The Valley of Bones - Anthony Powell [68]
‘Where is she now?’
‘That’s one of the points. She has closed both houses and gone to live in a workman’s cottage to be near Norman.’
‘Norman Chandler?’
‘Of course.’
‘But I thought Norman had joined the army.’
‘He has. He has been sent to a camp in Essex. That’s why your mother has gone there. What’s more, she wants to divorce me.’
This news certainly surprised Flavia a lot.
‘But—’
‘I’ve nowhere to go,’ said Buster, speaking with great bitterness. ‘When I was last in London, I had to stay at my club. Now this news about a divorce is sprung on me. Your mother went off without a word. All kinds of arrangements have to be made about things. It is too bad.’
‘But does she want to marry Norman?’
‘How do I know what she wants to do?’ said Buster. ‘I’m the last person she ever considered. I think Norman, too, has behaved very badly to allow her to act in this way. I always liked Norman. I did not in the least mind his being what he is. I often told him so. I thought we were friends. Many men in my position would have objected to having someone like Norman about the house, doing the flowers and dancing attendance upon their wife. Norman pleased your mother. That was enough for me. What thanks do I get for being so tolerant? Your mother goes off to Essex with Norman, taking the keys with her, so that I can’t even get at my own suits and shirts. On top of all that, I’m told I’m going to be divorced.’
At that point there was another loud knock on the front door. This must be Stevens. I went to let him in. Umfraville followed me into the hall.
‘Look here,’ he said, ‘tell me quickly what’s happened to Buster to upset him so.’
‘Mrs Foxe had a friend called Norman Chandler – a little dancer she adored, who was always about her house. He was quite a good actor too. It looks as if she has got fed up at last and kicked Buster out.’
‘Buster is going to get me into this secret set-up at Thrubworth. I’ve decided that.’
‘How’s it going to be managed?’
‘I once took a monkey off Buster at poker. Apart from his other misdemeanours, I’ve never seen my money. I know where I can make things unpleasant, if Buster doesn’t jump to it and get me fixed up. Boffles Stringham once said: “Mark my words, Dicky, the day will come when Amy will have to get rid of that damned polo-playing sailor.” That day has come. There are some other reckonings for Buster to pay too.’
Another knock came on the door. Umfraville went back to the sitting-room. I admitted Stevens.
‘I’m a bit late,’ he said, ‘we’ll have to bustle back.’
‘There’s rather a commotion going on here. My brother-in-law, Robert Tolland, has just had his leave cancelled. He wants to get back to Mytchett tonight. Will it be all right if he comes with us? We pass near his unit and can drop him on the way.’
‘Of course. If he doesn’t mind having his balls crushed in the back of the car. Is he ready?’
‘He’s just gone off to pack. Then there’s a naval officer making a scene with his step-daughter.’
‘Bring ‘em all on,’ said Stevens. ‘We oughtn’t to delay too long. I’d just like to have word with that lady about her brooch.’
We went into the sitting-room. By that time things had quietened down. Buster, especially, had recovered his poise. He was now talking to Frederica, having presumably settled with Flavia whatever he had hoped to arrange. Flavia and Robert had retired to a sofa and were embracing. Stevens said a word of greeting to Frederica, then made at once for Priscilla. Frederica turned again to Buster.
‘I’m glad to hear Erry is behaving himself,’ she said.
‘I agree we were all prepared to find your brother rather difficult,’ said Buster, ‘but on the contrary – anyway so far as I am personally concerned – he has done everything in his power to make my life agreeable. He has, if I may say so, the charm of all your family, though in a different manner to the rest of you.’
Umfraville interrupted them.
‘Come and talk shop with me for a moment, Buster,’ he said.
They went into a corner of the room together. Isobel and I went into another one. It was clearly time to