Angelique (22 page)

This conversation is embarrassing me and I make a move to curtail it.

“May we move onto another subject Mother? To be honest I find it hard to discuss things like this with a Lady especially my Mother. Frankly I have a bigger problem to consider than Aunt Emily’s love life.”

Mother enquires “So what is that my dear?” I reply glumly. “How am I going to break the news of my Son to Denise? I adore her and don’t want to risk losing her.”

Mother makes a couple of suggestions. “The way I see it you have a couple of options. Go home on your own and break the news as gently as possible. You could remind Denise if I recall it correctly, she had left you when you had your er had the brief affair with Peggy.”

I consider this for a moment before informing her. “Yes I could do that but when I did get back to France there were a stack of letters waiting for me. Denise had written to me every day, as far as she was concerned it was only a slight misunderstanding and we hadn’t split up. She certainly hadn’t left me on a permanent basis. Have you any more ideas Mother I am desperate and will consider anything?”

“You could take the baby home with you and present her with the fait a comple, but I consider that would be cruel without giving her prior notice.”

I shudder and dismiss that idea immediately. “Oh no that would involve the baby what if she rejects him?”

I add hastily. “I am not saying she would Denise loves children. But..” Out of the blue Mother makes another suggestion. “Adam. What if we travel together to Kent, we see Emily settled in, give me a few days there I need check a few things you understand? Then I’ll travel with you to France taking the baby with us. I want to meet Denise and it might make it easier for you if I am in attendance. Wouldn’t it be nice if we all could spend Christmas together it would give me the opportunity to meet the rest of your family and friends?” She pauses for a moment before offering an alternative. “Or another idea is to invite Denise over to St Margaret’s for Christmas, whatever idea you choose our family would be together. That is something I should welcome. “

“Hmm,” I reply sullenly. “Then present Mathew to her as a Christmas present. Oh God I value your ideas Mother but I am still in a quandary.

I think it is time to retire for the night, let me sleep on it I might see things clearer in the morning.”

I escort her to her suite and make my way to her former room. As I undress my eye is drawn to Peggy’s journal. Retiring to bed I read the whole sorry record of her encounter with me and the unfortunate aftermath. What a mess I left behind when I returned to France after my couple of passionate nights with Peggy. There are pages and pages without entry as I flick through them I find something written at the very end that makes me feel even sadder, and disgusted by my past.

Peggy had tried to contact me to inform me of the birth of her baby.

She had discovered my army number and unit address on the kit bag I left in her house. I wonder where that letter went eventually. I know the dressing station was long abandoned when she wrote the letter?

Clicking off the bedside light I spend a restless night pondering my problems.

As first light appears at the window I have made up my mind. We shall have one more night in the Hotel Victoria to get to know each other then we will travel to Kent as a group. I will spend a day or so there then I will travel alone to France. If Denise accepts the situation I will let her decide to either travel to England and spend Christmas with my family. Or I shall invite Mother to travel to France bringing Mathew with her.

I shall inform Mother of my decision and ask her opinion before finalising my plan.

After performing my ablutions I decide to visit my Son and join Pamela and Mother for breakfast. I have no idea where Emily’s room is located or what time she rises. No doubt she will appear when it suits her.

I am about to leave my room when I hear a discrete knocking on the door.

The young page boy Mr Gillon threatened to dismiss is the caller. The boy explains the reason for his visit in a shy hesitant manner.

“Mr Bailey Sir. Mr Gillon has sent me to let you know you are able to telephone France from the hotel and would you like to book a call?”

I reply. “Yes I will book a call thank you er what’s your name by the way lad?”

“Collins Sir.”

“Ah but what’s your first name Collins?”

“Colin Sir.” He blushes and explains lamely. “Me old Dad had a sense of umour you see Sir.”

“Right Colin Collins please tell Mr Gillon I wish to book a call to France I also want to book another call to Kent I’ll give you the telephone numbers, do come in Lad.” He follows me into the room.

Checking my diary for the information, I write a note containing the telephone numbers and also notify the manager we will be spending another night with him. As I hand it to the lad and explain we are staying over for another night he questions. “You’ll be goin to the Tivoli then I expect Sir. It should be a good show, every ones talkin about it?”

