Angelique (44 page)

I halt the vehicle close by him, stow his parcel in the back seat and guide him into the passenger seat. I am just about to pull away when Andre appears at a run down the long drive to the lake house.

I reckon Andre is not used to exerting himself to such an extent. When he slumps against the car he is out of breath red faced and puffing like an old steam wagon. It takes him awhile to recover before he delivers his message. “Marcel has telephoned with a list of instructions regarding the English innovations. In my opinion this will set the completion date back by at least a month. And Marcel has informed me materials have to be shipped from England.” He adds.

“I am not questioning Marcel’s decision but I thought it best to confirm this with you as I know your Wife has set her heart on moving in as soon as possible.”

Don’t worry Andre it looks like we will be spending Christmas in England, go ahead and carry out the work as ordered by Marcel.”

He looks relieved thanks me and says to the old man. “Enjoy your holiday Grand Pere everything will be safe in Edwards hands until you return.”

During the journey I subtlety attempt to extract information about his health, unfortunately to no avail.

We arrive at the hotel to be greeted by Alec and Marguerite. The good lady whisks Grand Pere into the lounge in time for coffee and cakes. Alec is bearing some excellent news. When he told Gunter I was coming although he would have liked to see me he could not change his business schedule. Alec explains. “When I revealed we were fully booked and you were sleeping in the cellar he informed me that his Misses and him are going away for a few days on business, and you my lucky lad are to have the use of his apartment.” At first I am delighted at the arrangements until it dawns on me Grand Pere will have to climb four flights of stairs to get to the penthouse apartment, despite the generous offer it looks like the cellar for us after all. When I point out this problem to Alec he proudly reveals the news he was holding from me as a surprise. At his invitation I follow him into the billiard hall located at the rear of the hotel. On the end wall is a caged gate. Alec presses a button a lift appears. He pulls back the gates and proudly announces. “Your magic carpet to the heavens awaits you My Lord. You have no reason to become a troglodyte.” Alec further reveals. “It was Gunter’s idea. Coincidently we had a Swiss lift Designer and his Wife as guests. I suppose it was because of the German language connection their love of flying, and hiking that Gunter, Estelle and the Swiss couple became friends. A couple of Gunter’s elderly business friends had already declined an invitation to visit him because of the stairs. We had a meeting, Antonio the engineer weighed the job up gave us a price. Gunter and I agreed to share the cost and Hey Presto thanks to the excellent tradesmen he supplied, within ten days the lift is up and running. The lift has a rear door opening directly into the car park. We don’t even see some of Gunter’s guests they go directly up to his apartment. Now and again they eat in the dining room, but we always have prior knowledge enabling the chefs to prepare kosher meals for them. There is also a small kitchen in the apartment for preparing light meals. They seem to use that quite a lot. Gunter pays for one of the maids to clean every day but she tells me it’s a waste of time as the place is always immaculate.”

Alec shrugs his shoulders before adding. “Who am I to argue, the girl is grateful for the extra money.”

Thank goodness for the lift making it possible for us to enjoy the wonderful apartment with fantastic views over the channel.

When we first enter the apartment Grand Pere stands in wonder at the splendour of the place.

He is fascinated with the bathroom the modern plumbing the electric lights.

We have a great three days Grand Pere is treated like a King by all and sundry. The chefs even catered for his peculiar diet. He is too embarrassed to eat in front of the guests in the dining room because of his lack of teeth. His meals are sent up to the apartment.

The old man is up and about long before I surface.

Despite the cold every morning I find him sitting on the very rock Louise, Denise, Daisy and I were seated not so very long ago deciding our future. During the day I take him in the Rolls for tours of the surrounding area. On day three we are in the lounge drinking coffee served by Marguerite when I inform him.

“My time is up Grand Pere we have to leave tomorrow. He looks disappointed but doesn’t object.” Later on as I am heading towards the billiard room for a game with one of the guests Marguerite request’s a word in the office behind reception. Intrigued I follow her into the room. She looks embarrassed when she asks. “Adam you are not going to take that poor old man back to that remote farm and leave him there alone over Christmas, are you? Do you know he is not in the best of health?” Marguerites unexpected scolding catches me off guard. I reply.

