Date: Wed, 18 Mar 2009 10:29:55 +0000
From: Jo Vincent <joad130@hotmail.com>
Subject: Mystery and Mayhem at St Mark's Sequel 6
Mystery and Mayhem At St Mark's
A Sequel
by
Joel
Seq 6:
Some of the Characters Appearing or Mentioned:
Mark Henry Foster The story-teller: Pennefather Organ Scholar
Tristan (Tris) Price-Williams His well-proportioned boyfriend. At College of Law.
Francis Michael Foster Alias Toad/Gobbo Mark's younger brother
Shelley Price-Williams Tris's sister
Adam Benjamin Carr Mark's cousin: chunky and cheeky with it
Ivo Richie Carr Ditto, as his twin, safely married diplomat
Sophia Carr Their mother in Dorset
George Carr Their father: A farmer
Nathanial Tempest Adam's boyfriend: a church historian
Raphael Pack An Aussie blond bombshell
Chief Inspector Bradley Wolstenhome (Brad) A policeman with a taste for leather
Inspector Dudley Woolpit (Dude) A policeman with the Met who likes leather
Sergeant Carl Bachman (Carlo/Batman) A policeman who also likes leather
Gwilym ap Rees First Year Organ Scholar
Fiona McKenzie A Mathematical undergraduate with presence
Dina Patel A second Mathematical undergraduate with prescience
Jak Thomson A computer whizz
Max Cartwright Another computer whizz and Jak's partner
Dr Crispin Palfrey An erudite archaeologist
Dr Jenny Masterton A second informed archaeologist
Jonty, Danny, Terry, etc. Habitues of the Club
Jack Goodman Frankie's bosom pal
James Bowes-Chesterton Frankie's pal Bozo
Patrick Montgomery Frankie's pal Moggo
Anthony Pugsley Shelley's ardent boyfriend [Puggo/Pugsy]
Gregory Parks Bozo's friend [Harpo]
Christmas 2003
Thursday 25th December
The rest of Christmas Day passed quite conventionally. The sleepers
above were awake and ready for breakfast well on time. Dad was in a
particularly good mood - even more than usual, Toad had got over any sulks
and he and Raph sat together grinning and nudging each other all through
breakfast. Either something had happened, or something was planned to
happen. Tris and I sat either side of Gran, after helping Mum to serve
everyone and she sat watching that everyone was well-supplied with extra
toast or coffee. Gran wanted to know what we had been doing. We weren't
like schoolboys when questioned grunting monosyllabically but told her
various bits about our lives in Cambridge and London. Only snippets,
excluding such things as Toad's appearance with Zack at the Club, or Tris's
being importuned by a rent-boy in the restaurant at the British Museum in
Bloomsbury. Tris had assured me he hadn't taken up the offer as what he
got from me was free and probably marginally better. After threatening to
withhold and turning my back on him I'd relented as his fingers stroked
some of my vital erogenous zones with such expertise and I had to
reciprocate. When I got out of bed to go to the lav, after an hour or so
of rather intense sexual activity, I ostentatiously took his wallet out of
his jacket pocket and extracted a twenty-pound note. 'On account' I said.
Quite conventionally we adjourned to the sitting-room for more chat
and Dad disappeared to phone Aunt Sophie. After quarter of an hour I
sidled out to hear the end of a conversation about the baroque orchestra.
He stopped suddenly and said "Do you want to talk to your Aunt?" I nodded
and he said something about 'call you later' and handed the phone to me.
The usual Christmas pleasantries followed and I asked if Adam was around.
She laughed.
"Poor soul," she said, "He's missing his brother and he's moping about
something."
I heard a 'Mum!' in the background so guessed he hadn't 'fessed up to
having a steady. Nate wasn't at the wedding as he'd gone to a conference
in Durham or somewhere to talk about his research, not the pictures in the
cellar as this conference was, according to Adam, only on boring
ecclesiastical pictures where all the naked sinners wore loincloths.
"He's tired out," she continued, "Up and out riding just after six
this morning. It'll help keep his liver in good condition." Another
'Mum!' in the background. "Anyway, lovely to have seen you all on Saturday
and thanks again for all you did." There was a pause. "Here he is, Bye!"
I just managed to say "Happy New Year" before Adam started breathing
heavily down the line.
