Chapter 57 – Good News, Bad News:
Green. A bright green land and a clear blue sky. Suddenly a wave rose out of the sea, a great dark towering wave rushing towards the shore and swallowing the green land in a blink of an eye.
Tarzan suddenly sat up in bed, shaking his head in disbelief. "That was some weird dream," he thought to himself and he saw to his relief that he was safe and sound in bed. He turned his head and saw his wife lying on her front, fast asleep beside him.
She was still naked from their lovemaking earlier in the night, her hair flowing down her exposed back like a silken river. Tarzan smiled at her beauty and the innocent look on her face as she quietly slept. As he slipped out of bed, he pulled up covers so that she didn't get cold and kissed her gently on the top of her head. "I love you," he whispered and Jane made an intelligible noise before turning over in her sleep to lie on her side.
Tarzan pulled on his pyjamas that had been discarded on the floor in their earlier passion and pulled back the curtains slightly to look out of the window. It was early dawn and a watery sun dimly lit the garden. Tarzan looked at the bare oak tree at the bottom of the garden and its naked but strong branches called out to him. It was a temptation that he couldn't resist and he felt that it was early enough for no one to notice.
As quietly as possible, Tarzan tiptoed out of the bedroom and went his way downstairs to the garden. He crossed paths with Daisy on the hallway stairs, carrying a bucket of coal as she was starting her fire-lighting duties. She adverted her eyes, made a quick curtsey as her master nodded politely before he went on his way and she went on hers, not even daring to ask why her master was up at such an ungodly hour.
The garden was quite cold and Tarzan was glad that he had put on his long wool coat, scarf and gloves to keep warm. As he walked across the lawn, the dew dampened his slippers and once he reached the foot of the tree, he took them off and shoved the gloves into his coat pockets so that he had a better grip.
With a determined look in his eyes, Tarzan started to climb the tree and sure enough he was going higher and higher up the tree. Tarzan couldn't help laughing in delight as he scaled the branches, revelling in the feel of the bark lightly abrasing the soles of his feet. He hadn't climbed a tree since he had left the jungle and he didn't realised how much he sorely missed it until now. He sat on a sturdy branch near the top and his eyes took in the London skyline, so different from the skyline of his homeland. It was a different kind of jungle, one of brick and stone instead of trees, mountains and waterfalls.
Suddenly he heard a loud shriek being sounded from the house and he turned to see Martha staring out of the nursery window, her face agog at seeing her master sitting in a tree 20 foot from the ground!
"What on earth is going on?" Mrs Fairfax burst into the nursery after hearing Martha's sudden scream. "Has something happened to the baby?"
"I, I, I," Martha stammered, her mouth opening and closing like a goldfish.
"Speak up girl!" Mrs Fairfax snapped irritably. It was too early in the morning to be faffing about!
"I, I saw the master up, up, in, in the tree," Martha finally managed to say and both women turned to look out of the window to see an empty tree.
"But, but he was there!" Martha gasped in disbelief. "He was almost at the top!"
"Silly girl!" Mrs Fairfax rolled her eyes in exasperation. "You probably just saw a crow! I will tell the mistress that everything is well with her son." As she left the room, Martha turned back to look out the window, now wondering if she had just been seeing things after all.
"Tarzan my boy may you pass me the marmalade please?" Archimedes asked as the Porters ate breakfast in the dining room later that morning.
"Of course Professor," Tarzan nodded and passed the pot of marmalade to his father-in-law.
"Thank you Tarzan, what time is William's appointment today?"
"2 o'clock," Tarzan replied and then bit into a piece of buttered toast.
"Plenty of time," Jane said before adding under her breath so that only Tarzan could hear. "Plenty of time to scare some more maids."
Tarzan turned his head to look at Jane who raised her eyebrow and then her lips formed a mischievous smile. Tarzan grinned and the two of them struggled to contain their giggles.
"Well, I will retire to my study before we go to see Dr Willis-Turner," Archimedes dabbed his mouth with a napkin, slightly baffled his daughter and son in-law's unexplained snorts of laughter. "I would like to read that article and write some more of my memoirs before we set off."
"Alright Daddy," Jane nodded, "but please keep an eye on the time. I don't want us to be running late. I will ask Carson to remind you to be ready."
"Oh Janey-Jane, I don't need Carson to watch over me. I will watch the clock like a hawk. Now, if you excuse me." As Archimedes left the dining room Jane couldn't help but fear that her father would get lost in his work and lose track of time as he always did.
