Chapter Thirty
Dickie walked up to the Abbey barely noticing anything around him. He was trying to think what to do for the best. Should he go to London to find out what was going on with Tim? Or should he just telephone Inspector Money? Or was he nothing to do with Tim being held? Or should he just leave Tim to work out things on his own? As Isobel had said, the ball was in Tim's court and he certainly hadn't contacted Dickie to ask for his help. Dickie paused to look out across the view before letting himself in and making his way up to the nursery.
Dickie spent a good hour with John before nap time, then played soldiers with George for a while. It was so easy to forget the world outside the nursery for an hour or so, and by the time he was preparing to leave he felt much more relaxed.
As he made his way down to the front door he met Robert coming in from the park.
"Morning Dickie, I didn't realise you were here?" Robert said happily.
"Isobel was at the hospital this morning, so I decided to come and visit the boys rather than stay at home on my own" Dickie smiled "I'm so glad Nanny doesn't mind my hanging around."
"We're always pleased to see you, one of the family! Are you joining us for coffee?" Robert headed into the library.
Dickie smiled. He still didn't have an answer for the conundrum, but he knew he was in the best place. He turned to follow Robert.
-TW- -TW- -TW-
"But he was so charming at dinner the other evening" Violet said in surprise.
"I know. I was just beginning to believe he may actually be willing to meet us halfway." Isobel took a sip of her coffee. "I don't know, I just can't work him out."
"I think he's made his position quite clear!" Violet replied "What makes you think there's any room for interpretation."
"Dickie made a comment about how Tim used to behave when he was a child. Apparently, picking a fist fight was something he often did when he was upset." Isobel mentioned.
"He didn't strike Dickie?! You didn't mention that!" Violet was shocked.
"No, he got drunk when he returned to London, started a fight and was arrested." Isobel looked innocent "Did I not mention it?"
"What?! No! You most certainly did not!" Violet look ruffled "Well, this puts a difference perspective on things." Violet mused "But why would you think that has anything to do with you?"
"There's a school of thought that certain behaviours may be triggered by events in a person's life. That if that is a way you have coped before, you will use it again" Isobel explained "I wonder whether Tim's outburst at breakfast and later behaviour in London was somehow related to how he felt being in our company" Isobel shrugged.
"What rot!" Violet interjected "The boy should be grateful either of you will entertain him. Many sons have been cut off for less" She huffed. "I will not have you turning him into some kind of victim. He has behaved badly, and you must have him make amends before you go thinking about offering any more olive branches!"
-TW- -TW- -TW-
Brrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiinnnngggggg!
Tim rolled over and groggily punched out at the alarm clock to stop the infernal noise. Even though he had slept since he got home, exhausted, last evening it still felt far too early to be getting up. He groaned. Time to face the music.
He got up and made his way into work. He would need to see when Mr Stevenson could see him this morning and explain his absence.
"Hello Maude." He greeted the secretary "I was wondering if Mr Stevenson has an opening in his diary to see me today? Or maybe tomorrow?"
Maude looked up with a disapproving eye "He's expecting you at nine-fifteen. If you wait here, I'll announce you"
Tim was a little disconcerted. He'd expected to have some time to compose himself, not to be dragged in immediately.
"Mr Stevenson will see you now" Maude held the door to office open, not giving Tim a chance to back away. With a deep breath, Tim strode into his Boss' office.
"Good Morning Sir. Thank you for seeing me at such short notice" Tim tried to be as businesslike as possible. "I thought I'd better see you in person as soon as possible to apologise for my absence yesterday."
"I heard a rumour in the staff room and called an old friend in the City police. I knew where you were and he filled me in on the circumstances." David Stevenson turned around at the window and chuckled "My, my! He gave you a good clout, didn't he!" he chuckled again and pointed to a chair "Sit down. We need a chat"
Tim's heart sank "Yes, sir."
"Do you know why I gave you a job in this department Tim?" David asked, his keen eyes boring into the young man in front of him.
"Because I was the best candidate for the job?" Tim queried.
David snorted "Far from it! Your application was sloppy, your experience and previous reports decidedly lacklustre. You were far from the best candidate for the job" He paused to let that sink in "No, I gave you a shot because I could see your career was on the slide and I felt I owed it to you. You see, my father and your grandfather were friends from their youth. My father would take me to meetings with your grandfather sometimes" David smiled as he reminisced "He was a lovely man. He was kind: never spoke down to me just because I was a child. And he always took me seriously. Once, I took with me a new present I had been given - a pair of binoculars, my prize possession - and he spent the afternoon teaching me how to use them. Ornithology has been a lifelong hobby of mine, and it all started that day on the moor."
"I never knew him" Tim said quietly. This was not the conversation he expected to be having this morning.
"No, he must have died just before you were born I think. Shame." David became more serious "How do you think this posting has gone so far?"
"I've enjoyed it. I think I've done a good job?" David noted that Tim sounded far less sure than he usually did. There was much less bravado about the man.
"Hmmm. Why did you join the Foreign Office Tim? I want you to be absolutely honest with me." David asked. There was silence for some time. David just waited.
After a few minutes, Tim said "When I was little, my father would sometimes tell me stories of places he'd visited or people he'd met. I became fascinated with maps and the history of peoples. I found at school that I was no good with modern languages, but places around the world have always fascinated me."
"So why didn't you read Geography or History at University, hmm? Why Greats?" David pressed.
Tim sighed. "Father expected us to go to Merton, of course. Larry thought that something like Classics would be the most useful because of those I would meet on the course." He paused "I think he would have preferred me to go into the City or maybe politics, but I preferred the Foreign Office."
"Ahh, yes. Larry." David said ominously and appeared deep in thought for some minutes. "You've been honest with me, so I'll be honest with you." David waited until Tim looked up to be sure he had his attention. "I've been concerned about your performance for some time. Your work, when you apply yourself, shows some promise but too often you seem more concerned with being seen in the right places and maintaining a busy social life, rather than doing your best for the department. Further, if one were to look at your CV objectively, you will certainly not go further within the FO if you don't diversify. You are already lagging behind others who joined in the same year as you." David sat back to watch the effect his words had had.
After a pause, David continued "From what I understand, your brother is gone. And he's taken a great deal of your assets with him. It's time to start looking out for yourself rather than following his advice, guidance or example. Do you agree?"
Tim looked up, tears swimming in his eyes, and nodded slowly.
"This is what I want you to do with your time this week." David told him. "I want you to take the time to think about what you want from your career, from your life. Once you've decided, I want you to think of people who are in the position you want to achieve and get hold of their CVs. I want you to read them, analyse them and come back to me with your findings by Friday. Speak to Maude on your way out and book an appointment."
Still mute, Tim nodded slowly.
"You are to take the week off to achieve this task and I want you to take it seriously. I don't want to hear stories of you out drinking, fighting or goodness knows what else: do you understand? If I'm going to help you I expect you to give this the attention it deserves." David warned.
Tim nodded, cleared his throat and huskily said "Thank you Sir"
David nodded. "Don't let me down. More importantly, don't let yourself down. This is nothing to do with Larry, this is about you." He gestured to the door. "Now, get on with you."
Shakily Tim stood and made his way out of the room to negotiate a deadline with Maude.