Another Holiday Adventure

RodHilling.com

Win Hilling. Stories for my Grandchildren

Another Holiday Adventure

1969-70

One day when I called at the Victoria League office in London I was asked, “What are your plans for tomorrow?”

I answered that my husband’s colleagues in the British Petroleum London office had invited him for a sort of ‘get together’ so I was planning to catch up with my letter writing.

“Would you like to go out for afternoon tea?” I was asked.

Yes, I would like that very much,” I said. “That would be a big improvement on letter writing at the hotel.”

“Good! I will get you an invitation,” I was told. After a few minutes this kind lady returned to the office and handed an envelope to me. As I as in conversation with another lady I just said, “Thank you so much” and put the envelope into my bag. On arriving back at the hotel I was very surprised when I took the card from the envelope and saw that I was invited to the home of the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire in Cheyne Walk, London, S.W.3.

This was so unexpected that my husband and I laughed heartily. Oh dear – if this was to be a garden party or something similar and if I happened to actually meet the Duchess - how would I address her? I phoned the Victoria League and was told, “Don’t worry the Duchess is very friendly, just address her as Marm.”

Later on that evening I thought “I wonder if I have to wear a hat?” The Victoria League office was closed, so I decided to take my one and only hat – a collapsible hat that I really hadn’t expected to use. I could tuck it under my arm and if I arrived early I could wait a short distance from the house and see what other visitors were wearing. This I did and I waited and waited and nobody entered the big iron gates. So at the appointed time I slowly walked up and opened the gates. I found myself in a court yard and walked up the steps to the front door.

There was a bell push on the right and another on the left and a notice saying,’Please push both door bells’. I chuckled and duly pushed both. The door was opened by a tall gaunt lady with a welcoming smile. “Come in, come in, my dear,” she said. “The butler, poor dear, is in hospital with one of those men’s complaints so I have to answer the door.”

My mind was racing – was this the lady’s companion, the house keeper or maybe the Duchess? After general greetings I said, “Excuse me to whom am I speaking?” “Forgive me, I’m so sorry I’m the Duchess – so neglectful of me – I should have introduced myself but I am finding it difficult with no butler, my companion is very old, poor darling, and she is busy preparing our tea. Do come into the library.”

Before I had time to think I was ushered into a comfortable room with books all the way up to ceiling and I was sitting in a huge wing chair opposite the Duchess. “Do tell me about your travels and about N.Z. I have been there only briefly when my husband was Governor General in Australia,” she said. What a lovely person she was – quite old but very upright and a most interesting lady. We talked and she told me that she had been Lady-in-Waiting to the Queen and she went on to tell me something nice about each member of the Royal Family.

I wished I knew more about them because she referred to them by their pet names and I found it difficult sometimes to follow who she was referring to.

“Would you mind if we wait a few minutes before I ring for tea?” she said. “I was told that you were coming and also an Australian lady but she hasn’t arrived yet.” So we continued to talk and then she rang the bell. After a while a little old lady shuffled in carrying the tea tray. The Duchess jumped up and took it from her saying, “You are a naughty girl to carry so much at once.” What an interesting time I’m having I thought – much more interesting than Alf will be having, even with all his friends.

Eventually the Australian lady arrived. She said she had difficulty finding the address.

When I felt it was time to leave I asked if I could use the phone to call a taxi. “Oh no my dear, I will show you – come to the front door. You see the corner of the road there? Well all you need to do is to turn right and a few yards along you will find a bus stop – I use it all the time – so very convenient,” she said.

“I don’t drive now my son says it is too dangerous and, oh dear, he was so cross with me yesterday. I had put an ad in the paper for a temporary butler and he said that was very foolish as anyone could apply and I was putting myself in a dangerous position. So I must manage a little longer. I saw my butler in hospital yesterday and I think it may be some time before he is well again, poor dear. Now off you go – the buses are quite frequent. Goodbye!”

My mind as spinning all the way back to the hotel. What a remarkable lady, she certainly enjoyed meeting people – even me – which made her life so full and interesting.

Editors note 2012: From an internet search it would appear some details or dates here are not correct.