The Sapphire Widow

by Jefferies, Dinah

The ocean turned wilder, the water swirling around them under the angry sky, and then the rain came down with such force they had no option but to make a run for it.

  30.

  As Louisa drove back, she acknowledged it had been just as well the rain had stopped them. Who knew how far it might have gone otherwise and, though she had wanted him, she knew it was probably too soon to be thinking of being with somebody new. And yet she couldn’t help feeling she deserved some happiness.

  The air, heavy now, felt oppressive and the trees overhanging the road, laden with moisture, were drooping so low they brushed the bonnet of the car. She almost wanted the rain to stop, but they needed it badly and she didn’t mind the pungent smell of salty sea water and fish in the air.

  She pulled up at home and went in by the back door. Upstairs she towel-dried her hair, changed into a dress and enjoyed the memory of Leo holding her. It had been such a sweet relief. She had missed the touch of a man, the closeness that made worries disappear, at least temporarily. And at least Elliot wasn’t in her every breath any more, though she had plenty of other worries. De Vos and his false contract for a start, and that awful Australian man. She wished Leo wasn’t up at Cinnamon Hills but instead here in Galle, because she guessed he might be the one who would help her to truly live again.

  She felt slightly shaken but happy too and went down to the sitting room where Margo and William Tyler were sitting side by side, hands intertwined, the lights low and the room full of shadows. She switched on a stronger light and the room sprang to life.

  ‘So,’ she said, smiling at the way they looked. ‘It seems you’ve come to an agreement.’

  Margo smiled back. ‘I’ve agreed to be cited as co-respondent.’

  Louisa lifted an eyebrow. ‘Really? Are you sure?’

  Margo let go of his hand and rose from the sofa. She came over to Louisa.

  ‘I love him, so what choice do I have?’

  Louisa inclined her head and stared into Margo’s eyes. ‘It was you who said we always have a choice. But if this is what you want, you have my full support.’

  Margo placed a hand on Louisa’s arm. ‘Thank you. It means a lot. I was wondering if it would be acceptable for William to stay for a few days.’

  ‘Of course. But won’t you need to provide the court with some kind of proof for the divorce?’

  ‘Maybe not if we both admit what has happened. But perhaps you might take a photograph of us together, just in case.’

  ‘Oh goodness. I’d have to do that?’

  ‘If you don’t mind.’

  William stood and came over to the two women. ‘I’m so sorry for the imposition. And if it makes you uncomfortable, please don’t worry, we can find another way.’

  ‘No,’ she said, liking the straightforwardness of the man and the clarity in his blue eyes. ‘I’ll do it. But what will you say to Irene?’

  ‘I’m not planning to say anything to Mum for now. She’d only try and stop me. To her divorce is scandalous.’

  Louisa snorted. ‘How do you think she feels about having an illegitimate grandson?’

  ‘I think she feels confused. Part of her will want to see the child, the other part will be wishing it wasn’t true.’

  ‘Then I finally have something in common with Irene! But look, let’s explain what’s been going on to William. It must sound a bit odd.’

  ‘Do you mind me telling him everything?’

  ‘Not at all. But first, why not show him where to put his case.’

  While Margo took William up to the next floor Louisa considered the events of her day. She needed to process having finally met Zinnia, as well as having got so close to Leo. And remembering her promise to contact her doctor, she glanced outside. The rain had slowed down so, armed with a large umbrella, she headed for Dr Russell’s house. Several other people were also out on the streets, darting about under umbrellas, taking advantage of the lull, and she nodded at acquaintances as she walked rapidly by. When she reached the door, Dr Russell’s wife answered her knock, then invited her into the hall while she explained her husband was away in Colombo but would be back soon.

  ‘Will you ask him to call on me the moment he’s back,’ Louisa said. ‘I think it is quite urgent.’

  ‘Of course.’

  She opened the door and Louisa saw the rain was worsening again. ‘I’d better make a dash for it,’ she said. ‘Thank you.’

  That evening Jonathan came for supper and was introduced to William. Later Louisa took him to one side and explained about Margo and William.

