Mystery and Mayhem At St Mark's
A Sequel
by
Joel
Seq: 30:
Some of the Characters Appearing or Mentioned: Mark Henry Foster The story-teller: Newly graduated. Tristan (Tris) Price-Williams His well-proportioned boyfriend. Francis Michael Foster Alias Toad/Microbe Mark's younger brother Adam Benjamin Carr Mark's cousin: newly appointed History Fellow Ivo Richie Carr Ditto, as his twin, safely married diplomat Victoria 'Tory] Carr Ivo's wife George Henry Carr Ivo and 'Tory's new-born son Ignasz Zendener The hotel manager in Strelzen Tomas, Igor, Frantischek Receptionists and students Aloys zum Adamszberh Rector of the Rodolfer University Jerzy zum Adamszberh His son, studying at Cambridge Tadeuz Galenosz A botanist, also at Cambridge Yniold Schreiber A student at the Gymno [Strelzen] Pyotor Borisov Yniold's friend. A promising singer Margaret zu Glottenberh Andrei's mother: Related to Mark's family Andrei zu Glottenberh Rothenian Army Officer [Special Services] Klaus & Bastian zu G... His brothers Lucasz Voynovich Rothenian Army Officer [Signals Division]
Monday [later]
We had a leisurely ride back to Cambridge and arranged to take Jak and Max out for an evening meal in thanks. Tris rushed off to the office and said he'd grab a lunchtime sandwich and I took Andrei and Bastian for lunch in Hall. Not many in though I noted Charles was on High Table and talking to two men in suits. Young Stevie was serving and eyed Bastian rather speculatively, I thought, as he dished up the sausage and mash he'd chosen. Andrei followed him and was also scrutinised as he was being served. I was next and as he carved me off a piece of quiche he whispered "Are they your brothers as well?" He'd seen Frankie, so? I said they were my cousins and he was very observant to spot the family likeness. He nodded. "You do look alike."
I told the pair this as soon as we sat down. Andrei nodded. "My mother said she had quite a shock when she first saw you at the Palace she thought you and I had exchanged places." He grinned. "I could do with a couple of your inches, though,..." And before I could make a comment he continued "...in height!" It was odd. I suppose we couldn't recognise our own likeness to each other or just put it down to coincidence when we first met each other. But thinking back it was quite clear now that Ivo and Andrei shared certain facial similarities which must have sparked off that friendship when Andrei was seconded to the Legation.
Time was getting on and as we left Hall Charles was still engrossed in his conversation. We had a quick tidy up and then walked along King's Parade and Trumpington Street towards the Fitzwilliam Museum. Andrei was particularly pensive as we reached the side entrance we had been told to go to. A uniformed attendant let us in and Dr Masterton came rushing up. Introductions were made and she led us to the room where some of the artefacts from the Abbeys were displayed. The pair immediately went forward to the newly erected shatterproof glass case protecting the St Guthlac relic with my book and coin beside it. Yes, I'd seen it here on several occasions. I'd often walked along Trumpington Street while thinking about a mathematical problem and popped in for a quiet ten minutes just looking at the priceless treasures on display. But today there was a difference. Dr Masterton had said when it was uncovered for the King it had seemed to glow. Today I was sure it did. Andrei and Bastian sank to their knees crossing themselves devoutly. I watched spellbound and heard a quiet voice so distinctly. 'Beloved ones'. Just two words. The pair remained kneeling for sometime until Andrei took Bastian's hand in his.
"We know our duty," he said in English and then said several sentences in Rothenian to Bastian. All the time Bastian was nodding. 'Ja, ja' he repeated several times.
The pair stood. I looked at Dr Masterton who was holding her hands in front of her in the attitude of prayer. She spoke first.
"Although I'm not a believer I have a feeling of great calmness and serenity whenever I see the relic. Most people who come here write something like that in our visitors' book. It's a profound feeling and I know my colleagues experience it, too. I only wish we could bring the relic to the chapel in Strelzen but our government advisers say it is too delicate to travel. We shall have to see." She smiled. "I will try once more. I would need someone to carry it. I think it should be you if it could be arranged. I have confidence it will." She had nodded towards Andrei.
"Madam, it would be the greatest honour to do that. I will be ready!"
She held out a hand. "We'll shake on that, and your brother must be there, too."
While we looked at the other treasures she said the arrangements for the August exhibition at the Cathedral were well ahead. My book and coin would be prime exhibits together with Charles' ring. We then went to her office where for the ninety-ninth time we told as much of the story as we dared. Nothing too sensational, though both Andrei and I had our medals to show her. She had heard the story of the keys and the opening of the St Guthlac altar in an e-mail from Monsignor Artur and was intrigued at the amount of stuff which had been deposited there when Albert the Boar was rampaging. "Dr Wendel says its amazing what's been hidden for nearly six hundred years."
She showed us a couple of the manuscripts she was working on. Everyday matters to do with Crowland Abbey but filling in so much detail of the routine of such an establishment. I think Bastian was rather overwhelmed with what was required in acts of scholarship. As we walked back to College his brother said it would be the same for him when he started dissecting his first body. "Plenty of detail there. I remember doing a frog in Herr Bauer's Biology class. Ugh!"
Bastian sniffed. "We have done that and a rat. If you are not careful I might ask Lucasz if there are any spare bits of you he doesn't need." He giggled. "I think he owns all the interesting bits so I'll have to wait!" He got swatted and I left the pair laughing together as I went into Ede and Ravenscroft to collect the graduate gown I'd ordered.
