She summoned courage, and used it. “He wants another chance. Won’t you consider it ... seriously?”
Ann saw his lips go thin, the lean jaw tighten. “We’ll run the Airways Company without your help, if you don’t mind.”
“I’m sorry. I only thought...”
“It’s very obvious what you thought. Theo has worked on your sympathy. Not that I blame him, but he forgot to tell you to keep quiet about it. You listened and pitied him because he’s tucked away here, where he’s safe.”
“Perhaps he doesn’t want to be safe!”
“It isn’t a case of what he wants, but of what he does with his opportunities. Three years ago he risked lives and his career and paid the penalty. Except during the last eight months I’ve visited Groenkop every few weeks, and it’s never once occurred to me that he’s changed in the least.” He shrugged. “I think he’s a little different now from when I last saw him, but I wouldn’t care to state that he’s improved. In my opinion, he’s just quieter.”
“Which could mean that he’s more stable.”
He paused, swung the car round a bend and put on speed. “You’re really plugging for him, aren’t you? Would you rather be married to a pilot than to a hayseed farmer?”
“Do I have to answer that?”
“Not if it’s embarrassing,” he said, with leashed violence. “In any case, why should you answer a question to which I know the reply?”
“Yes, why!” she said recklessly. Then, with more restraint, “I wish I hadn’t mentioned the matter.”
“I’m glad you did. I was beginning to forget a few things that are better remembered!”
Ann had no idea what he meant; at that moment she wasn’t even curious. She controlled the sudden quivering of her body, swallowed on the salt lump in her throat and was glad to see that they were already in the Belati district and nearing the farm. Bitterly, she blamed herself for introducing a topic which was bound to irritate him, at least. It had been a perfect day and she herself had spoiled its conclusion. Yet she did feel that he had grown cold and angry for no real reason. Theo did merit a little thought from Storr, and what did it matter if she, Ann, were the one to remind him of it?
She looked towards him, her eyes bright with unhappiness, but Storr kept his gaze on the road and his foot hard down on the accelerator, and she felt baffled and powerless. He didn’t want her to say anything more; she could see that.
They swept along the gravel road and down the Borlands’ patched-up lane. He pulled up outside the cottage, got out and waited till she was in the porch.
Then briefly, he said, “Thanks for coming. So long,” and slipped back into his seat. Even before she opened the door into the living room the car was a cloud of dust down the orchard.
Ann entered the room quietly, saw that both Elva and Theo were there, seated and apparently leafing through some of the old magazines.
Theo said, “Hi. Been going places?”
But Elva stood up, perhaps because she didn’t want Theo to see her face as she commented, “You look rather less impeccable than usual. Didn’t you take a compact?”
Ann found she had to clench her hands at her sides in order to still the renewed jumping of her nerves. She managed a smile. “The jaunt was expected. Did the horse arrive all right?”
“Yes. Your message, too.”
“I didn’t sent it. I hope you didn’t mind my going off like that?”
“Why should we? We’re just the people you’re staying with.”
Theo said, “Hold on, Elva. We’ve missed Ann, but this is her holiday, after all. You can’t expect her to stick around with us the whole time.”
“I expect it on Sundays!”
Ann said quickly, “I didn’t have much choice I’m afraid. You know how it is with Storr...” Too late, she realized that this was the first time she had used his first name to Elva. She lifted her shoulders, said steadily, “If we’d arranged something I wouldn’t have gone. It seemed that this was just another day to you two, so I went out to the African service, and met Storr on the way back—by accident.”
“That’s all right,” said Theo easily. “Sit down a bit, you must be tired.”
“No, I’ll change first I feel a bit grubby.”
There was no reply to this, and Ann went quickly down the passage to the bathroom. She washed thoroughly, slipped into her room and changed into a plain white with navy polka dots. The frock had full three-quarter sleeves and stiff arched points to the collar. It made her look neat and demure though the tawny hair and hazel-green eyes offset the primness. She had used a touch of lipstick and was getting out a clean handkerchief when Elva slipped into the bedroom and closed the door behind her.
Ann turned about, was on the point of making a casual remark when she noticed the white grip of Elva’s hand on the back of a chair. Unconsciously, she squared her shoulders. And then she saw peculiarities in Elva’s expression. Those eyes, which were bluer than Theo’s and yet curiously lifeless sometimes, were strangely dark and there was a smudginess below them. The full features were set, the coarse yet flawless skin looked queerly tight. Ann hadn’t seen her like this before, and her first amazed thought was: “She’s finely balanced!” And next, she thought of her own long talk with Theo, of the things he had told her about his sister and that she hadn’t quite believed. She believed them now.
She said hastily, but gently, “I didn’t think you’d mind so much, Elva. I hadn’t promised you I wouldn’t go anywhere at all with him had I? We simply went to his cousin’s farm, had lunch there and eventually drove back. That’s all.”
For a whole minute Elva did nothing but stare. Then at last she said draggingly, “You think I haven’t noticed the way you are with Theo? You don’t care about him at all. I’ve been speaking to him today, and he told me you thought he owned Groenkop and that’s why you came.”
