Chapter 2
Thomas Brackenreid, jovial and expansive in demeanor as well as waistline, was at the bar, agreeing with George Crabtree that it was too cold outside to leave without a little dram of Scotch to warm him up first. "So these are your new drinking glasses, are they? Quite nice," he said as he took a sip of his drink, admiring the clear sides and smooth surface of the glass.
"Yes. I thought I'd go with the new hygienic movement—everyone can see what they are drinking and that the glassware is clean." George had a satisfied expression. "Going to be part of my advertising for the place. How is your family, if I may?"
"Margaret is already in the Falls with Bobby, so John and I will take the last train tonight. Where are Edna and your daughters?" Brackenreid asked, noticing their obvious absence. He smoothed his ginger facial hair.
"Oh, they went on ahead as well to my Aunt Violet's house where we are gathering this year. Good thing too, with the snow and all. I will be leaving first thing tomorrow with the dogs. I have Mrs. Kitchen taking care of things here for a few days as there is almost no one in residence, but as she needs some looking after herself and doesn't care for animals…" George shrugged.
"You know, I think that was very kind of you to take her in after the house fire…" Brackenreid knew that times were tough for the average working man, let alone an old woman who was suddenly bereft of her home and income.
George got an amused look in his eye. "My aunties would have my hide if I hadn't, especially Violet and Azalea, considering they go back forty years… Mr. Murdoch was pretty persuasive as well and Mrs. Kitchen is very attached to him, so…" George indicated he was simply doing what he thought was expedient, but he saw it did not fool the other man for a second. "Will you be back for the next lodge meeting, Brother Brackenreid?"
George's heart was always in the right place, Brackenreid thought… "Yes, yes, Brother Crabtree. Particularly since the agenda includes improvements in the building that are my specialty. I am also bidding on the King Edward Hotel – what a fine bit of plumbing work that will be." His gaze lost focus for a moment considering the fee he would get for a whopping 300 bathrooms. "Oh, and I have a new slogan to try." He gestured broadly with his hand. "All the water in the world comes from a Brackenreid job."
Crabtree thought about it for a second. "How about this one? 'If water runs through it, it's a job for Brackenreid.'"
"I like it!" Brackenreid said, slapping the bar. "I think Margaret will like your version better than my last one." Both men laughed, finding the whole business of sloganeering amusing, but as businessmen they knew the value of advertising, Crabtree being a bit of a wordsmith in that regard.
"I'm sure your firm will get the plumbing contract. Your piping work on this old place was stellar, and l will tell them so. My wife especially appreciates the new water closet and bath," Crabtree winked as he said this, producing a knowing chuckle from the other man.
Both men turned to acknowledge William's approach. "Good afternoon and Merry Christmas, Mr. Brackenreid," William said by way of greeting.
"And to you, Murdoch. Bet you are glad for a rest, no doubt?" Brackenreid, as a member of the Sommerbank board of trustees by virtue of his community position, had a fairly good idea of how hard his son's teacher worked and guessed a little time off would be welcome, especially after just being passed over for Headmaster. Privately, Brackenreid thought the man deserved the honor and had spoken up for him during the board meeting. Murdoch was a gentleman by temperament and character, if not by birth, but the rest of the trustees could not be persuaded to appoint an unmarried papist to head that most Anglican of schools, no matter how accomplished the man was. Not unless he was willing to abandon the Pope and convert. And unless he was married he would not be given living quarters at the school. Murdoch was not so inclined; hence the impasse.
William made an effort to engage in polite conversation. "And your holiday? I understand it will be Niagara Falls, or so Master John tells me. Might be cold enough for an ice bridge to form this year." William smiled, liking these two men immensely and appreciative of their kindness, even comradery, especially over the last very difficult couple of years.
Brackenreid talked a bit about his Christmas plans and the three men commiserated some on the weather. George regarded William with a raised an eye-brow and pointed look, presumably to ask about the dust-up regarding the students. William decided not to disclose what he had gleaned from questioning them in front of Mr. Brackenreid, preferring at that moment to maintain discretion, considering his position at the school. The teacher figured he needed time to decide if any official action was necessary or the school administrators needed to be informed. He hoped his disquiet was not advertised on his face.
While they chatted on safer topics, the outside doors whipped open and slammed shut any number of times as people took shelter from the elements or left to go home. One particular gust brought William's attention to a figure brushing off a snow-splattered red wool coat and scarf-wrapped head. Brackenreid and Crabtree shared a kindly smirk at how the teacher perked up. They both knew that the reason the widower had not quickly remarried, despite the substantial benefits of doing so and several interested and eligible females making themselves available, had just entered the Inn. The proprietor called her over: "We didn't think you would make it. Come in, come in and warm up."
Unwinding the scarf revealed a severe bun and tired blue eyes atop a tall, slender form. "Gentlemen," Julia Ogden acknowledged. William unconsciously straightened his back and his suit jacket to greet her and but then offered only a cursory nod. She smiled and glanced shyly his way, pushing wisps of light hair off her face, before asking after Mrs. Kitchen.
Crabtree said: "She's in the back I think, cleaning up. When you come back down I'll have something for you," patting the bar and indicating a beverage of some kind would be waiting.
She smiled in return, trying to dampen her surge of enthusiasm for a convivial moment with a certain teacher. "Thank you, Mr. Crabtree, I'd be delighted. I'll find Mrs. Kitchen and go upstairs… we won't be long." Julia hung up her coat and scarf, put her valise down, then hauled her father's medical bag off the stool she had rested it on to go locate her patient. All three men visually followed her retreat, but only William coloured slightly when his landlord caught him at it.
Crabtree commented, seemingly to no one in particular. "Perhaps Nurse Ogden will be able to visit for a while before going home."
Brackenreid took it up next. "Yes, it is early yet and almost Christmas after all. I'd stay for an extra drink, if you are pouring…"
It was not lost on William that he was being given space to converse with the object of his frustrated interest in a proper and socially acceptable manner, but as he had no idea what he'd say during this opportunity, his impulse was to flee. He had given up being embarrassed by his companions' insight or their elliptical comments regarding Julia Ogden. The whole thing was too complicated for words, or at least any words he could conjure. He made a reflexive grimace and ran his hand along the smooth wooden surface of the bar in apparent contemplation of the attractive graining. "Er…yes. Perhaps I could ask her to look in on Marguerite when she comes back down from seeing to Mrs. Kitchen."
Just beyond the archway dividing the dining room from the common room, the all-but-forgotten students overheard this plan and quickly suppressed alarmed groans at the idea Nurse Ogden was going to visit with Marguerite. "He did not believe us," whispered one of the boys. "Mr. Murdoch knows!" James struggled to assert control over the rapidly panicking boys. "Don't worry!" his bland smile and open countenance promised. "I will take care of it. Have I ever let you down?"
To Be Continued…
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Dear Reader: Thank you for choosing to take a look! There is a mystery to come and a couple twists on the menu. I hope you will continue reading the story—and weigh in with your guesses about "Who dunnit" and play along at home. Please "Follow" for notification of new chapters and comments/reviews are encouraged! -rg