Dear Jasmine,
I read with concern the heartfelt letter
[ie in OVERSPACE #13] from Persecuted of Bognor Regis which
expressed paranoia at being hounded by the incomprehensible "stories"
of DF Lewis and, on top of all this, by the pursuing shape of that
author himself!
Well, let me tell you, that's nothing!
My problem is the unshakeable belief that I may well be DF Lewis in
person! I peer in the mirror, see an ordinary bloke who works for
an insurance company and lives with loving wife and children in a
Surrey semi. But I have that nagging fright that this selfsame image
I see reflected before me, as I shave, is none other than DF Lewis
himself. I then foolhardily pick up a pen -- only to confirm my own
worst fears. I watch it write unadulterated piffle in the guise of
high literary prose sown with the signs of the very anguish and self-doubt
I'm trying so hard to fight against.
Blimey! Is there NO way out? Darling
Jasmine, you're my last chance before I enter a Hell which threatens
to engulf a world that's bigger than the universe. Pretentious of
Coulsdon.
PRINTED in OVERSPACE #14 (UK) in 1991
* * *
Dear Christina,
I know that last night we spoke again at length on the phone, trying
to work everything out. But, really, at heart, what is there left
between us -- not much more than a mere touching of strangers on a
Clapham underground train. So, Christina, I've come to Brackensea
in an attempt to forget you. The ocean (as my mother always said)
is a fine companion at such times -- taking stock, while watching
waves make and break. Loneliness is listening to the surf at dead
of night from a one-bit lodging. It is strange how I can never express
myself properly. Yet words could not even hope to connect two skulls
socket to socket. My tongue's in knots when you take me unawares with
your phone calls. I always end up saying things I never intended and
then blaming the words themselves for having clandestine meanings.
Another day and so I'll
add a bit more. As you haven't rung since my last letter, I thought
you must be dwelling on my fanciful talk of waves and words and so
forth. So, yes, I have decided to scribble out a few more thoughts,
in case you're still under the impression that there'll ever be anything
between us again. Those loud so-called siblings of yours, those who
always seemed to be drunk -- they never took to me, did they? They
were never able to get me to play their games. Effing stupid (excuse
my French!) games, if you ask me. Harry lying on the floor pretending
to be a dead cat. Pauline -- that was her name, wasn't it? -- allowing
anybody to undo her bra straps (she'd got nothing to speak of 'up
top', anyway). And Peter, he tried to make me jump from the box at
an Albert Hall live-broadcast concert -- said it would make those
wireless listeners sit up. Whatever next! I know they'd have grown
out of such pranks in due course (even potty Des!), but not before
someone breaking his or her neck in the process. I suppose I loved
you too much, Christina, to wait around and see you hurt. We only
kissed once, but I'll remember it forever.
Not hearing anything, I
assume you must have gone off with your family to Florence -- something
which was once planned (in my hearing). [Incidentallly, I take it
Uncle Albert is not going with you, in view of what you described
as his 'wandering hands']. Upon reflection, it was rather cruel of
you all to sit around making such arrangements, without even realising
that I might wish I'd been invited to accompany you. You readily accepted
my advice on the travel details. Has it occurred to you that we only
knew each other in the winter? You must look really nice in summery
clothes. Topless, even, when the occasion calls. Brackensea will soon
be closing down for the winter. Even holidaymakers with their silly
kiss-me-quick hats have tears in their eyes -- from the cold wind
perhaps -- or from a grief which only holidaymakers can feel at the
end of the season. The amusement arcades have shutter-men making preparations.
The Ferris Wheel almost seems to roll along the promenade in search
of its hibernation. The cut-down rollercoaster looks more like a contraption
that they used in the French Revolution or in Second World War concentration
camps. Anyway, I must go now
I tried to ring your flat,
but the phone didn't answer. You must still be away with the "family."
The moment I realised you were going to a foreign country, I thanked
heaven that you'd be away from some of those godawful friends of yours.
See? -- my first thoughts were for your well-being, not mine. Your
father said he'd always wanted to go to Florence. Hasta la vista!
(excuse my Italian). Your father was certainly young for his age.
