Some weeks later...

Chapter 26 – Occupying Ones Mind

''US steel tycoon Caledon Hockley arrived in London this week with his wife Rose Hockley. The newlyweds are staying at the swanky Savoy Hotel for an undisclosed length of time after reportedly touring Paris whilst on honeymoon. Hockley Steel recently signed a six figure deal and it is thought that whilst in London Mr. Hockley will be attending to business as well...''

Cal adjusted his collar at the breakfast table as he read that morning's Daily Mail aloud before taking another sip of his coffee.

''The damn papers, they know everything.'' He cursed as he threw the newspaper to one side. He glanced at his wife who had barely touched her English breakfast. ''I have a long journey this morning. I am going to Sheffield. It is one of the biggest cities in steel in the UK.''

''Alright.'' Rose replied, taking a small sip of her tea.

''Come Rose, lighten up. The weather isn't as dreary as we assumed it to be here.'' Cal reasoned with his wife.

''I know Cal, I am sorry. I will feel better once I have got some air.''

At that moment Trudy entered the breakfast room. ''Mr. Hockley, the car is waiting.''

Rose placed her teacup back on the saucer and turned her neck slightly to the side. She could see Trudy stood at the door; she glanced back at her husband who was straightening out his jacket.

''You have to go right away?''

Trudy quickly excluded herself.

''Yes. ''

''Oh.''

Cal came to Rose kissing her forehead. ''I will be back before you know it.''

''I know.'' She whispered. She knew that without her husband's existence in the house that her mind would wonder chronically.

He left the room without another word. He had come and gone yet again. Trudy came back into the room when she heard that Cal had gone. She stacked one plate on top of the other seeing Rose fiddle with some material on the tea cloth before giving in and sitting in Cal's seat.

''Rose...'' She whispered. Rose squeezed her eyes closed as she fell victim under Trudy's stare. She knew how much Rose hated Cal leaving the hotel without her. The past few weeks they had barely parted giving Rose plenty to think of at all times.

''Rose, your mother is ready to go soon.''

Rose put her head in her hands and her elbows on the table.

''Trudy, please don't allow me to be alone during this trip.'' She was shaking. ''I have just got myself back. I have to think forward. I have to think of this afternoon I have tea with my mother in the park.'' Her voice quivered.

Trudy grabbed Rose's hand. ''Of course.''

''I cannot think of him. I just can't.''

It was an hour later when the carriage pulled up to the Corner in Hyde Park through the Marble Arch. It covered 142 hectares with over 4,000 trees, a large lake, a meadow and ornamental flower gardens.

As Rose was helped from the carriage she took a glance around. Couples sat taking picnics, families played bowls and the occasional loner read his book as he enjoyed the Spring morning.

''Mrs. Dewitt Bukater, Mrs Hockley, tea has been served for you.'' The footman advised.

Ruth held her mauve hat as she shaded her eyes from the sun to find a table spread with tea and lovely afternoon teacakes, sandwiches and lemonade.

''Thank you.''

Rose took a seat at the table. It was just enough out of the shade so that the sun didn't directly shine on them.

''Oh Mother, this is just lovely.''

''It is a nice change from Parisian tea.'' Ruth was helped into the wicker chair by the footman. He didn't receive any thank you, he simply took off back to his job. He knew to return shortly to collect them. ''Its not quite like the English.''

Rose laughed at her mothers taste. She always was one to complain bitterly. ''I am fairly surprised by the British weather. I hear it rains most days.''

Rose placed a sugar lump in her tea. ''Oh Mother, do stop complaining. You will ruin the lovely day.''

Ruth said nothing else. She took a moment to stare out at the Park. It was beautiful there was no denying that and steeped in so much history. She watched the people celebrate their day. No one seemed to care that two ladies were taking their tea right in the middle of the Corner. They didn't judge, they were too enthralled in their own lives. Just then a young man and woman strolled passed, they held hands so tightly. Their looks so adorning of each other. Rose raised her head, eyeing them up and down several times.

''I bet they will marry.'' Rose didn't take her eyes from them as they continued their walk obvious to the attention on them.

''Its nothing but young loves dream.'' Ruth snapped. ''One day they will see the mistake they made.''

Rose glared at her mother. ''Did you think that of my father?''

Ruth was taken aback by her daughters comment. She placed her tea back on the saucer. This conversation was too stuffy for tea time. She could see her husband in her daughter all over her face and then she could see so much of herself.

''Yes.'' She spoke quickly. ''I know you have too.''

Rose glanced downwards at her lap. ''I woke up to the fact I wasn't happy days after my wedding.''

''Rose, you will make each mistake I made. A daughter is a young version of ones self.'' Ruth removed her pale lilac gloves and placed them neatly on the table.

''I don't love Cal.'' Rose said aloud. She felt some relief. The words which she had kept to herself for a long time. She removed her hat and placed it on the table away from their tea tray.

''I didn't love your father. He was a wonderful man but he never could quite be the perfect husband.'' Ruth's voice was sharp without an ounce of emotion but Rose sensed that deep down her mother may have fought some battle. ''We had a daughter and one day you will have children too.''

Rose raised her eyebrows. ''I doubt that.''

''Yes you will. A son perhaps to inherit the family business or a daughter who you will watch make exactly the same mistakes that you did.''

The words seem to hit home for Rose. It was as though her life was already planned out for her and for every woman of her age who was married. Was her mothers words right? She couldn't picture herself with children, to look into the face of a small baby and see herself or her husband. She couldn't imagine having such a responsibility.

She took a sip of her tea in silence. It was sweet and it seemed to awaken her senses. ''What if I didn't have children? Would that be the bane of my existence?''

''You will have children.'' Ruth assured her. ''Marriage is lonely without them.''

''But when I was a child you had full time help.'' Rose pointed out. ''You didn't spend time with me as a mother should.''

Ruth slowly placed her hand to her chest, shocked beyond belief at her daughters words. ''My mother barely paid attention to me as a child. My brother was the favourite child and he could do no wrong. Until his death.''

Rose had no idea her mother was one of two children. She watched as her Mother struggled with something she had never witnessed before. Just how could she had never mentioned this before? To her own daughter.

''What was his cause of death?''

''Suicide.'' Ruth told her blankly. ''He shot himself with a pistol when he was fifteen. Lord knows how the boy even got hold of one.''

''Mother…'' Rose attempted to place herself in her mothers shoes.

''My mother never spoke of him again and neither did I. Until now.''

Rose found herself reaching over to touch her mothers hand but she removed it quickly not comfortable with the public display.

''Mother, you are allowed to speak of such things.''

She shook her head violently. She picked up a napkin and quickly dabbed her eyelashes. ''No, we mustn't depress this lovely day. It may be the only decent one we get.''

Rose laughed. And just like that Ruth went back to complaining of the weather.