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Money Puzzle Tree
Part V |
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Harry parked neatly
alongside an old blue Micra and got out of his car, pausing for a moment
to have another long look at the elegant building before him. It almost
seemed alive today as the rain cascaded down over the long steep roof,
gurgling as it coursed through the ancient guttering and down onto the
shingle pathway. Even the mermaids in the fountain seemed to have broad
smiles on their faces. He shivered as a drop of
rain found its way down his back and he moved slowly across the
forecourt towards the steps leading up to the nursing home. He was just
about to let himself in when he remembered something and trotted back to
his car with a little smile on his face. Carefully, Harry hid the
Jamaican Ginger cake in his deepest pocket before returning to the
magnificent house. It was not Julie sat
behind the receptionist’s desk today, but the young woman seemed to be
expecting him. “Good afternoon. Is it
Mr Bartram?” She smiled approvingly as she checked her watch, “Betty
will be impressed, you are right on time. Please go straight up, they
are expecting you.” “Thank you” He climbed the stairs
slowly, again marvelling at the sheer sophistication of the old house.
He could imagine some attractive young woman making a grand entrance as
she gracefully descended the stairway, blushing and smiling coquettishly
at a fortunate young admirer stood below. How sad that Sally and John
had never played out that scene; it would have made a memorable moment,
he thought to himself. Harry paused at Betty’s
door, and subconsciously, he started straightening his clothes, rubbing
the toecaps of his shoes against the back of his trousers. Finally,
satisfied with his appearance, he knocked, and waited for Betty’s
instruction to enter. The door opened and all of
Harry’s composure left him in an instant. Stood in the doorway, was
the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her ebony hair, slightly wet
from the rain, draped over her forehead in the most charming of ways,
partly concealing her large, dark eyes. She was the woman that he had
seen in the old blue car yesterday, while he was waiting to pull away
from Boldregreen. “Hello Mr Bartram, I’m
Joanna, Betty’s granddaughter. Won’t you please come in…” The look of triumph on
Betty’s face was inescapable. Her shameless attempt at matchmaking had
worked wonderfully. The instant attraction between the two young people
was obvious. Harry stood there, nervously wringing his hands together,
as Joanna moved away from the door with a huge grin on her flushed face.
The look of approval she threw towards her grandmother was one of those
secret female looks that seem to say ‘Oh my! He’s gorgeous!’ “Right on time Harry,
thank you for being so prompt. I so wanted you to meet Joanna. Isn’t
she just the prettiest girl you’ve ever seen?” Clearly embarrassed Harry
edged nervously into the room and closed the door behind him,
desperately using those few seconds to gather himself. Turning round, he
smiled fondly at Betty and then towards Joanna, who had moved behind her
grandmother and was stood with her delicate, beautifully manicured hand,
upon the old lady’s shoulder. “Yes, very pretty, just
as I would have expected from any relative of yours Betty.” He hoped
that he had steered the conversation into a slightly less awkward
direction, but the look of admiration on his face was clear to see. He
was strongly attracted to Joanna, and now, stood with her back to the
large double windows, he was able to appreciate what a fine figure she
had, dressed as she was in a light, clingy top and hip-hugging white
jeans. “Ah! You brought the
cake! Well done!” The old lady’s face lit up as she moved to her
feet and walked towards Harry. She accepted the cake and placed an
affectionate kiss on his cheek. “Mrs Drodge will throw a hundred fits
if she sees me eat some of this! I’m relying on you both to keep my
secret.” “Oh Nan, you are so
naughty! Must you always find ways to beat the system, encouraging this
poor man to smuggle in contraband!” “Hush Jo. Stop rebuking
me and pour the tea, I’m sure Harry could use a cup, and then we can
get down to business.” Betty’s words were spoken with mock
consternation, and Joanna laughed as she lifted the teapot. Harry just
remained where he was standing, unable to move as Joanna’s smile
further mesmerised him. “Harry, why don’t you
take a seat?” In a way that only someone who commands respect can;
Betty’s question was a thinly disguised order, and he obediently
lowered himself into the two-seater settee that had somehow replaced the
armchair in which he sat the day before. As Joanna busied herself
making tea, Betty watched as the young people stared at one another.
