Angelique (36 page)

Abruptly he advises. “I believe that concludes today’s session. Congratulations Adam the OSCADA Empire has almost quadrupled. Now that the business is out of the way we have free time on our hands. How would you like to have a flight in my aeroplane?”

Taken aback by his sudden invitation I hesitate before replying.

He states. “Like it or not, we are into the aviation business now Adam, the Chairman of OSCADA Airways should have some flying experience.” I reluctantly agree. “I suggest you dress in warm clothing including gloves. There is a spare flying helmet in the aeroplane. I’ll be a few minutes putting on my flying kit. I will meet you at the front door.”

Having experienced harsh winter conditions in open trucks I don as many warm clothes as I am able. Ten minutes later he joins me clad in a long leather coat plus thick gauntlets. Adorning his head is a leather helmet and goggles. We find the rain has ceased when we leave the house. We are greeted by blue skies as we head for the landing field. Gunter explains we will need some help to turn the plane into the wind and crank the propeller. Toot and a young gardener are in the coach house I recruit them to assist. As we head towards the field Gunter instructs me on the safety procedures I must follow when I board the aeroplane. We arrive at the aeroplane Gunter removes the canvas sheet stretched across the open cockpits. Following his instruction we lift the tail and turn the aeroplane’s head to the wind.

Gunter asks for a volunteer to crank the prop while he takes his position in the rear cockpit.

I haven’t a clue what he means. Toot informs me he has witnessed the operation during the war. He steps forward grips the propeller high up. At a signal from the pilot he pulls the blade down. Nothing happens. He repeats the procedure, the engine coughs. On the third swing Gunter shouts contact the engine bursts into life with a deafening roar. Gunter yells for me to climb aboard. I sit in the forward cockpit and fasten the belt and don the helmet and goggles as he instructed.

The aeroplane moves forward I grip the side of the cockpit the engine appears to roar even louder. Suddenly the bumping ceases. I open my eyes we are actually off the ground and flying. Soaring over a stand of trees I have this odd feeling in my stomach. The wind whistles passed me. What an experience, this is amazing, it’s no wonder Marcel was raving about flying when he landed earlier. Only minutes later I recognise the village of Sandwich spread out below. This is the small river port where I left for France on a fishing boat. In fact as we fly over the river the self same boats are moored in their usual berths. The aeroplane swoops over the coast out to sea then turns to fly south over the seaside town of Deal. The fishing boats are lined up on the beach. People wave, I wave back like an excited kid. We zoom out over the channel again until Gunter turns the machine towards the White Cliffs. We head inland over the port of Dover then he does a low swoop over the huge castle. Gunter turns the aeroplane north again returning to St Margaret. We climb higher and higher the engine stops. I panic we go into a dive. This is the end. I knew I shouldn’t trust these damn machines.

I pray. Guardian Angel if you are still looking after me please do it now
. The engine bursts into life. Thank goodness it appears I am still in my Guardian Angels good books. We pass over the landing field very low then climb swiftly over the trees. Denise, Emily, Angelique, and Pamela wave as we flash by. Toot and the lad stand to one side.

Toot gives me the thumbs up sign. We complete one circuit before Gunter gently lands the aeroplane and taxis towards the group of Ladies. We climb down. My knees are slightly wobbly but I have been thrilled by my first flight. I shake his hand and inform him.

“You have convinced me Gunter. I must learn to fly one of these things as soon as possible.

But I’m not having one like yours with a dodgy engine thank you.” Gunter looks indignant. “Dodgy engine? What do you mean? I have had this aeroplane for over a year now, it’s never let me down.”

“Well it did just now when it cut out. I’m not kidding you Gunter. I thought we were goners for sure.” Gunter roars with laughter.

“The engine didn’t cut out Adam. I did that so you would experience the sensation. I can actually land this machine from a glide. Would you like to climb back aboard and I’ll show you how it is done?”

“No thank you Gunter too many treats spoil the child I’ll pass on that lesson if you don’t mind.”

Denise approaches. She hugs me and enquires. “What was it like Adam?”

“Fantastic! That is the only way to describe it.”

