Albion Academy's great eponymous benefactor who studied here between 1862 and 1868).
'My God I can hardly wait till Thursday afternoon,' exclaimed Johnny, rubbing his hands in glee. George winked at me as he said: 'Well, that's all very well, but don't start thinking about it and get a stiffie or you might get expelled for tossing off during the Sunday concert!' Johnny took the teasing in good part and we heartily applauded Dr Muttley when he walked on to the stage with Sir Nicholas Webster, a gentleman farmer whose country seat and one hundred acre estate lies only three miles away. According to Mr.
Moore, Albion Academy's head of music, he is one of the most talented amateur violinists in the country. Dr Muttley thanked Sir Nicholas for giving up his weekend for our benefit and the baronet then introduced the three other members of the string quartet who would play for us – the second violinist, Professor Nicholas Clay of the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London and two most attractive ladies, Miss Angela Brendan-Sykes and the charmingly-named cellist, Miss Laura Lightly. 'Hello Henry', said a cheerful voice from behind me during the first interval. I turned round to see that the sprightly figure of the Reverend Beresford Tagholm was sitting behind us, next to an exquisitely pretty girl who I had never seen before. 'We meet again. Are you enjoying the concert Sir?'
'Very much so,' he replied. I introduced my study-mates to the amiable young curate and, in turn, he introduced his companion, saying: 'And let me introduce Miss Nancy Bulstrode, my fiancee. Nancy lives with her papa at nearby Bulstrode Towers, and is the reason I have availed myself of my uncle's hospitality this weekend.' 'How nice to meet you, Henry,' said this lovely creature in a delightfully soft voice. I returned the warm, friendly smile she bestowed upon me whilst I hoped that my face did not betray my shock – for old General Bulstrode is a fearsome martinet of a country squire, a local magistrate who would happily hang, draw and quarter any poacher who trespasses upon his or any other local landowner's estate. It is even rumoured that he bribed one of the warders to ensure his presence at any flogging of miscreants at Maidstone gaol. Incidentally, the General's wife, Mrs. Gertrude Bulstrode, is rarely to be seen as she is always away visiting friends, seemingly to get as far away from her husband as possible. I was staggered to think that this beautiful girl could have a father so unlike her in looks and temperament.
However, the musicians were now ready to play the next piece in the programme and I put the matter of Nancy's parentage to one side.
The concert ended with an inspiring interpretation of Schubert's 'Quartet in D Minor', a wonderful piece of music which I have studied with Mr. Moore. I listened with intense enjoyment as Sir Nicholas effortlessly played the lovely melody of the Allegro and there were tears in my eyes at the end of the performance. Whilst every person around me rose to afford the musicians a deserved ovation, I reached into my pocket for a handkerchief to dab my eyes and, as I did so, I noticed that Nancy Bulstrode had been similarly affected by the melancholy beauty of the music and tiny rivulets of water were cascading down her cheeks. She gave me a grateful smile when I proferred my handkerchief and, after Dr Muttley had again thanked Sir Nicholas and his fellow musicians for the wonderful entertainment, she gave it to me back and said gratefully: 'Thank you so much, I know it must appear foolish to cry so during a concert, but I find Schubert's music so emotional, especially such a sad theme as in the second movement.' 'It isn't foolish at all,' I said stoutly. 'Especially when one thinks how much marvellous music he composed during his brief life. Anyhow, the second movement is supposed to be sad.' 'Quite so, it is based upon his song 'Death And The Maiden', said the Reverend Tagholm as he took Nancy's arm. 'Although it does upset me to see you cry, dear! I see you too were much affected by the music, Henry. It's as well you didn't take up my offer of afternoon tea.
'Dr Muttley had forgotten to tell me about the concert and I must confess that I was not expecting to have the pleasure of seeing Nancy this afternoon. She was unsure until the last minute whether her parents would accept the invitation to spend Sunday afternoon with some friends in Orlestone and thus make it possible for her to meet me here.' Nancy pulled a face and said: 'Yes, but I had to leave a note for my parents to say when I would return home. You know my father's reputation. If my parents get back to Bulstrode Towers before me, Papa will probably come raging down to your uncle's cottage with a horsewhip.' 'In that case, I shall go out and attempt to reason with him,' said her fiance gently. 'Who knows, perhaps I might even persuade him to recognise that you and I love each other and, like my own parents, he and your mama should give us their blessing.' 'I doubt that very much,' she replied with some spirit. 'Still, you are a clergyman and if you didn't have faith, then I suppose you would be in the wrong calling and should resign to join your brother Roger in the regiment.' 'I don't think that a pacifist brother would be much help to Roger,' said Beresford mildly, which made Nancy laugh.
She said to me: 'Come on, Henry, do walk back with us to Mr.
Smeeth's cottage in case Papa does arrive home earlier than expected from Orlestone. If Berry won't defend himself, he will need someone else to do so.' 'No, I won't,' he said indignantly, although he smiled-perhaps at the thought of having a sixteen-year-old schoolboy as his champion. He went on: 'You forget, my love, pacifist I may be, but if your Papa attempts to inflict physical violence upon my person, have no fear that I shall hesitate to disarm him. Heaven forbid, though, that such a state of affairs should come to pass.'
Frankly, I was slightly embarrassed to be involved in this affair, but as we walked out into the cold evening air, we met Lizzie Dickerson who stopped me and said: 'Ah, Henry, I have an important message for you. Your appointment for treatment of your shin is confirmed for Thursday afternoon at five o'clock in the sick bay.'
'Thank you very much,' I answered politely and, hoping to slide out of accompanying Beresford and Nancy to the groundsman's cottage, I said: 'Mrs. Dickerson, have you met Reverend Tagholm and Miss Bulstrode?' 'Oh yes, Nancy and I are old friends and Beresford and I had luncheon with the headmaster today,' replied Lizzie who, to my relief, accepted an invitation to join us in the ten minute stroll.
'Nancy, I presume you do know that your father's carriage drove through the gates Five minutes ago.' The poor girl's jaw dropped in horror at this news. 'No, I was unaware that he was here. Oh, Berry, what shall we do?' Lizzie Dickerson was genuinely distressed to see Nancy so upset and took her hands in her own and asked if there was any way in which she could be of assistance.
'What's the matter, my love? I suppose he is on the rampage again about your keeping company with Beresford,' she said with resignation in her voice. 'Look here, you two lovebirds, go on down to the cottage and don't worry about the General, I know of a good way to keep him occupied. 'Yes indeed,' she added thoughtfully. 'Henry, I may require your help. Would you mind staying with me?' 'Not in the slightest, I'd be glad to do anything I can for you,' I said eagerly and so I stayed with her whilst Beresford and Nancy made their way carefully along the dark drive. 'Good boy, I need you to run an errand for me,' she explained and then, to my surprise, she said: 'Between ourselves, Henry, the General might be a foolish old duffer, but his bark is far worse than his bite and underneath that dreadful bluster, he is really quite kind-hearted.' She chuckled when she saw the look of amazement on my face and went on: 'Now you've probably heard the story about his wanting to witness the floggings at Maidstone gaol. Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you but there's not a word of truth in that tale. 'Anyhow, you will do everyone a favour if you would run to the housemaid's quarters and instruct Freda to go with you immediately to Mr. Hutchinson's study. If he is to be found there, you must tell your form-master that I would like to see him as soon as possible.' 'But what if he won't come to you straightaway?' I enquired. Lizzie grinned and said: 'Oh, he'll move himself all right, you may bet upon it. But if he isn't there, tell Freda to stay in the study and await General Bulstrode's arrival whilst you search high and low for Mr. Hutchinson and when you do find him, give him the same message to meet me in my rooms without delay.
Is that quite clear?' 'Oh yes, and then is there anything more for me to do?' I asked. She thought for a moment and then, with a brisk nod, she said: 'Well it would be most useful if, after the General has gone to meet Freda, you could head off anyone going to Mr.
Hutchinson's study and interrupting them.' 'Interrupting them?' I repeated blankly and Lizzie shrugged her shoulders and said: 'Mrs.
Bulstrode spends more time away than at home and, despite what a young man of your age might believe, people in the prime of life still enjoy sexual relationships. And what man in his middle years would not relish fucking a good-looking twenty-five-year-old lass like Freda Prestwich? So, if you could keep guard, so to speak, outside your form-master's study, I will ensure that he won't disturb them.'
'Very well, but could you explain to me why you are making all these arrangements?' I said. Lizzie patted me on the cheek and said gently: 'Run along now, Henry. I think you will find that everything will become clear in the next hour or so. If not, I'll answer any questions you may have on Thursday afternoon.' Still puzzled by her reply, I trotted off first to the servants' quarters where I gave Freda Prestwich the message about meeting General Bulstrode in my form-master's study. She seemed very pleased to hear this news and said: 'How nice, Master