Working on Albert Dock seems to have kept him spry. Did I tell you
that I can actually see the beach from my lodgings window? It was
cluttered with wind-breaks and crouching children for most of the
summer. Now, it's almost deserted. I can barely distinguish the dark
shapes of a couple throwing pebbles into the sea -- trying to make
them skim, no doubt. They're now strolling along the sea's edge --
it's the blurring of the late afternoon which makes them seem joined
at the waist rather than hand-in-hand. I wonder if their 'touching
of strangers' will last. I can't stop giggling, Christina. I've just
imagined that couple out there on the beach being two of your crazy
'siblings.' That's why they're now lying down on the cold puddly sand,
pretending to be beached whales, presumably! I didn't know, until
recently, that all you lot were really what people call 'yuppies.'
I've read about them in some old colour supplements in the lounge
here -- that they go around saying 'Yah!' and 'Crikey!,' wearing pin-stripe
shirts with studs through the collars, and sloane-ranger costumes.
Seems to fit them, eh? But, now, a dying race -- quite out of fashion.
I wonder if Harry, Pauline, Peter et al have sobered down. Anyone
reading this letter in a few years' time will probably never have
heard of the word 'yuppy,' let alone know its meaning. I still can't
stop giggling -- better than crying, I suppose.
I expect you'll get my
letters all in one go, when you return from overseas. If I'd thought,
I'd've numbered all the envelopes. The lodgings are suddenly full
of people -- come here for Christmas. (Incidentally, while I think
about it, when you've been abroad for a significant length of time,
don't you feel that your own street is either narrower or wider, like
a foreign country itself, don't you think? (excuse my English!). Anyway,
that couple on the beach I told you about last time -- they wave at
me sometimes when they see me with my nose plastered to the window.
I can just see a flicker of black at their shoulders. During the night,
I expect they're no longer there. The sea sounds more brittle in the
winter -- no longer the hissing strains of the spume running over
the shingle, but more like glass shattering -- each wave a suddenly
crazed car windscreen with its own brand of migraine. All this is
to give you a sense of ambiance, Christina. And I sit in the corner
of the dining-room at my own separate table. The other guests stare
at me. Surely, I should be staring at them, since they are the newcomers,
after all. Most of them are downright obnoxious, as silly as your
so-called friends used to be. In fact, one of then does remind me
somewhat of Pauline (if that was her name). I begin to wonder whether
it may indeed be Pauline. She often smiles my way (underneath the
stare), when I look up from the soup. After Christmas, I wonder whether
I should leave Brackensea and return to London. I expect Florence
is wonderful at this time of the year. A renaissance of a place.
It's too cold even for
that couple to be on the beach. Snow instead of sand. Chunks of frozen
lumber being landed from the sluggish sea (excuse my sudden ambition
to be a poet!). The whole place looks a frigging dump. The Christmas
roisterers left the lodging yesterday. The one who looked like Pauline
had a most unfortunate accident. During a party game, she had an eye
pierced with a knitting-needle. The ambulance was here relatively
quick, despite the weather. The landlady's currently awaiting news
as to her condition. The girl's companions told us they would try
to return in a few weekends' time -- to visit her in the local hospital.
Later -- you won't believe
it, Christina -- but I've see that couple again. Not walking on the
beach hand-in-hand, this time, but actually cavorting in the cold
sea! I don't judge the incident, merely describe it, and leave it
at that. (Excuse my sang-froid). The lodgings are quieter now. The
landlady and I often have a hand of whist. Mrs. Roper is her name,
if I haven't mentioned it before.
Well, today's another day.
Nice of you to ring, after all this time. Yes, I can confirm that
I am still in the land of the living. It is peculiar, however, that
you never received my letters since the first one -- especially as
you never went away as planned. Little matters it, though -- I never
had anything more to say to you really. I'm writing this in the dining-room
at my separate table. No guests, except for a man introducing himself
as DF Lewis who grunts under his real words. I can't say I like the
cut of his jib. Looks strangely unfamiliar under the beard. And, no,
I don't think I'll be able to accept your kind offer to accompany
you and your "family" to Florence this spring. It would
never work out, you with your sparkling personality and me with mine.
Sorry to hear about Pauline. And about Harry and Peter developing
racking coughs. I'm nothing, if not in love with you. Pity about the
age gap, though. Godfrey.
* * *
Dear Maude
Afternoon. Anyway,
you know what it's like. As soon as the family gets home, I've got
not time even for the natural bodily processes, or almost! Des always
arrives first (he comes on the overnight coach), clutching a potted
plant -- sometimes I think he must be shy, hiding behind the biggest
bloom he can buy. I soon packed him up to his old room to get ready
for dinner while, with nose duly pegged, I drop a whole term of his
dirty washing into the twin tub. I don't resent doing it really --
I know how hard students have to study.