"Early bird, eh?" I said, "Missing your morning lie-ins?"
He ignored that. "Hallo, little cuz," he said, "Did the invasion go
well?"
He'd been most amused at the prospect of Frankie and his pals
descending on the College.
"Yes, all went well, but I've several questions to ask you. Firstly
have you said about Nate yet?"
A curt 'No' was the answer I got for that. OK, press on.
"Did the Colonel tell you about the letter and why he sent it?"
"Yes."
"Is that all you've got to say?
"No."
"Tell me."
"Later."
"Why and when?"
"Research. Two days."
Oh, balls! This was going nowhere, fast. The usual loquacious Adam
was either a) pissed off, b) being cagey, or c), just teasing. Which? I
could hear Aunt Sophie laughing in the background so, he was either i)
making exaggerated idiot faces and gestures, or ii) openly masturbating. I
plumped for the first of those and the third option c).
"Let me get this straight. You may have information pertaining to the
fragments but need to check and you will let us know about it at the
weekend."
"Correct."
I looked round to make sure all doors in the hall were shut and hoped
no one was listening on one of the extensions, here, or there.
"Well, don't spend too much time scratching that wee pimple of yours
as you haven't got Nate to kiss it better if it gets sore."
"Thank you for your kind sentiments. Mum wants to speak to you again.
Cheerio."
Short and sweet. I waited a moment until Aunt Sophie took the phone
from him.
"Hello again," she said, "I meant to say we would be seeing you at
Ulvescott for Burns Night. You and Tris will be there?"
I said we were looking forward to that and I understood the whole
family were invited.
"Hold on a moment," she said. I waited. "That's better. Adam's gone
upstairs and I've closed the door. I want to ask you something." I could
guess. She went on, "Please don't break any confidences, but, is he seeing
someone, you know, is he involved with someone? He seems very reluctant to
say anything. Is it Nathaniel?"
What could I say? "Have you met Nathaniel?" I asked.
"Yes. He came down with Adam for a weekend in November. Is it him?
We liked him very much. Don't worry, if it is him it would be OK It's
Adam's decision and we would go along with it."
"Wait a little longer and he'll tell you," I said.
"Thanks. I won't say anything but we just want the best for him."
"Has he said anything about College plans?" I asked.
"Nothing much. We know he's getting papers published and he's editing
those memoirs at Ulvescott."
"Again, I think he'll tell you more quite soon."
"I see. We were getting a bit worried because he's usually so open
about everything and we thought it was being without Ivo. I know he misses
him and the continual banter." She laughed. "We miss it, too! Bit
wearing at times but we do miss it."
"I guess you'll hear more before we see you," I said, "And anyway
you've got a grandchild to look forward to."
"Oh yes, George is over the moon. He's planning to buy a Shetland
pony so the baby will have riding lessons as soon as possible." She
laughed. "I must say 'Tory looked well on Saturday. She said end of June.
Can't wait! Anyway, thanks for the chat. Love!"
She put the phone down. I hoped I hadn't said too much, but she
seemed happier. Oh, come on Adam, spill the beans!
Anyway the peace was shattered by the noisy arrival of Dude on his
motorbike. Not shattered by him but by the whoops and hollas of Frankie
who greeted his entry with such enthusiasm Mum was only constrained by good
manners from giving him the clout he needed to shut him up. I did shut him
up by whispering that he should really appear in his leather jockstrap to
match the leather motorcycle outfit Dude was wearing. The earlier grinning
and nudging was, apparently, because Raph had tried it on and threatened to
come down to breakfast clad only in that. Anyway Dude was welcomed more
sedately by the rest of the family, and of course, Gran knew the Woolpits,
relatives of Dude's who lived in the next village to her.
The rest of the day went just as I remembered all my previous
Christmases. Warmth, presents, food, drink, sleepiness, a walk to counter
that, stupid games, more food and drink and plenty of chat and the prospect
of a larger party next door on Boxing Day. However, there was one big
announcement. At the end of lunch when we had toasts to everyone present
Dad said he had something to say. Mum was nodding and smiling and Gran was
obviously in on it as well and Uncle Nick was pouring more wine into his
glass.
