Skinner: London Magic

(The direct continuation of Skinner: Bouquet)

By Atonia Walpole

Part 1:

Max took Connie out to dinner in a trendy restaurant he remembered and was thankful to find really existed. He’d almost been afraid to give the taxi driver the address. He must remember, he told himself, to check these things out beforehand.

“This is good wine,” Connie said, sipping from the large wine glass.

“Is it? You know I can never remember the names of wines that I like. I’m not a connoisseur as I’m sure you’ve noticed. I once had a friend who spent at least thirty minutes appreciating a glass of wine before he actually had a real drink. It seemed a waste of time to me.”

“I know what you mean. My father is like that. I don’t have the patience when I want a drink.”

Max smiled, “It’s only grape juice, after all. Have you decided?” he picked up his menu.

“They seem to be doing something rather strange with lamp chops. I may try that.”

“Nothing is as it seems,” he said and looked up, suddenly realizing what he’d said and how it applied to himself.

“What?”

“Oh…nothing. I think I’ll have the salmon concoction.”

They placed their order and had another drink of the wine, Connie looking at him across the table, all polished up for London in his suit and tie. She was remembering the first time she saw him in his pajamas with his hair in his eyes chasing a chicken out his door. She smiled.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

“Oh, just that you look very much London today.”

“When in Rome…” he replied

“You’ve come to move some money you said. What does that involve? Are you physically moving it from one bank to another or something?”

“No…I plan to do some trading and hopefully increase my accounts. I’ve got to spend some money on the chateau before it falls down around me or goes up in smoke. Some of the wiring is really dangerous.”

“It’s a beautiful place, Max. I wish you luck in the market.”

“Thanks, I may need it. I’m so very glad you came with me to London.”

“Are you? I almost backed out. After I’d said yes I went and banged my head against a wall, wondering what had I done. I hardly know you. This isn’t the sort of thing I normally do. I can’t imagine what came over me.”

Max smiled, “Perhaps a little magic.”

“You could be right. I think you might be magical. I can’t think why you asked me in the first place.”

“You can’t? Believe me my intentions are purely dishonorable,” his eyes twinkled in the candlelight.

“You could have dishonored me in Bonnieux,” she smiled and picked up her glass.

“Perhaps, but I don’t have to worry about your father beating down my door and taking me to pieces.”

“Do you honestly think he would? Nothing would please him more than for us to, um, become a couple.”

“You mean marry? Yes, I got that impression from him. He’s given me his blessing. Of course I think grapes are involved.”

“You’re very smart, Max. I’m proud of you.” She touched his glass and sipped her wine. “But of course that won’t happen and he knows it. I’ve told him I’m not ever getting married again. Been there, Max.”

“But I haven’t asked you.” He raised his brows.

“Have you been married before?”

“Yes,” he’d said it before he thought and he bit his lip, “briefly.” He had married Toni, magically, but still it was a marriage.

“For some reason I thought you hadn’t been married.” She wrinkled her brow.

“It’s rather a long and complicated story. I’d rather not…”

“Oh, of course. I’m sorry I asked.”

“It’s not…maybe someday I’ll tell you about it…all of it, but not tonight.” Their dinner arrived just in time. He would have to know her a lot better before he chanced telling her about himself.

After dinner they walked along the street for awhile and Max took her hand.

“Do you miss it, Max, living here in London?”

“I think about it sometimes, but miss it? I would say no. I was ready for a change and besides I can come back anytime I want to. I just haven’t wanted to.”

“I’m glad you didn’t or I wouldn’t have met you.”

Max stopped and took both her hands. “Do you mean that? Gosh, Connie,” his face lit up. “Thank you, Uncle Henry,” he looked up and smiled. “I thank whatever gods sent you to me.” He kissed her lightly and they continued on down the street, he feeling a little closer to her, counting the possibilities.

He was still a mystery to her but she liked what she knew of him and he was a great kisser. She squeezed his hand as they walked. She especially liked that he listened to her and was interested in her and that he had figured out her father. That was a big plus in her book. She glanced at him and he seemed to be deep in thought.

Max was thinking how different London was with Connie at his side, almost like having Toni here with him. He felt guilty thinking about Toni but there were similarities. Connie was a quiet presence at this side, not filling the spaces with idle chatter. She was intelligent and affectionate…he hoped to find out just how affectionate a little later. This thought stopped him again. “Have you walked off your dinner?  We can get a taxi now?”

“I think so, Max. Do you not own a car?”

Max didn’t quite know how to answer that. Did he still own a car? He knew where it was garaged if, indeed, it existed in reality. “I do but it’s garaged. It’s really simpler to take a taxi about town.” He would make a point to discover the truth about his car. This was getting more difficult for him. He thought about Terry discovering his reality. At least he had someone with him who knew what was happening.

