Read Final Curtain for Free Online

Troy, or should it be Mrs Alleyn? So difficult.’
    â€˜It’s splendid that you’ve come,’ said Fenella Ancred. ‘Grandfather’s terribly excited and easily ten years younger. Have you got lots of luggage? If so, we’ll either make two journeys or would you mind walking up the hill? We’ve only brought the governess-cart and Rosinante’s a bit elderly’
    â€˜Walk!’ Cedric screamed faintly. ‘My dear Fenella, you must be demented! Me? Rosinante (and may I say in parentheses I consider the naming of this animal an insufferable piece of whimsy), Rosinante shall bear me up the hill though it be its last conscious act.’
    â€˜I’ve got two suitcases and my painting gear,’ said Troy, ‘which is pretty heavy.’
    â€˜We’ll see what can be done about it,’ said Paul Kentish, eyeing Cedric with distaste. ‘Come on, Fen.’
    Troy’s studio easel and heavy luggage had to be left at a cottage, to be sent up later in the evening by carrier, but they packed her worn hand luggage and Cedric’s green shade suitcases into the governess-cart and got on top of them. The fat white pony strolled away with them down a narrow lane.
    â€˜It’s a mile to the gates,’ Paul Kentish said, ‘and another mile up to the house. We’ll get out at the gates, Fen.’
    â€˜I should like to walk,’ said Troy.
    â€˜Then Cedric,’ said Fenella with satisfaction, ‘can drive.’
    â€˜But I’m not a horsy boy,’ Cedric protested. ‘The creature might sit down or turn round and bite me. Don’t you think you’re being rather beastly?’
    â€˜Don’t be an ass,’ said Fenella. ‘He’ll just go on walking home.’
    â€˜Who’s in residence?’ Cedric demanded.
    â€˜The usual,’ she said. ‘Mummy’s coming for the weekend after this. I’m on leave for a fortnight. Otherwise, Aunt Milly and Aunt Pauline. That’s Cedric’s mother and Paul’s mother,’ Fenella explained to Troy. ‘I expect you’ll find us rather muddling to begin with. Aunt Pauline’s Mrs Kentish and Mummy’s Mrs Claude Ancred, and Aunt Millamant’s Mrs Henry Ancred.’
    â€˜Henry Irving Ancred, don’t forget,’ Cedric cut in, ‘deceased. My papa, you know.’
    â€˜That’s all,’ said Fenella, ‘in our part. Of course there’s Panty’ (Cedric moaned), ‘Caroline Able and the school in the West Wing. Aunt Pauline’s helping them, you know. They’re terribly short staffed. That’s all.’
    â€˜All?’ cried Cedric. ‘You don’t mean to tell me Sonia’s gone?’
    â€˜No, she’s there. I’d forgotten her,’ said Fenella shortly.
    â€˜Well, Fenella, all I can say is you’ve an enviable faculty for forgetting. You’ll be saying next that everyone’s reconciled to Sonia.’
    â€˜Is there any point in discussing it?’ said Paul Kentish very coldly.
    â€˜It’s the only topic of any interest at Ancreton,’ Cedric rejoined. ‘Personally I find it vastly intriguing. I’ve been telling Mrs Alleyn all about it in the train.’
    â€˜Honestly, Cedric,’ said Paul and Fenella together, ‘you are !’
    Cedric gave a crowing laugh and they drove on in an uncomfortable silence. Feeling a little desperate, Troy at last began to talk to Paul Kentish. He was a pleasant fellow, she thought, serious-minded, but friendly and ready to speak about his war service. He had been wounded in the leg during the Italian campaign and was still having treatment. Troy asked him what he was going to do when he was discharged, and was surprised to see him turn rather pink.
    â€˜As a matter of fact I rather thought—well, actually I had wondered about the police,’ said Paul.
    â€˜My dear, how terrifying,’ Cedric