Angelique (31 page)

Teasing she adds. “You never told me he was such a dashing figure.” She sighs and continues.

“I once fell in love with a man in uniform.” She pauses before explaining. “Well he was more of a boy really.” I join her in laughter and hug her close to me. I imagine Toots face if he had been described as dashing in front of his mates when he wore his frequently blood stained uniform during the war. I warn her. “If you think Toot is a little out of this world as a friend of mine often says, you ain’t seen nothing yet. Wait until you feast your eyes on the estate and meet my family.”

The Ladies must have been waiting for our arrival or had a servant on lookout as we draw up at the front door Emily, Angelique and Pamela emerge to greet us. The first encounter is very successful Denise is welcomed as a family member. Despite the offers she does not part with Mathew however. The day goes well Mother Emily and Pamela go out of their way to make Denise feel at home. Thankfully they all get on well together. Pamela hands over the duties of nurse to Denise with an offer to assist anytime she is required. By mutual agreement Emily agrees to exchange rooms with us. The day culminates in a wonderful dinner party with Jonah and his Wife as our surprise guests.

Surprise! Surprise! It is Emily that calls for a toast to welcome Denise into the family. Mrs Humphreys has baked and decorated a special cake with the words Welcome Denise adorned in icing. Something comes up during the conversation over dinner that could have far reaching implications for me. Jonah is telling us a story about one of the cases he heard while in court.

A man had lied about his age to join the flying corps he was accepted and served with valour as a pilot. It was only when he tried to claim his inheritance at the age of twenty five the problem became highlighted and the family arguments began. In my case the army papers state I am two years older than my birth certificate. My passport has my true age. My French identity card has the false date. I have had no problem up to now but it could possibly give me problems in the future for example it will affect the right to vote. I decide to enlighten Jonah about the situation but not right now. I have more important things to worry about. After dinner Jonah and I retire to the billiard room with brandy and cigars leaving the five Ladies to gossip in the lounge. Whilst idly chatting during the game, Jonah discloses the reason why Mother dislikes Kathleen Bellamy. It seems it was her and her Father that persuaded Emily to make the bad investments in arms manufacturing. Before it collapsed near the end of the war they sold out themselves making a handsome profit. They did this without warning Emily. Things got heated, accusations began flying about. Emily brought a slander case against them but she has subsequently dropped it. Much to Jonahs relief as he reckoned it was a no win situation and had warned Emily continually to drop it to no avail.

The moment appeared right. I used the opportunity of us being together to admit I had a similar problem to the client he told us about. The different recorded ages on my passport and my army discharge papers. Jonah informed me there were lots of cases similar to mine coming to light. He assured me he would sort it out for me.

It has been a long day the transfer to Emily’s room sited alongside the nursery has been completed. Thankfully Denise has no problem asking Pamela’s advice and accepts it gracefully. Now Denise and I are alone on a settee in front of the nursery fire. Mathew is tucked up in his bed fast asleep. Oddly I feel slightly awkward as if I was on a first date.

I begin to cuddle and kiss her although she responds somehow it does not feel quite the same as it did before I left on my trip.

I have to do it before I go any further I must confess.

“Denise. My love I have something I have to tell you, it’s about Mathew.”

I feel her physically tense then she kisses me deeply and whispers. “I knew as soon as I saw him, any doubts I had disappeared immediately. You are his Father aren’t you and Peggy, poor Peggy, his Mother?”

“How did you guess Denise? How long have you known about this?” Without a word she retrieves her handbag from the bedroom and extracts a letter. The envelope is a mass of redirection addresses. I know instantly what the contents of the letter entail without bothering to read it. It is the letter Peggy sent informing me of the birth of Mathew.

Denise says calmly. “I only have to compare Mathew and you together, there’s no doubting you are his Father.”

I apologise profusely. “There is no excuse for what I did.”

After stating this I then begin making excuses for my conduct.

