Derek watched Mikey’s mother as Sam whispered to her. The tears ran down her cheeks and she made no attempt to clean them off. She muttered something to Sam and moved closer to Derek.
“I don’t know why you are doing what you are, but thank you. I can never repay you but I’ll pray for you every day.”
“Please pray for my family. We have some work to do on getting over the war.”
She touched his arm, understanding written all over her face. “Nobody said coming back from the war would be the hardest bit for you men. If I had a shilling for every man I’ve heard say they miss the war, I’d be rich.”
“I don’t miss the war itself but the comradeship and the understanding. Us men don’t appreciate how bad you women had it at home. How much stress and strain you were under and how courageous you all were. I hope things work out the best for you in Ireland, Dee. Write to Sam if you ever need anything. He can contact me.”
“I won’t be needing your help again; I’ve got my family over there, but thank you.”
“Sam, we have to go. The meeting starts soon.”
43
Derek, Sam, and Sarah sat in the Solicitor's office. Derek wished he could say something to make the old servants look more at ease. Reginald barely looked at them, but he kept fawning over Derek.
It would take a few weeks for the sale of the business to go through and for Derek to clear out his old things from the house. He looked at Reginald as the solicitor gave them the details of the Will.
“Your father left everything to Roland with him being the eldest son, apart from an annual allowance to your mother and a stipend to the servants.”
Sam looked up at this but said nothing.
Reginald continued, “Roland had already accumulated a sizeable sum of money in his own right. Your brother purchased quite a large plot of land in Chertsey, close to Rose Cottage. He also had a small rental portfolio. I will have to check if all the properties have survived the war and whether any need repairs.”
Derek nodded, trying to hide his surprise. He had no idea Roland was so wealthy.
“Everything passes to you, Derek. Roland had a good knowledge of investments. If you keep his choices, you could comfortably live off the income they provide.”
Derek couldn’t believe his ears. He wouldn’t have to return to the army and could live the rest of his life in Chertsey with Sally. If she’d have him.
“Thank you, Reginald. I will discuss the investments with you another day. Can you pay the money to Sarah and Sam with immediate effect? They have waited too long already.”
Sam took Sarah out for a celebratory meal, leaving Derek to face his mother, alone. When he returned, she was sitting in the drawing room, a large glass of wine at her side.
“We missed your presence, Mother. Reginald passed on his regards.”
She didn't reply.
“Reginald will write to you with the details of your annual income but expect in the region of £8,000.”
“I can’t live on that. There has to be more money. Your father had many investments.”
“He didn’t have as much as you think, Mother. His money went to Roland. Roland left everything to me.”
“I don’t know how I shall manage. This house costs a lot for a start. Your father should have done better by me.”
Derek let that comment pass. “Mother, this is my house so I will pay for its upkeep. You are free to live here as long as you wish on one condition. You treat Sam and Sarah with utmost respect.”
His mother opened her mouth, but Derek ignored her. “Mother, I will stand as best man for Sam when he marries Sarah. After the ceremony, I will work on finding them alternative accommodation closer to Rose Cottage.”
“You expect me to live with servants?” His mother held her hanky to her nose as if she was about to get an attack of the vapors.
“You have always lived with servants, mother. Only this time, they will use Roland’s room as a bedroom. I have told them to turn my bedroom into their private sitting room.”
His mother paled, “I won’t agree to this.”
“That is your choice. But with accommodation so difficult to find, give it some thought.” Derek decided his mother needed a firm reminder. “Sam and Sarah have worked for us for most of their lives. They are entitled to retire, something Dad promised them, but you reneged on that promise. This is my way of making it up to them. My decision is final.”
“Why couldn’t you have been the one who died, and Roland lived?”
“I wish Roland hadn’t died, but he did. So this is the way things stand. You have another option.”
His mother stared at him, waiting.
“You could marry one of the gentry you admire so much but I must warn you, your allowance would cease.”
“You are insufferable, Derek. You always were.”
Derek left the room. He itched to go to Chertsey, but he had to delay his trip by two days. He could have gone and come back to London but sensed that wasn’t the correct thing to do. Instead, he sent a note to Sally telling her he would be there soon.
The two days seemed to last forever, but finally he arrived in Chertsey Station. He got out of the train and walked toward Rose Cottage. He took the back lane in the hope he wouldn’t meet anyone he knew.
He repeated what he was going to say over and over again. It sounded good to him but what would Sally think?
He pushed the gate open, hearing sounds coming from the back garden. Walking around the cottage he saw Sally playing ball with the children. Looking closer he saw it was a bundle of rags, not a ball. Grinning, he was glad he had kept one football back for Tom.
Tom spotted him first.
“Look, it’s Uncle Derek.” Tom came racing toward him. “Are you back for good now?
