Short Story

A FRIDAY MORNING IN JANUARY

Sue Cameron, Sherborne Scribblers

Eloise Anderson was a fascinating young woman, half Scottish, half French. She started life in Edinburgh – a lively, pretty little girl, always asking questions and showing natural curiosity about the world around her. She also developed the mental and physical resilience that comes from combating the cold wind which was such a feature of the city she lived in.

From the age of five she was educated at one of the many schools founded in Scotland by philanthropic merchants to provide an education renowned throughout the world. She was taught English there by the teacher upon whom fellow pupil Muriel Spark later based Miss Jean Brodie. Christina Kay had herself been a pupil at the same school. As dutiful daughters did then she looked after her invalid mother until her death and then went back to teach at her old school. She was an ‘inspirational teacher’ – a private person who never married (her pupils thought she was one of the generation who had lost fiancés during World War 1), who called her pupils ’la crème de la crème’ and opened their eyes to life outside their rather limited horizons. Eloise adored her and Miss Kay encouraged her to love literature and to think of writing herself. Knowing she was half French she also suggested that after getting a degree in English at Edinburgh University she might explore her French heritage. Eloise thought this sounded like a very good plan.

Unfortunately though, by the time she had finished her degree course war was looming again and everyone advised her not to go to France. Nevertheless, Eloise, being the feisty young woman she had become, decided if she didn’t go quickly she would be stuck in Edinburgh for who knew how long. She wanted more inspiration for her writing and, defying all advice, got herself to Paris.

A friend had told her that a friend of his was working in the British Embassy in Paris and had given her a note of introduction so she wasted no time. From the airport she made her way to the embassy. David Robertson read the note and wondered who on earth his friend Fergus would send over with all the pre-war shenanigans going on, but agreed to see her. He was amazed when she came into his office. Eloise had highlighted her French side: she was charming, bi-lingual, intelligent and creative. He was immediately attracted and agreed to help her to find somewhere to stay. She told him she was a writer so wanted opportunities to observe life in Paris and time to work.

After a few days it was obvious that these two enjoyed each other’s company. He wanted to get into politics but found the route tedious. She wanted an escort who would give her the feel of her French side. They were both now stuck in Paris. She was chic, articulate, had a good eye for colour and design and was attractive. He was tall, good-looking and a charming companion. He had a role to fulfil in the embassy; she wanted to get material for her writing so they were not together all the time. But as the months passed and Hitler became more threatening they both thought they should return to Britain while they could.

She didn’t want to go back to Edinburgh and he wanted to be in London so he wondered what they could arrange. He put out feelers and a friend told him about a large house in the south of England that the owners wanted to let. They viewed, they liked it and they took it for ten years. When Eloise told the owners that she enjoyed interior design and tactfully wondered if she could upgrade some of the rooms that were in

dire need of attention, they were delighted and gave her carte blanche. David had to go to London now and then to get himself into the sort of job he wanted. Eloise didn’t mind: she was in heaven; she had a study in which to write her exotica erotica romances and rooms crying out for her ministrations when she needed a break from writing.

David was back for Christmas and New Year. Eloise thought he was rather quiet and preoccupied but he assured her he was tired but thought his new position would be announced soon. He was hoping to get something global and challenging. After he left to return to London Eloise decided to get a newspaper each morning so that she would see the announcement of his appointment when/if it happened.

Not long after David’s departure the news of his appointment as International Communications Official at 10 Downing Street was announced in the Times. Just right for him thought Eloise as she flipped through the rest of the paper. Suddenly she saw his name again, announcing his engagement to an American lady living in London. She couldn’t believe it. The air turned blue and she decided to go for a walk in the cold winter air to clear her head.

When she returned her old Scottish resilience had resurfaced. She would stay in their rented house and contact other charming men she had met over the years. She burnt all the love letters he had sent her in the fireplace in their bedroom and opened her address book. It was a Friday morning in January, What a difference a day makes. But Eloise was one of Jean Brodie’s crème de la crème. She would survive.

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