Their demeanour had changed by the time I'd been served and came out swinging the bag. They were discussing something and it was very serious from the look on Bastian's face. Andrei did smile when he saw me. "Bastian has something to ask you." He nodded towards his brother.
"Did you hear something when we looked at the relic?" he asked as they fell in step on either side of me. "We did and Andrei told me then to keep whatever I heard to myself. I've just said that was not fair as you were there as well."
"Yes, Bastian, I did hear something. Just two words. 'Beloved ones'."
Bastian smiled. "That's what we heard. Anything else?"
"No," I said, "Just those two words. That was enough for me."
"I heard those words and 'Be strong'," said Bastian, "Andrei says he heard the same. Why more for us?"
We had reached the front of King's and sat on the low wall a little away from tourists eating their ice-creams or sandwiches.
"It's probably to do with your country," I said, "I have the feeling that all is not well from what I've learned."
Andrei nodded. "I have that feeling, too." He looked at his brother. "I have pledged myself to uphold my family, my country and my King. I will use all my strength to do that. I think you have been chosen, too. Be strong, Bastian, be strong."
Bastian smiled. "Like I said at Ulvescott, I will."
We sat for a while beneath that soaring edifice behind us. The Chapel finished during the reign of Henry VIII who had set up the conditions for the destruction of the monasteries and abbeys like Crowland and Sempringham. We had witnessed the power of that relic hidden for so long. Hidden so as not to be destroyed by the minions and lackeys bent on reward and power. We had been spoken to by a voice from a past even before that destruction. A presence which had protected Andrei and me and now gave us another blessing, but an almost warning to the pair sitting beside me.
"Whatever happens," I said, "All will be well."
Bastian looked at me with quite a determined look on his face. "And I will be ready!"
We sat for a while as time and the tourists passed. We were calm and, gradually, the smiles returned. "Come on, Bazza," Andrei said, echoing Frankie's name for him, "Like some fudge?"
Without commenting on a possible misinterpretation of that word I pointed to the shop across the road. "Too sweet for me, just right for you!"
Bastian didn't know which one of us to stick his tongue out at. Andrei for 'Bazza', or me for terming him 'sweet'. We both got a nose twitch as he stood. "I will buy it." He was gone in an instant. Andrei and I looked at each other and grinned.
"Quite an afternoon," he said getting up as a Japanese tourist asked him to take her and a friend's photograph with that magnificent backdrop.
Bastian was back with a selection of flavours. "Like me," he said offering the package, "Nice and sweet!"
We strolled on and turned down the passageway. Who should be lurking in the College gateway but Curt. He was beside himself, grinning all over his face. "Thanks!" he burst out before leaping on me and clinging round my neck nearly making me drop the bag I was carrying. It was truly 'Down Fido!' with a vengeance. "It's all arranged. We're moving in on Friday!" This accompanied by the biggest kiss imaginable. Andrei and Bastian were staring at the 'Baron'. He let go of me and turned to them. "Sorry, my emotions get the better of me sometimes." He was hugged by both as I'd told them of the suggestion we'd made.
"A bit of a celebration at the Club tonight," he said when released from their clutches. "Lolly's just about wetting his cycle shorts. He's pleased and scared at the same time." He looked at Bastian. "You're eighteen this afternoon, right! My guests! Gotta rush. Must arrange things with Shawn and I'm on Servery this evening first." He waved as he scuttled off. "Nine thirty!"
I had to explain that the rule was you had to be eighteen to go to the Club mainly because of licensing laws although the legal age for consensual sex in the UK was sixteen. But Shawn and the other owner turned a bit of a blind eye on those almost eighteen as long as 'no alcohol' was the rule and 'no disappearing into back rooms' was strictly upheld.
So, Andrei and Bastian would be introduced to a sliver of the 'British Scene'. I explained over tea and cake in my room that it was all quite harmless. No pressure and some really good friends. Andrei said he'd been to a couple of the clubs in Strelzen, almost in disguise, just to find out what went on. He'd found the infamous Liberation Club in the notorious Wejg district rather rundown so wasn't enamoured by what was available there. I think he was a bit apprehensive about the evening but relaxed a bit when he realised that the 'Satyrs' were policemen and also habitues of the Club. I could see Bastian was raring to go and as he helped me carry the tea things into the kitchen I said he wasn't to embarrass his brother.
He did keep his mouth shut when Charles turned up to see how things were going and to offer his services to take them for their plane the next day. The men in suits were from the county planning department he explained and, without prejudice, they were dining at High Table again this evening. "The College has so many plans for the future and we need all the goodwill we can muster." I forbore from mouthing 'bribery and corruption' but he said it was all part of the consultation process so I believed him!
Tris was fizzing with news when he arrived home ready for a large G and T. Aldo and his main assistant were arriving on Thursday and a big meeting was arranged to appoint staff and set up the Cambridge office for Matteoli Corporation UK. I said I hoped the logo wasn't going to be MCUK, as not only was it like the other one, but could be re-arranged as MUCK. His face fell.
"Oh, Christ! We never thought of that. Must phone Jacob now!"
Luckily his ice hasn't completely melted when he returned from my study. "Thanks for that," he said, "Jacob had just heard the same from James. Takes two mathematicians to set the lawyers straight he said. He owes you a bottle of your choice he says and lunch on Sunday with the new regime!" Tris had heard that news, too.
Andrei insisted he took us out for supper somewhere so we introduced Bastian to Indian food. Andrei laughed as he said he knew the difference between Vindaloo curry and a candle. A candle only burns at one end. He said he'd been taken to an Indian restaurant on his first secondment to an English regiment and he'd chosen, quite unknowingly, the hottest curry and spent the evening wiping tears and downing copious draughts of lager. But... ...After that he was hooked. No, we didn't subject Bastian to curry torture and he was quite appreciative of all the new scents and tastes.
