HR

A double dose this morning - the author's imminent trip abroad requires that the story must move on quickly this week.

5 – Sydney arrives

The Rolls whispered out of the airport with Ms Lickstensteinberg and Tung comfortable in the back behind the sealed glass screen. ‘Jesus, but ain’t this some set of wheels, Tung? I could get used to this kinda luxury.’

Tung agreed. ‘It is real class, Ma’am, the kind you deserve.’

‘You’re a sweetheart, Tung. Care to let your namesake while away the hours ‘til we get to good old Twerton Manor?’ Portnoy, the chauffeur, nearly drove off the M4 3 times, so interested was he in the view in his driver’s mirror.

Some two hours later the two Americans arrived at the Manor. Up the sweeping drive through the formal garden (open to the public between April and September – Wednesday to Saturday – no dogs) and past the lake (gardens by Capability Brown, no less) and to the imposing entrance. Portnoy opened the door and the two ladies clambered from the vehicle, the diminutive Tung following her employer respectfully. As they ascended the steps to the double oak front doors, those doors opened and Scroton stood there. ‘Welcome, ladies. If you will follow me I will show you to your rooms. Portnoy will see to your bags.’

They followed Scroton to their adjoining rooms, which also had a communicating door, and, as soon as Portnoy had delivered their cases, delivered with a knowing smile, Sydney collapsed onto the huge bed and revelled in the rich hangings and furniture. Tung entered through the communicating door. ‘Apparently they ring a gong at 7.30 and we have to be down for sherry by 8.’

Sydney looked at her watch and said, ‘Well, time for a shower.’ They showered together and one thing led to another so they showered again. It was as they dressed that they heard the gong. Tung wore a long cheongsam in rich red with dragon embroidering, straight to her ankles and slit on the left side to her thigh. She helped Sydney into her evening dress. It was a one-shoulder, shocking pink affair, tight to the waist with an asymmetric skirt which fell just below her knees at the front and to her ankles at the back. A long, almost twelve feet, train flowed from the waist and Tung had to carry it for her as they descended the broad staircase.

6 – Pre-dinner Drinks

Peregrine Evelyn Marjoribanks (pronounced Marshbanks) Webb-Spinner, seventh Marquis of Twerton was a tall man dressed in an elderly but immaculate dinner suit. His young, second wife, Lavinia stood at his side to greet their guests. Here we must digress. Lavinia Webb-Spinner had been born Laura Walker and had become a stewardess for a well-known airline. In common with many of her peers she had supplemented her earnings by acting as a high-class escort to gentlemen travellers and had been eventually arrested in an ill-timed raid by the Metropolitan Police on an MP who had been suspected of peculation. It was ill-timed because in her bag she had secreted a substance popular with the MP for its affect on his prowess and for the possession of which she received 2 years at Her Majesty’s pleasure. All this she had tearfully confessed to Peregrine on their wedding night.

‘Not to worry, my dear. I believe the fourth Marquis once buggered a goat for the amusement of George III so we all have something we’re not too proud of in our history.’ The marriage had gone from strength to strength. Cecilia, daughter of the first Lady Twerton had been wary of Lavinia and, at first, they had circled each other until Cecilia realised that she faced no threat from the woman who was a mere five years her senior and Lavinia had discovered that, so long as she played the game, Cecilia could be a useful resource for her.

Commodore Sir Binky Updyke (actually Powers-Updyke but, as the old naval gunnery expert said, never use two barrels where one will do) was also dressed in a dinner suit. His white hair curled over his ears. Lady Powers-Updyke was of the officer class, tall and frightening to junior officers and known at Dartmouth Naval College as ‘The Fighting Temeraire.’ Their daughter, Lucinda wore a delightfully simple black dress which contained her magnificent ‘upper deck manifest’ (another of Binky’s sayings) perfectly. She stood beside Cecilia who wore a tuxedo with a crisp white shirt and bow tie and had her blonde hair tied tightly back from her forehead.

Sydney and Tung entered the drawing room and the tableau before them dissolved as bodies moved to shake hands and introductions were made. Lady Twerton whispered an aside to lady Powers-Updyke. ‘The dress is interesting, no?’

‘Trade, I shouldn’t wonder,’ said the Fighting Temeraire.

Sydney whispered to Tung, ‘What is this sherry stuff?