She didnt even pause-let alone reply-I might as well have been a parlor maid! — amp; I thought-Sod this!
I trilled-by the way Esther-did Teddy tell you? — I think we may have bumped into each other in Davos last Christmas-at the Bengel bar-you were dancing with a good looking local boy-Emil I think his name was-remember?-
Now she paused!
Gotcha! — I thought.
Dont know what shed have said-but before she could speak-behind me-a telephone on a ledge beside the door rang.
— get that-would you? — said Esther.
amp; I found myself getting it-just like a good little parlor maid!
But blessed are the meek-for they shall get their own back!
I said-hello-Denham Park-
Lady Ds unmistakable voice said-who is that?-
— its Charley Heywood-Lady Denham-I said-looking up to see the Ice Queens reaction. Not much-but I reckon I caught a flicker beneath that chilly surface.
I could almost hear Lady D choking back-what the devil are you doing there?-
Instead she said-peremptorily-I would like to speak to my nephew-
If the Ice Queen hadnt been listening-I might have said-hes just getting dressed-
Instead I said-hes rather busy just now-a business meeting-with Sidney Parker-
That got a sharp intake of breath-which was then expelled-or rather exploded-very Lady Bracknell! — into-a business meeting!-
I began to feel sorry for Ted-not only caught entertaining a woman of ill repute-but also holding a secret meeting with Daphs financial adviser-
Ess was moving back down the stairs-but Ted came out of the drawing room before she could reach me. Feeling sorry for him didnt stop me holding out the phone- amp; saying-its your aunt-
He winced like the phone was hot- amp; I made a rapid exit-not bothering to glance up to see how far Esther had got.
As I reached the car-a voice called-Charley-
I turned- amp; my heart gave a little leap. Sid had come out to say cheerio.
He stood on the terrace-looking down at me amp; smiling- amp; I started feeling guilty. It was one thing dropping Ted in it-but I had no reason for wanting to get Sid in Big Bums bad books.
— sorry youve got to dash away-he said-our business shouldnt take much longer. In fact-if-as I gather-thats dear Daphne on the phone-Im sure our meeting will be brought to a close with some expedition-so if you did have time to stay another few minutes-Id love a chance to talk with you-
Whatever was going on-Sid wasnt letting anything ruffle his smooth exterior!
I was tempted. But never show weakness-eh? — so I resisted- amp; said-no-Ive really got to go-but Im sure youll be coming over to Kyoto sometime-wont you? — it would break Minnies heart if you didnt-
He fluttered his long silky eyelashes-could I get a transplant?!
— if the well being of a fair young maiden is in question-I must definitely come-though hell should bar the way-
Like I said-takes real style to get away with that kind of schmaltz!
We stood smiling at each other-his smile sort of sophisticated ironic-mine more idiot grin- amp; I thought-hes the one-definite!
Then Ted the Bart came out of the door onto the terrace- amp; stood alongside Sid- amp; suddenly I wasnt quite so sure. Hard to compare-but I did my best! Teds all macho hunkiness to Sids elegant smoothiness-depends whether your taste runs to chalk or cheese. On the beach I guess the bart would have edged it. 20 points to 19+ for sex appeal. Here it felt the other way round. amp; then there was the Maz. Definitely worth twice as much as the battered old Range Rover-or even the Beast.
Ted looked a lot less shell-shocked than I anticipated. In fact he looked rather pleased with himself. How had he survived? — I wondered.
Then the answer came to me-diversionary tactics! Before she could quiz him about this business meeting with Sid-hed told her that her toy-boy Feldenhammer was having a party at the Avalon that she wasnt invited to!
I thought-shit-should have kept your gob shut girl-
Ted said-sorry youve got to dash off Charley-well do that mobike ride another day eh?-
I thought-if you imagine Im going to risk getting frostbite in my crotch by putting it where the Ice Queens has been-youve got another think coming!
The withering look accompanying this thought was wasted however-as hed turned to Sid-put his arm round his shoulder- amp; drew him away.
But as they walked back into the house-Sid turned his head- amp; winked at me-tho the way he did it-so languid amp; sexy amp; full of promise-calling it a wink is like calling his Maz a jalopy!
I drove away very slowly-to sort out my thoughts- amp; pretty soon I reckoned Id cracked it! There was something going on here- amp; it was going on behind Lady Ds back. Had to do with money-Teddy desperately needed it- amp; it was Sids profession. Teds one remaining asset-far as I could tell-was Denham Park. He could do anything he liked with it-except sell it-wasnt that what Mary had told me? So what might he amp; Sid have been talking about? Turning it into another hotel in competition with Brereton Manor? Possible-but you needed something else to hook in investors-some activity that had nothing to do with health amp; exercise amp; country recreation.
A gambling casino-I thought. Possible-except access wasnt great- amp; not even the sweet smell of money could mask the stench of the Hollis pigs. What about a retirement home? Do old folk lose their sense of smell sis? But I couldnt see Ted amp; Ess as your jolly carers!
Whatever they were up to-clearly Lady D- amp; Tom too-werent in the loop.
Could see Sid might not mind pulling a fast one on Lady D-but I couldnt see him going behind his brothers back-just to make a quick buck.
Whatever the game was-Id given it away to Lady D-with malice afore-thought-but I resolved not to say anything to Tom-both for his sake- amp; also cos I didnt want to get any further up the noses of the 2 dishiest guys in town!
Now I decided to compensate for my bad behavior by getting back to Kyoto in time to save Tom from the bicycle!
Neednt have bothered-Franny Roote had just turned up- amp; hed offered Tom a lift to the Avalon-so he told me to drive myself over for the lunch as planned. Tom was even more bubbly than usual-full of confidence his meeting was going to go well- amp; also chuffed cos hed rung Godly Gordon- amp; he was definitely going to attend!
I made some comment about his powers of persuasion- amp; I caught Franny grinning at me-as if he knew-which he couldnt-that Id put in my little twopennorth. I gave him the test. Wealth-4 at most Id guess. Wheels-only 1 for his mini ambulance. Social Skills-this was hard-Im sure hed have no problem smoothing a girls path-dealing with all situations-keeping the talk bright amp; stimulating-but I get the feeling that from time to time hed enjoy dropping a handful of grit into the works! So 8 out of 10 there.
As for Sex Appeal-impossible to give points without more info. It could be like giving Sid 10 out of 10 for Wheels-then finding the Maz had no engine!
Hard-you say? Well-I remember who it was knocked 5 points off the vicars son after you found he had diabetes! The thought he might be pulling out his needle before he pulled out his dong-your words! — was a real downer!
Tom amp; Fran went off-leaving me with a good hour before I needed to make a move-so I thought Id bring you up to date.
Better dash now. Looking forward to seeing inside the famous clinic. Got a feeling at some point Big Bum may try to crash the party. If she does-I hope it doesnt come out who big mouth was!
Wont take Sherlock Holmes to guess that-I hear you say-not when your little sister has a mouth makes Julia Roberts look like shes whistling Dixie.
Youd better be careful-sis! When you come home with your bronze trophy doctor in tow-youre going to need all the friends you can find.
Love you
Charley xxxx