"Where's is Daddy?" Jane's voice was terse as she adjusted her hat in the hallway mirror later that day. She and Tarzan together with William were all ready to go to the doctors but Archimedes had failed to come downstairs, the grandfather clock ticking in a somewhat haughty disapproving tone.
"I will go to the study and get him," Tarzan offered as he put William into Martha's arms. "Go and wait in the coach, we will only be a minute."
"Alright," Jane nodded, still peeved as Mrs Fairfax helped her into her coat. "It's my fault, I should have instructed Carson to ensure that he was ready on time."
Tarzan went up the stairs at a brisk pace whilst his wife and son headed out of the front door to the waiting horse and coach. He didn't even bother to knock on the study door and as he entered his nostrils were flooded with the scent of old books, peppermint and pipe tobacco which Archimedes smoked very infrequently. The desk was piled high with books, arranged almost like a medieval fort, barricading Archimedes inside its walls of knowledge and science.
"Professor?" he called out and a second or two later Archimedes popped his head from behind the stacks of books.
"Hello Tarzan my boy," Archimedes smiled almost obliviously, "did you come to borrow a book?"
"I have come to find you Professor because we need to leave for William's appointment. We're running late actually."
Archimedes looked up and saw the time on the clock, clapping his hand against his forehead in disbelief.
"Gordon Bennett!" he exclaimed, "I'm so sorry Tarzan! I absolutely lost track of time again! Jane will not be happy!"
"It's alright Professor," Tarzan reassured him as Archimedes bumbled about, haphazardly throwing on his waistcoat and suit jacket. He would smarten himself up in the coach. As he leant over his desk to pick up his pocket-watch, Archimedes felt a sharp, pain emit in his chest as well as tightness, making it slightly harder for him to breathe. The room felt like it was swimming and Archimedes leant on the desk to stop himself from collapsing.
"Professor?" Tarzan noticed his father-in-law bent over his desk in some degree of pain. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Archimedes replied as he slowly pulled himself up, the room now no longer spinning. "Let's go, we can't keep Jane waiting anymore."
"Are you sure that you are feeling alright Professor?" Tarzan pressed again as they walked carefully downstairs to the hallway. He noted the slight paleness of his father-in-law's face and slightly shaken up expression.
"I'm fine Tarzan my boy," Archimedes replied with a smile. "I wolfed down my breakfast like a gannet this morning. Just a bit of indigestion that's all. Nothing to worry about."
Tarzan nodded but was not completely convinced by Archimedes' explanation. He knew that for some unfathomable reason, males both animal and human generally didn't like to admit when something was wrong with them.
As they stepped into the coach, Jane rolled her eyes in exasperation at both her father's tardiness and his scruffy appearance. Tarzan cautiously watched Archimedes as the coach made its way over to Harley Street and he saw the colour rise back into Archimedes' cheeks and he appeared to be back to his usual self. "Maybe it was just indigestion," he thought to himself as Archimedes smiled at him before smartening himself up for the doctor's visit.
"Ah Mr and Mrs Porter, Professor Porter," Dr Willis-Turner greeted them with a polite smile as they entered his office. "A pleasure to see you again, I hope that you had a good Christmas and New Year?"
"We most certainly did Doctor," Jane smiled as she sat William down on the examination bed and Tarzan took out the wooden animals just in case William started to get upset and needed a distraction. Fortunately, William was in a chipper mood that day and even squealed in delight as Dr Willis-Turner examined his mouth and lip.
"Well, I must say that William is certainly a lot bigger than when I last saw him," Dr Willis-Turner remarked once he finished listening to the boy's heartbeat.
"Does that mean you can operate any earlier?" Jane asked, her voice daring to show an inkling of hope.
"I believe that we can operate when he is 8 months old, so in a couple of months time."
"Oh that's fantastic!" The Porters all gasped in surprise and joy at Dr Willis-Turner's decision. Jane struggled to hold back tears as she smiled and cuddled her son, relief washing over her after months of worrying and fearing that this day would never come.
"I will organise everything with the hospital. Miss Perkins will send you a letter providing you with all the information and advice that you need for the operation." Dr Willis-Turner smiled as the family struggled to contain their emotions.
"Thank you Doctor," Tarzan vigorously shook his hand, "we are so grateful to you for what you are going to do for our son."
"Thank you Mr Porter," Dr Willis-Turner's expression was humble and that made Tarzan admire the man all the more.
