FIFTY-NINE
Ravenscar—1914
Johnny Watkins drove the Daimler into the yard of the stable block at Ravenscar, pulled on the brake and turned off the ignition. Swivelling in his seat, he looked at his brother Neville, and said, ‘Let me go in alone, talk to Ned, and then I’ll come and get you.’
Neville shook his head; Johnny noticed that a nerve in his brother’s cheek twitched. ‘I think this is a big mistake,’ Neville muttered. ‘A stupid move, Johnny, probably the worst mistake we could be making.’
‘No, no, I don’t agree. We’ve got to try and bring this ridiculous feud to an end.’ Johnny sighed, his gaze, fastened on his brother’s light blue eyes, imploring. ‘We’re family. Let’s not forget that. Our father died in Carrara because of his love and friendship for Uncle Richard, and our brother Thomas died with them. Ned’s mother is a Watkins, part of our clan. We cannot remain estranged. It’s wrong.’
‘It’s been two years since we had our last big confrontation, about George’s marriage to Isabel, and Ned was adamant that I was to blame, that I wanted to unseat him at Deravenels. What makes you think he will have changed his mind now?’
‘I don’t know that he has. But perhaps if we talk to him, offer him an olive branch, he might just accept that we are genuinely sincere. It’s worth trying, Neville. Don’t you think he also might be tired of this bickering and back-biting that goes on between us all the time?’
‘No, I don’t. I think that young pup thrives on it.’
‘Neville, don’t! This is altogether the wrong attitude to have.’
Neville simply sighed.
Johnny stared at him, thinking that his elder brother looked tired. He was in his early forties now, and there was a weariness about his drawn face, little lines around his eyes and mouth. He was still a handsome man, and fit, yet Johnny detected an air of exhaustion about him this morning.
‘Sit here and wait, Neville. And please, I beg you, try to relax, get rid of some of this tension.’
‘Are you certain they’re here? What makes you think they came for Easter?’
‘Ned comes to Ravenscar for most of the main holidays, and you know that. Anyway, Kathleen told me that she and Will would be here with Ned and his family.’
‘Our sister is here? Why isn’t she staying at Thorpe Hall with us, as you and your family are?’
‘She’s married to Will, and Will is Ned’s best friend, and business colleague, and sparring partner, and they are always together…you don’t need me to tell you that.’
Neville was silent.
Johnny opened the door of the car and got out. He pushed his head inside and said, ‘I won’t be long. Try and relax. Please.’
Neville nodded, said nothing.
Johnny closed the car door and walked around to the other side of the house, deciding it might be more appropriate to enter from the front. There was something very intimate, rather casual about going in at the back, taking everyone by surprise. He didn’t want to get off on the wrong foot. It was more than likely they were persona non grata here these days.
A moment later Johnny was ringing the bell, and within seconds the door was opened by Jessup.
‘Oh, good morning, Mr Watkins,’ Jessup said, opening the door wider, ushering him inside.
‘Good morning, Jessup,’ Johnny replied, giving the butler a slight nod. ‘Is Mr Deravenel at home?’
‘Mr Edward is here, yes. Everyone else is out, sir. The entire family have gone to Scarborough for lunch. Including the children. Oh yes, Master Richard and Mr Hasling stayed at home, sir.’
There’s nothing unusual about that, Johnny thought, as he followed Jessup into the Long Hall. Will and Richard were Ned’s favourites, and they believed he could do no wrong, so of course they were here, keeping him company.
‘I’ll go and find Mr Edward, sir,’ Jessup murmured and disappeared.
Johnny wandered down the Long Hall, stood looking at a large plaque on one of the walls. It was the Deravenel family crest, the white rose of York, the fetterlock and the sun in its brilliance: written in scrolled lettering at the bottom were the words Fidelity Unto Eternity, the Deravenel family motto. He did not move for a moment or two, simply stood in front of the plaque, studying the crest, digesting the motto.
The hall was beautiful this morning, with sunlight pouring in through the leaded windows. He turned and stared out towards the sparkling North Sea, noticed little dust motes flying up into the long rafts of sunlight that filtered into the hall.