“I’m sorry Marguerite. Grand Pere said he only wanted to be away from his farm for three days at the most when I proposed the trip. I had some hints he isn’t too well but he won’t confirm this.”

She adds further. “Do you know I found him sitting on the front steps this morning totally out of breath?”

Startled by her revelation I exclaim. “Oh dear! Is there a Doctor available around here?”

She doesn’t answer that question but asks me another instead. “What actually are your plans Adam when you leave here tomorrow?”

I explain. “I am supposed to be dropping Grand Pere off at his farm then driving back to Le Havre. I have to return to England as soon as possible, Gunter is flying me.” She thinks for a moment before suggesting. “How about leaving him here with me? One of the live in staff member has recently resigned to get married. A local girl is travelling in and won’t require the room in the annex where Alec and I live. It will be easier to keep a close eye on him if he sleeps in there. One of the guests staying over Christmas is a Doctor. I have to confess the Doctor has already agreed he will be available if required. He hasn’t physically examined Grand Pere but agrees he will be better off staying here rather than on a remote farm by himself in winter. Alec will take him home after Christmas if he feels better and of course if he wants to go.”

My mind is in a whirl when I ask. “Do you think he will agree? What about his farm, his animals?” She replies with a smile of triumph. “I have already spoken to Andre on the telephone earlier. He has since confirmed his son will be delighted to stay on at the farm, in fact he will remain there forever if he is required.” Gratefully I thank her and add. “It seems you have already sorted almost everything out, there is only one item to resolve.

Will Grand Pere agree to your proposals?” She informs me. “Now is as good a time to ask him, he is at present sitting in the lounge having coffee.”

I hesitate before pleading. “I will do what you say Marguerite if you will you come with me to confirm you want him to remain here, he is a very independent man?”

When we meet him he hears our assurances the smallholding is in safe hands and Alec will take him down whenever he requests. He still appears unsure until finally Marguerite shows him the location of the annex room thankfully he agrees with obvious relief to remain at the hotel over the Christmas period.

Alec and I are discussing Grand Pere later and we arrive at the conclusion, the lift, the height of the Penthouse off the ground and the modern gadgets have frightened him, although he never once complained. Alec points out. “The poor old fella has spent the last ninety years on ground level and we fired him into the heavens. No wonder he was reluctant to stay up there.”

Grand Pere and I and my friends have our evening meal as guests of the chefs in the staff dining room. On the menu especially for the old man is chicken soup his favourite meal.

Next morning as I say goodbye to my friends I decide to visit the Lake house on the way to Le Havre for my own peace of mind.

Andre’s son Edward is pruning apple trees alongside the cottage when I arrive. He assures me everything is as promised. He telephones the lake house and notifies Andre I am here.

He arrives in about ten minutes and reveals there is something in the outhouse for me.

He presents me with a beautiful carved rocking horse disclosing it is a gift from himself and his men. He explains this is for allowing their families to enjoy last summer on the estate. Andre reveals they heard about my son and they carved it from one of the trees they felled. This unexpected gift fills me with emotion. My son will certainly enjoy this wonderful toy when he is a little bit older. I decide if possible I must get it to England with me but that depends on Gunter and his flying machine of course.

As I load it into the car I ask Andre. “Won’t Edward be lonely here over Christmas?”

He hesitates then agrees. “You know his Mother is very upset because he won’t be joining the family. But my son Edward is a bit of a loner, besides he is living out his dream in this wonderful place. He jumped at the chance when it was offered to him.”

He adds. “We have always had Christmas together, except during my time away in the army of course.” I casually remark. “If it were only warmer you could have brought your family and spent the holiday here.” Andre considers my remarks for a moment before replying thoughtfully then snaps his fingers and discloses. “I have the solution. “I believe there is a saying that covers the situation.

