Lynda La Plante - The Legacy

‘Clifton Villas, number thirty.’

The taxi drew up outside one of a row of bow-fronted, Victorian houses, with white steps leading up to the front door and more steps leading down to the servants’ entrance behind the basement railings. Evelyne followed Doris like a lamb, waiting quietly as she lifted the ornate brass knocker. A maid in a black dress with a frilly white apron and cap ushered them through a dark hallway leading to what looked to Evelyne like a palace. There were paintings and china everywhere, chiming clocks, and the drawing-room furniture was covered in velvet, everything in rusty, autumn colours.

‘Doris dear, how good to see you, come in, come in.’

Doris kissed the pale lips, identical to her own, and the dapper little Dr Collins gave Evelyne a formal bow and adjusted his pince-nez as he ushered them in. He spoke so quiedy that Evelyne could not catch everything he said, but he was so clean and fresh in his starched white collar. It was obvious he and Doris were brother and sister, Dr Collins was so like her, but Evelyne watched Doris change in front of her eyes. She became stiff and formal, and after their initial greetings they appeared to have nothing to say to each other.

‘Would the gel like tea, Doris?’

Evelyne stood rooted to the spot, staring down at the rose-patterned carpet. The house was carpeted everywhere, she couldn’t believe it. Her feet sank into the pile, into two dusty pink roses.

‘Sit down, Evelyne, and say hello to Dr Collins.’

Evelyne perched gingerly on the edge of a velvet sofa, feeling its softness beneath her hands. She swallowed, about to say, ‘How do you do’, but he went over to the fireplace and rang a bell beside it. Evelyne noticed the pretty rose-patterned tiles around the fireplace.

‘You keeping well then, Doris? Tea, Minnie, straightaway.’

Minnie bobbed a small curtsey and scuttled out, leaving the door ajar.

‘Your practice well, is it, dear?’

‘Well, it keeps me on my toes, ya know … glad you could come, makes a nice change, and young David will be pleased to make your acquaintance. He’s a fine chap, fine boy … ah, good, tea.’

The tea was wheeled in on a trolley. There were small cucumber sandwiches, little cup cakes, and a big currant cake with a frilled collar. The maid poured the tea and handed plates and napkins. Evelyne found it very difficult to balance her plate, napkin, teacup and saucer, and looked to Doris for help.

‘Get the gel a side table, Minnie.’

Minnie brought a small table to Evelyne’s side then picked up the sugar bowl.

‘You take sugar, Miss?’

Evelyne nodded and waited, then realized that the maid was waiting for her to help herself. She was all thumbs and picked up what she thought was a spoon, but it seemed to be two spoons in one.

‘Use the tongs, child, don’t use your fingers.’

Just as she had her mouth full the Doctor spoke.

‘So this is your young protegee. And how do you find Cardiff, Evelyne?’

Evelyne swallowed and gulped and spluttered as the sandwich went down the wrong way. Doris moved quickly to her and patted her on the back, concerned.

‘You must never speak with your mouth full, dear.’

Dr Collins consulted his fob watch and stood up, saying he had to make his rounds. Evelyne couldn’t help but think how much Doc Clock would have liked that watch.

‘Ahh, this sounds like David … yes, he’s here,’ the Doctor beamed with pride, standing at the bay window. ‘He’s got some high-society friends now, Doris, he’s at the university. Oh, I wrote, yes, I remember I told you, well-connected people, be good for his profession, going to be a lawyer, did I tell you? Ah, yes, I suppose I did … yes, his mother would have been proud of him, God rest her soul.’

Doris crossed herself, and Evelyne looked from one to the other. She had not thought the doctor could ever have been married or have a son.

There was a bellow from the hall.

‘Minnie … Minnie! Minnie! Anyone call for me while I was out?’

They heard laughter, then the double doors of the drawing-room were flung open. David Collins made his entrance like an actor. His blond hair shone like silk, his perfectly tailored grey suit hugged his tall slender frame. He was very self-assured, his ice-blue eyes twinkled. ‘Aunt Doris, well I never, Pa mentioned you would be arriving, do forgive me for not being here to welcome you.’

Unaware that her mouth had dropped open, Evelyne stared. He could have been a prince, she had never in her life seen a man so handsome. He bowed over Doris’ outstretched hand and kissed it, then turned his attention to Evelyne. He had no trace of a Welsh accent.

‘And you must be Elaine, how do you do?’

As Evelyne half stood, her plate in one hand and cup and saucer in the other her cake rolled off the plate and landed by his highly polished grey kid boots.

‘Absolutely the place for Mrs Darwin’s cakes, my dear. Minnie! Come along, gel, and bring a dustpan and brush … now, Pa, can I get you more tea? Aunt?’

David dominated the room — lifted the mood as if the sun had suddenly shone in through the windows. He wore a delicate perfume, like lilies, that filled the air.

Doris rose from her chair. ‘Well, if you’ll excuse us I think we’ll have a little sightseeing tour, and a wash and change before dinner. Evelyne, dear, have you finished?’

Flushing, Evelyne put her china down on the tray, and stood with head bowed, so tongue-tied it made her desperate to visit the bathroom. Doris took her arm and pulled her towards the door. David watched them leave, waiting until the door closed behind them, then looked at his father with raised eyebrows.

‘Are they staying long?’

Dr Collins dabbed at his mouth with his napkin, ‘Just the weekend, just the weekend.’ David flipped his silk handkerchief out of his pocket and flicked a cake crumb from his boot.

‘Is the skinny child an orphan? Smells quite dreadful, and one couldn’t really say she was frightfully clean.’

After ringing again for Minnie to clear away, Dr Collins went towards the door.

‘Couldn’t spare a fiver, Pa? Bit short, only I have to take a couple of chaps to dinner this evening.’

‘I would like it if you dined at home. Doris hasn’t been here for many years. It would show a bit of respect.’

David whistled, irritated, then sprang to his feet. ‘Okie dokie, but between you and me, it’s no wonder Mother kept her at arm’s length, what?’

At times Dr Collins loathed his son’s supercilious attitude, but then he could be so charming the doctor gave him whatever he wanted, as did everyone else.

David turned abrupdy, moving like a dancer, swept out of the room and bounded up the stairs two or three at a time. Evelyne was standing at the top, on her way to the bathroom, carrying a fresh white towel. They almost collided.

‘Sorry, Elaine, bathroom’s second door on your right.’

She didn’t have the nerve to correct him, just blushed and scuttled past. At the bottom of the stairs Mrs Darwin stood smiling, her big red face glowing.

‘Now then, Master David, will you be having dinner at home?’

‘I will, Mrs Darwin, light of my life … oh, Mrs D, will you make sure my shirts are not folded, just put on the hangers, can’t stand the creases … thanks awfully.’ Mrs Darwin shrugged her shoulders and plodded back down to the basement, passing Minnie.

‘Prince Edward himself wants his shirts not folded, he’ll be wanting me to press his socks next.’

The marble bathroom was like a wonderland. Evelyne touched the white bath, the washbasin, and gasped with delight as she turned on the taps. Hot and cold water!

What would Lizzie-Ann have to say, hot and cold, and a toilet of their own with a cord that flushed it.