East Fortune by James Runcie Read Free Book Online Page B

Lothian, the countryside that surrounded it; memories of his brothers.
    â€˜How many do you have?’
    â€˜Two. I’m the middle child.’
    â€˜The peacemaker.’
    â€˜That’s what they say – neither the responsible eldest nor the favourite youngest. What about you?’
    â€˜The second,’ said Krystyna. ‘I have an elder brother.’
    â€˜Ah … so you are your father’s favourite?’
    â€˜Not since I left. I would not be his servant. He thought I was ungrateful. We do not get on well.’
    â€˜I am sorry.’
    â€˜Did you have a happy childhood?’
    â€˜Sometimes I think it was too happy,’ said Jack.
    â€˜Is there such a thing?’
    â€˜Now I am the one being ungrateful.’
    â€˜It is unbelievable,’ said Krystyna. ‘Being too happy…’
    â€˜It was quite idyllic, I suppose – a house in the country; a mother and father who loved each other. It meant there was nothing to rebel against. You spend your life trying to live up to the standards and expectations your parents have given you.’
    â€˜That does not sound hard.’
    â€˜I’m not complaining.’
    â€˜It sounds very, I am not sure of the word, is it “privileged”?’
    â€˜It’s traditional. I’m sure you’ve seen a traditional Scottish country home.’
    â€˜Only the ones I clean.’
    â€˜This is different.’
    â€˜A country house. I cannot imagine it…’
    â€˜Come and see it, if you like.’
    â€˜No. It would not be right.’
    â€˜Why not? I’ve got to go there in a couple of weeks. My father does these amateur theatricals.’
    â€˜I do not understand.’
    â€˜It started off as something for the grandchildren to make them appreciate Shakespeare; you know, get them when they’re young, like the Church, but mostly it succeeded in putting them off. But we do it because my father takes it so seriously and we don’t want to disappoint him.’
    â€˜It is always Shakespeare?’
    â€˜Every summer.’
    â€˜It must take a lot of time.’
    â€˜My father is retired. Why don’t you come?’
    â€˜I cannot do that. What would everyone say? What about your wife? Or your children?’
    He looked surprised, as if he had already told her about them.
    â€˜Oh they don’t come, I’m afraid. I don’t have a wife any more.’
    â€˜I am sorry. I did not know.’
    â€˜No, that’s all right.’
    â€˜She died?’
    â€˜No. She left. The girls are away. University, travelling, you know the kind of thing. Come to the play. Be my guest…’
    â€˜I do not think so, Jack.’
    It was the first time she had said his name. It sounded strange, more familiar than she had intended. It surprised her. Perhaps she had said it out of pity after he had mentioned his wife.
    â€˜You should come. Honestly,’ Jack continued, ‘there’s something charming about it. I think that’s why we still do it. You could even be in it, if you like. We’re always stuck for numbers.’
    â€˜What about the audience?’
    â€˜It’s just the family. When you’re not in a scene you just sit down and watch. It’s very informal.’
    â€˜Do you have costumes?’
    â€˜Of course. And then there’s a bit of a dinner party. It’s like a shooting party, except with Shakespeare instead of guns. Why don’t you come?’
    â€˜I have not been invited.’
    â€˜I’m inviting you.’
    â€˜I would not know what to say.’
    â€˜You don’t have to say anything. The lines are all written down for you.’
    â€˜It would be crazy.’
    â€˜Yes. But that’s the point. You could return to Edinburgh and tell your friends how mad it is.’
    Krystyna was surprised by his enthusiasm. Talking about the eccentricity of his family had given Jack a confidence she had not seen