Max hailed a taxi and it took them back to his building. “Would you like a drink?” he asked as they entered.

“I don’t think so, Max, but go ahead if you want one.”

“Um, no.” He moved over and turned on a lamp.

“I, uh, never unpacked.” Connie bit her lip.

“No, no, you didn’t. Would you like to? There’s room in my closet I’m sure.” He led the way toward the bedroom and opened his closet door, pushing clothes around.

Connie had to ask him, “Max, what is the name of the scent you wear? It’s really…nice.”

Max stared at her a moment. “I…I don’t use a scent.” Had that magic stayed with him?

“But you…always smell so nice and I noticed it in your flat and especially in here.”

“It’s, ah, part of my magic, Connie,” he smiled, not lying at all.

Connie tilted her head, regarding him a moment, and moved over to where he’d placed her bag on a luggage rack. She unpacked, hanging her things in his closet where the scent was strong in a small closed space and then took her toiletries into the bathroom, looking around for a tell-tale bottle of scent somewhere. There was nothing that she could see to account for his scent and yet he always smelled the same. She shrugged, maybe he was magical.

Max had removed his jacket and tie, emptied his pockets and toed off his shoes. It was a little awkward for him. Maybe he should have had that drink. He could count on one hand the times they’d kissed and now he was about to take her to bed.  Where had all that confidence he’d possessed at the House gone? Where were the candles and the music coming from the walls to set the scene? He looked up as she came out of the bathroom wearing some kind of soft flowing thing.

“Connie…”

She walked over to him, slipped her arms around his waist and looked him in the eye. “Max.”

That was all he needed.

 
Part 2:

It began slowly but built into a passionate coming together. Connie’s self-enforced celibacy and Max’s peculiar circumstance exploded between them, carrying them far into the night.

“Where have you been, Max Skinner, for the last two years?” she murmured into his neck.

“If I told you, you would not believe it. Oh, Connie, have I needed you!” Max wrapped her in his arms.    

“And I didn’t think I needed anybody. You’ve changed my mind, Max…oh, God, I didn’t want this!”

“I did,” he looked into her eyes. “I did want it, needed it. You just have no idea how much.”

“What are we going to do? Where is it going?”

“Wherever you want it to.”

“You’ve put me under a spell, Max. I said you were magical. There’s just something about you…I don’t think I can do without.”

“If I told you I was magic, would you believe it, truly? Could your mind get around such a concept?”

“I…I don’t know what you mean. I was just being facetious.”

“I know you were. It’s okay.”

“No, no, what did you mean, Max?”

It was too soon. He picked up her hand and kissed it. “There are just some things that are hard to believe, things that you think couldn’t possibly happen but they do, they have. The fact that I’m here with you right now is living proof there is such a thing as magic.”

She caressed his cheek and he caught her hand and nibbled her fingers. “Whether it’s magic or fate, Max, I’m  ready to be a part of it. Funny, I never  thought I'd say that again.”

“I never thought I’d feel this way about anybody again, really I didn’t, but then I didn’t know you were out here in the world.”

“You must have been hurt pretty badly when your marriage ended.” she said softly.

He looked up at her and she could see it in his eyes but he didn’t answer her directly.

“You don’t always know what’s coming and if you don’t know, you can’t prepare for it. I screwed up the one time in my life I should have been paying attention. I think now it was for the best. She’s happy and things have changed for me and I’ve met you. Nothing would have been possible without her. You should know I still love her and always will but that doesn’t take away from what I feel for you right now this moment. I think we have something pretty special  brewing here.”

“I think you’re right, Max. I believe we do. Does she still live here in London?”

“No, she’s in America and expecting a baby.”

“It’s not yours, is it?”

“No, it’s my brother Terry’s. They were married this year.”

“Oh…that must make for some difficult situations.”

“No, it doesn’t…someday I will tell you a story you will find hard to believe, but not today, Connie.

“Why, why not today? You’ve hinted at something several times, Max. Why not tell me now?”

“Because I’m afraid if I do you will be on the next plane to Marseilles and never want to see me again. I can’t take that chance, not now, not when I…not when I just found you, Connie. I can’t take that chance.”

“I don’t believe anything could be that bad and besides I’ve just found you, too. Do you think I’d let you get away that easy. Whatever it is, Max, I’m with you.”

“I’ll tell you tonight, promise.” He pulled her to him again.

