SirPercival made no move toward the hamper until the Liaison hadslowly slipped back to sleep lulled by the carriage’s movement.Apparently he wasn’t a morning person. When he judged it safeenough Sir Percival quietly pulled the hamper out and we sippedcups of tea and nibbled upon some excellent biscuits during thejourney. The only fly in the ointment was the Liaison’s snores,which somehow managed to drown out the steam carriage’snoise.
Lookingout of the window I saw London waking up - the workers in theirdrab clothing heading for the factories or docks; the shopkeepersarranging their wares as enticingly as possible; the dirty urchinsstalking their first mark of the day. I was unutterably grateful tobe out and away from that world.
TheLiaison gave a few sniffs, burped an unpleasant smell, and opened ableary eye. He spied our teacups and seemed to almost levitate upoff his seat.
“Dreadfully sorry, dear fellow,” Sir Percival said whilewaggling his empty cup. “Couldn’t let it go cold.Unthinkable.”
TheLiaison settled back down and gave Sir Percival a look thatwould’ve curdled cheese. If that were even possible.
It wasalways a pleasant feeling getting one over the Liaison and SirPercival seemed quite chipper, even humming to himself whilsttaking my empty cup to return it to the hamper with hisown.
Heglanced through the window on his side and announced, “Soon bethere, Miss Lovelady.”
I lookedthrough my window and saw crowds of people heading in the samedirection as that of our travel. It seemed like a grand day out.The sun had even deigned to appear through the clouds. A thrill ranthrough me as I realised what we were going to see. The only blackclouds were my thoughts of Katherine and her feelings about notbeing able to accompany us. Then and there I determined to make itup to her.
Two
Wearrived at Battersea Park and studiously ignored Wilkins’ saltylanguage as he exchanged vociferous banter with fellow carriagedrivers in order to arrange a parking space. Before the carriage’shandbrake was even set Sir Percival was out of the door like agreyhound from the traps. I quickly followed knowing I may need toprevent him from possibly destroying the life we currentlyenjoyed.
Thefresh air was a welcome change from the stuffy carriage interiorand I caught a few titters from the closest of the crowd, more thanlikely due to our hair. Perhaps they thought we were eccentric (andseldom acknowledged) members of the royal family?
Likewaves upon a beach the sounds of the large crowd, and a militaryband playing popular tunes, ebbed and flowed around us. A largestate airship of the Russia’s was conspicuous by its absence,although I did catch sight of smaller ones bearing the British flagaround the periphery and bobbing in amongst the trees.
Due tothe importance of the visit a variety of security personnel weredeployed around the park in a seemingly onion-type arrangement, alleyeing each other disdainfully. The outer layer was comprised ofthe metropolitan police (whose primary job seemed to be keeping theriff-raff at bay), then came the army, and finally the airforce.
Bywaving the outrageously decorated invitation Sir Percival managedto navigate us through the layers. The Liaison tagged along behindus like a bad smell, making use of his ID whenever he waschallenged. He seemed quite happy with this, his hippo-like facenearly breaking into a smile each time his questioner backeddown.
Auniformed gentleman, sporting a well-trimmed moustache, who seemedto be in charge initially looked in shock at Sir Percival’shirsuteness but then artfully gathered his wits about him after SirPercival thrust the invitation in his face. He directed us towardsa large marquee where other invitees lingered over wine glasses andplates with small bits of food on top. I was very glad to havestocked up while breaking my fast that morning if that was all wecould look forward to.
Eyesslowly widened and conversations trailed off as we approached themarquee. Should I have worn a larger hat? Or made Sir Percival combhis hair? No matter, we weren’t here for them anyway.
I smiledsweetly at our fellow invitees and headed for the refreshmenttables, attempting to make sure I got there before the Liaisonengulfed the lot. With artful jabs of my umbrella and insincereapologies I attained prime position at the sandwich trays. Muffledswearing accompanied the liaison as he huffed up next to me.Quickly I tucked my umbrella in the crook of my arm and filled aplate with a fine selection; I’d discover what the contents were atmy leisure – the important part was to obtain a supply.
Ivacated my position before feeling the wrath of the Liaison’selbows and realised Sir Percival was absent. Spying him speaking toan elderly lady in a deep purple dress I headed in his direction.Judging by their expressions they weren’t partaking of gayrepartee. In point of fact I felt they’d be at each other’s throatsvery shortly. I bustled my way over and thrust my plate ofsandwiches under Sir Percival’s nose. “Peckish, Sir Percival?” Ienquired. “I have little idea of their contents. Perhaps you’d careto enlighten me?”
Heignored the offered sandwiches so I surreptitiously kicked him inthe shin as an added inducement. He gave a satisfactory grunt ofpain.
Turningto the elderly lady, who looked as if she’d just had a raw lemonenema, I offered my hand and said, “Pleased to meet you, I’m MissAlice Lovelady. I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”
SirPercival cleared his throat and said, “Miss Lovelady, I have the…”he paused, searching for a word, then gave up. “This is my aunt,Lady Featherwick. Lady Featherwick, my companion, Miss AliceLovelady.”
Hersharp blue eyes speared mine and her mouth widened slightly,whether due to a smile or wind I wasn’t sure. My welcoming hand wasignored.
Ah, sothis was the aunt he often swore about whilst deep in among therecalcitrant pipe-work of a new experiment. If even part of whathe’d said underneath his breath were true then she could wait invain for an invitation to afternoon tea.
Excitedsounds came from outside the marquee. It seemed like something wasdefinitely happening. I moved between Sir Percival and his relativeto break their eyesight wresting match and uncompromisingly grabbedhis elbow to lead him away from the poisonous atmosphere and alsocatch sight of the cause of the commotion.
Following