"I think I will look around the shops," Archimedes said after the Porters had left the doctor's office and were putting their coats back on in the waiting room. "I saw an intriguing bookshop around the corner from here so please go on ahead. I will get a coach back home by myself."
"If you are sure Daddy," Jane nodded and picked the Moses basket where William laid fast asleep. "Remember to be back home in time for dinner."
"Now you know I will never miss dinner in a million years Janey-Jane!" Archimedes joked, pecking his daughter on her cheek. Jane smiled at his affection before nodding at Tarzan that she was ready to leave. After they had left the waiting room, Archimedes turned back to the doctor's office and knocked on the door.
"Enter," Dr Willis-Turner called out and Archimedes somewhat shyly stepped inside.
"Sorry to disturb you Doctor."
"Professor Porter," Dr Willis-Turner looked up from his papers, slightly surprised at seeing the old man standing apprehensively in the doorway. "Can I help you?"
"It's nothing, I'm just being silly really. I experienced a little chest pain this afternoon and I was wondering if you could look me over?"
"Of course," Dr Willis-Turner stood up and waved his hand at the examination bed, "Please sit on the examination bed Professor Porter."
Archimedes sat down on the leather examination bed and nervously took off his coat, suit jacket and waistcoat as the doctor approached him. Dr Willis-Turner waited patiently as Archimedes unfastened the buttons on his shirt, exposing his chest lightly decorated with silver grey hair.
"Tell me Professor," Dr Willis-Turner asked as he performed various tests, "is this the first time you have experienced heart pain?"
"No," Archimedes admitted reluctantly, "just a couple of times previously over the past few months. But this time it was a lot more painful I do admit."
"Can you tell me Professor what the cause of your parents' deaths were?"
"My mother died of a stroke and my father had a dickey heart."
"Did any of your grandparents pass away from heart problems? Any of your siblings?"
"Yes my grandfather on my father's side did also die of a heart attack, my brother Horatio though died of pneumonia when he was 34."
"Professor Porter, it seems to me that you are suffering from angina rather than run of the mill heartburn. I believe that heart disease does run in your family and I believe that you have it too."
"Oh," was all Archimedes was able to say. A long awkward pause filled the office as Archimedes silently took in this devastating news.
"I am very sorry to tell you this Professor," Dr Willis-Turner added and gently placed his hand on the old man's shoulder as a small gesture of comfort.
"Do I have long Doctor?" Archimedes turned to face him, his eyes filled with earnest. "I know that I am no spring chicken… but do I have long left?"
"It's hard to say. Your angina will worsen if you don't slow down and don't take up a quieter lifestyle. I recommend lots of fresh air, I prescribe stays in the countryside for the majority of my patients as well as a less indulgent diet and very gentle exercise."
Do you think that I will long enough to go back home, to Africa?"
"Possibly, but I wouldn't recommend such a long and arduous journey on a weakening heart."
"Thank you Doctor," Archimedes nodded and fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. All he wanted to do was to get out of the office as fast as possible.
"If you have any further heart pain or anything else, do not hesitate to summon me," Dr Willis-Turner added as he escorted Archimedes out of his office. Archimedes nodded politely and soon enough he was outside and summoning a horse and coach home. As the horses trotted through the streets, their metal shoes clip clopping over the cobblestones, many thoughts rushed through Archimedes' troubled mind.
Would he live long enough to see his grandson get his operation? Would he even see his granddaughter reach adulthood? Would he survive the journey back to Africa? How on earth was he going to tell his beloved daughter that he was going to leave her? She may be a fully grown woman with a family of her own but she and Archimedes were all that they had after the tragic death of her mother and their bond was strong and close. He couldn't bear the thought of breaking her heart.
"Hello Daddy," Jane smiled as Archimedes entered the upstairs parlour. "Did you find any books?"
"Sorry?" Archimedes frowned but then quickly remembered his fib. " Oh yes, the bookshop. No I didn't find anything that peaked my interest."
"Oh that's a pity," Jane said before rattling a toy at William to encourage him to try crawling. William's big wide eyes stared at the toy, gurgling happily before rolling over from his tummy onto one side.
"Look Tarzan! Look Daddy!" Jane exclaimed in utter delight, "William is rolling over! He's rolling over!"
"He is!?" Tarzan was amazed and came over to the blanket where Jane and William were playing. "What a clever boy you are William!"
"He will be crawling soon," Jane beamed in relief, "just at the same time that Anna did. It's such a relief to see that our son seems to developing at a healthy rate."
"See I told you that you had nothing to fear," Tarzan noted, pecking his wife lovingly on the lips.
