"The really unexpected affair"~ chapter 7

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Links to: Chapter 1, Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Chapter 4, Chapter 5, Chapter 6

Napoleon joined Maude for a full breakfast, making Mrs. Dunphy quite happy, but not enough that she didn’t complain about Illya.

“Your friend left early this morning, off to ride that crazy stallion and wouldn’t have but porridge and a mug o’ tea. The lad could do with some meat on his bones if you ask me and I’ll bet he’ll have a sore bum when he gets back.  I swear he has no come-after to sit on.”

“Yes, that’s been said about him before,” Napoleon chuckled.

“Please, that’ll be all Mrs. Dunphy,” Maude seemed a bit displeased at the cooks forwardness.

“She was only speaking her mind, and it is the truth. Illya is a bit on the skinny side. Now as to having such a light breakfast, we both know that’s not like him...I hope he isn’t coming down with something?” Napoleon spoke his mind as well.

“She overstepped her place,” Maude said.”That’s completely unacceptable behavior...I have a mind to let her go.”

“Maude, if I may be so bold as to ask; what’s happened to you? When last we met you were a bright, educated and thoroughly modern girl and now here you are, the mistress of an English mansion with snooty friends like Bibi and Amelia.”

At first he thought she was angry with him, as he watched her nostrils flare.

“That obvious huh? I mean the way I live; it’s because of Charles. I do love him so and I’ve tried to fit in. Being a Yank and all has made it hard. The Baroness and Lady Gladstone, as boorish as they are, were the only ones who didn’t turn up their noses at me. Even the people in town started giving me the cold shoulder...it’s been hard, especially with Charles taking his business trips all the time.” Maude finally burst into tears.

Napoleon stood, walked over to her and wrapped his arms around her, offering her a comforting hug; she buried her face against him as she sobbed. When she finally came up for air he dabbed her cheeks with his handkerchief.

“Oh I must look a mess. I’m sorry Napoleon, it’s just that I’m so lonely.  Do you think you and Illya could stay for a few more days, at least until Charles returns. It’s so wonderful have people that I know staying here.”

“I think that can be arranged easily enough, now let’s finish our breakfast before we suffer the wrath of Mrs. Dunphy and then you go put on some fresh makeup. You still have to show me around the town, remember?”

Maude laughed,”I must be a sight. Thank you Napoleon for listening.”

“I’m very good at that,” he flashed her a reassuring smile.

After breakfast, Maude quickly fixed her face and off she and Solo headed into town, driving Charles' sleek beige Austin Healey roadster.

The estate was about forty minutes outside of Lytham St. Annes, and they headed first to St. Thomas’ Road near the golf course. Maude knew Napoleon played and presumed he might be interested in a few rounds, maybe with Charles when he returned.

They strolled together up and down the streets, heading first to Church street, then down St. Annes Road where they stopped at the Church of St. Anne's to see the rector.

The immaculately kept churchyard was enclosed by a red brick wall and they entered it through a rectangular Tudor-style lychgate built of timber with a roof of red tile.

A portly fellow, with a balding pate greeted Maude and Napoleon, calling out to them from the cemetery. He had a large bunch of flowers in his arms that he must have been laying on some of the graves.

“Ah Mrs. Kensington, how wonderful to see you. I hope you are getting on well enough? We missed you at services last Sunday.”

“Oh I apologize, I was in Ireland, bringing back the Vouchsafe after a brief holiday there. Rector Heaton, I’d like you to meet a friend of my Uncle’s, Mr. Napoleon Solo. He and his umm. business associate are staying with me for a few days while my husband is away...stalking again.”

“How do you do Mr. Solo. That’s not an Irish name is it?”

“No sir, it’s Italian,” He shook the man’s hand.

“Ah, but I detect and American accent...well we all can’t be British I suppose. So Mrs. Kensington can I expect to see you at services on Sunday? You as well Mr. Solo?”

“I’m Roman Catholic,” Napoleon interjected.

