Page 34 of Mrs. Endicott's Splendid Adventure

The supplies came on the next delivery from Marseille. Ellie put on an apron and got to work. She was just putting the finishing touches to a big steak and kidney pie, her hands floury, when Henri came into the kitchen. “There is a man here who is looking for you,” he said.

“A man?”

“English, I think.”

“Not the colonel?” she asked warily.

“No. Not him. Young.”

Ellie brushed off the worst of the flour and stepped outside, blinking in the bright sunlight.

“Mum?”

Ellie started at the word, squinted, and her son Colin came into focus. “Colin? Is it really you?”

She rushed forward, arms open to embrace him. He stood there, awkwardly, as she flung her arms around him. She stepped back laughing. “I’m sorry. I’m getting flour on you.” She brushed his jacket front. “What on earth are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?”

“I’m home on leave,” he said. “Dad told me you’d gone on holiday to France, and he was rather worried that he hadn’t heard from you in a long while.”

“And why would he be worried?” Ellie asked. “I’m not his responsibility in any way. I’m no longer his wife.”

“All the same, I think he still cares about you,” Colin said. “He was concerned when you didn’t come home. He’s worried about a war starting and you being trapped in France.”

Ellie looked around, noticing Henri watching them with interest.

“Let’s sit down and have a cup of coffee, shall we?” she said. She switched to French. “Henri, this is my son, visiting me from England.”

“Your son? Welcome, monsieur.”

“Do you think we could have coffee? And some of that delicious tart?” She asked Henri.

“But of course. Take a seat.”

Ellie took off her apron and ushered Colin to an outside table. “I think it’s warm enough to enjoy the sunshine, don’t you?”

Colin sat, eyeing her critically as he sat opposite her. “Mum, what are you doing here? And look at you. Dad said he settled enough money on you. Are you in trouble? Why are you working in a café?”

Ellie laughed. “Oh Colin, it is lovely to see you,” she said.

“And as for what I’m doing here, I’m enjoying myself for the first time in years.

I’m not working in a café. I’ve been taking cooking lessons from Monsieur Henri, and today I am returning the favour.

I’m making a steak and kidney pie for him. ”

“But why are you here, of all places? I had a devil of a time even finding it. It’s not even on all the maps.”

“I’m here because the place chose me,” Ellie said. “The car broke down right here. We had to stay here to have it mended, and we liked it. So we found a place to rent, and we are having a great time.”

“‘We’? Who is ‘we’?”

“You remember Miss Smith-Humphries from the village?”

“The officious old biddy who runs everything? The one who told me not to ride my bike over the grass?”

“That’s right. She has softened considerably; in fact I’ve become very fond of her.”

“Good God.”

“And you remember Mavis?”

“Mavis? The charwoman?”

Ellie nodded. “The former charwoman.”

“You brought her to clean for you?”

“No. As a friend. I have to say she does more than her share of the cooking and cleaning, but I helped her to escape from an abusive husband. He was violent with her, and sadistic, Colin. She had to get away.”

“Wait.” Colin frowned. “Mavis’s husband. Reg Moss? Was that his name?”

“That’s right.”

“I heard at the pub that he’d just died.”

“Died?”

“Was killed, actually. Hit by a car on his way home from the pub. Staggered in front of it, blind drunk.”

Ellie put her hand up to her face. “Oh no. I don’t know what Mavis will say. She’ll be relieved, of course, but she’ll also feel guilty for leaving him.”

“I don’t see why if he hit her,” Colin said.

“Because she’s that sort of caring person. But what news of you, my darling?” Ellie reached out and put her hand over his. “It is so lovely to see you. I’ve missed both of you.”

“Well, Richard’s regiment has been posted to Aden,” he said.

“And my bank sent us home from Hong Kong until they see what’s going to happen next in the Far East. You obviously read about Nanking and what the Japanese have been doing.

Absolute monsters. They are bent on conquest of the entire region, you know.

The bank isn’t taking any chances. They pulled us out. ”

“So you’re back in England now. How lovely. You can come and visit,” she said. “Any chance of a young lady in your life?”

“There was one in Hong Kong,” he said, averting his gaze. “You wouldn’t have approved. She was Chinese.”

“Of course I would have approved if you liked her,” Ellie said. “Your father wouldn’t.”

“No.” He smiled then.

“How is your father? Are he and what’s-her-name married?”

“Oh yes. My new mummy is installed at the house.”

“And the baby? When is it due? Soon?”

He frowned. “I don’t know anything about a baby. She doesn’t seem to be pregnant.”

“Ah, so there never was a baby. Interesting.” She paused as Henri put a tray of coffee in front of them. Ellie poured equal parts coffee and milk into cups and handed one to Colin before she asked, “And your father? Is he blissfully happy?”

