Mr Godley was soon on his feet again-saying he needed to be on his way- amp; refusing all urgings to stay for lunch. Tom-dead keen to get him involved in the Festival of Healing-reminded him about the meeting at the Avalon.
— I think youll be really impressed by how open minded Dr Feldenhammer is-he said-this is a great opportunity for those of us who believe in the road less traveled-
I saw Sidneys eyes glaze over in that expression us Heywoods know so well-the one we all wear when dad says something more than usually extreme in company- amp; family loyalty makes us keep our faces straight.
Mr G just looked uncertain amp; muttered something indeterminate-leaving Tom looking a bit downcast-but far too polite to press. I dont like seeing Tom disappointed-so when Sid said he couldnt stay for lunch either amp; we all went outside together-I went up to Mr G as he got on his bike- amp; said-I dont think I thanked you properly for the lift-it was great-I really didnt feel up to climbing the hill!-
He looked embarrassed-of course-but I think he was pleased-so I pressed on-saying-why dont you come to the meeting at the clinic? — no harm in looking the place over-is there? Usually costs a fortune to get in a place like that-be fun to see what they make of someone who wants to heal their patients without charging a penny!
He looked straight at me-a bit puzzled-like fun was a foreign word. Then he said-youll be there?-
Clearly he was worried in case I was going to be sitting in a corner-making skeptical noises- amp; notes for my thesis.
— perhaps for the refreshments afterward-but definitely not at the meeting-I said-patting his gauntleted hand reassuringly.
Wow! Youd have thought Id zapped him with a cattle prodder!
He shot up out of his saddle-jerked his hand away from me so sharply he almost left his gauntlet-then said-Ill see-
amp; off he went-in a puff of blue smoke-definitely more Gandalf than Jesus!
Nobody else noticed-they were too busy saying cheerio to Sidney. I went to join them- amp; help prise Minnie loose from his car door.
His last words to me were more conventional-but hopeful too.
— I hope I see you again before you go-Miss Heywood-
I said-me too- amp; its Charley-
— amp; why not? — he said laughing-Bye!-
Minnie stood by my side-watching the Maz boom off down the drive.
— Isnt he great? — she said-eyes ashine-if he wasnt my uncle-Id marry him!-
Then she took my hand- amp; said-he liked you Charley. You could marry him amp; settle down in London-I could come amp; stay with you-all summer- amp; at Christmas!-
I said-is that all? — what dull Easters wed have-
She dug her nails into my palm-but not too hard- amp; said-but you do like him-dont you?-
— I like his car-I said.
This time her nails hurt- amp; I grabbed hold of her- amp; we had a wrestle-ending up rolling on the lawn-with Tom beaming down at us in delight- amp; Mary smiling too.
But Marys gaze kept straying to the end of the drive- amp; the road to the hotel- amp; with this wonderful power of mind reading I seem to be developing (perhaps I caught it from Mr Godley as I sat in the sidecar!)-I guessed she was wondering whether it was some crisis of high finance that had brought Sidney to Sandytown.
Chatting to her later-I brought up the subject of Sidney-casually! Far too loyal to criticize- amp; she really likes him-but it soon came out-as Id guessed-that shes bothered that Tom relies on his brother so much-financially speaking- amp; she feels theres a lot more under that smooth surface than she understands.
Bit like Sandytown itself-I think. Dont know why-but Im getting the impression theres a lot more going on beneath its smooth surface than meets the eye!
OK-youre going to remind me of the time I decided the vicar had killed his wife- amp; buried her in Les Turpins coffin-cos Les was only seven stone when he died amp; the bearers staggered as they came into the church. Then the vics wife came back from visiting her sick sister in Beverley- amp; it turned out one of the bearers had taken badly at the last minute- amp; they had to get Iggy Earnshaw out of the bar to make up the numbers- amp; hed drunk seven pints already!
Cant win em all! But I was the one who spotted Mrs Inlake from the post office was having it off with the oil tanker man-before anyone else!
So whats your next move-inspector? — you ask.
Who knows? I may be obliged to seduce Smoothie Sid to find out whats going on…
The things we psychologists do for our art.
You take care. Seriously. amp; for heavens sake-when your contracts up next month-come home! I know you-cos-except in the area of blood guts amp; bedpans-were so alike- amp; just as Im finding myself ingested by Sandytown- amp; starting to doubt if Ill ever be able to leave-so with you amp; your bomb-blasted mine-strewn disease-ridden chunk of Africa.
Difference is-nobodys trying to kill people in Sandytown!
Much love
Charley xxxx
PS When I rang home last night I got George-so I asked him if he remembered Ess amp; Em from our ski trip. When he stopped laughing at his memory of the joke-he really should get out more! — he said yes he remembered Emil very well-in fact-gobsmacking coincidence! — hed seen him only a couple of days ago-here in Yorkshire! G was driving up to Newcastle to see some footie match-stopped for petrol near Scotch Corner amp; there ahead of him in the pay queue was Emil-unmistakable-same long blond hair amp; tash. G tapped him on the shoulder-when he got over his surprise at seeing G-they chatted for a while. Em said he was here on holiday-touring- amp; G scribbled down his name amp; address amp; said-why dont you call in at Willingden to see me? Then it was Ems turn to pay- amp; by the time G had paid-to his surprise Em was already getting into his car- amp; driving off. G thinks there was someone with him but didnt get a proper look. G was a bit hurt-you know what hes like-thinks everyones as friendly as he is-but what I think is this-suppose Ess amp; Em are still an item- amp; hes come over to see her-but she wants to keep Big Bum sweet-so theyre still meeting on the quiet? Being seen by G not much of a risk-but not one Em cares to take.
Thats my theory anyway. OK-there she goes again-I hear you say-making up her fairy tales! But trust me-Im a psychiatrist! Love C x
16
FROM: charley@whiffle.com
TO: cassie@natterjack.com
SUBJECT: Viva Las Vegas!
Hi!
Yet another one hot off the press. When you lead an eventful life like mine-theres hardly time to breathe.
I slept on the barts invite-coincidentally having an embarrassingly raunchy dream (details on application in plain brown envelope!)-which had nothing at all to do with my decision to amaze everyone by getting up early- amp; asking Tom if I could borrow the car.
— to explore-I said.
— good idea-he enthused-tho you will be back for the Avalon lunch do?-
It had gone right out of my mind!
I said-look-Im sorry-of course youll need the car to get to your meeting-
amp; he said-no problem-Ill bike along the top road-it will do me good. After lunch-you can drive me back-so that I dont have to do myself any more good!-
He really is a lovely man.
I didnt mention Denham Park-cos I dont think Mary would have approved. In any case-I thought-I might change my mind.
Young Minnie volunteered to be my expedition guide-naturally! — but I wasnt having that. Still didnt know if my intentions were honorable-or what-but I certainly didnt want my options closed down by having Min by my side-taking notes!
She looked ready to argue her case-but Mary soon shut her up- amp; I promised her Id take her for another swim at the manor before Uncle Sid goes home! Self-interest-or what!