The teashop
was closed in their honour, Mrs Foxworthy insisted, especially as some of the
young girls outside waving autograph books still pressed their noses up against
the bow windows trying to see into the dim light of the wood-panelled shop.
Alice saw him straight away, but she couldn’t look longer than the two seconds
it took to establish where he was in the room, and then Will was pushing
forward, hugging Frankie like a long lost brother and there was a lot of noise
and exclamation over meeting old friends, as the introductions took place, that
she was grateful it gave her a bit of time to catch her breath. When Alice and
Frankie came face to face and shook hands there was a moment of awkwardness, as
she observed a look from him that she recognised as pity in his grey-green
eyes. Apart from the fact that it felt so horribly formal, Alice imagined that
he hardly recognised her, the striking girl he’d once known was now replaced by
a frump in dowdy clothes of a style long gone by. There were no words, and she
was thankful that everyone was still talking at once. The worst was over,
thought Alice, and it was all so surreal.
‘And you know
Laurette Taylor personally?’ Emily was asking. ‘We loved her in One Night in Rome, didn’t we, Cora? Mrs
Wickens said she saw you both together in Lovers’
Dream at the Torbay cinema when she went to visit her sister in Paignton.
She said you were on the newsreel before the film started, dancing a foxtrot and
looking so very happy together.’
Frankie shook
his head. ‘Oh, we do all sorts for a bit of publicity. You wouldn’t believe the
number of stars I’ve been linked with, and coincidentally, have fallen
passionately in love with just before the film was released. The studios insist
on it, they say it encourages the fans to buy cinema seats.’
‘So, none of
it’s true then,’ asked Cora, looking most put out.
‘Not a word,’
he said, shaking his head and smiling.
He was more
handsome than Alice remembered him, his hair more golden, and now with an
American accent, stronger than the one her brother had acquired in the states,
he was even more impossibly glamorous than her memory and imagination could
have pictured him. Frankie’s clothes were impeccably tailored, and the gold
watch he wore on his tanned wrist was clearly expensive, yet typically
understated.
‘What about
‘Young Doug’, Mr Fairbanks junior? How well do you know him?’ said Emily who
kept abreast of all the film stars.
Alice
remembered seeing a picture of Frankie and Douglas Fairbanks junior pictured
together in Mrs Wickens’s film magazine. They’d had their arms round one
another, and she thought Frankie had never appeared so good-looking.
‘Are you
joking?’ said Emily, sitting as close to him as possible. ‘I wouldn’t be bored,
it would be a dream to be an actress in Hollywood, and attend all those
parties. I know I could certainly get used to the money. Oh, what shopping I
would do!’
Frankie
looked amused. ‘You’ve never seen stores like the ones they have over there. In
New York you can’t see the tops of buildings from the ground, they’re so high
they call them skyscrapers, and the stores are filled from floor to roof with
everything you could ever want.’
‘Oh, I wish I
could see it,’ Emily enthused. ‘How did you break into films, Frankie, was it
easy?’
‘Not at first,
I can’t say it was a piece of cake. I had to work hard, do a lot of jobs I
hated whilst I was trying to get noticed, but I kept going, and in the end it
paid off. I spent a miserable time in repertory here for a few years after the
war, living in dingy bed-sits, and taking bit parts, but once I arrived in
America my luck changed, almost overnight. Anyway, enough of me, I want to know
what you’ve all been doing … a lot of growing up by the looks of things. I
wouldn’t have known you, Emily … and Cora, you were still in pigtails the last
time I saw you.’
Alice
remembered that fateful afternoon too well. She’d known her father hadn’t
really approved of Frankie, as a friend of Will’s, least of all as someone
qualified to court or, heaven forfend, marry her.
‘Cora’s
coming out this year,’ Emily announced on her sister’s behalf, ‘to join Beth
and me at all the dances, not that there have been many in sleepy Pomeroy.
