Trying to work out the Parker family dynamic-OK-I mean I was as nebby as usual! — I asked about the sister. According to Min-Aunt Diana is really wierd-always going on about being at deaths door-which used to scare Min when she was little-thinking she meant the attic door in their old family house- amp; that must be where death lived! It was her uncle Sid set her mind at rest-by taking her up into the attic- amp; showing her the relics of his childhood- amp; also by saying-dont worry about your aunt little Min-when you yourself are finally laid to rest-aged 150 or thereabouts-it will be Auntie Di who lays flowers on your grave!-
Bit macabre comfort-I thought-but kids love macabre amp; in Minnies eyes Uncle Sid is perfection itself!
Not sure if Mary would go as far as that. Tom vanished after supper tonight-still catching up he said- amp; once the kids had all been put to bed-in Mins case by main force! — me amp; Mary had a large Baileys apiece- amp; got to talking like old mates. I reckon shes been dying for someone to confide in for years-someone outside the family- amp; outside Sandytown. Like I said before-shes incredibly loyal-but I got a strong impression she secretly fears this development scheme will end in tears.
Shed confirmed what Min had told me-that it was Sid who got things started.
Sids always been good with figures amp; stuff-from an early age hes handled the Parker family finances-very successfully too-Mary admits. Good investments-steady returns-spotting which Lady D got in on the act-asking his advice-free to a friend of course- amp; so profitable that Sid soon became her blue-eyed blue-chip boy!
Anyway-Sid came up with this idea that the combination of the Brereton property amp; the Parker land amp; Toms architectural know-how could add up to a nice little earner. At least thats the way I guess he put it to Lady D. With Tom Im sure he painted things in more visionary terms-the greater good-benefit of the community-environmental concerns-etc-the kind of stuff Tom had been dabbling in all his life.
This was how the great Sandytown Development Consortium got into its stride- amp; since then-I gather-Sidney has acted not only as its financial consultant-but also as an umpire when Tom amp; Lady D dont see eye to eye. Lady D is far from persuaded that Toms preoccupation with complementary medicine amp; the environment is going to be a money spinner for the hotel. Upper class recreational pursuits-facials-manicures-massage-plus maybe the latest post Pilates exercise fad to work up an appetite for the gourmet grub- amp; thirst for the disgustingly expensive booze-thats what she sees bringing the stinking rich punters in. But Tom wont give ground here-insisting there has to be room for a full range of alternative therapies-something in which his family have always had a deep-in some cases-Mary hints amp; Min confirms-an obsessive interest. Fortunately it seems Dr Feldenhammer-boss man at the Avalon-after some initial doubts-has been persuaded theres no harm in the clinic presenting a united front with Tom re the complementary stuff.
— very enlightened of him-I said-surprised-knowing most mainstream medics think its all a load of crap-me too if Im honest-which Im not-around dear Tom!
— yes- amp; the good thing-said Mary-is that it shuts Daphne Brereton up a bit-her feeling about poor Lester the way she does-
— eh? — I said-you dont mean…?-
— oh yes-shes got him in her sights- amp; wants him in her bed-said Mary grimly-disgraceful-a woman of her age-
Maybe this Sandytown air really does have something special! — I thought.
Its clear Mary has mixed feelings about the relationship between Tom amp; Lady D. Loyalty makes her stick up for Tom all the time-but theres part of her that sees that its Daphnes lust for profit thats going to keep the consortium solvent-rather than Toms idealism. When Big Bum-funny how nicknames stick! — does let Tom have his way-it usually means him paying more amp; her paying less-so Tom looks like hes won a battle-but its cost him- amp; Mary is always worried he might be overstretching himself.
Not that Tom seems to have a worry in the world! He finally appeared-apologizing like mad for having neglected me.
— tomorrow morning I should have caught up with myself-he said-Ill take you on a tour of the town-on foot! Best way to see a place amp; meet people!
— but your ankle dear-protested Mary.
— as good as new-he insisted-thanks to the first aid I received from our lovely talented guest (thats me in case you havent twigged!)-not forgetting the healing touch of Mr. Godley-
I left them arguing-or rather discussing-Tom doesnt have arguments!
Met Minnie coming out of bathroom-yawning histrionically! Wouldnt surprise me if shed been listening in on Mary amp; me- amp; had to take cover when her father came out of his study-but I cant help liking her. Shed have followed me into my room-but I shut the door very firmly in her face. I can be tough too!
Nite nite sleep tite
Love
Charley xxx
8
FROM: charley@whiffle.com
TO: cassie@natterjack.com
SUBJECT: enter Big Bum!
Hi!
Decided to laze around this morning-guessing that any expedition with Tom would be energetic! Hed won the “argument” about going on foot-but Mary insisted he take a stout walking stick-which seemed more likely to cause damage than prevent it-the way he flourished it as a handy pointer to interesting views as we made our way down the hill.
On our way up in the car-Tom had already pointed out to me the entrance drive to Sandytown Hall-home of Lady D. Admiring the view from Brereton Manor-Id glimpsed what had to be the tall chimneys of the hall down toward the sea-rising above an extensive area of woodland-so her ladyships not overlooked by the hotel-or any other bit of quite a lot of modern development we passed on our way down the hill. Most of this seemed linked to the development scheme-executive dwellings-seeded-so Tom assured me-with affordable houses for local first timers. I didnt need to guess which partner pushed for what!
We met quite a few people-car drivers stop to chat to Tom! — amp; I was introduced as if I were the development schemes latest amp; greatest acquisition! Eventually-quite near the bottom of the hill where the old village proper begins-he halted outside a funny old house-very picturesque-built out of irregular lumps of sandstone-glowing in the morning sun-with a small old fashioned cottage garden- amp; a first floor wider than the ground floor-because it was built into the slope.
Reminded me of the gingerbread house in the fairy tale-so I wasnt surprised when Tom said-this is called Witch Cottage-because-according to tradition-its where Sandytowns last witch used to live. Now Miss Lee-our acupuncturist-lives there. I know youll want to meet her-Charlotte-because of your study-
Hed just lifted the brass knocker- amp; given the door a hearty rap-when this old Jeep came rattling up the road from the village. It looked like it had just completed a trek across the Kalahari-mud stained-lots of scratches amp; dents- amp; the nearside front bumper showed signs of recent violent contact with a tree!
Oh look-its Lady D-said Tom-come amp; meet her-
As we went back down the little path-2 women got out. I knew which was Lady D straight off. Central casting-tweedy-sturdy-head thrust forward like shes eyeing up the opposition-if Id been a matador Id have headed for the barreras-good looker in her day probably-in a Fergie kind of way-nice healthy complexion-well weathered-the natural look-tho I spotted a touch of eye shadow amp; a smear of lipstick-so not without vanity (I recalled what M said about her pursuing Dr Feldenhammer)-likes her own way-sharp-but maybe not so sharp as she likes to think.