The four of us were all togged out in Matteoli tops and slacks for the evening. The bags of stuff were now very depleted and I hoped Aldo would turn up with more as whatever was left was going back with Bastian for himself or the lads at the hotel as I'd also emptied my wardrobe as well. Bastian looked stunning as Tris gelled his hair and gave him a really trendy style.
"Lost your vocation," I said, as the pair came out of the bathroom, "Hair stylist to the nobility."
Even Andrei wanted a bit of the same, but a little more subdued!
Delon was on duty as doorman when we arrived at the Club. He had a rather faraway look in his eye. After explaining to him about the guests, Curt's guests, he slowly shook his head. "That lad, he's just arrived. Gave me the biggest kiss just now. He could cook my dinner anytime!" I knew Delon was smitten with the tyke anyway but here he was, bowled over.
"No good, Dell-boy," Tris said, "He's got Logan and you've got Shiva."
Delon's smile creased his face. "Love 'em both, too!" He opened the door. "Have a good time!"
First thing would be to send a drink out to him. Delivered, of course, by you know who!
Bastian was all eyes as we entered the first part of the various areas. We went over immediately to the group of leathermen. No Brad, but Carl was there with a couple of the boxers all strapped up. Davy and Jonty were sitting separately deep in conversation. Andrei and Bastian were surveyed and not found wanting and Logan came up to take orders. As soon as he saw us his reserve crumbled. Both Tris and I were hugged and banged on the back with the empty tray he was carrying.
"Och, I'm so happy," he managed to say after squeezing the life out of me and snuffling in my ear, "I jist hope we'll make a go of it."
Of course, the plans had to be explained to those listening and to cries of 'We'll drink to that' he went off with orders. Naturally, the newcomers were being eyed by the other clientele. I saw a couple of the younger set giving Bastian appraising looks and soon the first drinks arrived. Andrei had wanted a lager so Tris and I had ordered the same and a Coke for Bastian. As we drank I noticed Bastian jigging to the beat of the background music. It was slightly early for the really loud stuff to begin but I guessed it wouldn't be long before he was on the floor. But... ...Out came Curt. All four of us were hugged before we could really take in the get-up. He stood back, that wicked grin on his face, HEAD COOK emblazoned in large black letters on his bare chest completed by a chef's hat and the smallest pair of white shorts this side of decency.
"Glad of that thong," he said as we gazed at him "Keeps everything snug!"
Yes, the shorts were extra tight and just about transparent so the redness of the thong was quite apparent as was the bulge. "Work, boy," I said, "One usual to Delon and don't spend too long delivering it!" The look on his face was quite evil as he hurried off.
"Wow," said Andrei, "I must wipe my brow!"
"I think quite a few in here will be wiping up elsewhere soon," whispered Tris to him.
Too true and not only because of Curt. At ten the DJ turned up the volume and the beat. Within half a minute Tris and Bastian were on the dance floor. Within five minutes they were topless and joined by most of the younger set. Andrei looked on almost bemused. His chest was heaving with suppressed laughter. "If only our mother could see him now!"
Between them Bastian and Curt must have partnered most of the crowd . I had the usual word with Godders who wanted to know how I picked up all the angels. "Charisma," I said and he laughed. "You lot make an old man happy," he said and I was plied with the usual G and T as a reward.
I turned to return to Andrei and found he'd disappeared and was on the dance floor with the really-toned Dandy. After that first dance Andrei and he exchanged high-fives and Andrei stripped off his top and brought it over and dumped it on his seat. He winked at me and returned for another session where the pair of highly buffed bodies gyrated and shimmied in a fair imitation of a passionate Spanish dance with plenty of thigh contact and more than the occasional hand squeezing a well-rounded butt. After that effort they both came over and I had drinks ready for them delivered by the ever-attentive Raph.
"Bloody hell," said Dandy downing half the bottle in one swig, "Where did you learn that?"
"I don't know," said Andrei, "Built-in!"
"What about another one?"
Two swigs each and they were off again. This time almost a South American tango, dipping and weaving.
My attention was broken as Shawn came across waving his usual bar-towel. "I hear you've brought an under-age pup with you tonight. As long as he keeps his drawers buttoned and sticks to apple juice until midnight it's OK." He scanned the dance floor. "Is that him? Fuck me! He's got the bloody tyke in a clinch and the rest of 'em are panting for some. They'll all be thirsty. I could use him. Does he want a job?"
I explained he was going home tomorrow but no doubt...
"Got any more up your sleeve?" He laughed and strode off without waiting for a reply. Yes, I thought, young Stevie and Dusty would be eighteen in about four month's time. More eye-candy and no doubt...
I caught Davy's eye. He was looking rather concerned as he was talking to Jonty. Jonty was not his usual cheerful self either. They left where they were sitting and came over and sat either side of me. I said I'd brought a couple of new-found cousins with me. Jonty nodded.
"I noticed the young one straight off, he's quite a mover. His brother's got rhythm, too! Wouldn't have minded a dance but I don't really feel like it."
The reason was that the Estate Agency he worked for had been bought up by another company and his office was closing and the replacement job would mean a move to Royston. He thought he'd look for another job. Uncle Mark was on the ball. Hadn't Charles said he wanted an assistant. Here was someone conversant with planning and such like matters. Sean had said he didn't want to shift. Ergo! I said I'd heard of a possibility. His face lit up. He knew of College plans as his boss played golf with you know who! I said I would enquire. Next thing Jonty was shirtless and giving Bastian a lesson on the latest London moves and Tris moved on but soon had another hapless youth in his clutches and under his spell.
