Chapter Fourteen
"Do you have much planned for today?" Isobel asked as she sat down to breakfast.
"I thought I'd go up to the Abbey and talk about the camping idea with Robert this morning, then Nanny usually takes the children out for a walk before lunch so I thought I might join them. I thought George might be missing Marigold and it will take his mind off her being gone." Dickie looked up from his paper "You're at the hospital, aren't you?"
"Yes, and I feel a little guilty that I haven't seen Violet in a few days. I might see if I have time to pop over for coffee: will you be home for lunch?" Isobel was getting distracted by her post.
"I was planning to be. I was hoping we could spend some time together this afternoon. I wanted to discuss something with you later." Isobel didn't respond "Interesting news in your letter?" Dickie asked as he reached for his own post.
"Hmm? It's from Margaret with the arrangements for Charlotte's luncheon party. She's offered that we stay with them while we're down: do you think that would be too much?" Isobel looked up. This time Dickie was distracted. "Darling, is everything alright?"
"Yes, just a letter from Rattisbon with some detail I asked him about. He's sent the draft of my revised Will as well, so I must go through that today. In fact, I might ask Robert to witness it while I'm up at the Abbey." Dickie sighed and looked up at Isobel "Would what be too much?"
"Do you think staying with Margaret and Hugh would be too much? Charlotte's luncheon party is earlier than the planned shopping trip, but I'm not sure I want to go to London twice in two weeks" Isobel worried her bottom lip.
"It's nice of them to offer, and it would be more friendly than staying in an hotel. Is there a better option?" Dickie was surprised at Isobel's reluctance.
"No, you're right. I'll write and accept today. We were so close at one time, it just feels a bit strange to be so friendly again after there's been such a gap and our lives have changed so much." Isobel moved on to open more of her post. "Oh! This is from Mrs Rawlins. She says the police have interviewed all the staff and allowed them to move on to new positions. She has somewhere lined up and will be gone within the week." Isobel paused "She says Bolton is still adamant that Larry and Amelia will see him right, despite a grilling he got from the police about their movements and visitors. She says the bank have had valuers in for the contents and the rumour is the house will be sold."
"Yes, Rattisbon mentioned he'd heard that the bank's solicitors will make an application to foreclose on the mortgage soon. Once that happens, everyone will know Larry is broke, even if they don't know about Greenall's" Dickie said quietly. "I might call Inspector Money today as well. It's been a few weeks now: I wonder if they have any more idea where they've got to."
"Have you heard anything from Tim?" Isobel asked.
"No, and I'm in two minds about what to do. On the one hand, I did say I'm here if he needs me and I feel I should let him be, but on the other, I feel I should check up on how he is." Dickie looked out the window "It's so hard to know the best course of action. If I knew him better, I might have known what he needs at a time like this."
"It will all work out somehow. These things do. As you said, he knows where you are." Isobel tried to give him a reassuring smile. It didn't seem to convince either of them.
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"Well, this is a pleasant surprise. I have seen you in some time" Violet looked up from her novel as Isobel was announced "I thought you're usually at the hospital in the mornings. Will you stay for coffee?"
"Yes, coffee would be nice please" Spratt nodded in response and left. Isobel continued "I have been at the hospital, but I was hoping to get away and catch up with how you are, then something happened at breakfast that I thought you and your spies might be able to help with"
"My spies! My dear Isobel, I'm not some kind of international ring master looking to bring down institutions from the inside!" Violet bristled at the description. "I merely have discerning friends and acquaintances who work together to protect those we know and love. That's all" Violet sniffed as Spratt brought in the coffee service and fresh fruit cake.
"That's what I meant" Isobel countered. Then while Spratt served them she said "Dickie is up at the Abbey taking a walk with the children. I think he's hoping to get in some practice before John grows old enough to play with"
"What on earth for?" Violet looked shocked "Isn't an hour at tea time enough practice?"
"I was thinking it would be nice for John to grow up at Crawley House with us. I would maybe wait a little longer until he's out of the baby stage, but it would be nice for him to have a family upbringing rather than living on his own up in the Abbey nursery." Isobel mused.
"I don't see what difference it will make" grumbled Violet "At least in the nursery there are other children to play with. Aren't he and Caroline about the same age?"
Isobel accepted a piece of cake "He can still see the children and be friends with them, but I'd like to be more involved - like I was with Matthew. I think Dickie would enjoy it too. He just doesn't know it yet"
"And what will happen if you get this idyllic family life, and Larry and Amelia turn up to take him away. How enjoyable will that be?" Violet snapped.
"Surely we should enjoy our time with him while we can, and hope against an estrangement if they do come back" Isobel watched the door close behind Spratt. "But I really don't think they will."
"Have you heard anything?" Violet asked
"No, but remember I told you that Merton House was in as bad a state as Cavenham" Violet nodded "Dickie got a letter from his solicitor this morning who said that he expects the bank to make an application to foreclose on the mortgage any day. Of course, once that happens everyone will know that Larry is broke."
"Was that what you wanted me to find out about?" Violet asked.
"No, although knowing if there are any rumours might be useful. We're going down to stay with my friend Margaret next week as I have a luncheon to attend, and I don't want Dickie to be embarrassed running in to old friends." Isobel mused. "No, what I wanted your help with is Tim."
"Tim? I know he's not Larry, but not far removed. Are you sure?" Violet queried.
