Another story featuring Pheobe and Mags Worthington
No, No, I never did. I never wanted to give
my babies away, they just took them from me in the night ..
Pheobes mind was wandering. She had been worried
sick all day , feeling anxious.
As her morale reached rock bottom she made for
the quiet sanctuary of the garden. Here, she tried to think through her problems, with dignity. She thought a quiet little snooze on the soft chair she liked
with its red, satin cushions would settle her best. These cushions had been a
present to Dame Katrina from her dearest friend and admirer Rev Anthony Willy-Gass. She had given concerts for him raising funds for the roof, windows, even the central heating
in Newtown High Church . Dame Katrina was fond of Newtown, she remembered as
a tiny girl being taken by her mother to see the opening of a some giant steel bridge in the town built by a Frenchman. As the covers had scenes depicting John
Bunyans suffering, Pheobe felt she was not entirely alone against the world.
Pheobe eventually dozed off experiencing the
half wake – half sleep cloudiness of first closing her eyes. But she was unable to keep this up for more than a few
minutes before she felt herself beginning to sweat, hallucinate, then make sudden
body jerks and cry out.
No, No, I never did. I never wanted to give my babies away, they just took them from me in the night ..
After a short time Pheobe slipped into a more peaceful state of sleep to the point where memories are stored and she thought she
might begin to solve her predicament.
The barrel organ of an ice cream vendor shouting at the top of his voice in a mix of Italian and badly broken English aroused her from this deeper sleep.
Pheobe woke and yawned, stretching her body to its full capacity as she left the garden
behind to come indoors. It was getting chilly outside, and she could hear her younger sister Mags indoors and she was conscious
of her age creeping up with her, moreover, her tummy
was starting to rumble too.
Don’t come out here, Mags dear. , warned Pheobe, it’s turning rather nippy.
The gloaming had just set in, an hour earlier that evening in late October. There had
been great chaos all day as the clocks had not been put forward instead of back
that morning at the Mews leaving the whole household in utter confusion. Attendance
at Church involved going to church, coming back, going back to church and then
coming home again. The Sunday newspapers were not read, and preparations for lunch which was cooked and ready for serving
two hours early wasn’t eaten, precipitating
the arrangements for the day being changed at very the last minute to Dame Katrina
and her girls Pheobe and Mags, having supper instead with the two VIPs.
Dame Katrina had particularly wanted to read the reviews of Caroline Du Barry’s
latest romance An Embassy of Love.
Two guests were expected for supper.
Who is that dashing young man Pheobe that is having supper with us, tonight?
Oh Mags, dear, its not surprising you can’t remember him, that is Young Felix, the motor racing driver. He is Madam’s
nephew or great nephew, or some such thing, I think… Madam’s family tree is
rather complex.
It is a bit like ours then, Pheobe? Mam still keeps hidden a lot of secrets about our Dad’s origins. You know about
him being German, or Swedish of Bohemian?
Pheobe felt her anger rise:
Mags Worthington, where did you hear a word like Bohemian?
Why from you Pheobe dear, that time we went with Madam to Murdo Castle, where you saw
that giant beastie!
Sorry, Pheobe… but secrets, I mean… have you got any secrets ?
Mags couldn’t believe she had asked such a question.
Pheobe gave Mags one of her looks of disapproval, reserved for- don’t even go there
territory . Mags thought she’d better change the subject.
Felix is such a good name said Mags more
content with a question on safer ground.
He was called after his grandfather, the famous aviator,
Sir Felix Danvers Oglivy, one of those lovely boys of the Royal Flying
Corps. He’s the one in the photograph in the library, in uniform,
the one Madam often smiles at when she passes …
Oh yes, I know the one you mean Pheobe, it’s
in such beautiful frame . He’s quite a dish isn’t he Young Felix,
he resembles his grandfather too.
Pheobe didn’t have an opinion on the young man’s good looks, she had other things on her mind, without drooling over the racing
driver.
Mags was not finished interrogating her sister.
And who is the lady?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Oh Mags, that’s Caroline Du Barry, the well known romance writer replied Pheobe,
still pre-occupied with other thoughts..
I believe that she is also a distant connection of Madam’s by marriage or divorce, or it
might just be business. She’s a great niece or some such relationship, once, twice or three times removed.
Removed?” repeated Mags What’s removed?
Never you mind about any of that Mags, it just means in
the line of descent… Madam
has so few blood relatives, in a way we
are her next of kin, Mags.
This information was reassuring, Mags felt she belonged at the Mews, these strangers were just passing
through. They were welcome, all of Madam’s friends were classy, they liked
cats. No one interfered with Madam’s
girls having the freedom of the Mews.
In the dining room Cook had finished serving the remainder of the supper.
She had done Madam proud. It was a mini banquet with the finest caviar,
served with bliny, smoked salmon moose, prawns,
devils on horseback, a large game pie,
an assortment of cheeses, both English, Scottish and French, with some
little sandwiches and some savories made specially for Felix by Cook, to be accompanied by lashings of Gentleman’s relish.
There were salads, and Cook’s own home make pickle in generous side servings.
Cook knew the way to the heart and mind was through serving up some stunning dishes. Fresh fruit and a sweet tart with
clotted cream was also on standby, together with pears in Brandy, another favourite
of all the Ogilvy clan .
Three bottles of 1907
Heidesieck Champagne Goût Americain from a rare consignment given to Felix by a Swedish benefactor, who had been an admirer of his for years, were standing on the drinks table,
a gift from Felix to his dearest Aunt Katrina. One bottle was already half consumed
the others Cook had put on ice.
