Room AB35

The ornate closet in room AB35 has four doors and twenty drawers. Each closet door is embellished with wooden roses and has a pane of glass with lilac velvet plumes pressed beneath it. It’s a grand piece of furniture that dominates the room. It’s particularly the type of closet that belongs in a castle.

I begin work. Emerald green Indian ink, light green crayons, leafy green biro and rich green ribbon are my tools for the job. Paper at the ready I start to take a rubbing of Adelina Patti’s elaborate and swirling signature crest. Over the last few days I have spotted them on fireplaces, on walls, one on the bridge to the estate and this wooden one down the corridor from my room. Green crayon in hand the rubbing is a success. The rubbing is hung by coat hanger and hung on the closet. A portrait of Adelina in green biro is placed on the glass of the closet. More drawings all in vivid green are added to the exhibition.

Visitors arrive. The first couple to enter my room are American. “You remind me of my daughter. She loves to do art, and once you’re in the throws of it you’re like an artistic Einstein. I can see that in you.” Im embarrassed but offer them tea. They decline. The wife wants pictures of me. I play Adelina’s original recordings from my laptop. This is my way of reclaiming the castle for Madam Patti.

An hour or two later, two women and a girl arrive. They take my offer of tea as they have travelled far in the rain to get here. The blonde lady sits on my bed and relaxes. Betsy, a quiet brunette girl of about four sits on the floor. Her mother is wearing a beautiful Edwardian style jacket, which makes her seem like part of this place. We chat about Adelina and listen to her sing. We then set off on a tour of the castle. I take them to the theatre, the breakfast room and the drawing room each time retelling the history of the site.

As I begin to finish up and change there is a rat tat tat at the door. A couple from Cheshire who are searching their family history have come to hear my stories of Adelina. They are descendents of the Niccolini family. I show them my drawings and offer them a lend of my books so they can make notes. I play Mr. and Mrs McDonald some of Adelina’s songs. Earl grey and chats followed, and we arrange to meet up at the Patti bar in the evening before they leave.

The room is empty. My green dress is removed.

The door to Room AB35 is closed.