Meanwhile Gardens Read online

  The dvd player had been set for Auntie Gem to watch later. She had phoned mid-morning to confirm her boss’ appearance on Around You at Two, the popular local news slot.

  Auntie Em checked the machine and was satisfied to see it had started recording.

  “Do you think Gem’ll be on as well?” Rion asked.

  Auntie Em smiled as the fanfare announced the start of the programme.

  “I think she’ll give it a damn good try don’t you?”

  They watched as the perky reporter introduced the featured stories. The lead item concerned the London restaurant awards being presented that night. The second was about the Halloween fireworks party on Primrose Hill over the weekend. Item three was the one they had been waiting for.

  From the studio ‘perky reporter’ flashed a brilliant smile at the camera.

  “Our third story comes live from West London with our reporter at large Alvin Baker – Alvin?”

  A clean-cut young man in fashionably oversized glasses appeared on screen.

  “He’s in front of the factory!” Rion squealed.

  The reporter stood beside the Peters & Peters factory logo. Next to him stood Gemma’s boss.

  “That’s Edwin,” said Auntie Em.

  Around You at Two’s science correspondent began his piece to camera.

  “I’m here in West London with Sir Edwin Peters – ”

  “Sir!” Auntie Em laughed disdainfully.

  “ – Managing Director of the family firm at the heart of the pollution controversy devastating this stretch of the Grand Union Canal.”

  Edwin nervously adjusted his tie at the mention of ‘pollution’, ‘controversy’, and ‘devastating’.

  “What do you say, Sir Edwin, to the allegations that it is your factory causing the death of all the wildlife on this stretch of canal? Herons are a protected species as I’m sure you’re well aware.”

  Sir Edwin visibly bristled as Alvin Baker shoved a microphone in his face. “Firstly there is no truth to these allegations and anyone furthering them will be receiving attention from my legal advisers.”

  Sir Edwin thought it best to throw that one in straight away: broadcasters, especially the smaller, local ones, were averse to the threat of legal action and damages.

  “I have it on very good authority from independent pollution monitors that the the destruction of the wildlife has nothing to – ”

  As Sir Edwin went into his spiel Auntie Em said, “He’s already pulled his ear three times.” In reply to Rion’s questioning stare she explained, “It means he’s lying.”

  From then on Rion was more interested in what Gemma’s boss was doing with his hands than in what he was saying.

  “ – is due to the addition of chemicals into the canal environment by a certain railway company – ”

  “And stroked his hair,” Auntie Em pointed out.

  “ – chemicals which of course we as an organic – ”

  “And again!” they both protested.

  “ – manufacturer couldn’t use. A report from the independent monitors is available – ”

  Rion gestured at the tv, “Scratched his nose!”

  “ – and thank you for giving me the chance – ”

  At this the factory gates behind him opened.

  “ – to clear up any misunderstandings.”

  The camera followed Sir Edwin as he entered the compound. Helping the security guard close the gate was a figure they both recognised.

  “It’s Gem!” Auntie Em laughed.

  Just before the gate closed on the cameraman Auntie Gem stuck her head out and smiled.

  Auntie Em hugged Rion, “I knew she would!”

  As the screen cut back to ‘perky’ in the studio Auntie Em switched off the dvd player. Behind them Hum whimpered in his sleep.

  “Poor love,” Auntie Em went over to stroke the hound. “He’s probably re-living the whole ghastly experience.”

  “The vet said he’d sleep all afternoon. Will he be ok with you?”

  Auntie Em nodded, “I’m going out later for tea though.”

  “I should be back by then,” Rion bent to kiss Hum between the ears. “I said I’d go and see Jake that’s all.”

  From the hall window Auntie Em saw her visitor with the all-important package coming down the mews. She followed Rion down the stairs.

  “Send him my love, angel.” Auntie Em had met Jake several times when Rion had been ill and thoroughly approved of the young man.

  Opening the front door Rion found Nicky almost on the doorstep. In one hand the photographer carried a small parcel wrapped in plain brown paper.

  Nicky smiled upon seeing Rion, “Have you seen Ollie today?”