She turns to Gunter. “I would like to experience flying. Gunter, will you take me up for a flight please?”

Her request makes me uneasy I try to deter her. “Er are you sure, it’s very scary Denise?

I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

“Tut, tut. Adam.” She replies. “I’m sure if it didn’t frighten you it won’t frighten me. See I have my thick coat on already, lend me your big gloves and helmet.”

Gunter looks at me for approval. I shrug my shoulders and declare. “Gunter you may as well take her up otherwise my life won’t be worth living.” We turn the plane, as before Toot cranks the propeller and they are off. Up, up and away the machine disappears from sight heading towards Dover carrying my darling Wife. I spend the worst ten minutes of my life biting my nails and fretting.

It doesn’t help when Emily remarks. “I am surprised at you Adam letting your Wife ride in that silly machine. They are so dangerous, you read about them crashing every day.”

Mother intercedes “Oh do be quite Emily can’t you see Adam is worried enough. I think Denise is a very brave young Lady.”

The relief I feel when they reappear is unbelievable. He lands as before and taxis across the field to us.

Denise is thrilled as she describes her flight. Gunter says.

“I have left the engine running does anyone else want a flight?” Angelique goes for a flight next followed by Pamela. Emily refuses the invitation. One of the maids arrives as he lands with Pamela as his passenger. The maid announces nervously lunch will be delayed until we return to the house. Gunter has a word with Toot then we decide we should have our meal.

On the way to the house I notice Cecil and Marcel in deep discussion in the coach house. Excusing myself from the others I join them.

“Did you have a good look around? So Marcel what do you think?”

“This place is truly magnificent. They have such fantastic inventions. We have met Joe the boiler engineer he is a wealth of knowledge. Adam. We need to have a meeting to discuss my findings. Give me a chance to write them down, I will furnish you with a full report.”

With a hint of impatience I request.

“Yes that’s alright Marcel, but I would like your immediate opinion about say the boiler house. Take the central heating would it be practical out at the lake house?” Marcel responds enthusiastically.

“Right then an instant summary you shall have. The central heating system will not be practical unless we have a guaranteed source of good quality coke. Transporting to the remote house will be costly.”

He evidently observes my disappointment. “Do not despair I have other ideas to light and heat your house Adam. Let me deal with the lighting first of all. Do you recall the fast flowing stream running near the house?”

“Yes of course.”

“That is the source of energy we shall use. It is clean, the stream is within your own boundaries, what is more it will be free energy.

Joe told me about a Sir William Armstrong, he has illuminated his property Cragside with hydro electric power.”

Huh! I recall that name from a conversation I had with Sandy.

“William Armstrong I believe he is an arms manufacturer; His factory is somewhere up the east coast. I don’t approve of arms manufacturers Marcel. They made lots of money through the bloody war. Some of my mates reckoned them buggers didn’t want the war to ever end.”

Marcel looks sympathetic but he continues. “Be that as it may Adam, someone had to make the weapons to defend ourselves or we would have been part of Germany by now.

The war is over and the Armstrong system is the one I recommend.”

“Yeah I suppose you’re right, sorry to interrupt carry on please.”

“The initial cost of turbines will be expensive but the running costs will be negligible. Joe assures me it’s possible to purchase the entire system in England. We could even have it shipped to France on one of our own ships, another cost saving.

Heating the house is another matter. If we are able to utilise the fuels we already have. I mean the woods on the property. The source of fuel is guaranteed. There will however be a cost factor you will have to employ a forester.”

“Why do we need a forester Marcel?”

He explains. “The woods will have to be coppiced long term to sustain a continuous supply of fuel.”

“Whoa! That’s enough for now Marcel, It’s getting too technical for me. Let’s get lunch and talk later, it all sounds very promising to me. Thank you Cecil for helping out today.”

“Thank you my Lord it has been a very rewarding day. Joe evidently appreciates someone with his enthusiasm for mechanical things. We had difficulty stopping him talking about his favourite subject.”

“You have him talking again? That’s brilliant Cecil. You know we might require Joe to travel to my place in France to oversee the engineering, if he is willing that is?”