“It isn’t why I came at all! I liked him and I was very much taken with the letter you sent me.”
“The letter! Anyone can write a good letter if they have something to gain. I wanted you here for Theo, and to help me. But when you arrived and discovered that we own only fifty acres and this house, you weren’t so keen, were you? It occurred to you that Storr was as handsome, in a different way, as my brother—that he was bigger and stronger ... and richer. He was the real owner of Groenkop, and what luck it was that you happened to be invited just when Storr arrived, too. You pretended you’d help me, but instead...”
“Stop it, Elva. I’ve done what I could for you and haven’t minded remaining in the background whenever Storr came to this house. You’re getting angry simply because I went off with him for a few hours today. I was alone with him on the journey there and back, but we drove fast, without stopping. If you’re annoyed because I went, I’m sorry, but I really don’t think...”
Elva broke in quietly, arrogantly and offensively. “You think all right, and you act, too. You know a little about horses, nothing of farms or planes, so you try another angle. You put on the pure and simply pose. You’re gentle and trusting. But you don’t fool another woman. Don’t think that, for a moment!”
“Elva, please! You’re being ridiculous.”
“Am I? I hadn’t thought of it till after I’d talked with Theo, but I see you very clearly now. You have a line all your own—the girl who’s cool and clear as crystal, but hints that beneath a smooth, honey-colored skin there’s something that awaits the kindling glance and touch of a man ... providing of course that his intentions are above reproach. And that he’s well-off!”
“Elva, I can’t think what’s got into you. I’ve tried to help you with Storr Peterson, and you know it.”
“How do I know you haven’t told him that you made all the improvements here ... and even that you’ve altered some of my frocks?”
“You’ll have to believe me when I say I haven’t. I’d never let you down in any way.”
“Nobly spoken, but I don’t trust you. I wouldn’t trust any women who
flattered Theo into believing he’d made an impression, and then was as cool to him as you’ve been, since he got back.”
“I haven’t been cool. What did you expect of me?”
“I had you here because I thought you’d marry him!”
Ann drew in her lip. “Yes, I suppose you did. Do you want me to leave?”
“No, you’ll stay, because Theo wants it, and because it would be difficult to explain your departure.” Elva pushed a hand over her forehead in a gesture that looked weary and strained. “You don’t know what this means to me. I want money and a position—not to be stuck here among the sheep farms. I want to travel and wear good clothes. When you have money, people fawn on you; you can go anywhere and hold your own. You can have all the things you’ve wanted and never been able even to hope for. All my adult life I’ve been, restricted by lack of money.”
“Money’s important, but it’s not everything,” Ann said. “One certainly shouldn’t marry for it.”
“I’m in love with Storr. I told you that the day you came.”
“But you have to be sensible about it ... and you have to allow for the fact that there may be someone he’s met elsewhere.”
Elva shook her head decisively. “No, there’s no one. I’m sure of it. There’s only you ... and me.”
Again that curious mistiness in the blue eyes. Ann felt a tremor run down her spine. “I’m not competing,” she said flatly.
“Then you’d better prove it in some way.”
“I could prove it by going back to Cape Town.”
“Theo would be miserable and blame me, and I can’t lose him through you—not yet.” Her eyes closed and her brows drew together. “God, I’ve a pain at the back of my neck. I always get it when I’m worked up.”
Ann came quickly to her side. “Go and lie down. I’ll get you some codeine.”
Elva didn’t resist. She went out and into her own bare, untidy room. Ann brought cold water and the tube of tablets, shook two into her palm and got Elva to swallow them. Then the other girl lay down, her eyes closed, and Ann looked at her for a few seconds. The heavy, wheaten hair was a mass on the pillow, the face looked pained and resentful, even in repose. Ann drew the curtains across the window, tiptoed out and closed the door, put away the tablets and went along to the living room.
Theo was out, apparently. Ann hesitated in the darkening room and finally walked to the stable to see if Theo’s horse and saddle were missing. She found him kneeling beside the roan, using a cloth over the horse’s sweating neck.
“What’s happened?” she asked. He smiled up at her. “Don’t worry, Ann. That sister of mine put on a display, and when she got back the roan looked ready to drop and she turned on the boy and told him he hadn’t dosed the horse properly each week. He’s cooling down now.”
“Is he going to be all right?” she queried anxiously.
“Yes. Elva loves horses—she just happened to be in a state when she went for the ride this afternoon.”
“Was it through me?”
He tossed away the cloth and stood up. “Come outside.” And when they were on the gravel path: “Have you spoken to Elva?”
“A bit—yes.”
“Did she accuse you of trying to snare the big boss next door?”
Ann nodded, confusedly. “In some ways she’s so sane and responsible. I can’t think she’d work herself into a fury over me.”
“Why not?”—with his rueful whimsical look. “You’re attractive in a very sweet way. She’s rather more handsome than pretty, that’s all. It wasn’t only about Storr,though. She’s acid to me when she feels like it, but it happens that she’s fond of me, too.”
“And grateful.”
He smiled faintly. “I wouldn’t say that. Each time I’ve rescued Elva I’ve imprisoned her somewhere. When I brought her from England I shut her up in a flat outside Johannesburg, and she had no money or car to get about with. Our next move, just after she’d squandered our modest bank balance on stocks and shares, was down here. As I’ve said, she’s fond of me, but she hates me, too.”
“Poor Theo. Supposing you did meet someone you wanted to marry rather badly. What would you do?”
“I’ve hardly thought about it.” His tones lowered. “You know, Ann, you’re the only person I’ve talked to about Elva. And I wouldn’t have talked to you if you hadn’t been just a visit, leaving soon.” He paused, and asked quietly, “You do mean to get out of Belati as soon as you can, don’t you?”
Impulsively, Ann answered, “No, Theo. No, I don’t—not before my month is up. You don’t know how much I wish I could help in some way.”
“Try to do exactly what Elva wants. Once Storr has left she’ll settle down again; I’ve seen it happen before.”
“As badly as this?”
“No, but then he hasn’t stayed so long.”
“Do you think she really cares for him?”
“Yes, I do. It’s not like the feeling she has for Piet Mulder, and it’s not passion. It’s just a terrible craving for a man who can give her everything she’s missed. A local sheep-farmer wouldn’t do because she’d have to stay put. Previously, Storr hasn’t been here long enough to cause more than a minor eruption.”
Ann walked beside him, said casually, “Can’t you make her believe I’m not interested in Storr?”
“I tried. She kept saying that you’d have married me if I’d been the owner of Groenkop.”
“You didn’t believe it?”
“No, but I didn’t argue with her.”
“What can we do?”
He smiled, deprecatingly, put a friendly hand in the crook of her elbow. “There is one way of calming her, but you wouldn’t agree to it.”
Premonition a little tight ball within her, Ann asked, “What is it?”
“We could pretend to be engaged,” he said.
Her mouth suddenly dry, she looked at him, “An engagement isn’t really necessary, is it? I could be with you more often. Wouldn’t that do?”
“As a preliminary, yes. Would you mind very much?”
“It’s one of the things I came here for, isn’t it?”
He leaned towards her and lightly kissed her temple. “I wouldn’t have let you in for this. Elva got out of me the sort of person you were, and that did it. She wanted to be herself and you too. When Storr used to come down, he gave a party or two, and Elva would always ape the most popular of the women guests.”
“But why?” said Ann. “She’s quite a person in her own right.”
“She’s been unlucky.” He paused. “Not upset in any way, are you?”
“Not really.”
“Good. Let’s go in and find some supper. We always look after ourselves on Sundays, and tonight you and I will share the jobs.” He slipped his hand down and over hers. “If we try very hard we can feel as we did in Cape Town. We’ll have a shot at it—for Elva’s sake and our own.”
Ann smiled at him in the dusk. But inside herself she knew that she could never feel as she had before coming to Belati West. Something big and immovable had come between the present and the past, so that looking back she saw a happy but colorless girl who had worked and lived with her parents and never dreamed of what life was really like. Now she was learning, and it hurt abominably. But thank heaven for a formal education which took care of the surface smile and an impersonal demeanour. There were less than three weeks to go; a short time or a long one, depending on the angle from which one viewed it
They cooked macaroni cheese and made a salad, decided not to awaken Elva and ate alone, companionably. Ann washed up and Theo dried, she crept in to look at Elva and decided to take her some warm milk and biscuits at ten. Theo got out cards and taught Ann some of the intricacies of poker; they had a harmless nightcap, and Theo went out to make sure the horses were locked up for the night while Ann prepared the warm milk. Elva grunted thanks in the darkness, and Ann left her.
In her own room, Ann undressed slowly. Her limbs felt heavy and the ache which
had lain behind her eyes all evening became more acute. This was going to be the difficult time—the moment each night when she found herself utterly alone for several hours of darkness. It was a time she had always liked; she had used it for various small tasks in her bedroom, and had mostly sung to herself while she performed them. But when you feel as if you’re slowly being torn apart you can’t sing; if you’re alone you can’t even force a smile.
Ann delivered a stern rebuke to her reflection: “Theo is nice. Elva is hurt and needs helping. Forget everything else—do you hear me?”
For several days, surprisingly, life was smooth and almost pleasant Elva seemed completely to have forgotten Sunday’s upheaval, and she went about the farm work with her usual cynical unconcern. Each afternoon she dressed up a little and either went over to Storr’s house or used the old estate car for a trip into town. She appeared to do a great deal alone, and not to mind her own company at all.
Theo had put in hand several repairing jobs, and in the mornings he went off with his land-boy to keep them moving. When Elva used the wagon he took his grey horse, and on those occasions Ann would saddle the chestnut gelding and go with him. Two or three times they got back after Elva’s return, and she gave them one of her rather narrow, measuring smiles and poured tall drinks for them. One afternoon Storr was with her. He greeted Ann politely, gave Theo a nod and said he must be going. In the doorway he half turned and said,
“I brought over Miss Calvert’s rock-plants; they’re outside. She left them in my car last Sunday.” And that was all.
Elva had smiled a little more widely and gone out with him. She had not returned for two hours.
The Reluctant Guest Page 11
