The Silver Ladies of London

by Lesley Eames

  ‘Sure. I’ll take you to Lydia, but be warned. She’s a little on edge.’

  Lydia wasn’t the only one.

  Jenny stayed as far from Hux as possible as he led them to Lydia. Glittery-eyed and brittle, Lydia’s greeting was a curt nod.

  ‘I can’t wait to see you drive,’ Ruth told her.

  ‘The competition is stiff today.’

  ‘Win or lose, I’ll be proud of you.’

  Darling Ruth. She was trying so hard to make Lydia feel valued.

  A roar from the track signalled the end of a race. Moments later, a low rumble heralded the return of the drivers. Seeing Lydia tense, Jenny guessed Harry was amongst them. How vulnerable Lydia looked when she thought she was unobserved.

  Realising Johnnie was asking for the camera she was carrying, Jenny passed it over and blushed when he said, ‘Thanks, angel.’

  ‘Take pictures anywhere,’ Hux told him.

  Just for a moment Jenny allowed her gaze to meet Hux’s, but she looked away again instantly, unable to bear the treacherous warmth he stirred.

  ‘Let’s check those tyres one last time, Lydia,’ Hux suggested, and they all wished her luck as he led her away.

  Jenny breathed a sigh of relief at Hux’s departure, then joined Johnnie and Ruth in moving into the public areas which fizzed with excitement.

  ‘Isn’t this marvellous?’ Johnnie said. He got to work with his camera, leaning against walls and fences for balance while Jenny or Ruth held his crutch. ‘These photos are just snaps, but I hope they’ll show clients the potential of racing as a setting.’

  It was good to see him getting back into the swing of things. If only Jenny could get back into the swing of things too. But she’d survived seeing Hux and, mercifully, Johnnie hadn’t noticed anything amiss.

  She guarded her features carefully when Hux’s race began but cried out in dismay when his car was clipped by another car on a turn. Luckily, so did everyone else. The clip sent him spinning onto a grassy area, but he made the crowd laugh by getting out and spinning some more before pretending to fall over.

  Two races later, Harry coasted to an easy victory. The young woman in front of Jenny sighed. ‘Isn’t he just—’

  ‘Oh, yes,’ her friend answered, hand to her heart.

  ‘Here comes the ice princess,’ a man nearby said, when the women’s race was due.

  Was he talking about Lydia?

  From the beginning of the race, Jenny realised it was going to be a difficult contest. Lydia took the lead, but another woman drove close behind her with no sense of the danger she was causing to others.

  ‘That woman is a menace,’ the man nearby said, and Jenny heartily agreed.

  The menace forced one car off the track, appearing to think it was a game, then made a reckless attempt to overtake Lydia, forcing her to swerve. Lydia stayed in front, but the menace challenged again.

  Lydia wasn’t to be outdriven by a fool. She accelerated and the menace accelerated after her, but where Lydia’s reactions were swift, the menace’s weren’t. When Lydia turned suddenly, the menace ploughed straight on into a sandbank.

  ‘Serves her right,’ the man said, and, again, Jenny was in complete agreement.

  Lydia was cool with the crowd when she came out victorious but Jenny knew it was only because she didn’t know how to deal with applause. Not that the crowd objected. The ice princess was an image they could admire.

  ‘Let’s go and congratulate her,’ Johnnie said.

  Jenny faltered when she saw Hux in the courtyard.

  ‘Lydia, you were wonderful!’ Johnnie called.

  Attempting to hug her, he lost his crutch and wobbled. Ruth caught the crutch and Jenny went to catch Johnnie. But Hux scooped her out of the way and steadied Johnnie himself.

  He’d meant only to protect her in case Johnnie accidentally knocked her down, but Jenny was left trembling from top to toe. How monstrously unfair this was. Dear Johnnie had been so patient. It was only thanks to him that she could bear a man’s touch at all. Yet she still tensed when Johnnie wanted more than a gentle kiss while even the unintended pressure of Hux’s arm around her waist electrified her.

  ‘I just didn’t want you to be hurt,’ Hux murmured.

  Jenny nodded wretchedly and went to congratulate her friend, though Lydia was more intent on scanning the yard. When she tensed again, Jenny guessed Harry was approaching.

  ‘Congratulations,’ he said.