Alice and Mae come with us sometimes, though it’s hard to drag them away from
the castle. I’m so glad you’ve come, Frankie, we need more men to come dancing,
but I suppose it might be a bit difficult if you stop the traffic every time
you go out.’
Frankie
laughed. ‘But, I’m sure you’ll be the
one doing that from now on, Emily Milton. With such stunning sisters, Will, you
must have your work cut out.’
Emily flicked
her hair over one shoulder and beamed, staring adoringly into Frankie’s eyes.
‘Say you’ll come to the next dance, Mr Wallis.’
Beth stepped
in, aware that her sister needed her flirtatious behaviour curbed. ‘Are you
staying here long, Mr Wallis?’
‘Please
everyone, we’re old friends, just call me Frankie. I’ve got a couple of months
off before we start shooting in the fall,’ he said, and as he said the words
Alice felt his gaze. Even the way he said “the fall”, instead of “the autumn”,
sounded so thrilling. She looked up for a moment and wondered if the perceived
look of sorrow in his eyes was just in her imagination.
Mrs Foxworthy
appeared with plates piled high with food. Alice looked nervously at her slice
of ham and salad of lettuce leaves and sliced tomato, feeling that she wouldn’t
be able to eat a morsel. They were quiet for a moment whilst Frankie charged
their glasses with the wine he’d ordered, and raised his glass to them all.
Will was just
getting up to make a speech when a loud knocking on the glass pane of the door
alerted them to the sight of one of the policemen hammering at the door. Mrs
Foxworthy rushed to open the door and in the next second, they saw another
young man waltzing through with Mae in his arms. Her clothes were stained with
blood and her trouser leg ripped to the knee, which was bandaged. He set her
down on the chair, pulling another forward to rest her injured leg on. Despite
her dishevelled appearance Mae still looked devastatingly beautiful even with
her cheeks smudged with dirt and greasy smears of oil. Though they could see
she was hurt, she didn’t appear to be in much pain, and was grinning with
pleasure at all the attention.
‘Mae, what on
earth has happened - are you injured?’ said Alice in a concerned voice, rising
to her feet and dashing over to her side.
‘What on
earth’s been going on?’ said their brother calmly taking in the situation, and
coming forward with a hand outstretched. ‘I’m Will Milton.’
‘Julius
Weatherfield, Mr Milton … how do you do. I’m so sorry, your sister’s been in an
accident,’ he said taking Will’s hand and shaking it firmly. ‘I’ve done what I
can, and there don’t appear to be any breakages … we had a bit of a collision
on the Cockington Road.’
‘It was my
fault,’ Mae insisted, as she was instantly surrounded. ‘I’m perfectly well;
there’s no need for alarm. A lady in a nearby cottage helped dress my arm and
bandage my knee.’
‘Oh no, you
poor thing,’ said Alice, ‘and I don’t expect your poor bicycle came off too
lightly, either.’
Mae’s hand
flew to her mouth and her eyes clouded with tears. ‘Please don’t be too cross
with me Will, I have a dreadful confession to make. … I was riding your motorcycle
when it happened.’
Will looked
thunderous for a second or two, but Mr Weatherfield stepped in again.
‘I took the
liberty of sending it along to my mechanic, and it seems the little damage will
be easily rectified at no cost to anyone. He owes me a few favours, and was
glad to do it. I hope you don’t mind, but I couldn’t leave it on the road, and
we were just yards from his garage. It seemed the sensible thing to do.’
‘That’s jolly
sporting of you,’ said Will. ‘Are you sure there will be no costs involved? I
couldn’t have you putting yourself out.’
‘No, I’m
happy to help. What an incredible machine … American, isn’t it?’
‘Yes, I was
lucky enough to buy it over there a few summers ago just after the war.’
‘How
wonderful … it’s a dream of mine to travel to the states.’
Mae breathed
a sigh of relief as she watched them chatting away sharing a common passion for
speed and motoring in all its guises. Julius was so charming and kind, however
cross Will might feel inside, his own good manners wouldn’t betray him.
