Michael Ford: Jane Vows Vengeance

“Isn’t that what mothers-in-law are supposed to do?” Ben said.

“Yes, well, Miriam goes a bit beyond the call of duty,” Jane told him.

“You know, you’ve never told us where you’re getting married,” said Lucy.

“Didn’t I?” Jane said. “I guess I keep forgetting. It’s actually very exciting. Walter had to pull some strings, what with it being such a historic site, but one of the advantages of marrying a man like Walter is—”

“Out with it!” Lucy shrieked. “I’m going crazy here.”

Jane feigned being wounded. “Now I don’t know if I want to tell you.”

“You’d better,” said Lucy.

“No,” Jane told her. “I don’t think I will. I think I’ll let it be a surprise.”

Lucy gasped. “Horrid cow!” Ben laughed. She turned to him. “Well, she is. Don’t you want to know what this amazing place is?”

“I already know where it is,” he said. “Walter told—”

“Shut up!” Jane said forcefully. She narrowed her eyes and pointed at Ben. “Not a word out of you.”

Lucy grabbed Ben’s arm. “Out with it,” she ordered.

Ben looked out the window of the cab. “London is really lovely when it’s covered with snow, isn’t it?”

“Tell me!” Lucy crowed.

“Is that the statue of Lord Nelson?” he asked.

“Not a word,” said Jane.

“I don’t know anything!” Ben bleated. “I swear.”

“Lies!” Lucy exclaimed. “And you a man of the cloth.”

“I’m a rabbi,” Ben objected. “Not a priest.”

“And you a man of the tallit ,” said Lucy. “Shame.”

Ben held up his hands. “I promised not to say anything. I can’t break my word.”

“You didn’t promise,” Lucy argued. “You’re just afraid of her .” She jerked her head in Jane’s direction.

“As well he should be,” said Jane. “Ben, not a peep out of you.”

Lucy fumed. “Oh, I’ll get it out of him,” she promised. “Will you at least tell me when it’s happening?”

“Yes,” Jane said agreeably. “On Tuesday.”

“That’s tomorrow!” said Lucy.

“Smart girl,” Jane said, patting her arm. “Indeed it is. So you don’t have all that long to wait to find out where it is.”

“I still want to know,” Lucy said.

Ben turned to her. “Jane’s right,” he said. “Besides, isn’t it kind of fun that it’s a surprise?”

“No,” said Lucy. “It isn’t fun at all. I mean, if you didn’t know and I did, that would be fun. But I don’t like being the only one who doesn’t know.”

“Miriam doesn’t know,” Jane informed her.

“Actually, I think Walter is telling her right now,” said Ben. “He wanted to prepare her so she wouldn’t be shocked.”

“Why would she be shocked?” asked Lucy.

“She wouldn’t,” Ben said.

“You just said she would,” countered Lucy.

“Did I?” Ben said. “I don’t remember. So Jane, who else is going to be on this trip?”

“What an excellent question,” Jane said.

“No it isn’t,” said Lucy. “It’s a stupid question. Now tell me where this wedding is happening.”

“We’re not entirely sure who our traveling companions will be,” Jane said, speaking across Lucy. “The first get-together is this evening. That’s when all will be revealed.” She waggled her fingers as if casting a spell. “It’s all very secretive.”

“It will be interesting to see who else is in the group,” said Ben.

“I’m rather dreading it,” Jane admitted. “I’m all for looking at architecturally significant houses, but honestly, if they go on about flying buttresses this and Ionic that, I’m going to lose my mind.”

“Don’t worry,” Ben reassured her. “You’ll have us. If the tours get boring, you can leave them to their house business and go sightseeing with Lucy and me.”

“Maybe with you ,” Lucy said darkly. “I haven’t decided if I’m going anywhere.”

“You and Lucy and Miriam,” said Jane.

“Why is Miriam with us?” asked Lucy. “I sort of hoped she’d tag along with you and Walter.”

“You’d rather Walter and I spend our first days as a married couple enduring his mother?” Jane asked.

“No!” Lucy said. “I mean, well, yes.”

There was a pause before both Jane and Lucy burst out laughing. “Don’t worry,” Jane said. “I can hardly blame you. The woman is a terror. And I suspect she will stay close to me and Walter, if only to ensure we don’t run off without her. But I’m still not telling you where the wedding is going to be.”

“Come on!” Lucy pleaded.

Ben shook his head. “Listen to you two,” he said. “I bet Miriam isn’t nearly as bad as you make her out to be.”

Lucy and Jane looked at him. “Have you met her?” Lucy asked.

“I know she can be … bristly,” said Ben. “But I bet underneath it all she’s just lonely. Most unpleasant people usually are.”

“Or perhaps her heart is made of pitch,” Jane suggested.

Lucy chuckled. “Tell you what,” she said to Ben. “ You can spend some time with Miriam. I’m sure she’d love that, what with you being a rabbi and all. Then we’ll see what you think.”

Before Ben could answer, the cab pulled up to the front of the Savoy hotel. They got out and began the elaborate ritual of handing the bags over to the bellman, who had appeared as if out of nowhere with a cart. The cab containing the rest of their party pulled up shortly thereafter, adding to the confusion as Miriam began directing the transfer of the luggage.

Jane escaped both Miriam and the cold March air by entering the hotel lobby through one of the revolving doors. She could still hear Miriam’s voice as she crossed the black and white checkerboard tiled floor to the front desk.

“This place is gorgeous,” Lucy said, looking around at the grand lobby with its soaring ceiling, polished wood paneling, and Art Deco chandeliers.

“You should have seen it when it opened,” Jane told her. “It was 1889. No one had ever seen anything like it. Electricity in all the rooms, hot and cold running water—it was a miracle of the age.”

“Did you stay here?” asked Lucy.

“Of course,” Jane replied. “Richard Mansfield brought me here for dinner. He was playing Richard III at the time. You know they suspected him of being Jack the Ripper.”

“Was he?” Lucy asked.

“I certainly hope so,” said Jane as they reached the desk. “How many women can say they dined with the Ripper and lived to tell about it?”

“Welcome to the Savoy,” said a pleasant voice.

Jane turned to find a handsome young man looking at her from behind the check-in counter. “Yes,” she said. “I believe we have a reservation under Fletcher.”

“Jane?” the man said. “Jane Aus …” He left the word unfinished. “I’m sorry,” he said. “It’s just that you remind me of someone I used to know.”

Jane stared at the man’s face. The wavy blond hair. The aquiline nose. The clear blue eyes. They all seemed very familiar. Then she noticed the thin scar running from the corner of the man’s mouth to his chin.

“Gosebourne?” she whispered. “Is it really you?”

The young man beamed. “It is you,” he said happily. “I knew it the instant I saw your face.”

Jane looked at Lucy. “Gosebourne has worked at the Savoy since …” She looked at Gosebourne. “Well, since it opened.”

“Indeed I have,” Gosebourne said, nodding at Lucy. “I dare say I’ve moved up a bit in rank during that time, but yes, I hold the distinction of being the hotel’s longest-serving employee.”

Before Jane could ask Gosebourne any of the dozen questions that were buzzing around in her head, Walter and Ben arrived with the bellman and the luggage in tow. Miriam, like some kind of insane border collie, brought up the rear, barking orders at everyone in sight.