Leonora - Chapter Eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

Back at Montpelier Square, Vlad was in the kitchen making a cheese sandwich. Meanwhile, Emily was upstairs soaking in the bath, bubbles floated everywhere as she bathed in luxurious decadence. To her side was a tall glass of gin, of which she took regular sips. She was getting into her weekend mood and she loved it.

Vlad took his sandwich into the study and sat at the writing bureau, he studied the sheet of paper in the typewriter with great interest. He could hear Emily as she splashed about and sang at the top of her voice.

Polly was also having a bath, but in stark contrast, it was a tin tub placed in front of an open fire. She didn't have the luxuries of Montpelier Square, there was no bathroom and the toilet was in a small wooden shed at the bottom of the yard. The rats loved it, especially when it was raining.

Her dad remarked, “Blimey! A bath and it's not even Sunday.”

As she scrubbed herself clean, she replied, “It's a posh do, so I need to be smelling nice.” She called out to her ma and asked, “Is my blouse and skirt pressed?”

Whilst preparing the evening meal, her mother replied, “What blouse and skirt would that be?”

Polly shouted through, “The blouse and skirt I wore to grandma's at Christmas!”

Her mother shouted back, “It's in the wardrobe! And hurry up, it's nearly time to eat.”

Wrapping the towel around her, Polly stepped out of the tin bath and made for the bedroom.

Her father observed his grown daughter and sternly said, “I hope your boss doesn't make advances towards you. You're a fine looking girl and you need to be careful.”

Polly gave an embarrassed laugh and replied, “Oh dad, his wife will also be there. Her name's Emily and she's lovely.”

Her father grumbled something inaudible and added, “Just be careful.”

Emily rubbed a warm towel over her soft skin and slipped into a silk dressing gown. Making her way into the bedroom, she began to apply moisturising cream onto her arms and legs. After a generous sip of gin, she slid open the door of the wardrobe and ran her fingers over the many dresses on display. She couldn't decide which one to wear, one could say that she was spoilt for choice.

Before she could decide she reached for her corset, and wrapping it around her, she shouted Vlad for assistance. He needed to lace it up as tight as he could. She had already admired Polly's slender waist and shapely hips, she had serious competition.

As Vlad laced her up, she said, “I can't decide what dress to wear, it's such a dilemma.

Her husband replied, “What's wrong with the one that's laid on the bed. He pointed to the sophisticated garment and Emily turned her head to look.

With an amazed expression, she queried, “Where did that come from? I didn't put it there.”

Vlad remarked, “Maybe Mrs Bainbridge laid it out for you earlier.”

Emily continued, “No, you don't understand. It was in the wardrobe a minute ago. I ran my fingers across it. How did it get on the bed?”

Vlad finished lacing up the corset and remarked, “Go steady on the gin sweetheart. The night is still young.” With those words of wisdom, he made for the bathroom, it was his turn to freshen up. In swift defiance, she gulped down the remaining contents of her glass and ran downstairs to pour another.

As she passed the telephone in the hall, it began to ring. With a huff, she answered it and politely said, “Hello, this is Mrs Banovski speaking.”

She could hear soft breathing and a voice replied, “I cannot tell a lie. It was me darling.”

With a nervous laugh, Emily asked, “What was you? Who are you?”

The voice simply responded by saying, “Guess who?” Moments later, the line went dead.

Emily replaced the receiver and went into the study. She made straight for the drinks cabinet and poured another gin, this time it was a strong one.

Admiring her corseted reflection in the mirror, she said, “I can still give those young damsels a run for their money.” She was a good looking lady, and with that comforting knowledge, she went back upstairs to finish getting dressed. It was time to slip into a pair of silk stockings and slide into the dress that was laying on the bed. Whoever put it there had exceedingly good taste.

It was a satin high-necked, floor-length evening gown, deep purple in colour and adorned with a black lace trim, she had only worn it once before, but she considered it perfect for the séance. On her feet, she wore a pair of black leather heeled shoes which were adorned with pretty bows to set them off. To complete the ensemble, she wore a jewelled necklace with a matching bracelet and earrings. Her hair was delicately tied up with a few curls seductively falling down. The whole outfit was crowned with a diamond tiara.

Vlad came into the bedroom drying his hair with a towel, he took one look at Emily and stopped what he was doing. Mesmerised, he remarked, “You look beautiful sweetheart. I could eat you up right now.”

She looked down at his tight underclothes and replied, “I can see that your pleased to see me. It's a shame that we don't have time.” She gave an inviting wink and softly added, “You'll have to save it for later.” He stepped towards her and she threw a pillow at him. Firmly, she exclaimed, “Get dressed big boy!”

Polly went into her parents bedroom and looked through the shared wardrobe, they didn't have many clothes to warrant getting another. Her mother helped her lace up the only corset she had and she covered it with a white high-necked blouse. The full length woollen skirt went down to her ankles and made her skin itchy, but she combated such discomfort by wearing a pair of white linen stockings. The skirt was grey in colour, it was nothing exciting, but she looked presentable.

