The Perfect House

Chapter 25: the fun starts . . .

With some relish, Bobba described what happened. "Thorn began going on about the new Ridgeland residential development out near Pentan."

"Pentan?" Florian piped up, "You mean . . .?"

"Wait for it, Flori," Bobba smiled.

"Anyway, Thorn was saying how it looked like being a real money-spinner, and that it would have been good if Gleeson's had taken an interest in it from the start. He went on in a condescending tone that it was a pity that someone in the company hadn't picked up on the opportunity. He was clearly having a dig at Adele's father here. 'Of course,' he added, 'I had the advantage of knowing the area because I grew up out that way. My family had property out there and I believe that the property is to be incorporated in the new development.' He was practically smirking because Baines was listening attentively while casting occasional glances at Mr Atwood."

"Then Baines asked, 'Your people were on the land, Thorn?' and the bugger replies, 'Yes, Mr Baines, but we had business interests in the town also'."

"Well, this was too much for me, and I now realised who this bullshitter was; he was the son of the people who had owned the milkbar in the village, you remember Thorn's milkbar, Flori. That was the only business they were involved in and the only property they ever owned was the shop and the attached house."

"So I spoke up. This is how it went:"

"Mr Thorn," I said, "growing up in Pentan you would certainly have known the Pendergasts."

You could almost see him starting to backpedal. "Er, yes, I do recall that name."

I laughed, "I should think so. The Pendergast family owned far and away the largest grazing and farming property in the area and they lived in that grand house - Ridge House - overlooking the village; and you would have known the three Pendergast girls, of course. I suppose that Thelma, the eldest would have been a little old for you, but Lucille and my mother, Millicent, would have been around your age."

"Yes, er yes," Thorn stammered, "very interesting, but that's by the by now . . ."

Damn it, Frosty Features butted in just as I had the lying bastard squirming.

"Pardon me for interrupting, Roberto, but am I to understand that Thelma Ferguson, nee Pendergast, is your aunt?"

"Indeed so, Mrs Baines. My mother is the youngest of the three sisters."

"How extraordinary. Thelma and I are friends, not close friends, but we see each other from time to time. And of course, Selwyn Pendergast, whom my husband knows from the company directors circuit, would be your great uncle."

"Oh yes, ma'am, that is so."

"George," Frosty addressed Baines in a tone of admonishment, "you failed to inform me that this young man was Selwyn Pendergast's great nephew."

Baines was completely unfazed, "I wasn't aware of it, my dear."

"Roberto, we have dined with your uncle and aunt on two occasions; both very interesting and enjoyable experiences."

"Yes," I laughed, "they are rather grand affairs, aren't they? You could say that my aunt and uncle are throwbacks. They are determined to recapture the charm and ambience of the early Victorian era, particularly as regards their house and their formal dinners."

"Quite delightful," she responded with a much-thawed smile, adding, "I assume that you have dined with them, Roberto."

"Many, many times, Mrs Baines."