Evening. Harry and
Peter are late. Christina's come, of course, bringing me a bumper
box of Black magic. I can't tell her, can I, that I've been off chocolates
these last two years, because I suspected a link-up between them and
migraines. You can understand, can't you, Maude, you of all people,
embodying such allergies, vulnerabilities, sensitivities and weak
constitutions with which God saw fit to curse us all in the autumn
of our days. Sorry, I'm getting so wordy, but these letters of mine
to you are almost like serial confessions! Must break off now, as
I can hear the sound of Harry's jalopy coming up the drive. I expect
Peter's with him.
Morning. Des's potted
plant looks so pretty in the middle of the dining-table, I've cooked
a hearty breakfast -- I know how Harry likes mounds of fried bread
when he's here at home. Des will be a bit annoyed when he discovers
I've no mushrooms. Went clean out of my head yesterday. Christina
still avoids cooked stuff for breakfast, but there's plenty of fruit
juice and cereal for her. It's a pity, though, her feeling a bit off
colour this morning. I'm a bit worried that Peter's a day late because
of some trouble he's in. Harry says he wasn't waiting outside Clapham
South tube at the appointed time to be picked up in the jalopy. I
must say Harry could have waited around a bit -- something about the
parking being bad round there. Des came down late for breakfast, of
course. If you'd had a son of your own, Maude, you'd understand. Despite
the lack of mushrooms, he managed a bit of something.
Afternoon. Christina's
in the garden, sun-bathing. I told her she'll only catch a chill.
I must say, though, I simply love her wide-brimmed hat. Her Godfrey
bought it for her in Florence. But Godfrey's persona non grata these
days. Pity, I liked him -- ever a good card at whist. He was fond
of me, too, always untwirling my apron strings when I'm in the middle
of something dangerous in the kitchen. Laugh? I nearly died! Harry
and Des (who, I may have told you, never got on together as little
boys) have gone off in the jalopy. Peter's still not arrived! He could
have tried to give me a ring. All the boxes must have been vandalised
by those lager louts, I shouldnÕt wonder. I don't like using phones.
Evening. Raining
pretty hard now. Christina stayed out in the garden till the very
last moment. She hasn't told me yet how her little florist business
is going these days. I expect she'll get round to it. The jalopy's
not back yet -- they said they might be a bit late for dinner. Something
about finishing up visiting you, Maude, of all people. They're probably
with you now. I hope they're not too much of a nuisance. They always
called you Auntie, I know, but they shouldn't have visited you unannounced
like that.
Bedtime. I'm not
tired at all. Though it is time I made the Horlicks. Nice of you to
ring, Maude, with the news that Harry and Des are staying over with
you. I know you said it's no trouble, but I can't help thinking that
they're imposing on you. Christina's here, sat by the television watching
something or other called Buzzcocks. They keep pulling faces on it.
I hope Christina wonÕt be left on the shelf. Good Friday often seems
the right time to take stock. I wish my Dick was still alive. My bed's
been more lonely the last two years. I know you had a soft spot for
him too, being a real gentleman as he surely was. Peter's not rung.
It is strange that I worry more about him than the others, him being
adopted.
Morning. It's taking
me a long time to finish this letter. Peter's absence is now really
beginning to worry me. Christina's gone off to meet the next train,
she says. How she knows he'll be on it, I donÕt know. Perhaps she
has some other errand in town while she's there. You rung up again,
told me the boys are OK. The potted plant looks a bit worse for wear.
I think it was dying on its legs when Des first bought it. He's got
no common sense between his ears. A bit like his father. But there's
no good in trying to change people. It's a nice blow day -- I think
I'll hang out the washing. It's hard to make plans for meals, when
everybody's out and about doing their own thing. Must go now, phoneÕs
been ringing again. I'm a bit slow on the uptake these days. Oooh,
I hope it's Peter.
Two days later.
Sorry -- I've been very busy cooking. But I promise I'll get this
letter off in the post today. Christina's in the garden -- it is certainly
warm for Easter. But I do wish she wouldn't go topless -- I donÕt
know what the neighbours must think. Peter rang at last. Apparently
not coming. Something cropped up. Youngsters these days have a lot
of commitments. I'm glad you kept me informed about the jalopy. Broken
down in your drive, you say. They'll go back to college straight from
yours. Well, it's on the way, any rate. When I next see you, I'll
give you the Black Magic for looking after them. But what about Des's
washing? He's probably forgotten. He'll live in those jeansful of
holes for the whole of next term. You say I shouldn't carry the weight
of the world on my shoulders. I wish Dick had never smoked. I think
I've got a migraine coming on. In my back, this time. I shouldn't
have got so much food in. Christina eats like a bird. Well, Maude,
I hope the boys weren't pests and that your rash is under control
again. I'll write you a proper letter tomorrow when I'm no so racked
with pain. All my love, Florence.
