2: The Arrival

IF the Michelmores were an unusual family, their home was also out of the ordinary. A comparatively small abode when George Michelmore bought it, it had been enlarged by the addition of a wing at either side, projecting at an angle from the main building. As it faced south it thus earned its name, "Sunbay."

Each wing formed two flats and each flat was given up to one of his children, so that all possessed a self-contained home of their own, with a sitting-room, a bedroom, a bath room and a tiny kitchenette. Every flat had its own front door, the upper ones being approached by a narrow staircase.

The dining-room and lounge in the main building were shared by all, when they so chose, but they could entertain their own friends in their own way in their own apartment. They could also work undisturbed in the particular line they elected to adopt. The older son, Garnet, having entered the Church, the arrangement suited him very well. He had a ground floor flat. Jasper, with artistic ambitions, occupied the one over it, his sitting-room or studio boasting a north light.

As for the girls, Emerald had the upper flat on the other side. She was a writer, though so far little of her work had  found a publisher. When Pearl became of age, she had been presented with the key of the remaining suite. She was proud of it but, having domestic rather than professional inclinations, she spent much of her time with her father or, when he was away, with Nan, whose real name, if anyone remembered it, was Hannah Wood. Pearl also had a Cairn terrier, Sandy--her faithful guardian and companion.

It was part of the arrangement that each flat owner was responsible for the care and cleanliness of his or her own apartment. That was admirable for the girls, but Garnet and Jasper paid a few shillings occasionally for a "do" by Mrs. Hopkins, the daily helper in the house. Their father had made them all an allowance. As food, light and fuel were provided, it was adequate for their needs but not enough to keep them in perpetual idleness. He wished them to be independent, but wanted them to follow the calling that appealed to them and to make a success of it.

If it was suggested to him that their semi-detached mode of existence might lead them into trouble, he would say such a thing was less likely than if they went off by them selves into some big town. "Sunbay" was one of the few larger houses in the village of Beckford, a mile or so from the sea and about midway between Felixstowe and Aideburgh on the Suffolk coast. He was proud of his arrangement. He pointed out that the day of big residences was past, but there would never be any difficulty in finding tenants for his sectional homes.

The news of his second marriage had come as a shock to his children. While their mother had been alive she had been keenly interested in the Church and all the local activities. When she died their father had gradually dropped them. But it had never occurred to them that he might start a new life of his own. Perhaps they did not realise that his theories of independence might apply to himself as well as to them.

When they met at meal-times, which they generally did, though a message to Nan always brought them a breakfast tray if they wished it, they discussed the matter over and over again. But it was several days before they heard any thing further. Then came a telegram from Paris--'Returning Friday for dinner. Love. George and Adelaide.'

"Hardly calls for the fatted calf," Jasper commented. "What is the appropriate dish for the prodigal father, Garnie?"

"Ewe mutton," Emerald answered for him.

"Being Friday I would prefer fish," Garnet said, "but I realise it is a special occasion."

"Indeed it is!" Pearl cried. "We must get something jolly good. Let us ask Nan."

When summoned and informed of the impending arrival, Nan told them in her unemotional way she could secure a goose.

"I do not like that idea at all," Jasper said. "It is too suggestive. A pair of ducks would be far more appropriate. Besides, the parent likes duck almost as much as I do."

So that was settled. Pearl busied herself with special flowers and decorations and conspired with Nan to make a cake with almond icing and much sugar ornamentation. Jasper thought champagne the most essential thing and was pleased to find his father's cellar possessed a few bottles. Emerald kept aloof as though disapproving of the whole affair.

At length the great day arrived. They were all excited and a new point arose.

"Where and how do we receive them?" Garnet asked.

"We shall be in the lounge and Nan will announce them," Emerald said.

"The Dad announced in his own home!" Jasper objected. "Don't be daft. He will just walk in."

"I do not know what you others will do," Pearl declared. "I shall be waiting for them at the gate."

In the end that is what they all did. And they got the surprise of their life. The newly-weds arrived from London by car. When it pulled tip, their father sprang out, bronzed and far fitter than when they had last seen him. He turned to assist his companion to alight. A young woman, little older than themselves, and more lovely than anyone they had ever before beheld.

"This is Adelaide," he said.

There was a moment's pause. She was so unlike anything they had expected. Then Pearl sprang forward and threw her arms round his neck and kissed him.

"Welcome home, Daddy. I hope you will both be very happy."

"Thank you," he laughed. "Adelaide, this is Pearl, our baby."

Adelaide took her hands, drew her forward and kissed her. "I thank you too," she said softly.

The ice thus broken, Emerald kissed her father and turned a cold cheek for her stepmother's caress.

"This is Garnet," said the father, gripping the hand of his first-born. "He is a shining light and an example for all of us.

"I do not think I have ever kissed a clergyman," Adelaide smiled. "May I?" She did.

"Jasper, our artistic hope."

Jasper did not wait to be asked. He pressed a kiss on each cheek.

"Welcome indeed!" he said.

Then, chatting and laughing, they passed into the house. Emerald, asserting her position as hostess--was it for the last time?--said: "Dinner will be ready in half an hour. Will you have a drink and then do any changing you want to?"

Jasper came forward with the sherry and proposed an appropriate toast.

It was not until they were seated at the table that they were really able to take stock of the new arrival. She was every bit as beautiful as they had at first thought. She had real golden hair, with delightful waves the girls could appreciate, a flawless skin, eyes of the deepest grey, small features and a pretty mouth that enclosed perfect teeth. The only notable sign of make-up was the vivid lip-stick that gave an air of sophistication to an expression otherwise almost incredibly innocent. A pearl necklace and a diamond bracelet were her only ornaments, other than her wedding ring.

Nan was introduced when she brought in the food. Adelaide got up and shook hands with her, saying she had heard how good she was to all of them.

After some delicious soup there were fried fillets of sole done to a turn. Conversation was at first spasmodic and trivial, but when Jasper got busy with the champagne their tongues were loosened.

"Where did you get married?" Emerald enquired. "Why did you not ask us to the wedding?"

"It was all rather hurried," Adelaide smiled. "You see, George was impatient to get home and we wanted to spend a few days in Paris."

"Where was it?" the girl repeated.

"In the Cathedral at St. Malo, but it was very quiet. I have few relations."

"I know an art dealer in St. Malo," Jasper said. "He must be a genius; he sold a picture of mine." It was a fact he liked to proclaim.

"An appreciative genius," was the reply. "Who is he?"

"His name is Lanier., He has a little shop near the Cathedral."

"I do not know him, though I worked for a time in St. Malo. Before that I was in Dinard."

"That is a spot you should see, my boy," his father said. "There is a service of little boats they call videttes between the two places. It is well-named the Emerald Coast because the sea is such a clear and wonderful green. You ought to have eyes like that, my dear," he added to his older daughter. "But I prefer them as they are. Jasper might do some good pictures there."

"Is that your line?" Adelaide asked.

"Definitely not," Jasper said. "I do figures, but I am experimenting in what you might call abstract subjects."

"You must let me see them," she said. "You all seem so wonderfully clever to me. You, I believe, are a writer," she added to Emerald.

"So far, unlike Jasper, without a patron--or a publisher," was the reply.

"She has had a lot of jolly good articles and stories in local papers," Pearl said, speaking up for her. "And her book, when she finishes it, ought to be a winner."

"I am writing it in collaboration with a friend," Emerald said, "so if it does appear the credit will be partly his."

"I always wonder how...