CHAPTER 12
It was with some trepidation that Donald found himself outside a large house with immaculately kept gardens. As Marie had said, it was large. Not that he could see it properly in the gathering dusk but it had three floors and clearly went back a long way. Visiting the girl friend’s parents for the first time must be a traumatic time for anyone, he supposed, but even more so when the entire environment exuded wealth and this house more than most. He wondered what its occupants would think of an almost penniless writer being pushed upon them. Well, he’d find out soon enough. Mentally he braced himself.
’Bother,’ said Marie, scrabbling about in her bag. ’I have a key of my own somewhere, but I can’t find it. I must have left it at home. Never mind, no-one will have gone to bed yet.’
She raised her hand to press the bell then dropped it again as the door swung open. A woman stood behind it, a woman looking much like an older version of Marie, fairly well advanced in age.
’Hello, my dear. I heard the car, but you were such a long time coming in, I thought I had better see what was keeping you.’
’I forgot my key, mum.’
’Well, come in, and let me take a look at you.’
She turned and led the way to some sort of reception room, comfortably furnished, with subdued lighting. Donald caught sight of a couple of paintings on the wall. He was no expert but he felt sure that they were originals and of very good quality. It would fit with the rest of the room. She flicked a switch and other lights flickered into life, throwing everything into sharp relief. She looked expectantly at Marie.
’This is my friend, Donald Vickers. Donald, my mother.’
’How do you do, Mrs. Webster,’ said Donald, formally, taking the older woman’s hand in his.
’I’m very pleased to meet you, Mr. Vickers or may I exert an old woman’s privilege and call you Donald?’
’Please do, although I’m not sure you’re old enough to have such a privilege,’ said Donald, wondering as he said it, how the words had slipped out.
’I think you and I are going to get along very well, Donald,’ she said, with a twinkle in her eye. ’I don’t see too well myself, so I have a lot in common with anyone who obviously needs glasses as much as you do. But please sit down. How was the journey here? Have you recovered from Marie’s driving yet?’
’She’s a very good driver, Mrs. Webster,’ Donald assured her. ’Very considerate, she slowed down every time I went pale. It didn’t happen very often.’
’Didn’t it?’ said Marie. ’I obviously haven’t been trying hard enough. Wait until the return journey.’
’I’m forgetting my manners,’ said Mrs. Webster. ’I know you said you didn’t want a meal, but perhaps you would care for a drink. What can I offer you?’
’Tea for me,’ said Marie. ’Donald, the same for you?’
He nodded. ’Yes please. Tea is fine.’
’Sit still, mum, I’ll see to it. You stay here and talk to Donald. Get acquainted. Where’s daddy, by the way. Has he gone to bed already?’
Her mother sighed. ’No, or rather, yes, in a way. He had a fall this morning, and he’s been taken to hospital. Oh, don’t worry, it’s nothing serious. They’re just keeping him in overnight for observation. He’ll be back tomorrow.’
As Marie left the room, the older woman turned to Donald and explained.
’My husband is not so young any more and he’s a bit unsteady on his feet. Truth to tell, I’m not so young any more and there’s quite an age difference between us. He’s getting on for eighty and I’ll never see sixty again, in spite of your gallant attempts to make it less. But tell me about yourself, Donald. Marie told me something, but not very much. She may be an adult woman, but she’s still my little girl and like all little girls, it’s difficult to get information out of her. Little boys too, I imagine.’
Donald grinned. ’I believe they’re even worse.’
’So, how long have you been writing?’
Donald told her what she wanted to know, being skillfully guided by the occasional question. Marie brought in the tea and served it. He relaxed more and more as he talked, warming to Marie’s mother as she made it clear that she was genuinely interested. Part of his mind wondered at the way in which he opened up so readily to a comparative stranger, while another part admired the skill with which she made it easy for him. At no time was he made to feel her questioning was intrusive. At length, Marie rose, cleared away the tea things and suggested bed.
’It’s been a long drive, mum and that after a hard day’s work. I’m rather tired and I’m sure Donald must be. Which room have you put him into?’
’The one next to yours Marie, it’s all ready. Perhaps you would show him where everything is. I’ll go to bed myself. You must forgive me Donald, for maundering on so much. It’s not often an old woman like myself gets the opportunity to talk to someone fresh. If you can stand it, I’ll continue tomorrow. Goodnight for now.’
Donald smiled at her. ’I can stand it, Mrs. Webster. Goodnight.’
