Читать книгу The Crooked Olive Branch - Frederick Munn - Страница 22

Chapter 14

Peter and Hal looked out of the compartment window as the train pulled into Zurich station.

They quickly saw what they were looking for: A tweed-clad, brogue-shod, felt-hatted lady small in stature but large in personality.

There was no need to guess her nationality. If she had worn a placard announcing, ‘British, aspiring upper class, don’t mess with me’ it could not have been clearer.

She commanded the platform.

Peter and Hal spoke together.

“There’s our contact.”

Hal added, “What’s your bet that she has a double barrelled, hyphenated name?”

The lady, Daphne Wallace, so proved to be their contact.

Miriam was still asleep. By the time they had woken her and collected all their belongings.

The rest of the refugee children were already organised and provided with packed meals.

“I guess this is where we hand Miriam over Pete. I am not happy. I don’t think Miriam will be either.”

Hal picked up the little girl and held her close.

Two women were looking in their direction talking earnestly, obviously discussing them.

Helga and the other carers were ushering the children into a waiting room.

Daphne Wallace joined the other two. Oozing ‘tweedy class’ she failed to outshine one other lady, a lanky, chain smoking woman of middle years with a tanned, heavily lined complexion framed by short unruly dark hair flecked with grey.

When this woman smiled, which she did readily, her tobacco-stained over large teeth stood out even in the platform shadows.

The other lady, also of middle years, did not add much to the conversation other than to nod in agreement. She seemed to be a typical indispensable worker, a ‘back room girl’. Probably the backbone of the team. After a short conversation, she left and the other two made their way over to them.

The small woman held out her hand, “Daphne Wallace.” She announced then indicating the tall woman. “Peggy Firth.”

“Hi.” The tall woman removed the cigarette from her mouth and thrust out a hand to each.

“Pegs to my friends. Tussy if you qualify.”

Then looking down at Miriam who was once more clinging to Hal’s trousers she said:

“You must be Miriam.”

She gave a big toothy grin. “I think I will call you Mim. You …” She said emphasising the ‘You.’ “can call me Tussy.”

Miriam took a short peek around Hal’s leg then ducked back behind.

The woman dropped down into a squatting position and spoke in passable German.

“Hallo liebschon. Sind Sie hungrig?”

She held out a hand. Miriam disappeared behind Hal’s other leg. Peggy dropped onto ‘all fours’ and peeked around Hal’s leg at her. “Kommen sie mit Tussy, liebschon?” She held out her hand.

Mim sidled around Hal and looked at Pegs from the other side.

Daphne Wallace clearly disapproved of this performance.

“Pick her up Peggy, she’ll be fine once assimilated into the group.”

Hal bent down and picked up Miriam.

“Assimilated into the group, what the heck does that mean?”

Head and heart in conflict. The heart won. Hal couldn’t bring himself to part with her.

Peter, watching this drama, found it difficult to comment or contribute anything sensible. Turning to Daphne, he introduced himself and Hal.

“So sorry, I’m Peter Barnes and this is my friend Henry Steading. Hal to his friends.”

Hal seemed unaware of what else was happening. He was looking down at Peggy Firth who was retrieving the burning stub of a cigarette on one side on the platform while speaking to Miriam. Peggy Firth stood up, lit a fresh cigarette from the stub before flicking the failing tab on to the line.

She squinted at Hal, and the little girl clinging to his neck, through a haze of smoke.

“Tell you what Mim, why don’t you and your Mr. Hal come with me and meet the other children?”

“Thank you,” said Hal, seizing the opportunity. “I need to come with you, she has been through so much.”

“Right-oh then,” said Peggy, “follow me.”

Peter made as if to join them only to be stopped by Daphne’s curt suggestion.

“Shall we leave them to it?”

Back straight as a ramrod and head erect, Daphne fixed Peter with her gaze.

“Not very tall are we.”

She smiled and added, “Still good stuff in small places, eh?”

Peter’s mind was on Hal and how he would handle parting with Miriam. He forced a smile and nodded. He remained focused on the waiting room door where Miriam and Hal were last seen.

Daphne Wallace appearing oblivious to Peter’s concern,continued:

“Miss Price told us of your magnificent effort in Austria Mr. Barnes, well done.”

She looked down at her papers.

“We’re in a bit of a pickle. The delay has forced us to change arrangements. We are now hoping to leave tomorrow morning instead of the night train.” Barely pausing to breath, she continued.

“Miss Price, excellent woman, has managed to book the children into a small hotel for the night. Not very salubrious but beggars can’t, etc.,” She sighed, took breath and continued.

“Still it has bathrooms. Couldn’t leave them on the platform all night. Could we?”

“No,” Peter answered dutifully.

“No indeed not.” Daphne continued her flow leaving Peter stunned by the torrent of information and her apparent inability to consider any contribution from him.

“You are not on our list so there is no provision for you three. The little girl of course we will cater for but not yourselves. The children will be sharing as it is. The little ones’ top to tail four in a bed. We are fortunate that we have found an understanding hotelier and that it is in between seasons.” She paused as she referred to her notes.

“Miriam Kessler came over with you. I wonder why she was not with the main party?”

Daphne looked to Peter for the answer.

Peter’s mind was elsewhere and was only vaguely aware. He was trying to look serious thinking. ‘I am not really needed. She could perfectly well have had this conversation by herself.’

“What I suggest Mr. Barnes.” Daphne continued, “is that we all meet later at the hotel.”

She looked again at her notes.

“The Seefeld, a couple of streets away to your left. What say sevenish, agreed?”

“Without question and I am certain that Hal will agree.” Peter was making certain that this forceful woman was aware that his friend may have an opinion.