After seeing Connie off to Harrods, Max went to his bank and talked to the manager about what he wanted to do with some of his funds. The manager was skeptical but led him up to the trading floor and introduced him to the group leader, a job Max was very familiar with. They discussed the market and what stocks and bonds to play with. The group leader was intrigued and agreed to let Max have the floor for a few trades.

A few hours later Max was being congratulated. “That was bloody brilliant! Why aren’t you working here?”

“Because I’m making wine in Provence,” Max smiled. “I’ll keep the offer in mind, though.”

Back downstairs he was once again in the manager’s office. “Have I done it?” he asked.

“You have more than done it, not just for yourself but for all of us. You are for hire, aren’t  you?”

“It’s tempting, but no”

“Should you ever change your mind, even for a short time, Mr. Skinner, the offer is still on the table.”
 

Max was tempted. He’d felt that adrenalin rush when things went his way. “I may pop over from time to time. I’ll let you know and we’ll see if it works out for both of us.” They shook hands and Max left the bank considerably richer than when he entered. Now he would be able to make all the repairs he needed to the chateau.

He checked his watch. It was only three o’clock and he didn’t expect to see Connie until five. Connie, he remembered he promised to tell her tonight. He wanted to talk to somebody…Terry.

He walked to a park, sat down on a bench and called him.

“Max, how ya doin’ mate?”

“Good, Terry, very good. I found I hadn’t lost my touch in the markets today and made a tidy sum to repair the chateau. Um, I’ve got a little problem. I’ve met someone, Terry, and it looks like it might get serious. I have stupidly hinted around at something and now I’ve promised to tell her tonight…tell her where I came from, if you get my drift.”

Terry ran his hand through his hair. “Must be something in the air, John called me last night with the same thing. Donna is asking questions and he’s going to have to tell her something. It’s a little more difficult for him because of Toni.”

“It’s not easy for me, either. I’m afraid she’ll run. It’s such a fantastical story, Terry.”

“You’re right it is. Have you thought of asking Jack to intercede? I think he could do it better than I could. I mean I would if you want me to.”

“I hadn’t thought of Jack. I was just going to do the best I could but I see what you mean. Where is he, do you know?”

“He’ll be in London if you need him, Max. That much I do know. Good onya for finding somebody. Who is she?”

“Connie Duncan-Smythe. She’s the daughter of my neighbor in Bonnieux. She’s an American living in France now. I asked her to come to London with me and she did. It’s, ah, good, Terry.”

“I know Toni will be glad to hear that. She worries about you a lot. Call on Jack. You can use my flat if you want. He’s very familiar with it and it’s closer to the sea, you know.”

“Yeah, thanks, Terry. Are you okay, no problems or side effects from your ordeal?”

“Nope, I’m well and Dino’s coming up for a week. In about four hours I think he’ll be here. So you’re gonna fix up the chateau? Good, because next spring Toni and I are planning a trip over to see you, all being well with the little one.”

“That’s great! Look forward to seeing you and Toni. I’ll, ah, let you know about the hot water and so forth.  Give my love to Toni and thanks again, brother.”

“No worries. See ya.”

Jack. Now why hadn’t he thought of him? Of course he would make it real for Connie and do a damn better job than he could explaining it all. Mentally he sent an SOS to his brother. Now to discover if he had a car or not. He felt in his pocket to make sure he still had the keys to the lock up. He’d found them in his desk drawer that morning.

He was excited when he opened the garage and saw it sitting there. He ran his hand over the hood of the Aston Martin and remembered when he’d bought it and where, right after he made his first million in the bond market. Wow, wouldn’t Connie be surprised when he picked her up in this instead of a London cab. He thought he might have time to run it around a bit before time to pick her up.

Connie had been standing with the doorman outside of Harrods for some time. She started every time she saw a London cab slow or stop. She checked her watch again. He was only fifteen minutes late and there was a lot of traffic about.

Max had been by Harrods once but he couldn’t get to the curb to stop so he honked his horn but she hadn’t noticed. His wasn’t the only horn honking. This time he planned to stop for her whether he could get to the curb or not. People would just have to move around him. He managed to get one car over from where she was standing and he put on his emergency lights, opened the door and called out to her. The doorman spotted him first and escorted Connie to the car.

“Max, is this your car? No wonder I couldn’t find you.”

The noise around them faded when he began to move in the traffic “That was rather tricky I expected someone to ram into me any moment, and yes this is my car I decided to take it out today. How was your day I don’t see any shopping bags?”

“I had them delivered hoping Bert would set them inside the doorway. How was your day? Did you accomplish what you set out to do?”

“It went very well. I was even offered employment,” he smiled.

“Did you accept?”

“No, I told them I was a winemaker.”