How peaceful it is here, Johnny thought, and he remembered the days of his youth when he had played here with his cousin, his dearest companion.
Peace again, he thought. That’s what I want to bring about…peace in this family. An end to all the quarrelling, the anger and the pain.
He heard a step and swung around and saw Edward approaching. They hadn’t seen each other for a while, and he was as handsome as ever. But at twenty-nine he had a new maturity, a greater self-confidence, if that were at all possible. He looked more alluring than ever, in Johnny’s eyes.
‘Hello, Johnny,’ Edward said quietly, and came closer, holding out his hand. He was surprised, taken aback, in fact, but did not show it.
Johnny went forward to greet him, saw at once that his cousin’s eyes were warm, welcoming, and that there was a hint of a smile on his mouth.
For his part Edward thought Johnny looked well, like his old self, except there was a sense of restraint in him, as if he were holding back.
The cousins shook hands, and Edward said, ‘Let’s go to the library. Can I ask Jessup to bring you something to drink?’
‘No, thanks,’ Johnny answered.
The two men stood in the middle of the library, staring at each other. Edward spoke first, when he said in the same quiet voice, ‘How have you been?’
‘Good, and I can see you are in the best of health.’
‘Have you been in Yorkshire or in town?’
‘I’ve been in the north quite a lot.’
‘That’s why I haven’t run into you in London then.’
Johnny nodded, and cleared his throat. ‘I’ll get to the point, Ned. I come here with an olive branch today…I’m so sick of this bickering and quarrelling in the family, and I want to put things right between us, I really do. If we can.’
‘We’ve been so close, you and I, Johnny,’ Edward remarked. He forced a smile. ‘It would be nice to get everything…on an even keel, I agree.’
‘That’s my feeling, too.’ Johnny felt some of his tenseness slipping away. ‘Do you think that might be possible?’
‘Perhaps. Are we talking just about you and me? Or is Neville going to be part of this…reconciliation?’
‘I want it to be the three of us,’ Johnny answered. ‘Neville’s outside, waiting in the car—’
‘No, I’m not, I’m here,’ Neville said from the doorway.
Edward and Johnny swung to face him; both were surprised.
Edward nodded. ‘Cousin,’ he murmured, eyeing Neville. ‘Come in, won’t you?’
Neville entered the beautiful old library, glancing around approvingly, and then he offered his hand to Edward, who took it. They shook hands, and Edward moved away, went to stand near the window, glancing out at the sea.
‘Well, where do we begin?’ Johnny looked from his brother to Ned and back to Neville.
There was a moment of silence.
They all simply stood there, staring at each other.
Finally Neville spoke. ‘I think we should begin with an apology. The last time we saw each other, you accused me of plotting your downfall, Edward. You made a mistake—’
‘No, I didn’t!’ Edward shot back, standing up straighter. ‘You wanted to put George in my place at Deravenels. You were hell bent on it!’ He was furious but endeavoured to hold his temper in check.
‘This is something in your imagination!’ Neville cried, his face flushing. ‘A year ago you were full of accusations again, saying
I arranged for George to marry Isabel, convinced I planned their elopement to Gretna Green. Another empty accusation.’
‘Oh, come on,’ Edward exclaimed. ‘You were behind it.’
‘They wanted to marry when they were children, and you know it.’
‘And how convenient for you, Neville. With George, your son-in-law, in your back pocket you had another Deravenel under your control.’
‘Don’t be so ridiculous.’
‘It’s not ridiculous. I know the rules of the company only too well. Only a Deravenel can run Deravenels. I studied those rules before I took over the company.’
‘Listen to me! I am the one who put you where you are today. If I hadn’t thrown all my energy, wealth, and experience behind you, I know you would have never made it to that managing director’s chair. Never in a hundred years.’