  ‘You too,’ Lydia returned.

  Jenny risked a glance at Hux. He looked as troubled by the coolness that had developed between Lydia and Harry as Jenny was.

  ‘I’m glad to see you all,’ Harry said then. ‘It’s a chance to say goodbye.’

  Jenny heard Lydia’s breath catch.

  ‘Goodbye?’ Johnnie asked.

  ‘I’m leaving. I’ve loved being over here, but now it’s time to go home. To return to the States.’

  ‘Permanently?’ Jenny was aghast for Lydia’s sake.

  Harry nodded. ‘I’ve been offered the chance to start up a team at a track near Chicago. Sam and Hux will take over my share in this place.’

  Clearly, this was the first Lydia had heard of the plan. She was white with shock.

  ‘Telephone, Harry!’ someone shouted.

  ‘It’s been nice knowing you all,’ Harry said, and he loped off across the yard.

  ‘Good luck!’ Johnnie called, then he turned to Jenny, looking deeply concerned, an expression mirrored in Ruth’s face.

  ‘Last chance to take photos,’ Jenny said.

  Realising this meant she wanted to talk to Lydia alone, Johnnie and Ruth moved away together. Hux withdrew tactfully too.

  ‘Lydia,’ Jenny began.

  ‘Don’t.’

  ‘Harry loves you.’

  Lydia shrugged but didn’t argue.

  ‘I think you love him too, so why are you letting him go?’

  ‘We’d never be happy.’

  ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘Please, Jenny. I don’t interfere between you and Johnnie. You shouldn’t interfere between Harry and me.’

  Jenny was taken aback. Had Lydia guessed that Jenny’s feelings were in turmoil too? Jenny was too scared to ask.

  Lydia walked away, her head held high, though Jenny was sure she was crumbling inside.

  Jenny had set off after Johnnie and Ruth when Hux rounded the corner of a building as though he’d been looking out for her. ‘Can we talk?’

  She halted abruptly, then forced herself to breathe. Not everything was about her and her wayward feelings. There was Lydia to consider. ‘Lydia won’t talk to me,’ she told him. ‘Could you talk to Harry?’

  ‘I’ve tried, but he just won’t listen. He’s fallen hard for Lydia, but he’s convinced she’ll never have him.’

  Just as Jenny wouldn’t have Hux? She pushed the thought away. This was about her friend.

  ‘Lydia isn’t the sort of person who feels comfortable showing her softer side. Harry needs to give her more time.’

  ‘That’s what I’ve told him, but Harry thinks staying longer will only cause them both more pain.’

  ‘Please talk to him again.’

  ‘I will.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Jenny made to move on, but Hux had more to say.

  ‘I saw your face when you were talking to Lydia. You think she’s throwing away something precious by letting Harry leave. I agree. They’re perfect for each other.’

  Once again, Jenny wondered if it wasn’t only Lydia and Harry he had in mind. ‘They are. Just as Johnnie and I are perfect for each other.’ Jenny’s tone implored Hux to believe her.

  ‘He’s a great guy,’ Hux admitted. ‘But we can’t go on ignoring what’s happening between you and me, Jenny.’

  ‘Nothing’s happening between us.’ Who was she trying to convince?

  ‘You know that isn’t true,’ Hux said. ‘There’s an attraction between us that’s… I don’t know what it is exactly, but I do know that it
feels like the air’s charged with dynamite when we’re together. You don’t have to tell me it’s wrong to come between a man and his girl. It’s the reason I’ve been holding back, trying to do the honourable thing.’

  ‘Keep doing it,’ Jenny urged.

  ‘I’m not sure it actually is the honourable thing anymore. No other girl has made me feel even half of what I feel for you, Jenny. If the feeling were all on my side, I’d walk away now. But it isn’t. I only have to look at you to know your heart’s racing just as fast as mine. What would Johnnie make of that?’

  Jenny was horrified. ‘You’re not going to—’

  ‘Tell him? Of course not. But in his shoes, I’d feel I had a right to know. It’s to your credit that you want to protect Johnnie’s happiness. But it seems to me that Lydia’s making one sort of mistake and you’re making another if you marry Johnnie knowing you have feelings for me. It isn’t honest. It isn’t fair.’

