My apologies for the lack of posts: I've been away to stay with friends I hadn't seen in 9 months and thought I could still write, but it turned out to be impossible. A short chapter today, then we should be back to daily posts (fingers crossed)
Chapter Nineteen
Dickie was shocked at the mess that he found in Tim's flat. The curtains were closed, surfaces were covered with dirty crockery, papers, clothes and other detritus. Tim collapsed on to the sofa, and it looked like he had spent the night there.
"When was the last time you had a bath?" Dickie asked. Tim just shrugged. "Go and have a bath now, and a shave. You'll feel better. I'll take you for lunch somewhere"
"I don't want to see anyone." Tim grumbled miserably.
"We can go somewhere quiet, out of the way, where there won't be anyone you know?" Tim just shook his head. "Or I could go and get some chips and we eat here?" Dickie offered. Tim nodded. "Go and get yourself cleaned up."
Tim took his time, but finally trudged off to the bathroom. Dickie sighed and crossed to open the curtains. The room looked worse in the light of day. He started to clear everything into the tiny kitchen and then, as he could still hear Tim splashing in the bath, thought he would try his hand at some washing up. When he heard Tim getting out of the bath he headed out to get some fish and chips from a van around the corner. He got back to find Tim sitting listlessly on the same sofa as earlier.
"Thanks for tidying up" Tim said, sounding tired and fed up.
"It's nothing" Dickie replied. "I'll just fetch some plates." He came back and busied himself sharing out the fish and chips, handing Tim his plate. "Not exactly the meal Isobel would recommend, but it'll see us through until dinnertime" Dickie tried to sound cheerful.
Tim said nothing. He stared at his plate without eating anything. Dickie started to eat to try and encourage him. He was rather at a loss as to what to do next.
-TW- -TW- -TW-
"Isobel! Is that really you?!" The light in Charlotte's eyes shone with glee.
Isobel smiled "It really is! I'm sorry we haven't seen each other in so long" She embraced the great lady "Happy Birthday!"
"Thank you" Charlotte beamed "And what does it matter, you're here now! I heard a rumour that you'd remarried? Tell me all the juicy details!" Charlotte gave her a cheeky wink as the group were led to their table.
"He's a Lord…" Margaret interjected "And rather dishy into the bargain."
"I would expect nothing less" Said Charlotte in a haughty voice "Only the best for our Isobel" All the ladies laughed.
"We met by chance at a luncheon with my Cousin, that's all" Isobel downplayed "We have shared interests and he's so caring. It's nice to have someone to look after me for a change. It's been a long time."
"And it doesn't hurt that he's dashingly handsome and head-over-heels in love with her!" Margaret enthused. The ladies giggled and Isobel blushed.
"Hush you!" Isobel hissed. "And what have you been up to Charlotte? Last I saw of you on the day I left you were re-briefing a British General…"
Charlotte sniffed "Just instructing him on a few of the finer points!"
The waiter arrived and started to fill the ladies wine glasses while a second placed the first course.
"We tried to choose a menu that reflected your favourites" Margaret commented. "I hope we got somewhere close?"
Charlotte sniffed the aroma "Oyster stew?" Margaret nodded "I've always loved oysters. I remember as a young girl going down to the market with Nanny - her sister worked on one of the stalls - and they would always let me have a couple of the fresh oysters coming in from Suffolk. We never had them at home because Mother didn't like the smell of fish."
"I can understand that" Lady Marjorie shuddered. "Can't stand the smell myself."
"I remember you eating all kinds of fish in Paris?" Barbara queried "Well, when we could get any."
"Well, yes, I enjoy it, but it doesn't mean I like the smell!" Lady Marjorie clarified. There were a few giggles. "A bit like work: I don't like it, but nothing gets done without it!"
"Very true! I think we can all drink to that!" Celia raised her glass "To ladies that change the world!" To a chorus of approval, the ladies drank the toast.
-TW- -TW- -TW-
Dickie watched Tim surreptitiously as he ate. Tim picked at his food quietly. Dickie wasn't sure what to do: should he say something about Larry? About something banal and unrelated? Let them sit in silence? Tim didn't seem as uncomfortable as he was, maybe he should just…
Dickie realised he'd finished his meal. "Well, that was surprisingly good" He said quietly and involuntarily. He leaned forward to put his plate on the table, and happened to glance at the papers. They appeared to be agreements of some kind.
"What are these?" He asked, looking at Tim.
Tim shrugged. "From what I can tell, it's just scrap paper" He said bitterly.
"May I?" Dickie asked. He took no answer as assent and picked up some of the papers. They looked official enough and were written in a formal business language that Dickie recognised. The first was a contract making Tim a partner in some kind of venture, the next a share certificate, another was a receipt of investment in a printing company Dickie had never heard of. "Did you invest a lot with Larry?" The question was quiet, gentle. Still no response. Dickie looked up.
Tim was sat looking hopelessly at his Father with tears rolling down his cheeks.