‘I admit you helped me. And I’ve always thanked you, and repaid you in countless ways. But I also accomplished a lot myself. I steeped myself in the rules of the company, followed my father’s notes, memorized everything, hundreds of pages, studied every division, learned how they were run, and then I went and faced the board. I made my case. And I won. You didn’t win for me.’
‘I’m ready to give credit where it’s due!’ Neville snapped. ‘Why can’t you?’
‘I just did. And there’s another thing. You’re the one who let the wolf in the door. Louis Charpentier. He’s been after the company ever since you started your wheeling and dealing with him. I’ve been battling him for years. He undermines us everywhere, competes for companies we’ve wanted to buy, sabotages us. And all with your help, Cousin! And you are in cahoots with the Grants as well. You’re treacherous. You betrayed me.’
‘That’s not true!’ Neville yelled, his face now crimson with rage.
Johnny had been so shocked by this sudden storm between the two he had been rendered speechless. Flabbergasted, in stunned shock, he had been unable to intervene. Now he moved, hurried to his brother, put a restraining hand on him. ‘Neville, for God’s sake, please calm down! You’re going to have a heart attack if you’re not careful.’
‘I’m fine. But I’m done here.’
Johnny looked across at Edward, shaking his head; he was aware Edward’s resentment had been festering for years, and he understood, but he regretted it had come out at this moment. ‘Can’t we begin again?’ he begged.
‘Not as far as I’m concerned,’ Neville shouted, turning on his heel. ‘I’m finished. I told you this would never work.’ Neville rushed out of the library, almost knocking Richard down in his hurry.
Johnny gave Edward a rueful look, and threw up his hands, raced after his brother.
Richard came into the library followed by Will. They were both white-faced, looked shaken. ‘What was all that about?’ Richard asked, staring at Edward.
‘Johnny was trying for a reconciliation. Neville wanted none of it, I’m afraid.’
Richard shook his head, said in a faltering voice, ‘Ned, let’s go after them, please. Let’s try to sort this all out.’
For a moment Edward did not budge, and then he nodded. ‘What is there to lose? Let’s go after them.’
The Daimler had turned out of the stable block and was on the drive, heading for the gates of Ravenscar by the time the three men came rushing out of the house.
Ned began to run, chasing the car, shouting, ‘Johnny! Neville! Wait!’
Will and Richard were running alongside him, then with a sudden spurt of energy Will sprinted forward, yelling, ‘Wait for us! Slow down!’
The car kept on going, swept through the gates and out onto the cliff road, moving at an even greater speed.
Edward and Will followed the car onto the road. Richard had lagged behind but soon caught up again, the three of them racing forward, almost abreast. Then Edward stopped dead in his tracks, shaking his head. His heart was thundering in his chest and he was gasping for breath, sweat running down his face.
‘It’s no good,’ he managed to say, panting, wiping his face with his handkerchief. ‘We can’t catch up. They had a head start. Anyway they don’t want to stop. At least Neville doesn’t.’
Richard, his chest heaving, gasped. ‘Let’s go back and get the car.’
‘Good idea,’ Will agreed, pulling his handkerchief out of his pocket and patting his face. ‘Let’s drive to Thorpe Manor, Ned. Settle this once and for all.’
When Edward did not respond, Will glanced at him, and frowned. He saw a look of fear spreading across Edward’s face, and exclaimed in alarm, ‘What is it?’
‘Johnny’s driving too fast. I know this road like the back of my hand. There’s a dangerous curve coming up—’ Edward did not finish his sentence. He stood there, frozen, watching in horror as the Daimler appeared to fly up into the air as it went over the edge of the cliff, spun in mid-air and fell, disappearing from sight.
‘Oh, my God! We’ve got to get there!’ Ned shouted, and started running down the cliff road, followed by his brother and Will.
They were all out of breath and heaving when they came to the curve in the road, and Edward put out his hand, held them back from the edge of the cliff. ‘It’s a six hundred foot drop, get back,’ he instructed. Edging carefully onto the grass bordering the road, he looked down at the beach.
