by Anne Mather
‘I’d—have to ask my mother,’ she said at last.
‘All right.’ John was agreeable. ‘Get in the car and I’ll take you the last few yards. You can collect your swim suit at the same time.’
‘You’re very sure she’ll allow me to come, aren’t you?’ commented Sophie dryly, after he had helped her into the seat beside him.
John grinned at her. ‘Why not? If my invitation was suspect, I’d hardly take you to the Hall, would I?’
Sophie had to concede that this was so, and in a very short time she was slipping out of the Jaguar and running up the steps into the house. Mrs. Forrest, her stepmother’s daily, was polishing the panelling in the hall and Sophie halted and said: ‘Where’s Mummy, Mrs. Forrest?’
‘She’s gone into Hereford with Master Simon, miss. She wasn’t going to go and then she decided at the last minute she would. Why? Was it something important for your father?’
Sophie heaved an impatient sigh. ‘What? Oh, no, no. Not important.’ She chewed unhappily at her lip. ‘Is—is Robert in?’
‘No, miss. I’ve got the house to myself. Have you had some coffee, or would you like me to make some?’
‘Oh, no. I—er—I had coffee with my father at the surgery.’ Sophie hunched her shoulders. ‘No, as a matter of fact, I just came back for my swim-suit.’
‘Your swim-suit, miss!’ Mrs. Forrest shook her head. ‘You going sunbathing? You want to watch your skin. Don’t you go getting burned now.’
The decision made, Sophie ran lightly up the stairs. ‘I won’t, Mrs. Forrest,’ she called, going into her bed-When she climbed into the car a few minutes later, she was wearing her navy blue bikini beneath her shirt and jeans and carrying a towel.
‘All right?’ asked John, raising his eyebrows.
Sophie hesitated. ‘Yes, all right,’ she nodded.
She had never been to the Hall before and it was quite an exciting prospect. She had heard about it, of course. The Merediths were regarded as the local squires and their activities always made news. But visiting the Hall for herself was something else, and she looked about her with interest after John had let them through the barred gate which gave access to the parkland surrounding his home.
The Hall itself was a mellow stone building reflecting the architectural styles of various periods. Its original foundations had been laid in the late seventeenth century, but successive owners had added to it and distorted its appearance so that now it owed allegiance to no particular period. For all that, it was an attractive building with lots of stores and outbuildings rambling into the copse of elms which formed its backcloth.
John parked the car to one side of the house and when Sophie climbed out he was standing beside her.
‘This way,’ he said, leading her along a path edged by rhododendron bushes that curved round to the back of the house. ‘It sounds as though Veronica and her friends are already using the pool.’
Sophie felt the first twinges of reluctance. She had never met Veronica Meredith, and the prospect of joining John’s sister and a group of people she didn’t know was a daunting one.
‘Perhaps I should go…’ she began awkwardly, but John turned back and caught her hand.
‘Why?’ he challenged. ‘You’re not afraid of meeting people, are you?’
‘No, but-‘ Sophie gestured helplessly. It was difficult to say that her position was bound to be suspect. She was not his fiancée for one thing, and therefore had no right to be with him. ‘What about Joanna?’ she managed, at last.
John smiled his slow smile. ‘Let me worry about Joanna, hmm?’ he suggested gently, and drew her after him until they emerged on to a bright, sunlit patio.
The kidney-shaped pool was blue-tiled and the water glinted brilliantly. Several young people were splashing about in the pool, and striped li-los and colourful garden furniture set about its rim gave the scene a continental appearance. John was recognised and greetings were called to him, while Sophie was conscious of being scrutinised rather closely.
‘A drink first,’ commented John, releasing her hand to walk across to a trolley set in the shade of the terrace that ran along the back of the house. He glanced round and indicated that she should join him. ‘What will you have? Lager; shandy; beer; a Coke?’
Sophie looked down at the array of bottles nestling in a bed of ice. ‘Oh—Coke, I think.’
John continued to smile at her as he hooked the lid of a Coke bottle under the automatic lever and handed the opened bottle to her. ‘Straws or glasses?’ he asked.