"Just a little announcement," Dad said, as he stood glass in hand,
"Well, several things. Firstly, I've been asked to take over as leader of
the Westminster Baroque Orchestra." Frankie and I looked at each other.
This was a great honour. The orchestra was becoming well-known and had
recently secured a substantial recording contract. "Secondly, I will be
more or less retiring from the Symphony Orchestra as I have been appointed
a full professor at the Royal College in Baroque Studies, and thirdly, I
have been asked to lecture in baroque technique in the Music Faculty at
some second rate University in East Anglia." There was a pause. "I think
it's Cambridge." The table erupted. Uncle Nick thumped the table and
stood. "I propose a toast to my dear friend and neighbour and only hope
all the cats in the vicinity will be safe as I hear there's a shortage of
gut for the strings!" Groans and sneers from 'you know who' but glasses
were raised. What an announcement! And Dad added later that he would be
an Honorary Fellow of St Mark's College.
From Boxing Day to New Year's Eve I worked hard at my Maths and my
playing. But just as importantly, we, Tris and I, shared our love with
Frankie. In fact, Raph was involved as well. On the Christmas Day walk
Frankie and I strolled behind the family. He had it all worked out. I
found out he and Raph had talked long into the night of Christmas Eve and
had told each other of their sexual history. That was also part of the
nudging and grinning as they had agreed to share everything and everyone.
The night after Boxing Day Frankie came into my bed and Tris joined Raph.
I was prepared for Frankie and he fucked me twice that night and was in
tears because, he said, of the sense of great freedom and of love. Two
nights later he was with Tris while Raph and I slept together. Sleep only
coming after I had given all my love to Raph and he had showered me with
his. Frankie's comment again was that he hoped he could find someone to
love and feel as free as he did with us. Raphael and he also shared their
passion in various ways and Frankie was quite disconsolate when Raphael had
to go back to Cambridge the morning of New Year's Eve. We reminded him to
see if Hary or Denzil, the blond lad, would succumb to his advances.
Adam was true to his word and was back to loquaciousness by the
Saturday. I was sitting in the kitchen trying to do a bit of the Times
crossword when he phoned at about ten a.m.
"Hi, precious one," he began, in imitation of Charles, "I thought of
you as my backside's sore. I got a new saddle for Christmas and it's
taking some getting use to just like another pain in the arse." Obviously
Aunt Sophie wasn't around to hear such vulgarity. I ignored the
implication.
"Pity Nate isn't there to kiss that better," I said.
"Ah, but he is and he's nursing a sore bum as well as he hasn't ridden
before. He's also walking bow-legged..."
The phone was snatched from him. "...Take no notice of him." It was
Nate. "Anyway, best wishes for New Year and your organ exams." So I had
been discussed but what had been said about Nate? "Just to tell you before
I hand the phone back... Stop it!" The phone was snatched back as I heard
the bang as it hit something hard.
"I will tell the dear lad. He's my cousin. It's all OK. I told Mum
and Dad on Boxing Day and Nate was coming to stay anyway yesterday. All's
well. They even like him." I could hear chuntering in the background.
"When he gets his teeth out of a tangle I'll let him talk to you. But
first, have you a pen? I have some information."
I hastily grabbed Mum's shopping pad. "Yes, OK."
"Firstly the reference would seem to be to Albertus Verres, known
colloquially as Albert the Boar who was a fourteenth-century duke of
Thuringia. And before you ask it's a German state next to Rothenia. Now,
Albert was rather a nasty man and I'll fill you in with more details of his
career when I see you and you'll need to bring a vomit bag!" He laughed.
"Got that?" I said I had. "OK, next, there are two Leopolds, Rothenia
this time. There's a mausoleum in Zenda where a King Leopold of Ruritania
is buried and it's named after him. It's got it's own name and I'll spell
it for you, OK? L..u..i..t..p..o..l..d..i..u..m. Shall I spell it again?"
"No, it's OK," I said.