“Oh a pity then. We’re expecting a visit from Bishop Atkinson. He’s due to arrive Saturday next, in the afternoon. He’ll be giving the sermon on Sunday and I’m sure it will be most inspiring.”  The man was very animated, tapping his hands together, showing his enthusiasm.

“Well then perhaps you and the bishop would join us for dinner at my home on Saturday?” Maude asked.

“Why yes that would be splendid, splendid indeed,” Rector Wheaton was practically giddy.

They bid the rector good day and continued upon their way.

So far Napoleon saw nothing that seemed untoward or out of place. Passersby did tip their hats at Maude but walked quickly by them, several ladies sweeping the sidewalks stopped what they were doing and hurried inside. There seemed a definite air of avoidance as Maude had said.

What happened when they visited the local butcher shop shed a more light on things for Solo.

They opened the door; a little brass bell tinkled its welcome to them.

The owner, a red-cheeked man, doffed his hat after wiping his hands on his apron. Welcome Missus, and what may I do to help you today?”

“I’m not sure...Napoleon what would suit you for dinner tonight, something hearty I imagine as Illya’s going to work up quite an appetite riding that horse.”

“Well we are partial to steaks, but you decide Maude, ladies choice.”

“Well that settles that, steaks it is then.” She ordered a full cut of filet mignon, large enough for quite a few filets.

“Oh Mr. Hoghton, this is friend of my Uncle Alexander, Mr. Solo.”

He watched as the butcher’s eyes went wide, betraying himself.

“Honor to meet you sir.” There was a definitely nervous tone in the man’s voice.

Napoleon took a chance,“Yes, I’ve heard lots of lovely things about your town here from Mrs. Kensington, and I believe an acquaintance of mine has visited here as well. Perhaps you know him...his name is Harry Beldon. He found the place rather interesting, particularly the local oddities.”

“Why yes... yes sir, I do recall that name sir. Quite a nice gentleman he was, helped me with a problem I was having.”

“Why I see you two are getting along famously,”Maude interrupted.”How about I leave you to collect the filets Napoleon while I go across the street; there’s a darling hat in the window that I really need to look at more closely.”

Butcher Hoghton walked her to the door; the little brass bell tinkling again as he opened and closed it behind her. He quickly turned the lock, as well as a sign that read ‘Closed for tea, back in fifteen minutes.’

“So you’re the one who contacted U.N.C.L.E.” Napoleon asked.

“I was supposed to be anonymous sir. So why did you come to see me? I didn’t know Mrs. Kensington was related to anyone in UNCLE...the only reason I knew about it was because my cousin Charlie works in the kitchen they have there in London. He cooks for all them agents working there. He was the one who gave me the telephone number, said I should call right quick.”

“Let me assure you this was purely by accident. I do indeed work for Mrs.Kensington’s Uncle and he sent me and my partner here under the premise of seeing her home from Ireland.  I was not informed of the situation with the children until we arrived here and he did keep your name in confidence. Perhaps you could give me some more details as he was rather vague."

“All right then sir, I believe you.”

“So what can you tell me about what’s going on? What happened to the children and how many of them are missing to be precise?”

“My son Ollie and his friend Steven were the first sir.  Went out to the promenade to do a little busking, as they were right fine with a song but they never came back.  Later that day, the babies disappeared out of their cradles.Then the rest just were gone from wherever they were, like magic”

“How many all together?”

“Thirty sir, and none of them older than ten or twelve, give or take a year or two. The youngest was eight months.”

“The local constabulary, didn’t they investigate?”

“No sir, most of the officers lost children too...you see they took them.”

“Okay, I’ll bite. Who’s they?”

“The strangers sir. They said if anyone talked then they’d kill the children. I was afraid to tell UNCLE that bit,” the butcher’s eyes filled with tears. “Said if we obeyed, then we’d get back the rejects they called ‘em.”

“Rejects, as in the children?”

“Yes sir, but so far we haven’t seen hide nor hair of any of them.”

All the while he was speaking, Hoghton was trimming and wrapping up the meat.