  Her father looked a little troubled by it. ‘Well, I am surprised at Margo. Perhaps she’s a little more like her brother than we thought.’

  ‘That’s not very fair.’

  ‘Look, I’m as open-minded as the next man, but should they be staying under the same roof? What are the man’s intentions?’

  ‘Don’t be so old-fashioned. He’s hoping to get a divorce, and anyway I’ve put them in separate rooms for now.’

  He shrugged. ‘Does Irene know?’

  She shook her head.

  ‘I think all hell will break loose there.’

  Louisa grimaced. He was absolutely right about that.

  After dinner she asked him to come into Elliot’s old office with her.

  As they went across to the hall and down the corridor she sighed deeply. ‘I had a note to expect a visit from Inspector Roberts this evening. As you know, the contract De Vos gave me is a complete fake. I passed it to the police weeks ago.’

  Her father nodded. ‘It may be a case of extortion. I doubt they’ll know how to handle it.’

  ‘We are usually a sleepy little town, aren’t we,’ Louisa said. ‘Just the odd row when sailors have too much to drink.’

  ‘Exactly. But I think I should deal with him.’

  ‘De Vos? Maybe, but I thought I’d wait until he turns up again and then confront him. I’m not paying out that amount of cash for something that didn’t even exist.’

  They seated themselves and he asked her to update him on the emporium. After she’d explained Himal was getting on well, she told him about joining forces with Leo to export his cinnamon.

  ‘You’re sure all this is not too much for you to handle? You have the emporium too. I won’t say I’m not worried.’ He tilted his head to one side and scrutinized her face. ‘But it sounds as if you like this Leo.’

  She smiled. ‘I think I do.’

  He patted her hand. ‘Well, be careful. I don’t want you getting hurt. Remember you are still vulnerable.’

  ‘I know.’

  They heard a knock on the door and Ashan entered. ‘I am sorry to interrupt. Chief Inspector Roberts has arrived, Madam.’

  ‘Please show him through.’

  It was the same red-faced officer who had informed her of Elliot’s death. Louisa nodded at him. ‘Won’t you take a seat?’

  He perched on the edge of an office chair and gazed at them both.

  ‘So,’ Jonathan said. ‘Do we have any progress?’

  He pulled a negative face.

  ‘What about the falsified contract I showed you?’ Louisa said.

  ‘We may be able to charge Mr De Vos with attempted extortion. And the fact that he tried that could indicate he may also be linked with the break-in. Maybe he thought he’d find valuable gemstones?’

  ‘I haven’t heard from Cooper or De Vos for at least two months.’

  ‘It’s possible they may have given up.’

  ‘Do you really think so?’

  ‘I hope so, Mrs Reeve. I hope so …’

  Jonathan got to his feet. ‘Well, if there is nothing else, I’ll show you out. Can you at least keep an eye on my daughter’s house? I don’t want any of these reprobates bothering Louisa again.’

  31.

  Louisa rose early, planning to take the dogs to the beach. As rain was never far off just now, she grabbed a mac. As long as she wasn’t driving she loved the rain and the full earthy scents rising from the lan
d, though it certainly restricted some outdoor activities and she hated that. Being cooped up indoors didn’t agree with her.

  She called the dogs, but only Tommy and Bouncer came racing through, tails wagging energetically. Her dogs loved a walk, whatever the weather, but oddly little Zip, the runt of the litter, wasn’t with them. She felt a touch of anxiety and checked their baskets in the back hall but, as he wasn’t there either, she asked Ashan if he’d seen the little chap. A worried-looking Ashan told her he had assumed Zip had been with the other two – earlier he had opened the door for all three to use the garden but hadn’t noticed if they had all come back in.

  ‘That’s odd,’ she said. ‘Where on earth can he be?’

  She went out into the garden to check the back gate. As soon as she reached it she saw it had been closed but left unbolted.

  She went back to the house and put leads on the other two dogs. William and Margo offered to help, so they went off in one direction to search the ramparts, while she called one of the houseboys to accompany her on a search of the streets. She hoped Tommy and Bouncer would begin to whine if they sensed they were close to Zip. The streets were shiny with dampness and she had to avoid the dripping trees in the narrower alleyways showering her with droplets, but she spent an hour knocking on doors and asking if anyone had seen anything. Nobody had, so then she went to the shops and the covered market. Still nothing.