‘It will take all of my story telling skills to hold their attention
today’ she thought to herself with glee. “Now Jo, take a seat
next to Harry. I’d like to discuss with the both of you the
whereabouts of a certain silver chain and heart-shaped locket.” Without another word,
Joanna sat herself beside Harry. He had visited the old lady today to
learn more about his relative and the locket, but now his mind was
filled with different thoughts. She had the aroma of summer about her,
freshly mown grass and forest flowers. Joanna placed one hand in her
lap, and subconsciously rested the other on the settee between herself
and Harry. In that instant, he felt an overwhelming urge to scoop her
hand up and hold it in his own. When he was a child, Harry had loved
listening to stories told by his mother, and all the way through her
tales, he would hold her hand. Today though, he thought, he would have
to listen to Betty without such familiar comforts. “Harry, my sister and
your Great Uncle were very much in love. They probably didn’t realise
just how much until the day that John left to join the army. In a time
when decency stifled spontaneous declarations of affection, that young
couple adored one another. I remember the one occasion that Sally often
referred to as one of the happiest days of her life; the Summer Ball at
our father’s house.” Betty looked at the young
people sat before her with utter fondness. Were they aware that almost
as soon as she had started speaking, they had begun to hold hands? From
the moment that she had met Harry, Betty was convinced that she had
found the future husband for her granddaughter, and now, as she prepared
to tell her favourite love story, they were already forming the
intricate bonds that would surely last a lifetime. “On the night of the dance, I had helped Sally to get ready. It must have taken us all afternoon, and she looked unimaginably attractive. We had it all planned, Sally was to wait in her room until John and his parents arrived, and then she would time her own arrival to make a grand entrance …
“Oh Sally!”
Betty bounced up and down on her knees on the large four-poster bed,
clapping excitedly, “John has just arrived outside!” Sally moved
gracefully over to the window, barely controlling her own elation and
nervousness as she peeked through the curtains. Yes it was the
Courtneys. For a moment she watched as John helped his mother from the
carriage. He looked so suave in his black tail suit, and she noticed how
he was fumbling distractedly with his bow tie. How Sally hoped that his
mind was on her! “Sally, we
have to go quickly. You MUST be at the top of the stairway as they walk
into the entrance hall!” Betty was stood
at the bedroom door, wearing her nightdress, smiling gleefully as her
very own little plot was unfurling. Daddy had not allowed her to attend
the dance, she was to be in bed, but it was her idea that Sally should
make an entrance like a princess. “How do I
look, Bett?” Sally looked over at her little sister as she cast an
expert, highly critical eye over the vision before her. “Quite
perfect” remarked the small child with another huge smile as she
turned and opened the bedroom door. “Now, take a deep breath and
prepare to have the night of your life.” “Oh
YOU!!” giggled Sally, “Its just a dance!” But they both knew that
Betty had the situation perfectly summed up. The
Courtney’s walked into the entrance hall just as Sally appeared at the
top of the large staircase. John’s father led his family in, and set
about removing his cloak. As he did so, he looked up, and a wide grin
spread across his face as he caught the first glimpse of Sally stood
there, so obviously waiting to time her entrance. He gestured with his
eyes to Mrs Courtney, who smiled back with a knowing nod of agreement. John was much
slower in taking in the scene. People were bustling around the hallway,
taking coats and cloaks. A young woman offered to take John’s
overcoat, which he had laid over his arm, and he handed it over
thankfully. It was at that moment that he looked up to the first floor
landing and saw Sally. In every
person’s life, there are a handful of moments which seem to emblazon
themselves upon a special part of the brain, making them indelible
forever. This moment was to be one of John’s. Upon her
little sister’s cue, Sally had started to walk with practiced poise
towards the top of the stairs, her hands held demurely across her
stomach until she lifted her left arm to rest gently upon the banister.
John Courtney’s father, sensing the mood of the moment, whispered to
his family “Doesn’t young Sally look enchanting tonight? Beautiful,
just beautiful.” Mrs Courtney
nodded, but John didn’t even hear his father’s comment. Sally had
started to round the gentle curve of the stairway and now she was facing
him full on, allowing the young man to feast his eyes fully on the
vision before him. As he stared
wondrously at her, he started to walk forward subconsciously, all the
while his eyes taking in her beauty appreciatively. She was
wearing an exquisite ball gown. Her bare shoulders swaying seductively
as she slowly descended the stairs. The tight bodice hugging her figure
perfectly, accentuating the fullness of her breasts and showing the
merest hint of a cleavage. The full flowing skirts moved beautifully as
Sally took one slow step after another, her hips rocking side to side. The effect on
John was exactly as the two girls had dreamed it would be. He was
captivated by her beauty and femininity. “Sally, you
look incredible tonight. Let me help you down these last few stairs.”
Sally smiled confidently as if to say ‘Do I really? I hadn’t given
it much thought’, and
accepted his outstretched hand. He leaned
forward to kiss her cheek and she blushed as his lips touched her skin.
