Mennyms Alone by Sylvia Waugh

Author:Sylvia Waugh [Sylvia Waugh]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: RHCP
Published: 1997-08-06T16:00:00+00:00

PART TWO

Please, love them . . .

CHAPTER 19

News for Jennifer

NEWS OF THE departure of the Mennym family reached the Gladstones by letter on Friday the thirteenth of December. It was a very short, formal invitation to call at the office of Cromarty, Varley and Thynne to sign some papers and to accept the keys to Number 5 Brocklehurst Grove, ‘which premises have, on the instructions of the previous owner, been inspected by an independent surveyor and found to be in good order.’

Jennifer was alone in the house when she read the letter. Her first reaction was one of apprehension and dismay. It was over a year since the letter requesting birth certificates had been sent and received its coldly civil reply. Jennifer had been more than content to forget about the whole business. But the memory of it was there at the back of her mind, waiting to pounce. It made her look carefully for hidden meanings.

Why had the Mennyms insisted upon a survey? To Jennifer that suggested hostility. They obviously wanted to show her how well they had cared for the house during their years of stewardship. You have driven us out, it said, but we have left with dignity.

“We’ll have to go and see it,” said Tom when he read the letter. “When shall we pick up the keys?”

Jennifer pushed a stray wisp of hair back from her brow and answered him tersely.

“After New Year,” she said. “I’ll ring up and make an appointment. No one wants to see people just before the holidays.”

Tom looked at her and he knew what she was thinking. Years of practice had made him an expert. He smiled.

“You’re probably right,” he said, “and another week or two will give you time to get used to the idea. But try not to wonder about the Mennyms. Where they have gone and why they have gone is none of our business.”

Jennifer bit her lip. She hesitated before saying, “You don’t think it could be because we asked for the birth certificates?” She stared at the letter as if it could give her some sort of clue. “I’d hate to think we’d driven them away. Brocklehurst Grove was their home. It has been their home for goodness knows how many years. I probably wasn’t even born when they first went to live with Aunt Kate.”

Tom grasped Jennifer firmly by both shoulders.

“Listen,” he said, “don’t let your imagination run away with you. People are not so easily driven away. The Mennyms have gone and, I do assure you, their going had nothing whatsoever to do with your letter. Don’t look for what’s not there.”

“I am pleased, you know,” said Jennifer, looking down at the letter. “We do need more space. And by the time we sell this house, we’ll be better off than we’ve ever been. But, you’re right – it does take getting used to.”

“Why don’t you ring your mother?” said Tom. “She’ll be delighted. Family property returning to the family . . .”

“Not yet,” said Jennifer.

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