“Where did they take them, any idea?”

“Aye sir, to the north of here but nobody’s gone there, as we’re afraid the children might be harmed if we were seen. There's an odd building there, but we daren't go near it."

“I promise you we’ll find the children and get them home safe and sound,” Napoleon tried to sound confident.

Houghton tied the butcher’s paper closed with a piece of twine, handing it over the counter. “No offense to you but I hope the Kensingtons choke on this.” The man’s face was filled with disgust.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because it’s since she got here that this all happened. Now Mr. Kensington brings all these men around. Tells people they’re hunting friends but I’ve never gotten one animal to dress or butcher for them, not a one. He’s in on this too with his friends, gotta be. They’re right foul people, they are. It's she who turned the Mister, that's what I think."

Napoleon refrained from saying yay or yay. “Mr. Houghton, we’ll help you; just be patient.”

“Thank you Mr. Solo, and God bless.”

“Don’t thank me just yet.”

Napoleon nodded to the butcher as he unlocked the door for him to leave.

“Sir, please bring them back safe.”

The butcher closed the door, and changed the sign back to read ‘OPEN.’

Maude waved to Napoleon from across the street, carrying a hat box on her arm.  She trotted across, greeting him with a smile.

“Oh I just had to have that hat. I’ll wear it on Saturday for when the bishop comes to dinner. She looked at the package Napoleon was carrying.  “That should be more than enough for Illya and the rest of us,” she chuckled.

“One could only hope.” His response was rather distant as his mind was racing over what the butcher had told him.

“So we better head back and get that meat to Mrs. Dunphy.  Napoleon I didn’t even really ask you if you wanted to stay longer, would you mind?”

“Not at all Maude. It’s lovely here and we do need the rest. I’m sure Illya is enjoying being able to ride; he never gets to do it at home and only once in a rare while on an assignment.  Although someone is generally chasing him, or us while doing so.”

“That’s so sad, not to be able to enjoy life really. Looking over your shoulders all the time. Well I hope you know you don’t have to do that here. Lytham St. Anne’s is such a cozy and safe haven.”

“I’m sure you’re right…”



Chapter 8

Comments

[jantojones.livejournal.com]

This just gets more intriguing with each chapter. I have so many questions that I know you won't answer until the time is right, lol. You're also cruel to leave us worrying about Illya :-)

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Hey gotta have some Illya angst... Yes this is turning into quite a mystery isn't it. (evil laugh)

[lindafishes8.livejournal.com]

But, but, but...what about Illya? My manicurist will have a field day when she sees what I've done to my nails.

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

You still have nails? "D Thank you!

[irisheitie.livejournal.com]

Well-- I just read all 7 chapters. I was saving it all up. But now I'm all discombobulated. Good stuff here, but how're Illya and the horse?? Poor Maudie. Hubby is a bad dude. Or is he?? You're not going to say , of course!! * sigh*. I just have to wait...😩

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

Wow! Thanks for catching up! There's lots more chapter to come. I'm pretty sure I'll be posting another chapter on Saturday. Trying to get away from the story being part of challenges, so I can post a little faster. It's a WIP which always take time, but making it part of some of the challenges sort of drags it out too much.

Some questions will be answered soon.

Glad you're enjoying the story! Thanks again for commenting!

[otherhawk.livejournal.com]

Finally managed to get caught up on this, and the plot has definitely thickened! I'm glad Napoleon's getting a bit more info, and you know, the villagers' reasons for suspecting Maude actually make perfect sense. She is the outsider, after all. Oh, and the children vanishing, including the babies out of the cradles, is completely chilling.

And I'm really worried about Illya being left fallen off the horse as well. And why do I think Napoleon isn't going to let him forget that in a hurry...?

[mrua7.livejournal.com]

All excellent questions! This story just keeps growing, whereas I didn't really intend for it to be this long. It's taken on a life of its own.

Thanks for catching up! Next chapter to post Saturday.

I have reading to catch up on myself. It's been a hectic week.