  ‘I love Johnnie.’ She did. She really did.

  ‘I don’t doubt it. But there’s all sorts of love. Is what you feel for Johnnie the marrying sort?’

  Jenny stared at him. He was confusing her. Frightening her. She sought escape in anger. ‘You’ve no right to question me like this.’

  ‘I haven’t,’ Hux agreed. ‘And I understand you think it’s mighty convenient for me to talk about Johnnie’s rights when the talk suits my own interests. The person who should be asking questions is you, Jenny. Think on it. Before it’s too late.’

  Forty-nine

  ‘We can wait for Jenny here,’ Ruth said, pointing Johnnie to some seats.

  ‘Let’s hope she can make Lydia see sense,’ Johnnie said, and he sent Ruth a smile. A reassuring, brotherly smile.

  Ruth smiled back weakly, then looked away, wishing for the hundredth time that she could stop feeling so drawn to him. Jenny had no idea of the hurt she was causing by asking Ruth to spend so much time with Johnnie. Working might not have changed Ruth’s feelings, but it might have helped to take her mind off them. Instead, she was enduring Johnnie’s warm smiles, gentle humour and gratitude for hours on end. It felt like torture.

  Even playing backgammon with Johnnie was difficult. Johnnie had lost one of the shakers years ago, so they had to share the remaining one.

  ‘I think you let me win that game,’ he’d said once, after all her effort had gone into avoiding touching him as they passed the shaker to each other.

  ‘No, I just…’

  ‘Let’s play again.’

  Ruth had felt a spurt of frustration, but then pride had reared up and made her want to impress him. Not to try to win him from Jenny as that would have been both disloyal and impossible, but to show him there was more to her than worthy Ruth.

  ‘Well done,’ he’d said, when she won again, but she’d already been reproaching herself for foolishness, because what did it matter how he saw her?

  Despite taking pains to avoid touching him, there were occasions when he winced in pain and then she struggled against the urge to clutch him close and comfort him. On other occasions he slept and, after placing a blanket over him, she longed to reach out and stroke his beautiful face.

  ‘Did I wake you?’ she’d asked one day, blushing when she realised he was watching her as she ironed.

  ‘No. I was just thinking how quietly you move. It’s soothing.’ His blanket had slipped to the floor and, as Ruth picked it up for him, Johnnie had taken her hand. ‘You’re very good to me, Ruth.’

  Just then Jenny had returned from a booking and, with a final squeeze of appreciation, Johnnie had turned to his beloved, his expression transforming from gentle gratitude to shining delight.

  But Ruth shouldn’t be thinking of herself when Lydia was so troubled. It seemed to Ruth that Harry loved Lydia and Lydia was far from indifferent to Harry. If that were the case, it would be terrible if Lydia lost her chance of happiness because Harry was leaving before they’d had a chance to overcome whatever problem was standing between them.

  But the hope that Jenny would have made Lydia see sense disappeared when Jenny walked towards them, her face pink and her eyes shimmering with tears. Had Lydia snapped at her for interfering? Lydia was wonderful but she could behave like a cornered animal if people trespassed onto personal matters.

  Johnnie patted Jenny’s arm. ‘At least you tried.’

  They moved to the Silver Lady.

  ‘Would you like me to drive?’ Ruth offered.

  ‘I’m fine,’ Jenny insisted. ‘Lydia’s catching the train.’

  Jenny got into the driver’s seat and stared straight ahead. Johnnie climbed into the back so he could stretch his leg out and Ruth jumped into the front to spare herself the torment of sitting next to him.

  ‘Harry’s news was a shock,’ Johnnie told Jenny. ‘Lydia might be more willing to talk once it sinks in and she realises what she’s losing.’

  Jenny nodded, but silence settled over them as they journeyed back to London.

  Inevitably, Ruth’s thoughts turned to Vic. She stared down the mews when they arrived and was relieved to see no sign of him.

  ‘I’m taking Johnnie home now,’ Jenny announced.

  Johnnie looked surprised but must have realised Jenny wasn’t in the mood to be sociable because he didn’t protest.

  Ruth waved them off, then, just in case Vic were watching from nearby, let herself into Silver Ladies and closed the door. Upstairs, she sank onto the sofa but soon felt compelled to go to the window. There was still no sign of Vic, but he might be hiding.

