LADY CAROLINE AND THE LADY IN THE WHITE SUIT Part 1


One day Caroline was working in the production office at Life Style Magazine TV when she became conscious of someone standing by her desk. She looked up and saw it was Life Style's owner, Lord Branchester. "Oh, hallo Lord Branchester", she said, smiling up at him. "What brings you into the studio today?" "Actually Caroline I wanted a word with you about a special project. Can you spare a few minutes and we can grab a coffee?" Caroline was intrigued and inwardly excited; 'special project' sounded as though it might involve something wet or messy. "Of course, Lord Branchester," she told him.

'Coffee' for Lord Branchester did not mean Starbucks, so Caroline and he were soon settled down comfortably in the lounge of the South Bank Hotel with a splendid view of Tower Bridge. (Life Style TV had their office and studios in a modern warehouse development on the South Bank of the Thames in London.) "How can I help you Lord Branchester?" Caroline asked, "I have to confess you have made me very curious with your 'special project'". Lord Branchester smiled, "Caroline, I have known you since your were a baby. You used to call me Uncle Robert. I guess you are a bit old for that now, but can we drop the 'Lord Branchester' and just call me 'Bob'." "It was true," Caroline, thought "Bob Evans had been a family friend long before he was given a peerage and a seat in the House of Lords. (It was because Bob an old chum of her father's that Caroline had got her initial break into journalism. Although, in fairness, her subsequent progression had been through talent not nepotism!)

"Lady Branchester and I have funded a swimming pool development at St Aiden's Primary School in Poplar. It is round the corner from our flat. (Although now a Peer of the Realm and extremely wealthy with a country estate, Bob still liked to keep some roots in the area where he had grown up. His Poplar riverside, penthouse-flat, however, was a far cry from the battered terrace house where he had spent his childhood.) We are about to have the formal opening ceremony, which will be carried out by Lady Branchester, and I wondered whether you might be prepared to be our MC for the day. The children would be thrilled to have a 'TV star' visit their school. I'm afraid the afternoon will probably end with you being pulled into the pool by the children, but I assume you won't object to that too much!" Caroline grinned; "I haven't had a good soaking for days! Of course, I'd love to help out." "Great," said Bob, " the event is next Wednesday at 3:00pm. Lady Branchester and I would be happy to give you lunch beforehand at the flat." And so it was agreed.

Caroline returned to the studio and her work. However, she could help niggling away at a small point that was bothering her. Lord Branchester had insisted she call him 'Bob', but throughout the conversation had referred to his spouse as 'Lady Branchester', never by her first name or even 'my wife'. "I wonder if all is OK in their marriage?" she mused. "I know this is Bob's third marriage and that the present Lady Branchester is quite a bit younger than him. Still, it's none of my business, all I have to do is front up the eventand get wet!!!"

On the Wednesday Caroline pitched up at Bob and Lady Branchester's flat at 12:30. Bob was as friendly as ever, but Lady Branchester 'Virginia' was definitely not happy about entertaining a mere TV presenter. Having done her research prior to the lunch, Caroline knew Virginia was 48, eighteen years younger than her husband. Her family were country-gentry but broke, so Virginia had presumable married Bob for his money and title. What didn't seem to have gone down so well in her eyes were his working class roots and values. Caroline noted and observed but kept her mouth shut!

Lunch was a bit frosty and Caroline was glad when it was time to set off for the school. This wasn't far away, and she would have been happy to walk. However, Virginia insisted they get the car out and drive!

Caroline, knowing that children like bright colours had chosen to wear a deep pink suit. The skirt was tight fitting because, from experience, Caroline knew that loose-fitting garments have a habit of riding up in a swimming pool, and she had no intention of flashing her underwear in front of young children!

Lady Branchester, on the other hand, was wearing a beautiful white silk designer outfit, with a gorgeous hat and matching Louboutin shoes.

Caroline had to admit that little as she warmed to her, Lady Branchester did look good and younger than her forty-eight years.

