‘He also, don’t worry I’m not enamoured.’
‘Tell him yes then it will clinch it, you’ll see why.’
“An excellent idea Mr. Squirm, I’ll have the Malling family solicitors, Martin Bros and Son investigate the possibility with the College of Heralds. I think I would require an immediate deposit into my bank of say one million only, plus some of the dividend to be allocated as cash into the same account on a bi-yearly basis. The portfolio is to continue Mr. Perdue and Lady Celia’s investment strategy. Naturally we will endorse the management fees to which your company is entitled. Further a transfer of a one hundred thousand pounds from my Mallet Australian account to be placed into a separate portfolio for management by your Company. That portfolio to have the single name of Mallet, are we agreed?”
‘Indeed Mr. Malling-Mallet, I return your folder and your details; I have noted you bank and account numbers and we will dispose of a select few shares. Mr Perdue has written down a short list, ones he feels now could be sold on. Perhaps you would sign the disposal form“
Nick took out his pen and signed and returned the document together with a bank cheque from his own Australian money. It was most of what was left with the money he had in Australia, he still owned the mine and was renting it out in a partnership.
“Did you not want to check Mr. Perdue’s list?”
‘Perdue has a granddaughter working here’ came a whisper in his ear
“No Mr. Squirm, why would I doubt your integrity on such a matter, both you and Mr. Perdue have shown exemplary honesty, indeed great wisdom, I would suggest very few companies would have had such singular success at retaining and subscribing to long term shares and debentures. You have our full confidence. All I ask is a full account of your commission fees for our own internal auditors. You see we may become a private company in the future to protect both the Malling name and its estate. Perhaps Mr. Perdue’s granddaughter would take on our interests, keep it in the family. I understand she is currently in your employ? ”
Squirm squirmed, he was not comfortable with the suggestion, but gracefully acknowledged to himself at least he could wrest commissions if not the shares themselves. So Squirm clapped his hands in mock delight and looked at Perdue who was obviously delighted. Nick rose, bowed in appreciation and showed himself out.
HE was very fulsome in his praise for Nick and quite overcome about Lady Celia’s investment policy. They visited the Malling solicitors and settled some outstanding issues that HE had. Nick hired a taxi and HE gave him a brief tour of the sites before returning to Waterloo. They found their seats on the train; Nick put a copy of the Times where HE sat.
'You know Nick what you said about honesty to Squirm set him back on his heels a bit, his grandfather was known as a real fraudster, often selling shares for his clients who took his advice, then buying them for himself. You could see he was a self made man climbing on other peoples wealth.'
“Why didn’t he do the same to your portfolio, I was quite surprised about the size that had been amassed. Aunt Celia told me you had both only invested a hundred thousand at most?”
'Perdue. I believe he was most fond of Celia. A poor young clerk roughly treated by his employers. Finds such a one as my Celia who treated him with respect and helped his advancement by her investment. He adored her, didn’t much care for me, but he kept her money safe from the other fellows.'
xxx
Chapter Six. Affection and memories in a box.
When Nick and HE arrived back in high spirits, HE disappeared inside to tell Celia the good news. Nick went round the rear of the manor to the pump house. A man was inside pulling out the old china fuses and placing them in a bag. Nick left him to it, he checked his watch it was 5:30 pm so he branched off down to the old pier. He found a pile of rotten planks and some of the old piles on the bank together with a space and crowbar. Somebody had been busy; still it was sensible to get rid of the danger. He went back to the house and Dunning was in the kitchen with an agitated Alice and the electrician from the village.
“How did the electricity go, did we switch on?”
“No Mr. Mallet, the fuse box needs replacing but all the wiring has been checked. I’ve told Mr. Dunning we will bring out a refurbished one tomorrow. One of my lads is removing the old one as we speak most of the rooms will need rewiring, Mrs. Dunning tells me the ground floor was done twenty years back, it seems fine but sockets need replacing ” The electrician stood up but Nick waved him to sit.