  She arrived back home just as Dr Russell appeared, his stoop more pronounced than ever and with more grey in his hair. He pushed his metal-framed spectacles further up his nose as he spoke. ‘Louisa, my dear, my wife said it was urgent. Is something wrong?’

  ‘Thank you for coming, but it’s not me.’ She glanced up at the clouds. ‘Let’s go inside and I’ll explain.’

  ‘You look a little strained,’ he said as they stood in the hall.

  ‘I’ve just discovered one of my dogs is missing.’

  He frowned. ‘That is a shame, but otherwise you are fine?’

  ‘Yes. Look, give me your coat and I’ll hang it up.’

  He passed her his coat and she took off her own mac, hanging them both on a spare peg in the hall cupboard.

  They went through to the sitting room where he sat while she paced back and forth.

  ‘So, what’s this all about?’ he prompted.

  She stood still. ‘A friend – well, more of an acquaintance – of mine is really unwell. She has refused to see a doctor so far, but my worry is that it might be malaria.’

  ‘Let me ask you a few questions.’

  She nodded.

  ‘Firstly, describe to me what you saw.’

  ‘Well, she was shaking and seemed too cold, even though it was a warm day.’

  ‘Chills can range from moderate to severe. You think she had a high fever?’

  Louisa shook her head. ‘I don’t know, but she was sweating and rubbing her head.’

  ‘Headache is common with malaria. What about vomiting or diarrhoea?’

  ‘Both, I think.’

  He winced and paused before he replied. ‘Doesn’t sound too good. How long has this been going on for?’

  ‘Months, I think. She seems to revive but then she’s ill again.’

  ‘That can be a pattern with malaria.’

  ‘Will you see her? It’s a fair distance.’

  ‘Will tomorrow do? I’m pretty tied up today.’

  ‘I’m sure that’ll be fine.’

  ‘As you know, there has indeed been a malaria epidemic, though it’s largely confined to more northerly parts of the country.’

  ‘She thinks she has pleurisy.’

  ‘I doubt it.’

  ‘And her state of mind is very low, I’m afraid.’

  ‘We’ll go together tomorrow and I’ll take a blood sample and send it off to the laboratory in Colombo.’

  Ashan brought through a tea tray.

  ‘I’ll pour,’ she said as she finally sat down.

  Later on, Louisa went to the beach with Margo and William to look for Zip. The rain had been replaced by an unearthly lull but, aware it wouldn’t last long, Louisa glanced repeatedly up at the brooding sky. By the time they had searched the beach, the young couple were walking a little ahead of Louisa. Just where the scrubby grass gave way to sand, Margo suddenly shouted out. Fearing it might be Zip, Louisa’s heart missed a beat and she ran across to find an animal lying in a clump of long grass. Tears blurred her vision as she knelt on the sand.

  ‘It’s a fox,’ Margo said. ‘Poor thing.’

  ‘What do you think happened?’ Louisa said and glanced up.

  ‘Judging by the foam at its mouth, it could be rabies or, perhaps more likely, poisoning,’ William said. ‘I wouldn’t touch it. These things are usually deliberate. Foxes attack their chickens.’

  Margo sighed. ‘What a waste of a lovely animal.’

  ‘Awful.’ Louisa gazed at the creature.

  ‘Come on,’ Margo said and held out a hand to Louisa. ‘There isn’t anything we can do. Let’s get back. Zip isn’t here.’

  Back home again, Louisa needed to be on her own; seeking distraction, she went upstairs to sew her patchwork bedspread. She thought of little Zip and felt sick with worry. She remembered how tiny he had been when he was born. She’d thought he might not live, had nursed him herself, feeding him from a baby’s bottle, and since then he had been her constant companion. Seeing the fox lying dead on the beach had also brought back other thoughts she’d rather forget. She imagined the scene on the road to Colombo and wondered how it must have been. Had Elliot known he was going to die, or had everything just gone dark? Had he been scared? And if he realized what was happening, had he regretted what he’d done? Had he felt guilt, or was he killed too quickly for remorse to set in? She could see him as he crashed, his eyes wide open – and she closed her own in response, squeezing them tight.