"Right! More to come. Secondly, there's also a Prince Leopold who
died a few years ago, the old Leopold's grandson. He's buried with his
mother in the same mausoleum. That Leopold was the son of King Albert of
Thuringia who was another nasty piece of work. From the bits I could
gather Prince Leopold was a good man. However, there are stories about
other things buried at Zenda as well as the bodies but nothing
authenticated. The reference to 'three rods and a death's head' would
appear to be to the arms and decoration seen in various places. Lastly,
the Wilde bit is probably the first bit of a local name. I know Tris
wondered if it referred to Oscar Wilde but I don't think so, but, funnily
enough there is a Count Oskar, with a K, who's buried elsewhere. As far as
I can find out at the moment he's probably at another place called
Tarlenehem. That's all I have for now as I need to consult stuff in the
library that man's been visiting. I guess it's Michaelhouse as they have
special restrictions on lots of stuff in their vaults. I've told the
Colonel and he's checking with that Dr Mackenna who was at the wedding and
taught Ivo to see if he knows who's been around in Rothenia in the past few
years or so. The impression I got is there's a lot of strange happenings
out there. That's all I've got at present, here's the lad."
I didn't have time to thank him for all that as Nate was back on the
line.
"Just to say everything's OK. Your Uncle says if I can get the idle
bugger in order I'm welcome to him. That was said as I tried to breathe
through a great bear hug. Sophie says you primed her a bit. Shag-bag here
had a fit when she said that and I thought you'd be deprived of essentials
when he saw you next but he's calmed down now..." More chuntering in the
background which went on a bit. "...To paraphrase all that, he says it's
only his reverence for Tris that prevents him using his Dad's castrators on
you. I'll see you at the Burns Night. Love to you both!"
I said to pass my thanks to Adam for his erudition and his mercy. I
heard the mighty raspberry blown at a distance and said cheerio.
Not much to go on so far but I knew Adam would ferret out as much a
possible. I had the feeling that he and Nate might be visiting Rothenia
and not just to see Ivo and 'Tory. But one thing I was very glad about was
that Adam had made a commitment to Nate in that he had told his Mum and Dad
and that they had accepted them both.
2004
A couple of days into the New Year I had a missive from Scotland. A
card depicting Edinburgh Castle in all its dour granite fastness on one
side. Luckily the card was in an envelope as the message on the other side
was quite graphic. Jointly, sentence by sentence, written by Curt and
Logan.
'Tests all OK. [I assumed written by Curt.]
Sharing a bed at my Uncle Robert's [Must be Logan]
Better than anything ever before. [Curt again?]
Wonderful! Everything! Oh, jings! [I'd remarked on Logan's
use]
My lovely Scottish hunk!
Ma wee Scottie bairn!
I ain't that wee!
Not where it counts!
Love, Love.' [Two entwined words.]
So, Logan and Curt had got to the final stage and had triumphed!
Another pair!
Up until the day of our exams Frankie and I went over past papers
together and Dad helped greatly by commenting on our efforts. We practised
separately at the church although I listened from the nave once as Frankie
played through two of his pieces very well. We went up to London and sat
the written papers and then had our practical exams. Mr Prentice insisted
he came on both occasions to act as our registrant and page turner. He
said he needed a couple of days off from the operating theatre as he'd had
plenty of fractures to deal with over Christmas and the New Year. Both of
us thought we'd done OK on the written part and neither of us, in Mr
Prentice's opinion, had made any horrible errors in our playing. We would
have to wait and see if the examiners agreed.
I must have caught something on the tube journeys to and fro as other
passengers seemed to be intent on coughing and sneezing all over the place.
My temperature rose the evening after the practical and I was in bed for
two days on fluids, Night Nurse and no care from my own night nurse who
kept to his own bed next door out of the reach of contagion so he informed
me by mobile phone! I felt really groggy for the next few days and delayed
going back to College until the Wednesday of the week after term started.
I wasn't feeling too happy with myself on the Thursday morning and
wasn't too pleased even with Oliver who I felt was fussing over me too much
as I didn't want anything to eat except soft toast and marmalade. I played
the organ for the eight o'clock Chapel but cut short my usual outgoing
voluntary. I survived the morning lectures and thankfully accepted the
copies of notes from all the lectures I had missed from an attentive pair
of Fiona and Dina who realised I wasn't my usual mostly happy-bunny self.
Both had had super-duper Christmases from what they said but were concerned
about the amount of work to do for Finals. My attitude at that moment was
fuck Finals, my bones ached and I felt so lethargic and I was due for a
brain-bashing tutorial with James Tanner at two o'clock. Lunch tasted like
stewed cardboard with snot gravy and even two cups of strong black coffee
afterwards in my set didn't raise my spirits. I dragged myself unwillingly
to James' rooms at the appointed hour.