“Fine go ahead and do the work as required, I’ll give you a cheque for the materials if you want, how long till you finish?”
“A full month at least if we start tomorrow, I suggest we need a wallpaper specialist to help us skim the paper aside as we have to install PVC piping into the walls. There is Dave Gorman in town who would help us do that. You’ll need to mark where you want switches and sockets in each room.”
“Perhaps Mr. Dunning could handle that,” Then turning to Dunning he asked, “Have you been busy on that old pier Dunning, you should have waited for me to give you a hand.”
Alice was still agitated so Nick took her aside.
“Master Ash and Jack Trent were at it and Master Ash had severe pain so Dunning drove him down for nurse to see him, I’ve sent him to bed. Nurse gave Dunning this sticky patch to replace the one I put on. Nurse said to replace it once the wound had been given fresh air.”
“OK Alice thanks I’ll take it with him now lets see what the little pest has been up now.”
Nick left the manor and walked down to the cottage. When he saw Ash spread eagled on the bed on his front he knew what had occurred and was not best pleased. He walked over and inspected the broken skin following the deep welt mark on his left cheek. There was a yellowy pus seeping out. Nick slapped the right cheek sharply.
“What’s that for” Ash turned angrily to Nick who sat on the bed edge fuming.
“That is for doing something you were told not to. Did I not ask you to remain in the house and check on the electricity.”
“You did.”
“And”
“ I tripped over the electricians box and tipped all the tools out, so the electrician told me I was a stupid kid, I took offence and kicked one of his screwdrivers across the marble floor, so Mr. Dunning thought it best I return here out the way.”
“And”
“Jack came round and we decided to rip down the pier in case some other fool hurt himself.” Ash was getting quite belligerent now, working up quite a steam.
“And the spade and fork?”
“Jack got them from the tool shed behind the outside loo.”
“And you forgot that you have an injury that will likely or not leave a permanent scar on that backside of yours. Well looks like its stopping seeping, how long did the nurse tell to dry it?”
“Until it had dried, to leave a crust, then protect with the pad you’ve got in your hand.”
“It’s called a scab, something you ought to be called, a scabby child.”
“I’m not a child Nick, I’m not any more, I’ll be thirteen in a few weeks, and you check in my box, it’s under the bed.”
“No Ash, not your personal box.”
“Please do, just bring it by my head so I can tell you things, go on Nick it won’t worry me and I always intended you to share it with me, but you being busy all the time and coming in late and tired.”
Nick reached under the bed and bought out Ash’s special box. He opened the lid and was surprised how little was inside. He picked up a photo of a young girl in plaits.
“My Mum when she was nine.”
Nick picked a larger one the girl was much older maybe eighteen with a rounded tummy.
“Me inside Mum, I was born soon after,”
Three conkers came next, one with a piece of sting through the centre.
“That one was a champion, unbeaten.” Ash pointed to the stringed one. “The other was a spare from the same tree in Kidderminster.”
A small penknife and a service medal followed.
“Mum said these belonged to my…her boyfriend.”
“Your Father?”
“Mum had lots of friends.”
Next came the pink birth certificate, Ashley Trent, Mother Sally Trent spinster, Father unknown. Date of birth and time: 10am. Nick counted back the years.
“Your birthday is in August, next month and you are a Leo. And horrors you will be a terrible teen!” Nick chortled as Ash poked his tongue out.
“Can I sit up now?”
“Just wait while I put your box away and apply this patch to your precious skin.” Nick stripped the backing off and seeing the pus had now dried, gently pushed the broken skin together and applied the sticky patch. Ash rolled over and looked directly into Nick’s face.
“Truly Nick I was trying to help, I didn’t mean to rip the wound, I was as careful as I could be. It frightened me when you were so cross. Your face was so taught and angry looking. I’m sorry.”
Nick eyes met Ash’s. Ash’s eyes were a light violet and they misting up again, but he was bravely fighting the tears back.