Having done another good deed I listened while Davy said he had decisions to make. He was a charge nurse now and had to decide whether he wanted to do further study on operating theatre work or concentrate on Accident and Emergency. He laughed and said a friend who was already working in theatre said a lot of it was like counting the spoons after the guests had left. "That is, just in case something's been sown up inside!" My look of slight horror made him laugh. "Doesn't often happen but I bet there's a few who rattle when they walk!"
I said I needed another drink after that so we went up to the bar. Bulgyboy was back and in charge. With Curt making the customers thirsty he only had Raph and Logan collecting orders and taking the drinks round and for a Monday night there were quite a few in. The place was certainly getting very popular and certainly not everyone was gay.
Having got our drinks we went back to where Carl was sitting. He was listening intently to Holy Joe Presley who was complaining that his old grandma had been targeted by some cowboy builder who was trying to get her to have a wall repaired for some horrendous price. "I told her it was a scam but she won't listen. That bloke's overcharged a couple of our customers over little jobs. Needs to be stopped."
"Need a name." said Carl. Holy Joe whispered something and Carl smiled. "Known. It'll be sorted." Holy Joe looked relieved.
"There's some evil bastards around," he said. "I'd sort him out but I'd probably get done for assault."
Carl laughed. "Too true. Leave it to us."
Andrei and Dandy came over, hot and thirsty. It turned out Dandy had done seven years in the Forces, in the Medical Corps, and was now working in a laboratory at Addenbrooke's Hospital. "Only got to bloody corporal," he said looking at Andrei as he handed him a bottle, "Thought I was going to get busted one time when I was found in bed with one of our Lieutenants. Said he needed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation after overexertion on the drill square. Luckily the Duty Officer who found us liked a bit of slap and tickle and it was threesomes after that!" Andrei was grinning at this as he took a swig. "You got anyone special?" Dandy asked. Andrei said he had. "You're lucky. I've gone the rounds here but no one wants to settle. Still, you never know, Mr Right might come in the door tomorrow." He laughed. "I'll miss him though, I'm on duty." Another bottle of lager each was downed and they were back on the floor.
My turn for the floor. Tris first and then Bastian. Both hot, in more ways than one, and decidedly sweaty. The combined pheromones were getting to me and these were added to by two more lithe young twenty-somethings who wanted to know about the gear we were all wearing. Both had seen the mags and so I had been recognised. "Him, too," one had said indicating Tris, "He's yours?" I said he was. The pair stood side by side linking arms. A thought struck. Would Unc need British models? Here they were on tap. I think Aldo should be introduced to the Club!
Another evening came to an end in a flurry of handshakes, hugs and even a couple of kisses. Bastian had certainly made his mark. He had at least four mobile numbers biro'd on the back of his hands. Both he and Andrei were too wired to go to bed immediately in the set opposite mine. Coffee first while Bastian wondered if Waclav would approve of such a thing as the Club. "The Spa and now here," he said, "You have made me into a wicked boy!"
We had quite a laugh about Bastian's description of himself when in bed that night. After what Tris did to me next I said he was a very wicked boy and he just whispered 'takes one to know one'.
Tuesday
In the morning the pair did a bit of last-minute shopping. Scottish shortbread for Grandma from the shop opposite Sidney Sussex, a couple of English novels each for their mother and Klaus from Heffers, plus various bits of sports clothing for Lucasz, Waclav and Marek. When they returned and Bastian showed me he'd bought Marek some running shorts I retrieved the last of the boxers and two silky thongs from a now almost empty bag under my bed. I held them out to Bastian. "You must choose who has these. You, Waclav and Marek." It was a difficult choice for the thongs. He wanted one but grinned as he said the other would be for Marek and he would insist he wore it under his uniform for the levee. "I will wear this under mine." He came over and kissed my cheek. "And I shall think of you and Tris and the wonderful time I have had here!"
After Tris came in at half twelve we had a lunch, in the set, of Marks and Spencer's finest and I went with the pair to Stansted with Charles to see them off. Yes, I had plenty of things to think over from all the things which had happened over the past week or so. Yes, over the last month or so. Things could only quieten down!
I did mention Jonty to Charles on the way back. He was very interested. Jonty sounded ideal. I asked how Lindsey was. Hands nearly left the wheel!
"Mother is arranging for the Villefranche house to be at our disposal for two weeks in September as there is a gap between lettings."
"By yourselves?" I ventured.
"We are both over the age of twenty-one," he retorted rather archly, "I think we will make an announcement on our return."
Wow! "Congratulations!" I said and meant it. I wondered if Klaus had plighted his troth as it also seemed imminent, too. Two more weddings!
"Nothing is to be said. I have taken you into my confidence. Of course, you may inform Tristan but I do not wish my intentions to be bandied about until things are confirmed."
"You've already asked her?"
"We have discussed the matter and she has not demurred."
So that was that. I wondered when we would meet this paragon worthy of his attention. No, I was being nasty! I was very fond of Charles. He had done so much to smooth my path in College and was more than generous. I was really very glad for him.
However, I had ideas to put onto paper and arrangements to be made to entertain Aldo and his henchman on Friday evening. If Aldo came to the Club that evening would his assistant want to come? Was he gay? I'd better ask or try to gauge that when we met on Thursday. Yes, there had been a message inviting Tris and me to an evening meal at the restaurant on Midsummer Common. All I hoped was that the outcome of the meetings would be positive.