He slept well in the unaccustomed room, any disturbance coming from thoughts of Marie, who was separated from him only by a thin dividing wall, as he was well aware. He was awake early, at his usual time. There was no need to rise, yet out of habit he did so, showered, dressed and made his way downstairs. The house was silent apart from the soft ticking of a grandfather clock standing in the hall. He inspected it. Not that he knew anything about clocks, but this was clearly of excellent quality, reflecting the quality of the other furnishings he could see. More paintings lined the walls. He took a closer look. Yes, as he had suspected the night before, they were originals. He even recognised one of the artist’s names, quality indeed. A door stood open, through which he could see several shelves full of books. Without thinking, he went inside what proved to be a much larger room than he had first supposed and investigated. It was actually two rooms knocked together and having a first class book collection, containing many of the classics, many modern works and a great many reference books on subjects that gave him a pang of envy. Counting up, Donald estimated that the total quantity was well in excess of five thousand. He picked out a volume at random and leaved through it. He replaced it and took another, revelling in the act, almost like an alcoholic over a bottle. Another and yet another, he felt he could spend weeks in this room. A slight noise broke into his consciousness. He looked round to see Marie watching him with a smile on her face. His eyes were drawn to her bare legs, protruding from underneath what appeared to be a short dressing gown, too short for his personal comfort.
’I’ve been trying to attract your attention for ten minutes,’ she said. ’When you weren’t in your room I guessed where to find you. How long have you been awake?’
Donald smiled sheepishly. ’I don’t know. About an hour or so, I guess.’
’Hungry?’ she asked.
’Yes, I wouldn’t say no to a little something.’
’In that case you can come and talk to me while I make breakfast. Mum won’t be down for ages yet. She likes to sleep late. First, I’d better go up and get dressed. A short nightie and a dressing gown is hardly appropriate wear under these circumstances. A girl has to think of her reputation and I’m not sure I’m safe with you in the house.’
Donald looked at her, aware of her loveliness, aware of his need of her, aware that he had nothing to offer. He followed her through to the kitchen and sat obediently.
’If you’re not here when I come back, I’ll chain you down,’ she threatened. ’I know that if I let you loose amongst the books, that’s the last we’ll see of you all weekend.’
’Maybe you’re safer than you think then,’ he retorted, lightly.
She disappeared, returning less than five minutes later, to turn on the stove and cook a full breakfast. She bade Donald sit at the table and placed a plate of bacon and eggs in front of him, dropping a light kiss on his forehead as she did so.
’I’d have given you that earlier,’ she said, ’only I didn’t want to inflame your animal passions beyond endurance. Thoughtful, aren’t I?’
Donald groaned internally but kept his thoughts to himself. He wasn’t sorry he had come here this weekend but it was going to be a strain. It took all his self control not to take hold of her and kiss her into oblivion. They spoke of various matters over breakfast, nothing of any great importance, yet immensely satisfying to both of them. It seemed enough just to be together. They shared the washing up and that was a form of fun too. Afterwards, Marie gave him a tour of the house and garden, ending with sharing a bench under the shade of an ancient oak tree. Although hardly mid morning, the sun was hot enough and the garden sheltered enough, to warrant using such shelter as could be found. A voice hailed them from the house. It was Marie’s mother.
’Morning coffee, anyone?’
’Yes please. We’re just coming,’ called Marie.
Just as they finished the coffee, an ambulance drew up outside the house. Mr. Webster had arrived. Marie and her mother both went to meet him and help him upstairs, leaving Donald feeling at a loose end. Not quite knowing what he should do, he wandered back to the library and settled in front of another book. A voice brought him back to life.
’I told you he’d be here, mum. Honestly, it almost needs a surgical operation to part him from a book. Come with me, Donald. I’d like you to meet my father.’
’Is he all right?’ asked Donald.
’He’ll live. In fact, it’ll be a long time before I inherit anything. Yes, he’s all right, only he’s been ordered to bed for the rest of the day. He’s in pretty good health but getting a little frail and uncoordinated, that’s all. His mind is as sharp as ever it was. He wants to take a look at you. Nosy, just like the rest of the family. Come on.’
She plucked the book out of Donald’s hand and led him up the wide staircase to the next floor. A door stood open, through which they entered. A perky looking man with bright, twinkling eyes regarded Donald with interest.
’So you’re Donald. Welcome. I’ve been hearing a lot about you. You’ve come to see the invalid, have you? Lot of nonsense, of course, being cooped up in bed like this but what can you do when women get the bit in between their teeth? Never get married, Donald, not if you like freedom of movement.’ His eyes became brighter still. ’Bring your children up the same way as well, that’s what I say.’