“I was angry, because you ruptured the wound when we had been so eager for it to heal. I guess my affection for you covers the whole of you not just that golden noggin of yours.” Nick leant forward and brushed Ash’s shock of hair now all askew. They looked at one another for a minute then Ash bent forward and kissed him with a long gentle kiss.
“Steady Ash you’ll get me embarrassed.” Nick had turned a shade of pink, Ash laughed.
“Am I forgiven Nick, please say I am.”
“You get under my skin and I’ve got no defence, you meant well but is that giving you much pain, Alice was worried.”
“It did sting but the nurse gave me aspirin and Alice gave me a small bottle to take if need be. Are you going?”
“Just over to the house, I left without seeing my Aunt and Uncle.
“How did things go in London?”
“I missed you, but in spite of that fact, things went very well. Ash can you print me out a few A4 sheets with these words printed on them, for circulation in the village? You’ll find some new sheets and felt pens in my briefcase. ”
Nick handed over an old envelope he had in his back pocket, which Ash read out aloud.
“Furniture for the Manor house required, payment will be made if in good order.”
“Perhaps, but its about paying for returning furniture on that envelope, that’s the old furniture that was removed. So its important to be original.”
Nick walked up the manor and found HE and Lady Celia in high spirits.
“Dear Nick a glass of Champagne to celebrate. Oh come now don’t be so sour, the boy won’t die. He tried to be helpful not a drain, and you are cross.”
“How did you know that Aunt?”
“Peter and Joan were walking past the cottage and heard you!”
“Is nothing private in this blasted house?”
“Well they were concerned!”
“How nice, and whose idea was it to open the doors of the manor?”
“It was Joan’s decision. When Horace died he allowed Peter’s wife to remain here at Mallings, When Joan died, her will gave certain villagers the right to take whatever they needed. ”
“Except the baths, Dunning tells me they are still here, one on each floor. I can’t find them!”
“They were built to be unobtrusive, in our day ablutions were not to be heralded. Come on Nick I’ll show where they are. I suggest we leave a chalk mark so you can find them again.”
Nick followed Lady Celia and found substantial bathrooms behind masked doors that matched the corridors. There were four in all including a small one up in the attic. Whilst
They were up there he popped into the bird room to measure the broken pane.
“You are not going to put a new pane in until the birds are fledged and flying.”
“Of course not, but I intend to get Ash to repair it as he damaged it.”
“Perhaps we are taking this guardianship a bit far?”
“I’m worried that’s all.”
“About his abrasions. Joan told me you were angry about the skin damage; so let me give you some advice. Where the old house used to be in the Middle wood there is an estate cottage, which used to be the entrance lodge before the beech drive was planted. I would ask Peter or Alex to show you where it is but tomorrow, alas they are away. Instead call for Bill and Ben and tell them Molly Clark. They’ll lead you to our local herbalist who may be able to help young Ash. Now Nick lets go to Horace’s study and open a bottle, just we three.”
Nick arrived back at the cottage and whilst he and Ash ate a supper Alice had prepared he told what Lady Alice had said.
“Well you cannot expect young Ash to walk that far particularly as you gave him a right dressing down this afternoon.”
Nick looked at Ash who looked innocent enough.
“Then it appears the whole wide world heard us?”
Alice nodded.
“There is a pushchair in the tool shed we used for our little ones so you are welcome to that, make sure you use a pillow for the poor lads behind.”
They both retired early and Nick examined the posters Ash had copied out. He certainly had an eye for layout. They were beautifully inscribed.
“These are great Ash I’ll put them in my briefcase and take them down to the village tomorrow after we go to Middle wood.”
“Nick why don’t you wear pyjamas?” Ash was sitting straight up in his bed.”
“Had no need to, in Australia though the outback got cold I used to live and sleep in a
Dugout underground except for the entrance door, cool during the day and warm at night. When I was your age living in Britain of course I had pyjamas a red pair if I remember.”