“What kind of a show is it Colin?” I ask.

He replies thoughtfully “I’m not sure who is doing the actin like but it must be good, I hear even the mayor is going.”

I smile and reply “Well Colin it must be good if he is going eh?

That seems like a good idea to round off my stay in New Brighton Colin, thank you for the suggestion. Will you be going to see the show yourself?”

“Cor, not on yer life Sir. Spendin my money on a show? I got more to do with me ‘ard earned cash.”

I have to smile. I like this kid he reminds me of me at his age. I inform him. “I am thinking of taking the three Ladies to see the show it will a nice treat for them. Do you think they will enjoy it Colin?”

He thinks for a moment and replies. “You’ll be takin Miss Pamela then Sir. Cor she is a looker and no mistake.” He blushes after his outburst I hide my smile and enquire.

“You like her then Colin?” He replies bashfully. “Not ‘arf Sir but she don’t have nothing to do with the likes of me her bein a posh Lady like.

I gotta go Sir. I ‘av lots to do Mr Gillon will be on my tail.”

Taking a coin from my pocket I offer him a shilling tip he declines the money and says.

“You don’t have to give me nowt Sir. I just want to thank you for savin my job. Me Mum would have gone mad if I had lost me job she is a widow Lady you see?” He adds proudly. “Mum depends on me she says I am the man of the ‘owse now.”

I enquire. “How old are you sunshine?” He replies. “Fourteen Sir I just ‘ad me birthday only this last week.” I ask him, “Have you got any brothers and Sisters Colin?” He discloses. “We have two of each Sir, all young uns.” I enquire. “What happened to your Dad Colin?”

He reveals. “He got ‘iself drowndid Sir. He was a sailor in the merchant navy. They told my Mum e was torpedoed by the bloomin Un. That’s what I want to be really Sir a Captain in the merchant navy. Not a skivvy in a bloomin ‘otel.” I enquire. “Was your Dad a Captain Colin?” He replies proudly. “He was a second mate on a great big ship with four bloomin great funnels, ‘es been all the way to Australia you know?” He adds hurriedly “He was studying to be a Captain though he worked ‘is way up from a common sailor in the forecastle. If the bloomin ‘Un hadn’t ‘av got him he would ‘av been a Captain soon.” He adds wistfully. “Then we would ‘av been rich and me Mum wouldn’t ‘av ‘ad to work so ‘ard.”

The bloody war, everywhere I turn I hear stories of tragedies from all quarters. Imagine his Mother trying to bring up five kids on her own, it must be a nightmare. He is about to leave when I ask. “How much do you get paid Colin?” He divulges. “Five bob a week Sir.” He adds. “I get’s tips as well.”

I feel ashamed only last night I was gambling five pounds on a game of billiards. I am rapidly forgetting the other life that existed before I hit the jackpot and became wealthy. I exclaim. “Good God how does your Mum manage if you are the only earner in your family?”

He answers with a smile “Oh we manage alright Sir. Mum takes in washin and does ironin and cleanin for the posh folk.” He confesses. “It’s not so much my wages we depend on Sir. Mr Gillon lets us ‘av the food that’s left over from the dinin room, we eats very posh most times.”

I remark. “Mr Gillon eh what’s he like then?”

He reveals. “He’s a good man Mr Gillon a bit strict and a stickler for rules and bein clean like but Mum says e as a ‘art of gold.

‘E as a big party for all my mates that works ‘ere and their kids at Christmas. I am looking forward to that Sir, we all gets prezzies as well. I ‘av to go, got the shoes to deliver.”

“Well Colin you’re a good lad. I want you to take the tip because if you don’t I shall only waste it on gambling. So in a way you will be helping me out.”

He hesitates for a moment but the sight of the glittering coin is too much for him he replies.

“In that case Sir I don’t mind ‘elpin you out.”

He pockets the shilling and leaves a happy boy leaving me with a thought. I am a ship owner, Colin wants to go to sea. Why not? I shall contact my marine manager and see what I can do for the boy.

It is about eight thirty when I tap on the door of the suite. Pamela admits me to my surprise there’s no sign of Mother. I assume she is still in bed. Mathew is bathed dressed and playing with toys on the carpet. I join him and we enjoy a romp on the floor. About ten minutes pass when to my surprise Mother appears, not from the direction of the bedroom but from the suite doorway. She is fully dressed looking immaculate as usual. She lifts Mathew and gives him a hug and kiss.

