexandra’s room. They looked about the whole place, past the fine, dainty decorations Alexandra had placed on the walls, her collection of dolls, and her music propped up in various places.
“What is the meaning of this!” Joseph said, following them up the stairs. The four stood together and spoke in low voices, ignoring Joseph and his protests. “Yes, I’m sure it won’t be a problem,” one of the men said to George in a hushed voice. George nodded before walking with the men into Joseph’s room to inspect it as well.
Finally, George turned to Joseph, who was blocking his path. “I have determined that your operation of this café has turned ou
t to be quite disappointing, so I’ve decided to sell it to these fine property investors here. We shall ink and seal the deal next week. Thirty days after that you must vacate the premises, and then the whole structure shall be demolished,” he said, a rush of satisfaction elating him. He felt like beating his chest.
“Why are you doing this?” demanded Joseph. “I thought we had an agreement! You got the violin, exactly as we agreed! Wasn’t that enough?”
“Dear brother! You slander me and demean my good reputation in front of these men by making such false accusations. I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about! I remember no such conversation. I also know you’re upset, brother, but remember,” he said, calming his voice and resting his hand on Joseph’s shoulder. “It’s just business! Relax! Someday, when enough time has passed, we’ll have forgotten this whole thing, right? However, now I must kindly ask you to step aside, lest I send for the constable and have you arrested for obstructing my freedom of movement.”
Aydy's Fiddle - The Memory Thief Page 16