After all the
excitement and drama of the afternoon, there wasn’t much time left for
shopping. It was three o’clock before they’d finished Mrs Foxworthy’s rhubarb
crumble and custard, and then Will insisted on taking Mae home immediately, for
despite her protests to the contrary, he said she should really be resting
after such a shock. Frankie excused himself saying he needed to go to the post
office because he was expecting a telegram, and he’d promised to be back by
late afternoon to help his brother plant out some seedlings in the garden.
Alice
couldn’t imagine the glamorous film star getting his hands dirty, but she
remembered he’d always loved pottering about in the rectory garden he’d shared
with his brother before he moved away. He seemed to have a special way with
plants and animals, she thought, they always responded well to the love he
lavished on them. Come to think of it, he was just the same with people, and
recalled how he’d made her feel cherished like never before. But that was then,
and now he’d hardly acknowledged her, all those old confidential glances and
secret looks exchanged, long gone.
Will glanced
over at Alice whose quiet nod gave him the go-ahead. ‘We’d love to, that’s
awfully kind, old chap.’
‘That’s
settled then, and if your Ma and Pa wish to come, ask them too. Shall we say
eight o’clock, and bring your dancing shoes … we’ll dance the night away.’
Emily and
Cora clapped their hands together in unison. ‘A party, how exciting!’
Alice was
surprised he’d invited Flora and her father, but such was his confidence that
he probably knew he wouldn’t be rejected again by them, and wouldn’t care if
they did. She didn’t think she’d be able to cope with the idea of a party, and
besides, she hadn’t a thing to wear. She could feel one of her migraines coming
on, and that would suit her just fine. When Frankie left, Alice said she’d
return to the castle with Will and Mae, and handed Jane the shopping list, with
instructions to Beth to help where she could.
‘I’ve a
little headache, I hope you’ll excuse me, but I should like to take Mae home,
and make sure she’s comfortable,’ Alice explained.
‘I quite
understand,’ said Jane taking the list and folding it in two, ‘take care of
yourself. Perhaps you would benefit from having a lie-down, and then you’ll be
fit for the party.’
Alice smiled
rather weakly, Jane thought, and couldn’t help wondering if her headache had
been a direct result of seeing Frankie Wallis.
In the end,
only Beth and Cora accompanied Jane round the shops but she couldn’t remember
the last time she’d had such an enjoyable time. They stopped in the newsagent’s
first where the girls chose the latest film magazines, and Jane selected a
fashion paper for Mae in the hope that it would cheer her up, and go some way
towards offering a hand in friendship, though she had little hope that anything
much would be accomplished by one small token.
They carried
on to the linendraper’s and haberdasher’s where Jane felt very spoiled as she
chose new sheets, a soft cream blanket, matching pillow cases, a satin
eiderdown with a paisley pattern in pastel greens and shell pinks, and after
she’d picked them out the proprietor promised to send them up to the castle
that very afternoon. A new light bulb was purchased from the ironmonger’s along
with a small alarm clock, and a few candles, which Jane requested, saying she
was used to candlelight at home. Beth insisted she chose a rug to put next to
her bed from the selection of rolled up carpets in a corner of the shop, and
Jane managed to find a pretty rose-covered one on a pale ground, with loops of
blue forget-me-nots round the edge. Alice had also included a new bookshelf on
the list, and having put their order in from the carpenter further along the
high street, Jane looked forward to visiting the bookshop to find some volumes
to fill it.
‘Isn’t
Frankie the most handsome man you’ve ever seen?’ said Emily with a sigh. ‘I
hope I get a dance with him later … and though I would die to dance the
Charleston with him, a slow tango might be more thrilling.’
Cora laughed
and Beth scolded. ‘Emily, you must not be such an outrageous flirt, you’ll get
a reputation.’
‘I bet he’s
used to more than a mild coquettish teasing,’ Emily retorted, ‘and at least I
wasn’t behaving like some of the girls with their noses pressed up against the
window … I was positively restrained.’
