Book Two

Location and Relocation: Book Two of the Desolate Tree

The ‘blurb’ from the (imaginary) back cover . . .

It is now 1990. Following his wife Jennifer’s discovery of his brief affair the previous autumn, it is several months before Michael Radcliffe’s life in York can regain some kind of normality. Then the arrival of a solicitor’s letter draws them both unexpectedly back to London, where within just a few days both joy and tragedy ensure that once more their lives take a dramatic and unexpected change of direction.

To read a preview of this book in the Kindle store, follow the link below:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00O4EJCA2

And some snippets, some random little bits and pieces from the book . . .

 

“It’s not even half-past eight, who can that be? It’s too early for the postman.” She went to the door and Michael heard a brief conversation, then she returned with a puzzled expression, carrying a small courier package. It was marked ‘Top Priority – URGENT’.

“Look, I’m really sorry Mr Radcliffe, but I been told not to say nothing about nothing, just to drive you there, so if you don’t mind I’m gonna put me screen up.”  He pushed a button, and the glass screen whirred up behind his head prohibiting any further conversation.

“It is my gift to you, it is what we Japanese call giri if you like. In Japan we must repay any gift received with a gift of equal value, but all I can offer to you as giri is this, and my love.”

The key turned quietly, and they were soon inside, creeping up the back stairs. Jen giggled and whispered, “She’s right you know, we’re just like teenagers creeping in after curfew.”

He studied her while she slept, something he never could do at home, there never seemed to be either the time or the opportunity. Although she had tied it back the night before, her hair had come loose and had spilled across the pillow, a cascade of auburn against the crisp white of the pillow.

“But the old lady, she still rules the roost back home, so I heard. Everyone shits themselves when she’s about, even Mr Nakamura. The only one can charm her is our Miss T.”

“No Jen, not that suitcase. Whenever I take that case anywhere, something always goes wrong. I don’t ever want to use it again. Never.”

“Ken, can you look the other way a minute?”  “Eh. Why?”  “Well, I know what you’re like, and I don’t want you getting jealous now, because I am going to give this man the biggest kiss of his life.”  She pulled Michael to his feet and wrapping her arms round his neck kissed him full on the mouth. Ken laughed as he watched.  “Dammit Princess, I just might kiss the bugger myself!”

“I mean, did you even think about me when you were with her? Can you explain any of this to me, because if I could understand, then maybe I can close the door on it again, shut it away and leave it for ever.”

“I bought you a present this morning, so you better put it on now.” She opened the bag and laughed when she saw the hat. “Oh it’s a Wimbledon hat! Thank you. Didn’t they do well, was it last year they won the cup?” “No, it was the year before. Being born here I’ve always been a bit of a supporter, I used to go and watch the odd game when we lived down here, but I hadn’t seen them for years until 1988. But a friend got tickets for Wembley, for the match, and so I came down specially to see it. And they won.”

She had prepared a mild vegetable curry with yellow rice. At the look on Michael’s face, Ken smiled and said, “What were you expecting man, haggis and neeps?” Michael laughed.

The solicitor looked a little embarrassed. “Oh yes – that’s my full name, but I use only the Courtney in everyday life. It seems less formal – but of course some clients do prefer a double-barrelled solicitor.”

“I felt the first little movements last week, so I’m a little further on than I thought at first, about twenty-two weeks now, so she should be born in early October.  Here, let me have your hand.”   She took his hand and pressed it firmly in place flat against her bump.  “Can you feel her moving, she’s doing it right now?”  He kept his hand still, and then felt a very faint kick.

“Apparently my client – I expect by now you may have realized the identity of my client – apparently my client was of the impression that if you had been summoned here directly, there would have been some possibility that you may have been reluctant to attend.”

Shall I tell you what they told us at school in Africa when I was a little girl?”   “Yes please.”  “They told us that when God created the first people, they were all the same, all over the world, everybody was all white like you. But my people in Africa told God that they were special, they wanted to be different, so God told them he would make them darker. He made all the people in Africa stand with their feet apart, facing a wall and told them to lean against the wall with both hands. He told them to shut their eyes and mouth and then he sprayed them all black. So when they moved away from the wall they were pleased but of course their feet and hands and their tongues had not been sprayed so they remained as they were.”

