‘The possibility of a home and a family.’
Luigi leant over and patted the younger man’s knee. ‘You don’t know how relieved I am to hear you say words like that! Mama and I have been hoping that one day your thoughts would turn to these kinds of things. A career is commendable, and you have worked harder than most, but it isn’t everything. We know why you have tried so hard to compensate for your earlier years but—’
‘Damned right I have. I’ve told you before, Luigi, no one’s going to leave me in a mess again.’
Luigi ignored the interruption. ‘Alex, we’ve been through this so many times. Michael thought he was doing it for the best. Don’t let the harsh feelings I know you still have colour the rest of your life.’
Alex ran his hand through his hair. ‘I don’t want to talk about all that any more, Luigi. It’s in the past.’
‘I hope what you say is true. If you have been thinking about family life, does that mean you have at last found someone to share that idea with?’
For a moment Alex was silent, then with a heavy sigh he murmured, ‘In a perfect world, yes, but life doesn’t seem to be like that. There are too many obstacles. She isn’t for me, and I’m not right for her, for many reasons. It’s just the way it is. Perhaps another time it will work out.’
‘In my experience, Alex, what we may consider as insurmountable problems can sometimes be overcome with the will and effort of all parties and, most important of all, with love. If you have that you’re halfway there.’
At this point Maria came in to join them, and by mutual silent agreement the topic of conversation was changed. For the rest of the evening, however, Alex thought about what Luigi had said, without finding any further answer to his dilemma.
CHAPTER 17
Geoffrey Villiers was becoming irate. Franklin had been ranting on the other end of the phone for the last ten minutes.
‘For God’s sake, Lionel, calm down. There’s no problem.’
‘No problem! You pitch up at Clarke’s place unannounced, you get spotted by one of his women, she’s seen speaking to the police, and now, from what you tell me, it’s obvious that maniac Clarke’s lost his head! And you say there’s no problem?’
Villiers winced and held the receiver away from his ear. ‘Who’s going to suspect anything? It’s an occupational hazard with that sort of girl, they know the risks they run. Clarke says his man is good, never been caught yet.’
‘I don’t suppose anybody thought to question her about what she said and to whom, so we can do some damage limitation if we have to? Clarke’s man could have frightened her enough to get some information and make sure she didn’t talk to anyone again; and not this way, either. Did anyone stop to think what her contact might do now? No, of course not! Of all the…’
‘Lionel, it might not have been the police she spoke too, just an old client who owed her some money. I doubt the authorities will find out much about it anyway, for the reasons I’ve already mentioned. I’ll update you on what I can find out when we meet with Gregory as arranged.’
‘I just hope you’re right, Geoffrey. I just hope you’re right.’
*
Jack Ellison hadn’t been to a boxing match for quite a while. The invitation which reached him a day or two ago came out of the blue, but he quite liked the idea. The fact that it was a handwritten envelope and delivered to his mail box at the gates overnight was another interesting point.
The hotel where the event was being staged was busy. Amateur bouts were always quite popular. A bit hit and miss sometimes, but participants, for the most part, gave their all. His minders were keeping a close eye on proceedings, so he settled back in his seat. An attractive young lady was moving along his row, handing out programmes. She would give his Lizzy a run for her money, he thought, eyeing her with pleasure. She pushed a programme into his hand and moved on. He began to open it out and then realised that there was a piece of paper inside. Under cover of a handkerchief he slipped the paper into his pocket, and then settled down for the night’s events.
*
A post-mortem is never the best way to spend any time, and Alex was glad to be out in the fresh air. Although requesting to be present, he’d found it disturbing, knowing Lucille was being dealt with in that fashion. He still remembered her cheeky grin and animated conversation from his time with her all those months ago. He also remembered the concern in her eyes when she’d spoken to him in the pub, and the bruises on her skin.
Her body had been spotted at low tide by the crew of a river barge. She was dead when she was put into the water, with the cause of death confirmed as strangulation, but there were also multiple bruises – those on her wrist now indistinguishable from all the rest. She could have been just one more unfortunate victim of the sort of dangerous life these girls led, but somehow he didn’t think so. He was certain that someone had found out about what she’d done. Had she been seen to have come into a bit of money, despite his warning? Had Clarke put two and two together, and was this the result?
Whatever the circumstances, it was a frightening way for a young life to end. His colleagues would make their enquiries and he had already informed them of what he knew. He’d keep a close eye on things; he owed her that.
*
Sarah was pleased to escape the lecture hall for an hour. Opthalmics was not her first love, and there was the whole afternoon to go. A breath of fresh air and a coffee seemed very welcome. She left the main hospital entrance and headed towards a café just across the road. She saw Alex just ahead of her.
For the last six weeks they had heard nothing from him. She had wondered whether to try contacting him. Jerry had warned her against doing so, but something had to be done. Catherine would be ill soon, she was sure of it.
‘Alex!’
He turned, and after a moment saw her. She was close enough to see his expression change when he realised who it was. The closed face and hard eyes might have deterred her, but she steeled her own resolve. She was doing this for her friend.