‘I think I can manage,’ replied Sophie, unable to resist smiling in return, and John nodded and hooked off the lid of a beer, putting the bottle to his lips and drinking thirstily.
Sophie was copying his example when she became aware that a girl, some years older than herself, and dripping water from red-brown hair and a cream bikini, had climbed out of the pool and was approaching them. She looked curiously at Sophie, allowed a small smile of welcome, and then turned to John.
‘Well?’ she said pointedly, ‘and what have you been doing?’
John threw his empty bottle into the trash can. ‘Oh, hello, Ronnie,’ he responded easily. ‘Allow me to introduce you to Rob’s sister, Sophie. Sophie, this is my sister Veronica.’
Veronica, held out a wet hand, grimaced and withdrew it. ‘Sorry, I’m soaking. Hello, Sophie. You’re just home from school, aren’t you?’
‘I’ve finished school,’ stated Sophie rather flatly.
‘Oh, have you?’ Veronica’s tone indicated that she didn’t look as though she should be. She glanced round. ‘Well, you know the gang, don’t you, John? You can introduce Sophie around.’ She paused. ‘By the way, Joanna rang earlier. I think she expected you to be taking her to lunch or something.’
John’s lips twitched. ‘Are you sure about that, Ron?’
To Sophie’s astonishment, Veronica coloured. ‘Well, she did ring,’ she declared irritably. ‘I expect she’ll ring again.’
‘I expect she will,’ agreed John amiably, and took Sophie’s empty bottle from her unresisting fingers. He looked at her steadily and said: ‘Are you ready for a swim now, or do you want another drink?’
Sophie glanced awkwardly at Veronica and with an impatient exclamation the other girl walked away. Sophie looked after her anxiously. ‘I don’t think your sister approves,’ she murmured uncomfortably.
John put out his hand and tugged gently at a strand of her silky hair. ‘Do you know something?’ he asked. ‘I don’t particularly care.’
The other guests were less concerned with John’s behaviour. Playing in the pool was fun, and although initially the water felt ice-cold in no time at all Sophie’s heated body got used to it. Names were casually thrown around, and occasionally Sophie would find herself being chatted up by others of the young men. She enjoyed the friendly banter and found herself able to parry most of their comments. She had always moved in a mixed company and didn’t find it difficult talking to the opposite sex.
Her hair was soaking and she had no idea of the time when she became aware of a tall figure standing on the patio watching them, a lean dark man dressed in an immaculate slate grey suit, whose tanned features were set and uncompromising. It was Robert, and at once Sophie’s new-found confidence deserted her. John had apparently seen him, too, because he was climbing out of the pool and walking across to him.
‘Hi, Rob!’
‘You coming to join us?’
The friendly comments floated across the water to him, but he didn’t answer them.
He was talking to John and watching them Sophie sensed the same kind of aggression she had felt between him and Simon.
‘I don’t think your brother approves of John bringing you here,’ remarked a sardonic voice in her ear, and turning, Sophie found Veronica just behind her.
She shrugged with what she hoped was casual inconsequence. ‘I can’t imagine why.’
‘Can’t you?’ Veronica gave her an old-fashioned look. ‘You kno
w John’s engaged, don’t you? Would you like your fiancé playing around with someone else?’
Sophie gasped, ‘John and I were not—playing around 1’
Veronica shrugged. ‘I know my brother better than you do, Sophie. I saw the way he was looking at you. Believe me, John’s interested.’ She grimaced. ‘Perhaps I shouldn’t have told you, but—well, I don’t think you’re the type to take advantage of the fact.’
Sophie struggled to climb out of the pool. ‘Thank you,’ she managed in a choking voice, and endeavoured to walk across to where her towel was lying without looking in Robert’s direction. But John saw her and called her, and wrapping the towel round her shoulders Sophie approached the two men. She concentrated her attention on John and tried not to feel intimidated by the angry expression on Robert’s face.
‘I’m afraid you have to go. Sophie,’ said John regret fully. ‘Big brother’s come for you.
I’ve just been trying to convince him that I didn’t intend to kidnap you. He says that you didn’t tell anyone where you were going.’
