“Sam, tell me. I won't let on to Mother.”
“Your mother took the news of your disappearance badly, Sir but when Master Roland died, I think she might have lost her mind. For a while at least. She had some funny guests call to the house.”
“Funny?”
“The Mitford sisters amongst others. They said some things that would make your hair stand on end. If it wasn't for my age and Cook and the fact that we had nowhere else to go, we would have left. Then your mother insisted we find everything she wanted for her guests. Champagne and caviar and stuff like that, when you can't even buy sugar, a pack of ten smokes, or a tin of pears. I miss my tinned pears something dreadful. They were my treat, like, on a Sunday.”
Derek wasn’t interested in tins of pears but he said nothing. The old man was uncomfortable enough.
“Cook and me, we didn’t know anyone who could get this stuff. We tried telling the mistress, but she wasn't having any of it. One of her friends came to the rescue and every couple of weeks we got a delivery. Cook was all of a tither, convinced the coppers would come to arrest her. That's why she was so nervous when you walked in the door. She thinks you might hold her responsible and fire her. She doesn’t have a soul in the world, except for me and I can't afford to put a roof over our heads. Not now.”
Something about the way the man said, not now, made Derek ask.
“Why not now?”
Sam didn't look up.
“Sam, tell me. Why not now?”
“Well, there’s nowhere for us to go, for a start. All those servicemen coming home from the war who have no homes, they get priority. Only right that is, really. And if we could find something, we don’t have the money.”
Derek raised an eyebrow. His father had paid his servant well and they lived in.
“Your father, God Rest his soul, always said he would give us a lump sum if we stayed with him until we reached retirement age. He promised it to all his servants, but the younger ones didn’t care. They got paid better in the munitions factories. Me and Sarah, I mean Cook, we had plans. We was going to get married and buy a nice cottage somewhere in the country. I would go fishing and she was… well, I don’t really know what she would do but she would not skivvy for anyone no more. But…”
“Father died and the money went to Roland, only he was too busy with the RAF. And when he died, they tied the money up, as I wasn't around?” Derek prompted, as the silence lasted longer than a few seconds.
“Not exactly. Yes, you were away but Roland was home a few times. Only, he didn’t have time to see to things. Your mother sent him to see your wife. She was desperate to get her hands on Rose Cottage. I’m not rightly sure why; she’d had no interest in it when your father was alive.”
“Mother sent Roland to see Sally.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Why?”
“I wasn't being nosy sir but sounds travel in this house. Cook and myself heard them having a big, old argument. Your mother was furious with your brother for not getting rid of your wife. She wanted him to throw her out but your brother wasn’t having any part of it. He said your Sally was a lovely, kind lady who had taken in two delightful children. He said, well, he said some horrible things to your mother. Called her quite a few names which made my Sarah blush scarlet.”
“Roland did?” Derek couldn't believe his ears. Roland had always been his mother’s favorite.
“Yes, Sir. Then he changed his Will. He left some money to your wife; if you didn’t come back. He told me himself he did that. He always said he thought you’d get home. He was sure you were in a camp somewhere. He made several enquires, not just at the Red Cross but through the War Office and everything. He told Cook it worried him what your mother would do to Sally if he died. I think he knew he wouldn't make it. Said something about out-flying his number or something. Master Roland was a brave man, a kind one too.”
Derek blinked rapidly so the tears in his eyes wouldn't disgrace him. He’d never been close to his brother, who’d been sent away to school before Derek had been born. Father had insisted Derek attend a local school, for which he’d always been thankful. Roland had told him some horror stories about his time away at school.
“Roland was very fond of Cook. Didn’t he look after her in his will?”
A furious expression took over Sam’s face.
“I believe he did, Master Derek, but the Will hasn’t been read. Your mother kept putting it off. Said she would deal with it later.”
Shame engulfed Derek, and sadness. He wished his brother had lived. Maybe they could have reconciled. He was grateful to Roland for looking out for Sally but curious why Sally hadn't told him his brother had visited. They didn’t talk about anything other than those children. The same children his brother had also tried to protect.
Sam coughed. “Have I said too much Master Derek? My Sarah said I should keep my mouth shut.”
“Not at all Sam. You’ve not only given a lifetime of service to this family, but you fought side by side with Father during the last war. You and Sarah deserve to spend the rest of your days in peace, not being forced to do things you are uncomfortable with. I’m rather tired now, as I’m sure you are. Tomorrow, if you could help me find more suitable clothes, I will call on Father’s solicitors. I will get this sorted, just have a little more patience, please.”
“I’d do anything for you, Master Derek. You are the image of your father, God rest