Oh Gawd! Even he had a happy smile on his face as I entered. I sat
heavily in the chair next to his desk having moved the usual pile of papers
off it and judiciously shoved the pile of text-books and other debris on
the floor out of the way. The smile went as he looked at me as I opened my
shoulder bag and extracted the sheaf of notes I had prepared over the
vacation but hadn't delivered. 'Well, you did suggest I did some work and
it's your turn now to mark it,' I thought.
"Thank you," he said as he riffled through the sheets in the plastic
folder. I always put work for him in distinctive yellow plastic folders
because otherwise they would be buried and lost under the mountains of
paper which overflowed his desk. He had said last year he was involved in
co-ordinating the rewrite of parts of the syllabus for some other
university and I knew he was very actively involved on College committees
but what the rest was Lord only knows! But, today, I was not interested.
I had more or less grasped what the lecturers were driving at this morning,
but even Fiona had let fly an unseemly oath at the end of the last one.
Most unladylike and I did feel just well enough to giggle. But now. James
set the folder on top of the furthest pile where it slid onto the smaller
pile next to it. Luckily nothing fell out. I'd heard tales of a past
tutor who would absent-mindedly light his pipe from spills made from
unmarked students' essays. At least James didn't smoke.
"Well, Mark," he said looking over the top of his glasses, "I have a
very large bone to pick with you."
What the hell? He knew I had been unwell. In fact so unwell I
couldn't have plucked a fifty-pound note from the middle of the lawn, which
I knew was a sure sign I'd had flu.
"I'm sorry I missed the tutorials but my mother did phone the Porter's
Lodge to let you know."
"Not that," was the terse and unhelpful reply.
I racked my less than willing-to-be-worked brain. Ah, yes!
"Is it about that evicted student? Tris did phone Jacob to find out
if it was still OK."
"No, Jerzy was great company. He's sorted out now in new
accommodation and the old landlord is paying him compensation. It's not
that either."
Was he playing games with me? Was I for the chop as far as Maths was
concerned? Had he realised my little brain wasn't capable? But, I had a
publication on the way with a possible second one so it couldn't be
that. The stewed cardboard was rebelling as well. I didn't know whether to
fart or burp but controlled sphincters at both ends. I looked at him
imploringly in silence.
He did laugh then. "I just don't know what to make of you. What's
this?" From a pile nearer to him he drew out my missing notebook. I felt
a sense of relief. It was a small thing, but mine own.
"I thought I'd lost that," I said, reaching out to take it from him
but he held it closer to him.
"Well I suppose you had," he said, waving a hand at the accumulation
of papers and books. "Luckily I needed a file of stuff so had to come in
here before Christmas and found it lodged under my desk. You must have
lost it when you tipped that bag of yours out at the last tutorial." Oh,
yes! My shoulder bag carried all sorts of essential things and in getting
out my latest notepad the blasted thing had upended and stuff had spilled
out. "So, I've spent time when I should have been doing other things going
through it." He harrumphed. "Some of it is a bit trite. Conclusions
anyone with half a brain could discern, but...," And here the big grin
appeared and a shake of the head. "...you've been hiding your light.
There are several things even big- head me would never have dreamed of
exploring and you have..." He looked at me and shook his head again.
"...and you've come to some very sensible conclusions." I must have looked
flabbergasted. They were just interesting jottings as far as I was
concerned. "I had the feeling three years ago you might be rather
special," he laughed. "You know you are the most expensive Maths student
the College has. The Brigadier has remarked he's had to fork out for extra
tutors for other students while you have the luxury of me alone."
I had realised something of this. I knew other Maths students met
their supervisors in pairs as Fiona and Dina did and quite often with
Fourth Year students or PhD candidates as their tutors. A couple of other
Second Years I'd gone over stuff with at the time had remarked on this. I
assumed I needed one-to-one so had been given the valuable time with James.
I assumed as he was a Prof he could pick his students. And I knew he had
at least four PhD students as I'd attended seminars at the Maths Faculty
building when they'd talked about their work. Needless to say, I'd kept
quiet at question times just marvelling at what was said.
