help with her development, nor her mental state. It is with this in mind that we ask you to consider being her legal guardian.
‘The courts would have to approve your appointment, and the Trust will still have the ultimate decision-making power, but it places you in a much stronger position to raise little Lara.’
‘Well, I think I’m flattered.
‘The only other issue we need to finalise is your appointment as Lara’s guardian. I believe your current salary is 100 pounds plus full board, and lodging is that correct?’
‘Yes, that’s correct.’
‘The Trust has agreed, because of your increased responsibility, to increase your annual salary to 500 pounds. We would also expect you to sleep on the same level as Lara, taking one of the bedroom suites close to hers. You will, of course, have access to the estate’s motor vehicle and driver and will be the most senior staff member with total access to the manor and its grounds.’
‘That’s a very generous offer Sir Horace. How many weeks holiday should I expect?’
‘Two weeks.’
‘I would like some time to consider it. May I suggest I get back to you tomorrow with my answer?’
‘Yes, of course, take more time if you need it.’
‘I’m sure tomorrow will be all right.’
The meeting concluded, Sir Horace departed, and Lisbeth went to see how Lara was.
Lisbeth peered into her room. Lara was lying on her bed.
‘Hello, Lara, are you feeling sleepy, little darling?’
‘No, I feel sad.’
‘I understand. Why don’t we take a walk in the garden? That might cheer you up.’
‘All right, can I take teddy?’
‘Yes, of course you can.’
Lara, teddy, and Nanny went downstairs and into the garden. The roses were in full bloom as were the camellias; the perfume was magnificent.
‘Can we walk down to the lake, Nanny? I’d love to see the swans.’
‘Yes, I think we can do that. Why don’t we get some bread from the kitchen, and then you can feed them.’
‘Yes, that would be wonderful.’
Lisbeth went back while Lara sat on the grass. It wasn’t too long before her nanny returned with the bread.
‘Right, we’re organised. Let’s go.’
They walked down to the far edge of the garden where there was a one-acre lake with a wooden bridge and a small jetty. There was a rowboat tethered to the jetty.
‘Darling, why don’t we row out to the middle of the lake and feed the swans from there?’
‘Oh, Nanny that would be great.’
Lisbeth untied the rope and once Lara was safely seated she pushed off using one of the oars. It didn’t take long before beautiful white swans surrounded them.
‘They must be hungry! Look how they are fighting to get the bread, Nanny.’
‘It doesn’t matter how full their tummies are, they’ll still fight for every piece of bread.’
Once the bread was all gone, Lisbeth rowed back to the jetty helping the little girl to alight from the dinghy. She secured the boat, and they returned to the manor.
Lisbeth ate her dinner with Lara – the cook had prepared her favourite, shepherd’s pie. This would become the standard routine, Lisbeth and Lara eating the evening meal in the dining room. The mansion had two dining rooms: the smaller family dining room where Lisbeth and Lara ate and the grand dining room that held sixty diners.
After dinner, the nanny read from Lara’s new book, The Little Princess by Francis Hodgson Burnett. The young Countess seemed to be able to relate to Sara the main character. It seemed they had a lot in common.
Lara settled into the new routine well. She seemed to have a happy demeanour although she would often cry when she was alone in her bedroom. Lara missed her mummy and daddy terribly.
The next stage in Lara’s life was about to begin: school.
School Days
Chapter 5
September 1948
The day arrived when Lara was due to begin her first year at St Leonards Girls School in Somerset only five miles from Westmoreland Manor.
Lisbeth laid her school uniform out on the bed and helped the schoolgirl dress for her big day.
‘Are you looking forward to your first day at school sweetheart?’
‘Yes, although I’m a little bit scared.’
‘Why darling it will be the beginning of a great adventure, you will meet new friends and learn all sorts of things.’
‘Yes, but I’m still a little scared.’
‘You’ll be okay once you settle in.’
Lisbeth called for the driver, John Spencer to bring the car around to the front of Westmoreland so that she and Lara could be driven to St Leonards to begin her new life.
The Rolls pulled into the school entrance, the imposing front gates and gothic building intimidated the young girl she felt like she was going to a prison.
‘What’s the matter Lara you look afraid. St Leonards is excellent school I know you will enjoy it here.’
‘I hope so. I wish Mummy was here with me.’
‘She is darling, she’s watching over you all the time so is Daddy.’
The car parked close to the main entrance. Lisbeth instructed Mr Spencer to wait while she escorted Lara into the school and introduced her to the headmistress, Mrs Humphries.
The headmistress was a tall woman with red hair worn in a bun. She looked rather stern in her grey woollen suit and practical low-heeled shoes. She had been married to a fighter pilot, Wing Commander William Humphries who was killed during The Battle of Britain in October 1940.
Elizabeth Humphries never married again and she regarded her students as her children.
They waited outside until her secretary announced their presence to Mrs Humphries. The Headmistress