“Good evening Mr Courtney, Mrs Courtney. My father will be delighted
that you were able to come tonight.” Mrs Courtney
moved forward, smiling warmly. “I hope you don’t mind us bringing
John along, he usually has no interest in these occasions.” Mr Courtney
chuckled “Good evening Sally, you look lovely” “Thank you,
Sir” Her smile was genuine and edged with a little embarrassment. So
many compliments, she wasn’t used to such attention. Finally she
looked back to John, having adequately followed polite procedure and
welcomed her father’s guests. “I’m so glad you decided to make an
exception and attend our ball, John.” “Wild
horses could not have dragged me away Sally,” he whispered as he
escorted her from the stairs to the large double doors that led into the
ballroom. A tiny voice
from the first floor landing shouted out “Have a smashing evening, you
two!” No one could see quite where it came from. -oOo- The
quartet sat at the Northern end of the ballroom was busily performing a
gentle melody and several people were already dancing. Couples moving
gracefully across the highly polished floor, their outfits looking all
the more grand under the light of the huge chandeliers; three of them
spaced evenly along the length of the large room. Alone, near to
the musicians, stood Sally’s father, watching his guests enjoying
themselves. A beaming grin on his handsome features as he pretended to
conduct the small ensemble. His glance met
Sally’s as she entered the ballroom, and he threw her a big wave. She
smiled back and dipped her eyes to the floor momentarily, before looking
back up with a shy smile on her face. He realised that tonight she was
here as a young woman, and not his little girl, and so he made an
appropriately apologetic gesture, by turning up the corner of his mouth
and brought his hands down smartly to his sides. Sally hadn’t
noticed however, for she had already succumbed to the magic of the
evening. As she had
walked in, proudly at the arm of John Courtney, people had turned to see
who had entered. The effect had been wonderful. Everyone seemed to be
smiling and nodding in welcome as the young couple moved forward into
the centre of the room. “I will be the
envy of every man at the ball when we have our first dance, Sally.”
John’s words didn’t sink in at first, Sally’s mind was floating
away with he music that filled the room, but then it dawned upon her.
Dance? DANCE? With all her
preparations to look the proper young lady, and the plan to make the big
entrance, at no point had Sally or her sister considered the fact that
she would be expected to dance. It had been several years since she was
last shown how to dance, back before … “Ah, a waltz.
Perfect. Sally, would you do me the honour?” John took a pace
backwards and made an over exaggerated show of bowing to his companion.
Clearly, he was enjoying the attention as much as Sally had been. Nervous now,
panic stricken, Sally backed away a little, “Oh, ummmmm… yes John,
of course, but, ummmmm… can we maybe have a few minutes to say hello
to a few people?” John laughed,
possibly out of his own nervousness. He knew that the entire room would
be waiting for their first dance, and he couldn’t relax until it had
been duly performed. “You can say hello to people all evening. Right
now, we are going to bedazzle the room with our skills.” He took her
left hand gently and guided her arm until her fingers rested upon his
shoulder, and then, with a reassuring smile, he took a hold of her right
hand and held it out to the side. Wrapping his own right arm around her
waist, John pulled Sally carefully towards him. She looked
pleadingly into his eyes, as if to say ‘Help me through this, my
love’ and he winked back at her. Lifting his
whole upper body slightly and with the merest turn of his hips, John
moved his right leg forwards. Sally had no choice but to step back with
her left leg and as soon as she had, she felt her body being strongly
tilted to her right. Again, she could only move in one direction and her
right leg moved in perfect unison with his guidance. “Just allow me to
lead, Sally. I’ve been practising for months” She almost
didn’t hear him, the room was now filled with people of all ages
watching intently as the couple moved elegantly across the floor in a
basic waltz, and there were mutterings of delight and approval filling
her ears from every direction. John’s lead
was firm and accurate, and Sally was surprised at how easy it was to
‘feel’ what her next step should be. Gradually, she began to relax,
allowing herself at last to enjoy the fact that she was in the arms of
the man she was hopelessly in love with. Other couples
had taken to the floor now and even John was starting to relax. Sally
could tell by the way his shoulders began to loose their tension, and
the subsequent manner in which their upper bodies began to move in an
easier rhythm with their footwork. John drew his
partner closer; their hips touching in an intimate way that made Sally
tremble. His movements were correct and respectable, and yet she was
beginning to feel a sensation in her stomach that was completely new to
her. Perhaps it was the combination of their closeness, the feeling of
her dainty fingers clasped in his large, strong hand, and the scent of
him as she breathed in. Even his own breath, as it caressed the side of