‘Oh!’ Sophie had to look at Robert then and she flinched from the coldness in his eyes. ‘Well, there was no one to tell. Mummy had gone to Hereford with Simon and Daddy was still at the surgery.’
‘You could have mentioned your whereabouts to Mrs. Forrest,’ retorted Robert curtly. ‘Do you realise I’ve been looking for you for the past hour? Your father is worried sick. Fortunately my mother and Simon are not yet back from Hereford or they’d have been anxious, too. You really are the most inconsiderate little madam I’ve ever had the misfortune to meet!’
Sophie’s cheeks were pale now and John looked from one to the other of them with obvious discomfort. ‘I say, Rob,’ he mumbled, ‘that’s a bit strong, isn’t it?’ He moved restlessly. ‘If anyone’s to blame, it’s me. I invited Sophie here.’
Robert took a deep breath, controlling his temper. ‘Get your clothes on, Sophie,’ he said. ‘We’re leaving.’
Sophie hesitated only a moment, and then scurried across to the bathing cubicles which ran along one side of the pool. She had left her clothes there earlier and with careless haste she rubbed her body damp dry and then put them on. She was wringing out the scanty bikini as she walked back to where her stepbrother was still talking to John. She rung out her hair, too, but trickles of water still persisted in running down her neck. ‘I’m ready,’ she said tautly.
‘Good.’ Robert nodded to John and began to walk towards the path which led round to the front of the building, but John caught Sophie’s arm, detaining her for a moment.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said’ looking into her eyes apologetically.
‘It’s not your fault.’
‘Not altogether perhaps, but then who would have thought Rob could get so uptight about it?’ He shrugged. ‘When can I see you again?’
Sophie realised that Robert had halted at the corner and was standing watching them. ‘You can’t be serious!’ she gasped.
‘Why not?’
Why not indeed? Sophie shook her head. ‘I must go.’ She drew her arm out of his grasp.
‘Can I give you a ring?’ he persisted.
Sophie gave him a troubled look. ‘I—I—oh, I suppose so,’ she agreed, and hurried after Robert feeling as though the Sword of Damocles was about to fall.
Robert’s car was parked beside the Jaguar and he was already seated inside when Sophie reached it. She opened the door and got in quickly and he thrust the gear into drive and spun the wheel with a screaming scrunch of tyres on the gravelled forecourt. He didn’t speak until they reached the park gate and then he said: ‘Will you open the gate, please?’ in controlled tones.
‘Open it yourself!’ retorted Sophie, staring blindly out of the window at her side.
Robert stood on his brakes and because she hadn’t fastened her seat belt she was almost ejected through the windscreen. She managed to save herself and stared at him angrily as he pushed open his door and got out. He drove the car through the gate, and then got out again and secured! it.
By this time Sophie’s initial bout of recklessness had subsided, and she half wished she had opened the gate for him. After all, if her father had been worried…
‘I’m sorry if you’ve been put to any inconvenience on my account,’ she managed through tight lips. ‘I’m sorry if Daddy was worried. But that doesn’t give you the right to speak to me like that in front of—of a stranger!’
Robert said nothing. He drove out on to the narrow country road and accelerated towards the village. Sophie stared at him mutinously. He looked so dark and cool and attractive while she was hot and dishevelled. She felt the brevity of her years and when compared to his sophistication and wondered how she had ever dared to provoke him as she had two weeks ago coming home from the station.
‘What do you want me to say?’ she burst out at last, unable to bear the tense silence any longer.
Robert glanced at her. His lashes were long and thick and veiled the coldness of his eyes. He seemed remote—detached. Had she really once shared his bed in a storm?
Been gathered close against his hard warm body with love and affection? It didn’t seem possible, the way he was looking at her now.
He had returned his attention to the road and already the outskirts of the village were coming into view, the tall hedges around Penn Warren hiding the house from sight. ‘I don’t particularly want you to say anything,’ he replied tersely. ‘Just don’t disappear like that again without telling anyone where you’re going!’
Sophie hunched her shoulders. ‘Such a fuss!’
‘And I shouldn’t get involved with John Meredith either,’ went on Robert, as though she hadn’t spoken. ‘He has a fiancée, and she conceivably might object.’
‘I know that. I’m not a child!’ she declared resentfully.
Robert’s second sweeping glance was eloquent with meaning and she wanted to cry.
‘Why—why do you have to be so horrible to me all the time?’ she exclaimed defensively. ‘We—we used to be friends!’
Robert turned the Jensen between the drive gates and drew up before the house.
Sophie’s breathing was shallow and jerky and she turned at once to get out. She wanted to put as much distance between them as possible. But the door would not open and she shook it with tremulous impatience, starting when he said laconically:
‘It’s locked.’
She turned to look at him then. ‘Will you please open it?’
‘In a minute.’ Robert drew a deep breath, and almost against his better judgement, he said: ‘I apologise, Sophie. I shouldn’t have spoken to you as I did in front of John. Put it down to—over-reaction, if you like. I’m sorry.’
Sophie felt so relieved, she was lightheaded. ‘Th— that’s all right, Robert,’ she forgave him unsteadily, wishing he would look at her instead of staring straight ahead.
He turned then, one hand resting on the back of her seat. He was unsmiling, but the cold hardness had gone from his expression. ‘I’m—I’ve got to go to Gloucester this afternoon. Would you like to come?’
Sophie’s mouth felt dry. ‘Do you want me to?’
His lips twisted wryly. ‘I shouldn’t have asked you otherwise, should I?’
She bent her head, and her wet hair falling about her ears made her conscious of her appearance. ‘I—I’m such a mess,’ she said, not quite knowing why she said it.
‘Don’t you want to come?’ he demanded shortly.
She looked up at him then, her green eyes wide and luminous. ‘You know I do.’
Robert looked at her for a long shattering moment and then he swung round in his seat and pushed open his door. ‘Then I suggest you stop talking rubbish and go and get ready. We’ll leave straight after lunch.’
Sophie’s father was surprised to find she had been at the Hall, but to her relief he seemed to think she had been chastised enough. He made some comment about always telling someone where she was going and then went into his study to
enjoy his pre-lunch sherry.
Simon and Sophie’s stepmother arrived back while Sophie was drying her hair and she hurried and dressed in a plain, sleeveless cotton jersey and the long cotton skirt she had bought in Hereford.
Robert told the family over lunch that he and Sophie were going to Gloucester that afternoon and the news was received with very mixed feelings. Sophie’s stepmother was cautiously enthusiastic, her father was clearly doubtful, and Simon was downright antagonistic to the idea.
‘I was going to suggest taking Sophie to the coast this afternoon as it’s such a hot day,’ he decided irritably. ‘What on earth is she going to do in Gloucester? Towns are not the places to spend afternoons like this! She’d enjoy the beach and swimming far better, wouldn’t you, Sophie?’
Before Sophie could reply, however, Robert said: ‘As Sophie went swimming this morning, she might enjoy a change of scene, don’t you think?’ in cool sardonic tones.
‘Sophie … went swimming…’
Simon was clearly confused and even her stepmother was looking surprised. ‘I went to the Hall,’ said Sophie hastily. ‘I—er—I met John Meredith when I was walking home from surgery. He—he invited me.’
Simon looked stunned. ‘You didn’t tell me.’
‘I’ve hardly had the opportunity.’
‘But why should John invite you to the Hall?’ exclaimed Laura.
Robert gave his mother an old-fashioned look. ‘You don’t really need an answer to that, do you?’
Laura shrugged and looked at her husband. ‘But Sophie’s so—young!’
‘She’ll be eighteen in November,’ pointed out Simon impatiently. ‘You can hardly regard someone who’s considered old enough to vote as just out of the schoolroom, can you?’
‘Even so…’ Laura shook her head. ‘And in any case, John’s engaged.’
‘Being engaged doesn’t necessarily deprive a man of his sight, Laura,’ remarked Dr.
Kemble, looking piercingly at Robert. Then he pushed his chair from the table. ‘And now, if you’ll all excuse me, I’m going to take my coffee into the study. I’m going to have forty winks before I go over to High Apsdale. I promised Martin Evans I’d go and have a look at Doris. She doesn’t like coming into the surgery, and he’s a bit worried about her blood pressure again. She’s doing too much, as usual, I suppose.