I was working quite diligently in my study and hadn't realised time had flown when Tris arrived home. Home! My lovely set was mine only for a short time more. But Tris had news. I scribbled down a couple of lines while he went off complaining that he had to get the drinks ready but I knew from his mood he was bubbling to tell me something.
Drinkies in hand he said the flat was cleaned and we could have it furnished. This meant that quite a bit of the old stuff had been jettisoned in the clean up. We had inherited a couple of nice side tables and the dining table and chairs were going to be repolished as they were antique.
"All the old pots and pans have gone, too, so we need to restock the kitchen. You can make a list of what we need."
"What about the bedroom?" I asked before realising this might be misconstrued as me being more interested in carnal rather than culinary things.
"Sorted," he said, not deigning to comment, "We had a chap in today who owns a furniture shop and Paul asked him." He laughed. "The bloke said he'd better watch out in case he charged the same fee for answering that as he was paying Paul for his advice! No problem. You can go and choose tomorrow other than a chest of drawers which is OK, Paul says. I've got his card. Send the bill to the office."
I was getting a bit worried, a flat, furnished, new stuff, what was it going to cost to rent? Could we afford it? I didn't even know what I would be paid for supervisions, or how much my top-up costs would be for Part III. Tris would be earning, but could I sponge off him? At least I had that money from Uncle Francesco. Perhaps we had been a bit hasty in refusing the compensation. I was in rather a whirl.
Tris was there before me. "You're worried, aren't you?" he said putting an arm round my shoulders as we sat side by side on the sofa.
I nodded. "It sounds costly and..."
Tris hugged me tighter. "...and how can we afford it, eh?"
I nodded.
"I asked Paul the same. He just laughed and said as long as I worked there, and you did your best with James, the rent was negotiable." I was hugged even more. "I get the impression James thinks of you pretty highly and that's an understatement!"
"But he must have had other students like me. Mike Maples was one of his and he's got a couple of research students who seem brilliant to me."
Tris laughed. "I don't think its just brilliance from what Paul says, and I've told you this before, I think James sees a lot of himself in you. Just don't let him, or yourself, down."
No more to say as there was a rattle at the door. It was Jak and Max.
"You two busy tonight?" asked Jak, "If not, food's on us."
We invited them in. Said we would be delighted and plied them with G and Ts as well. We heard they'd more or less finished testing the system and were going back to Ulvescott in the morning. Liam had been given a crash course in dealing with emergencies and they were thinking of setting up an office with a couple of technicians in Cambridge as enquiries had already been made about installations elsewhere as their work here in College and for the finance house was getting known. Tris said Unc was renting part of an old office block and there were some spare rooms. Also, he thought their office system was old now, at least five years, so perhaps?... ...Open to offers, said Max.
That night in bed I was open to any offers from my Tris. I hugged him and kissed him and between us we used up many of the calories from the rather indulgent meal we'd had. It wasn't until we were walking back after it Jak had said the Colonel had instructed them to take us out. "Thought he'd approve more of a restaurant than that Club," said Max, "You can take us there again next time we're around!"
Wednesday
I was hardly awake the next morning when my mobile played its tune. Toad at seven thirty-five! Invasion on Saturday. Don't make any arrangements all dealt with. Twenty-five would be descending in the morning for coffee at eleven. All his pals! A look at the cellars and then Golden Arches and an afternoon punting!
More was revealed when I went later in the morning to see if there was any post at the Porter's Lodge. Two missives. One from Charles. My dear brother had phoned him the night before and had asked if a time slot could be arranged for his friends to see the exhibition. Charles had not only said all would be arranged but he would also organise the provision of sufficient coffee and biscuits in my set, if I was agreeable. The second from Cheffie, with a bill for twenty-five pounds, saying he had been instructed, underlined, to provide adequate sustenance for twenty-five young males visiting the College on Saturday. There was a postscript. 'They can have the left-overs from the College Dinner on Friday. If so, tear up the bill'. College Dinner? Yes, I'd noted the announcement on the board that the graduates of '64 were having a fortieth anniversary get-together. Definitely not a night to be in College with sixty-somethings wining, dining and probably puking in the College fountain. Given the historic reputation of the College as to its fairly non-academic status and the supposed lavishness of College Dinners then the College fountain was something to skirt at a distance on Saturday! Still, the lads might be in for a treat.
I texted a less than strongly worded message back to Frankie. Yes, we would be happy to meet his friends - I didn't add as long as Harpo the exquisite was there - and all would be perfect. Mustn't let the side down.
The rest of the day passed peacefully. First thing in the morning I strolled to the furniture store. Blanched at some of the prices but chose a very nice double bed. The manager knew I was coming so a set of bedding was thrown in gratis. Next was Sayles for kitchen stuff. I'd done a quick inventory of the pans and things in the set so that wasn't too bad. I knew Mum had spare crockery so left that and settled for half a dozen knives, forks and spoons, mugs, cups , plates, bowls and glasses plus saucepans and an electric kettle. The young lady who served me seemed rather curious, probably thinking I was getting hitched. I just said I was moving into a new flat and she wished me well. When I gave the address for it all to be delivered she smiled. "I know Mr Phillips, he lives next door to my parents." I then had to explain that my partner was joining the firm. Not a flicker. She just nodded. She must have known the set-up next door to Daddy and Mummy. A good job done I returned and played my harpsichord, strolled across to Hall for lunch, no Tris, he'd texted to say they were busy and sandwiching, had spirits raised by the winsome smile of young Dusty serving, bumped into Jason who was acting as unpaid Porter as Fortune (always known by his rather upbeat surname) the main assistant porter was on holiday, gave Jason an organ lesson at half past three when his duty finished and entertained him and Curt for tea at quarter to five.