  “Just a wave every now and then.”

  “Is he there at the moment?”

  Rion put her head to one side and listened. She could hear the radio coming from lA but it wasn’t too loud.

  “And working by the sounds of it. They switch the radio up when they’re – you know – ” Rion felt herself blushing, “ – at it.”

  “Ah,” Nicky said slowly as if pennies were dropping left, right and centre. “I was going to ask them to turn it down this morning. It was blasting for ages.”

  “That was when Ollie came back from his jog.”

  “Well, our boy looks rather fetching in his shorts doesn’t he?” Auntie Em said.

  “Especially with sweat dripping down his body,” Rion giggled.

  “Let him have his fun while he can,” Auntie Em took the package from Nicky. “I have a feeling it won’t last too long.”

  Auntie Em waved Rion off down the little cobbled mews. Before the young girl had turned the corner Auntie Em had closed the front door.

  “It’s damn good I think,” Nicky whispered then wondered why she was talking so softly.

  Closely followed by Nicky, Auntie Em hurried up the stairs into her bedroom where she ripped open the package. The contents made her gasp admiringly.

  “I’m not sure which I prefer,” she turned the object around, looking at it from all angles.

  In her hands she held an exact copy of the miniature Candida and Wayne were looking for. Auntie Em took the original from her bed and placed it next to the fake. “We even got the frame almost exactly right.”

  Nicky had cleverly constructed the fake by photographing the original on matt paper, dulling the colours and then carefully sticking it to a piece of canvas stretched across board. With the glass, frame and a touch of ageing here and there it looked remarkably similar.

  “It won’t fool Candida for a second.”

  “But the hired hand will go for it don’t you think?”

  “Without a doubt,” Nicky said with certainty. “When do we do it?”

  Auntie Em thought for a second.

  “Let our boy have another night of fun.”

  “Tomorrow then?”

  Auntie Em nodded slightly wearily. “He won’t thank us for it.”

  “He won’t tomorrow but maybe next week he will,” Nicky put her arm around Auntie Em. “I hate to sound so parental here but – ” the photographer cringed at the approaching cliché, “ – it’s for his own good.”

  Auntie Em smiled weakly, “Yes. Yes,” she murmured as she closed the bedroom door leaving both Merlijnche de Poortjes side by side like disjointed twins.

  Before going out Auntie Em looked at herself in the bedroom mirror. She was pleased with what she saw but something was missing – what else could she use that would increase her allure? After a few seconds thinking it came to her.

  A scarf.

  Rifling through the second shelf in her dressing room she tried on several before settling on a red, gossamer, silky scarf with a light yellow and blue pattern – a nice little Nina Ricci number acquired from Killer, the vintage clothes shop at the base of Trellick Tower.

  Placing the scarf over her head, she knotted it under her chin and again checked the mirror. This time the image reflected was of an attractive but demu
re woman. Attractive but demure – just what she wanted to put over.

  Leaving the mews she was stopped by a voice calling her.

  “Auntie Em!”

  She looked up to see Ollie standing at the sitting room window of lA.

  “Where are you going looking so Grace Kelly?”

  Ollie always knew the words to charm her.

  “Never you mind, sweetness.”

  “Stay right there!” he ordered. Ollie’s place at the window was taken by Wayne.

  Before Candida’s henchman could speak Emma addressed him. “Mr Watson,” she said curtly, hoping to God he wasn’t going to call her Auntie Em, “would you go and see Nicky this evening at six?”

  The builder smiled down at her, “Sure Auntie Em.”

  Emma gritted her teeth. Before she could remind Wayne of the employer/ employee relationship Ollie had flung open the front door.

  In some strange way it hurt her to see how well he looked, knowing his happiness was based on deception.

  “Well?” Ollie enquired, arching his eyebrows in a playful fashion. “I’ve been hearing rumours…..”

  “So have we dear,” Auntie Em hid her sadness well. “Something about the radio increasing in volume from time to time?”

  Ollie burst out laughing, “That obvious huh?”

  “Not to me it wasn’t,” Auntie Em said tactfully before mentioning, “Nicky’s feeling abit left out sweetness.”