‘Well, just
behave yourself this evening, and don’t try and hog all his attention. You
never know, he and Alice may want to spend some time together, it’s been years
since they saw one another.’
‘I doubt
that,’ answered Emily, ‘they hardly spoke to one another, if at all, and I
didn’t see him looking at her, not once.’
Jane didn’t
quite agree with that assumption. She’d seen the moment their eyes had met confirming
her suspicions that once upon a time they had meant a great deal to one
another.
Mr Quance,
the bookseller came out from the back of the shop to greet them. Although a
fairly young man, he was short, and pale in complexion, having the pallor of
one who didn’t sit outdoors very often. He wore a maroon velvet frock coat
belonging to another age, which lent him a bohemian air, rather worn on the
cuffs and lapels, slim trousers, and a velvet smoking cap on his head with a
long gold tassel.
‘Good
afternoon, ladies,’ he said peering over the top of a pair of pince-nez, ‘I
hope the Miss Miltons are well?’
‘Yes, we’re
very well, thank you, Mr Quance,’ Beth answered politely. ‘We’d like to
introduce you to Miss Austen who is staying up at the castle. She is a great
reader, and we knew she’d love to come and visit your shop.’
‘That is most
kind, Miss Milton,’ said Mr Quance scrutinising Jane from head to foot. ‘How do
you do, Miss Austen … is this your first time in Devon?’
‘On no, sir,
I spent one or two holidays in the near vicinity when I was a child, though I
know Dorset slightly better.’
‘I am very
partial to Lyme Regis and Sidmouth myself.’ He took off his spectacles but
continued to stare. ‘And a very strange stranger
it must be, who does not see charms in the immediate environs of Lyme, to make
him wish to know it better.’
Jane started in surprise for she remembered penning those very words
when writing about the seaside resort in Persuasion.
But, it was not such a profound statement, and surely many people must have
heaped similar praise, and uttered the same words about a place that was so
beloved.
‘Do you know your namesake’s work, Miss Austen?’
‘A little,’ said Jane, knowing she was not telling the whole truth. She
felt it imperative to change the course of the conversation as soon as
possible.
‘You have a look of her,’ he said, almost as if he’d known her, though
Jane knew that couldn’t be at all possible. ‘It’s quite uncanny.’
He shuffled away to the back of the shop, and appeared again moments
later with a book. He opened it up at the frontispiece, carefully peeling back
the tissue paper that protected it. Jane recognised it at once as a copy of the
little portrait her sister had once painted. Cassandra had wanted to paint her
so badly, on several occasions, but Jane disliked sitting still for long, and
didn’t like seeing her painted image, not wanting to be reminded that her face
was too round and her cheeks always so red. To think this hideous picture was
actually printed in a book. Even Cassy had acknowledged that it wasn’t her best
work, and now here was someone who seemed to recognise a likeness from it.
‘May I?’ she said.
Mr Quance handed over the book for Jane’s inspection. It was a
biographical work she noted, and feeling very intrigued longed to peruse the
pages properly. Though Dr Lyford had told her about some of the success as an
author she’d had since she died, she’d not been shown any work of this nature.
Had they been kind about her, she wondered?
Beth leaned over to see the picture. ‘Oh no,’ she said, ‘I can’t see any
resemblance. Do you know of any past relationship to the author, Miss Austen?’
Jane felt her cheeks glowing brighter as she denied it. ‘No, though I
suppose there is always the possibility of a distant connection.’
‘Besides, this portrait of Miss Jane Austen makes her look more than a
little bit cross,’ Beth continued, ‘and that cap is most unbecoming. There is a
likeness in the eyes to an extent, and in the curl of her hair on her forehead,
but her lids are rather puffy, not at all like our Miss Austen.’
‘Quite,’ added Jane in complete agreement, ‘and I’m sure if Miss Austen
were alive today she would not recognise herself from that dreadful daub.’