He waved the book at me. "I suppose you also realise that in our
little sessions we've done things way outside the general syllabus?" No
wonder my little brain reeled at times. "You've got all the day-to-day
stuff well-grounded and I thought we would see how far you could go." He
put the book down and pointed at it. He smiled. "I'm glad my intuition
was correct." I put my hand out to retrieve my book but he placed the flat
of his hand on it. "First things first. You will be going on to Part
Three." I didn't know if this was a question or a command. I
prevaricated.
"I don't think I can afford another year. It's only the Pennefather
which has kept me afloat. I've got a student loan and I've been lucky my
Uncle has given me some money. My brother's here next year so we can't
expect too much from my mother and father." I thought 'lucky bugger' as
he's got a shed-load of dosh to come from Unc. James held up a hand.
"You do what I think you can do in finals and we'll deal with it all
then. Now, how did the organ exams go?"
I was hardly thinking straight. I said I would know the end of next
week when the results came out. "But, as usual, you cannot judge," was
James' cryptic response to that. "We'll discuss this when we have time," he
said handing me my notebook. "Don't lose it again but keep putting things
in it." Yes, I had at least two things which had bugged me while going
over the problems he'd set and I'd had a go at sorting out. But, I think I
was shy. I kept hearing of his reputation and now...
"....And now we'd better have a look at what you've missed," he said,
"I suppose Prof Horner...."
That was that. I did manage to keep up and my notepad looked like a
spider's jungle when the two hours came to an end. I was exhausted but it
was a happy exhaustion. I was also invited to lunch on Sunday. "Bring
Charles and Oliver as well," were his parting words. Good! Charles would
insist on a taxi.
I went back to the set and lay down on my bed. At half-past four a
concerned looking Liam knocked on the bedroom door and came in. "Sorry for
barging in but are you OK? Sean said you looked like death warmed up at
lunch time." I hadn't even noticed Sean. I said I was better than I had
been but... "Tea!" he said.
I felt much better having his company. I got up and sat in the now
very warm living- room with tea and a slice of Auntie Dil's Christmas cake
which he also shared. He chatted on about Christmas and how a couple of
our sporty types had been carted off to hospital through overindulging in
alcoholic beverages the first Saturday back. I heard that Charles was also
back from his travels with tales about the Middle East and Curt and Logan
were inseparable. We were interrupted by a knock at the door. Liam got up
and went to it. It was Charles.
"My dear, I hope I don't intrude," he sat down nevertheless and Liam
rushed to the kitchen for another cup and more cake. "I heard you were
indisposed. You don't look too well." Thank you, I thought, for that
sentiment. I'd already had 'death-warmed-up'! "You mustn't overdo things.
Perhaps I might tempt you with a few things to stimulate a jaded appetite."
He opened the bag he was carrying when he came in and drew out a bottle of
champagne and two tins of some exotic pate. Yes, I had bread to make thin
toast. "Liam, precious, pop the bottle in the fridge, please." He looked
at me. "Permit me to help you sample it later..," The hands waved.
"...Only if you feel up to it."
"Charles, what a lovely thought. I feel so much better already. Then
you must tell of your travels." Creep! No, I wanted to be entertained. I
was feeling better. I had to speak to Tris, though. Phone him when he
gets home at about six. Tell him about what James had said. Should I
attempt to stay on another year?
I was only half listening as Charles and Liam were discussing some
pressing College matter. Yes, Liam was to be Jason's successor. I could
see him as Old Albert's successor as well after next year. Very young, but
very efficient. Oh, if I had to find a job I would miss my College life
and all my friends. This was going to be a momentous and demanding year.
Oliver came in just after five also looking concerned about me. I
would miss him, too. But he cheered up when I said I was feeling much
better and he'd had some tea and cake as well. Liam said he'd better go as
he was on duty from six until ten. I knew he was itching to ask something
but was constrained by Charles' presence. I guessed it might be about
another visit to the Club or to discuss what we'd heard about the burned
notes. Charles left with him still going on about building work to take
place over the Summer vac. His parting words were that the new computer
wiring would be starting on Monday with our stair.
Oliver said he didn't feel like a Hall supper so would I like an
omelette? His omelettes were fabulous as he said he'd learned to make them
from a Chinese cook his father had in Singapore. I though that would tempt
me and he laughed when I said what Charles had brought to tempt us later.