’He’s being deliberately provocative, Donald,’ murmured Marie. ’Ignore him.’
’And if I can’t or choose not to?’ asked Donald, catching the old man’s mood.
’I’ll pretend you didn’t ask that,’ she said, her stern, schoolteacher tone of voice belied by the smile that played about her lips. ’I’ll go and have a talk with mum while you’re here. I’ll come back in a while and rescue you. Now, Clifford Webster, just you behave yourself or I’ll take Donald away again and you’ll have nobody to talk to at all.’
’All right,’ grumbled her father. ’I’ll try.’
He addressed himself to Donald, who once again found himself explaining his work.
’It sounds interesting,’ said the old man.
’It is,’ replied Donald. ’It’s a fascinating procedure to take a handful of words and make them come alive on paper. If they are alive of course, the writer isn’t always the best judge of that.’
’And you think the general readership may be? Are people really as well educated as we are led to believe?’
’Not always, but the public knows what it likes. To be honest, as long as it sells, it doesn’t even have to be all that good. It’s only necessary for a writer to tailor his thoughts to the public requirements. I try to do that without losing sight of what I’m really writing for. Apart from the money, that is.’
’Successfully, so Marie tells me.’
Donald shrugged his shoulders. ’I wouldn’t place too much weight on what Marie tells you.’
’Why not? Biased, is she? A bit of love getting in the way?’
Donald flushed and shifted uneasily in his seat. ’I wouldn’t know about that,’ he said. ’It’s just that we are friends and she may have a faulty impression of my worth as a writer. A sort of false loyalty if you like. I wouldn’t really wish to speculate.’
’She has a good head on her shoulders,’ said Mr. Webster. ’Of course, I’m biased too, but I do think a first class honours in English from university should stand for something. Did she tell you that?’
’No,’ said Donald. ’It doesn’t surprise me though. I know she has an intellect that is considerably better than average.’
’Then perhaps you’d better believe her when she says your books are good.’
Donald smiled. ’She’s only seen the one, Mr. Webster. That’s all I’ve had published. It’s not a great deal to go on. I’m not so optimistic myself.’
’No? Oh well, maybe she’ll have you better trained in due course.’
Donald made no reply, unsure for once of how to answer. His companion spoke again.
’Don’t take too much notice of me, lad. I’m taking advantage of my years to say the things I always wanted to say when I was younger but never dared. I wouldn’t know a good book if it was fed to me for dinner, but like the general public, I know what I prefer to read. If your next is as good as the last, it’ll sell.’
Marie entered, carrying a tray of food. She set it down on the bed, and removed the cover from the tray.
’There’s nothing worse than watching somebody else feed,’ she said, ’especially a disgusting character like this.’ She smiled affectionately at her father. There was clearly a deep bond between them. ’Ours is coming a little later, would you like to go down again, Donald? I’ll follow you in a few minutes. Go and talk to mum. She’s waiting for you in the kitchen.’
Wondering, Donald went downstairs and found Mrs. Webster.
’Hello again, Donald. I forgot to ask. Did you sleep well?’
’Yes, very well, thank you. It’s a lovely house you have, Mrs. Webster, so quiet and peaceful.’
’Yes, we have always enjoyed living here. It’s far too big for us, of course, even when Marie was at home. It’s a ridiculous size for only two people but I can’t see us ever moving to something smaller. We always hoped the house would be full of children, but it didn’t work out that way. Marie didn’t even bring her school friends around, not very often, at any rate. I don’t think she had so many friends, as a matter of fact. She was always a bit of a loner. She tells me you are rather similar.’
’Yes, in a way, I suppose we are.’
’We?’ she laughed. ’ Really, I think that says everything that needs to be said. Forgive my curiosity, but have you proposed to her yet?’
’If I had,’ said Donald, confused and wondering if everyone in this family was so fast and straightforward, ’I rather imagine she would have told you.’
’So do I, but you haven’t answered my question.’
’No, no I haven’t.’
’How strange. You love her, of course. And that’s not a question. Oh, don’t look so shocked, Donald. I’ll begin to think you don’t want her. Of course you love her. It’s a self evident fact. It shows in everything you do. I knew that within two minutes of your arriving last night. She’d say yes, you know.’
’I do know,’ said Donald in a low voice.
’So what are you waiting for, parental permission? You don’t need it. You’re both old enough to know your own minds. Or do you feel you need our approval? If that’s the case, set your mind at ease. Our approval goes without saying. You’re a thoroughly decent man, Donald. We couldn’t wish for anyone better.’
