The Price of Butcher's Meat

7

FROM: charley@whiffle.com

TO: cassie@natterjack.com

SUBJECT: Min of Information!

Hi Cass!

Thanks for pic. He is truly gorgeous! I want one of my own. Does he have a brother? Nice smile. Whats he got to smile about-I wonder?!!

Back to dull old Sandytown! After lunch yesterday Tom excused himself-to catch up on all the stuff that had piled up in his absence- amp; Min-whos clearly decided to make me her own! — asked me if Id like to go swimming with her. I thought she was being kind- amp; meant the sea- amp; said yes please-but it turned out she meant the swimming pool at this 5 star hotel Tom told us about-the Brereton Manor. Seems the Parkers have membership of the Health amp; Leisure Club-natch-but the kids arent allowed in without a responsible adult-so Min the minx had elected me! Mary tried to rescue me-but I said-no problem- amp; off we went.

Minnie led me over the road- amp; through a gate-then across a golf course that looked to be in the final stages of construction.

— Should have been finished for Easter-Min told me proprietorially.

Serious money being spent here-I thought-confirmed when we reached Brereton Manor. Must have been a grand old house-now much modified amp; extended-all the eco-friendly-carbon unfriendly-stuff theyve got at Kyoto-but tastefully blended in-the kind of detail that costs a fortune. Presumably the idea is youve been invited to a 1920s weekend house party-rather than asked to cough up a small fortune for b amp; b! Not many people around. Still bedding in. Official opening is not for a fortnight-Bank Holiday weekend-when Tom launches the Festival of Health-which I shant be around to enjoy-thank heaven!

This info again supplied by Min!

She sailed in thru the front door like a grand duchess- amp; the receptionist greeted her with a big Hi Minnie! amp; gave me a smile too.

Everyone else we met en route to pool seemed to know Minnie. Swish pool-long way from Olympic-but big enough if you like that sort of thing. I did 10 or so lengths-very boring-specially as I had to stop from time to time to admire Minnies breaststroke-or backstroke-or diving. At 9 you need a lot of admiration! After-we sat in some very comfortable chairs in the café area- amp; had a Coke-talked. Or rather-I listened! Didnt mind. I was getting interested in what made Sandytown tick-you know me-never happy till Ive got the inside of things outside! — amp; nothing that goes on round here seems to escape Mins sharp little eyes amp; ears! By the time shed done-I was thinking of her as my personal Min of Information!

The original house-as I knew-belonged to the well-heeled Breretons-the famous Lady Denhams family-but became superfluous to requirements when she married even better-heeled Hog Hollis-local lad made good-who built up his pig farm into Hollis’s Ham-the Taste of Yorkshire- amp; ended up master of just about everything he surveyed-Lord of the Sandytown Hundred-at Sandytown Hall.

He died-fattening the pigs who helped fatten him (I had to practically kick Minnie onward from all the gory details-mostly imagined I guess-of the poor sods death!)-leaving his wife even richer than hed found her- amp; eventually she remarried-Sir Henry Denham- amp; Denham Park became her official address-though-probably not caring for the pig pong but reluctant to do anything that might interfere with her pig profits-she spent a great deal of her time at the hall.

When Sir Harry in his turn died (dont know what she does to the poor sods!)-she returned permanently to Sandytown Hall-refusing the chance to move back to her childhood home-Brereton Manor-when her ancient father finally died-because-according to Minnie-the hall was a more prestigious address- amp; the manor had certain inconveniences of access- amp; had fallen into such a dilapidated condition it would cost a fortune to put right.

— daddy owns nearly all the land all around-explained Minnie-where the new entrance drive is- amp; where theyre building the golf course. I think it was Uncle Sids idea that they should work together amp; turn the manor into a posh hotel. Uncle Sid knows all about money-which is why Lady D listens to him-mum says-

— thats nice-I said-so your uncle is a sort of financial adviser to the consortium-right?-

— I think so-she said uncertainly. Then she grinned amp; went on-Uncle Sid says Lady Denhams tight as a ducks arse- amp; thats watertight-watching me closely to see how I reacted.

I just laughed-you cant be Stompy Heywoods daughter without hearing far worse expressions than that! — which emboldened her to say-me amp; Uncle Sid call her Lady B-not Lady D.

— B for Brereton? — I guessed.

— no-B for Big Bum-she screeched.