‘Hello there, long time no see! How are you?’ The remark sounded casual but Sarah could see now that he looked no better than Catherine. He appeared to have lost weight and his face looked strained and tired.
‘Hello, Sarah. I’m well, and you?’
Liar, she thought, but kept the smile on her face. ‘I’m just going for a quick coffee between lectures. Have you time for a cup with me?’
She saw the hesitation in him, and then he shrugged and she took his arm and hurried across the road before he could change his mind.
When they were settled with their coffee, which he insisted on paying for, she asked, ‘What brings you to Brompton?’
He stirred his cup with obvious deliberation. ‘I’ve been to a post-mortem.’
‘Oh Lord, never the nicest things. You could do with more than a coffee, I suspect.’
He looked up at her with a slight smile and she could see the pain in his eyes; not altogether, she judged, from his recent experiences. As a gesture of comfort she put out her hand and covered his.
‘What happened, Alex?’
It was obvious he knew what she meant, and with something like a sigh he removed her hand.
‘Don’t start, Sarah, please!’
‘Alex, I must. I love Catherine like a sister, and I’m worried about her.’
‘Worried? What do you mean, worried?’
She could sense his immediate concern and this gave her courage to continue. ‘I think she’s ill, both physically and mentally.’ She put up her hand to stop his incredulous retort. ‘Yes, I know that’s putting it a bit strong, but she does need help. There’s been something wrong since… that night.’ She watched him and saw the reaction in his grey eyes. ‘Catherine is living with me at Kensington now. Did you know?’
‘Know? How on earth could I know that, for God’s sake?’
She heard the exasperation in his voice. He was by no means as detached as he pretended to be.
‘It was about a week after that reception. She called me and asked if my previous suggestion of us sharing the flat was still convenient. I was delighted. Grace had rung me to say that she thought Catherine was very unhappy, and I ought to know. I was glad of the chance to get her out of that place, and living with me so I could keep an eye on her. Jerry has gone back to staying with a workmate of his.’
She noticed Alex was looking at her with narrowed eyes.
‘What did her uncle have to say about it all?’
‘It was strange, because Catherine said that he made very little fuss. Knowing him, I can’t understand his sudden change of heart. But within a week we had the move completed, and she’s been with me since then. It’s worked well. I get help with all the chores and expenses. I gather Catherine has agreed to still help her uncle when or if he requires, but she’s also enrolled on a correspondence course for a history degree. I wasn’t able to get her to enrol anywhere in person, she seems to be happy working on her own. She has, though, agreed to be part of the hospital’s volunteer group of translators, and I know she’s proved to be an asset there. She seems to have a natural empathy for people in emotional circumstances. I think it’s because she understands how they feel.’
She paused and looked up at the man opposite. ‘I know she cries a lot, although she tries not to let me see it.’ She saw the muscles in his jaw tighten but knew she had to go on, whatever happened. ‘Alex, she’s lost weight, although she assures me she’s eating. She doesn’t sleep well. I often hear her up in the night. More than anything, though, it’s her total calmness that worries me. She doesn’t show all her emotions any more, as she used to do, but I know that it’s all welling up underneath and I’m frightened about what might happen one day. I’m thinking of having a word with one of the psychiatry consultants about her.’
‘She’s just going to take time to adjust to her new freedoms after so many years.’
‘She isn’t free, Alex. That’s the trouble.’
Sarah held his eyes with her own. He broke the contact first, moved his coffee cup away from him and looked out of the cafe window.
‘What do you want from me, Sarah?’
‘Talk to her, please, Alex.’
‘What am I supposed to say to her?’
‘Grace said that she found Catherine in a distressed state that night of the reception. She thought you had brought her home. Something must have happened. Catherine won’t talk about it.’
‘What do you think happened? That I molested her?’
‘No, of course not, we both know you would never do that.’
‘I came damned close!’
Sarah sat back in her chair and just looked at him. She hadn’t expected that vehement retort.
He ran his hands through his hair and looked up at her. ‘She looked so beautiful and sophisticated that night. I wanted to let her know what I thought, but without frightening her. She seemed so innocent and vulnerable. I didn’t touch her, Sarah. I just kissed her the way you would kiss a child you loved goodnight. I felt her respond, and I knew that if I stayed it would become dangerous in that quiet house, so I sent her up to bed and left, cursing myself for what I’d done. I didn’t mean to hurt her, but it was for her safety that I went.
‘I shouldn’t have left the house, Sarah. I deserted my duties and paid hell for it with my superiors. I was lucky not to be suspended. I thought about telephoning her and trying to explain, but in the end decided it was better to leave things as they were. I hoped after a while everything would settle back down again.’
‘Alex, will you tell me something, and be honest?’
He looked at her, his grey eyes steady. She could see that he was bright enough to know what was coming, but he wasn’t shirking the question.
‘Are you in love with Catherine?’
‘Yes.’
Although she was hoping to hear it, the instantaneous simple reply caught her off guard for a moment.