’How can you say that, Mrs. Webster? You hardly know me.’
’True but I think we know you well enough. Look, Marie is twenty seven, and ever since she was old enough to know the difference between boys and girls, there has been a constant stream of young men calling at the door, prime examples of hope over experience, every one of them. You are the first she has ever brought inside. If you are good enough for my daughter, Donald, you are certainly good enough to be my son in law. One day you may have children of your own and then you’ll understand.’
’You are very kind,’ said Donald. ’I appreciate the thought but there’s more to it than that. There’s the question of money, you see. I don’t have any. I run a small car, second hand, because it’s an essential to me. I eat well enough, but simply. I rent a cheap house in a cheap area. That’s all I can afford. I have sufficient capital to be able to work for myself for the next year or two but to do more than that, I need a success with the next books and that’s not guaranteed. I’m simply not in a position to be able to support a wife and not likely to be within the foreseeable future.’
’Well, that’s something you must work out between you,’ said Mrs. Webster. ’All I can say is, don’t let the thought of possible poverty put you off talking to Marie about it. I strongly urge you to do that, young man. You may be in for a surprise. After all, if you do wish to marry her, family finances involves you both. There’s a strong hint there, Donald, if you wish to take it. Money is not a problem, not unless you wish it to be. I can’t say more.’
’I’m not quite sure I understand,’ said Donald slowly. ’However, I’ll take your advice. I’ll talk to Marie, although she knows my financial position already.’
’And she hasn’t gone looking for somebody else? Now that should tell you something, surely.’
Donald smiled. ’I never thought of it in that way. Perhaps you’re right.’
’I know I am. You talk to her today. If it were done, then it is well it were done quickly. Something like that. Shakespeare, I believe. You probably know the quotation better. Don’t leave it too long, Donald. You can never know how much time you might have together. I was well over thirty when I got married and Clifford was over fifty. We’ve never regretted it but it would have been nice to have had more years together. He’s still young in heart but age tells, Donald. I may be a widow a long time. It would be pleasant to think there was a chance of grandchildren before that happens.’
’Maybe we’ll name the first girl after you,’ said Donald, with a catch in his voice.
’Just you see that there’s something to give a name to.’
Marie came tripping lightly down the stairs and broke up the conversation.
’Don’t hog him all to yourself, mum. You’ve got a man of your own upstairs, who wants you to go and see him some time during the day. Come on Donald, I’ll show you where I used to do my homework when I was at school.’
They left the house together, watched by Marie’s mother, who stood for a long time, gazing after them with a wistful look. Marie led Donald to a wide spreading lime tree, under the branches of which innumerable bees droned and hummed in a musical symphony. A low bench seat was close to the trunk, with a small table next to it. Both showed signs of use.
’You’re not afraid of bees, are you Donald? These won’t harm you. I used to spend a lot of time here when I was a little girl and I never got stung once. They’re too busy working to bother with us. Isn’t it a marvellous sound, though? I love it.’
’When you say, little girl, I assume you are talking of a time when you were even smaller than you are now?’ said Donald.
’Monster,’ responded Marie. ’There’s good stuff in little packages.’
It was a cue, and Donald took advantage of it.
’I’m aware of that,’ he said. ’It’s a package I’m becoming increasingly aware of the value of.’
He looked deep into her eyes. She saw tenderness in his and a sense of trouble. She reached out and took his hand between her own.
’Are you trying to tell me something, Donald?’
’I’m very fond of you, Marie. In fact, it isn’t stretching the truth to say that I love you.’
Her face softened.
’I’m glad to hear that, Donald. If it helps, I love you too.’
Donald took a deep breath before continuing. ’Yes, it helps, though I guessed it already. What I’m trying to get round to is asking you if you would marry me?
’But of course, Donald. Did you ever think I would refuse you?’
’A man can never be sure,’ he said with a smile.
’You can be sure.’ Marie gave him a sideways glance. ’Actually, all that has been long since decided. It only remains to settle the date of the ceremony. Shocked?’
He laughed with her. ’ Shocked? Surprised might be a better word, or astonished, amazed, bewildered, confounded, confused, and most of the rest of the Thesaurus. Might I ask when you decided?’
’Oh a long time ago, I was only waiting for you to do the formal asking, which you haven’t actually done yet, but the answer’s yes anyway.’
’I thought this sort of thing only happened in books,’ said Donald, laughing.