“And you will be, too. Where are we headed?” She looked out the window.

“To my brother’s flat. I can park there in his space and I know a nice little restaurant where we can have dinner.”

Connie ran her hand over the fine leather seats. “You must have been quite successful in London before you came to France.”

“I made an insane amount of money, Connie. I lived very well. I’m well set up now but I didn’t want to touch my accounts for chateau repairs. Fortunately I made enough money today to take care of that. And it was kind of fun, trading again. Good to know I can still do it.”

Connie smiled at him. He was brilliant, handsome, and good in bed… her mind began to drift…

“Here we are,” he maneuvered the car into the underground garage and found Terry’s assigned space, wondering about Terry’s vehicle. Did he not have one? They took the elevator to Terry’s floor and Max punched in the code to open the door. Memories began flooding over him when he entered, memories of Toni.

“This is very nice, Max, and with a view of the Thames.”

“Yes, it’s right on the water. Only a walkway separates the River Thames from the building.” Max was in the liquor cabinet looking to see what Terry had stocked. “Would you like a drink, glass of wine?”

“I’d like a drink. Save the wine for dinner. What have you got there? Bourbon and water will do for me, thanks.” Max made their drinks and Connie wandered around the lounge, pausing at the photos on a table. “Is this your brother? It must be but he looks a little battered here.”

“Yes, that’s Terry. That was taken after he was brought home from being washed out to sea. Terry always seems to be a little battered. He was walking on some rocks next to a light house and a wave washed him into the sea. He was found unconscious several miles out to sea floating on a wooden boat fragment. My brother Jack found him.”

“Oh, how fortunate! Poor man. Is this Toni? She’s very beautiful.”

“Yes, she is. That’s Terry’s son Henry. He’s at school here. I should contact him while we’re here. Would you want to go to dinner early or wait? It might get to be quite late. We are going to have a visitor tonight, my brother Jack.”

Part 3:

They opted for an early dinner and although Connie peppered him with questions he would only smile and say –later. Once back in the flat he did try and prepare her for what was to come.

“You’ve been curious about me and my brothers and my life, I know, Connie, but it’s not so easy to explain. The word magic has been mentioned several times. I don’t know how much you believe in magic but you’re about to get an introduction to it tonight. I’m taking a chance with you, Connie.”

“Max, I think I told you I was with you. I still am and if magic is real and is connected to you in some way then I’m still with you.”

“Just remember you said that later on tonight. Are you much of a movie buff? Do you go to the theater at all?”

“Not so much to the theater but I used to watch a good number of DVD’s. The last two years have been different, of course. I’ve had something to do with my time. Why do you ask?”

“You obviously haven’t seen A Good Year or you would know…” he looked out toward the now darkened Thames. “What if you saw a character in a movie that really attracted you and through magic you could have him, have him as a companion for a season, three months out of a year? What if there was a place where this could happen?”

“What are you telling me, that this is possible somehow?”

“Yes.” He bit his lip and the door bell rang. “That will be Jack. Don’t be alarmed at his appearance. It’s who he is.”

Jack was leaning on the wall when Max opened the door. “Max, you have need of me?”

“Jack, yes, I do. Come in, brother.” They embraced briefly but Jack’s eye was caught by the woman standing by a chair at the table. “It was good of you to come so quickly.”

“I was in London on some business. You are going to introduce me, aren’t you?”

“Jack, this is Connie Duncan-Smythe, my brother, Jack Aubrey.”

Connie closed her mouth and tried to regain her composure. There was probably an explanation for his attire. “I’m, um, happy to meet you.”

Jack smiled, “I assure you the pleasure is mine.” He bowed slightly and kissed her hand. He looked at her a moment and determined she was not part of the magic that surrounded himself and his brothers and Toni. “I’m at your service, Max. What can I do for you?”

“I was hoping you could explain to Connie our existence, how we came to be. You see we’ve embarked on this relationship that,” he looked at her, “may very well prove to be serious. I don’t like not telling her the truth when she asks questions. I’ve forewarned her a little.”

“I see. Well, find another glass and I’ll try to explain, although I’m sure you could have done that yourself, Max.”

“I would have made a mess of it, Jack. You’re much better at this sort of thing. You did very well with Terry when he lost his memory.”

“May I call you Connie?  First of all, you will have to have an open mind and believe what I tell you is true. It all began at a place called The House of Four Seasons…”

Max watched her face as Jack told the story. Her expressions went from incredulous to awe. She looked at Max frequently with affection in her eyes. He was hoping she wasn’t thinking about flight schedules.

Jack took a drink from his glass, “...and so that brings us to Max, who found himself out in reality here in London and realized it whilst Terry was kidnapped.”