On arrival at St Aidan's School, the Head Teacher met and greeted them. She was clearly thrilled to have a brand new swimming pool facility for her school and was effusive in thanks to Lord and Lady Branchester. The Head took the three of them through to the School Hall where the pupils were all gathered in their swimming costumes and introduced them to the children. The hubbub of excitement was palpable. Whilst Virginia stayed aloof and held back with the Head, Caroline and Bob mingled with the children, chatting to them and answering their questions. The children were thrilled to meet a 'TV star'. Caroline had to grin; she had never thought of herself as a 'star', she was just a working 'hack'. "My Dad thinks you're wonderful," one little girl told her, "especially when you get messy, but my Mum isn't so keen!"

After a few minutes, the Head suggested they move outside to the pool and formally declare it open. The pool was covered so as to provide a year-round facility. The official party stood at one end whilst the children and their teachers clustered round the sides. Caroline stepped forward with an introduction that got the children even more excited. Lady Branchester then made a short speech declaring the pool officially 'open'. She could have hardly been more off-hand and, for the first time, the children fell silent. Caroline was ashamed of her and stepped back up with a few funny comments to re-engage the children. Lady Branchester shot daggers at Caroline with her eyes.

When Caroline had the children cheering and whooping again, she turned and gave Bob a warm smile of relief. Lady Branchester stepped up to her and said, in a low voice that only Caroline could hear, "Don't look at my husband like that, I know you only got this job because you slept with him. Don't think you can push me aside!" And with that she gave Caroline a firm nudge in the back. She staggered and a heel of one shoe slipped over the side of the pool. Off-balance Caroline tried desperately to recover, but to no avail. Arms flailing she toppled back into the pool.

As she surfaced it was surprising the water wasn't boiling so hot was her anger. She couldn't believe what Virginia had just done. It wasn't getting wet whilst fully clothed that upset her that had been going to happen anyway, if was the arrogance and unfairness of Lady Branchester. Not only had she earned her job through graft and hard work, but to accuse her of sleeping with her boss! Bob was a family friend and as old as her father. He had never behaved in any inappropriate manner with her. Caroline felt like shouting out "We aren't all money grubbing bitches like you, you know!" But she held her tongue; it wouldn't be fair on the children to make a scene. Lady Branchester sneered down at Caroline as she turned and walked out of the pool area.

Caroline swam to the side and climbed out. Bob came to offer her a hand. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, "Virginia can be an awful bitch. I don't know why I stay with her." "Not now," Caroline whispered back, "there are the children to think of."

She resumed her MC position and called out to the youngsters. "There, you see how wonderful I think your pool is? I just couldn't wait to try it out. So why don't we all have a swim!" So saying she jumped back in, swiftly followed by the children. As they were all happily splashing about Caroline heard another voice whisper to her. It was the Head Teacher who had also jumped in fully clothed. "Thank you," she said, "you handled that brilliantly. I saw Lady Branchester deliberately give you a shove." "Water under the bridge literally," Caroline giggled. "I'm just glad she didn't spoil it for the children."

After about ten minutes playing in the water, the Head called on the children to gat out of the pool and line up to say goodbye to their guests. Bob and dripping Caroline walked down the line of pupils telling them how lovely their new pool was and hoping they would enjoy it for many years to come. Caroline collected her bag of dry clothes from the Head's office and popped into a staff loo to get changed out of her wet things. She and Bob made their farewells and walked slowly back towards the flat.

"Virginia is an absolute bitch," Bob told Caroline. "The only reason I haven't divorced her already is that I have set up several rather complex financial deals with her name on the paperwork. Once I have rationalised those, she is off. I heard her accuse you of sleeping with me, a remark for which I can only apologise profusely. And as for 'sleeping around', Virginia is a past mistress! She really needs taking down a peg or two. It might just do something for her arrogance if she were humiliated in public, rather than handing it out to others."

Caroline was thoughtful. "If you mean what you just said, I believe I have an idea as to how it might be possible to give Lady Branchester a very public humiliation. Leave it with me"