I was feeling better by the minute and then my mobile trilled my Bach
ring-tone. Tris of course, and he cheered me up even more. Not because
dear Toad had come home with a bruised knee from playing hockey but that
Tris had got a commendation from a tutor on a piece of work he'd had to do
on contracts. Of course, we both said we missed each other but we would be
meeting up at Ulvescott on Friday the twenty-third and don't forget the
kilt!
The next time until then went very quickly. I took Liam and Sean and
met up with Barry Hall at the Club on Saturday where we were met by a booth
full of leathermen. The boxers, plus Brad and Batman and a new couple who
had joined in as well. What a night! Drink flowed freely even if most
drank non-alcoholic and I had to watch it, too, as I was scheduled for the
morning service.
Then during the week there was a phone call from Frankie just as I was
getting ready to go to Hall for supper. "The results have come," were his
opening words, no greeting, "Shall I open your envelope?"
"What about you?" I asked.
"I asked you, shall I open your envelope?" he said quite brusquely. I
just wondered if his had been bad news. "Yes, please," I said, "But wait
while I take a deep breath." There was a slight pause.
"It's OK, you've passed," he said laconically with no emotion, "And
you've got two prizes." I exhaled.
"And what about you," I asked, hoping against hope he'd passed, too.
"I passed as well and I got two prizes, too!" There was a tremendous
screech from him and a shout. "We both passed, hooray!"
My goodness me an FRCO, a graduate already, and him an ARCO and on his
way!
"Mum's here," he said.
There was a delighted laugh. "I hope you liked that little charade.
He opened his as soon as he got home from school. Congratulations. I'll
phone Reg Prentice and tell him. Your father's got a concert this evening
and nearly opened the envelopes this morning when they arrived. I'll phone
Francesco and Aldo and get them to tell my dear mother. Tris is here." Mum
had just spent a long weekend sorting out Grandma Matteoli and I hadn't
heard much about what had happened but I guessed there had been at least
one shouting and screaming match. Uncle Francesco would have been relieved
whatever the outcome.
It sounded as if Mum and Toad were waltzing around the kitchen and
Tris was laughing as he came on the line. "Little brother's happy and I
hope you are. Congratulations. I knew you'd pass. Talk to you later. I
miss you." There was a chorus of 'Cheers!" as he hung up. Short and sweet
but just those few words were enough for me.
But, I was emotionally drained. Joy. Relief. Exhilaration.
Whatever. I collapsed on the bed in tears. Oliver came from the
living-room looking for me. "Are you OK?" he asked. I jumped up and
hugged him. "I passed!"
He just laughed. "Foolish boy, I knew you would. My results should
be arriving soon."
He'd taken the LRAM oboe exam and I felt there was no doubt about him.
I had to tell Boz, Ben and Gwilym as well as Charles. They say there
are three quick ways to get news around, telephone, telegram and tell a
woman. No woman told but while I was sitting in Hall at least half a dozen
fellow eaters came up, several thumping me on the back and endangering
themselves as I almost regurgitated the lasagne I had chosen. I'd hardly
got that down when there was a summons from the Master to present myself at
High Table. There I had to sit between old Dr Sinclair and Mr Fullerton
and was plied with a very fine dessert wine to go with the pud. A rather
superior concoction to what was ladled out to the hoi polloi on the lower
tables. A vastly amused James Tanner was opposite. It turned out there
was some special committee sitting that evening and that was why a crowd of
dons were in. I managed to make my excuses and thanked the Master who said
it was an honour for the College as well. My progress back down the Hall
was watched by numerous enquiring eyes and as I got to the door Liam was
there with a sheaf of messages. I raised my eyes heavenwards. Oh no, it
was just an exam.
"Miss Anstruther-Lamb presents her compliments and congratulations,"
he intoned as he handed me the first one, "Dr Al-Hamed sends his
congratulations and best wishes," he was enjoying himself as several happy
eaters, having gorged themselves, came out and stood watching.
"Thank you, Liam," I said, "I'll read them at leisure." I grabbed the
half-dozen or so pieces of paper and turned to the inquisitive spectators.
"I've just passed another organ exam," I said, "And everyone thinks it very
important."
