Chapter Two - Finding The Way Back (standard:romance, 8890 words) [2/6] show all parts
Author: Cyrano	Added: May 19 2009	Views/Reads: 2331/1663	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
James and Eileen have prepared dinner for their guests, but dinner is not served.

CHAPTER TWO 

The long curvature of the white ranch fence, marking the boundary of
Camerton Hall, drew James's eyeline to his two workmen; each with a 
dirty boot resting on the bottom rail and grubby elbows lying casually 
on the top rail, small palls of smoke rising from their mouths.  James 
wondered what was holding their undivided attention. As he brought the 
car to a halt he stared for a full minute at their backs before Robbo 
turned slowly in recognition of his arrival. 

“You're late boss.” 

“You don't seem to be in any hurry,” replied James. 

“No need we're on overtime,” said Robbo, dark craggy face breaking into
a broad grin. 

“On your bike,” James replied, his own grin even broader. “But what's
the big fella looking at?” 

Big Ernie had not shifted his stare from the field, laid out for show
jumping. His curiosity aroused, James got out of the car and looked 
across to see a fine Edwardian country house standing at the end of a 
gravel drive. Beyond that, the pasture swept down past some imposing 
oaks to a small lake. Seemingly on queue two riders broke from the 
dense coppice heading toward the house. Big Ernie turned around. 

“Thath's the end of the entertainment for today, gentlemen,” he
announced in a high-pitched lisp. 

James found difficulty reconciling that such a pitched voice should
emanate from a hulking frame. But along with most others, he did not 
have the courage to mock the minor affliction. Robbo stubbed out the 
tab end of a hand rolled fag. 

“Come on Ernie, our driver awaits.” Then turned and looked at James.
“Home James, and don't spare the horses.” 

Ernie chuckled. 

“Eeh Robbo, thath's a good un.” And was still chuckling as he lowered
himself into the rear seat of the car. 

“What was that all about?” asked James as they drove along. 

“Well,” said Robbo “we were a bit early and we strolled down the road to
watch Ted Bridgwater and his lady friend riding. He was a bit short 
with her when they came near us. She was cryin' by the look of things. 
But that's his way. He knows how to get a woman but he's no good at 
keeping them. Do you know Ted Bridgewater, boss?” 

“No, never heard of him. I've often wondered who lived in that big house
though.” 

“I'm surprised you haven't heard of Lord Edward,” continued Robbo, “but
I suppose with you not havin' been brought up in these parts you won't 
know much about a lot of folk. He bought t'big house a few years ago 
with his ill-gotten gains, “ he paused, “doesn't seem to be there much. 
Anyway, to cut a long story short, if you don't know him you haven't 
exactly missed much. We'll just leave it at that.” 

Robbo smiled, lighting up his face, revealing uneven and tobacco stained
teeth. He was swarthy with jet-black hair and piercing blue eyes. When 
Eileen had first met Robbo she had remarked memorably to James that his 
was the sort of face that would turn a funeral. 

“How come you know him?” James asked. 

“We went to school together when we were kids.” 

Big Ernie leant forward and joined in the conversation. 

“We went to same school right enough, but we were there a hell of a lot
more than he wath. They alwayth had truant officer trackin' him down. 
He were always a bad little bugger and he never got better when he grew 


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