Chapter 10

We ended the evening with a family update conversation, telling each other what was new at work or in our lives. Carol reported more success with her beauty salons offering a creche facility, and her boss had offered her a five per cent share in the total business. Carol was astonished at how her fortunes had changed in the last few years, and put it down to being happy inside herself; in other words, being taken on by me and Sandy. Georgie had a similar tale, as the estate agencies were now making money from selling antiques for Phyllis, but wondered if this would continue when Phyllis had her antiques market in full operation.

Phyllis told her that at the very minimum, Georgie would be getting an income from advertising the market in each of her shops. Thinking about the actual antiques, she thought that she might extend it to allow other dealers to showcase items in this way; probably items that were slow sellers. Display in estate agencies might be the best impetus for faster sales of these sluggards.

I asked how progress was going in getting her market fully operational. She said that with the hired platform lifter, the reconfiguration of the former shelving was proceeding apace and she expected to have the dealer allocations made up by a couple of days more. The restaurant area was already in place with the newly purchased catering equipment for the new, mostly transferred standby restaurant staff to start their own preparations for offering free food and soft drinks to all the workers in the building, to get into practice in this layout for officially opening the market. Sandy suggested that the market could offer dealers paying for units in the market a ten per cent discount on food prices for the first six months, underwritten by us as a loss leader to boost dealer participation. Phyllis happily accepted. This evident enthusiasm for her new business pleased us all.

Janet was the only one not to have any business report, as she was still waitressing for the same restaurant, but was now a senior member of the waitress staff, respected for her knowledge of their cuisine and ability to deal with customers of all kinds. Instead, she told us that due to her regular working pattern she was able to spend more time with our children and Naomi, and was giving them as much pre-school education as possible.

“One thing I have been working on with them, is talking with them in English, French and German, so that they are picking up all three languages naturally without seeing it as education. It meant that I have had to brush up on my own colloquial French and German. I play tapes from a course Sandy bought to assist me, and as I play the tapes in the nursery, the kids hear it all as well, and so absorb a lot that way without even thinking about learning. With a bit of luck, all our kids will have a bit of knowledge of all three languages by the time they start school. It means if any of the other schoolkids are from France or West Germany, our youngsters can have conversations with them to make them feel more at home. Some youngsters have a French or German parent through the war’s coming and going. A number of German POWs remained here and married local girls. So did some Polish military personnel who were based in Scotland during the war and can no longer return to Poland because of the Iron Curtain. I heard about that occurring on the East Coast more than this area.”

I raised a question. “Does Scottish Gaelic feature at all, Janet?”

“Not yet,” she admitted. “Do you think we should add that?”

“Well, with the way each census shows less and less speakers of Gaelic in the country, we might do our bit to help that language survive in the modern world.”

“Oh, yes,” Janet blurted out. “That’s right. Most Gaelic speakers are on the west coast and the islands, rather than the east coast where I was brought up. I’ll look into that possibility. We shouldn’t let an ancient language die out through neglect.”

Phyllis embarked on her market business with even greater enthusiasm next day, able to offer a food discount to dealers taking a stall at her market. She spoke to the manager of the catering unit, to warn her of what was proposed, but the manager viewed it as good business practice, and agreed to provide a particular number of vouchers that she would hand to Phyllis. When a voucher was proferred, the person on the till would mark the discount amount on the back, then place them in the till. Every week, the marked vouchers would be presented to Phyllis and she would redeem them.

I asked how she was getting the dealers to pay for their stalls, and she explained she had three options for them to choose from. One was a simple fee of ten pounds a week, the second was a fee of five pounds a week and a five per cent charge on their sales, and the third was a flat ten per cent charge on all sales made at the venue. “That way they can calculate which suits them best, based on expected sales volume,” she finished. “It is not permanent, so they can change around after they find how much they are selling.”

