Harmony House Read online

  Hilary joined them, so Mavis could continue to monitor the door.

  Vicky Simons and Lorna Wallace arrived together and were arguing about the correct address when Mavis first saw them.

  “Honestly, Lorna, you should have brought my note about the ad. I must have mentioned it five times this morning. You are really becoming very forgetful.”

  “If you were finding the information so necessary, Vicky, you should have done it yourself instead of blaming me.”

  They stumped inside, with barely concealed animosity, and decided to take seats in the dining room at opposite ends of the last row.

  Troublesome pair. Why would they want to live together? Look like sisters or cousins. Same angry faces and dark colouring.

  Ten more minutes went by before Eve Barton appeared from a taxi. Mavis was counting and remembered Josette Delacour had said she would be late so that left only Honor Pace unaccounted for.

  Hilary was already shepherding the candidates into their seats and glancing at her watch. She expected punctuality.

  Mavis stepped outside to welcome Eve Barton and when she saw her face, she was very glad she had done so. The woman wore a slouch hat pulled down on the right side of her pale face to hide a bruise layered in makeup that did not do a good job of concealment. As Mavis reached her, one glance at the quavering lips and shaking hands reminded her strongly of abused women she had often consoled in the court system.

  This one needs support and sympathy, which I can certainly supply. Hope Hilary agrees with me.

  She took Eve into the kitchen and poured her a cup of tea, adding sugar without asking and indicating she should stay there for a few minutes and listen to the presentation in comfort. Mavis promised to fetch her later and take her to a seat in the rear.

  Hilary was waiting for a pre-arranged signal from Mavis to indicate all had arrived. Mavis showed her they were one short and Hilary nodded and began.

  “Welcome ladies. Mavis and I are pleased that you answered our advertisement and were interested in finding out more about our plan. Today’s meeting is about introducing each other, and seeing if we are compatible.

  Mavis and I are long-time friends who have watched our menfolk sicken and die, and our families move away, leaving us to soldier on alone. We have managed this very well, all things considered, but we have also noticed this is a growing trend in society. A recent article stated as many as 1.4 million elderly Canadians who are living alone, reported feeling lonely.

  Now, we two have taken the time to investigate the selection of care facilities and residential homes available in and around our fair city, and there are many of these. We have sampled their meals and toured open days. We have talked to their personnel and inspected their accommodations. We have seen their newsletters and marvelled at the range of weekly activities. We have seen common areas, swimming pools and doctors’ facilities. All of these are well maintained and for those who prefer this life, for whatever reasons of health or convenience, we applaud them.

  It’s just not for us.

  Government-assisted care homes for nursing and long term assistance are what we consider a last ditch option. For now, we feel we have the energy and finances to look at other options.

  Mavis and I believe we can live independently, in comfort, with a few well-chosen friends, in one family home in London, for years to come.

  Before you ask, this is not the home I mean. I live here, currently. We plan to purchase a larger home with space for six bedrooms and all the facilities required to see us through the coming years. So we need four companions on this journey. I can see questions arising already, so I will stop and answer your enquiries now.”

  Hilary took a sip of water from a glass, glanced at her notes, her cards, and then at Mavis who was shepherding a younger woman wearing a hat to a seat. She also noticed Josette Delacour arriving and taking her seat and thought she would definitely have recognized her anywhere. That head of vibrant fair hair always marked Jo out in a crowd even in their high school days when they had competed for the attentions of one Johnathan James Langton.

  “I am wondering what financial contributions are required for the purchase of a suitable house?”

  The onslaught of questions was beginning.

  The elegant woman in the front row with the immaculate hairstyle, seemed to have spoken up for others as heads nodded at her enquiry.

  “Mavis and I will sell our current homes and from the proceeds we each hope to contribute something above 100,000 dollars to the general pot. This sum from each participant will allow us the finances to buy a good property and also to customize it to some degree for considerations of aging, such as an elevator and assistance from outside help as needed.”

  This was the crucial point that would separate the simply curious from the definitely interested.

  So far it was taking a few moments for the financial information to sink in.

  Unexpectedly, a small, bird-like woman in dingy clothing spoke up. She had a quiet voice with a lilting Irish accent, but everyone in the dining room heard her appeal.

  “How soon do you wish to have the money in place?”

  Mavis thought, Jannice is anxious to be included. Will she have sufficient funds for this?

  Hilary glanced at her cards. “Jannice, that is an excellent question. Of course, if your current properties are to be sold it will require time. There may be some of you who have the finances available already and if so, the money may be placed with an estate lawyer for safe-keeping until the required amount is obtained.

  Jannice smiled a tiny smile and in the back row, the lady wearing the hat looked relieved.

  A young woman at one end of the same row stood abruptly and stated she was unable to meet the cash demands and she and her cousin would now be leaving. The cousin, who looked enough alike to be a sister, looked shocked, but followed her out to the front hall where Mavis quickly retrieved their coats and wished them well. They exited as they had arrived, arguing together about such a ridiculous, time-wasting idea.