‘Perhaps I was too hasty,’ said Mr Quance closing the book, ‘though I
cannot help thinking what an exquisite possession a good picture of her would
be! I would give any money for it. I almost long to attempt her likeness
myself.’
Jane regarded the little man with suspicion. There he was again, quoting
Emma at her. What did he mean by it?
‘Well, I will allow you ladies some time to look around … I shall not be
far away should you need me.’
He disappeared once more to the back of the shop. Jane couldn’t decide
whether to purchase the book or not, then decided against it. After all, it was
highly likely she’d read something she didn’t like or find out an error or a
collection of mistakes, and she didn’t need to read a book someone else had
written about her life to tell her what had happened. What she really needed
was a little book on Devon and its resorts. At the end of her life she’d been
writing a book set in a seaside town, and she had an idea to update it in a
contemporary setting. A novel or two for some light reading would also be good,
though her funds were limited. In the end, unable to decide on a novel, she
chose a book on Devon and its Environs by a local
author, and carrying her newfound treasure she took it along to Mr Quance
seated in a chair at the rear of the shop, almost drowning in books. He wrote
down the title in a ledger, and noted the price.
‘I wonder
whether you should like to read a couple of articles about Miss Austen I found
in a paper published last year,’ he said, removing his cushion and producing
the newspaper beneath it. ‘E M Forster is a self-confessed admirer of her work,
and a noted novelist … I am sure you know. Have you read A Room with a View?’
Jane shook
her head. ‘I have not, Mr Quance.’
‘I’m sure it
would be to your taste, Miss Austen, indeed, he learned all he knows from your
pen.’
At that
precise moment a black kitten sprang onto the desk and looked up at Jane with
green eyes. Reaching out she fondled the top of his head and he began to purr
loudly.
‘Quince is
very particular about whom he befriends, Miss Austen, but he’s an enormous fan
of your books. He loves nothing more than to hear them read out loud.’
She must have
misheard him, Jane decided, but now Mr Quance was scrambling round on the
floor, searching through pile after pile to find the right book. Perhaps he’s
not quite right in the head, she mused, because it just wasn’t possible that he
should know anything about her.
‘Ah, here it
is,’ he said at last, popping up from behind his desk. ‘I think you’ll find the
characters and the plot development very interesting, and whilst he is a great
imitator, I’ve no doubt it was done from love. Take the paper too, and be not
afraid to read it, he is exceedingly complimentary.’
Oh, thank
you, most kind of you.’
He gave her
what Jane could only describe as a meaningful look before he opened a drawer of
his desk, and pulled out a volume with the title, Sanditon, by Jane Austen, encased in blue-grey boards.
Jane gasped
and plumped down on the little chair just in front of the desk. She couldn’t
help it, for there, in his hands, was the novel she’d started just before her
last illness took hold.
‘It was
published at the beginning of the year.’
‘But it’s not
finished, and besides that, it was to be entitled, “The Brothers.”
‘Yes, indeed.
Please do not upset yourself, Miss Austen, but you must understand that the six
completed novels you wrote, whilst works of genius in themselves, were not
enough to satisfy the appetites of your adoring public. They are always wishing
there were more.’
Jane was now
fully on her guard, and looked around her to make sure Beth and Cora were still
out of earshot. ‘Who are you, Mr Quance, and what exactly do you think you are
saying?’
‘I do
apologise most profusely, but I had to be absolutely certain I was addressing
the real you, and no one else. We have a mutual friend, Miss Austen who has
your best interests at heart.’
As the little
kitten sprang onto her lap and settled down, purring louder than ever, the
light suddenly dawned and Jane knew in an instant he could only be referring to
one person. ‘Dr Lyford … yes, I see.’
Mr Quance
nodded. ‘We were at the same university, and I moved in some of the literary
circles where your work was much admired. Do not blame him for not telling you
all you should know. He thought it best for you to learn a little at a time.’
Jane nodded,
and took the proffered book to stroke its cover. Her eyes filled with tears.