  Ollie avoided Auntie Em’s gaze, “I know, I’ve been stupidly pre-occupied lately.”

  If you only knew Auntie Em thought.

  “Anyway she says to remind you that Johnson’s going to the studio tomorrow.”

  “I know.”

  “Did she tell you Vance cancelled?”

  “No. Ouch – but she should be used to that.”

  “Go and see her tonight, she needs company.”

  Ollie’s face lit up before falling. “I can’t. Johnson gave me his tickets to Love Never Dies – I’m taking Wayne.”

  “Do you think that’s his sort of thing angel?”

  “Auntie Em. It’s not like you to judge a book by its cover,” Ollie said crossly. “Just because Wayne’s from Dagenham and obviously works out doesn’t mean he’s thick or uncultured. He loves Dutch painting you know.”

  Auntie Em sighed, “So we’ve heard sweetness.”

  “Besides it’s Lloyd Webber, not Pinter or anything difficult – he’s hardly going to drift off during the pauses – and it’s a musical. I think Wayne can handle a couple of songs for heaven’s sake.”

  “Of course he can angel,” Auntie Em gave him a peck on the cheek. “You go and enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about Hum, he’ll be fine with us.”

  Rion screamed when she saw Jake. She couldn’t stop herself. Her friend was barely coherent, his lips had a scary bluish tinge and she was sure she could see specks of white at the corner of his mouth.

  He was also incredibly pale.

  “Jake!” she shook him by the shoulders but Jake had lost control of his muscles and flopped around like a rag doll.

  It didn’t take Florence Nightingale to realise he needed medical help.

  Rion grabbed Jake’s mobile phone and dialled 999. The emergency services answered promptly.

  “Police, Fire or Ambulance?” the efficient voice at the other end enquired.

  “Ambulance!” Rion choked.

  “Where to Madam?”

  Rion wailed, “The cemetery!”

  The voice at the other end turned cold, “I suppose you’ll be telling me next that it’s for a dead friend?”

  “I’m not sure, I think he might be – how did you know?” Rion gasped with relief.

  There was an icy silence from the operator.

  “We don’t appreciate these hoax calls Madam. You’re blocking the lines for people that might really need us.”

  “But I do!”

  “I could report you for wasting our time and I will do if you call again,” the emergency operator clicked off the phone. It was the fourth joke call since his shift had started.

  “This is not a hoax!” Rion protested before realising she had been cut off.

  Remembering what they did in films Rion lightly slapped Jake on the face but it seemed to do no good. She looked in his eyes and saw they were almost fully glazed over.

  What else did they do?

  Quelling her rising panic she remembered they always made people walk – but how would she do that?

  “You’ve got to help me Jake,” Rion put her arms around his waist and tried to help him up. “We’re going to go and get help you and I,” she spoke slowly and clearly.

  Jake lolled his head in what Rion took for a nod. He tried to speak but all it did was increase the foam building at the corners of his mouth.

  Jake appeared to switch on autopilot as they half-clung, slid and fell down the vast tree trunk. Rion was grateful it wasn’t Senora Padilla’s day for visiting her dead husband. Seeing a young girl and a ghostly white dribbling figure fall out of the tree above her would no doubt have speeded the Cuban widow’s entrance into the spirit world.

  With Jake lurching semi-conscious against her Rion struggled along the small path adjoining the canal. She looked around frantically for a cemetery guard but, in the manner of law enforcement officers everywhere, there wasn’t one around when needed. After what seemed an age they were through the gates of the Dissenters Chapel and on the bridge at the top of Ladbroke Grove.

  “Help me!” she pleaded with the first people she saw.

  The couple glared at Jake and Rion before hurrying past.

  The few other people coming their way crossed to the other side to avoid them. Rion tried to flag down a lone taxi that slowed down, then sped up, upon seeing the state they were in.

  With Jake getting heavier and heavier against her, Rion decided the only thing to do was to head down the towpath for Meanwhile Gardens Mews.

  But didn’t Auntie Em say she had to be somewhere for tea? And what if – oh God, please no – what if the volume on the radio had been turned up?