Curt had received the promised letter from King Rudi. That meant I had to show my medal to Jason who wanted to hear the tale so..... Anyway, the letter didn't make any promises but Rudi said he had discussed the matter of the house with the Palace Archivist and Monsignor Artur and documents were being gathered. He hoped he might meet both Curt and his father especially with the impending exhibition of the things discovered.
"Dad's had a letter, too, and he and Mum say we can all go out for the exhibition. He says he feels a bit better about visiting Rothenia now. He even said he's giving himself a crash course in the language as he can only remember some bits his father taught him."
I gave him one of the hotel cards and said I recommended it. I didn't say about the lads and the crash course they would give him in 'essential nudity' for the Spa and, if Logan was going, too, there would be a pair o' braw young Scotties to frolic and display with the Irregulars.
Tris was all keyed up ready for Aldo's arrival in the morning. The Aussies and Lorenzo were to be interviewed in the afternoon and documents would be signed Friday if all was well. He said the assistant, Tommaso Goldoni, was to be in charge of the British side of the business. He was Italian but his mother was English and he was quite bilingual. Thirty- five and not married he'd found out. We wondered!
He did relax a bit during the evening. We went for a stroll down to the Cam and along the bank all the way to John's and emerged near a convenient pub where we had a reasonable meal and chatted. I could tell he was enjoying his work. "Can't tell you details but I've sat in on three quite different client consultations today. Jacob asked me to make notes on one as he was sure the client was fibbing or hiding something over his non-payment of child maintenance. Shifty bloke and I think Jacob will tell him to go elsewhere. I don't know if I could keep up being so polite as he is. Lots to learn." He laughed. "I'm not sure about tomorrow afternoon, either. Jacob wants me to sit in on the interviews with Gabe and the others as I shall be working with them."
Yes, I'd wondered why we hadn't been invaded by Gabe and Josh but realised they knew Tris was involved in their futures. "They'll be all keyed up, no doubt," I said, "Be gentle."
Yes, Tris was gentle. The tender but ardent way we exchanged our love that night was perfection. After the passion came the relaxation. "I need this," Tris whispered as we nuzzled each other as a soothing prelude to sleep, "I was quite wound up about getting things right for tomorrow. I know now it'll all be OK."
Thursday
I had a morning clearing up my study. I didn't get very far as while I was idly sorting out and looking at the sheaves of notes which I'd taken down in the myriad lectures I'd attended a point one of the lecturers in Group theory had made caught my eye. No more tidying. Again it was a case of a result which needed a more rigorous proof. Yes, if one.... I was off. It was a bit like.... Take a counter example... It follows... Neat not gaudy as I checked through my argument. I sat and realised that James was right. When I could relax then ideas flowed and that hadn't taken long. I just wondered why no one else had spotted that particular way of tackling it. A minor piece of the jigsaw which made up mathematics but I did have a slight feeling of pride that I was able to make it fit more snugly. But was I capable of more complex things? Of generating new ideas? I remembered the remark of a lecturer in Statistics that Fisher had set down results knowing instinctively they were correct and left it to others to deal with the proofs. I knew I had inklings about things but were they enough?
If I was to supervise students next year then I'd better make certain I had things in order. Good intentions need organisation. I went into town and bought several sturdy ring- back folders and a hole-punch. I was still happily indexing and desisting from reading more of the notes when Tris texted to say come to the office for lunch. Good intentions!
I got a great hug from Aldo and a careful handshake from Tommaso. Though well in his thirties one could see he was a hunk. Aldo introduced him as his 'right-hand man'. Wow! His right hand could have pleasured me but he was a bit too old! No, that was nasty. As we talked over lunch I realised he had quite a magnetic personality and it wasn't put on for show. I thought in such a competitive business as fashion you needed to be able to project oneself and be able to get on with every sort of so-called celebrity from A to Z. Something of a tough cookie! It did emerge he had a partner. Gennario. Same age. As the partner was an accountant he would be coming as well to deal with that side of the business.
I gathered that the initial foray would be completely for the young male market. Toad's domain! I then had a thought.
"If you're concentrating in that area why not centre on the Leopardi brand name? You've got the ideal logo of the leopard's head. Very masculine." I could see Tommaso nodding. Another thought. "And Leopardi Corporation UK, LCUK, spells luck."
Both he and Aldo laughed. "You're better than our advertising team," Aldo said, "Tom and I discussed just that on the plane coming over. We would have to be very careful, though. It's too near the other one for comfort just as we had to abandon MCUK. Our male range will be Leopardi but we also have to make sure the Matteoli name is foremost as it is the better known and we intend to branch out with the female range of things but concentrate there first just on a flagship store in London."
Yep, I couldn't quite see Josh, or more particularly, Gabe, dealing with the female fashions, especially the handbags!
I left them just after two as they were interviewing the trio at half-past. Drinks in the set at six thirty before going for dinner at eight at the restaurant on Midsummer Common.
Back at College I thought I'd better see Cheffie to smooth any ruffled feathers over feeding the five thousand, I mean the twenty-five, on Saturday. Still, his note was more friendly than testy and I got the impression that he and Charles did see eye to eye as Charles seemed to get preferential treatment in Hall.
