The Returning Hero

Well I say! What a spiffing day it’s been. I’m not sure what I expected Master Freddie to be like but I certainly didn’t imagine he’d be quite such jolly good fun!


We arrived at the Station in plenty of time. The Rolls was running like a dream; I’d have been upset if it hadn’t been given the amount of time and attention I lavish upon it. Johnny was rather quiet at first. He’s the youngest member of staff at Winterbrook and he gets plenty of teasing from the maids. As a result he’s quite shy around girls but I soon had him laughing and telling me a few tales he shouldn’t have! They all know that Mrs Kelling is Sir George’s mistress and that the two of them have a fine old time of it when she comes to visit. I listened with fascination. I’m jolly glad to say that I didn’t go too far with that cad Archie Hamilton, not that he didn’t try! But one does think about it quite a lot and you can’t help looking at a chap now and then and wondering what it might be like.

Johnny had come along to carry the bags to the car and also because I wouldn’t recognise Master Freddie from Adam – or so I thought. Just shows how wrong Ellie Randall can be! I could have spotted him from a mile off. The splendid army uniform was a bit of a give-away I must admit, but even in mufti I’d have known it was him. He didn’t walk, he sort of swaggered, his upper lip sported a wonderful ‘tache (I do like a man with a few whiskers!), and there was something about his whole bearing that said military man! Johnny trailed in his wake carrying his luggage.

I stepped out of the car and opened the door for him swinging up a smart salute as I did so.

I was gratified to see him stop in his tracks, his mouth gaping like a startled trout! He quickly recovered his composure.

“My word!” he exclaimed, “My dear Papa must be losing his marbles at long last. You can’t possibly be our new chauffeur can you?”

“Yes sir, I am.” I said, trying to remain serious and solemn.

“Godzooks! What a delectable creature you are! Let me have a proper look at you!”

Before I could stop him he had stepped forward and swept the cap of my head, dislodging my hairpin in the process. My fair hair came tumbling down around my shoulders. He took a step back and looked me up and down.

“Why, you are a fine filly!” he exclaimed.

I grinned; it’s been a long time since a handsome man has paid me a compliment like that and Master Freddie is jolly handsome!

“What’s your name, my little chaufferette?” he asked.

“It’s Randall sir,” I said, trying my hardest to remain formal and proper.

“That’s not a girl’s name, I can’t call you that!”

“My first name is Eleanor,” I replied, feeling a blush come to my cheeks as he fixed me with his gaze.

“Eleanor! A beautiful name for a beautiful girl!” he said.

Through all this Johnny was stood there, gaping, the bags at his feet.

Master Freddie noticed him at last.

“Throw them on the back seat my boy!” he commanded.

“Yes sir,” Johnny replied with a tug to his forelock.

He managed to get the bags into the back of the car, then hurried around to get into the front passenger seat.

“No no,” Freddie said airily, “I’m going to sit up front with the delectable Miss Randall.”

“Very well sir,” Johnny said, holding open the door. “I’ll get in the back then sir?”

Master Freddie shook his head. “No Johnny I don’t think we’ll be needing you along the way. You can make your own way back to Winterbrook.

Poor Johnny looked completely crestfallen. He had enjoyed the ride out to the station, and besides which it was a good six miles back to the hall!

Freddie hopped up into the car. “Drive on Miss Randall, drive on!”

Well I didn’t have much choice. I felt sorry for Johnny but the young master had made it very obvious that he wanted to be alone with me and already my heart was pounding at the prospect! As I pulled away from the station I glanced in the mirror to see Johnny standing there dejectedly, his hands in his pockets. Freddie saw me look.

“Don’t worry about him,” he said blithely “The walk’ll do him good, bit of fresh air never did anyone any harm! I’ll let Jenks know not to expect him back anytime soon. Didn’t want him spoiling our fun now did we?!”

“No sir,” I replied, trying to hide the excitement in my voice.

“Now tell me about yourself Eleanor,” he said, “you’re not from the ranks are you? Your voice tells me that. How come you’re driving motors for my dear Papa?”

So I explained the circumstances that had brought me to Winterbrook Hall. I reached the point about my broken engagement.

“Archie Hamilton eh?” Freddie exclaimed, “Must be a complete bounder to have thrown you off simply because you no longer had the dosh. Didn’t the fellow have eyes in his head to see that he’d caught the prettiest girl this side of Durban! Must need his brains testing, or his eyes or both!”

I blushed again and didn’t quite know what to say. I’m not usually lost for words, quite the reverse in fact, most times I don’t know when to shut up!

“So how’s Papa been treating you then?” he asked.

“Mmmm… well he is quite strict…” I ventured.

Freddie snorted with laughter. “You’re not telling me he’s been disciplining you like one of the maids?”

I felt myself go even redder. It was all I could do to nod my head.

“I’ll have to have a word with him about that!” Freddie said “Can’t have an old goat like him laying his hands on a lovely creature like you. It’s just not right!”

I couldn’t agree with him more. I turned and flashed him my most winning smile. He grinned back but then suddenly grimaced.

“Oh golly are you in pain?” I asked him, suddenly remembering that he was supposed to be wounded. I pulled the Rolls into the side of the road and drew to a stop. I turned towards him, concern writ large on my face.

He stopped grimacing and grinned instead. Before I could even think of trying to stop him he put a hand on each side of my face and kissed me! He kissed me! And what a kiss it was! A proper kiss, open mouthed, French-style! I felt myself melt inside and responded enthusiastically. Archie had never kissed me like that!

We surfaced and he grinned again.

“That was rather splendid!” he said, “Would you like another?”

“Yes please!”

The second kiss was even better than the first as I wasn’t so surprised this time and could enjoy it to the full.

We broke apart and he sat back and looked at me, his eyes sparkling.

“Well there doesn’t seem to me much wrong with you!” I observed.

“You’ve kissed it better!” he said, his eyes twinkling, “I’ll know where to come to if I’m in pain again.”

I don’t think he was in pain at all! The grimace was just a ruse to make me stop the car so he could kiss me before we got in sight of Winterbrook. He put his hand on my knee and gave it a gentle squeeze, a squeeze that sent a shiver of thrill up my spine.

“Drive on,” he said softly. His hand didn’t move from my leg until we reached the gates, it’s a bally wonder I didn’t crash the car!

I drew up in front of the house. The whole household was there to meet him. One of the footmen stepped forward to open the car door and Freddie got out to be greeted by his father.

“My boy, welcome home to Winterbrook!”

Sir George led him off towards the house, his arm around his son’s shoulders. Just as they reached the steps Freddie turned and gave me a great big wink!

Oh I am looking forward to the next few weeks! Winterbrook has gone from deathly dull to jolly exciting in just one afternoon! Lucky Eleanor Randall, that’s what I say!

Eleanor