“Did you run away from home to go to Australia?”
“When I was eighteen I did. Couldn’t get a job in the city but and an old codger advised me to go labouring in a place called Lightening Ridge and dig for opal, they are quite valuable. Anyhow I worked for another chap for board and lodging and ten percent of what we found. It’s a luck thing, after five months of hard graft we hit a beautiful seam. It was worth over three hundred thousand. When it petered out he gave me the option of buying him out with my ten percent share. He’d been there a long time and wanted to retire, so he took the lot and signed over the licence and equipment. “
“And were you lucky?”
“I found you didn’t I?”
“No Nick, It was I who found you. The day you came down and showed Jack and I how to cook using that piece of willow.”
“OK I give in. Anyhow I worked dam hard and tried to follow the old seam, that was a mistake we miners all expect once you find a certain level you follow it. Food was getting short and my tab at the store was long, so I was refused further supplies. I was fed up Ash; I had risked my ten percent and found nothing. I shined down the chain into the mine picked the pickaxe and in my anger I burst into tears and threw the dam thing across the small drive. So narrow was the drive that the axe drove into the wall leaving me to use a sledge hammer to knock it out.”
“And out poured opal, tons of it.”
“You’ve been reading my mind you young imp. Yes Ash, in my anger I had struck it rich. The quality was superb and such a quantity. I worked feverishly for a week. The first piece that came with the pick I sold and settled my bills. I told the opal buyer it had come out of old Bills finished seam so as not to allay any suspicions about a major strike. Otherwise other miners might come in the night and steal the seam. I had no way of sealing the shaft other than driving the truck over the shaft which we all did. The result was I contacted old Bill and offered him ten percent to put me in touch with an opal buyer who could take what I had. Bill came down with two nephews and we loaded everything up and Bill and I drove it up to Sydney to sell.”
“Were you a millionaire?”
“And some, still Bill and I bought out two licences adjoining ours and went back into partnership with his two nephews. They broke through another seam so I left them and rented a flat, started painting, got bored and came back home to look for a peaceful place so I could improve my painting and maybe sell a few.”
“There are five partners in the mine and hopefully the prospects for further finds are good. So far Bills nephews have found more than enough to live on and upgrade the machinery. And whilst they dig, there’s always a chance of hitting another seam. It’s a bit like a drug Ash, once you start thinking it could be, the mind races ahead to it will be, such is life of the gold, emerald or opal miner.” Nick fell back into bed,
“That’s the end of the story of my life. Do you need a tablet for the cut?”
Ash shook his head put the light out and lay down. After an hour or so his rear did start to throb and he put the light on, found a tablet and swallowed it down with a beaker of water.
“The blanket is putting pressure on the wound. Its hurting so I’ve taken a tablet.”
“OK, make a tent with your hand so the sheet and blanket are above the wound. When you feel the tablet take affect let it drop.” A minute later he heard the rhythmic sound of Ash's breath, asleep at last.
xxx
Chapter 7 A meeting with Molly.
Nick woke again to the general chorus of bird song, he felt Ash’s limp hand on his shoulder. Neither had moved during the night and Nick felt stiff in his joints, he gently moved Ash's arm away and Ash awoke and stretched. He gave a long sleepy sound and snuggled his head in against Nick’s back.
“Oh no my boy its off to work we go.” Checking his watch he moved away from the campaign bed and dressed.
“Come on Ash its ten past nine and we will be late for an appointment. How’s the rear?”
Ash smiled and shrugged then slipped out of his bed and dressed quickly.
“Where are we working today?”
“Well I am, you aren’t, you get a ride in a push chair or wheel barrow.”
Ash grimaced in mock alarm, but they went down to the kitchen and had strawberry jam, toast and coffee. Nick then collected the pushchair and told Ash to call for Bill and Ben.
By the time he returned both the large hounds were skipping around a bemused Ash to try