No problem. All sweetness and light. He pointed at the sheets of paper pinned up in his office and said the main course for the Dinner was fillets of Aberdeen Angus beef supplied by one of the alumni from his own herd. "Should be some left over. A few sandwiches for growing boys." His attention was drawn to something awry in the kitchen. "You! Knobhead!!" he bellowed, "Slice that meat a bit thinner!" One of the under-chefs froze and adjusted the machine he was using. "Gotta keep eyes in the back of your head here. Anyway back to business." I said thanks and then mentioned that Curt was very happy about his move. I wondered if I'd said the right thing. It was OK. He just laughed. "Little bugger'll do well there. I've taken him off breakfasts until he's settled. Anyway Friday's OK. I'm not using any of the young'uns that evening not since two were found giving a couple of the oldies a bit more than custard for their treacle pudding." Ooh! When was that I asked, not having heard of that rather colourful incident. Another laugh. "Long before my time. Must have been before the War. Great War or Boer War, not sure. Total ban since then."
As I left him chuckling I saw Manuel and one of the other chefs in a storeroom counting out coupes or dishes of some kind. I quickly explained I had a friend of my Uncle visiting this evening and had nothing to go with drinks. "Just the thing," he said, "Been experimenting for tomorrow." We went over to a fridge outside the room and he put about a dozen tasty looking morsels into a cardboard container. "Let me know in the morning what you think." He grinned, "Gotta make up a load tonight but they'll be mostly standard." Yes, it was nice bathing in the reflected glory of the munificence bestowed after Ivo's wedding!
A bit more tidying and I felt quite virtuous. As it was Thursday Sean appeared to do his usual hoovering and dusting and removing bedding and other dirty bits and pieces. If Quentin left the flat in 'shit-hole' state I wondered if a cleaner was available there. If not, then?... Sean was one step ahead. He tapped on my study door which I'd shut to keep out the noise of the vacuum. "All done," he announced when I peered out, "Will you be here much longer?" I said I only had until next week. He grinned. "Professor Tanner says you and Tris are moving to a flat at the office. He said to ask you if you wanted a Mrs Mopp!"
How did James know about Sean's extra chores? "I keep his set tidy," he continued. But James' room looked as if no one had ever even dusted it for centuries. Sean laughed when I said that. "Didn't you know there's three other rooms through the door?" The door? Yes, with hooks on which were draped his gown and MA hood. I shook my head. I'd assumed it was a cupboard or something. "Yeah, he doesn't use them but I go in once a fortnight and give everything a dust. Get him to show you one day. He says he's never managed to sort through all the pictures and stuff stored there."
Tris was very happy when he came back at half five. The interviews had gone well. Gabe and Josh would share the everyday chores of ordering and seeing deliveries were made and would be visiting various outlets and franchises as necessary. Lorenzo was to deal with the Italian side and do visits as well. The three would spend three weeks at the head office in Rome in September learning the ropes ready for opening in October. All this under the watchful eye of Tommaso and his partner. I rather blinked when Tris told me the starting salaries. Well over the minimum for office work. Bonuses would be there, too, depending on sales. I said they might need someone to add up the takings every day, would I do as I thought I wouldn't be getting anything like that as a mathematician? Tris just said I had more to do than worry about income and Jak and Max were being signed up for a computer system which could probably count better and faster than me!
Aldo and Tommaso turned up in good time. Each had a bag of clothes and things which they said we should distribute to the needy such as Frankie and his pals. As usual the new visitor was gobsmacked with the oddness of the decor and roared when he opened the door. He hadn't seen the exhibition and Aldo laughingly said he could have half an hour to see it in the morning. "No more than that or else he won't want to work."
Tommaso was also a good musician. He'd studied in Rome but had to give up serious piano playing because of problems with a tendon in his left hand. You wouldn't have known it when he launched into a Beethoven Sonata, the Appassionata. I said he would have plenty of opportunity for music in Cambridge, concerts or recitals most evenings during term time and he would be welcomed as an accompanist. He said his partner was also musical and played the cello and it would be marvellous.
After a couple of drinks and the tidbits from Manuel - praised highly - we set out across Jesus Green. We hadn't been told but Charles and Lindsey had been invited, too. Lindsey turned out to be everything one could wish for Charles. She was witty, good-looking and had the dear lad well-sussed! I watched Aldo as his son and Lindsey interacted. He was delighted. The father-son gap had been bridged and Tommaso was smitten by her delightfulness as well. Of course, I recognised her. She had been an assistant to Annabelle and Alexandra on two of Charles's extravaganzas I'd played the piano for. Why she hadn't been snapped up by somebody before now I didn't know, but I and Tris later said we were so pleased for Charles.
Needless to say that was all discussed in bed and Tris said he hoped the one I'd chosen for the flat was comfortable. I showed him that comfortable didn't matter when lost in the act of love.
Friday
A busy day for Tris. He was to act as witness to the signing of the documents setting up the company and also the contracts for the trio. Busy for me as I gave Tommaso a tour of the cellars at ten a.m., and after that I checked over Aldo's bags and found one was stuffed with boxers, thongs and a new line in tanga briefs. The other had tops, all with the Leopardi leopard's head on the left breast. Images of Frankie's pals arrayed in just those pairs of items had to be suppressed and I shoved the bags under the bed again.
As we were moving into the flat on Monday I'd arranged with Wayne for him to help me shift all the stuff I'd packed. Anything left could be Frankie's. Anyway, Mum and Dad would be inhabitants while the Summer School was running.
