Ch. 3: The Lady Meets the 'Lad'
Alicia was busy planning the French trip when the telephone rang. It was Manny, terribly sorry but she had to postpone the visit. She would e-mail Lady Alicia for a new appointment to suit.
To say she was deeply disappointed was an understatement. When the telephone rang again it took all of her ingrained breeding not to snap the head off the caller but putting her chagrin on one side she said as pleasantly as possible.
"Hello, Alicia, Countess of Bellingham." she said.
"Hello, this is Binghampton Bloodstock Yard. I should like to speak to her ladyship please". a female voice replied.
"Yes, this is she, how can I help you, is there are problem with the horse? Oh and please, lady Alicia will do 'Your ladyship' is just too much. " she replied.
"No, no problem, but if your stables are ready I should like to bring your horse over today." the voice said.
"No problem we have a boy from the village Thomas Allardyce, my housekeepers son to look after our horses, well at the moment just the one belonging to Sir Charles, What time shall I tell Thomas to expect you?"
"About 3.00 be OK?"
"Absolutely, see you at o'clock"
Her spirits revived Alicia went down to the kitchen to tell cook that she would be dining alone, so no fuss.
"Oh thats alright m'lady. Though knowing this household I shall make sure that there is enough for two. Shall we say a smoke salmon starter and possibly Boeff en crouton to follow. I shall serve it myself if you please. I can ring Mrs Allardyce to save her the journey." Mrs Harris said helpfully. "What about luncheon? a Spanish omelet?" In answer to Alicia's nod and a smile, she replied "Good, thats all fixed then."
Alicia was in the yard when a Land Rover pulling a Horse-box arrived. She was quite surprised when a woman on her own descended from the vehicle. She did not live up to Alicia's impression of a 'yard lad' as even the females were called who looked after the horses. Apart from the fact she looked to be in her late thirties or early forties, herJodhpurs were of a very expensive cut and the sweater she wore over a checked shirt appeared to be cashmere. She introduced herself as Jenny and straightway went to the box to drop the ramp. Thomas appeared and jenny was giving him instructions concerning the horse who was named as 'Masterton'
It had not occurred to Alicia earlier although this was undoubtedly the same female who had phoned her, this female had a very cultured voice and if Alicia was not mistaken this young woman had also been educated at Roedene although possible ten or 15 years after she herself went there.
As Jenny turned to get into her Land Rover again Alicia said, with a query in her voice. "Roedene?"
Jenny smiled, "Yes, how did you guess?"
Alicia returned the smile, "My Alma mater too y'know. Come and have some tea." so saying she led the way through towards the drawing room. Jenny had dropped behind and was using the Riding Boot remover to help her off with the boots.
"No need for that Jenny" she said. "Hmmm I think so, manure y'know."Jenny answered.
Mrs Harris served tea , scones,devon cream and strawberry jam and the two tucked into the fare with a will.
Afterwards Jenny asked Alicia if she had enjoyed her day at the Bloodstock sales.