CHAPTER NINE: Hopkins & Mrs. Hopkins
Tommy awoke. He was in a strange place. His body ached. His eyes burned. And yet, his head was on a pillow, a blanket covered him. As his senses cleared, he realized he was lying on the floor of a room he recognized. It was the flat he had visited with Bunny. His heart sank with the realization that the nightmare that had haunted his sleep was true. He had lost Billy. He was alone. As his despair rose up again and was about to overtake him, there was a discreet knock on the door.
"I beg your pardon, sir. We didn't realize you would be requiring the flat so soon or we should have made arrangements for you. Mrs. Hopkins thought she heard someone in need of assistance. We were very much surprised to find you here. I'm sorry we could do so little to make you comfortable. Would you prefer coffee or tea?"
Tommy sat bolt upright. Standing before him was an elegantly dressed man, looking for all the world like a stand-in for Jeeves. Tommy struggled to his feet, his expression confused.
"Oh, you are Mr. Thomas? We received a call from a Mr. 'Bunny' who said you would be taking the house and would move in directly. We didn't realize so directly. But no matter. We must ask you to excuse the state of things. The flat has been sealed, pending execution of the estate. Mrs. Hopkins and I have made things more presentable in the dining room. If you would care to freshen up, breakfast can be served at your convenience."
Tommy stood blinking. Maybe this was a dream. The man had opened the pocket doors. Sunlight streamed into the dining room. The room had been cleaned and the table set for one. The sideboard was occupied by several dome covered dishes. The man stood to one side of the sideboard, ready to serve.
"Um, forgive me, but I'm very confused. Who are you?" Tommy managed.
"Forgive me, sir. I thought you had been informed. We are Hopkins. Mrs. Hopkins, my wife and I, do for the gentleman who occupies the house."
"Excuse me," Tommy walked through the door to the bedroom and into the bathroom. This room, too, had been cleaned and fresh towels and soap had been arranged. Tommy washed up, throwing water into his face to try to wake up. On returning to the dining room, Hopkins still stood ready.
"You're still here. I thought I must be dreaming."
"You've had a difficult night, sir. Some breakfast might bring you around."
Tommy sat at the table. Hopkins poured coffee, asking how Tommy preferred it. He then offered plates of poached eggs, bacon, toast, and pastries. "We weren't sure what you take in the morning. Here after, anything you wish will be prepared." Hopkins retired from the room.
Tommy ate in wonder. And in fact, having eaten, he did feel better.
Just as he finished his cup of coffee, Hopkins appeared with a pot to fill it. "If it's convenient, we'd like to introduce Mrs. Hopkins." A plump, tiny woman in an apron entered the room. To Tommy's amazement, she curtsied.
"A pleasure to meet you, sir. I tend to the marketing, cooking, and laundry. If you have any special requirements, please let us know. Hopkins takes care of the house and property."
Tommy shook his head to try to clear his mind.
"Please tell me, what is going on. I very much appreciate this breakfast. But I don't understand why you are here."
Hopkins stepped forward. "Sir, I thought I had explained. Part of the agreement regarding ownership of this house is that Mrs. Hopkins and I are to retain occupancy of the ground floor apartment. In exchange for the rental and a monthly stipend, we are to do for the owner."
Tommy sat trying to collect his thoughts. He felt as if he had stepped onto the set of an old movie, complete with stock characters for butler and cook. Just as he was about to speak, the doorbell rang, immediately followed by loud knocking. Hopkins went into the sitting room to open a window overlooking the front of the house. Several trucks could be heard idling below.
"I'll be down presently," Hopkins called and went off down the stairs.
All the noise of the street burst into the house. Many men shouted at once, thuds and bangs, and oaths tumbled up the stairs, followed by many heavily shod feet. Leading the procession, like Napoleon his army, was Cupcake. He nodded to Tommy, who stood in the sitting room doorway, and began directing men and their burdens about the flat.
"This in the bedroom, in back - and take the mattress out with you - this to the sitting room - and the sofa may go - these into the dining room, we'll use it for temporary storage while we move other things."
Working among the movers were more men with cleaning supplies. As carpets were rolled up, they cleaned and waxed floors. Others took down curtains and cleaned windows, replacing curtains with new. They toiled through the flat while moving men took out and returned with furniture.