“You did mention it My Lord.”

“Cecil will you do me another favour? Sound him out for me please. He will have to train someone to handle his duties here while he is away. See if there is anyone on the staff that’s suitable. Oh! Of course he will have to be acceptable to Joe. We don’t want to upset him do we?”

“That goes without saying My Lord. As a matter of fact I do have someone in mind.”

On our way to the house I give Marcel’s ideas some thought until I suggest. “We should contact the Armstrong Company and see if they have the equipment available we will require. I could do that on the telephone today. In fact let’s get the ball rolling Marcel. You have me convinced. I must admit I do like the idea of generating our own supply of electricity.”

Late lunch is a hurried affair. Emily and Pamela are looking after Mathew this afternoon. Toot is driving Denise and Angelique in the Rolls to go shopping in Canterbury. Dinner is arranged for eight o’clock this evening. Jonah Wilkes and his Wife Jane are to be our dinner guests. Gunter looks forward to meeting someone he has only dealt with by letter and telephone.

That evening, formally dressed, we assemble in the lounge for pre dinner drinks. Sheila, Toot’s Daughter, the youngest maid circulated with a menu and requesting our choice for dinner. It is all very formal the poor girl is so nervous her hands tremble. When I approach him and voice my concern Mr Humphreys assures me she had been the only member of staff that volunteered to carry out this duty. He explains this is a tradition going back to days of the General on such occasions. As it is my first formal dinner party with quests since arriving at the house I am slightly nervous myself. The menu stays imprinted on my memory. All the time as we chat I am thinking back to my time at the front line when I was glad to get a mess tin of lukewarm stew.

The menu consists of.

Appetizers.

Artichoke and tomato Terrine.

Melon Balls and grapes in cider.

Turkey soup with Orzo.

I haven’t a clue what this is and I am too ashamed to ask.

Mr Humphreys spots my obvious dilemma as I study the menu.

He sidles up to me and whispers. “Orzo is a type of pasta my Lord.

May I explain the other items available this evening?”

Proud of my ability to understand French I whisper back.

“Thanks Cecil I have figured out Chicken in Plonk is one of the main courses.”

He smiles and glides away.

Main course.

Coq Au Vin Served in a bed of Angel pasta and fresh asparagus spears.

Roast Rib Eye of Beef Served with baked Potato and Fresh baby carrots.

Dessert is a selection of pastries and sweets.

But for me especially Mrs Humphreys has prepared

Jam Rolly Polly this is my very favourite pudding.

The dinner party is a great success thanks to the culinary delights of Mrs Humphries and her assistants. For the benefit of Gunter she has prepared the entire meal in the kosher method giving all the guests the opportunity to experience Jewish fare.

Everyone gives it their seal of approval much to her delight when she is summoned from the kitchen to be congratulated on her endeavours.

After dinner we gather in the huge drawing room where the conversation focuses on the flights we have enjoyed on the morning.

Denise asks me out of the blue. “If you are to take up flying then who pray will teach you?”

My brain is slightly clouded by the wine and brandy when I reply to her unexpected query.

“Er, I have not given it a thought. I really haven’t made up my mind to er take up flying yet.”

“But you were so keen after your flight this morning? I heard you saying to Gunter you wish to be a pilot?” Oh. Oh I feel I am blundering into a trap and attempt an escape. The Ladies smile sensing victory, the men look on sympathetically as I wriggle on the imaginary hook.

Feebly I reply. “Yes er I did say that didn’t I. But when will I have time to learn?”

“Then you shall have to make time my Dear. If we are to live in the lakeside house and we have to spend time here as well then you need to be able to pilot an aeroplane don’t you think?”

I feel I am being manoeuvred into a corner with no escape.

Denise continues while the rest of the company watch on with amusement. The Ladies in particular appear eager to hear my responses. I have an uneasy feeling this is a conspiracy and all the Ladies are part of it. Denise continues with her innocent sounding observations.

“Gunter has proved it is the quickest and easiest way to travel between the two places, do you agree?” I answer hesitantly. “Yes I suppose so. I’ll have to look into it sometime.”