her cheek, produced exquisite feelings within her sensually heightened
body. Once more,
Sally’s eyes met those of her father. He was still stood there by the
quartet, smiling and swaying to the music. There, in the comforting arms
of her partner, it suddenly struck how terribly wrong this whole scene
was. The last time
she had danced in this room, was when her mother had still been alive,
and before she had had her riding accident. She had been stood a little
way back from her parents, mimicking their movements as they waltzed
together. She could still see joy in her father’s eyes, twinkling from
the light of the chandeliers, as he held his wife close to him. And now, he
stood there alone. So utterly alone. Her
concentration faltered as she imagined how her father must really be
feeling underneath that forced smile, and her left foot struck hard
against John’s leg sending her falling to the floor. John moved
quickly and managed to catch Sally. She turned and looked at him,
mortified for having ruined the dance. “Oh John, I’m SO sorry” Without another
word, she turned and ran towards the balcony, her face buried desolately
in her hands, -oOo- She had
been stood there for four or five minutes, and her tears had stopped
flowing. She wasn’t sure if she was crying for her lonely father or
for herself, having been so badly embarrassed by the fall. The summer
evening was still light and the air was filled with the smell of
honeysuckle and primroses. The first of the night’s stars was emerging
and had begun to twinkle, as if calling to all its friends to come out
and play. From the
balcony, Sally looked out over the grounds, immaculately tended by her
father’s own hands. Since the death of her mother, he seemed only to
tend the gardens these days. All those years ago, when the family was
whole, her mother had watched from her wheelchair, directing her husband
in where to plant this, and when to prune that. She had been quite a
bossy woman; father had preferred to use the word assertive.
Nevertheless, for all her orders and moods, he had loved her dearly,
with all his heart, and when she died, just after Sally’s tenth
birthday, he had been devastated. “You’re
thinking of your mother, aren’t you Sally?” John’s soothing voice
caused Sally to spin round, and she dabbed at her eyes with her
handkerchief as she looked back at him. “Yes, John, Daddy misses her
so much and here I am, having a wonderful time. Well, at least I was.
I’m very sorry for embarrassing you in there.” “Oh nonsense,
we were still the best couple out there, watch carefully, others will
trip too tonight. It certainly did not look nearly as bad as you might
imagine – no-one but your father even noticed.” “Everyone else
knows how to dance. I was never shown properly,” she protested as he
moved towards her. “You were following me expertly, Sally. With grace
and poise. Ask your father, he’ll tell you how proud you have made
him. Now shall we finish our waltz?” Without another
word, John took Sally in his arms and they began to dance again. In the
solitude of the balcony, his hold was much closer now and the young
couple moved slowly together, enjoying the intimacy of the moment.
Relaxing into
his embrace again Sally looked up into his eyes and smiled. Her left
hand lifted from his shoulder and moved slowly to the back of his neck,
where she started to caress him. John stopped dancing suddenly and
lowered his head, “Sally, I am very much in love with you.” With those words
his lips pressed against hers and he kissed her for the first time.
Sally weakened as the touch of his mouth sent her mind in a spin. The
feel of his soft lips against hers had a breathtaking effect. Finally,
that aroma which always surrounded him was made real – she could
actually taste him and it was like feeding on ambrosia. She moved her
head forward wanting more, but John had stopped to look up at a window
above. “We are being
watched, my darling” Two
stories above, a little girl’s head darted from the open window… ...I wish I hadn’t
been so nosey, I’m sure they would have kissed all night long had they
not seen me. Still, over the next few months, down by the tree in
Colonel Brookes’ gardens, I’m sure they made up for it” Betty looked over at the
two of them, sat on the sofa before her. Their hands were still
touching, and neither of them seemed aware of it. Sally had been the
artist, but Betty was most definitely the storyteller. Harry had not so
much as taken a sip of his tea throughout the entire story, and Jo’s
cup also sat untouched by her side. “Are you two going to
let my tea go cold?” Almost as though a spell
had been broken, Harry and Jo in perfect unison lifted their cups to
their lips and sipped on the cooling tea. Chuckling to herself, Betty
made herself comfortable once more. “And so, my children,
Sally and John went daily to the Monkey Puzzle Tree where they would
explore their love for one another. That is, until the day that John
received his call up to the army. It was on that day that he presented
Sally with the locket. It will not surprise either of you to learn that
the locket, like Sally’s own heart, has never left the Monkey Puzzle
Tree, and as soon as the weather allows it, the three of us are going to
retrieve the family treasure … |
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