He could see the Daimler far below, overturned and on its side. Neville’s body was nearby but there was no sign of Johnny. His heart was beating so rapidly he thought it would burst out of his chest, and fear shot through him. He was shaking, for a moment felt sick. He stepped back, looked at Richard and Will, said in a hoarse voice, ‘Neville’s lying on the beach…I can’t see Johnny. Maybe he’s still in the car.’
Not waiting for any response, Edward set off at a run, making for the steps which cut through the lower part of the moorland and swept down to the beach. The others ran after him at full speed.
Half running, half falling, Edward stumbled down the steps and onto the shingle in minutes, and he saw Johnny immediately. He lay near the overturned car; Neville was a few feet away.
Ned saw Neville move, and ran to him, knelt down by his side. Then he realized it was the wind that had ruffled his cousin’s clothes.
Edward felt his pulse. Neville was dead. There was blood on his face, and his head was askew. Edward was certain he had broken his neck as he was thrown out of the car. As he looked down into Neville’s face he noticed how clear his eyes were, as clear as they had been in life, a pure turquoise. Such unique eyes, such a unique man. He closed the lids gently, and walked over to Johnny.
Will and Richard were kneeling next to Johnny’s body. Will shook his head. ‘No pulse…he’s gone,’ Will murmured in a choked, voice, his face wet with tears.
Richard, who was sobbing, looked up when he saw his brother approach. ‘I thought Johnny was still alive,’ he gasped between sobs. ‘I opened his collar. Look, he still wore your medallion.’
Edward nodded, then said almost harshly, ‘Let’s carry Johnny over to Neville. So they can be together.’
Once the bodies were side by side, Edward knelt down on the shingle with his Little Fish and Will, and said a prayer for them. And he wept for Neville, and all that they had meant to each other in the past. And he wept for Johnny, whom he had loved.
They stayed for a while with the bodies, none of them wanting to leave the two men who had been such a major part of their lives. A stillness surrounded them. It was as if the world had stopped. The only sound was the waves swishing up onto the beach and rolling back, and the cries of the kittiwakes as they floated high above in the cloud-filled Yorkshire sky.
Much later that day, after an ambulance had taken the bodies to the morgue in Scarborough, Richard found Edward alone in the ruined stronghold.
Speaking softly, his youngest brother said, ‘Ned, can I come in?’
Turning, Edward nodded. His face was ravaged with grief.
Without a word, Richard handed his brother the white rose medallion which Johnny had still
worn.
Edward’s hand closed on it; he put it in his pocket. And later that night he took off his own medallion and fastened Johnny’s around his neck. And he wore it for the rest of his life.
SIXTY
London
Four months later Edward’s personal grief was swept to one side, as the guns of August roared.
Europe was engulfed in war after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Holy Roman Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife the Duchess of Hohenberg, in Sarajevo. Within days most countries were involved in the fearful conflict caused by this act of terrorism in a small Balkan state.
Edward sat in his office at Deravenels, reading The Times, his attention caught by an interview with David Lloyd George, the Chancellor of the Exchequer: ‘I felt like a man standing on a planet that had been suddenly wrenched from its orbit by a demonic hand and that was spinning wildly into the unknown,’ Lloyd George was quoted as saying last night, the night of August fourth, when Britain declared war on Germany.
Dismay flooded through Edward. He knew they were in for a long fight; he also knew it would be a war that would spread to the far corners of the globe. He dreaded it; he was still unable to understand why people were so excited about going to war, why people were rushing through the streets of London filled with a strange kind of jubilation when war heralded nothing but death and destruction.
He picked up the Daily Mail, one of Northcliffe’s newspapers, and scanned the front-page headline: BRITAIN DECLARES WAR ON GERMANY. There were other smaller cross-headlines inside: Belgium Invaded. Two New Battleships for our Navy. British Minelayer Sunk. War Risk at Sea.
Thank God Winston Churchill is First Lord of the Admiralty, Edward thought, sitting back in his chair, the Mail discarded for the moment. Only Churchill and a few other enlightened men had seen the menace of war approaching, and had tried to make ready for it.
The Ravenscar Dynasty Page 53