“You had left me, for good as far as I knew. Peggy was on her own after her husband was killed. She was lonely and trapped into a life looking after Tommy’s sick Mother, day and night. I was lonely and I admit angry without you. It just happened I can assure you it was not planned in any way. I tried to tell you on many occasions but I was afraid of losing you.

Instead I took the cowards way out and pretended it never happened.” I pause, waiting for an angry reaction, any reaction, when none comes I ask glumly “Where do we go from here Denise? Whatever you decide to do I don’t blame you?”

She puts her fingers over my lips. “Adam my love I forgive you. Believe me I know what it is like to be lonely. We have the Son I have always wanted. We both know I can never have a child of my own. As far as I am concerned he is our Son. Peggy came into your life and gave us a gift. It has been a long and tiring day let us retire now and face a brand new day together tomorrow. No need for any more apologies.

Father Peter taught me confession is good for the soul and you chose to confess. All is forgiven our life with our Son begins from now.”

Denise casts the unread letter into the fire a symbolic gesture of closing that chapter in our lives. There is one more delicate subject I need to discuss. It is with apprehension I decide now is as good as any time to ask her opinion. “Denise what do you think about the situation between er Emily and Pamela?” She responds with a smile. “You are referring to their love for each other of course?” Feeling somewhat embarrassed I reply. “Er Yes.” She smiles again before replying. “Adam I know you believe I lead a very sheltered life. In many ways I did, but as you know I spent time in a convent. The love between two women is not as uncommon as you think. If Emily and Pamela are content and it is obvious they love each other deeply. Good luck to them. It doesn’t bother me in the least. I now have two loves in my life.” She adds in a dramatic manner. “And let no man or woman attempt to break us asunder.”

I leave her in the small room straightening the covers on Mathew’s cot. In the bedroom I feverishly cast my clothes aside.

Thank goodness I survived that ordeal with my marriage and body intact. With more than a little haste I have a wash dive into bed and wait impatiently and I must add, expectantly for her to join me.

Five minutes pass, followed by another ten minutes, still no sign of my Wife. I climb out of bed and listen by Mathew’s room. I detect no movement. Pressing my ear to the door I detect nothing. I try opening the door to find it firmly locked. I tap softly unwilling to wake the child while enquiring. “Are you coming to bed my love?”

Denise replies. “I am already in bed my love.” Stunned by her reply I ask. “Are you coming out or will you let me in?” She replies accompanied by an exaggerated yawn. “No my love you will have to keep Jolly Roger company yourself until Wow, wow and I decide you have been punished enough.” She adds. “That could be for a long, long, time if not for ever. Good night sweet dreams my love.”

I am sure I detect one of her musical giggles as I slink back to the huge empty double bed.

I lie awake for hours considering the injustice I am suffering. It is about three o’clock when I last look at my watch. I must have eventually dozed off. Suddenly I am awoken by the movement of a body snuggling close to me. Yippee! My punishment spell is over Jolly Roger meets wow wow for the first time in a month and a half and it is a fantastic reunion.

When I awake about seven o’clock Denise is not in our bed. I find her in the nursery playing with Mathew where I join her. He has soon bonded with her and it is a joy to see them together. I casually remark. “I bet Pamela and Emily miss the little fellow they have been so close since we adopted him especially Pamela. To be honest I was getting slightly jealous and had words with them yesterday I was ashamed afterwards.” Denise replies. “I won’t be making that mistake I realise how much he means to them. When you and Jonah were playing billiards last night I made an agreement to share our time with Mathew until we leave for home.

I shall have him at night and in the mornings unless I want a break. They have him in the afternoons up until evening. I want to see him to bed though, that’s my own time with him. Does that seem fair to you?” “That’s wonderful Denise, thank you for being so generous. I love you and this little fella.” I hug them both and enquire are you coming down to breakfast or are you having yours sent up here?”

She replies firmly. “No. From now on we should all take our meals together down stairs except for dinner of course.”

As we make our way down the stairs I remind Denise. “We need to discuss when we are going home?

By the way, you do know they would like us to stay over for Christmas don’t you? I would like to be with my family but I leave it to you to make the decision. That reminds me Denise I thought Louise was coming over with you. What happened I heard there were problems with Billy and a truck?”