’You tell me. You write them.’
’I’m poor, you’re aware of that?’
’I know. It doesn’t matter. My parents lived in a one roomed cottage when they were first married and look at them now.’
’Bills have to be paid. I don’t know when I can afford to get married. It may not be for a long time.’
’Stuff and nonsense, Donald Vickers. I haven’t spent all these years searching for a man just to let him get away at the last minute. We’ll get married just as soon as we can stir the lead out of the vicar’s pants.’
’The problem is,’ said Donald, ’that my income isn’t actually very regular. Perhaps I should have a word with the bookshop where I used to work. I’m sure I could find a job there.’
’Don’t you dare do that, Donald. You’re a writer, not a shop assistant. If you take another job now, you won’t have time for your writing.’
’And if I don’t take a job now, I won’t have enough to get married on,’ he pointed out practically.
’But you will, Donald. I have a full time job. That brings in enough for both of us. And don’t you dare do the caveman bit at this juncture, or I’ll hit you wherever I can reach you, probably very low down on account of my lack of inches. Just what is your income, anyway? And why don’t you give me a kiss, preferably lots of them, instead of talking about money at a time like this?’
Several minutes later, a rather breathless Donald had his tie pulled straight with an intimacy he found disturbing. He returned the compliment by easing down Marie’s skirt to cover her knees again. Neither knew that the process had been watched from an upstairs window by an approving couple who held hands tightly in remembrance of times past before regretfully turning away.
Donald returned to the subject.
’Just the same,’ he said, thoughtfully. ’Just the same, my income is not large. To answer your question, it’s probably about half of what yours is. I know that, because I read in the newspaper the other day about the latest teachers’ pay scales. I know how long you have been working, so it wasn’t difficult to work out.’
’So that’s one and a half salaries we have,’ said Marie, nuzzling Donald’s cheek and nibbling his ear to his intense pleasure and discomfiture. ’It’s enough. If you don’t mind my earning more than you, I certainly don’t mind supporting you. Anyway, it’s ours, Donald, not mine. To be more precise, it’s yours. Everything I have belongs to you. That’s the way I feel about it. Get used to the idea.’
’A kept man,’ he said. ’Well, luckily I have no strong feelings about it. The only thing is that my income is irregular. It may increase, I hope it does, but it may dry up altogether, then we have only one salary.’
’Is it likely?’
’Hopefully not, but it’s always a possibility,’ he said.
’There’s still no problem,’ she murmured. ’My salary alone is enough to keep us. Besides, there’s something you might have guessed but which you couldn’t actually know. My parents are really quite wealthy...’
Donald stared at her in consternation. ’I don’t think I could take a handout from your parents, Marie. I mean, I’m not overly proud but there has to be a limit. I couldn’t do it.’
’I’m not asking you to, silly. Wait until I get to the end of the story. Hands off and let me concentrate. My parents built up a chain of small shops, as I told you. They had twenty of them eventually. I don’t think any of them made an outstanding profit but none ever showed a loss. People have to eat, after all. Anyway, one small profit added to nineteen others makes a tidy sum in the course of almost forty years, not to mention the capital returns when selling up. It was all for me in the long run and still is, as I’m the only child. Daddy couldn’t see any reason to make me wait until I was an orphan, so he settled a sum on me a good many years ago. I won’t tell you how much, since I don’t actually know the current balance but it will make your eyes pop. At first it was held in trust, until I finished university and became self supporting. That was my idea, not his. I thought it important to be able to make my own way. Of course, it was a bit unfair, as the money was always there whenever I wanted it. I don’t need to work at all, you see. I never have done. I work only because I enjoy doing so. Believe me, Donald, there’s more than enough to set up a home together. I’d like to keep on working for a while, until the children come along, that is, if you know what to do.’
’I’ll read a book,’ said Donald. ’I’ll find out somehow.’
Marie nuzzled him again. ’That’s nice to hear. Anyway, if I keep my job for a year or so, you can stay at home and do your work there. There’ll be plenty of time for that, undisturbed and you won’t have any financial worries. Now, shall we go and break the good news, before you start mauling me again?’
Donald kissed her gently. ’I rather got the impression it was the other way around.’
’Is it? Perhaps you’re right,’ Marie said. ’I knew somebody was mauling somebody else. Oh, I do love you, Donald. Let’s get married just as soon as possible, if not sooner.’ She smiled. ’Forgive my lack of logic. You’ve taken away the only bit of power of rational thought I ever had.’
Reluctantly, yet happily, they went indoors.