Chapter 2

Having retreated, I struggled to come to terms with not just having had full-on sex with Guy; but also experiencing a heavy climax into the bargain. The shame was awful. I’d shut myself in my room timorously for the remains of the day. When I did emerge the following morning to face up to Guy, I found just his note. It told me he had flown off to his pal Ralph at the Manor: to think things through. The message relaxed me. It showed me that Guy felt shame for what had happened.

Then, oddly that afternoon, as I sunbathed with a stiff drink by my side, I felt that somehow Guy’s actions had ended a long period of emotional isolation for me. Suddenly I felt more alive being at the centre of something. Now I needed to see Guy: to talk and to start afresh together. Because without him I was simply alone. Then out of the blue with the afternoon Post, came a special delivery letter. Curiously in the kitchen I stared at the well scripted handwriting on the envelope and opened it. The single page was letter-headed: Iris Carlton- Hawes of Carlton Manor Its content was exciting yet it raised ambiguous questions for me also.

6th April Dear Mrs. Margot Chiverton. I do hope you will welcome this letter. Guy asked if I would let you know that he’s OK but missing you. He’s been worried over the scrap you had together last week. Guy and Ralph share their lives together almost like brothers. I regard Guy as a wonderful chap and so enjoy his company here at Carlton Manor. In fact Guy has asked me if he could work here at the manor? I am thrilled at the prospect as your son could be invaluable here. But naturally that is for you to decide. So would you accept my invitation to stay with us soon, giving you an opportunity to see for yourself if Guy is making a wise choice? May I share something personal with you Mrs. Chiverton? With my Ralph’s passage through adolescence, I found our relationship altered. Suddenly there’s a man about the house, if you see what I mean. Unsettling at first but handled carefully, can be very gratifying. Perhaps there’s some common ground we could share together here? I would so much like to meet you and it would be wonderful if you could visit Carlton Manor and stay with us soon. Yours Sincerely

Iris Carlton-Hawes