‘Thank you for showing it to me, I never thought I’d see it in print.’
‘It’s yours,
my dear, perhaps you will be inspired to finish it.’
‘But, I must
pay for it. Please, how much do I owe you?’
Mr Quance
covered her hand in his, and gave it a gentle pat. ‘Not a penny, my dear, and
if I can serve you again in any way, please do not hesitate to call upon me.’
Jane started
to protest, but the shopkeeper raised an index finger to his lips. ‘Please,
Miss Austen, for all the pleasure you have given me and so many others I beg
you will accept my small gift. We’ll keep this to ourselves … I should not like
the Miss Miltons to get wind of it. I wish you to know I am here if you ever
need me, as is my dear friend at Dawlish who hopes you are settling in well.’
Beth and Cora
walked up just then, with a book each. Feeling terribly guilty that she’d not
paid a penny for her books, she watched the sisters pay for theirs as Quince
stretched and yawned before dropping off to sleep.
Chapter One Chapter Two Chapter Three Chapter Four Chapter Five Chapter Six
Chapter Seven Chapter Eight Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
This is a thoroughly delightful read. Jane Austen re-awakens in the 1920s, 110 years after her death, and faces the new industrial world with her usual aplomb. Trains and motorised cars, along with shorter skirts, must be accepted. In reduced circumstances, she has to work as a governess. Noting the changes in environment, manners and appearance, but never succumbing to depression or undue anxiety, Miss Austen deals with the same daily social tasks and complications that her characters did. She has young women to encourage and chasten into suitable romances – while not remaining immune herself. The author has convincingly captured Jane Austen’s tone and personality. The 1920s come to life in the way that they affected a rural, once rich, family. The characters are true to Austen’s own novels and I am sure, were she defrosted into life for real, she would be amused and pleased to read this novel. Historical Novel Society
So
begins Jane Odiwe’s ‘fairy story for grown-ups’, in which Austen is
brought back from the dead - scientifically, rather than miraculously -
and transported to the west of England in 1925. Penniless (her royalties
don’t go far in the Jazz Age) and - naturally - alone, she takes the
traditional route for single women of no fortune and becomes governess
to a clutch of sparky girls in a romantically crumbling castle by the
sea.
She
finds the bohemian Milton family quite enchanting, and is sure that she
can bring some old-fashioned order to their somewhat chaotic existence -
but to her initial dismay finds herself falling for the dark-eyed,
curly-haired, and handsome son of the house. What follows is pure
romance, but with the twists of humour and intrigue that Odiwe’s readers
have come to expect. This is such an enjoyable tale - Odiwe handles the
1920s setting with the same assurance that she has brought to her
Regency-set novels, and her rendering of a 20th century Jane is a
delight. Jane Austen's Regency World Magazine
With Jane Austen being alive in the 1920’s and earning her keep as a governess, Jane Austen Lives Again sometimes felt like Downton Abbey meets Mary Poppins/Sound of Music (which are some of my favorite things!). It
was a wonderful blend of history, fiction, and fairy tale! Absorbing,
ingenious, and immensely satisfying – you definitely don’t want to miss Jane Austen Lives Again!
Meredith Esparza - Austenesque Reviews
Meredith Esparza - Austenesque Reviews
Imagine a world where Jane Austen and her favorite characters exist in a Downton Abbey atmosphere—Impossible, you say, and yet, apart from the passage of years, they are all gentlemen and gentlemen’s daughters, as Elizabeth Bennet so succinctly puts it. In Jane Odiwe’s latest novel, Jane Austen Lives Again, our favorite author does not die at 42 in Winchester, but is kept, somehow in stasis, until Dr. Lyford can not only cure her last lingering illness, but revive her again in the prime of her life. The scientific details are not spelled out, and honestly, it doesn’t matter, as Ms. Odiwe’s book will captivate you from the first. Finally we are able to see Jane “live again” sans vampires and magic, and enjoy her introduction to modern life in the 1920’s.
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