If, Mohamed, won’t come to the
mountain
? Subject to your permission of course?
Then the mountain
will go to Mohamed.”

On Christmas Eve I will load my truck with the all the essentials we shall require and bring my Wife and family here for the holiday. It will be a bit basic but we will have everything we need in the house. I couldn’t think of a nicer place to spend Yuletide. The fires will keep the place aired and help to dry out the plaster as well.” He adds excitedly. “I have just had another thought. All the refurbished roasting gear has been recently delivered back from the smithy. I shall try spit roasting lamb.” He gives an exaggerated sniff and says. “I can just smell it now, the roasting meat, the wood smoke, the rosemary.” I laugh shake his hand and say. “Stop it, you are making me hungry. I might be tempted to come back for Christmas myself. Andre if that’s what you want go for it. I certainly have no objection. Although I must admit I would like to be a fly on the wall when you tell you’re good Lady what you have planned.”

I wave goodbye to Edward, wish him good tidings and set off for Le Havre. The next time I see this wonderful place it will be completed and we will be taking up our residency.

When I arrive at the depot Harry has a message for me to telephone Suzanne Caspar at her office urgently. Wonders never cease, when I telephone I am connected immediately.

After exchanging the usual greetings Suzanne explains. “Gunter attempted to contact you at the hotel but you already left, when he failed to do so he telephoned me. Gunter wants you to be here at first light in the morning for your flight back to England, he will be meeting you here. Estelle is staying on with friends until he returns. Adam I realise this will entail a long journey in the dark.

Would it be more convenient if you stay at my house overnight? It will be a pleasure having you.”

She adds with a laugh. “It will give me the opportunity to try out my culinary skills on someone else rather than myself.”

Her invitation moves me, considering the manner in which she greeted me at our first encounter. “I would be honoured Suzanne. May I park my automobile at the depot? Marcel will use it to get back to Le Havre when he returns with Gunter.”

Unlike Suzanne she replies with a girlish giggle. “Of course you may after all you own the place Mr Eater of Companies.”

I join her in laughter when she refers to me in such a manner.

I spend the rest of the morning visiting Yvette and Paul and have lunch at the cafe with Hazel and Harry before setting off to Suzanne’s depot.

I planned my drive to the Caspar depot aiming it to complete my journey at the end of the working day around five o’clock.

To my satisfaction I arrive just in time to see the last truck parking up for the night in the compound. Wishing the driver good night she locks the gates located under the newly erected OSCADA sign and joins me in the Rolls. It is already dark as she guides me to her residence, a very smart bungalow located within walking distance of the depot.

We have an excellent dinner in the company of her senior mechanic and his Wife. They both are very enthusiastic about the future development of civilian flying.

I have a broken sleep in a comfortable bed apprehensive about the return flight to England. I don’t know why, I certainly enjoyed the flight out here?

Seven o’clock finds me eating fresh croissants and drinking excellent coffee. I have booked a telephone call on the previous evening to the estate in England. I am telling Mr Humphreys to expect us in the next couple of hours when without warning I lose contact when the line goes completely dead. I attempt contacting the operator a couple of times to no avail eventually I give up in disgust.

Eight o’clock we are already at the depot in Suzanne’s snug office when Gunter arrives.

We change into our flying gear, including the parachutes and life jackets Denise insisted we wore. The mechanics have refuelled the plane and prepared it for the flight. It sits on the grass runway with the engine ticking over. It appears I will have to leave the rocking horse behind until Suzanne reminds us of the flying circuses that have toured France since the end of the war. “Don’t the planes usually have a young lady standing on the wing? Surely if the plane is able to fly impeded with a lady attached then a little wooden horse should be no problem?”

Gunter laughs when he sees where the mechanics have lashed the Rocking Horse to the upper wing and refers to it as Pegasus the flying horse. Suzanne escorts us to the plane. Good farewells are exchanged then we climb aboard. As the winter sun exposes itself we race down the runway and climb into a cloudless sky.