CHAPTER 2: Dinner With The Queen
"I'm sorry?", Clarisse asked. Thinking perhaps she had misunderstood, "She believes that it is... ?"
"1958. Yes... I know it sounds a bit odd", Wilkes replied.
Joe and Clarisse exchanged a brief look, before Joe cleared his throat, "I'm not sure we understand. It is
2005. How could anyone possibly believe it is the 1950's?"
"Well, Nan believes it is 1958 specifically. That is the year her parents disappeared you see"
"Her parents disappeared?", Clarisse asked.
"Yes. Quite sad. Never to be heard from again. Poor Nan was the last to hear fro them", Wilkes replied.
Clarisse exchanged another look with Joseph, before standing and pacing. After a moment she stopped and smiled as kindly as possible at her brother, "Wilkes, are you sure this woman is someone you should be spending time with?"
"Why would you ask that?", Wilkes replied, offended on Nanny's behalf.
"Well, it is just... She does not sound mentally stable Wilkes!"
"It is just the date that she has an issue with!", Wilkes replied, feeling his anger flaring.
"AND she is the last person to have heard from two missing persons!"
"Well it is not as if she had anything to do with it. Is that what you are implying Clarisse?"
"Not entirely. I am simply saying...", Clarisse began, but was cut off by her husband.
"Why don't we let Wilkes tell us the rest of the story, shall we?", Joseph proposed.
"I would appreciate that. Thank you Joe", Wilkes said, calming down from his defense of Nanny.
"Very well", Clarisse hesitantly replied.
She walked over and sat back down beside her husband once again, as they both waited for Wilkes to begin the story of Nanny's past.
"Well, I suppose I will have to start at the beginning"
"That would be a very good place to start, yes", Clarisse commented.
"Yes. Quite. Well, Nan's mother, Mary, was a nanny back in London you see. A very thought after nanny. She was very good with children. Nan idolized her mother, well... her father Burt as well, but especially her mother. So when Nan graduated high school, at the age of 17, she decided to become a nanny as well. That was in 1952, and Nan was able to find a position at that time here at The Plaza Hotel. Her parents thought it would be a good opportunity for her and so she came and became the nanny of a little girl named Liza, who was eight I believe at the time. Well, Nan stayed on here for several years caring for Liza. Her family grew quite fond of Nan, and everything was going quite well"
"When did she have her brake down?", Joseph asked.
"It wasn't exactly a brake down, but as I said, it was in 58' after she had gone to visit her parents in London. It had been her mother's birthday. She always visited her mother on her birthday, and they were expecting Nan, but when she got there they were not at home. There was a note however"
"What did it say?", Clarisse asked.
"It said that they were called away on a trip, and they were sorry to have missed her, but they would be in touch soon"
"That sounds odd. You said they knew she was coming?", Joseph asked.
"Yes. They were. Nan thought it was quite odd too, and she did not think the note was in either of their handwriting either, which bothered her at the time. The note said that they would be in touch, as I said, and that they would return to London by the end of the year. This was late October"
"And they never returned", Clarisse said.
"That is correct, and Nan could just not handle it. Liza's family suggested that they contact the police, which they eventually did on their own, but Nan was sure they would return soon. She was convinced of it. Then, Liza's family started to realize that she kept referring to the year as 58', long in to 59'. Over time they realized something was wrong. Nan was fine in every other respect. A wonderful caregiver, but she believed it was 1958. Liza's family took her to a doctor, who informed them that she had a particular mental illness which enabled her to believe what she wanted to believe, as a sort of, coping mechanism. In Nan's case it was the year. If the year wasn't over, then there was still hope that her parents would return, and so in her mind it stayed 1958, and it has been that way ever since"
"That is quite sad", Clarisse commented.
"She doesn't believe she is still a woman in her twenties though, does she?", Joseph asked.
"Oh no, no. She knows her age, as well as everyone elses"
"This woman cares for children? None of these families has had an issue with her... condition?", Clarisse asked as tactfully as possible.