  Hilary was now facing just four remaining candidates. She knew Josette and Jannice for sure, but was not certain about the names of the two others. One must be Vilma Smith or Honor Pace and the other Eve Barton.

  This is working out much better than I had expected but it’s too soon to be counting our chickens.

  Mavis returned and sized up the situation. She went to the front and introduced Hilary to Eve Barton and Vilma Smith, then she discreetly removed the cards for Vicky Simons and Lorna Wallace and wrote a question mark against the name of Honor Pace, who had not yet arrived.

  “I suggest we move the table forward and sit around it to answer further questions and perhaps play a game or two, if you are willing.”

  The new arrangement was soon put in place, and Mavis brought out a tray with drinks and pastries to speed conversation. She exchanged a meaningful glance with Hilary as she took her seat.

  Now we are on our way at last.

  Chapter 3

  Although the numbers were right, there was still a long way to go before final decisions could be made. It started over hot drinks and treats but soon became more about life stories and future concerns.

  The questions continued.

  In which part of London were they thinking of finding a house?

  Building or buying?

  Country or city?

  Old or new property?

  What kind of bedrooms were they looking for?

  Shared bathrooms or ensuite?

  Kitchen facilities?

  House rules?

  Hilary’s general response was to say these decisions would be made together and would depend on the amount of money at their disposal.

  Eve Barton seemed to favour a house outside the city while Jannice O’Connor was alarmed at being without access to city buses. Hilary made a note.

  Vilma Smith introduced the topic of limiting the shared facilities. She stated she had no intention of eating all her meals on someon
e’s else’s timetable and would require at least a kettle and microwave.

  Mavis spoke up while Hilary made another note.

  “I believe it would be useful to eat the evening meal together. Perhaps not every night but two or three times a week to keep in touch with each other.”

  “I really dislike cooking for others,” added Josette Delacour, with a laugh. “I know, French Canadian women are supposed to live in the kitchen but my mother ruled the roost and never allowed me to learn her secrets. I rarely cook for myself preferring to eat out with a gentleman companion if possible.”

  She shook her fair hair into place with a sly smile as if she enjoyed the impact her statements made on the others.

  Hilary suspected Jo was not joking about the male companion. In school she had the reputation of chasing other girls’ boyfriends and never buying herself as much as a coke or ice cream. Jo was responsible for breaking up a promising romance of Hilary’s with these tactics. It appeared she had not changed much since those long-ago days.

  Mavis cleared her throat and stated the objective was for each person to live her own life but with the benefit of shared tasks and the opportunity to talk to and enjoy company whenever it might be desired.

  “After all,” she concluded, “if a woman wanted to live a totally separate life, an apartment in a large building would be sufficient.”

  “I agree,” stated Jannice, speaking quickly and quietly. “I have lived my life as a carer for my mother and father. I rarely saw anyone of my own age to talk to, or shop with, or go for a meal with. I do not want to be isolated for the rest of my days. I have had enough of that. Now I need my own good life with pleasant companions around me.”

  It was becoming obvious to Hilary that Jannice’s style of rapid talking was because of the situation she had been in with ailing parents. The poor woman was starved of companionship.

  Jannice’s confession seemed to prompt the others to tell a bit about their lives.

  The stylish woman, now identified as Vilma Smith, was the next to speak up but her story could not be more different.

  “Personally speaking, I am looking for an all-female establishment. A few months ago I buried my second husband after a happy twenty years together during which time I looked after his three kids from a first marriage. Unfortunately, my step-children never left the influence of their mother and consequently they disliked me intensely. I could tolerate that dislike well enough for their father’s sake but after their father died and they discovered he had left a large amount of money to me, they unleashed their full disapproval and made my life a misery. I want nothing more to do with men or their children.”

  This was more than the others around the table wanted to know on such short acquaintance. They looked down at their cups or fiddled with serviettes and waited, in some discomfort, to see who would dare to speak next.

  Hilary filled the gap with a related question. “Vilma brings up the issue of husbands and children. How will we deal with visits from one or both categories of relatives?”

  “It’s not likely we could accommodate visiting relatives for any amount of time. I don’t believe such family members should be inflicted on others in the same house. We can establish house rules whereby visitors should be entertained in town. No overnight visitors could be the rule.”

  “That sounds sensible, Josette.” Mavis was pleased talk of house rules had emerged so soon. This was sure to be one of the most contentious issues but she and Hilary had decided rules were essential to the smooth operation of a joint ownership plan.

  “Well, thank you for your honesty, ladies. I suggest we break into two or three smaller groups and get to know each other over an activity. I have a large jigsaw puzzle here and Mavis has a questionnaire for each of you. Don’t worry. It isn’t necessary to complete it now. Just bring it to our next meeting.”

  There was an air of relief in the room. Mavis led the way into the comfortable living room where the seats were arranged in twos or threes around a coffee table or side table. She had placed copies of the questionnaire on each surface along with a variety of board games ready to be played. These ranged from a magnetic tic-tac-toe board to chess and bridge. She waited to see who would choose which.

  Then she returned to the dining room and set out the jigsaw puzzle, leaving Hilary to observe the activity in the living room.

  By the time she had found and placed the four corner pieces, Eve Barton had taken a seat beside her.

  Mavis welcomed her and asked if she was a jigsaw fan.

  “Yes, I suppose I am. I began long ago to pass the time at home when my father-in-law was first ill. He was disturbed by noise and chatter. It was a quiet activity and I guess it just became a habit. It gives you time to think.”

  Eve Barton, adjusted her hat to further conceal the bruise on her face and apologized to Mavis.

  “I am not really here for the puzzle. I feel we have a connection. You were kind to me earlier, and I need to explain something before I leave. I have a taxi waiting on a nearby street.”

  “Of course, Eve, you can tell me anything. I am not easily shocked.”

  Eve took a deep breath and swallowed convulsively before she began.

  “You see, I may be here under false pretences. I am not exactly free to make the choice you require.

  I am currently married to a man I have grown to hate. My escape from him became a possibility when a distant relative died leaving me a substantial sum of money. My husband knows nothing of this and I hope to leave him and begin a new life. I am not fit to live alone, however. I feel I need support and friendship until I can recover from what has happened in the past. I am telling you this, Mavis, because I must go now and I am hoping you will give me a chance to be included in your project.”

  Mavis made no comment. She hid her dismay and stood at once, handing Eve a questionnaire and telling her the date of their next meeting as she helped her on with her coat.

  “Please come next time, Eve. I can promise you a safe haven here. Take care.”

  Eve Barton turned with tears in her eyes. It was so long since she had heard such words of comfort that she reached for Mavis and gave her a brief hug before rushing down the steps and off into the street.

  Mavis stood watching her until she had disappeared.

  Her emotions were in turmoil. She felt such empathy for the woman and hoped she had done the right thing by encouraging her. Hilary might have a very different view of accepting into their future home, a woman with such baggage. Mavis had acted on impulse and she felt very strongly about sticking by her word even if there was an argument pending.

  She stepped quietly into the living room and was reassured by the sound of laughter. Hilary and Vilma were competing over the tic-tac-toe board. They seemed to be doing a speed contest and Vilma was winning. Mavis was pleased these two dominant personalities were taking each other’s measure. If they were to be sharing a house, it was essential that mutual respect be established as soon as possible.

  Hilary looked up as Mavis entered and they exchanged an enquiring glance. Hilary nodded happily, but Mavis contributed a frown alerting her friend to trouble.

  At a side table, Josette and Jannice had abandoned their card game and were now in deep conversation. Jannice’s face showed amazement at whatever tale her companion was spinning.

  Mavis hoped it was not some incident from their schooldays that would be embarrassing to Hilary.

  She took the nearest chair and listened in. Best to be forewarned.

  “………and then he picked me up and swung me around and my foot hit the vase of flowers which clattered onto the floor spilling roses and water everywhere. We couldn’t stop laughing long enough to clear it up, so we went off to bed and left the mess there until the morning. It was très amusante!”

  Mavis decided to step in before Jannice was even more shocked.

  She looked at the carriage clock on Hilary’s mantel and saw it was time to draw the session to a close.


  She collected up the spare questionnaire copies and Hilary took the hint.

  “Thank you all so much for coming today. We hope to see you back here in one week. Mavis has your homework assignment and we will have more opportunities to answer questions when you have had time to consider your answers.”

  The three women collected their coats and went off down the steps smiling, waving and exchanging information about how they had travelled to the house. Vilma and Josette had driven cars from opposite parts of London. Vilma volunteered to give Jannice a ride home and save her from the long and weary bus trip.

  “Nobody’s waiting at home for me to arrive, Jannice. I’ll be happy to take you.”

  * * *

  Once the driveway was empty of cars, Mavis closed the front door and went to hear what Hilary thought about their first meeting.

  “Well, Mavis, we have taken on quite a daunting task. I have the measure of Mrs. Vilma Smith and she is a forceful character all right, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I know the type of woman Josette is, and of the two, she is likely to be more trouble in the long run. I did not have much opportunity to talk with the other two women. What’s your opinion about them?”

  Mavis took a seat at the kitchen island and waited until her friend had poured fresh tea into her cup. It was a time for brutal honesty.

  “I am in agreement with your evaluation of Vilma and Josette but we have a serious issue with the two remaining women for entirely different reasons.”

  “Oh, that sounds ominous. Tell me.”

  “Jannice is of lesser concern. She is like a child who has been kept under such control for so many years she is barely functioning as an adult. I feel she would be very easily swayed by any of us and perhaps be unable to live comfortably as an individual with equal weight and responsibility.”

  Hilary blinked and focussed fully on Mavis. She had great respect for her friend’s ability to see within people and discern their motives, but this assessment had been predicated as ‘of lesser concern’. What was to come next?”