‘Please go to her, Alex, and tell her that. I’m sure she feels the same about you.’ Sarah was almost pleading.
‘It’s not that simple, Sarah. Our backgrounds are so different. She’s been brought up to marry into a different social class, one she’s suited for; I’m not so much of a fool I can’t see that. I have a responsibility to her, as I’m older than she is. I’ve been on my own for years now and I’ve done all manner of things and had experiences. Catherine is now free to have a chance to enjoy all this, she doesn’t need to be tied to me. Anything you say she might be feeling is because she now trusts me and considers me a pair of safe hands as far as a romantic liaison is concerned. She wants to explore this, but I don’t want to be her teacher and find later on she decides to spread her wings in another direction. I don’t think I could cope with that. So its better left as it is now, with no further harm done.’
‘Alex, I’m sure that Catherine doesn’t desire to be married into aristocracy or want numerous relationships. She just wants someone to love her. I think deep down you want the same thing.’
For a moment Sarah wondered if she’d gone too far. Alex was looking at her with a touch of annoyance on his face.
‘Sarah, I have my career to think about. That’s important to me, more than you think. Up to now I haven’t needed, or wanted, to look for anything more permanent by way of a relationship. This situation has come out of the blue, and at the moment I’m at a loss to know what to do for the best. There are other matters involved as well. I’m sorry, in other circumstances it might have been different.’
‘Well, I don’t know about all that, but if you ask me, I think you should just get to know one another better. It would be good for both of you. I’m sure at the end of the day all Catherine needs is a home and children; much more than I do, if I’m honest.’ With a start, Sarah realised that she had never mentioned this to anyone else, even Jerry. What a day for revelations.
This time it was Alex who covered her hand and squeezed it. ‘I’m sure that’s not true, Sarah. You would make a marvellous wife and mother. Don’t sell yourself short.’
‘Maybe not, but I think I’d better start giving it some serious thought.’
She looked down at her watch. She was late for her afternoon lecture, but this was far more important. She could always crib someone’s notes.
‘What are we going to do, Alex? I am worried about her. Will you just go and talk to her? Jerry and I are going to Scotland next weekend from Friday lunchtime, so Catherine will be alone.’
‘I can’t promise, Sarah, but I’ll think about it.’
‘All right, Alex. Thank you for speaking to me. I must dash off to my lecture now and face the wrath of the professor!’
She planted a quick kiss on his cheek and raced off. Alex watched her go, and then ordered another coffee.
*
Lionel Franklin pushed his plate out of the way and leant back in his chair.
‘Well, at least Aubrey has agreed to my plans for the Scottish route. When I’ve finalised my arrangements I’ll let Duncan know in good time.’ He looked across the table at Gregory Hamilton. ‘That was a pretty stupid idea of his, taking Catherine back to the house when the police were around. It’s caused me to review my plans for her somewhat.’
‘He didn’t know anybody would be patrolling around, or would interfere even if they were.’
Geoffrey Villers, still smarting from his tongue-lashing a few days earlier, couldn’t resist making a point. ‘In fairness, Lionel, I noticed your little plan didn’t work too well either.’
Franklin stared at him for a moment, then answered, his mild tone surprising Villiers who had been anticipating another roasting. ‘I’ll grant you that, Geoffrey. For whatever reason, Hartman didn’t take the bait, but I haven’t finished with him yet. He m
ay prove a useful catalyst. I’ve decided to give Catherine a free rein. She’s gone to live with that Jennings woman.’
The other two looked at him in astonishment.
‘What on earth made you agree to that? I thought you said she was a bad influence.’
‘Yes I did, Gregory, and I still think so. This time, though, it may work to our advantage. If I’m not mistaken, Catherine has formed some schoolgirl romantic attachment for Hartman and Sarah Jennings is just the sympathetic type who might encourage that to continue. Hartman has been around, and given different circumstances might well take advantage of that. Catherine could find herself in trouble, with no one to fall back on, and no choice but to ask me for help. Then she’ll be even more compliant to my wishes.’
‘It’s a hell of a long shot, Lionel.’ Villiers’s sceptical tone was matched by the look on his face.
‘We’ll see. It’s amazing what a bit of old-fashioned romance can do. I’ll just leave it for a bit and see what happens. I shall, however, be keeping a closer eye on her than she might think.’
CHAPTER 18
Alex thought long and hard about his conversation with Sarah, going round and round the problem, trying to decide what would be for the best. Being unable to tell Sarah the whole truth had made the situation seem simple to her. He knew better, and also knew he should just forget all about Catherine and immerse himself in his work. But he’d been trying that, and it wasn’t working. He found it difficult to sleep and was beginning to enjoy the taste of whisky. He even looked up one of his former girlfriends and endured an evening in which he found he had no interest at all, and it was obvious the lady in question realised his attitude and made it plain that he need not contact her again. He couldn’t get away from the fact that a beautiful green-eyed girl had managed to find a place so deep inside him that he would never be the same again.
Generations of Love Page 12