  The time passed slowly but she couldn’t just sit and wait, so once more she hurried outside to walk around the ramparts, keeping her eyes peeled for Zip and staring out at the shifting colour of the sea, the bruised blues and purples mingling with the grey. She pictured him running on the sand, his fur dripping, and the way he had been so scared of the water to begin with, but once he had plucked up courage, she hadn’t been able to keep him out of the sea. But although she looked everywhere all over again, there was still no sign of him. Shading her eyes, she stared out to sea, anxious that he might have climbed the walls and slipped. When she imagined him at the bottom of the ocean she felt sick. She went back and forth between the Aurora and Point Utrecht bastions several times, where cannons had once prevented the entry of enemy vessels. Then, as storm clouds were still gathering, she wrapped her arms around herself and glanced up at the sky.

  Once home she went upstairs to change and was just undressing when she heard a knock at the front door and Ashan opening it. Unable to make out what was being said, she slipped on her dressing gown and went to the top of the stairs. Looking down, she saw Ashan in the hall holding a small box.

  ‘Who was that?’ she said.

  ‘A parcel has been delivered for you.’

  ‘Do you know who it’s from, Ashan?’

  ‘No, Madam. It was just a boy who brought it. He said a man gave him some money to bring it. I can open it for you.’

  ‘No. Put it in the dining room on the table. I’ll be down in a few minutes.’

  ‘Bring some scissors, Madam, to cut the string.’

  At first she didn’t feel anything much about the parcel and went back into her room where she gazed at her face. Her eyes glittered and her cheeks were raw. She went into the bathroom for a towel and rubbed her wet hair before brushing out the tangles. Once in dry clothes, she sat at her dressing table thinking about Zip again; then she picked up the book she’d been reading but, remembering the parcel, felt a sudden sense of foreboding.

  In her sewing room she dug out her household scissors – not the best ones she used for cutting fabric – then she made her way to the di
ning room, glancing in at the sitting room and seeing Margo and William deep in conversation.

  She cut the string and was aware of a feeling of trepidation as she carefully lifted the lid of the box. Her heart lurched as she glanced inside and, gasping in shock, she dropped the lid on the floor. She let out a long moan, then ran to the downstairs toilet and wretched. When she came out again she stood in the hall, shaking and shivering, with her arms hanging limply by her sides. She could see Margo and William now in the dining room, both staring at the contents of the box with horrified expressions. Louisa closed her eyes but couldn’t rid herself of the terrible image of poor Zip, his head lying bloody and mangled inside the box. She felt a wave of ferocious anger. Who could have committed such an act of deliberate cruelty? Margo came straight out to Louisa and pulled her away from the sight of the dining room and into the lounge where Louisa began weeping.

  ‘I can’t take any more,’ she said between sobs.

  Margo made soothing sounds, though she must have felt the shock too. When Louisa finally stopped crying, she stared at the door to the dining room. ‘How could anyone do that to a defenceless animal, Margo? My poor, poor little Zip who never did anybody any harm.’

  Louisa felt heartbroken and tears began to flow again. She thought of Zip lying on her lap while she stroked his ears, or wagging his tail at the sight of food. She thought of him lagging behind the other two as they raced along the beach. Now he would never do any of those things again. It was senseless and heartless and it made her shake with rage to think of him scared and suffering.

  ‘Where’s the number for the police?’ Margo asked.

  ‘In the book on the hall table,’ Louisa said in a choked voice.

  ‘I’ll call them,’ Margo said and got up to speak to William who was now in the hall with Ashan.

  As Louisa was still trembling, he asked Ashan to bring her some sweet tea and brandy.

  While Margo called the police, Ashan brought through the brandy and poured a glass for Louisa. She drank in silence with Ashan remaining by her side, as if uncertain how to help and waiting for further instructions.

  ‘Who could have done this?’ Margo asked.