The reconfiguration was also going well. The hired scissor lift was perfect for the dismantling job, as the disconnected shelving parts could be laid on the lifter, taken down to ground level and driven over to where they were needed for the new layout. The men’s foreman reckoned just two days would be enough to do the whole job at the speed they were achieving. There would be a pile of metal parts left over, he told Phyllis, so she decided to ask Sandy if there was a secondhand demand for such parts. A quick phone call and Sandy said she would ask around to assess requirements at other firms. Someone was bound to be needing more of these parts, she thought. Buyers could either have them cheap if collected, or dearer if they wanted them delivered. All were in good condition, so there was no concern about quality. On the other hand, if there was no adequate demand, they could be stored outside, behind the warehouse for future consideration. At worst, they would have scrap value, Sandy averred.

Back at the ranch, as the cowboy films said; or in this case, back at the big house, Jenny finished her stint at child minding, and offered to help make the dinner for everyone. It was steak mince with boiled and mashed tatties today, with boiled fresh beetroot as a side salad for those who liked it. She volunteered to peel the potatoes and cut them to a good size for boiling. This offer caused a few eyebrows to be raised, but Janet – who was on a late shift at the restaurant tonight – accepted Jenny’s help and said she assumed Jenny would stay for dinner. Jenny smiled sweetly, saying, “Yes, thank you, Janet.”

As each of the other wives arrived from work, Janet clued them in, and when I appeared, she simply said, “Jenny decided to help with tonight’s dinner and join us in eating it.”

I looked at Janet and said, “Really? What do you expect, my love?”

“At a guess, she is angling for sex this time, but if so, it can’t be today, as you have Phyllis and Carol in your bed tonight.”

I nodded. “Fair enough. If Jenny is serious, we can book her in for tomorrow evening, if the rest of you girls are okay with that option; or any other day that you think is better.”

“I’ll pass the word around, and see what falls out of the discussion,” Janet showed her willingness to help, saying, “I’ll tell you the consensus before I leave for work.”

“Thanks, Janet,” I commented, leaving it at that. After that, I called in at the nursery to have some Daddy time with my children. They always seem to like that experience, for most of their day it is only females they encounter. Having Daddy to hug and hold them makes a nice change. Even half an hour playing with the kids is fun, as they find hilarity in simple surprises such as “There was a wee mouse...” which ends with an armpit tickle. Always the same, very predictable, but always seen as fun by a small child; amazing, but it is the anticipation that does it for them. It is like waiting for the punchline of a joke you have heard before. For the same reason, they love hearing their favourite story read to them again.

Dinner was interesting, indeed curious, having Jenny present but without her mother. Sandy cheekily asked, “I would have expected your mother to be here with you for the meal, Jenny. Any reason for this oversight?”

Jenny coloured up, but replied bravely, “No, but she is busy so I didn’t invite her to join us. I felt it was not my place.”

“Funny, that. I took a phone call from her a few minutes ago, as she was wondering where you were, so I told her you were having dinner with us, but she was welcome to join us if she fancied the company. She is on her way and should be here in a few minutes.”

Jenny’s face fell at this news; she didn’t know what to say. I felt for her a little, but only a little. To fill the silence, I remarked, “How nice of you, Sandy. Mrs Smart is always welcome at our table, don’t you agree?”

Sandy smiled sweetly, and agreed, “That is so, my love. She is a lovely woman, and Jenny is lucky to have her for a mother. Janet, would you set another place for her at the table? It will be a bit of a squeeze, but we are here to eat first and foremost, so getting at the table is priority.”

I interposed, “If space is tight, I can take my plate and utensils over to the worktop and finish my food there once she arrives. I know you girls will want to talk girl talk with Patricia.”

“How nice of you, Bob. We will indeed want to chat with her, and probably get her to stay afterwards for a good blether, and find out how the court proceedings are ... well ... proceeding!”

Jenny’s face fell even further, and I offered, “Perhaps Jenny might want to have a word or two with me in my study. I was wondering if she might possibly get a job helping at the antiques market, so I need to find out what she knows that may be useful in that regard.”

That was enough to cheer up Jenny, as she assumed that I had ulterior motives. I was willing to cater for her carnal desires, but I genuinely wanted to have that employment discussion. I noticed that Phyllis was thinking of saying something about joining us, but Sandy, being sharp on nuances, looked Phyllis in the eye and shook her head ever so slightly in a negative sign. Phyllis, who was more and more capable of spotting visual clues these days, simply gave a miniscule nod, and stayed quiet.

