Chapter 12
Gathering of the Clan
There was rejoicing at the Herb Garden, for Alec, Janice's husband and Joan's father, had come home to England and would sail the South Seas no more.
"You are all used to it by now," said the sailor to his wife on the first evening after his return, "but it is a big shock to me to see young Len in that invalid chair."
"I wouldn't say we are used to it," said Janice, "but we have come to accept it. I just hope every day that he will recover and be able to walk again."
"Yes, I hope for that too. At least here is the perfect healing place for them to live. You have worked wonders on this house, my girl," said Alec. "I'm hoping we can find a place at least as beautiful as this to be our home. Those roses are calling me!"
"Benedicta Bennett, the Abbey gardener, gave me her precious copy of Gerard's Herbal to read," said Janice. "It's interesting that you describe this as a place of healing, for so many of the garden herbs were for healing. Yarrow, in particular. I love the garden even more for that reason. Perhaps you are right, and it will help to heal Len."
Alec's arrival coincided with the summer school holidays, so a great returning of boys from their school in Yorkshire had already taken place. Alastair and Alan Fraser had gone directly to Joan Raymond's home with their friends John and Jim, and now Alec and Janice would be joining them. This would take them much closer to Kentisbury Castle where their youngest children, Cecily and Janet, were being cared for, and the whole family looked forward to being reunited.
"I worry about leaving Littlejan, but she is much more confident now with little John," said Janice. "And I am missing my babies!"
"Littlejan and Little John, how funny that sounds," remarked the very proud new grandfather. Alec had sat holding and gazing at John for an hour that afternoon, secretly surprised at his own emotion at the sight of this newest member of the family, his daughter's firstborn son.
Joan Raymond welcomed them both the next day, with open arms. Janice's namesake, Janice or Jansy Raymond, was beside her mother, to welcome the Frasers to their home. Additions in previous years to Rayley, home of the Raymond family, had made the house spacious and accommodating for guests as well as Joan's own large family. The boys had decided though, to make the most of the perfect summer weather and to camp in the orchard adjoining the house, gleefully putting up tents and making mattresses of straw.
"Alastair has a friend at school who goes camping every summer in tents, often on an island in the Lake District," laughed Joan. "Our John has been mad about camping ever since Alastair told him about Roger Walker and his family."
"We are all invited to the Castle on Friday night," said Joan later, when the new arrivals had settled into their rooms and had a joyful reunion with tall Alastair and his younger brother Alan, who was also showing signs of growing tall. "Rosamund and Geoffrey are looking forward so much to seeing Alec again."
"Alec met Geoffrey and Rosamund very briefly at Littlejan's coronation as the Marigold Queen," said Janice thoughtfully. "And now Joan is married with a baby! I can't quite believe even now all that has happened."
"And that Janice finishes school this year. My first baby, almost grown up," said Joan, to her friend.
"And Alastair," said Janice, recalling the recent conversation at the Hall. Janice was sure Joan would know of the impending threats from Europe. Joan's husband, formerly Captain Raymond, was deep in conversation with the sailors Alec Fraser and Bill Kane, and Janice could tell it was about serious subjects, not just house building.
"I wish the future for all our children looked brighter," said Joan, confirming Janice's expectation. Her own calm and happy life faced uncertainty now that the threat of conscription, even for returned servicemen such as Jack, and young men and women such as Janice and Alastair, was being considered. The impending war itself was too ghastly to contemplate.
"Rosamund and I have talked about the possibility of opening our homes as evacuation points for children from the cities, if that becomes necessary," Joan continued. "Maidlin and Joy may do the same."
"You are still carrying the torch on behalf of the Abbey, then, giving sanctuary to those who need it," said Janice, remembering past days when each of them had realized the influence the Abbey and its atmosphere had had on their lives.
"I hope so," said Joan. "I like to think we can bring its peace and tranquility into our homes for others as well, even in the midst of chaos. I don't remember the bombing of London, but Mother did, and she was always found those memories very distressing. I remember a school in Kent which was evacuated up to Scotland, after a bomb fell in a paddock nearby. All the windows on one side of the building were smashed. Some friends were students there. It was very frightening for them."
"Do you think it is likely that there would be bombing again if war does break out?" asked Janice, deeply troubled by this possibility. As a child in Sydney during the first war, she had had no such experience.