“Now, my grandmother is arriving tomorrow, did you know?” “Yes, everybody has been warning me about her. She’s twenty feet tall and purple and breathes fire, apparently.”  Taeko giggled.  “Oh no, she’s much taller than that. Do you know what her nickname is in Japan? Behind her back the staff call her Godzilla.”

She slapped his face. “Don’t be so stupid ! Pull yourself together, Michael.  Now get up, go upstairs and run yourself a bath and have a good soak, relax for a few minutes. I’ll bring you up a Scotch, but just one as you’re going to have a busy day tomorrow.”

“I’m sure I don’t care what our neighbours think. They think I am quite odd anyway, so I can always tell them it’s a Zulu tribal welcome ritual.”

He opened the paper at the crossword page and studied the clues. “Mmm, here’s one you might know. I need a seven letter word beginning with ‘pill’ and ending with ‘ock’ that means errant husband. Any ideas?” “Pillock,” she said, and then laughed.

“Oh Didi, we’ll tell you all about our adventures when we get home.  No, I don’t know when we’ll be back darling, a day or two I expect.  Is Rachael there?  Oh, well give her my love and say we’ll see you very soon.  Love you all, Bye.”

“Yes. Oh, I had it all planned, I was going to qualify as a midwife and then go back to Rhodesia to set up a clinic in the area near the Victoria Falls. But Ken happened instead, and here I am.”

“Oh that is very kind, Miss O – I mean Michy. Is that right, can I call you that?” Michie smiled. “Almost – it’s three syllables, Jennifer, Mi-chi-e, the ‘e’ is pronounced separately, Mi-chi-e.”

He rolled her onto her back and held her down. She laughed and said in a meek little voice: “Oh sir, I suppose you’re going to have your evil way with me now, to show me you’re truly the lord and master of this stately home.” He slid his hand up inside her tee-shirt. “Be quiet, wench.”

“But this is England, people don’t believe in these things here, I mean kami and spirits and so on – well, they don’t exist here. Shinto is a mystery to us, most English people have never even heard of it.”   She shook her head.   “You Christians, you believe that your God is universal, all-seeing, that he is everywhere at once, for every person in every country, that’s why all the missionaries travelled the world to spread the word. So this is the same, just because you don’t believe in kami doesn’t mean they don’t exist here.”

Kethi was a strikingly beautiful woman, tall, taller than her husband, perhaps even an inch taller than Michael. Her skin was a flawless deep brown, almost black and she had high cheekbones and almond eyes, and when she smiled her teeth seemed even whiter against her full lips.

Looking around a little self-consciously, he walked up to it, and then walked right round it once. As he had remembered, it was a horse-chestnut. He hesitated and put one hand, then two hands against the bark. He closed his eyes and stood silently for a full minute, perhaps two, then opening his eyes he took his hands away. There were indentations in his palms, lines from the bark, and he did feel a sadness, but otherwise he hadn’t felt anything, no spirit, not the contact she had felt.

“Look, you can’t call me Miss Ogawa, that sounds too formal. Why not call me Auntie?” Daisy thought for a moment.  “I heard Daddy call you Michy, or something beginning with an M –” she beamed suddenly, “– I know, can we call you Aunt Em – you know, like Dorothy’s aunt in the Wizard of Oz?”

Michael smiled.   “You’ll forgive me saying so, Ken, but Alexander and Lorna don’t – well, they don’t look awfully Scottish.”   Ken roared with laughter.   “Oh now, you noticed that, did you? My, you’re a canny observer, nothing much escapes you, does it Michael?”

 “We should shower first, before we get in the pool. I won’t be a minute.” After he had changed, he found her standing self-consciously by the shower. She was wearing black underwear, and he thought she looked lovely.  “Come on, we can shower together Jen – purely to save water, you know, that’s all.”  She laughed.  “No it isn’t – I know your game, Michael Radcliffe, you want to molest me in my underwear while I’m all wet.”  Michael feigned innocence.  “All right then, you go in by yourself, first – I’ll wait.”  She took his hand and pulled him into the shower.  “I didn’t say that I didn’t want to be molested, did I?”