Patricia arrived not long after, and got a welcome from everyone, even from Jenny, whom she reproved, “You should have told me first, young lady!” but gave her a hug to lessen the slight. “It is still alright with me, Jenny, whatever you were planning!” she ended with a generous smile. Jenny blushed.

Dinner was very pleasant, as none of the children required attention, they having been fed earlier and Naomi would have them settled and any toilet needs attended to. When it came time for coffee, I announced, “I’ll take mine to my study now, girls. Coming, Jenny?”, and she joined me. Once in the study, with the door closed, Jenny turned and put her arms round me to give me a kiss. I returned it with enthusiasm, then asked, “Now tell me, what was this family spat all about, today?”

She paused while deciding what to say. “I have thought and thought and thought, and decided I want to have sex with you, as everyone tells me you will be kind, and not talk about it to others without my say-so. Mum told me to get that experience, and I have taken one of the new contraceptive pills that Carol gave me, as I am not sure I am ready, or even fit to cope with a baby.”

“I see. Sex for experience only; is that it?”

“Well, that is the starting point. Carol and your other wives tell me that with you, it is more than just sex. You always want to go beyond the physical act and look for more; a relationship of one kind or another; and they say that you like starting babies. That is what they claimed, anyway.”

“It is true enough. Phyllis started that way, as she had never had more than ‘just sex’ with her husband. It was all about what suited his needs. My ladies allowed her to visit occasionally for that learning experience, and let it develop to where she wanted a permanent connection with us, but we didn’t marry her until some time after she had her first baby. Sandy felt Phyllis needed to show in that way that she truly meant permanence in what she said about joining us, so now she is a strong member of our family. That is why we are supporting her with her antiques market development: commitment on both sides.”

“Oh.” said Jenny. “So I shouldn’t expect much in the way of continuing sex unless and until I wanted more integration with your family?”

“That is one way of putting it. I can give you the experience and knowledge you seek, but that is it, end of story; unless you want something more in the way of a relationship. I was also serious about finding you employment of a more permanent type, beyond part-time babysitting for us. All of us need a job of some kind, and not just sit around having babies and raising them. Contact with other people outside the home is vital for most people’s mental health, so even I have two jobs that keep me busy, despite having sufficient finance to live on without any need for a paid job. I enjoy selling houses, and put up with engaging somewhat in the soliciting business – legal soliciting, that is, not the sexual connotation. Much of that is to keep my father-in-law happy and let him keep tabs on his daughters, but I have learned a lot about the law in the course of assisting him.”

Jenny took all this in with an admirable intensity, and ventured, “So when do I get to learn about sex? With my mother appearing, that puts the kibosh on my plans for tonight.”

“You were making a wrong assumption, dear Jenny.Tonight, unfortunately, I have a previous commitment. I am scheduled to spend the night with two of my wives, so I am not available for anyone else this evening. You have to realise that family life is all about fitting in with others. On this occasion, advance warning was essential if you were to get what you wanted. We can fix another date for you; possibly tomorrow, according to my information, if that suits you and fits your social calendar.”

Jenny disclosed, “With my mother hanging around, I didn’t think I would get to have sex tonight, anyway. She might have wanted to have sex with you instead!”

“No, I don’t think that is so, Jenny my dear. Your mother is probably feeling a bit delicate after her almost meltdown situation the other night, so I don’t think she would be that pushy. She is more likely to be pushing you towards my bed, and I wouldn’t throw you out, I assure you, for you are an attractive woman. It is simply other family responsibilities that I have, and I try to be a responsible person.”

“That’s what Carol was saying about you; that you are always looking out for other people. Looks like she was right in that.”

She came to me and we exchanged another tender kiss, then she left to join the others. The employment question was not mentioned by her. I knew to stay away from the female chatter going on in the house, and settled down to read some of the financial statements that Sandy had provided for me to catch up on. It turned out that our investments were improving steadily, despite not having foreknowledge of events that might affect the profitability of our companies.

Morning came with all its complications of children wanting cuddles before we went off to work, wives wanting kisses, and my tummy wanting food, but eventually I got to the solicitor’s office and was quickly accosted by my father-in-law.