The baby responds to her embrace with laughter and gurgles of joy.

The bedroom door opens and Emily appears looking slightly bedraggled evidently still dressed in her night attire although she is wrapped in her robe. Pamela busies herself with little tasks, she apparently witnessed my astonishment I have a feeling she is avoiding my eyes. Emily greets Mother and I without a trace of embarrassment. Without hesitation she picks up Mathew hugs and kisses him like a loving Mother.

Still cuddling the boy she kisses Pamela. I have to admit I am shocked by the open show of affection between them.

Thank goodness Mother is here I wouldn’t have known how to handle the situation on my own. After a short conversation Emily and Pamela elect to have breakfast in the suite where Pamela feeds Mathew.

Mother and I opt to take breakfast in the dining room. As we pass reception Mr Gillon informs me he has booked us in for another night and my call to Kent will be available at ten o’clock my other call to France will be about ten minutes later. I am about to proceed to the dining room when I ask.

“Oh by the way Mr Gillon young Colin tells me there’s good show on the Tivoli tonight how do I go on about booking seats?”

“I believe so Sir. Gertie Millar’s Dancing Mistress. A musical comedy Miss Millar and a few of the cast are booked into the hotel for the duration of the run.

How many seats will you require Sir we can handle everything for you?”

I enquire. “Is it possible to have the maid baby sit for us again Mr Gillon?” He replies promptly. “No problem Sir.”

I make a request. “In that case make it four seats together in the best circle please? Now I have another task for you Mr Gillon we intend leaving here tomorrow. I must congratulate you on the excellence of the hotel. We are heading for Kent, quite a long and tiresome journey for the Ladies especially with a young child.”

“I agree Sir, how may I help you?”

“I wish to break the journey in London, an overnight will suffice. Our baggage will be quite a handful to manage on and off trains. If we retained enough for an overnight and the journey could you arrange for the rest of our luggage to be transported to the family estate in St Margaret’s Kent?”

He drops his voice to a confidential whisper. “Not only will I arrange for the luggage to be transported My Lord. I will arrange rooms at the Victoria Station Hotel if you permit me I recommend the hotel. I have been assured it is on par with the Hotel Victoria.”

I reply. “In that case please do that for me.” He continues. “May I suggest a cab to take you from Euston to Victoria? In the meanwhile I will ascertain the times of the London trains from Lime Street Liverpool and I will have two cabs waiting to take you to New Brighton station in the morning.” I thank him and make another request. “Will you to contact Woodside Taxis for me? I would particularly like to have the driver Norman Hanson if possible. I will require the taxi for the entire day arrange for him to pick me up at the hotel at about eleven o’clock?” He replies, “Right away Sir.”

“You are very kind Mr Gillon and may I add very efficient?” He beams with pride and replies

“It is the duty of all citizens to assist representatives of the government to the best of our ability.

It has been a pleasure and an honour to have you as our guests I will have you notified when your telephonic calls are ready.

May I ask you about your meals this afternoon, and this evening Sir? I suggest afternoon tea and a late supper after the theatre?”

“That will be fine Mr Gillon. I will be out for lunch by the way.”

“Enjoy you breakfast Sir.”

I take the opportunity to send a telegram with all the details about the lad to Harry requesting him to contact Captain Hawkins if possible about my promise of a position on his ship for young Colin if he is suitable. Mother awaits me in the lounge as I conduct my business at the desk. She is surprised but pleased when I inform her what I have arranged. I believe I have made the right decision in booking another night in New Brighton with the prospect of a good night out at the Tivoli theatre to see one of the latest musical comedies.

She smiles and informs me. “Adam this will be a first for Emily and I we have never attended a music hall it should be quite an experience.” She adds with a mischievous smile on her face.

“I know, let us tell Emily we are attending a recital or something grand. It should be fun don’t you think?” When we are seated at the table before I have the opportunity to ask a question Mother says. “It looks as if Pamela and Emily have hit it off thank goodness. I suspected they would but your Aunt can be somewhat unpredictable at times.”