Stormy Possession

by Helen Bianchin

  Sally swallowed convulsively. 'Oh,' she managed a trifle hesitantly. 'That would have been interesting.'

  'We must go out shopping during the next few days,' her mother declared. 'Luke tells me he'll be away, so you and I will have plenty of time to ourselves to chat and catch up with all the news.'

  Oh dear, Sally groaned, for that meant that what information Emily was unable to inveigle Luke into - divulging about himself, Emily intended winkling it out of her daughter. The next few days would be 'question-time' with a vengeance!

  Aloud, she said brightly, 'Shall we go in to dinner?'

  The veal Carlo had prepared was superb, but Sally didn't register tasting it as she forked a few pieces into her mouth, and afterwards she had no idea what the salad greens comprised, or for that matter, what she ate for dessert. She was only aware of Luke's forceful presence directly opposite, and Emily's all too discerning appraisal and that good lady's voiced inquisitiveness. It was an extreme relief when the meal ended, and coffee was taken in the lounge. At least there she could move around, and was not confined to the table without any legitimate form of escape.

  Luke, to give him credit, was at his most urbane, and Sally marvelled that he could appear so calm when beneath that rugged exterior smouldered an anger of which only she was aware. Her own sparkling façade seemed to develop a crack or two, which she fervently hoped escaped Emily's notice.

  At nine-thirty Luke made the apologetic excuse of paperwork requiring his attention, and with a proffered handshake to his mother-in-law, a brief touch of his lips to Sally's temple, he departed for the study.

  Almost as soon as the door closed behind him, Emily moved from her chair to occupy the empty space beside Sally on the settee.

  'Your husband is a most charming man,' she complimented tolerantly, her eyebrows creasing slightly as she chose her words. 'Certainly he possesses—oh, what's the word I want? Charisma, that's it. Yes,' she nodded slightly, fixing her daughter with a roguish smile, 'I imagine he's good in bed——'

  'Mother!'

  Emily spread her hands eloquently. 'My dear, why hide one's head in the sand? Shared intimacies are an integral part of married life. While not all-important, it's certainly more agreeable if one adores rather than abhors what goes on in the bedroom.' Her eyes swivelled speculatively to Sally's hands, and reaching out she touched her daughter's rings. 'None of these are inexpensive, and that wristwatch must be worth a packet. He treats you well, doesn't he?'

  How could Sally deny it? 'Luke is very generous, Emily. I'm very happy.'

  'Are you?' her mother queried critically. 'Certainly you endeavour to give that impression, but beneath it all—I wonder,' she concluded thoughtfully, and Sally summoned up every ounce of acting ability, and she even managed a laugh as she sought to reassure.

  'Oh, Emily, you are an impossible sceptic! Luke is —one of the most sophisticated, cynical men I've ever met.' She smiled impishly—if awards were being given out, she undoubtedly deserved one! 'Every time I look at him, I marvel that he chose someone as ordinary as me. Probably in a year or so I'll be quite blasée about the whole thing, but after only about three weeks of marriage I'm still in a state of awe.'

  'Hmm, I'll accept that.'

  Sally gave an inaudible sigh of relief that was shortlived as her mother queried with devastating directness, 'Just what is it your father is being evasive about? His hearty reply to my query regarding his health brought forth an immediate avowal that he'd never felt better. While I, not having seen him for some years, couldn't help noticing more visible careworn signs than I expected. Is he ill?'

  Oh lord, this was getting worse instead of better! Carefully Sally met Emily's alert gaze, and couldn't resist teasing lightly, 'Why, Mother, I do believe you have a soft spot for Daddy, after all.'

  'I like your father, Sally. For a few years I even believed myself to be in love with him. Unfortunately, it proved to be a delusion. However, that doesn't prevent me from expressing concern for his welfare.'

  Sally tried to gloss over the facts, assuring her, 'He's had a few business worries—nothing catastrophic,' she hastened. 'But he's had a few anxious moments that have taken their toll. He's under a doctor's care, and there's no cause for alarm'

  'I believe what you're telling me—it's what you're not saying that worries me!'

  'Why not ask Joe himself? He'll tell you exactly the same.'

  Emily brightened somewhat, and shifting comfortably, she settled back against the cushions. 'You must telephone him tomorrow and arrange lunch. It will be like old times'—she laughed deprecatorily—'well, not quite. You were only a child. But it would be nice for the three of us to have lunch together. Now, my dear, I'll avail myself of a nightcap, then go to my room. At my age, travelling gets to be tiring. A small brandy, perhaps?'

  'Of course,' Sally responded lightly. 'I'll get it for you.'

  'Thank you, darling. I shan't rise early in the morning, but if you could see that I have some coffee sent up around eight-thirty?' Emily smiled a trifle wickedly. 'You can then bid your husband a fond farewell without me hovering discreetly in the background.'

  Sally waited a few minutes after her mother left die lounge before following her example. Luke appeared to be ensconced in the study for some time, and in any case, it would be infinitely wiser if she were already in bed and asleep when he came upstairs. She wasn't in the mood for recriminations, and besides, she felt rather weary.

  Within ten minutes she had showered and slipped between the sheets to lie in the dark in wakeful silence for what seemed an age before sleep finally beckoned, and then she seemed only to have closed her eyes when a slight sound alerted her to Luke's presence.

  Quite desperately she wanted him to reach out and gather her close—if nothing else, she needed the reassurance of his need of her, for then she could lose herself in his passion and drift through an euphoric haze where emotions overruled reality.

  There were silent tears that slid ignominiously down her cheeks long after Luke, without making any touching contact whatever, lapsed into deep and uncontrived slumber, and in the morning she woke to find the bed empty, learning from Carlo as soon as she entered the kitchen that Luke had caught the early flight to Adelaide.

  CHAPTER NINE

  'WELL, darling, what shall we do today?'

  Sally looked across the breakfast table and shook her head negatively. 'Whatever you want—I don't mind.'

  It was two days after Luke's departure, and she had become increasingly distracted, unable to fasten her attention on anything for very long. Yesterday they had spent the day shopping, wandering at leisure among the many arcades in the inner city, and Emily had expressed a desire to repeat the exercise. Somehow the thought of wandering the city streets aimlessly in search of the best bargain in clothing had lost its appeal, but anything was better than staying home where everything reminded her so vividly of Luke.

  'Dear girl, you look positively forlorn,' Emily chided with a maternal cluck of her tongue. 'Ring your father —we'll meet him for lunch. Tell him somewhere expensive, and it's to be my treat. The cure for the blues, my dear, is a shopping spree.' She arched one eyebrow in deliberate query. 'I imagine Luke can well afford to pamper you with one? Now, hurry and finish your coffee, and we'll not waste time.'

  And waste time they did not! Sally's head positively reeled as Emily led her from one shop to the other, adding parcels and packages of all sizes and description, so that she became rather fatalistic over the number of cheques she was signing. The back seat of the car became laden, and heaven knew what she was going to do with so many new clothes. It was commendable to possess a wide and varied wardrobe— but not to acquire it in so short a time!

  True to her word, Emily chose one of the better restaurants, and they had been seated for no more than five minutes when Joe arrived. They chose to order an aperitif while perusing the menu, and Sally, who had no appetite at all, ordered soup, declined the main course, and decided on dessert. Joe teased her unm
ercifully, declaring the reason to be Luke's absence, and hinting at a more pertinent cause which Sally immediately disclaimed, even though a tiny seed of doubt worried otherwise.

  'Well, well—a family luncheon, no less, with one member conspicuously absent.'

  Sally looked up and met Chantrelle's glittery eyes, and felt her heart lurch. It seemed the other girl was dogging her footsteps, whether accidentally or on purpose she couldn't decide.

  'Luke is in Adelaide on business,' she replied evenly, then aware that introductions were necessary she performed them with as much aplomb as she could manage. 'Chantrelle Bakersfield—my mother, Emily Breckenridge-Browning.'

  'Good heavens,' Chantrelle said faintly. 'I thought Sally's mother lived in exile in America.'

  'I live in New York,' Emily explained to her sweetly, 'but hardly in exile.'

  'Are you consoling Sally while her husband is away? Oh, Sally!' Chantrelle turned and shot her a vicious smile. 'You know, of course, that Carmela went along for the ride? But then Luke would have told you, I'm sure.'

  'Why shouldn't Carmela be in Adelaide, Chantrelle?' Sally asked quietly. 'She's an accountant, and she works closely with Luke.'

  'Close?' The other girl laughed derisively. 'That's an understatement!'

  Emily directed Chantrelle a levelling glance. 'We are in the middle of what was an enjoyable meal. I'm sure you've said whatever it is you want to say. Goodbye, Miss—er——' she deliberately let her voice trip

  vaguely over the name, then returned her attention to the contents of the plate in front of her, thereby disclaiming any further interest.

  'Goodbye, Chantrelle,' Sally murmured. 'I can't say it's been a pleasure, but then,' she added with seeming winsomeness, 'you aren't a very pleasant person, are you?'

  Chantrelle swung her chin up sulkily, then waltzed off to sit several tables away near the rear of the restaurant.

  'I think,' Joe began with quiet anger, 'that girl is the most objectionable young woman I've ever met. How two people as charming as Charles and Andrea managed to end up with someone like Chantrelle for a daughter is beyond me.'

  'She's a troublemaker,' Emily discerned blandly. 'And troublemakers have a habit of destroying themselves, given time. Now, I refuse to waste any more time even talking about that awful girl.'

  It was all very well to dismiss it so lightly, but Sally relived the scene over and over again through the rest of the day, her mind constantly in a turmoil at the vision Chantrelle's words aroused. Luke hadn't mentioned Carmela accompanying him, but then he hadn't really had the opportunity, and perhaps he would have if they hadn't argued and been confronted, with Emily on their doorstep. It was that little green monster again, she cursed roundly.

  That night Sally slept badly to wake feeling as if she hadn't closed her eyes at all.

  'You look dreadful.'

  Sally viewed her mother over the breakfast table and offered a wry grimace by way of reply.

  'What you need is a day of pampering,' Emily determined firmly. 'We'll go into the city and spend several hours at a beauty salon. Hair, facial, manicure —the entire thing! Then we'll go on to dinner, and even take in a movie. Yes?'

  'Why not?'

  They did, after instructing Carlo to take the day and the evening off, and for the first time in her life Sally submitted to the ministrations offered by one of Sydney's exclusive salons.

  Her hair was fractionally trimmed and shampooed, then rolled into fat spongy rollers which looked incongruous when she caught sight of her reflection in the mirror. After partial drying beneath the drier, the rollers were covered with a towel while another girl gave her a facial. Then there was the application of make-up, after which a pretty young teenager attended to the manicuring of Sally's nails. Her hair was then styled with a blow-wave and given a light film of hair- spray to hold it in place.

  The result was quite breathtaking, and Sally walked out of the salon feeling elegant and the epitome of sophistication. The expense was breathtaking as well, but the twinge of conscience was only momentary!

  'You look ravishing, my dear,' Emily complimented. 'It's lamentable that Luke isn't here to see you.'

  'You look rather gorgeous yourself,' Sally smiled easily.

  'Now that the exchange of mutual admiration has been dealt with,' her mother declared, 'let's decide what we shall do next. It's much too early to contemplate dinner, but we could drive home and change into something more glamorous. Something to match our new look? We could have a drink, then book a table somewhere, and as yet we haven't decided which movie we should see.'

  'Lead on, Mother,' Sally directed impishly. 'You seem to be in command. I'll just follow wherever you lead.'

  They had scarcely been in the house thirty minutes when the telephone rang, and Sally crossed to the nearest extension.

  'Hello—who is speaking?'

  'None other than your husband, cara,' a rather droll voice answered.

  'Luke?' she queried in disbelief, then contrived to make her voice sound welcoming. 'Is that really you, darling?'

  'Did you not expect me to call you at least once during my absence?' His voice was a cynical drawl as he continued, 'I gather from your effusive greeting that Emily is within hearing distance.'

  'Yes,' Sally answered cautiously. 'How is everything going?' Taking courage from the distance separating them, she added with contrived seductiveness, 'You don't need to ask how much I miss you.'

  Luke's throaty chuckle sounded along the wire, and conscious of her mother's interested gaze she forced her features to assume a dreamy wistful expression.

  'My darling wife, I could almost be persuaded to disregard business and catch the next flight home.'

  'Oh, you mustn't do that,' she hastened quickly. 'Besides, Emily and I are having a wonderful time. We've been shopping almost every day.' She couldn't resist adding sweetly, 'I hope everything is going to your satisfaction. I've no doubt having Carmela there is a great help. I ran into Chantrelle yesterday, and she took great delight in passing on that piece of information.'

  'Thank the good Dio for the distance between us, mia sposa,' Luke threatened softly. 'Otherwise I would shake you until you begged for mercy.'

  'You say the nicest things, Luke,' she murmured. 'When are you coming home?'

  'Unfortunately, not until Tuesday. I will let you know which flight. Ciao, piccina.' With those mocking words he replaced the receiver, and after a few seconds Sally did likewise.

  'That was Luke, of course:'

  Sally looked across the room and met her mother's interested gaze. 'Yes. He's been delayed a few days. He won't be home until after the weekend.'

  'What a shame,' Emily declared. 'I was looking forward to spending more time with him. Now it will have to wait until I return from Darwin.'

  Sally moved towards the drinks cabinet, busying her hands in an effort to remain calm. The sound of Luke's voice had started up the familiar ache in her heart, and she was vexed beyond measure that he should possess the power to stir her emotions so ridiculously.

  'Sherry, Mother?' she queried out loud, and rather absently poured vermouth instead.

  'Dear child, you aren't concentrating at all, are you?'

  'I'm sorry,' Sally declared blankly. 'What did you say?'

  With great fortitude Emily collected her glass and crossed to Sally's side, adding lemonade, ice and a slice of lemon. 'You love him very much, don't you?'

  'I——' Sally swallowed the lump in her throat,

  then nodded slowly. 'Yes—yes, I do.' There, she'd admitted it at last.

  'I'm very pleased. You've made a good marriage, I can see that for myself.'

  Good—pleased? Sally felt hysterical laughter rise up inside her, and stifled it with considerable effort.

  'I'm sorry for doubting your judgment,' Emily continued gently. 'I was so afraid you'd made some ghastly mistake you might repent later. However, I can now leave with an untroubled conscience.' She beamed across at Sally, and gave a brilliant smile,
'You'll both have to visit us in New York. Hank would be delighted.'

  'Thank you, Emily.' In a minute she'd give herself away! 'Shall we finish our drinks, then make our way to the restaurant? And as yet, we haven't decided which movie to see.'

  It was very late when they arrived back home that night, and Sally crept into bed feeling pleasantly tired. It had been a very enjoyable day, and now the weekend stretched interminably ahead of her. Quite how she would manage to get through four more days without Luke didn't bear thinking about. The sound of his voice on the telephone had reawakened the treacherous desire she tried so hard to curb, and his beloved face haunted her dreams so that awake or asleep she was never free of his image.

  On Saturday morning they toured the museum, and after a light lunch, Emily declared an interest in inspecting the Opera House. She was quite dauntless, Sally mused affectionately as they came out into the direct heat of the sun and stood admiring the sparkling warm waters of the harbour.

  'Joe shall take us to dinner tonight.'

  At such certainty in her mother's voice, Sally began to protest. 'He may have plans of his own, and besides, it's too short notice.'

  'Nonsense,' Emily determined briskly. 'We'll drive to his apartment now—a much better idea than ringing him.'

  What chance did she have? Sally thought quizzically —or for that matter, Joe?

  On reflection, it was an extremely enjoyable evening, for they frequented a small Italian restaurant run entirely by one family, and the food was excellent. The atmosphere proved authentic, with musical entertainment being provided by the singing of traditional songs to the accompaniment of a piano accordion.

  The following day they rose early and packed a picnic lunch, electing to visit the Botanical Gardens, then go on to Bondi Beach for the remainder of the day.

  Early on Monday morning Sally drove Emily to the airport, and after seeing her safely on to the plane en route to Perth, she drove into the city.

  Parking the car, she made her way along the familiar lane to 'Claude's', entering the kitchen to glimpse the hive of activity usually projected by those who worked within.