"I would imagine so," said Joan. "But they would be mainly attacking cities and industrial areas. Thankfully we can't be classified as either of those. Coastal areas with ports and ships, and aerodromes, would be targeted too."
"Will you forgive me if I change the subject, even though it seems frivolous to do so? But I have something rather interesting to tell you all this evening," said Janice, feeling apologetic at moving the conversation away from such weighty and important ideas.
"I think we will all enjoy an interesting story," said Joan Raymond. "We can't only think about the fear of the future; we have to live the present too. Can you give me a hint about your story?"
"No," laughed Janice, "You all have to hear it at once. It is too complicated to tell often!"
Mystified and amused, Joan laughed too and agreed to curb her curiosity.
Having been warned though, that there was to be some kind of announcement, she wondered if the other guests had been similarly prepared.
"Does Rosamund know that you have a story to tell?" Joan asked.
"Again, no!" said Janice. "Alec and I think the Countess will enjoy the story though."
Thus it was, that the Rayley party joyfully met Ken and Jen from the Manor, Joy and Ivor from the Hall, and Maidlin and Jock from the Pallant, at the Castle of Lord and Lady Kentisbury, later in the week. They were joined by Roger and Rosalin Black, Bill and Patricia Kane, and Littlejan also attended, although Len was perforce unable to leave the Herb Cottage.
The grand banquet hall of the castle was pressed into service for such a special occasion, and at a hint from Rosamund, each of her friends wore their favourite jewellery, in honour of Alec's return. Rosamund wore the sapphires given to her by all her friends as wedding presents; Patricia, with her vivid copper coloured hair, composed and gracious, proudly wore the remarkable gold and emerald necklace that had been made for Lady Rosella back in the time of Henry VIII. Rosalin, with some misgivings, wore the similarly constructed silver necklace with garnets, that had been given to her by her aunt Effie.
The bronze haired cousins, Joan and Joy, both wore emeralds, Joan Raymond emeralds, were a gift from her husband's family on the occasion of their marriage many years ago. Joy Quellyn wore the emeralds which were her wedding gift from Ivor, and Jen Marchwood the rubies which had been her mother's.
Janice had a beautiful necklet of Australian opals, presented by her husband just a few days before, which she proudly wore for the first time. Littlejan wore the circle of moonstones given to her by Len on their marriage. Maidlin Robertson was also wearing rubies, which matched her engagement ring and had been a gift from her husband on the birth of their twin girls.
"Aren't we grand," sighed young Joan. "I wish Len could have been here." She was happy to be part of the occasion, but sad that her husband had been unable to accompany her. He had urged her to go, knowing the nature of the announcement that was to be made, and she had travelled with Ken and Jen, Joy and Ivor, in the big car from the Hall. Joan had promised to tell him all the details later.
"I hope you and Len are enjoying your new home," said Maidlin. She and Joan had known each other less than the other members of the Abbey and Castle families, and both were finding quiet pleasure in getting to know the other. "I remember how much fun we had in our first year at the Pallant, planning and making the gardens, and getting to know the house."
"I feel the same way," said Joan in delight. "I come across an afternoon view from a window, that I haven't noticed before, and I am still learning all the treasures our house holds for us. Getting to know the house – I like that idea. Thank you Maidlin."
To make an even number, a young friend of Rosalin and Roger, Dr Tom Dudgeon, who was visiting them, was invited as well. Joan Fraser was seated next to Tom Dudgeon, and before long found herself explaining about her husband's accident to the sympathetic listener. Roger Black watched intently from the other side of the table, having hoped that this opportunity would present itself. His friend Tom was a specialist in spinal injuries and he was certain that Tom might be able to suggest some new therapies for Len.
After the long banquet of many courses, the company retired to a comfortable sitting room, amply provided with lounges and chairs, and displaying interesting cabinets of the collections of former generations of residents of the Castle. Delicate porcelain figurines, miniatures on ivory, an intriguing collection of antique watches and carriage clocks, and a priceless collection of illustrated manuscripts, were among the treasures on display.
The guests moved among them, commenting on and admiring the articles, which were kept only for the pleasure of the family and not on public display. As coffee and port were served, and everyone took their seats, Janice took a quiet moment to speak.