Page 61 of Fire Must Burn

The house was massive, four storeys high and very Gothic, designed by some deranged late-Victorian architect with a fetish for an unnecessary number of towers and spires with spiralling brick patterns that made them look like some giant with access to a kiln had screwed the entire assemblage into the ground from above. Tall hedges flanked both sides with openings giving glimpses of stables to the left and a poorly pruned maze to the right that Sparks immediately decided she would spend time solving the next morning.

‘We have this whole place to ourselves?’ she asked as Bruce eased the Morris under the porte cochère in front of the main entrance.

‘We do,’ said Kevin. ‘The parents are touring the subcontinent and my sisters are tanning, or more likely reddening, away in the Bermudas, so the place is more or less closed down.’

‘More or less?’

‘They left Mrs Dorter, the housekeeper, behind to keep things swept and dusted,’ said Kevin. ‘Couldn’t be bothered to pay any other staff while they were gone. Someone comes in once a week to cut the grass and tend to the gardens.’

‘Are there horses?’ asked Sauce eagerly. ‘I saw stables.’

‘Imagine the dreary life of a stabled horse when no one is around to ride it,’ said Kevin. ‘The last one was sold off when I was sent away to Eton. Sorry, my dear, there will be no riding this weekend. Speaking of which, I will need you to vacate my lap now that we’ve arrived safely.’

‘Dorty knows we’re coming, doesn’t she?’ asked Bruce as he cut the motor.

‘I called her a few days ago,’ said Kevin. ‘Give her a toot to let her know we’ve arrived.’

He opened the car door and unceremoniously shoved Sauce off his lap onto the driveway, then staggered after her, limping. Bruce honked the hooter a few times, then got out and came around to open the boot. Sparks and Tony emerged from the rear, stretching and silently giving thanks for surviving the journey.

‘My leg’s gone to sleep,’ complained Kevin, rubbing his thigh. ‘I think someone’s been sitting on it. Right, everyone grab your valises. I’ll get Dorty to load the grub and bub into the kitchen. And here she is! Hermia, my first love, how dost thou?’

This to a fortyish woman who had appeared at the front door, wearing a plain, dark frock with a wide white lace collar. Her grey-streaked hair was in a simple bun. She did not look pleased to see the party, even less so when Kevin bounded up the front steps to lift her up in a bear hug.

‘Put me down, you rascal,’ she said. ‘Just because you fancy yourself lord of the manor while everyone else is away doesn’t mean you don’t mind your manners with me.’

‘I stand rebuked,’ he said, lowering her gently. ‘Forgive me. Mrs Dorter, allow me to introduce our guests. You are already acquainted with the gentlemen.’

‘Hello, Dorty,’ said Bruce.

‘Mrs Dorter, it is good to see you again,’ said Tony.

‘Mr Cater, Mr Danforth,’ she said, nodding to each. ‘Welcome.’

‘And these lovely ladies are Miss Nancy Spurlock and Miss Iris Sparks. They’re at Newnham College.’

‘How do you do, Mrs Dorter?’ Sauce greeted her.

‘Hello, Mrs Dorter,’ said Sparks. ‘Thank you for having us.’

‘Well, they’re polite enough, aren’t they?’ said Mrs Dorter with a sniff. ‘Shall I show you to your rooms?’

‘I’ll take them up,’ said Kevin. ‘You can fetch the provisions. Put a couple of bottles of champers on ice right away, would you? I’m parched.’

They followed him into the entry hall. Sauce whistled as she slowly spun around, taking in the massive oak stairs that curved up three storeys along the walls, banister-lined landings surrounding each level, a glass skylight surmounting it all. The floor was a tessellated pattern of black, white and green tiles, and the marble coving at the meeting of walls and ceiling was ornately carved with scenes of pastoral life alternating with hunting tableaux. Bronze statues of dubious taste but definite antiquity pointed various weapons at them from alabaster alcoves.

‘I’m afraid we’ll be roughing it tonight,’ said Kevin. ‘I hired extra staff to come in for the party tomorrow, but it’s just us and Dorty right now, and she’ll keep to herself once supper is laid out. This way if you please, my lords and ladies.’

They followed him up the stairs to the first storey.

He beckoned to Sparks and Tony.

‘You don’t mind sharing a wing, do you?’ he asked as he took them to the east hall.

‘We’ll scrape by as best we can,’ said Sparks.

‘That’s the old Newnham spirit!’ he said. ‘Fine, I’m putting you in sister Lucinda’s room. You have your own bath, and everything should be sufficiently girly for you. Tony, you’re taking my old room.’

‘Where are you going to be?’ asked Tony.