The Isle of Song

by Hilary Wilde

  `Of course,' Jerome said with a smile. He looked at Kate — for a moment she thought he was going to say something and then he merely smiled at her and walked away.

  Simon Ellison was scrupulously polite, seating Kate in a comfortable chair, putting a small glass of sherry by her side, offering her a cigarette which she refused.

  And then he straddled a chair opposite her, resting his hands on the back of it and looking at her.

  `You're certainly different from what I expected,' he said.

  She felt colour in her cheeks. `And you're exactly what I expected,' she said sharply.

  He lifted his eyebrows. `I see you've heard of me.'

  `Who hasn't? You're always in the papers, and ...' She stopped. She had not meant to sound so rude, but something about him irritated her. Why was he looking at her in that patronizing manner? Why that drily amused smile? Was she being naive?

  `Of course. I splashed the headlines in the paper today, didn't I ?' He chuckled. 'Well, what was your first reaction to this idea ?'

  `I was shocked,' Kate said bluntly.

  He nodded. 'Jerome reckoned you'd be. He'd have jumped at the chance, but he said he had his family to consider. A family can be a millstone round a man's neck.'

  `A man shouldn't have a family if he's going to see them as a millstone,' Kate said sharply.

  `Touche!' Simon Ellison agreed. 'Tell me, what have you against the idea? Most girls would jump at the chance of a few years in the South Pacific Islands.'

  `Few years ?' Kate said, horrified. 'What about Mike's schooling ?'

  `How old is he? Yes, I remember, nearly ten. Right? Jerome told me. Well, we have a small but adequate school on the island. If you distrust that, you can get correspondence lessons sent out. Look, Miss Bayliss —suppose you give me a rough idea of your reasons for your hesitation about this. I can assure you your stepfather will get an excellent salary, and I'm offering you all free board and accommodation. In addition, if you and your sister want work, I am prepared to pay for your services. You must admit it's a generous offer and . .

  `Generous ? Too generous,' Kate said. 'We don't want charity.'

  The red flames of anger were in her cheeks again.

  Simon Ellison looked startled. 'It was not intended as charity, Miss Bayliss. Your stepfather is a talented man and I'm prepared to pay highly for his services.' He leaned forward. 'I think I understand. You have no faith in him, have you ?'

  Kate swallowed nervously. 'I — of course I have, but ...'

  `He's been a bad provider, hasn't he? He feels this very keenly. And you are the one who's responsible for his feeling guilty.' Simon Ellison's voice was suddenly stern and unfriendly. 'Don't you know that the most brutal thing you can do to any man is to show him you have no faith in him ?'

  `It's not fair to say that,' Kate said quickly. 'You don't know what it's like to be sixteen or seventeen and have to beg the grocer for an extension of credit that has already been extended beyond ... beyond ...' She bit her lips, afraid because her voice had begun to tremble. Simon Ellison was the sort of man who would accuse her of using tears as a weapon. 'You can't possibly know what it's like to be afraid you'll be evicted for not keeping up payments on the house — not being able to buy the right kind of food ... Jerome has been in and out of jobs and . .

  `Because he's an unhappy disillusioned man with a great talent that has never been used. Why have you kept him tied to you — why didn't you let him go overseas and find the jobs he can do well? He'd have sent you money regularly.'

  `Oh yes, I know,' Kate said bitterly. 'I remember when my mother was alive. How we'd wait for those regular cheques that came so irregularly. There was always a good reason for the delay — we knew it was never Jerome's fault. He wouldn't hurt us if he could help it, but there was always something. Then the change in currency wasn't always on our side. Mother had to go out to work and ... and I was only sixteen when she died. I got a job right away as an office girl, but I was going to be a teacher and ...'

  `There wasn't money enough for it ?'

  `There wasn't money, period,' Kate said bitterly. `I got the first job I could and studied book-keeping and typing at night. I got a neighbour — I had to pay her — to feed Nancy and Mike when they came home from school. Even so, I had to have Jerome there with

  his regular salary — we couldn't have managed. After all, he is Mike's father and...'

  Simon Ellison went on staring at her thoughtfully, and suddenly she disliked him more than she had ever disliked any man before.

  `It's so easy for you,' she said angrily. 'You're wealthy and secure. But we — we had nothing. What would you have done in my place ?'

  He looked at her thoughtfully. 'Probably the same thing, Miss Bayliss — but I hope not.' He drained his glass and went to refill it.

  She sat very still. What was that he had said? But I hope not.' Had she been wrong in asking Jerome for help? Did Simon Ellison think she should have managed on her own? Was he mad? Or just plain selfishly stupid?

  He came back and sat down again. 'You don't drink sherry ?'

  `Sometimes.' She sipped the sherry slowly. It wasn't fair. She was always the one to be blamed for everything.

  `And this job, Miss Bayliss,' Simon Ellison said, his voice cool. 'You don't think Jerome should accept it ?'

  Kate swallowed. 'I don't know enough about it to judge, Mr. Ellison. In any case, the decision is Jerome's.'

  `He said the decision is yours.'

  But that's not ...' she began, but stopped. Whatever happened he must not see how hurt she was. She lifted her head and looked at him. 'What does the job entail, Mr. Ellison ? How many years ? What sort of climate would there be ? Mike is delicate and used to

  get asthma badly. Nancy is seventeen – would there be anyone of her age there ?'

  `The contract would be for three years, but if at any time during that period any of you, apart from your stepfather, of course, wished to leave the island, I would arrange to pay your fares back to England,' Simon said stiffly. 'My great-aunt had a commodious residence and there would be room for us all to live there without intruding on one another's privacy. The climate is temperate and healthy – there's a resident doctor and a hospital. There is also, as I told you, a small but adequate school. If you and your sister care to work for me, I'm prepared to pay you—'

  When he named a figure, Kate gasped.

  `All that and free board and lodging? It doesn't make sense!'

  He smiled. It was the first time, she realized, that he had smiled at her.

  `But it does make sense to me, Miss Bayliss,' he said. `Your stepfather is the architect I've been looking for –a dreamer and a poet who yet is capable of turning his dreams and fantasies into facts. I don't want a conventional architect or one who refuses to listen to my own ideas. I've talked to your stepfather and I like his views on modern architecture. I feel that we could work well together. I always find that a happy employee is a good loyal worker, and if it will make Jerome happy to have his family with him, I'm prepared to accept you.

  `In other words we are on ... on sufferance.'

  `That rather depends on you, Miss Bayliss. Sufferance is a strange word. Let's say that I hope we can become a happy community, each one contributing

  something to the general effort.'

  `What are your plans for the island ?'

  `I intend to make it into a tourist centre. To continue, you asked about young people. My accountant, Adam, is in his mid-twenties, and my nephew, who is not yet twenty, will probably be with us also. In addition, doubtless there will be other young people as our plans progress and more staff is required. You need not fear loneliness ...' He paused and frowned. 'I forgot one thing, Miss Bayliss. Neither you nor your sister are engaged to be married ?'

  She felt herself stiffen. 'Neither of us.'

  He gave her a strange searching look. 'I don't mean to be rude, Miss Bayliss, but I'm rather surprised. An attractive girl like yourself ... but then m
aybe you don't believe in love ?' His voice was amused, and she fidgeted in her chair as she felt her cheeks grow hot.

  `I do believe in love, Mr. Ellison,' she said as formally as she could. 'But so far there just hasn't been much time.'

  `Of course not.' His eyes were amused. They were strange eyes, a mixture of grey and gold, and he had long dark lashes that threw shadows on his cheeks. Now he opened his eyes wide as he looked at her, even more searchingly. 'I forgot you are the mainstay of your family. Naturally there's been no time for pleasure.'

  Kate bit her lip angrily. 'I haven't met anyone I wanted to ...' she began.

  He nodded. 'Very wise. Best to walk warily and not rush in, Miss Bayliss. Personally, I feel this wonderful love that sentimental songs and romantic novels

  are full of just doesn't exist. It's become too commercialized to have any real value today. As you say, you want to be very, very sure. 'I've seen so much misery as a result of this so-called wonderful love that I steer very clear of it. Very clear indeed.' There was a strongly emphasized significance in his voice, and she wondered if he meant her to take it as a warning.

  A warning ? Of what ? Warning her not to look at him romantically ? She wanted to laugh. He was the last man in the world she would look at like that.

  He stood up. 'I'm sure you're tired, Miss Bayliss, after your long day. I suggest you think over my offer and let me know in the morning.' His voice was curt and unfriendly.

  Kate stood up. It annoyed her to have to look up at him. He must be well over six foot tall, for she was not a short girl. Her hair swung with the movement and she wondered why he stared at her so oddly. Was her nose shining ?

  It was in that moment that she made up her mind.

  `I don't need to think over the offer, Mr. Ellison. The decision is my stepfather's, and as he obviously wants to accept your offer, I wouldn't attempt to stop him. Your terms are most generous —' She deliberately kept her voice cold and unfriendly in turn. Whatever happened, he must be made to know that she had no interest in him whatsoever. 'And I think we'd be foolish to refuse such an offer. I know both Mike and Nancy are very excited at this opportunity to see something of the world, and...'

  `You are not ?' he said curtly.

  She lifted her head and looked at him. 'On the

  contrary, Mr. Ellison,' she said, 'I've always wanted to see the South Sea Islands.'

  `Good.' He half-turned away, then looked back. `If you care to sit down and finish your sherry, I'll tell Jerome the good news.'

  She sat down and finished the sherry. Why did she dislike him so much? Was it his patronizing attitude? The way he looked at her? His rudeness — for he had been rude. Implying she ruled the household and wore the trousers, that she had been unfair to Jerome...

  When Jerome came from the library with Simon Ellison and she saw the incredulous happiness on Jerome's face, Kate drew a long deep breath. Had he really been so sure she would refuse to let him go? Had she really that much power over him ? It was a terrible thought. How had it happened ? Did he see them all as a millstone round his neck? As Simon Ellison obviously saw them.

  Jerome came straight to her. 'Oh, Kate, my dear girl, how glad I am you think it's a good idea.'

  `I . . .' she began stiffly, and over Jerome's shoulders, she met Simon Ellison's stern gaze. 'I think it's a wonderful idea, Jerome,' she said instead.

  Jerome looked round at Simon. 'I'll speak to the general manager tomorrow, Mr. Ellison. I'm sure he'll release me.'

  `Good. I want you to get stuck into that research right away.' Simon turned to Kate. 'Can you give a week's notice ? You'll have a lot to do, getting packed and the house ready for letting, but my secretary will be glad to help you.' He smiled coldly. 'We leave in two weeks' time.'

  Two weeks ?' Kate gasped. 'But our passports, our inoculations . .

  `My secretary will arrange everything,' Simon said curtly. He gave Kate a card. 'Ring her tomorrow and she'll tell you what to do. I'll see you on the plane. By the way . . .' his voice changed as he looked at Jerome, `just skip the Mister, please, Jerome. My name's Simon.'

  Jerome glowed. 'Of course, Mr. — I mean, Simon. just can't wait to get to work on those suggestions of yours.'

  `Would you like to take those papers home tonight and browse through them ?' Simon asked him. 'They're on the table in the library.'

  The instant Jerome had left them, Simon turned to the silent Kate. 'Well, Kate,' he said, 'I want to make a bet with you.'

  `A bet ?' she echoed, startled.

  He was smiling at her, but the smile did not reach his eyes. 'Yes, a bet. Just that if in six months' time, you don't admit that this was a good idea not only for Jerome but for the lot of you, then I'll give a thousand pounds to your favourite charity.'

  She stared at him in amazement. 'A thousand pounds? But ..

  `I can't lose,' he said, still smiling.

  `And if...'

  `If you are happy and it was a good idea? Well, you'll have to pay a forfeit. I'll think up something in the months ahead.'

  Jerome joined them, his arms full of papers. 'We'd better be going,' he said.

  Simon saw them to the door. The chauffeur was waiting, the umbrella at the ready. The rain was still teeming down, the roads awash with water.

  `Kate, I don't know how to thank you,' Jerome said, his voice thick as they got into the car.

  `Don't try,' Kate said crisply. 'It's a good job, good pay and the chance of a holiday for us. We'd be fools to turn it down.'

  `I was so afraid you'd . .

  `Jerome, please!' Kate turned to him desperately. `You make me sound like an ogre or a tyrant or something. It was just that I couldn't manage on my own. Jerome, I was so young then, and scared and ...'

  His arm went round her as he pulled her close. 'Why, Kate darling, I never thought or suggested you were an ogre. My place was with you. Even if you hadn't asked me to stay with you, I couldn't have left you. But this is a wonderful chance, and something big might come of it. Simon will be a good man to work for and I should get some excellent publicity. Best of all, we'll all be together, and it will be a wonderful unusual new way of living. You'll love it, Kate. What made you finally agree? Did Simon talk you into it ?'

  Kate bit her lip quickly, stopping the words she wanted to say. 'Of course not,' she said instead, and told the truth. 'When I realized that you all wanted it so badly ...'

  `We do, Kate. It's a dream come true. A South Pacific Island . . . Simon's a nice chap, isn't he ?'

  `Nice ?' Kate began. She was about to say sarcastically that she found Simon the most rude, objectionable, selfish, impossible man she had ever met, but

  fortunately the car chose that moment to stop and she realized they were home and the chauffeur opening the door for them.

  The front door of their house flew open even before they had left the car and Mike and Nancy came racing through the rain to meet them.

  `Is it all right ?' they shouted in excited unison. `Daddy, Daddy!' Mike added shrilly. 'Is it all right ?' `Yes, it's all right,' Jerome said, his voice husky.

  `Everything's all right, darlings.'

  CHAPTER TWO

  IT was a wet spring morning when they walked across the tarmac towards the huge plane. Mike was clinging to Kate's hand, giving a skip of excitement every few moments, his usually pale cheeks flushed with excitement. Nancy seemed to be walking on air, her eyes shining brightly. Kate noticed that every now and then Jerome gave Kate a little anxious look, so she smiled often and talked gaily to Miss Stern, Simon Ellison's middle-aged secretary, who had been such a tower of strength during the hectic fortnight that had just passed.

  `You're going to love every moment of it,' Miss Stern said, her spectacles swinging from a gold chain round her neck, her mauve-blue hair piled high under a smart hat, her yellow umbrella dipping as she moved jerkily on her high-heeled shoes.

  `Pm sure,' Kate said brightly.

  Miss Stern had brought them records of haunting, lovely music s
o that the small house in Ealing had resounded with Pacific melodies, books about Tahiti, and Nancy and Kate had read them avidly, talking of the deep-sea fishing they planned to do — while Kate shuddered silently as the thought of sharks — and the wonders of the dancing they would see and the mountains and tropical flowers.

  What a mad rush the two weeks had been. Without Miss Stern's able management, Kate knew they could

  never have been ready. A tenant to find for the house, everything packed in storage save for what they were taking. Jerome's handsome advance cheque to be spent on clothes bought under Miss Stern's tuition and finally Miss Stern's friendly little words of advice to Kate.

  `The mosquitoes are the serpents in this Eden,' she had said, putting a cigarette carefully into her long jade-green holder. 'You must always sleep under mosquito nets, Kate. That's terribly important. Oh yes, you must always wear sneakers on the beach or your feet 'll get cut on the coral. January and December are the cyclone months, so you'll be all right until then. You're going at the best time, for the season is temperate just now and you'll have trade winds to cool things down.'

  `I wish you were coming with us,' Kate said impulsively.

  Miss Stern's eyes twinkled. 'If I were your age, nothing would stop me, but I've my own little flat in Bayswater and my car and friends. You'll love it, I know.'

  Would she? Kate wondered rather miserably as they walked towards the huge plane. Maybe it was pure cussedness on her part, but the more excited the rest of the family grew, the more uncertain she felt.

  How long would Nancy's enthusiasm last? She was a moody girl and easily got depressed. Suppose Nancy wanted to come back to England ? Simon Ellison would pay her return fare, but could Kate let Nancy, at seventeen years of age, come back alone ? And if Kate came back with Nancy, could she leave

  Mike alone with his father?

  Kate realized suddenly how desperately tired she was. There had been so much to do — photographs to be taken, vaccination and various injections which Miss Stern had advised. Then Kate got in touch with a correspondence school for Mike's education, just. in case the school on the island was not as good as Simon Ellison had implied.