There were grunts of recognition from a couple of the large boatie
types one of whom grabbed a hand and almost crushed it in a tremendous
handshake. "Good on yer, mate!" My, my, another cheerful Aussie from the
sound of it. I managed to escape any more bone-crushing encounters and
rapidly made my way back to my set. I might have guessed. There were
streamers over the door, in the hallway and loads of those irritating tiny
streamers dangling from the two ceiling lights and the organ stops around
the room. In a row were Oliver, Boz, Ben, Gwilym, Logan and his room-mate
Anthony, with Charles directing a scurrying Sean to set out glasses and
plates.
"My dear, your arrival is most opportune," he enthused, "We were just
about to crack open a couple of bottles of Mother's favourite nectar to
celebrate such a happy occasion."
I looked along the line of grinning fellow students.
"No one's pregnant or had a child, I hope!" I said, hoping to diffuse
yet another really unwanted discomfiting situation on my behalf. Bloody
Hell! I'd only passed an exam. But then, it was a rather difficult and
prestigious exam. I'd clearly upset Charles.
"There is no need for coarseness," he said archly, "We will leave such
expressions to those with a lower sense of the rightness of things." He
must have seen my look of abject shame and softened. "But, my dear Mark,
we are all aware of your sensitivity and, perhaps, shyness in expressing
your triumphs. Needless to say, great triumphs as we have all witnessed."
He turned to Sean. "Sean, my treasure, glasses for all. Boswell, you have
strong wrists." He indicated two large ice-buckets, each with two bottles
of champagne cooling in them. As Boz drew one out there was a gasp from
Ben.
"Mother's favourite? It's Roederer Cristal isn't it?" he said almost
reverently, "If it's 2002 it's very expensive. Wow!"
Charles waved a hand dismissively. "For a son of the manse you have a
connoisseur's eye. Perchance you have sampled before?"
Ben shook his head vigorously. "Not bloody likely! Sorry, Pygmalion
slipped out! But how? And where from?"
Charles held the finger and thumb of his left hand with the other
fingers splayed and made a precise gesture. "Mother's new clients were so
appreciative of her suggestions for the furnishing and decoration of what
might be termed palatial mansions a case was delivered as a small token of
thanks in advance of her fee."
"A case?" Ben asked as he peered at the bottle Boz was holding.
"A double case," Charles said in confirmation, "Twenty-four bottles to
be precise. Mother decided I deserved half for the ordeals I had to
undergo on the visit. Some of those young Arab gentlemen desire nothing
more than to sit and hold one's hand while they pour out their litanies of
woe at having to do exactly as their fathers tell them. All superbly
educated in their own way and I have made tentative arrangements for at
least four to be admitted to the College, two next year and two the year
after. I do shudder to think, though, what might happen once they are let
off the leash."
"But those are joys to come," said Boz, "Let's savour these joys now!"
There was a thump on the door accompanying the 'pop' of a cork being
withdrawn and an inrush as the doors opened and two sweaty looking figures
in sweatpants and fleeces came in, followed by Jason, who looked a bit
flustered, and two others also clad in warm gym wear.
"What bloody joys?" It was Gabe in the lead, with Josh just behind
him.
"Gabriel, dear boy, come in," said Charles looking at him and then at
the others behind him. "Glasses, Sean, and for Gabriel's friends. Come in
Clive and you, too, Clyde!" He waved at Jason. "Jason, sweet, thank you
for locating these missing persons. You were correct in surmising they
might be engaged in sporting pursuits. Perhaps you would distribute the
tidbits and find a glass for yourself."
Soon, all of us had glasses of the very delicious 'nectar'. I was
toasted several times as the drink flowed. A breathless Curt appeared,
still in his Servery garb, and he was given a glass as well. I noted that
Logan and Anthony stood either side of him and Anthony's smile matched that
of Logan's.
Well, if this was Mother's favourite nectar I could get a taste for
it. The only thing, or person, missing was Tris. Charles must have sensed
my thoughts. He came over to me and held my hand. He must have learned
that somewhere!
"Mark," he said, without any of the usual flummery, "I know someone is
not here. There is a bottle secreted in the kitchen for you to share at
home and I hope you will allow your brother to partake in the celebration
of both your achievements."
"Thank you, Charles, it's too much really."
A straightforward smile. "Never too much."
To be continued: