by Jane Corrie
When she was ready, Beth studied her subject with narrowed eyes, and had her pencil poised in her hand ready for action. Gradually, the, small area was being invaded by the islanders, all intent on arranging their wares for sale, hoping to persuade the tourists to part with some of their spending money.
One woman in particular caught Beth's eye, and in fascinated absorption, she watched as she placed her huge basket of flowers on the ground, then settled down beside them. Her bright red dress, contrasted vividly with the gorgeous pastel colours of the
flowers spilling out of her basket; but it was her hat that compelled attention. Made of straw, it was quite the largest hat Beth had ever seen. Its decorations, plastic flowers and several bunches of black plastic grapes, that emerged from all points as if they were actually growing there, was worth a study in itself, thought a delighted Beth, as her hand moved swiftly over the pad in front of her.
Glancing up a few moments later, she saw with exasperated amusement that her model, discovering Beth's preoccupation with her, had started to pose in a most unnatural way. A few early customers, however, soon put an end to-this, and Beth was able to continue work.
Time passed, and she happily sketched on. Several fishermen had drifted past carrying loaded panniers of fish. The catch had been a good one, as was evident by their high spirits and gay laughter.
The tourists had moved on, and the flower woman, now free of encumbrances, adopted her pose again. The fishermen, not slow in catching on, saw no reason why they should not be included in the picture, and when Beth next glanced up she found herself confronted by what appeared to be a small crowd of willing models.
A slightly dismayed Beth had to abandon her original sketch in using the flower woman as her centrepiece, and with stoic complacency decided to include her 'extras' in the picture. She wouldn't get such a chance again, She told herself, and they were only preliminary sketches.
Unfortunately it didn't stop at that, for a second batch of fishermen arrived on the scene, and like their
compatriots, became extremely interested in the proceedings. Soon Beth's flower woman was completely eclipsed by her additional extras. A little belatedly, Beth realised she ought to have called a halt on the first appearance of the fishermen, for now things had got slightly out of hand. What had once been a peaceful harbour scene had turned into Petticoat Lane on a Sunday.
Suddenly the place was filled with tourists, and the fishermen, making full use of the occasion, started selling their catch. Somebody produced a guitar, and this sparked off an impromptu dance from the irrepressible islanders, and before long a few of the tourists joined in. An amused Beth closed her sketchbook; it was impossible now to go on working. All interest in the picture was now gone, the opportunity of selling their wares overriding all else, and Beth was more than a little relieved.
Everyone, it appeared, was thoroughly enjoying themselves, and as Beth's eyes roamed over the crowd she caught sight of her flower woman determinedly making her way towards her. Her passage had not been an easy one, if the rakish angle of her enormous straw hat was anything to go by. As her basket was empty, she had obviously done well, and Beth assumed she was on her way to finish her elected role as her original model—not that Beth could see that there was any hope of continuing her earlier theme. -
`What on earth is going on?' demanded an irate voice that rang imperiously over the heads of the crowd.
Beth's fingers froze on her sketchbook, and she
wondered if she could somehow lose herself in the crowd, but she wasn't quick enough. As if by magic, what had once been a thriving market place reverted back to peace. Only a few interested spectators remained, one of whom was the faithful flower seller, who stationed herself by Beth's side, not only claiming her acquaintance but giving Beth no chance of assuming an innocent facade in the face of the earlier bedlamic proceedings. Of the fishermen there was no sign; it was as if the earth had opened up and swallowed them.
Noticing the way Gavin Patterson's eyes rested on her, Beth knew she would be blamed for the whole affair. The mere fact that she was in the vicinity was enough for him, she thought miserably, and she was not at all surprised when he acknowledged her presence with a drawled, 'Good morning, Miss Knight,' in a voice that said she hadn't heard the last of this. He then turned to his companions, whom Beth presumed to be some of those V.I.P.s that Janice had mentioned, since he was taking the trouble to personally escort them. 'This part of the harbour dates back to the sixteenth century.' Beth felt his eyes rest on her again as he continued. 'Normally, this is a quaint and peaceful place,' he glared at Beth again, 'and we try to keep it so ...'
They had now moved on towards the harbour entrance, and Beth took the chance of making herself scarce. She would not have risked going near the harbour had she known he was liable to put in an appearance. It wasn't such a large place after all, she thought, although she had grave doubts that any
place would be large enough to prevent her colliding with that man! Beth had not been a great believer in fate until now, but she had a nasty suspicion that Gavin Patterson was going to play a major role in her future on the island—which looked like being a very short future indeed.
Making certain that the autocratic owner of the island was safely out of her vicinity, Beth found a secluded spot below the harbour steps and had her lunch. What appetite she might have worked up had now gone, and by the time she had struggled with one crisp, salad-filled roll, she was replete, and the gulls fought for the rest of the lunch. Only the hot coffee received full justice, and she was grateful for it.
Like an outflanked general, Beth had to think carefully about her next move. She couldn't risk attempting to get any more harbour sketches that day—indeed, any day, not if what had happened was liable to be repeated ! Getting out her sketchbook, she studied her morning's handiwork. Considering everything, she was quite pleased with what she had got. Enough to make a start anyway, she thought happily, so her day hadn't been entirely ruined.