"Yes. He's still Dickie's son. Did I tell you that Dickie went to see him before I got to London?" Isobel asked.
"Yes. Sounds like he didn't want to know then. What makes you so sure he'll want to know now?" Violet was sceptical.
"I don't know that he will be interested, but I'm worried. And so is Dickie. It's just difficult to know if he needs help and isn't asking for it or if he is alright on his own. Either way, if anyone knows of him or how he is, I think it would be useful. If needs be, Dickie could check up on him while we're in London next week. You know what they say: forewarned is forearmed."
"I see your point, but I'm not convinced this is a good idea." Violet sipped her coffee.
-TW- -TW- -TW-
"Grandpa, were you in the Army like Donk?" George asked. They were walking through the woods and George had taken Dickie's hand while Sybbie walked with Emma and one of the prams.
"No, I wasn't in the Army. My Father thought a trip around Europe to experience life was more appropriate for me. In some ways I'm glad because I never really liked the idea of being a soldier." Dickie smiled down at the little boy.
"Was my Father in the Army? Mummy doesn't really talk about him, says she will tell me when I'm older and that Daddy will look after me now. But sometimes I just wonder what he was like." George kicked at a pile of leaves.
"Yes, your Father was in the Army. He fought in a very big war, as did Daddy and Uncle Bertie. He was very brave and he got injured, but then he got better and married your Mummy. But he was a solicitor by choice." Dickie wondered where this conversation might lead, and how he could steer it away.
"What was he like? Grandmama says I have his eyes." George looked up at Dickie with absolute trust.
Dickie smiled. "I didn't know your Father very well as I didn't really meet Grandmama until after he'd died. I know he loved your Mummy and you very much. Grandmama says you are just like he was when he was your age. He was interested in how things worked, loved playing sports and wanted to know everything about everything. She said he was kind and had lots of friends."
There was a brief silence "You know your Grandmama served in two big wars: she trained as a nurse during the Boer War and she worked for the Red Cross during the Great War while your Father was fighting."
"Really?" asked George in awe.
"Yes, really. She's quite something, your Grandmama" Dickie smiled. "Do you think you want to be in the Army one day?"
"No, I don't think so" George looked very serious "I liked the fire and the sausages, but I don't like the idea of sleeping outside in the cold. Besides, Mummy says I need to look after the estate like she does when I'm older."
-TW- -TW- -TW-
"Did you enjoy your time with the children?" Isobel asked over lunch.
"I did. George was asking about Matthew. I think he might like to know a little about him from you. I couldn't really tell him much, and apparently Mary has told him she'll tell him when he's older." Dickie replied.
"I have told him some stories, but I don't suppose it would hurt to share more. I don't want the memory of Matthew to impact on his relationship with Henry." Isobel looked concerned.
"I love how you have accepted Henry as part of the family" Dickie squeezed Isobel's hand briefly "Maybe tell him some stories from when Matthew was his age, so that he can relate to them. He was interested in your stories too - about you being a nurse and working in France. I think he's curious to know who he is."
"I think there may be some old keepsakes in storage that were Matthew's favourites when he was little. I may look them out." Isobel said quietly.
"John was his usual smiley self. Nanny said he's doing well. Apparently he's pushing himself up and likes being sat in the high chair now." Dickie reported.
"Oh, that's good. We were a little concerned when he first arrived that his weaning hadn't started and maybe he was a little behind, but she's brought him on well. Although, of course, every child is different." Isobel said matter-of-factly.
Isobel seemed on firmer ground talking about John, so Dickie said "I've been thinking about what you said, and I think I'd like to try it sooner rather than later."
Isobel stopped and looked at him, totally confused "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"About John coming to live with us here." Dickie elaborated "I know you said when he's a bit older, but I thought maybe we could do it now. Or maybe after Christmas?"
"He's still quite small. It would be a big upheaval. The noise, the routine, the disruption. Are you sure you want to?" Isobel queried. "He's quite settled where he is."
"I know, and I understand the theory of him being at the Abbey. But what you said about growing up in a home and how you brought Matthew up, it got me thinking. I don't suppose Matthew was banished to a nursery all day long and only ever surrounded by nannies and other children." Dickie paused. "Talking to George today I realised how little he knows about the adults in his life as he only really gets to see them for such short periods of time."
"It would be easier if we waited a little longer. Emma doesn't seem to have a great deal of experience and if he's still being bottle fed it would create a lot of extra work." Isobel worried. "And we would need to look at which room he would have and get it ready."
"Well, let's have a look after luncheon." Dickie was firm in his idea, and he wasn't going to let Isobel reason him out of it. "And I'm sure you had no more experience than Emma has when you raised Matthew, did you?"
"Well, no, but Nanny MacGregor has that experience and is on hand if he's at the Abbey…" Isobel started.
"And she's only ever a telephone call away if he's here, and there's the hospital next door." Dickie countered. "Please, think about it."
Isobel sighed. "I worry that you will get too attached to him before we know what is really going on with Larry and Amelia. What if John lives here for six months, and then they turn up and take him away? How will you cope?"
Dickie stared at his plate for a moment. "It would be horrible, but we would cope together." He looked up at her "I really don't think they're coming back. I think they've left him with us and walked away, just like they've walked away from everything else."
Isobel swallowed the lump in her throat. "Come on. I think there's a nice room that catches the morning sun." And she led the way from the room.