“I had suspected it when I came back from Boston and had no desire to go back to work the next day. I actually did nothing for a few days and then Terry was back in London to see Henry and, of course, he was kidnapped.”

“What an incredible journey you’ve had! I think it’s wonderful! Oh, not all the terrible things that happened to Terry, of course ,but just the fact that it happened at all, that you actually came out of a movie and now exist here. But tell me, Jack, are you not out in reality now?” Connie asked.

“Yes and no. I still have my ship and my men and live in that world but I also can live in this reality, as you call it. I’m from a different age, a different era, and I do not think I want to live in this modern world. Toni understood that better than anyone, I believe. You should meet her, Connie .I think you would be friends.”

“I would love to meet her.”

“You will in the spring. Terry says they are coming over to Provence.”

“To France? I still can’t get over you moving to France. Good God, man, have you no conscience at all?”

“Napoleon was defeated, Jack. We are no longer at war with France.”

“Yes, well, I still live it every day. It’s not over for me. We’ve come to the end of this bottle, Max.”

Max got up and looked for another bottle of wine.

“Tell me ,Connie, how serious is this relationship with Max?” Jack asked quietly.

“I know it’s crazy-sounding but I think I’m in love with him.”

“Not crazy at all. It’s good that you have recognized it so early on. He needs this, Connie. He was a very lonely man here in London, in his movie and since he came out. You’ll be good for him.” Jack smiled at her.

“We’re down to plonk. I’m going to have to restock his supply.” Max opened the last bottle of wine he could find.

“I’ll help you.” Connie looked up at him and smiled. “Unlike you, I do remember a good wine.”

“Will you have time before your flight?”

“I’m not going anywhere…unless you are?”

Max smiled, poured her glass of wine and refilled Jack’s. “Thanks. Jack. I think you saved my ass.”

“One of these days somebody is going to have to save mine. I’ve saved the K&R man three times. There is something wrong with this.” He sipped the wine and looked into the glass.

“You may have another to save. Terry says John is going to have to tell Donna. She’s asking questions he can’t answer.”

“Oh Lord, you didn’t happen to record this dissertation tonight, did you, on one of those machines?”

“No, ever been to Alaska, Jack?”

“I have not. Perhaps he should take her to the house. I could meet them there if necessary. I can’t drink this. What else have you got, any brandy?”

“Yeah, there’s plenty of Scotch.”

“Horrible grog! Brandy will have to do.

“I’m glad you know my history now, Connie. It allows me to speak freely with you.”

“Yes, I understand now why you were reluctant to tell me, but you know it doesn’t make any difference between us. However, I will not tell my father or my sister about all this.”

“That is good. I do not think this kind of thing needs to get around, especially concerning the House. We must protect it, you understand. I hope someday Max will take you there for you to experience the magic.”

“I’d love to go! It sounds so incredibly wonderful.” Connie excused herself and went to the bathroom.

“Max, have you noticed how like Toni she is, not in looks but something about her?”

“Yes I have. I think that’s what attracted me to her. She’s lovely, isn’t she?”

“Yes, very. I’m glad you’ve found someone, Max. Hold onto her.”

“I’m going to try. She’s anti-marriage right now but who knows? That may change.”

“There have been so many changes, and now to sort out John. That may not be as easy as telling a story. I have no idea how Donna will react to Toni and John.” Jack sighed and sipped his brandy.

“Would it help, do you think, if we were all there, including Toni and Terry?”

“I think it might but Toni may not want to travel. You might ask them and see. Ah, here she is, our lovely Connie. We’ve brought you into our family now.”

“I’m honored to be a part of it and I look forward to meeting the rest of the family.”

“That may be arranged shortly. I will leave that up to you, Max, to make arrangements.”

“I can do that. Well, this has turned out to be a rather nice evening,” he smiled at Connie and took her hand across the table.

“Are we staying here tonight?” Jack asked.

“We can. I’ve my car downstairs but I’m not sure I’d want to drive after all this wine and now brandy.”

“Excellent. I shall try and remember how to unfold that sofa into a bed.”

“I can help with that and find you some linens,” Connie offered.

“Thank you, my dear,” Jack smiled back. He liked her more and more.

Jack watched her go off to find pillows and sheets. “How did you meet her?”

“It was the chicken in my bedroom…” Max grinned.

“Never mind.” Jack raised a brow.

ON TO BIEBE: WAITING FOR THE FREEZE (with all the House cast)

BACK TO SKINNER: BOUQUET

BACK TO SKINNER: FINDING GROUND

BACK TO SKINNER: COLD REALITY

BACK TO LIBRISCROWE