I was beginning to feel intrigued by this Sidney Parker-who chose to talk to his niece like she was an intelligent human being rather than a backward dwarf-which is how awful Uncle Ernie always spoke to me. Min was vague about his actual job- amp; even from Mary-hes in banking-was the best I could get-which reminded me of dads response when Mrs Duxberry boasted her moronic son was in banking-oh aye? — you mean-like Bonnie amp; Clyde?-

Trying to work out the Parker family dynamic-OK-I mean I was as nebby as usual! — I asked about the sister. According to Min-Aunt Diana is really wierd-always going on about being at deaths door-which used to scare Min when she was little-thinking she meant the attic door in their old family house- amp; that must be where death lived! It was her uncle Sid set her mind at rest-by taking her up into the attic- amp; showing her the relics of his childhood- amp; also by saying-dont worry about your aunt little Min-when you yourself are finally laid to rest-aged 150 or thereabouts-it will be Auntie Di who lays flowers on your grave!-

Bit macabre comfort-I thought-but kids love macabre amp; in Minnies eyes Uncle Sid is perfection itself!

Not sure if Mary would go as far as that. Tom vanished after supper tonight-still catching up he said- amp; once the kids had all been put to bed-in Mins case by main force! — me amp; Mary had a large Baileys apiece- amp; got to talking like old mates. I reckon shes been dying for someone to confide in for years-someone outside the family- amp; outside Sandytown. Like I said before-shes incredibly loyal-but I got a strong impression she secretly fears this development scheme will end in tears.

Shed confirmed what Min had told me-that it was Sid who got things started.

Sids always been good with figures amp; stuff-from an early age hes handled the Parker family finances-very successfully too-Mary admits. Good investments-steady returns-spotting which Lady D got in on the act-asking his advice-free to a friend of course- amp; so profitable that Sid soon became her blue-eyed blue-chip boy!

Anyway-Sid came up with this idea that the combination of the Brereton property amp; the Parker land amp; Toms architectural know-how could add up to a nice little earner. At least thats the way I guess he put it to Lady D. With Tom Im sure he painted things in more visionary terms-the greater good-benefit of the community-environmental concerns-etc-the kind of stuff Tom had been dabbling in all his life.

This was how the great Sandytown Development Consortium got into its stride- amp; since then-I gather-Sidney has acted not only as its financial consultant-but also as an umpire when Tom amp; Lady D dont see eye to eye. Lady D is far from persuaded that Toms preoccupation with complementary medicine amp; the environment is going to be a money spinner for the hotel. Upper class recreational pursuits-facials-manicures-massage-plus maybe the latest post Pilates exercise fad to work up an appetite for the gourmet grub- amp; thirst for the disgustingly expensive booze-thats what she sees bringing the stinking rich punters in. But Tom wont give ground here-insisting there has to be room for a full range of alternative therapies-something in which his family have always had a deep-in some cases-Mary hints amp; Min confirms-an obsessive interest. Fortunately it seems Dr Feldenhammer-boss man at the Avalon-after some initial doubts-has been persuaded theres no harm in the clinic presenting a united front with Tom re the complementary stuff.

— very enlightened of him-I said-surprised-knowing most mainstream medics think its all a load of crap-me too if Im honest-which Im not-around dear Tom!

— yes- amp; the good thing-said Mary-is that it shuts Daphne Brereton up a bit-her feeling about poor Lester the way she does-

— eh? — I said-you dont mean…?-

— oh yes-shes got him in her sights- amp; wants him in her bed-said Mary grimly-disgraceful-a woman of her age-

Maybe this Sandytown air really does have something special! — I thought.

Its clear Mary has mixed feelings about the relationship between Tom amp; Lady D. Loyalty makes her stick up for Tom all the time-but theres part of her that sees that its Daphnes lust for profit thats going to keep the consortium solvent-rather than Toms idealism. When Big Bum-funny how nicknames stick! — does let Tom have his way-it usually means him paying more amp; her paying less-so Tom looks like hes won a battle-but its cost him- amp; Mary is always worried he might be overstretching himself.

Not that Tom seems to have a worry in the world! He finally appeared-apologizing like mad for having neglected me.

— tomorrow morning I should have caught up with myself-he said-Ill take you on a tour of the town-on foot! Best way to see a place amp; meet people!

— but your ankle dear-protested Mary.

— as good as new-he insisted-thanks to the first aid I received from our lovely talented guest (thats me in case you havent twigged!)-not forgetting the healing touch of Mr. Godley-

I left them arguing-or rather discussing-Tom doesnt have arguments!

Met Minnie coming out of bathroom-yawning histrionically! Wouldnt surprise me if shed been listening in on Mary amp; me- amp; had to take cover when her father came out of his study-but I cant help liking her. Shed have followed me into my room-but I shut the door very firmly in her face. I can be tough too!

Nite nite sleep tite

Love

Charley xxx