I went over to see Charles to return my keys to the Chapel and organ loft. Hands were raised. No, the Chaplain had said I must keep them. I was free to play and practice when I wished, subject to the dictates of the Pennefather Scholar who had first call! He laughed. "I think Dr Henson is looking forward to dealing with Francis." Best of luck, I thought. "My dear, I have such good news, too. When I saw Dr Henson this morning he has suggested I present my research on the Servants of the Chapel for a doctorate. He is so pleased, though somewhat disconcerted with the prurience of some of the detail, but, he said that on re-reading what I have produced so far, it added a certain spice to the narrative. I must spend some time exploring the future careers of some of the Servants. Country curacies no doubt but I think one or two did service in the Colonies. I shall make it a round hundred of them which will cover just about three hundred years from fifteen hundred. Many will merit a single page but others, as we know, had most interesting events to relate which were completely ignored by Doctor Smart. Another six months and it should be complete."
I wished him well. Manuel was then thanked and was surrounded by trays of decorated canapes, vol-au-vents and some other delicious looking bit and pieces. "Try a couple of these," he said pointing to a tray he'd just finished, "Wrap them and don't let Cheffie see. He's just walloped Kenny for dropping a spoon in the sauce kettle. Bit temperamental today!" An understatement!
Yes, Aldo was coming to the Club tonight! Tommaso was visiting his mother's family in Surrey for the weekend and Aldo was going down to stay with Mum and Dad on Saturday before flying back from Heathrow on Monday. I left a note for Curt to dress in Matteoli gear for the evening. I texted Raph with the same message to prime him as well.
Aldo was so relaxed when he and Tris came back at the end of their afternoon's work. He was full of praise at the speed and efficiency of the law firm. "I think we will have to shift more of our business here. Getting things done in Italy is a bit slow. Anyway, as long as the lads turn out as well as we hope we should be on schedule." I heard the plans were for a big show of latest 'gear' at one of the big hotels in London with plenty of publicity and that was being arranged from the Italian side. Over the next couple of months franchises would be signed up in about a dozen big towns. I said he would be meeting Godders tonight. He nodded. "Yes, he wants to have plenty of stuff ready for Freshers' week and he's suggested a show for lads from schools and colleges around here. We shall need a few models."
Things clicked that evening. Aldo was in a huddle with Godders for ages who, he said later, was a real businessman and knew the market inside out. He was introduced to all and sundry and had a word with about six of the younger end who looked ecstatic at being thought to be model fodder. Curt got a special hug from him. Those Matteoli shorts plus the top, plus the cheeky grin, put him in line as a model as well. Raph was a bit shy at first but he was lined up as well. Very soon Aldo had decided that a launch in Cambridge would supplement whatever happened in London and as far as possible would use local talent. He was promised younger brothers as well and Tris acted as amanuensis writing down names and addresses to get in touch. So, not much dancing was done that evening by us, but Shawn's bar takings were well up as Aldo was treating everyone he spoke to.
He insisted we shared his taxi to take him back to the Garden House Hotel. He was highly delighted with the response he'd got. "I'm exhausted, though. Thanks for a marvellous evening!" Well we had also tried our best for a meal for him. We couldn't match the cost or elegance of the previous night's dinner but had taken him to a restaurant towards Magdalene Bridge. When I produced my card to pay it was cast aside by his insistence it was his treat. "I had strict instructions from your Uncle," he said, "And he wants to know how many to expect and when!"
We were dropped off along the Backs and reflected that we lived in interesting times even though that Chinese epithet was meant to be derogatory. We skirted the College Quad carefully as although the Reunion Dinner was well over there were groups of sixty- somethings sitting on chairs or benches dragged out of Hall. Bottles and glasses were much in evidence and we were waylaid and plied with glasses and actually found the assembled masses very convivial.
We had to explain who we were and when I said I was the outgoing Pennefather Organ Scholar a rather corpulent man in the group shouted out "Where's Bloody Horry?" A general cry went up calling for 'Bloody Horry!' Someone detached himself from another group. "Heard you shouting, Bunty!" 'Bloody Horry' turned out to be that year's outgoing Pennefather and was a very neat near six-footer. His nickname of 'Bloody' I was informed by another equally corpulent gent was because he never left the rugger field unless he was covered in his own or his opponent's gore. "Must say I rarely played the old box of pipes during the Christmas and Easter terms. Too many injuries. We played to win in those days!" A serious indictment on this last year's First XV whose woeful results were chalked up for all to see on a board in Hall. 'Played 27, Won 2, Lost 23, Drawn 1'. I had also got the impression the current rugger-buggers were non-numerate as well. Much laughter and slapping of backs as 'Bloody Horry' raised his glass and toasted me as a worthy successor! There was no doubt he was very popular. It turned out he was the successful director of a reinsurance firm ready to retire and was organist now of a tiny country church in Sussex. "Did all that on a Third in Classics, too!"
It was nearly one o'clock when the groups began to disperse to their beds on the various Stairs with much shouting and swearing. In our own bed, too tired to do anything else but whisper a few sweet nothings, we wondered if we would be around in forty years time to meet up. Of course, what was most apparent was no ladies were present. The College in those days hadn't been mixed and from the accents and the shouts the intake would have been predominantly Public School with a good proportion of Hooray Henrys. From the conversations we'd had most seemed to be 'something in the City', or in farming, or luminaries in small towns. A couple in Bunty's group were solicitors and congratulated Tris as they had known Young Mr Partridge. He had been adept in getting undergraduates out of scrapes with the Law. One grey-haired, very distinguished gent was pointed out as the ringleader of several escapades where the 'Bulldogs', the University police, were outwitted but somehow often 'got their man' so Young Mr Partridge would be brought in to plead mitigating circumstances!
To be continued: