Ooh, which reminds me of something.

“Hey, Luke!” I say brightly. “I forgot to tell you. When I was out with Suze this afternoon, I tried out a banjo, and I think we should get it.”

“What?” Luke looks up from his conversation with Elinor, aghast.

“I told her you wouldn’t go for it,” puts in Suze, spearing a piece of steak.

“Don’t look like that, Luke!” I say, affronted. “It’ll be good for Minnie to learn an instrument, so why not the banjo? And we can all have lessons together and become a family folk group, and it’ll totally be a good investment….”

Mrs. Luke Brandon

c/o The Pines

43 Elton Road

Oxshott

Surrey

Dear Mrs. Brandon,

The Queen wishes me to write and thank you for the good wishes which you have sent to Her Majesty.

I am glad to hear that Mr. Derek Smeath of East Horsley (formerly of Fulham) has proved such an invaluable friend, not just to you but to “the causes of love and justice.” I can well believe that he has made the world a better place.

However, I’m sorry to say, there is no “instant fast track” to a knighthood; nor does the Queen have any “spare OBEs” that she could “just put in an envelope for him.”

On behalf of Her Majesty, I thank you again for writing.

Yours sincerely,

Lavinia Coutts-Hoares-Berkeley

LADY-IN-WAITING

TOWN HALL KING STREET LONDON W6 9JU

Mrs. Rebecca Brandon

c/o The Pines

43 Elton Road

Oxshott

Surrey

Dear Mrs. Brandon,

Thank you for your letter. It is always pleasing to hear from former residents of Fulham.

I was glad to hear about your friend Derek Smeath, who managed the Fulham branch of Endwich Bank for so many years. He sounds a most helpful man, and I’m sure you are right that many residents of Fulham have benefited from his wisdom.

However, it is unfortunately not within my powers as councillor to “award him a medal or the freedom of the city.”

I thank you for your interest in the council and enclose a leaflet on our latest progress in green waste management.

Yours sincerely,

Councillor Elaine Padgett-Grant

Hammersmith & Fulham Council

Dear Mrs. Brandon,

Thank you very much for your letter. What a story you have to tell!!!

As one of Derek’s gardening “chums,” I could not agree more with your sentiments that he is an all-round good egg. I was delighted to learn that Lord and Lady Cleath-Stuart are naming a new avenue of trees on their estate “Smeath Walk” after him. He deserves no less!!!

It will be my absolute pleasure to organize a society “day out” to Letherby Hall for the “opening ceremony,” and your check should amply cover our expenses. I assure you, Derek will be none the wiser, until you land the “surprise” on him. I should think he won’t believe his eyes!! Meanwhile, “mum’s the word.”

I look forward to meeting you on “the day.” Meanwhile, stay well and no more adventures!!!

Yours very kindly,

Trevor M. Flanagan

President, EHHS

P.S.—Are you the “Rebecca” who gets into such trouble in Derek’s book? Don’t worry, your secret’s “safe” with me!!!