June 11, 2020
Review, Edit and Update :
Editing Episode 36, there were issues of punctuation and spelling, with the addition of detail and one page break.
Reviewing Giles, there was not only character development of Giles Thornton, but of family life within the restrictions of Covid19. Even the Thornton family dog, Chester, was given a nod. This episode also demonstrates a supportive relationship between Giles, the Estate chauffeur and Digby, the Estate butler.
Giles
The happy relief in Giles voice was obvious. The last person Digby had spoken with about the upcoming Staff meeting was the chauffeur for the Beaufort Estate. A slender man in late forties, he had been employed with the Beaufort family for almost as long as he and Martha and Cook. He had come on staff after the retirement of the previous chauffeur, Godfrey. Giles, good looking in a rakish sort of way, was a happily married man with four young sons. He doted on his wife and sons, family being central to his life. When Digby interviewed him, he made it clear to him that his family always came first. He went on to say that he was an extremely reliable employee, and recognized that his employment was the financial support for his family. His wife, Melanie, was a fifth grade teacher so their hours of work sometimes conflicted. However, a niece was ‘on call’ for such conflicts and for any other emergencies. Giles felt good about this arrangement, because he and Melanie knew they always had a back up plan. Secondly, they were contributing to his niece's university education. When he got home from the interview, Melanie asked whether he had explained their back up plan. She was beautiful and so good but she was always one to give too much information in Giles opinion. “Melanie, it’s just not relevant to whether I get the job or not. Never give the boss too much information about your personal life.”
“But Giles, we need that job. This gentleman that interviewed you needs more than your word.” Melanie’s big blue eyes were damp, her forehead furrowed.
“Honey, it’s ok. He’s going to call me back by the end of tomorrow. He seemed more concerned about my driver’s license and experience, which is far better than information about baby-sitting arrangements.”
Although Digby was never one to instantly assess a character as ‘good’ or ‘bad’. In Giles case, he had already made up his mind. Conscientious almost to a fault, Digby completed each interview question. He was pleased to know that his instant judgment had been verified in black and white.
~~~~~
Giles Thornton and Digby had become very good friends over the years. Giles was the only other man in daily employment on the Estate. Digby did enjoy the company of the women, including young Brigitte who drove a fine motorcycle. He had purposely left Giles til last when he contacted all the staff regarding the upcoming Staff meeting. He would never admit it, but he wanted extra time for a short visit with Giles, besides just telling him of the staff meeting. Hearing his happy voice was so very pleasant.
Melanie, a consummate multitasker, was making sandwiches, reviewing her online lesson plans, wiping a little one's tears and folding laundry when the phone rang. Giles was at the table with Peter, their second oldest son. "Giles - It's Mr. Digby. Here, I'll take over for you.......Peter, mommy will help you with that."
Breathless, Giles said “James! I am so, so glad to hear from you!”
“My goodness Giles. I didn’t know that you would be so relieved to get my call. Are you all right? And all of your family? It sounds like you have a very busy household.”
“Of course, I’m all right, James. The whole fam-damly is in excellent health! So all right that in fact, I’m about to pull my hair out. It’s just that I’m not used to being at home for this long a stretch with Melanie and all four of the boys. You need me to come in don’t you? Please!” His laugh boomed through he telephone. “Melanie’s teaching from home on video chats. She’s on the phone between times with parents about to break down in tears with homework. All four boys hate doing their school work when they have a backyard that needs them. Chester, our dog, is the happiest when we’re all home like this. Sometimes the only quiet time I get is taking the dog for a walk. But usually I have one or all of the boys with me, so it’s more play time than quiet time. Am I running on and on while you’re wanting to tell me something?”
“It’s only about a Staff meeting I’m calling next week. We’re going to meet in the kitchen so we can maintain the distancing that Dr. Bonnie Henry, the Public Health officer, is asking us to maintain. The only other issue is the three estate vehicles. Will you be able to come by in the next couple of days to check them all for gas, oil, tires - that sort of thing. You know what needs to be done. Mrs. Beaufort and her sister have been driving the SUV quite a bit in the last couple of weeks.”
“Her sister! She has a sister? I didn’t think she had any family. That’s wonderful. She’s been so lost, and not all that pleasant, since Mr. Michael passed on. Are they close?”
“I’m not certain about how close they are. All I’m aware of is that, the night we abandoned Mrs. Beaufort to her own devices, she got a call in the middle of the night - I think from the city jail.”
“The jail?! Is her sister some kind of criminal?”
“No. No, apparently there was some kind of misunderstanding but for some odd reason Miss Desperanza couldn’t return to her own apartment. It had something to do with pandemic restrictions her apartment building had set, so she needed a place to stay. The two ladies were in isolation together out here where they stayed in the downstairs. Miss Desperanza slept in Martha’s room and Mrs. Beaufort stayed in mine.”
“Did they get along ok or do you know, James?
“They did have a difficulty or two. Since her sister has been with her, Mrs. Beaufort has been a different person. And a much nicer one. She and her sister have gotten groceries for both myself and Martha. I think Cook had a delivery as well.”
“Martha? How is she, James?”
Digby was silent for a moment, except for a slight clearing of his throat. “She is well. Enjoying her grandchildren even though it’s over Facetime. And your four fine sons?”
“You’re changing the subject on me, James. How are you and Martha?”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about, Giles.
“Oh, James. You don’t know what I’m talking about? Really? I’ve watched the two of you going over lists of things a little bit longer than necessary. Then the times I’ve come in from outside ~ you two having a cup of tea in the middle of the afternoon, with your special stash of cookies. Bringing flowers ‘for the kitchen table’ - ‘for everyone to enjoy’. Cook only wants flowers on the table at meal time, and then a nice low flower arrangement. Long stems of bright carnations with one rose in the middle of the bouquet? I'm seldom in the kitchen for very long, but I always hear about the flowers from someone.”
“Well, if you must know Giles, I do quite like her as a person. She is very good at her Housekeeper’s duties. She is also very kind. Other than that, there is nothing else. Do you have any questions. And none about Martha please.” Digby’s face was quite red and his collar was feeling dreadfully tight,
“Oh, all right James. I’ll leave you alone about Martha." Giles knew when to let well enough alone. "I’ll be to the Estate tomorrow, probably closer to noon, to check the vehicles and hope to meet this ‘new’ Mrs. Beaufort and her sister if they're out there. It was really good talking to you. When are you going to be at the mansion?”
“I am going to the Beaufort Estate early tomorrow afternoon. Maybe we’ll cross paths. I could bring us lunch and we could eat outside if the weather is agreeable.”
~~~~~
James and Giles did in fact have lunch together the next day at the edge of the orchard. Not only was the weather beautiful and sunny, the apple trees were just beginning to blossom. Emelina and Desperanza, deep in discussion about beehives and beekeeping, arrived just as the men were finishing their lunch. Greetings and introductions were shared in the spring time sun.
“Conversation should touch everything,
but should concentrate itself on nothing.”
~ Oscar Wilde
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