  After her rebellion in the café, Ruth’s fear had seeped back in. Not just for herself but for the family and friends she’d hurt.

  Then Vic had written to her with an ultimatum.

  Ruth shuddered at the thought of how close she’d come to disaster by opening the letter in front of Jenny and Lydia. Distracted by Grace’s news, she hadn’t bothered to look at the handwriting but assumed it must be a letter from home.

  Ruth had read it a hundred times since then, but, returning to the sofa, she took it from her bag and read it again.

  There was no greeting. Just cruel, stark words designed to pierce her with dread.

  Temper, temper, Ruthie. I like to see some resistance in a girl as it adds a certain spice to proceedings, but enough is enough. You’re starting to bore me.

  Don’t make the mistake of thinking I won’t make good on my promise. Revenge is sweet.

  You have one week to write back to the address above promising a small slice of good fortune. One week and not a day longer. Tick, tock…

  V Rabley

  PS If you think I’m afraid to incriminate myself by telling your sordid little story, you’ll be making another mistake. No one can prove I took the Arleigh necklace and there’s no proof against you either so we’ll both get off scot-free as far as the law’s concerned. But as far as your friends are concerned, it’ll be different. The look on their faces will be worse for you than prison, I reckon.

  One week. Already it was nearly over and Ruth was too shredded by anxiety to decide whether to write back or not.

  Would Vic really evict her family if she defied him? Certainly he would. If he could.

  Would he really expose her to her friends? Certainly he’d do that too, and there was no doubting his ability to carry out that part of his threat. Exposure wouldn’t only mean the end of Ruth’s friendships. It would also mean the end of Silver Ladies – an abrupt and bruising end – because how could they continue to work together once her treachery was out in the open? Lydia and Jenny would both be out of jobs and once again it would be Ruth’s fault.

  But if Ruth kept giving in to Vic’s demands he really might bleed her dry and Silver Ladies might struggle to survive.

  Hearing the Silver Lady returning, Ruth stuffed the letter into her bag, glanced through the window again, then, seeing no sign of Vic, ran down to let Jenny into the garage.

  ‘I’m sure Lydia didn’t intend to snap at you earlier,’ Ruth said because Jenny ha
d been visibly upset all the way home

  ‘I haven’t fallen out with her.’

  Jenny was too nice to hold a grudge but she looked weary and wounded.

  Lydia looked equally subdued when she arrived home.

  They sat down to supper together, but it was an awkward meal and several times Ruth caught Lydia glancing at Jenny.

  When Jenny got up for water, Lydia whispered, ‘I’ve upset her, haven’t I?’

  ‘I think you might have done. She was trying to help.’

  ‘And I only snapped at her.’

  Lydia gave an exhausted sigh that suggested this new responsibility was the last thing she needed.

  Ruth drifted into the office to give them a chance to talk. Automatically, she crossed to the window. She doubted Vic would expose her before the week was up, but he might be keeping an eye on the golden goose.

  Was that a figure in the shadows? It was impossible to tell, but she ducked back just in case, not wanting Vic to see her fear. It was pointless hoping he hadn’t given up on her. Ruth just had to decide what to do about him but all the conflicting considerations circled in her head and went nowhere.

  When the voices in the living quarters had quietened, Ruth went back in.

  Lydia shrugged to suggest she’d had no luck making up with Jenny, but Ruth was sure she’d been forgiven. Perhaps Lydia just couldn’t forgive herself.

  Ruth hoped a night’s sleep would soften their rough edges, though she didn’t sleep well herself. She wondered if she’d ever sleep well again.

  Despite seeing no solution to her own heartache, she felt she’d be a poor friend if she didn’t try to stop Lydia from making a mistake she might regret for the rest of her life. Ruth waited until they’d delivered a Miss Smith to her parents’ house near Kew Gardens the next day and were returning to Shepherds Mews.

  ‘I know you don’t want to hear this,’ she said, bracing herself for the lash of Lydia’s tongue in reply, ‘but I think you’re wrong to let Harry go. Terribly wrong.’

  Lydia groaned. ‘Not you as well!’

  ‘Harry has feelings for you and I’m pretty sure you have feelings for him. Don’t tell me I’m imagining it because—’