“Robert: good news. The police have arrested that man, George Brown, for the murder of the old lady. It seems they found a document with her name on it, in his possession somewhere, and when they routinely dusted it they found the old lady’s fingerprints. The only way he could have got that item with her prints on it is from her house, so they have him bang to rights. No way can he explain away having a paper with her fingerprints except by his presence at her house; and when first asked about her he had claimed not to have met her. That was enough definitive proof to put him in the frame for the murder.”

“Fine,” I remarked. “Glad to hear it. Your reputation will be upped another notch, I should think. Why would he keep such a paper?” I asked wonderingly.

That got me an accusing stare, but he answered, “It seems to have been a prize draw award, but it doesn’t appear to be for her, so it was actually useless to him.” I suggested, “He probably had no idea of her forename, and assumed it was her, and thought he could claim the prize on her behalf.”

“Possibly, but it did the job for the police.” He paused and asked suspiciously, “Was this your doing? Did you arrange for this to happen?”

I recoiled visibly as if horrified, spread my hands and tried to look innocent. “Me? How could you think such a thing, sir? Me, a law-abiding hard-working citizen and reputable member of the community?”

My father-in-law harrumphed and exclaimed, “Reputable? With all these women claiming to be your wives? I doubt it, Robert; reputable is not the word for you. I don’t know what is, but multiple wives doesn’t fit with reputable.”

“I reject the suggestion of the ladies claiming such a thing, sir. They chose to act as such, but they make no public profession of being married, despite wearing a wedding ring that doesn’t ever indicate who you are married to, so no law has been broken. I believe Scots law allows individuals to use any name they prefer to assume, and don’t have to use the English legal paper route. Lots of women probably use the appellation Mrs yet have no legal right to it; is that not so?”

“In my knowledge of the law, that is a correct assumption. Very well, I shall let it pass. Your knowledge of Scots law and its practical effects is obviously improving, Robert.”

“Thank you, sir. It is a reflection of your training me in the law. And how is the current Mrs Thompson, while we are on the topic of wives?”

He responded proudly,”Doing remarkable well, considering. Two sons now as you know, and Julia is expecting again. Thank you for asking.”

“I’ll pass on that snippet of news to Sandy and Georgina. They will be happy to hear that she is expecting once more. You made a good choice in Julia, sir.”

“More correctly, she chose me, but she has made me happy again!”

I was pleased at that admission, but I was keener in passing on the news of the arrest of George Brown for the murder. I would naturally add the family news to it. I would guess that Julie had already phoned Sandy or Georgie and informed them. We men are usually the last to hear of these forthcoming family events.

My employer now asked me, “That paper with the fingerprints; was it genuine?” With a grin, I tried, “Of course! It was certainly genuine paper, sir!” I offered, at which he snorted derisively.

“A genuine prize draw, I meant,” he declared. “As you perfectly well know, young man.”

“As to the prize draw, no; it was made up for the purpose. But as the document has her fingerprints, that proves she handled it and he later had it in his possession, showing the link between them, so what does it matter if the prize draw was genuine or not? It might possibly have started as a scam being perpetrated by some unknown person, but genuine or not, she still handled the document concerned.”

“Hmm ... who thought up this devious scheme?” he asked me.

“Your daughter, sir; my wife. Sandy typed up the spurious award letter and made a personal delivery to the lady the day before she was murdered. Miss Popper handled the paper and read it, then said that she was Adele, not Anastasia, and so Sandy took the sheet of paper back. Note that Sandy wore gloves all the time of handling the paper right from the start, so that her own prints would never appear on the paper. She is a clever girl, my wife!”

“That she is, my boy. Her university degree shows it as well. You have no such evidence of your personal academic ability, Robert.”

“As I have stated before, sir, a degree is merely the prelude to a lucrative career, and as I am not short of money, a degree-based career is superfluous for me, not a precurser to finance. I do quite well at gaining property sales for the estate agencies, and Sandy is not short of cash since she set up her consultancy. Georgie is also satisfactorily provided for by owning the group of estate agencies, Carol is doing well for her employer and being rewarded accordingly, and Phyllis is setting up an antiques market in addition to her normal sales of antiques. She even sells antiques through the estate agency shops. They are all gainfully employed, though they don’t have to be.