The beluga caviar was a gift from an old Russian gambling chum, Leo. said Madam. Cook is originally from the Ukraine and makes the very best bliny in the Western World to bring out these perfect
little fish eggs.
Felix said it was all delicious, and complimented Cook
on a spread fit for King adding as
a sort of joke come compliment or a Tsar.
Madam scolded Felix. Cook’s distant past was a combination of mystery
and closed book. She was a Russian refugee whom Dame Katrina had been recommended for service while she was visiting the Prague Conservatoire of Music, at the time when
it was situated in a Benedictine monastery. It was rumoured that some family
of White Russians were hiding there.
Olga Romanov had insisted that her past was dead and she wanted to be simply called Cook, a name that gave her a new
status and respect. Madam engaged her and she came to London albeit
as a registered alien. It was known that other Russian immigrants, unfriendly
to the seizure of power by the Bolsheviks, with links to the country’s
former nobility always paid their quiet, dignified respects to Olga when she
was seen reporting herself to the authorities.
Cook was a little annoyed
by the handsome Felix’s remarks. The young man had the ability to put on an
old fashioned kind of charm that was a mixture of the gallant knight, swashbuckler
and gigolo. Olga Romanov was touched by the young man’s sincerity, so let
it pass.
Caroline Du Barry had sampled the finest caviars at dinner tables in palaces and reception parties around the world
You know the Beluga sturgeon can take up to 20 years to reach maturity. It
is mainly found in the Caspian Sea or
the basin Black Sea… .I have researched this comprehensively for my latest book Embassy of Love.
Oh do tell us about your latest best seller, my dear asked Dame
Katrina., just give us a flavour…
Very well said Caroline I’ll simply read you the
back cover…
…. Embassy of Love is the story of a handsome diplomat, Peter Badger-Wood’s new posting to Moscow where
he is immediately enchanted by the Russian Foreign Minister’s secretary Aggie Wakova, only to find she is engaged to
the burly chef of the Brazilian Embassy, Water Santiago. Meanwhile, lovely, but lonely, Mary St John, daughter of the British
Consul in St Petersburg is excitedly awaiting her first Ambassador’s Ball.
Glittering and glamorous the event is perfect for romance and intrigue and good food and wine..
Wow!!! said Dame Katrina and Felix together like a
duet from Wagner’s . Tristan und Isolde.
Caroline presented both Katrina and Felix with a signed copy of Embassy of Love.
The Swiss carriage clock in the Mews dining room sounded
out 8 pm.
Dame Katrina placed the gift from Caroline on a side table She then announced :
Before we get down to business of the hour so to speak
Felix, you must tell me about your auto racing. I know you are such a brave,
brave boy…you must have nine lives.
Pheobe had been listening attentively in silence to everything going on the dining room. When she heard
Madam mention the “ business of the hour” she began shaking
and shivering, but had to be all ears, this was important.
The conversation continued for what seemed like hours, albeit sparking with Felix’s wit, answering questions from Dame Katrina and Caroline about the European racing circuit. Felix’s name had been linked romantically with Bella Nola, a female racing driver from Italy, competing in a man’s world, but he was coy about revealing anything
beyond saying that She is the most extraordinary creature.
In the kitchen Cook had laid on a magnificent supper for Pheobe and Mags too.
Pheobe was feeling a little bit off her food., eating
only some of the smoked salmon moose, as this could be consumed without much
effort.
Mags had decided to escape to the Music Room where later Madam had said she would play the piano for the guests. It was as if she knew
that there was something to be discussed that she should not hear. She had sensed Pheobe’s restlessness all day long.
Everything edible had been cleared away. Dame Katrina
clapped her hands together, an idiosyncrasy she had inherited from an old mentor. It meant she now demanded that the conversation move on at once to something else.
To business, my dears said the Dame in a regal manner. She called Pheobe.
Pheobe, my precious girl, you have more right than any to join us, come here my sweet, sweet darling.
Pheobe was greeted with loving strokes and pats and name calling by Felix and Catherine. She felt calmer than she had done for hours, but she would be better still when the ordeal was all over.
Madam asked Felix to speak. Right, Felix please report
the outcome of your enquires?
Felix took a deep breath and began.
Pheobe’s babies are all grown up, now. If I may
remind you, there were two girls and a boy in the same litter. They all have new names.
The girls are called Molly
and Milly , and they have stayed together, in a loving family. They have a family
of 4 between them…..however….
Dame Katrina interrupted Continue….I can see Pheobe is pleased to hear she is a grandmother.
Pheobe purred contentedly. This was her biggest secret – she had had three children – not
even her Mam knew about this secret from time past.
She had heard every word of Felix’s report with a racing heart, a mother’s heart. Her girls
were safe and were mothers themselves. It was Felix ‘s use of the word However , no doubt about her only son, that was painful. Pheobe felt a foreboding to come.
Felix coughed nervously.
The boy, named Jack,
was separated from his sisters. It is not known where he is at present, or
indeed if he survived. I have traced him to Greenock Docks, where
he stowed away on a ship about two years ago.
Greenock? said Dame Katrina, in my beloved Scotland.
Greenock? said Catherine, where my friend Babs lives, and
not far from the Docks.
Dame Katrina announced a plan:
Very well, we must go to Greenock then and find out what happened to Jack.
Cats like him have nine lives. This is what we’ll
do.............
