Barbara Bradford - The Cavendon Luck

‘What? You? A film star!’ Charlie cried, shaking his head, chuckling. ‘You’re the ugly duckling of the Inghams.’

‘No, she’s not,’ Cecily said. ‘She’s a graceful and elegant swan, if you’ll excuse the use of my name.’

Charlie grinned at his aunt, and said, ‘I’m only teasing the beautiful Alicia, and every one of you knows that.’

‘Yes, we do, darling,’ Daphne said. ‘And you’ve taken lovely pictures of Alicia on your Kodak. But it’s still no to Berlin.’

Cecily looked at Diedre, and said hesitantly, ‘Maybe we all ought to go with Charlie … what do you think, Diedre?’ She sat waiting for an answer, quaking inside, hoping Diedre wouldn’t be angry with her.

Diedre didn’t respond immediately, not particularly surprised by Cecily’s suggestion. She always said what was on her mind. Her sister-in-law had never shown fear in her life. And, as a matter of fact, she had voiced what Diedre had herself been thinking at that moment. It would be a way for her to speak to Toby Jung in person, and plan the extraction, if there was going to be one. But how to pull it off? Finally she spoke.

‘What do I think …? Well, I believe a family like ours would be perfectly safe in Berlin. Particularly if we were invited to a reception at the British Embassy by Sir Nevile Henderson, the ambassador—’

‘Gosh, Aunt Diedre, could you arrange that?’ Charlie asked, cutting in, awe echoing in his voice.

‘Oh no, Charlie, I don’t have that kind of clout, but I know my superior has had wind of the annual reception being given some time soon. For important visitors to Berlin. I could investigate, find out if that’s true.’

‘Hitler loves the British aristocracy. We all know that, and yes, of course, we would be safe,’ Miles said in a positive manner. ‘And I see what you’re getting at, Diedre. Being fêted at the British Embassy would give us the stamp of approval.’

‘Oh, surely we have that already,’ Daphne exclaimed. ‘We’re the Clan Ingham. Everybody’s heard of us. We’re sort of, well, famous in our own way.’

‘We’re certainly blond enough,’ Charlie added. ‘And we all have blue eyes. Well, almost. One of us does not.’

Cecily cut in through her laughter. ‘I know I’m not a blue-eyed blonde. However, I am quite famous too. Several German princesses are my clients.’

‘There, you see, we’re in!’ Charlie exclaimed. ‘Oh, Papa, do let’s go. I’m sure it would be quite an interesting experience.’

Hugo looked at Daphne, who looked troubled. She said very slowly, ‘Let’s talk about it, Hugo. Weigh the odds.’ Turning to Charlie, she added, ‘We’ll let you know tomorrow.’

‘I don’t know why you always do it!’ Alicia exclaimed, sitting down next to her brother on the edge of the swimming pool. This was located on the far side of the gazebo, at the edge of the lake.

Glancing at her quickly, he asked, ‘Do what?’ His blond brow drew together in a furrow.

‘Announce something that’s really provocative and bound to cause trouble, when we’re at lunch or dinner. Thank God you don’t do it at breakfast or tea.’

‘I don’t think what I said at lunch was provocative at all,’ Charlie protested. ‘You’re always exaggerating, and you’re very bossy.’

‘I’m neither. And you were provocative because you mentioned something that was bound to upset Beauty,’ she shot back, using the nickname they’d had for their mother since childhood.

‘Suggesting I was going to Berlin doesn’t seem provocative to me. I was only telling her, them , my travel plans. Actually, I thought it showed initiative on my part. As a future journalist I am naturally curious, focused on the news. And Germany’s certainly in the news these days. This happens to be an extraordinary time in history. The world is changing even as we speak.’

‘They won’t let you go,’ Alicia asserted. ‘Remember, they always stand together. Knight and Beauty are on the same page.’

‘Oh for heaven’s sake, I know that, and why are you going on about it? They weren’t as bothered as you’re making out.’ He was obviously exasperated with his older sister.

‘Oh yes they were! I could see another unpleasant scene developing. That’s why I saved your bacon by changing the subject, spoke about Felix.’

‘You enjoy talking about yourself, Miss Alicia Ingham Stanton. You’re all puffed up about your looks and your elegant figure. And your career .’

‘No, I’m not. But I am serious about my acting and getting my career off the ground.’

‘That’s the way I feel about working as a newspaperman. I’ve definitely settled on being a war correspondent. There’s bound to be a war, and I want to be right in the centre of it all, writing about it.’

‘Oh my God, don’t tell them . Beauty will have a fit and the Knight in Shining Armour will put his foot down. Hard. Forget about Berlin. It’ll never happen.’

‘Guess what Miss Know-It-All, I bet you five bob we’ll go to Berlin. Aunt Cecily gave me the solution.’

‘I’m sure you don’t have five bob to make a bet,’ Alicia muttered, eyeing him sourly.

‘Yes I do. And going en masse to Berlin will work. Pity you won’t be coming. You’re off to start your brilliant career as a film star. Ta da! Ta da!’

‘Oh do stop saying that, you sound utterly inane, and it’s irritating.’ She glowered at him yet again and he in return smiled at her, put his arm around her and pulled her close. ‘Don’t be like this … you know you’re my best friend and true companion. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Thank you for averting what might have turned into an angry confrontation with them – he is always on her side, you’re right about that.’

‘Mummy worries about you a lot … about all of her children, Charlie. That’s why she does seem a bit restrictive at times. Listen, she’s very smart and clever, that’s why I listen to her. Always . She just makes perfect sense. You, however, seem to flout her wishes and go out of your way to make dumb choices.’

‘None of that’s true. I do not. And, in case you’ve forgotten, I’m a man and I can certainly look after myself.’

‘So can I.’

‘Mmmmm.’ He shook his head. ‘Not true. Sadly it’s a man’s world, Ally.’

‘Don’t call me that! Mummy doesn’t like it and neither do I.’

‘Let’s not quarrel.’

‘We’re not quarrelling,’ she answered, her voice changing, becoming softer.

‘We are bickering though,’ Charlie shot back.

‘I just feel very protective of you, brother of mine. I don’t want you to get hurt in any way, shape or form, and you can be a bit rash – reckless, even – at times.’

‘I know.’ He laughed, took hold of her hand. ‘Guilty as charged, old thing. I’ll try to mend my ways just for you. To please you.’

When she was silent, he added, ‘You can’t be that mad at me. You came down to have a swim, as I asked you to earlier.’

‘No, I came down to tell you off.’

‘ Liar .’ He chuckled, his eyes holding hers.

Alicia leaned closer, kissed his cheek, then hugged him to her. She had mothered him since the day he was born, and still did. They were extremely close and had been hand-in-glove since their childhood. In a certain sense, they were more like twins than their siblings Thomas and Andrew, who were twins.

After a few moments of silence, Alicia murmured, ‘You win, Charlie, I did come down to swim with you. At the same time, I wanted to talk to you … to ask you to stop saying things that alarm our mother. She’s anxious enough, though she doesn’t want to show it. Remember, Uncle Guy died in the Great War.’