She sat at the dressing table and applied a little make-up, styling her hair, she allowed a few curls to drop and frame her pretty face. Polly studied herself, she was hardly Mabel Acker, but she would have to do. She shouted through, “Ma! Can I borrow your butterfly brooch please?”

Tending to the evening meal, her mother replied, “Yes, but don't lose it. You dad bought me that.” Without another word, Polly pinned it on her blouse. To finish off the outfit, she slipped into her black ankle boots and picked up her white cotton gloves. They young lady was ready to party!

Washed, shaved and groomed, Vlad wore a pin-collared shirt with gold cufflinks. On top of this, he fashioned a dark moleskin blazer that displayed a beautiful silk lining, his waistcoat showed off an intricate paisley design and his trousers were also made from moleskin. Emily loved to run her hands over them, and Vlad was more than happy to let her.

Emily finished her glass of gin as Vlad was tying his shoelaces. Intrigued, he asked, “What were you typing on the typewriter?

On taking her last gulp, she replied, “Nothing dear, I was just venting my anger at those silly telephone calls. In fact, I've just had another one whilst you were in the bathroom.”

He was about to discuss it further when the sound of the Daimler's horn sounded in the square. Erik was waiting to pick them up and take them to the séance. Each grabbing their hat and coat, they both left number eighteen.

On the way to Acton, Vlad asked Erik what plans he and Nancy had for the evening.

Whilst concentrating on the road Erik said, “We're taking a trip down to Soho, there's a Chinese restaurant that we've been meaning to try, and then afterwards...”

Emily interjected, “One of those restaurants in Soho was closed down, they were serving dog instead of beef or chicken or prawns or something.”

Vlad quickly remarked, “You can't serve dog as prawns, that's silly. You've had too much to drink already.”

Adamant that she was right, Emily exclaimed, “It was in the newspaper! And they don't lie!”

Erik replied, “The newspapers lie all the time. You can't trust them.” Emily giggled to herself and Erik asked, “What's so funny?”

The tipsy little minx replied, “There was an ad in the newspaper for vanishing cream and so I bought some. It came in the post and I put it on my dressing table. But since then, I can't find it. It's literally vanished!” She giggled some more and asked, “Anyway Erik. What will you two love birds do after your doggy chow mein?”

Erik sounded his horn at the potato cart in front, it was moving far too slow and the traffic was building up. As he waited for a clear gap to overtake, he replied, “After the restaurant, we're going round to one of Nancy's friends. It's her birthday and she's having a little party.”

Teasing her chauffeur, Emily softly asked, “Will you and Nancy be having any hanky panky when you get back home?”

Trying to keep his wife under control, Vlad exclaimed, “Emily! That's hardly appropriate!”

Erik blushed and concentrated on his driving. With a sulky expression, Emily replied, “Millions of people do it. We don't have to pretend it doesn't happen. It's perfectly natural.” Refusing to be dictated to, she continued, “Vlad likes me to dress up sometimes. Or even...” She paused and added, ...dress down, as the case may be.” With a wicked smile, she concluded, “Servant and master is one of his favourite games.” She turned and asked, “Do you play games Erik?”

Vlad leaned forwards and placed his hand on her shoulder and sternly said, “That's quite enough Emily, you've gone too far.” He lit a cigarette and continued, “We shall be having extra company soon, so please... Be on your best behaviour.”

Emily was known for being outspoken, but this was different and it felt somewhat uncomfortable. She would often accuse Vlad of being a stuffy Victorian, and at times, she was right, but this time, he had grounds for complaint.

After parking outside Polly's Acton home, Erik sounded his horn and moments after the young lady came running out. She had been eagerly waiting by the window. She was followed by her father, he was wrapped in a cardigan and puffing on a pipe. Emily waved to Polly and beckoned her to climb into the Daimler. On doing so, Emily said, “You look gorgeous and your perfume smells delicious.” Polly bashfully replied, “Thank you, my ma let me have a few squirts.”

Her father approached the car and looked in. Mr Banovski introduced himself and shook the fellows hand. Mr Jenkins said, “I'm trusting you to take care of our Polly. She doesn't go out often and I don't want her to be led astray.”

Vlad politely replied, “Rightly so Mr Jenkins. She'll be perfectly safe in our company. And of course, I'll make sure that she gets home safely.”

Upon that reassurance, Mr Jenkins thanked Mr Banovski and told his daughter to be on her best behaviour. She kissed his cheek and closed the car door. Erik started the engine and with a wave and a roar, they were off.

Emily turned round in the front passenger seat and smiled at Polly, she asked, “Are you excited for the séance?”

The young lady nodded and replied, “I've got butterflies in my tummy.”

Erik looked in the rear view mirror and remarked, “One's escaped and it's sitting on your blouse.” They all laughed.