"Yes nothing to fear," Archimedes muttered as he watched his daughter and son-in-law happily playing with their son whilst he could hear the animated noises of Annabelle playing with Daisy from above as her lessons were finished for the day. It pained him to know that one day he would no longer be around to hear and see those happy sights and sounds.
Later that evening, after eating very little Archimedes made his excuses, saying that he was tired and needed an early night. Carson dutifully assisted his master in getting ready for bed as he had done every day for the many years the Porters resided in 19 Montpelier Square before their expedition to Africa.
"Thank you Carson," Archimedes got into bed and Carson propped up the pillows so that his master read in bed as he often did.
"Much obliged Sir. Would you like a cup of cocoa or tea at all?"
"Oh no thank you, goodnight Carson."
"Goodnight sir," Carson bowed and headed towards the bedroom door.
Archimedes hesitated and then called out to his butler, "Carson."
"Yes sir?" Carson turned to face his master and Archimedes hesitated again.
"Before I forget, I have been meaning to contact my solicitor Mr Cooper. Just to tidy over some paperwork whilst I am here. Nothing important but it's better to be safe than sorry."
"Of course sir, I will organise an appointment for you with Mr Cooper first thing tomorrow morning."
"Much appreciated Carson. Goodnight."
"Goodnight sir."
Archimedes flopped back against the pillows and turned his head to see the old photograph of him and his wife standing on the bedside table. She looked so beautiful in her white wedding dress all those years ago. Archimedes picked up the photograph, his thumb tenderly stroking her face. It had been many years since her death but he still missed her laugh, her smile, her kind, sweet nature and her fierce intelligence that pushed him to think outside the box too many times to count.
He remembered her last moments, holding her hand as her breathing slowed and she slipped in and out of consciousness. "Promise me one thing Archie," she managed to say as she rested in their marriage bed as the cancer conquered her body.
"Anything my dear," he breathed, tightening his grip on her hand.
"Jane, promise me that- -"
"Of course I will look after Jane my dear."
"I know that, but promise me that Jane will be happy like you and me. Promise me that shemarries a man that makes her as happy, as loved and as free as you have made me feel Archie."
"I promise sweetheart," Archimedes nodded and kissed her pale forehead, now cool to the touch.
"Don't cry my love," Katherine managed to make a little smile as a tear trickled down is cheek. "I have no regrets. Every day, every moment that I have spent with you Archie has been a wonderful adventure and don't stop having them once I am gone. Live life to the fullest, explore every corner of the world."
"I will, I promise," Archimedes replied softly as the light in his wife's eyes slowly began to fade away. "I love you Katherine."
"I love you too Archie," Katherine murmured, her eyelids slowly closing and Archimedes felt her hand no longer gripping his. It was true that he had kept his promise. Jane was married to a man that loved her with all his heart, made her laugh, made her happy, gave her all the freedom in the world and their life as a family in Africa certainly provided countless adventures. Katherine would have been happy with their choices but it still pained him that she wasn't there to share it. But he promised himself that Jane would be always be taken care of and he needed to see his solicitor to ensure that his last will and testament looked after her, Tarzan and both his grandchildren.
A knock sounded on his bedroom door and Archimedes sniffed back up the tears welling up in his eyes before calling out "Enter."
"Sorry to disturb Professor," Tarzan poked his head around the door. "I didn't wake you up did I?"
"No not all Tarzan my boy."
"I just came to check on you," Tarzan stepped into the bedroom and quietly closed the door behind him. "You were awfully quiet at dinner and you barely ate. Is everything alright?"
"Yes, I was just tired and not very hungry."
"What did the doctor say?" Tarzan asked, knowing full well that Archimedes didn't go to the bookshop. He hadn't stop thinking about his father-in-law's chest pain and wondered whether his solemnness was a sign of something more foreboding.
"Just a bout of heartburn and indigestion. Doctor Willis-Turner gave me some milk of magnesia and told me not to eat so fast. Nothing to worry about Tarzan."
"Are you sure?"
"Quite certain," Archimedes made his lips form into a carefree smile. "I will feel right as rain in a couple of days."
"That's good to hear. Goodnight Professor."
"Goodnight Tarzan…my son."
Tarzan smiled as he quietly closed the door, his mind fully put at rest after worrying all day, completely unaware that his father-in-law had lied to him. Archimedes sighed with a heavy heart, he hated lying but it was for the greater good. It was for the best to keep his family in the dark and maintain their hope and happiness than tell them the truth and break their hearts.