Chapter 28. Machinations
It wasn’t difficult to convince Miss Bottomley that she needed “a second opinion” in the matter of solicitors. “Why of course I do,” she said, “Someone who represents my interests to the best of my ability and who’s willing to explain to me what those are. But how to find him was my dilemma? Who to trust? When anyone learns out about this estate they become so overly deferential – I don’t know how else to explain it – I feel certain they’re disguising their true face. Dilemmas of the wealthy! Who’d have thought?” “I don’t actually know my solicitor’s partner,” said Scarlet, “but he works with my solicitor whom I like very much. Just use your instincts – we’ll interview as many solicitors as you feel you need to get a true perspective.” “How refreshing!” said her employer. “I love options! It’s such an extravagance!” “There’s been a development,” said Pelham meaningfully to Scarlet, after hands had been shaken all round. Bob Thomas looked more like a farmer than a solicitor with his round, cheery red-cheeked face and gleaming bald head, but Miss Bottomley seemed to take to him. Scarlet left them alone so that they could study the papers Miss Bottomley brought and transact their own business. Nick was decidedly fussy. Scarlet wasn’t sure he’d calm down enough for a conversation. He insisted on being the center of attention. Scarlet walked the floor with him, apologizing. “I’m interviewing nannies today.” “Think nothing of it,” said Pelham. “I’ve got four of my own. I’ll make tea while you settle him.” Fortunately, he did settle, allowing Scarlet at least sit down and look at the grainy black and white photos he spread before her. “As I informed you, we now have a detective of our own.” Scarlet gazed at the photos uncomprehendingly, as if these were stills from some bizarre English version ofLa Strada. A man, a woman, suitcases and parcels – a big house – Ian. Here was his unmistakable face – looking guilty. Rather an uncommon expression for him. Had she ever even seen it? Who was this dark-haired female with the too-tight skirt stretched over the too-big bottom? Then a face shot – expression unreadable beneath Cleopatra makeup. “Candi!” Scarlet gasped. “Moving in to your marital residence!” He rubbed his hands together enthusiastically. “It’s really the greatest good luck for us. Your husband went back to town,” Pelham confided, “So I transferred our detective’s attention to her. I must say I do hope she’s planning a long stay.” Scarlet burst into tears, waking Nick, who wailed as well. Pelham was aghast. He rushed around the desk wielding a handkerchief. “You must think me an insensitive monster! I do apologize!” He threw open the door and called to his clerk, “Gotobed! Fetch a cup of tea and a baby bottle immediately.” Pelham sat in the other client chair and feebly patted Scarlet’s heaving shoulders. “There, there now,” he murmured. “You would think as a matrimonial solicitor I would be better prepared. I must do better – I assure you my heartlessness was purely thoughtless. It won’t happen again.” Gotobed produced a cup of tea and biscuit tin. “I’m sorry about the baby bottle”, he chuffed, but Scarlet had located Nick’s pacifier, what the English call a “dummy.” “That’s all right, Gotobed,” said Pelham. “But make a note to purchase – er – one of those things.” “Yes, sir.” They were alone again. Silence fell as Scarlet sipped the strengthening brew. “I think I’m the one who should apologize,” she said finally. “I really thought I had given up on my marriage. It goes to show I hadn’t. Please go on – what were you saying? Why exactly is this such good news?” But now Pelham was frightened by her. “Well,” he began nervously, “Your husband knew you were applying for employment in London. He had given his permission, correct?” “Correct,” agreed Scarlet, annoyed that she would need her husband’s “permission” to get a job. “With his girlfriend in residence, you’ve been evicted, so to speak. We shall argue that you can’t stay in a home where your husband has installed his girlfriend. Most judges I know of would agree. And you certainly can’t bring up an infant there!” “He’ll say she’s not his girlfriend.” “Our man Bogswell will get the goods on them. No one will be fooled.” “But I left first,” argued Scarlet, playing devil’s advocate. “Didn’t you come up to London to rent a flat and get a nanny under your husband’s advisement?” “Well, yes, I did.” “Is your room connected with your employment?” “Well, yes.” “Do we not have documentary proof that your husband was the first to transgress?” She thought of the Carpathian Hotel. “Quite true.” “Well there you are.” Scarlet sat silent for awhile, drinking tea while Nick sucked vigorously with an annoyed look on his face. He apparently already knew when he was being fobbed off with something not quite real. But those days are over for me, thought Scarlet. I won’t be “fobbed off” anymore. “Thank you,” she said gratefully to her solicitor. Pelham visibly relaxed. Gotobed inserted his head into the room as narrowly and as tactfully as it was possible for a human to do. The man had a head like a flounder; completely flat, with eyes on either side. “Lady Lechmere has arrived,” he murmured unctuously. Pelham vaulted upwards, helping Scarlet assemble her things. “Take Mrs. Wye to the Partner’s Room, please.” Lady Lechmere was so old and bent her gaze was permanently fixed on the floor. What could a woman that elderly possibly need with a matrimonial attorney, Scarlet wondered, wishing she could ask Pelham. But she did recall that Pelham’s specialty was said to be “marriage contracts” and Lady Lechmere doubtless had one of those. The intriguing possibilities would set any novelist or short story writer’s mind to spinning! Nick couldn’t settle, so as she walked him up and down in the waiting room she wondered how her own contract with Ian would read. Possibly that was the problem – she felt there wasa marriage contract – it had been explicated by the vows - but Ian felt otherwise. If he had told her what he really intended, she would never have married him. Would she? But deeply in love, hadn’t she been in the mood to risk anything? Ian probably was also. That was the hell of love. You might fall in together, but you fell out at different times, and under different circumstances. Before the sniffles got any worse, Scarlet betook herself and Nick to the Ladies Cloakroom, two flights down.
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November 2021
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