"She is very good with children, as I said. Very loving. She has worked for the same family for all these years anyhow, the Knights, and they absolutely adore her. She is family to them"
"I am sure she is", Joseph replied.
"Of course, but all the same...", Clarisse began, but seeing she was upsetting her brother she decided to change course, "Well. What do the doctors say now? Surely she must see a psychotherapist"
"She has not seen anyone in quite a while. Liza, Nan's first charge and Eloise's grandmother, doesn't think it is necessary"
"The child whom Nanny watched in the 50's is her current charge's grandmother? Nanny doesn't look old enough for that to be the case", Joe pointed out.
"Yes, well Nan was seventeen when she moved here to look after Liza, who was eight at the time. So they are only nine years apart. Which makes sense, because Nanny attended a 60th Birthday party for Liza recently, and Nan is sixty-nine"
"Nanny is older then you then", Clarisse pointed out, "Not that it matters of course. I am two years older then Joseph"
"Yes Nan is a few years older then I. Six I believe, but you would never guess it. She has more energy then anyone I have ever met"
"Liza is her guardian then?", Joe asked.
"No, no. She is her own guardian. She is very capable of looking after herself, not to mention Eloise. Liza and Kay just... look after her you see. Kay is Liza's daughter. Liza had her in the mid sixties and Nan became her nanny the moment she was brought home. I get the impression, from Kay, that Liza was never very maternal. Kay and Nan are very close. Perhaps more like mother and daughter then Liza and Kay. Nan was Kay's assistant for about ten years. Did I mention that?"
"No", Clarisse replied.
"Yes. You see Kay is a designer and after she graduated from college in the late 80's, she needed an assistant. Well, Nan no longer had a charge and so she began working for Kay, organizing her appointments and such, not with computers of course. Nan has never used a computer a day in her life. She is rather old fashioned with electronics, but she is very organized and did a wonderful job I gather. After Kay had Eloise, Nan resumed being a nanny however. That is her true calling. Caring for children"
"A good assistant means a great deal. I would have been lost without Charlotte all those years. I must say though... It sounds as though Nanny should still be seeing a doctor for her condition", Clarisse pointed out, "It may be a good idea, for everyone's sake"
"Well... That is really not my call. Not that it is technically Liza's choice either, but Nan doesn't realize her condition and so she has no say"
"Do you believe that is fair to her?", Clarisse asked.
"Well I... I don't know. You may have a point, but she does seem content with life, and to tell her the situation may be her undoing"
"Modern medicine has come a long way. She may have a better quality of life if she knew her condition, and was put of medication", Clarisse pointed.
"Yes well... That is something to think about I suppose. Quite risky though. Quite risky"
"You said Nanny is old fashioned in regards to electronics, but is she aware or advancements in technology... or anything else for that matter? Or is she stuck in 58' in that respect as well?", Joe asked.
"Is she aware of current events? Does she know who, for example, the president of the United States is?", Clarisse added.
"Oh yes, yes. She follows current events a great deal... and yes, she knows who the president is. Technology is a funny thing with her. She doesn't seem to acknowledge it. She still had an old fashioned black and white television set in her living room in her suite. She likes it that way. She has an old fashioned radio in her bedroom as well. Oh! Not that I have ever been in... you know, her bedroom, but she has told me. She doesn't own CD's or DVD's or that sort of thing, and Kay encourages Eloise to keep hers stored away. So... I suppose she does not feel comfortable with technology, but she doesn't faint at the sight of a laptop either"
"I see", Joe replied.
"She likes things from the 50's. For obvious reasons", Wilkes said as a smile formed on his face, "She dresses in that style, and prefers classic films to newer ones. I love going with her to antique shops. Her face lights up when she sees the old books, and furniture. I buy her 50's magazines online and leave them at her door. I always see her reading one on my next visit, or they will be fanned out on the coffee table. I suspect she knows they are from me, but we never speak of it. It is just a... fun little thing we do"
"It sounds as if you are very fond of Nanny", Joe replied.
"Oh. Well, yes. We are very close friends. Which is why I needed to tell you both all of this and explain to you that you must not say anything about the year in front of Nan. It makes her terribly confused and uncomfortable"
"How will me manage that? How do you have a conversation saying, this is my husband we got married... before? Or, I retired... previously?", Clarisse asked a bit annoyed.
"You can say you married and retired last year, just don't say 2004. It is not all that hard",Wilkes replied.
"We'll do our best", Joe said then.
"Thank you... and of course do not say anything about her, er, condition"
"Of course", Joe replied.
"I am sorry Wilkes. Joseph is right. We will do our best... Are you sure about this though? Is she worth all this effort? If she is, then we shall oblige you, just be sure that you are not getting in over your head", Clarisse said, kindly, to her younger brother.
"She is worth it, and I am not over my head. Thank you for agreeing to play along"
There was a knock at Wilkes' door then and they all looked in that direction.
"That must be Nanny", Wilkes said, looking at his watch and approaching the door.
Wilkes opened it to find a nervous Nanny standing before him. She was dressed for dinner in a royal blue fitted silk dress, which fell right above her knee. It was strapless, but she wore a black cashmere cardigan over it. Her hair was done up in a french pleat. She wore the pearl necklace and earrings that Wilkes had given her for Christmas and black peep toe heels to match her cardigan. Her makeup was not heavy, but she did have on red lipstick and a little extra mascara then usual. She wore black eyeliner above her lids, which she only wore on the rare occasion that she dressed up. Wilkes had never seen her look so beautiful.
"Is this alright?",she whispered, motioning to her outfit as she peered around him at the queen. She apparently did not notice that Wilkes' mouth had dropped open.
"Oh... Yes!", Wilkes replied, collecting himself, "You look breathtaking... and very elegant"
"Aoww, thank you Wilkes! I believe everything I am wearing is a gift from Kay. Except these lovely pearls, which are from you of course"
"Yes. They look lovely", Wilkes said, letting his eyes drop to her necklace, but then letting his eyes venture a bit lower to see her lovely freckled cleavage, which he had never seen before, he quickly looked away, "Please come in"
"Or better yet, let's all go out", Joe said from a few feet away, "I don't know about everyone else, but I am famished"
"I am so sorry to 'ave made you wait Sir Joseph", Nanny said, bowing awkwardly.
"Nonsense. It was our idea... and please call me Joe"
"Don't mind him. My husband is, quite frankly, always hungry", Clarisse said in an effort to brake thee ice, as she linked arms with Joseph.
They all chuckled a bit.
"Shall we then?", Wilkes asked, taking Nanny's arm.
"Doesn't that look good!", Nanny said, as the waiter placed down their stuffed mushrooms, oysters, and clams casino hor d'oeuvres.
"Indeed it does", Wilkes replied.
"So Nanny, Wilkes tells us that you enjoy taking walks in Central Park a great deal. It must be nice, having the park so close", Joe said, as he filled his plate with appetizers.
"Aoww, yes, yes, yes. It is a treat for sure, sure, sure! Willie comes with me quite often", nanny replied, before placing a stuffed mushroom in her plate, "We especially enjoy the duck pond. Itn't that right Willie?"
"Oh yes. Nan and I have always liked ducks. Both of us before we had met, and now I believe even more so"
"For sure, sure, sure"
"Yes. I remember you liking ducks", Clarisse commented, "You have that lovely duck pond at your home in Genovia. You will have to show Nanny sometime"
"Indeed I will", Wilkes said, smiling at Nanny.
"Oh yes. Wilkes 'as told me about 'is 'ome in Genovia. 'ow nice that 'e can be so close to you Clarisse"
"Yes, when he actually makes a visit, which is quite seldom this past year. Honestly Wilkes, I don't know why you even keep the place... or your London home either for that matter. You are always in New York!"
"Yes... well", Wilkes began.
"You 'ave a 'ome in London as well? You never said...", Nanny cut in.
"Oh, er, yes. Yes I do. Just a small place. I feel like I am still a Brit as long as I own property there, but I have been toying with the idea of renting it out. As Clarisse said, I seldom use it"
"If I 'ad a 'ome in London, you can bet for sure, sure, sure that I would be there any chance I got", Nanny said fondly.
"Nan grew up in London", Wilkes explained.
"Yes. We gathered", Joseph replied, "Well, another place you will have to show Nanny Wilkes"
"Yes, indeed. The problem is Nanny seldom has vacation time"
"Well...", Nanny said, gulping down most of her wine, "I don't mind, mind, mind. I love Eloise. She keeps me young I suppose"
"Still. We all need time to ourselves at times", Clarisse pointed out, "I learned that one the hard way"
Joseph smiled in her direction, placing a hand on her knee, knowing that she was referring to him.
"Yes. You are right your majesty. I will take a 'oliday soon. For sure, sure, sure"
"Please call me Clarisse"
"Ah, Clarisse. Apart from admiring ducks, and nature in general, Nanny is also a rose enthusiast", Wilkes informed his sister.
"Really? How nice. I am something of a rose enthusiast myself"
"Aoww, well I am sure, sure, sure that you know much more then I do your majesty..."
"Clarisse"
"Oh yes! Of course, Clarisse. I am sure that you are much more knowledgeable of the subject. I just like the way they look and smell. I don't know much about them for Lord's sake!"
"There is nothing wrong with that. The way they look and smell is the best part, but would you care to learn more about them?"
"Aoww, well yes, of course. I just... I 'aven't gotten around to taking out a book from the library just yet, but I plan to"
"Nan is a big reader as well. Very well read", Wilkes said proudly.
"Ah, very good. I am a reader myself, but going back to roses. What I meant was, I could teach you, if you liked, all about them. I have a rather large rose garden in Genovia. It is, I believe, much better then a book in regards to learning about roses"
"Aoww, well, that is a very generous offer... but I know you are a very busy woman Clarisse"
"Of course, but who isn't? I am far less busy then when I was the reining queen I assure you, and besides, these days I am learning to take time to smell the roses. No pun intended"
"It is an idea Nan. You could see my home as well. You just said you wanted to take a holiday soon", Wilkes said, taking a sip of his wine, and thinking how nice it would be to travel with Nanny.
"Well... Yes. That is true. Thank you both. I will... well, I will consider it. Yes I will. For sure, sure, sure"
"Brilliant!", Wilkes said, placing his hand on top of Nanny's briefly, before quickly jerking it away.
Their main courses were delivered then, and they spent more time chatting, eating and drinking. Nanny eventually nearly forgot all about the fact that they were royals. Clarisse and Joseph nearly forgot that Nanny had some mental health issues, and Wilkes smiled happily, as he took in the scene, and participated in the conversion, happy that things were going swimmingly. Clarisse and Nanny appeared to get along very well, when both were willing to let their guards down long enough to get there.
Later that evening, Wilkes and Nanny saw Clarisse and Joseph to their suite, where Wilkes and Clarisse hugged before parting.
"I do like her", Clarisse sincerely whispered in Wilkes ear before they parted.
Wilkes beamed at his sister in reply, giving her another short hug, before shaking Joseph's hand and agreeing to meet them for lunch the following afternoon. Nanny cautiously bid Wilkes' royal sister and brother-in-law a goodnight, feeling much more comfortable with them now, but still remembering that they were far, far, far above her station in life. After all the good nights had been said, Wilkes and Nanny boarded the elevator for their floor.
"Did you, er, have a nice time tonight Nan?", Wilkes asked Nanny nervously.
"Aoww, yes Wilkes! I was so nervous, but they are very nice, interesting, charming... I like them very much"
"They like you too", Wilkes assured her, as they stepped off the elevator at their floor, "But I was, er, referring to dinner itself... with me"
"Aoww, my dinner was very good. Thank you. My steak was cooked just, just, just right!", Nan said as they got to her door.
"Yes, well good, and er, did you enjoy getting dressed up a bit and having dinner.. with me? We have never done that. I must admit that I have always wanted to", Wilkes asked bravely, not sure where he found the courage, but guessing the wine he had with and after dinner might have helped.
"Aoww... ", Nanny said looking down at her feet, taken a bit off guard, "I enjoyed your company very much tonight Wilkes... as I always do"
"Ah, very good"
Nanny looked back up, feeling brave herself for once, "Perhaps we can do it again... soon, soon, soon"
"Yes. I would like that very much indeed"
"Yes, yes, yes. It would be lovely"
"And, er, perhaps next time it could be, you know... Just you and I"
Nanny looked into Wilkes' eyes for a long moment, trying to read what exactly his words meant.
"If... You would like", Wilkes added, a bit horrified by her lack of a response.
"Aoww... Yes! Of course I would enjoy that Wilkes"
"Ah, very good. We shall arrange it soon then, shall we?"
"For sure, sure, sure... Wilkes? May I ask you something?"
"Of course. Anything"
"Do you really want to bring me to Genovia? To see your home, and to spend time with your sister... who's a queen, queen, queen?"
"Yes! Of course I do. You are, you know, very important to me... my dearest friend"
"And you are mine Willie, for sure, sure, sure... but what if I...Aoww... What if I embarrass you?"
"How would you possibly do that?", Wilkes asked with a smile.
"With my lack of posture, and my cockney accent, my lack of designer clothing and knowledge if society life..."
"Oh! Well, yes. You have a point, but I have a better one... I do not care about any of that. Not a bit. So put it right out of your mind. I do want to bring you to Genovia in the near future, and I do want us to have dinner. Together. Alone. In the very near future"
"Aoww... That is very sweet Wilkes"
"Then you accept both invitations?"
"Well I... Yes. Yes, to dinner any'ow and as far as Genovia goes... I will try, try, try to get the time off"
"Brilliant", he whispered, kissing her hand, "I suppose this is goodnight then"
"Yes, yes, yes", Nanny said,, a bit flustered, "Thank you for everything Love. It was a lovely evening"
Wilkes nodded and looked towards his suite, prepared to bid her another quick goodnight and depart, but when he looked back at her lovely face, part of her lovely body, which housed her even lovelier soul... he felt the need to tell her one more thing.
"Nanny", he said, taking her hands in his, "You are a beautiful woman, inside and out, and I am honored to spend time with you. To, you know, have you on my arm as I did tonight. You are far more charming, attractive and wise then you realize. Please remember that. Alright?"
"I, I, I...", Nanny stammered, overwhelmed by the feelings she was feeling for this man, which she felt she had no right to feel... and even more overwhelmed by the words he was saying now, "Alright", she managed.
"Good night Nan", he said, kissing her hands once again, his eyes not leaving hers.
"Good... Good night Wilkes", Nanny replied, as he released her hands and left for his own suite.
"Good God!", he said to himself, as he closed the door to his suite behind him and leaned against it, "I have fallen even deeper tonight. Nan... sweet, beautiful Nan. Perhaps someday I will have the courage to tell you how I feel"
"My stars, stars, stars", Nanny said, collapsing into her armchair in her own suite, "This is getting dangerous! Why, why, why does 'e 'ave to be a knight? Why not a delivery man, or a taxi driver... but still, what a lovely evening", she said as she began to daydream about the dinner alone, which sounded rather a lot like a date, that he had spoke of. She would never be good enough for him. She must not think beyond friendship with Wilkes, but still... it would be nice to have one night to remember always. As far as Genovia went, well friends took trips together. Did they not? She would just have to be very, very, very careful not to fall any deeper for the charming knight, whom occupied a large percentage of her thoughts lately.
TO BE CONTINUED...