He cracked first amp; finally started toward me like a man on his way to the gallows!
Funny-not nice having a really off-putting effect on somebody-not even somebody you dont care a toss about! Id have moved off without passing the time of day-but I felt I owed it to Tom to make it clear-in case Mr G hadnt grasped it on our previous meeting-that I wasnt a permanent blot on the village landscape. Wouldnt want it on my conscience that I was responsible for putting the Sandytonians out of reach of godly Gordons healing hands!
So I said brightly-hello-Mr Godley. Charlotte Heywood-remember? (Not that there was much doubt of that-the way he was looking at me!)-On your way to see Mr Parker-are you? Im staying with the family for a couple of days. Its lovely round here-isnt it? (Doing my best to give the place a puff!)-but I wont be sorry not to have to face this hill every day-
Even as I said it-I thought-oh no! — sounds like youre trying to hitch a ride!
Sure enough-what I could see of his face beneath the fungus turned color a couple of times-like you when youre nerving yourself up to go in off the high board! — then he mumbled something about a lift.
My first instinct was to say-no way!-
Then I thought-dont be a prat-youve cut off your nose to spite your face once already by letting Lady Ds patronizing ungraciousness drive you off her empty beach. Its stupid- amp; bloody difficult! — to cut off your nose again.
So-a moment later-I was sitting in the sidecar-bouncing up the hill!
I couldnt help but contrast the Godley motorbike experience with what Teddy Denham had promised me on the pillion of the Beast. This was a bit like being dragged behind a tractor-in an old tin bath! At least it meant I didnt have to make small talk.
When we got to Kyoto I hopped out-said thanks- amp; dashed inside-yelling at Tom as I passed his workroom-Mr Godleys here!-
When I got to my room-I met Minnie coming out. Said shed been looking for me-but I wasnt fooled. I remember when I was her age-I was always looking for a chance to get my sticky little fingers on your gear amp; makeup! I said I wanted to get out of my wet cozzie- amp; went in-thinking shed stay outside. But she followed me in- amp; sat on the bed watching as I toweled down-like she was a judge at a gymnastics floor exercise-so I said-OK how many points do I get? — amp; she said-quick as a flash-7 for performance-8 for interpretation-
Cheeky little cow-but you cant help but like her.
I took the chance to pump her for info about Miss Lee amp; Lady D-not that it took much pumping!
Seems Miss Lee got Witch Cottage on a long lease from Lady Ds land agent-whose arthritis shed fixed with a couple of judiciously placed pins. Then the great consortium came into being- amp; it dawned on Lady D that funny old Witch Cottage-with its gingerbready appearance amp; magical history-could be a real little money spinner when the tourists started pouring in. So she wanted it back. Only Miss Lee had a tenancy agreement-so-like the Chinese train passenger in that awful non-PC joke the HBs so fond of-she told Lady D-you fuckoffee-me got 1st class ticket!
Battle was joined-might v right-with Tom Parker trying to mediate. Then suddenly Miss Lee caved in-nobody knew why-big bribe was Mins best guess- amp; agreed to move out in the autumn- amp; relocate in new premises Tom had found for her.
Min had just finished her story amp; I was nearly dressed-when she heard the sound of an engine- amp; looking out of the open window she screamed-oh look-its Uncle Sid! — amp; shot past me through the door.
I went to the window amp; looked down.
There was this gorgeous deep red Maserati coupe bombing up the drive.
Minnie must have moved almost as fast-she came rushing out of the front door as the car came to a halt- amp; when the driver slid elegantly out of his seat-she flung herself into his arms. He lifted her high into the air amp; whirled her round. I got the impression as he spun that his gaze took me in-standing in my bra at the open window-so I backed away- amp; finished dressing. Modest-or what? But even that brief glimpse of him left me with the impression that-unlike hunky Ted the bart-Sidney was not someone to impress by flashing the flesh.
amp; why should I want to impress him? The car? OK, maybe. What Id heard about him as a fast track finance wiz? No way! No-I think it was the fact that he looked as immaculate as his car when he got out of it- amp; he didnt show the least disinclination to being leapt upon amp; wrapped around by a 9 year old tomboy-who-I seem to recall-can be remarkably unhygienic creatures!
There you go-another sharp psychological assessment from your wise young sister.
Also-I admit-he did look quite dishy in a Hugh Grant kind of way.
I delayed long enough to let him get the family greetings over-then I went to make my entrance.
I was right. Seriously dishy-also seriously smooth-without being at all oleaginus-(dont know if thats how you spell it but its my favorite word this month!). Bit taller than Tom-same lively expressive face-the Parker soft brown eyes-hes one of those guys you know will always do the right thing-I dont mean morally-but like if your pants fell off on the dance floor-he would slip them into his pocket without missing a step! He was wearing a soft cream shirt under a linen suit that bore no signs of Minnies assault- amp; certainly hadnt come from M amp;S. On his feet he had soft leather sandals-no socks- amp; the sexiest toes imaginable! OK-maybe toes dont figure large in your erotic fantasies-but take it from me-Sids are the tops!
I was introduced with Toms usual hyperbole-which Sidney took in his stride. Unlike Ted the bart he made no particular effort to impress me-which impressed me!
Tom of course was pressing him to stay at Kyoto- amp; Mary backed up the invite-while Minnie was ready to go on her knees to persuade him.
But Sidney was adamant.
— Im booked in at the hotel-he said-the honeymoon suite! — No-Mary-I am not married-alas. I thought I might as well see what all those healthy honeymooners will be getting for their money-
The thought-need any help with your research Sid? — flitted across my mind.
Then our eyes met- amp; it was like he could read what I was thinking- amp; I felt myself blushing.
We sat on the terrace. Tom-inevitably-rhapsodized about the sea breezes-the pure air-the clarity that on a good day afforded a view all the way to Holland.
Sid said-I never quite understand-dear Tom-why you find the prospect of even a distant view of Holland so desirable-
As he spoke-he gave me a complicitous smile. I tried to feel defensive of Tom-but the bond of affection between them was so obvious that I realized this was only the kind of ribbing that goes on between-say-me amp; George-or you for that matter!
Anyway-he drew me into the conversation-effortlessly-made me one of the family- amp; though Im not a natural lover of smoothies-in a bottle or in the City-I soon found myself joining Minnie as a member of the Sid Parker fan club!
You must be thinking your little sis is seriously repressed. In Sandytown only 5 days- amp; already Ive let 3 men-Ted the hunk-Fran the wheelie- amp; Sid the smoothie-get my juices running!
Never fear. This is fantasy football. Lousy Liam has put me off forever! Im a career girl pure amp; simple. Recreational romping only!
So there we were-sitting amp; chatting-when I heard this odd noise-like a deer barking- amp; there in the doorway stood Godly Gordon-the hairy healer-coughing to attract attention!
In the excitement of seeing Sidney-Tom had forgotten all about him- amp; left him in his office! Tom of course was abject with apology-dragged him onto the terrace-made him sit down- amp; introduced him to Sidney in terms that made him sound a cross between Gandalf amp; Jesus. Smooth Sid was perfectly charming-of course-but I sensed the feeling-this is one bit of my dear bros plans for Sandytowns future that I need to keep out of any prospectus I prepare for my City chums!