“I’m not sure,” he said. “You know how he hates change. She’s changed everything in the house. New furniture. New curtains. All very modern. He’s trying to be modern, too, but it’s not working too well.”

Ellie had to laugh. “Poor Lionel. He deserves everything he’s getting.” She slid a piece of apple tart on to a plate and handed it to Colin. “Henri’s a wonderful baker.”

“Oh, there you are, Mrs E.” Colonel Rutherford spotted Ellie and came striding up to them. “I’ve just had a grand walk over to the Calanques. Perfect day. I feel fit as a fiddle. You must come with me next time. Splendid view from the top.”

“Colonel, this is my son, Colin Endicott,” she said. “He’s just arrived from Hong Kong.”

“Far East, eh? Bad things going on over there. The Japs have their eyes on bigger prizes, you mark my words. You’re better safely out of it.”

When it became clear that he wasn’t invited to join them, he cleared his throat. “I better go and change for lunch, then. I’ll be seeing you, my dear. Don’t forget about the walk over to the Calanques. Splendid view. Absolutely splendid.”

“He’s one of the English contingent who come here every winter,” Ellie muttered as the colonel walked off, humming to himself. “They stay at the pension.”

“He seemed rather keen on you,” Colin said, staring after the retreating figure. “I saw his expression when he noticed you. Rather keen.”

“Yes. He is a little annoying,” Ellie replied. “Lost his wife a while ago and looking for a replacement. Don’t worry, I’m not interested. I better see if they have a room for you at the pension if you’re planning to stay the night. We don’t have a spare bedroom set up yet.”

“Uh, no. I think I’d better push on,” Colin said. “I’m actually on my way to see some friends in Nice, but I promised Dad I’d check on you.”

“At least you have to come and see the villa,” she said.

“You live in a villa? That sounds grand.”

“It is, quite,” she said. “It’s perfect for us, anyway. How did you get here?”

“I drove. I’ve acquired a nice little runabout. Twin carbs. Splendid acceleration.”

“You always were mad about cars,” she said. “Speaking of which, has your father bought a new Bentley?”

“Oh, the Bentley. You took it, didn’t you? He was absolutely livid, I gather. But he does have a new car. An Armstrong Siddeley, not quite as grand. He told me he’d had to cut back since he’s giving you such a generous allowance.”

“Generous, my foot!” she exclaimed. “If he’d had his way, I’d be living in one of the cottages in a row by the station. I fought hard and demanded my fair share. He was taken aback, shall we say.” And she laughed.

“Good for you. It’s about time you didn’t let him walk all over you,” Colin said. “I must say you’re looking well. Healthy. Happy. I’m glad.”

“So give me a few minutes to pop that pie I’m making in the oven, then I’ll take you up to the villa,” she said.

As she stood up, Nico was coming up from the port, carrying a basket of fish.

“Take a look at these,” he called out to Ellie. “Not a bad day’s haul, eh? You can take one, if you like. As long as you know how to cook it properly this time.”

“How do you know I didn’t cook it properly last time?” she asked, laughing.

“I have my spies.”

“Well, I’ve improved,” she said. “Henri has been instructing me. But I can’t very well carry a big fish up the hill. I have no shopping bag.”

“Henri!” Nico bellowed. The older man came running out.

“Where’s the fire, Nico?” he asked.

“See what I have for you,” Nico said. “Look at the size of them. How many do you want?”

“I’ll take two,” Henri said. “Madame here has created an English pie for the visitors’ dinner tonight.”

“An English pie?” Nico looked sceptical. “Do the English know how to bake pies?”

“Steak and kidney,” Ellie replied. “You should try it.”

“I’d rather try the fish you’re going to cook,” he said. “Aren’t you going to invite me to sample it?”

“You’ve never shown any interest in coming to dinner at my house,” she said.

“You’ve invited everyone else.” He gave an imitation pout.

“I didn’t think you’d want to come,” she replied. “You stayed away from the party.”

“I told you before I don’t like parties.”

“But now your curiosity has got the better of you,” she said, grinning at him. “You want to see what we’ve done to the place.”

“I’ve seen perfectly well most of what you’ve done,” he said. “You didn’t have any curtains until recently.” And the way he looked at her made her think that he was referring to her bedroom. She blushed.

“Very well,” she said. “Then you are welcome to come up tonight,” she said. “Bring your mother.”

“She can’t make the steps,” he said. “I’ll come alone. You cook the fish. I will be the judge.”

“All right, I will.” She recoiled as he went to hand her a large fish.

“But I still can’t carry the fish,” she said.

“Ah yes. Henri, do you have a basket for madame?”