  Praying for someone to be there – and not having sex – Rion staggered down the canal. She was acutely aware that Jake’s breath was getting slower and slower.

  Auntie Em looked forward to these chaste romantic assignments. They made her feel so girlish, a quality she had never sought for herself, and normally abhorred in others, but at the moment it felt, well, it felt just delicious.

  Slipping her hand into Doctor Gidwani’s she felt a pleasant tingle as his thumb caressed hers.

  “You know Kanwar,” she said to the handsome Indian, “if we continued walking, and walking, and walking,” Emma dreamily gestured up the canal, “perhaps for several days, we would end up somewhere in the middle of England.”

  Auntie Em felt her knees buckle slightly as the doctor turned to look at her with those deep brown eyes.

  “It would be Heaven to spend several days alone with you, my love,” Kanwar Gidwani smiled, “but if we finished up in Birmingham my cousins and aunts wouldn’t give us a moment’s peace.”

  Auntie Em was silent at the thought of a break spent alone with the strikingly handsome, gentle-mannered doctor.

  “Perhaps we could?”

  “Spend a few days in Birmingham?” the doctor flashed a smile of unrivalled brilliance at her.

  Emma laughed gently, “Spend a few days alone.”

  Kanwar pulled her to him and nuzzled her face, “There would be nothing I would like more,” he murmured, placing an elegant finger under her chin. Auntie Em was sure he was about to kiss her for the very first time when he froze.

  “Kanwar?”

  “Isn’t that – ”

  Doctor Gidwani looked up the canal where it appeared a man had his arms around a young girl and was refusing to let go.

  “Isn’t that Rion?”

  Even though the body of the man obscured the girl’s face Emma knew immediately who it was.

  “Yes. Yes. It is
, and it looks like she needs help.”

  Auntie Em began hurrying up the canal towards the couple. “Get off her!” she shouted in her most authoritative of voices.

  But the man didn’t pay any attention.

  “Auntie Em!” Rion shrieked. “It’s Jake. I think he’s dying!”

  Doctor Gidwani was first on the scene, “Has he taken any drugs?”

  “No!”

  “Rion you can tell me.”

  “You won’t get into trouble,” Auntie Em said slightly out of breath.

  Doctor Gidwani began muttering as he looked into Jake’s drooping eyes, going through all the conditions that could bring the young man to such a state.

  “Jake’s not a druggie,” Rion said almost crying. “He may smoke an awful lot of grass but – ”

  Auntie Em turned to Kanwar. “That couldn’t do – ” she gestured to Jake’s crumpled body, “ – this, could it?”

  “No,” Doctor Gidwani rummaged in his jacket pocket for his mobile phone, “not unless it was laced with paraquat.” He pulled Jake roughly to his feet, “Keep him standing.”

  Jake had now lost all control of his muscles and was slipping in and out of consciousness. Whilst Auntie Em and Rion struggled to keep him upright the doctor barked instructions into his phone. As soon as he had finished he rushed to take Jake’s weight from the woman and young girl. “Help me walk him to Ha’penny Steps, that’s where they’re meeting us.” Although Kanwar’s voice was calm Em could tell he was growing very concerned.

  With Jake propped between Doctor Gidwani and Auntie Em, they made their way the short distance back to the old tollbridge.

  “Will he be alright?” Rion asked, skittishly following the ungainly trio.

  Doctor Gidwani looked at his watch. He was beginning to get more flustered. “I’ve informed St Mary’s and if we can get him there in time he’ll probably be ok.”

  “Probably?” Rion said, unable to envisage the ‘probably not’. “Probably?” she choked again, horrified.

  Kanwar looked at his watch again and strained to hear the ambulance but there were no sirens to be heard.

  “There’s no way it can be called the unlucky house now,” Ollie surveyed the work they had done in lA.

  Wayne called through from the bathroom, “Unlucky what?”

  “It’s Auntie Em’s name for the house,” Ollie explained walking over to the small room which, apart from having no door, was almost finished. “The reason why – ” Ollie stopped himself as he entered and just looked. He never got tired of the sight of Wayne.