— instead-eventually he married her-I said-was that just to get her in whipping distance?-
— nay-thats another story altogether-he grinned-inviting me to prompt him for details. But time was moving on amp; Id had enough of talking about Lady D for one morning. More I heard about her-the less I liked her!
So I said I had to go but Id like to talk to him sometime about his experience of Miss Lees “cure”- amp; he said-Ill likely see you at the hog roast?-
I said-doubt it-though Ive been invited-sort of. You too?-
— Im in charge of the roast-he said proudly.
— gosh-I said-sounding impressed-cos he clearly reckoned it was an important job-so what will you do-stick it on a spit amp; turn a handle?-
— bit more to it than that-he said-Hog started it-after he made his pile amp; bought the hall amp; became Lord of the Hundred. Big annual event in the town- amp; I think it amused Hog to call it a hog roast. Tried a spit at first-but that were hard work with a full size porker. So Hog got his brother Hen to build a proper bit of machinery. Always good with his hands was Hen-not so good with figures amp; poultry-but. Any road-I used to help Hen with the hog roast gear right up to when Hog died. After that the annual roast died too- amp; I were real surprised when I heard there was going to be another- amp; real chuffed when I got asked if Id check the equipment out amp; take charge-
— I thought Hen was the expert?-
— oh shed not ask Hen-he laughed-theyve not exchanged 2 civil words since he challenged Hogs will-any road-Ive been odd jobbing around the hall for years-so I were on the spot-so to speak-
I said I looked forward to seeing him there- amp; took off to Denham Park.
Again-as on my first sighting-I was impressed by the magnificent situation of the house-perched high on its hill-grounds sweeping away eastward to the sea- amp; westward to the pig farm!
Up close it turned out to be even bigger than it looked on the horizon-but like an old movie star up close-the cracks showed. Past simple TLC–Id say-needs a complete makeover. Poor Teddy-cant sell it- amp; if he doesnt do something quick-I doubt if hell even be able to live in it!
Then I forgot all about him as I reached the front of the house.
The ancient RR was there-with alongside it a bright red Maserati coupe!
Sidney Parker was here!
Damn! I thought. Not that the prospect of seeing Sid again wasnt pleasant. But mightnt it give the wrong impression if he saw me dropping in on the hunky bart? — the wrong impression being we had something going.
In other words-yeah-I wanted to see them both-but not at the same time!
Thats the trouble with being a highly trained psychologist-youre always playing chess with other peoples thoughts!
I debated whether it might be best if I just headed off out of here. Then I heard this throaty roar behind me- amp; when I turned amp; saw Teddys mobike-the Beast-heading up the drive-I thought Id got it wrong- amp; it must be Ess that Sid was visiting-which made me think-damn! — again.
Hard to please-aint I?!
However when the Beast halted alongside me- amp; the black leathered figure removed the silvery helmet-I saw it wasnt Ted-but Esther!
I found myself wondering if this was the spare set of leathers Ted had promised to loan me- amp; was the Ice Queen wearing anything underneath them?!
She said-Miss Heywood-this is a surprise-are you expected?-
Making it sound as likely as the Second Coming.
I said-Teddy did say drop in-but I see hes got company-
— yes-so it appears-she said-glancing at the Maz. Id have put money on her next move being to imply that-in the circs-a well brought up person would make an excuse- amp; be on her way. But she surprised me by smiling suddenly-not a five hundred watt freindly smile- amp; with no resemblance at all to the incandescence I remembered lighting up her face when she was dirty dancing with her Emil-but definitely a smile.
Sliding elegantly off the bike-she said-but you must come in now youre here-Im sure theyd both be delighted to see you-
Sudden rush of noblesse oblige to the head-or what?
Why not? I thought-could be fun to see smooth Sid alongside the hunky bart-so I could compare amp; contrast- amp; allocate points on the old Heywood girls scale-remember? Out of 10 for Wealth, Wheels amp; Social Skills amp; out of 20 for Sex Appeal!
To tell truth-dont think I had a choice of stay or go. Tho Ess didnt actually touch me-I found myself steered through the doorway into what would have made a lovely baronial hall-could imagine Fairbanks or Flynn fighting his way down-or up-the broad staircase in one of mums old favorites-but there were no suits of armor in the corners-no marble busts in the niches-no rich tapestries on the walls-in fact nothing at all except pale squares showing where pictures had once hung-all of which fit what Id guessed from the fake Rolex business-that Teddy had been selling off the family goodies to keep body amp; soul together.
Ess flung open a couple of doors-giving me a brief glimpse into more rooms looking like theyd been stripped by marauding Vikings- amp; struck lucky on the third.
Nothing much in here either-except a few ancient chairs amp; a sofa-on which Teddy amp; Sidney were sitting-heads close-talking earnestly.
They looked toward us. Ted jumped to his feet-flushing as he recognized me-the invitation hed tossed my way had clearly gone right out of his head!
Sid-by contrast-gave me a lovely smile-like I was the best thing hed seen all day.
— Charlotte-he said-how nice to see you again-so soon-
— Youve met then-said Teddy-sounding-I hoped! — a bit jealous.
— Of course-when I called to pay my respects to Tom. Hi Esther. Just what our dull masculine deliberations could do with-two rays of feminine brightness-
OK-flowery froth-but hes got style enough to get away with it.
I grinned back like an idiot- amp; gave him a straight 10 for Social Skills! (amp; it wasnt even his house!)-but at the same time I was wondering-what deliberations? — what are you two up to?
Ess had a look on her face that suggested she might have been wondering the same. All she said was-this is cozy-lets all sit down amp; have a cup of coffee-Im sure Miss Heywoods ready for one-
Something about the way she said that last phrase made me think she was taking the piss!
Ted said-oh sure-yes-fine-
Ive heard more enthusiasm from dad when mum asks him to chat to the WI about diversification!
I thought-to hell with this! Im not staying where Im not wanted. In any case-Ess will probably expect me to make the coffee!
I said-thanks but not for me-just dropped by to say hello-now I need to get back-promised Id pick up Tom to take him to the Avalon meeting-
Not so much a lie as an adjustment of the truth-Ive written essays on the distinction! Also-recalling Toms request that I didnt mention the meeting in front of Big Bum-I guessed the Denhams wouldnt know about it either.
OK-I should probably have kept quiet in front of them too-knowing the way they scratched if Lady D itched-but I couldnt resist giving Teddy a sharp prod to pay him back for forgetting me.
It worked like a dream.
Ted said-what meeting?-
I said-all surprise-sorry-was sure youd be going-its to tie up arrangements for the Festival of Health-you know-its marvelous of Dr Feldenhammer to be so receptive to new ideas-isnt it?-
Ess said- amp; what does it have to do with you exactly?-
I said-oh nothing-of course-Im just going for the lunch party afterward-
OK-I know-drinks amp; nibbles is hardly a lunch party-but I was seriously pissed with the Denhams!
I headed back into the hall.
Ess followed me out. I thought she was going to see me to the door-like a good hostess-but she just started up the staircase.
— Ill see myself out then-I said.