The Shriving of Miss Esme Stamp...
Serialized by Patrick George Callaghan Part Six The journey from Primrose Hill had not been without a great deal of apprehension and aside from Constance’s concern over her daughter’s visit to Bayswater, to which Charles had given her every assurance of behaved conduct, she waved the car away with the overbearing worries of a fussy hen. Soon Charles and Esme were easing themselves along the Bayswater road – a busy arboreal road edged on one side by the grandeur of Hyde Park and high black oaks, and where rich green grassy acres ran down to blue glittering waters. The striking gothic beauty of many Georgian villas rose up along its north side, while Charles chatted with gentleness; fully aware of the importance of his passenger’s nervousness and mounting excitement. A fading Costa man waved some pots and pans from a painfully dry looking hand cart; for profit or protest – Esme was not sure. Then Charles slid the hush