* * *
Dear Albert
Just a short line to set your mind at rest and tell you I'm getting
on all right in this new home. The other guests are really quite friendly,
especially Desiree & Agnes. And, yes, I mustn't forget Godfrey --
heÕs a real sweeties. Does up my shoelaces for me.
Stop worrying.
I'm getting along fine.
Love,
Florence.
Dear Florence
Thanks for your letter. It certainly set my mind at rest. After I
left you, I donÕt mind telling you, I cried, I literally cried to
see you sitting in that bedroom all on your own, looking like a lost
soul. You were sure that all the others would be off their rocker,
as you put it, so I bet youÕre pretty pleased to be wrong on that
score. Everything
you wish yourself,
Albert.
PS: Your handwriting seems to be getting worse. I suggest you use
block capitals next time you write.
Dear Albert IÕll start
this letter the way I mean to continue it. I was rather upset by your
attitude when you last wrote. Pretending all was hunky-dory. Well,
I can tell you, I'm very sad. Desiree has left (here one day, gone
the next, without even a bye or leave -- and she pinched my potted
plant I'd left downstairs on the telly!). Agnes is always in her room,
whatever's going on downstairs. The lady-who-does says she'll be surprised
to see her up and about ever again! Godfrey's not talking to me, ever
since I said I didn't like men because of the skidmarks on their long
johns -- my late Dick's being the worst of a bad lot I have to say!
And,
Albert, the food's gone right down the drain in the last few weeks,
ever since new management came in. Can't you spare the time to come
and see me for a weekend? Older brothers are meant to look after their
sisters, I always thought. If Mum were still alive, I'm sure she'd
make you come.
I still love you, Florence.
Dear Florence
It took me a long
time to read your last letter. I'm sorry to have to say this, ducks,
but your writing's really gone to cock now. I can only just manage
to make out every three words, even with my best glasses.
It's
been busy, now that Dick has gone. I'm off up north next week, on
a new campaign. Wish me luck. Glad to see that the home's still up
to scratch.
Your
endearing brother, Albert.
Dear Albert
I've had no letter from you. Have you forgotten the address? There's
yet another firm running the place now. They look foreign. Agnes is
up and about again. I told that lady-who-does (who hates the new bosses
as much as us guests) that Agnes would get better. But she is much
thinner. I joked about her and the toasting fork, only yesterday.
Godfrey's come creeping back to me, ever since Pauline talked him
off his trolley (Pauline attached herself to him since, you can tell,
she likes sitting next to men at the dining-table, giving her a status,
I reckon she must feel). I have to undo my shoe-laces, just so that
Godfrey can do them up again! His back's playing him merry hell, the
poor dear. Pity there're not more men in places like this. But they
say they die earlier than us women, because they work harder. Tell
me another one, do! Mr Roper has just come in the guests' lounge.
Funny, it's an English sounding name, but he has a twang in his speech.
He says we've got to do without the telly while it's being mended.
Can't remember the last time you visited me, Albert. Love to Maude.
All
my love, Florence.
Dear Albert
Mr Roper says the telly will have to stay away a long time getting
mended and, because of the war, we'll have to ration out the food
and the electricity even more sparingly. Is there a war going on?
I thought the last one would be enough to stop anyone wanting another
one, wouldnÕt you? I expect those noises in the back garden we hear
at night (those of us who can hear!) are something to do with it.
Building air raid shelters or something. Mr Roper says we may have
to live out there soon. Godfrey's gone missing. I pity any undertaker
cleaning up his body! Agnes is a real scream.
See you
soon, Florence.
Dear Florence
Haven't heard from you recently. Are you sure you address the envelopes
clearly enough? The postman always shrugs when I ask him if he's seen
any of your missives hanging about the sorting room. Anyway, I'm sure
you must be doing OK, or I would have heard something. I will definitely
be down to see you in a few weeks, now the job's in its off season.
By the way, Maude's been off colour recently but she sends her love.
