Endless Night Page #4

Huh, well I must say that, between

the two of you, and Greta ...

you've certainly practiced a

great deal of deception.

I think I better have a talk

with Michael alone.

Good idea, erm ... why don't

we all adjourn to the bar?

Well, if you think things will look better

through the bottom of a glass ...

Might make ... us ... feel better though.

- Don't I get one?

- Of course.

Erm, you've probably guessed that, err,

I have something to convey to you.

Oh yes, sir.

If err, only I knew just

how to convey it ...

- In two little words.

- Oh?

How much?

Bearing in mind that, Gina Barretti's

first collected five hundred grand.

- I see you've done your homework.

- Certainly.

However ... as the nearest I got to

being a Miami lifeguard was ...

dishing out the deckchairs at

Littlehampton-on-sea ...

one August bank holiday ...

you might ... consider offering

me ... only half that.

Such a figure had crossed my mind.

Well it crossed it in vain, sir.

Err, just out of curiosity; no

obligation on either side ...

how much?

A quiet divorce with no scandal,

what do you say?

I might settle for the state of Texas

as a first installment.

Haven't you ever heard of two

people falling in love, sir?

Not only have I heard of it my boy, but ...

one way or another I make

half my income out of it.

I see that you have sense of humour.

Which, as a member of this family,

you're certainly going to need.

Greta ...

what do you know about Greta?

Well, only what Ellie's told me.

You've never met her?

No.

I would have, if ... Ellie had had her way.

Greta would have organised the

wedding and the honeymoon.

But I put my foot down there.

Good!

Did you know Greta had been

dismissed by the family?

No ...

But to be honest, I can't

say I'm sorry.

Do you mind some advice there?

Don't let Greta attach herself

to you and Ellie.

Well couldn't Ellie ... pension

her off, or something?

Greta's a little young to

be pensioned off.

And awfully attractive ... even to

a desiccated old poop, like me.

Then she ought to find it

easy enough to get another job.

With the sort of references that

she'll get from this family?!

Of course I suppose that ...

Ellie could show her gratitude by

settling a sum on Greta ...

that would get her out

of everyone's hair.

I'll have a talk to Ellie

when we get back.

If you can do it without

hurting Greta's feelings ...

but Uncle Andrew, you haven't

said a word about Mike.

He's great isn't he?

Really special.

He's an extremely attractive

personality ...

and I can see exactly why

you married him.

Managed to slip away ...

So far, no one's changed

the subject once.

Anyway ... I've no hard feelings.

- Why should you have?

- Why indeed.

After all ... we're both in the

same boat, more or less.

You more, and me less, unfortunately.

Oh, do you mind?

How do you mean?

Well I married the thin end

of the family trust.

And while Ellie's around

it stays thin.

Mark you, I'm not complaining.

Oh, by the way ... now that we're

members of the same family ...

you wouldn't happen to have a

spare tenner about you would you?

It's just that I've got this

awfully good thing for Ascot ...

and it's too late to

go to a bank.

Thanks, old man.

Yes well, I better get

back to the demo.

Tell them that I'm expecting them

up here to dine tonight.

What, all of them?

All of them.

I told you you were going to

need your sense of humour.

I have known our Ellie since

the day she was born.

She was lovely then ... she's

even lovelier now.

Here, here!

I want you to raise your glasses

and drink to her happiness.

To Ellie and Michael.

Ellie and Michael.

Ellie.

Telegram, madam.

Oh, more congratulations perhaps.

Oh, that's marvellous,

Greta's back tonight!

Greta?!

Greta?

She'll meet us tomorrow,

down at Gypsy's Acre.

Isn't that wonderful, Darling?

Lovely.

There she is ... look!

Greta!

Do hope you'll like her.

But not too much.

Greta!

Oh Greta.

This is Mike ... at last!

At last indeed.

Hello Greta, very

happy to meet you.

Ellie has talked about you so much

I ... feel I know you already.

And you Darling ...

you look so happy.

- I am ... ecstatically!

- Oh marvellous!

My wonderful reward for abusing

my position of trust ...

as Cora so beautifully put it.

What are you gonna do Greta?

Oh, I have a secretary's job lined up.

Abroad?

No ...

in London.

When we move in ...

you must be the first,

absolutely the first ...

to come and stay with us.

- Isn't that right, Mike?

- Why not.

Come on, I'm just

dying to talk to you!

Uncle Andrew's had the

most wonderful idea.

Well... now you have met her...

what do you think?

She's certainly beautiful ...

And strong.

Stronger than Ellie, I think.

I love Ellie ... I really love

love Ellie, Mike.

I was to remember

those words later.

While we were waiting

for the house ...

Ellie and I took over the antiques

shop in Market Chadwell ...

the very one that had

brought us together.

Until at last, Santonix sent for us.

And the great day had come.

At Gypsy's Acre ...

we have, a principal living area that

I call 'my room for all seasons'.

Well, now, let's pretend ...

the season's set for winter.

The windows are, one-way only ...

you can see the view outside

but no one can see in.

And now ... after winter ...

spring.

Ellie is making her music ...

Ellie, the music maker, the

dreamer of dreams.

And now ... after spring ...

summer.

That's magic ...

Now ... to the next ...

What happened ...?

Magic ...

- O, where did that come from?

- I don't know ...

Well ... is this how you imagined it?

My imagination never

went half as far.

Thank you ... oh, thank you!

Gypsy's Acre ... life of happiness.

Good fortune.

That's Cora's car!

She didn't waste much time.

Oh, what a day to call!

Well I don't wanna see her.

Why not go inside and

pull up the drawbridge?

They haven't seen us yet ...

please, quick, quick!

I don't think they've moved in yet.

Well ring the bell anyway.

Now ... nobody can see us.

Your health, madam.

I can't see anything!

Now, come on now ...

Hello!

I think she's going!

Darling Ellie ...

called but you hadn't arrived,

will try again later.

Oh ...

What do you think, Darling ...

we found a cute, eighteenth century,

furnished cottage for the summer ...

only fifteen miles from you.

Oh ... God!

Quite by chance, would

you believe it?

Frankly, not for a bloody second.

Now, what do they want.

What are they after down here?

Stay where you are!

I think you better explain yourself.

Who the hell are you?!

George ... I believe that's

Mr. Rogers ... isn't it?

Yes.

I thought I recognised him

from the newspapers.

Oh, Lord!

I'm awfully sorry, Rogers.

My name's Philpott, local Doctor.

We're neighbours.

- Oh err, my wife.

- How d'ya do.

What happened, Mike?

It's alright, Ellie, these are our

neighbours, The Philpotts.

Doctor Philpott is the local Doctor.

- My wife, Ellie.

- How do you do.

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