SCENE EIGHT
SCENE EIGHT
Fran stood by the carousel and waited for her luggage to appear.
She had packed warily, what does one wear in London these days?
Living in Perthshire o ne only needed two sets of clothes. The ones to wear for looking after the pigs and the Sunday best which you wore on every social occasion. For this event her best clothes had gone into her trunk but most of the pig-rearing garments were not correct for a sophisticated life style. A quick visit to Marks and Sparks provided a decent pair of trousers, paired with a well fitting jacket and a pretty blouse for her to wear on the journey. She got some plain shoes and paid a visit to her hairdresser.
When the bag came round, she managed to heave it off. It was noticeable to her – a stranger to modern London manners, that although there were many young and fit men standing around the carousel, none of them made any attempt to help her. She had managed to pick up a trolley so she was OK with this, but it was obvious that any concessions to courtesy were absent.
She walked through the exit ready for whatever might befall her. She was amazed when she saw he young man in white shorts and shirt, appearing with a banner that read FRAN DARLING.
The young man rushed up to her and, taking her bag, put it on the ground and treated her to a big hug. She responded to the affection from a stranger. He was so friendly, she really ddn’t mind.
“I’m Jacko” he said, “and you are the lovely Fran”
He had a very pleasant voice, low and warm with a faint cockney accent.
“Leo says she has missed you all her life and is longing to see you now.”
Fran had to respond to the young man’s energy and enthusiasm.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her. But you knew me straight away. How did you recognise me?”
“There was nobody else it could be. Leo showed me a lot of photos. You haven’t changed a bit”
In the warmth and comfort of the Big Black Bently, she had minutes to herself for memories of Leo as a little girl.Fran had been a Drama tutor ar Sherwood Academy in Hull and had taken to the very beautiful Scottish girl who was alone and frightened in school. Franhad been left in charge as Maxine Fletchet, who opened the school was doing so much television work in London, she did not have ime to keep racing p and down the country to carry on both professions. Her partner, Jessica Sherwood had been forced to reitire to her country estates because her actor son had abolutley no interest in running them and spent most of his life in London gambling, dri kinking and producing illegitimate children.
Fran took pity on the wee Scottish girl and looked after her, inviting her ino the shome she shared with her husband.
At this point her memory just stopped. It was just not safe to remember any more – not at this p oint – not now when this charming young man was treating he into a big silvermotoe car, and takin her on an unknown adventure.
Lleonora lived in a Chelsea Townhouse. It looked tall and narrow from the outside. They climbed some steps up to the front door, which was heavy, oak and open. As he drew up Leonora appeared at the door – she ran down the steps and hugged Fran as she stepped out of the car.
“Welcome to Valhalla” she cried “You’ve met Jacko of course. Isnt he adorable>”
Jacko laughed, showing his set of perfect teeth. Fran reflected that thirty years ago, he would have looked like a movie star, but nowadays all young men looked exactly the same.
Fran had seen pictures of Leo with her husband Saul. They were an extravagantly handsome twosome, but nothing could have prepared her for the vision of Leo in real life. It was if she had been switched on to a light source that shone through her perfect skin. Fran had the idiotice feeling that she woul shine in the dark and one would be able to read about by the light.
Jacko escorted the two of them into the large front facing sitting room. i
Leo hugged her again and Fran felt her warmth enveloping her. Leo’s hug went on for some time, until she turned round and put her arm out to Jacko instead.
“Jack o is my special pet. Isn’t he adorable? We call him Jacko – most people call him darling. He can take care of you, he takes care of me and Saul”
Jacko took this remark as a cue for the song.
“Don’t be afraid and just call me Call me and I’ll be around”
“And he’ll sing to you at the same time if you can bear it “ laughed Leo and she pulled him to her and kissed him on the cheek.
Jacko gave a quick chuckle and turned to Fran.
“What would you like to drink?” he asked “Leonora, the wicked girl drinks brandy. Or would you prefer champagne?”
`MayI have a gin and tonic?”
“Good choice. It is a pleasure” said the young man as he went into the front room.
Leo too her into the downstairs cloakroom and showed her the facilities.
“Are you wondering who Jack is?” she asked.
Fran nodded but indicated she was not being inquisitive.
“Of course you are.” she said. “He’s one of my lovers”
“I thought so “replied Fran as calmly as she could manage, happy that she was washing her hands,, even though she was aware that her voice felt a bit faint and far away. She cleared her throat self consciously. Leonora gave her a close look then led her the way into he front sitting room when Jacko was busy pouring the drinks.
When they came in he immediately helped Fran into a big Scandinavian type armchair and put her gin and tonic on to a little table beside her.
After tipping his glass to them in celebration, he left the room, taking the drink with him.
Fran sat in the huge chair so big that she felt she was completely buried in it.and worry about what woul d happen if she tried to stand up..She was still feeling confused about what was the relationship of Jacko withinthin the establishment. She coulndt understand the e matey atmosphere.t.
Leo had read her thoughts
“Don’t worry, I’m afraid it was irresistible to tease you. Jacko is an old friend who is helping me out. I’m terribly fond of him. I was just teasing.I, sorry. We are a difficult household to sort out. We’ll do it eventually, we can all learn from each other.
Fran notices that her hands were hardly still. She was standing beside a long legged table and twisting an ashtray round and round in her long strong fingers as she spoke.
Her nails were long and painted bronze. She wore a large emerald ring covering her wedding band.
She looked small and frail in her white dress and utterly beautiful. Even her slight confusion was charming. She left the ashtray alone and ran her hands through her already tumbled pale hair. Frab remembered this gesture of old. Her hair had never remained tidy for more than a couple of minutes. This tumbled hair combined with her rather dignified appearance showed up her contradictory personality.
Saul will be back soon. I’m longing for you to meet him. He’s wonderful”
She blushed a little as she spoke of him.
“I’m so lin love with him, I have been all my life it seems. Not possible is it?”
When Fran knew her at the College. She couldn’t imagine her mentioning her feelings to anyone – even at the life changing event they had shared. Maybe people change when they are completely in love.
“I’m glad you are so happy” said Fran”
“Happy?”she said, “Did I say that? Darling, haven’t I always been happy? Haven’t I always had something in my life I’ve wanted. Fame, money, success and the man I love”
The last words seemed a little bitter and she thrust her hand through her hair again in a quick nervous gesture.
“Another drink darling?”
pyekan 