There only remained the question of how to fill the rest of the day until Johnny was due to pick her up. She looked at her watch; as it was only just past midday, that meant along afternoon to contend with. She stared moodily out to sea, thinking how happy she had been that morning, and of the wonderful pictures she was going to paint of this island of paradise. Her mouth twisted wryly at the thought. Of
course there just had to be one fly in the ointment, she sighed inwardly, and what a fly ! With anyone else it might have been possible to make amends, an apology even—but not with this haughty individual ! Apologies were things he never listened to, as Beth had good cause to know.
Her eyes rested on a distant sailing boat with bright orange sails. Nicholas wasn't the only one who had tried to smother the artistic streak in her; Gavin Patterson, it seemed, was taking up where Nicholas had left off. Her forehead wrinkled in thought; surely there was somewhere she could go without running into the wretched man? After a second's thought her brow cleared. Janice, of course ! Being such a good secretary she would be bound to know her boss's movements. All she needed was an itinerary of his working day, and her problem was solved.
Her frown was soon replaced at the thought of just how she was going to get this information from Janice without certain facts coming to light. Her small chin squared; she would tell the truth—the whole truth; it was the only way to gain Janice's co-operation—and not only her co-operation, she thought, unable to suppress a smile—she might well be horrified enough to forbid her to leave the cottage grounds !
Her amusement soon faded as she visualised Janice's reaction to the news that her boss and her sister didn't exactly see eye to eye—and that was putting it mildly! There was only one redeeming factor about the whole wretched business, and that was that she would no longer be considered a candi-'
date for the job Janice had lined up for her—not even the most fanatical optimist could hope for that!
Beth spent the rest of that day wandering around the
hills at the back of the harbour, only taking her sketchbook out when there was no likelihood of interruption, which was not often. The places she chose would be deserted one moment, but bunches of tourists would come into sight before she could really get to grips with the view she was attempting to sketch—and never being certain that one of the groups wouldn't contain her public enemy number one, she would hastily close her book and move on.
It was with a kind of relief that she set about the task of disillusioning Janice and bringing her up to date with recent events, asking casually when they had had their evening meal and were now relaxing over their coffee if she remembered the camera episode.
Janice's vague, 'Yes, dear,' told Beth she hadn't entirely got her attention, and that she was with her John, in spirit, if not in body! but she persevered anyway. 'Er ... it fell in the harbour, you know,' she continued, and went on to fill in a few very relevant facts that she had left out previously.
She was gratified a little while later to note that she now had Janice's full attention—not to say shocked reaction! In fact she had it the moment Gavin Patterson's name was mentioned.
`You mean to tell me,' said Janice in a weak voice, `that you were swimming in the harbour, and Gavin hauled you out?'
Beth nodded, trying unsuccessfully to keep the
spark of amusement out of her eyes at the thought of the next disclosure, particularly on seeing the result of this very mild confession, and rather unfairly she did not give her sister time to assimulate the news before giving her another shock, launching straight away into the swimming pool fiasco and subsequent events.
Janice's brown eyes opened to their full capacity. `You pushed him into the pool?' she squeaked.
`I didn't see any point in worrying you about it before,' said Beth defensively, adding quickly, I thought he was just some official trying to throw his weight about.'
`Throwing his weight about,' repeated Janice in a daze, then stared at Beth. 'You say he recognised you at the garden party?' she asked, and frowned. 'He didn't say anything to me,' she muttered half to herself.
`No,' answered Beth thoughtfully, 'I did wonder about that. I was expecting him to ask you to try and keep me in order.' The twinkle in her eye belied her words, and for the first time since the confessions, Janice's sense of humour came to the rescue and she grinned at Beth.
`Of course he would do no such thing ! He wouldn't hold me responsible for my madcap sister—others might, but he wouldn't.' There was silence for a moment or so while Janice took stock of the situation, and it no longer amused her. She sighed. 'Oh, dear, I did so want you two to get along. I hoped you would impress him.'
Beth chuckled and received an injured look from
her sister. 'But I did impress him, dear,' she said in mock solemnity. 'Only it wasn't what you had in mind.'
`Congratulations, said Janice dryly. 'Now I know you're back to normal.' Her eyes went upwards in a glance of hopeless resignation. 'Just like old times, isn't it?'
A thought suddenly struck her and she stared at Beth. `So that's why you hid under the hat! You hoped he wouldn't recognise you.' She nodded to herself. 'That's one little mystery solved. The headache excuse didn't fool me one bit.' She lapsed into a silence that made Beth a little discomfited and want to defend herself.
`He reminds me of Nicholas,' she said abruptly.
Janice broke out of her reverie with a jolt. 'Nicholas?' she said incredulously. 'Oh, Beth, he's not a bit like him! You've got an obsession about that man—and no wonder; but for goodness' sake don't let the past sway your judgment on Gavin. For instance, Gavin has a sense of humour, and Nicholas hadn't, had he?' she demanded.
If Gavin Patterson had a sense of humour, Beth had yet to see it. It didn't stretch far, if he had, she thought, recalling the harbour scene that morning. It was only innocent fun anyway, and certainly didn't warrant such a crushing reception. He couldn't have been more infuriated had he witnessed a striptease act! Beth's mouth quirked at the corners, and she was tempted to relate these thoughts to Janice, but one look at her sister's worried expression decided her against this. She just wouldn't see the funny side of it
right now. 'So you see, dear,' she said, deciding to ignore her last question, and pressing home her advantage. 'I think it might be wise if I kept out of his way for a while, don't you—at least,' she added quickly, 'until things have quietened down a bit. If you would let me know where he's likely to turn up, then I'll give the area a wide berth.' She looked hopefully at Janice.
`I do see your point,' agreed Janice resignedly, then sighed. 'Perhaps when things settle down ...' She lapsed into silence.
Beth had a sneaking suspicion that Janice hadn't given up the hope of her replacing her as Gavin Patterson's secretary, and she knew there was nothing she could do to dissuade her. If she could still nurse such a hope in spite of the recent revelations, then Beth would just be wasting her breath.
Time only would prove her point, and she felt a little guilty that she couldn't make Janice's dream come true. With anyone else it might have been possible, but as it was, the whole idea was a positive nonstarter! Beth only hoped that she wouldn't attempt to drop any of the hopeful hints that she-had earlier intimated that she would do. They would not only fall on deaf ears, but very probably give her pompous boss apoplexy !
CHAPTER SEVEN
THE following week was a blissful one for Beth. Armed with Gavin Patterson's movements, she was able to plan her day with reasonable confidence that all would be well.
Mr Fisher had lived up to his promise and provided her with a map on which he had marked the island's beauty spots. The only problem was transport; some of the places were on the other side of the island, and Beth was reluctant to ask for transport more than twice a week.
After spending two days in or around the cottage, taking sketches of the building and surrounding "fauna, a slightly puzzled Janice, asked why she hadn't followed up Mr Fisher's suggestions for possible pictures. A little adroit questioning soon revealed Beth's reluctance to ask for Johnny's assistance.
`Honestly, Beth, it's all right,' insisted Janice, `Gavin doesn't need Johnny in the chauffeur line, he drives himself everywhere, always has done. Besides, I told Johnny you'd be needing transport each day. - I think he's afraid you've lost faith in him as a driver ! ' she said, smiling.
Beth smiled back at her, then sobered; she couldn't tell Janice that she had no wish to be under any sort of obligation to her boss. There was always the possibility that he might need Johnny for something or
other, and would be furious when he discovered the reason for his absence. Things were going so well, Beth wanted to keep it like that; there was no such thing as taking a chance where that man was concerned. However', she kept these thoughts to herself, for there had been no mention since of her earlier exploits in that direction, and while she was grateful, Beth knew Janice preferred to keep her head in the sand like the proverbial ostrich, thus paving the way for the realisation of her dreams. Dreams that Beth knew hadn't a hope of coming true; she also knew that she had to avoid any future confrontation with her boss—for her sake and her sister's.
Janice, seeing that Beth was not entirely happy over the question of asking for transport, came up with a brilliant idea. 'You can learn to drive !' she announced triumphantly. 'Now why didn't I think of that before? Johnny can teach you,' she told the slightly stunned Beth. 'And,' she added gaily, warming to her subject, 'John's got an old banger you can use when you've learnt.' She looked at Beth. 'How's that?' she said happily. 'Just imagine, you can sling your gear in the back and just take off any time you like ! '
Beth had to admit the idea was tempting. To be able to take off whenever she wanted to, and better still, be able to put a fair distance between herself and that man, should he suddenly appear on the scene, without having to wait for Johnny to collect her. The more Beth thought about it, the more the idea appealed to her. The island was an ideal place for her to learn—no traffic as such, for Johnn
y would
teach her to drive in the estate grounds, according to Janice, so there was no problem there.
It was agreed that the lessons would begin the next day, and Beth, now fired with enthusiasm, was eager to start. It was not the first time she had had lessons, for she had previously attempted to learn soon after Janice had left. The fact that she was in no state at that time to concentrate on anything was soon evident by her complete failure to grasp even the simple mechanics of driving. But this time things were different, she told herself confidently, while she waited for Johnny to appear. For one thing, the car Johnny used to take her to the town had automatic gears. It was just a question of pressing a button, she thought happily.
A thought then struck her that she had to be very careful not to do any damage to the car, since it was by no means a cheap model. Beth didn't know the make as it was an American car, but she did know it would be beyond Johnny's price bracket—and that meant that it belonged to Gavin Patterson. This thought gave her a few qualms, and it was as well that Johnny turned up at that particular moment, with a decidedly battered model that looked as if it had already done the rounds of the crash circuit! But Beth didn't care; this car would be his own property, for by no stretch of the imagination could she see the haughty Gavin Patterson owning to such a wreck !
When settled in the driving seat, Beth was a little disappointed to find no automatic gearing system, but plain ordinary gears—however, this was of little account considering that she was in no danger of