“No it’s not a problem as such Billy and Father Peter went to collect Oscar’s truck as you know. Father Peter had made arrangements to meet the German friend of his.” I must have looked puzzled. She explained. “You know the officer that allowed him to take the children and Sister Maria through his lines to safety?”

“Oh yes. I remember. Peter told me he had stayed in contact with the German.”

Denise remarks. “Isn’t it strange how our lives have been completely changed by our former enemy Oscar. I never thought I would ever forgive the German’s after Father was killed by them. I’m ashamed to say I condemned a whole nation.

Now Father Peter has befriended an ex German officer. Considering what he experienced, don’t you think it’s some kind of miracle?”

I have to agree with her, as she has asked my opinion as an explanation I offer. “Maybe there is a strange force that brings the good people of opposing nations together. The Christmas truce in 1914 was a classic example. Oh! All this is too deep for me Denise. You should ask Father Peter. I’m sure he will tell you God moves in mysterious ways.”

Denise explains. “Father Peter. It seems he is in the transport business himself he is only helping Billy and Louise out but he is so enthusiastic since Billy taught him to drive. It is his idea to establish links for cross border transport with the blessing of Harry and Gunter.

Billy has taken the opportunity to meet Herr Straus to negotiate terms for a possible deal. Father Peter is acting as the interpreter and is driving the other truck back.” She adds quickly.

“Of course nothing is agreed until you get home. There is no rush to settle the deal. They are hoping to get things going in the spring if the conditions are satisfactory.”

“That seems alright but why didn’t Louise come with you I still don’t understand?”

She laughs and explains. “That is because Billy and Father Peter are snowed in somewhere in Germany. Louise had to rush home to carry on with the routine work they have established.

She has the business manager Gunter recommended looking after the Chateau business, but she is still in overall charge and signs papers, makes agreements that kind of thing.

Fortunately Hazel is back in Le Havre to look after Daisy, her Mother died you know?”

“Oh Poor Hazel mind you her Mother has been at deaths door for a long time, what’s Hazel doing since she came back to France apart from looking after Daisy?”

“She is living with Harry in the guest house. They are both working hard redecorating and installing modern conveniences. When I last saw them they were talking about inviting guests for Easter.” “Hmm that’s good news, so the tourists are coming back are they? Alec and Marguerite will be pleased.

Hey Denise I was going to ask you when you arrived but it didn’t seem the right time.”

“What is it cheri?” She inquires. “I was looking forward to seeing Louise.”

Denise gives me an odd look. Whoops! Looks like I have put my foot into it again. I add hurriedly, “As well as you, of course.”

Her smile encourages me to continue “I have missed you all while I have been over here. I have to admit I have even missed sweet Yvette. Incidentally, how are the love birds doing?”

Denise informs me. “Well up to now she is behaving well, she still can’t cook but she is trying. Their funeral business is doing well the cold weather has brought them many customers. They have lots of bookings for spring weddings.”

Suddenly Denise confesses. “Adam I told Louise all about Mathew and showed her Peggy’s letter. I wasn’t coming over at first when I read it I was very upset with you. Louise advised me to come over and face you. She agreed to come with me until the last minute when the problem with Billy and Peter arose. I was going to cancel myself but she persuaded me to come. We had a long talk and cleared up a number of outstanding matters. You know all about her affair with the Marquis? Well she told me the whole story about losing her baby and how she tried to commit suicide. It was after she revealed everything I began thinking. You and I have been given a second chance thanks to Peggy.”

She gives me a kiss and says. “Come on enough of this kind of talk let us get ready for breakfast.” She picks Mathew up gives him a hug and says. “This little man is joining the family this morning downstairs.” This is the opportunity I have been waiting for. “Before we go down for breakfast Denise, please sit down it will only take a few minutes. I want to have a word with you alone, about something that’s really bothering me?” Denise takes a seat with Mathew on her knee. “Go on Adam. I‘m intrigued. I hope you are not about to confess another indiscretion?”