Affectionately,
Albert.
Dear Florence
I'm a bearer of some
really terrible news. Maude passed over last night. It was all so
sudden. The priest arrived too late to give the last rites, so he
had to make the best of a bad job. I donÕt expect you'll be able to
come to the funeral and I'm going to be a bit pushed myself, now the
job's picking up again. But I promised her a good send-off. She's
my sister as well as yours, when all's said and done.
You must keep yourself in good nick in these current times, Florence.
Dick would tell you the same thing, were he still here. Your ever-loving
brother, Albert.
Dear Albert
My eyesight is now
so shocking, I can't make head nor tail of your letters. They're just
words to me. Mr Roper's been replaced by a nice lady who used to be
a district nurse, though I'm sure I've met her before, somewhere.
We've had workmen here all day, dismantling something in the garden.
They shake their heads and mutter something being worse than the bloody
French Revolution (excuse my French!) I'm put in mind of those women
knitting away as the heads came off! Agnes says she's going back to
live with her relations in Kidderminster. She's lost so much weight,
they now feel they've got enough room for her. Makes sense, I suppose.
I hope
Maude is well. Pauline's my best pal now that there's not even a sniff
of a man in the whole place. Must be that war which does it. Have
you been called up yet? The food's looking up, too. We get proper
plates now and more than just a few nameless lumps pretending to be
spuds. No wonder, Agnes is nothing but a garden rake with crumbs on
its teeth.
The telly's
coming back tomorrow, they say. No longer on its last legs. But I've
lost track of all my programmes and it'll be the devil's own job to
catch up on all the gossip. Don't think I'll bother watching it. Might
pick up on the snooker, though. All those nice young men. If they're
not already in the trenches... ItÕs so good in colour. Hope to see
you before Christmas. Bring Maude with you. Love, Florence.
Dear Albert
Pauline says they're going to close the place down, because it doesn't
pay. I might have to come back home and live with you. I'm not so
active as I once was, so don't expect me to be the life and soul of
the party. I'll help where I can. I know how busy your job keeps you,
Albert, especially with my Dick dead. If I can get the right glasses,
I may be able to do some of the paperwork for your job. Bugger my
eyes (excuse my French!) but theyÕll be the death of me.
A new
male guest has arrived. He looks terribly wounded, judging by the
way he walks. He has his eyes all over Pauline. She keeps hiding his
pipes, and laughing all over her face. I reckon she's slowly going
round the bend. Did I tell you she only has the use of one eye? Doesn't
stop her, though. She was too young to be put in the likes of this
place, methinks. Oh, by the way, Albert, thank Maude for her nice
letter. It sure did buck me up. Love and flowers, Florence.
Dear Mrs Tidy
Thank you for taking the trouble to inform me of the sad news. Reading
between the lines, I'm sure you must have been very kind to Florence
in her last days. She and I were always very close, but my legs are
not what they were and I can't make it down to the funeral. I've pinned
a small cheque to this letter for a few flowers. It's not so much
as I would have wished but, unfortunately, I've recently lost my job.
I hope the authorities see to her things properly. I only wish there
was more of us family to care,
Yours
sincerely, Albert Rack.
Dear Mr Rack
I return your cheque as you did not fill it in. Florence was one of
our favourite guests at Homeleigh, so we shall miss her dearly. I'm
afraid I can't answer your letter properly, as we could only make
out every fifth word. Incidentally, I'm bewildered at how the letter
got here at all, with next to no address on the envelope. Perhaps
you've got friends in high places at the post office.
Pauline, whom Florence may have mentioned to you, I'm pleased to report,
put up the money for the whole affair. I believe she made all her
money from knitting machines. It was a very nice service, so you have
no need to worry, if indeed you were worried.
I attach a memento of Florence. She told me she wanted you to have
it. There's something included for your sister Maude, too. By the
way, if you are looking for a good home, in the autumn of your years,
Mr Rack, our rates are reasonable, the grounds picturesque, the area
select and entirely under new management since that minor scandal
last year. (It was exaggerated anyway and the numbers involved were
not nearly so many as the newspapers indicated).
Must
go now. Time to frapper le gong de dinner (excuse my French!)
Yours
sincerely, Agnes Tidy.
PS: I
attach a photo of myself in the garden. Some people call me the lady-who-does.
PPS: It was a great pity Florence's children never bothered with her
in her last days. In fact, I think she tried desperately hard to forget
they existed, in the same way as they had her.