Deceit of Angels

by Julia Bell

  Anna wrapped a towel round her and then twisted a second one round her damp hair. She was still in her old room and knew that she must venture to the one she shared with Jason in order to get dressed. Padding across the landing she opened the door and breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the empty bed. She chose some underwear from a drawer and then collected together a jumper and a pair of jeans, throwing the entire bundle on a chair. Sitting on the edge of the mattress she bent her head forward and began to rub her hair vigorously with the towel.

  “That’s one of the many images I had of you, while I was away,” smiled Jason, coming out of the bathroom.

  Anna jerked her head up and stared at him through a tangled mass of blonde hair. “Thought you were downstairs.”

  “Well, I’m not. And I didn’t think you’d be back so soon.”

  She gave a grimace. “Unless you want me to go down to breakfast like this, then I had to come back to get dressed.”

  She sat at the dressing table and carefully combed her knotted hair.

  Jason watched her as he pulled on a T-shirt. “What do you want to do today?”

  Anna hesitated before replying. “But it’s Sunday. Aren’t you going to the gym?”

  He shook his head. “The hotel in Singapore had wonderful facilities. I worked out and went swimming nearly every day. Thought I’d give it a miss this morning.”

  “Well, I need to do some more Christmas shopping, I’m afraid.”

  He suspended his action of pulling on a jumper. “More! I thought you’d be finished by now?”

  “I’ve sent off those for the family.” Her appointment with Nigel had allowed her to return to the music store and buy the CD vouchers. It had been a dreadful experience, causing her to rush in and out as quickly as possible. “And I’ve bought for everyone except your mother. I can’t seem to find anything for her. I’m really stumped.”

  “Shall we go together? Perhaps I can give you a few ideas.”

  Jason expected her to reject the suggestion out of hand, but her immediate response took him off guard.

  “I’d really love that. As long as you don’t mind trailing round,” she smiled.

  He nodded taken aback by her enthusiasm. “Then that’s what we’ll do. Perhaps we could take Hollie with us? There’s a fair on and she’d enjoy going on the roundabouts.”

  “That sounds wonderful.” She plugged in the dryer and started drying her hair, bending her head forward and rubbing her fingers through blonde curls. The whirring noise prevented any further conversation.

  Jason had finished dressing and wondered if he should go down to breakfast, but then he hesitated. He felt reluctant to leave her after their quarrel the night before. He sat down on the bed and waited for her to finish.

  “I think we need to talk,” he said, when she lifted her head and switched off the dryer.

  “What about?” She turned to the mirror and brushed her hair.

  He stood up and walked across to her, placing his hands on her shoulders. “I feel I’ve done something very wrong.”

  She looked up at him. “Why do you think that?”

  “These last few days you’ve not been yourself. I wondered if anything had happened while I’ve been away. If you’ve had any problems.”

  Anna felt her heart pounding. “What sort of problems?”

  “Anything. With your family or at work? I appreciate you’re missing your sons, but…”

  “Yes, I am missing them, but I’ll be seeing them soon.”

  Jason took the brush from her and placed it down on the dressing table. He gently raised her to her feet and put his arms round her. She spread her hands on his chest as if to keep him at a distance.

  He closed his eyes momentarily, summoning up his courage. “As I said, I feel that I’ve done something to upset you. Anna, if you’ve changed your mind about us, then please tell me. If you want to break off our engagement then I must know. I can’t live my life pretending that everything’s OK when it’s not. I had to do that too many times with Kiera.”

  Anna stared at him, panic welling up inside her. He looked so lost as his deep blue eyes searched her face for reassurance. He wasn’t smiling but she needed him to smile, to be happy. It meant everything to her to make him happy.

  Tears stung her eyes as she slowly lifted her arms round his neck. She wanted to tell him everything, wanted him to understand the horror she had been through and then he would be there to comfort her and give her the courage to make it through each day.

  She pressed herself against him. “No, it’s not that. I couldn’t live without you, I love you too much,” she whispered.

  He gave a moan of relief as his mouth covered hers. She was hardly aware that the towel had fallen to the ground or that Jason was lifting her over to the bed, covering her face with tender kisses. There was no pain this time, not even a sensation of discomfort. Only the joy of their lovemaking and the wonderful knowledge that they were together again filled her conscious thoughts. And her only cries were those of pleasure and happiness.

  The following morning and only two days before Christmas, they all piled into the Mercedes and set off for the Grange. Ben had left that same morning for Nottingham, but he would return in good time to celebrate the New Year. At first they struggled through heavy Christmas traffic, but finally they were out into the countryside. It was a sparkling winter morning, with a touch of frost in the air. There wasn’t going to be any snow for Christmas, the weathermen had said, and Hollie had felt very disappointed.

  “Snow isn’t a very good thing to have, where we’re going,” Jason told her. “If it’s really bad, the country roads get completely blocked and then we can be cut off for days.”

  Hollie said she didn’t really care if they were cut off, if it meant she didn’t have to go back to school. She sat next to her father gabbling away ten to the dozen, while Mrs Wilby and Anna had a peaceful journey sitting in the back.

  At regular intervals, Jason would glance at Anna in the mirror, marvelling at the sudden change in events. Their shopping expedition had been wonderful. After lunch, they had gone to the funfair and taken Hollie on the rides, laughing with her as they whizzed about or scrambled up the helter-skelter. The ride on the Ferris wheel had been a delight as they viewed Bristol from on high. It was as if all the problems since his return from Singapore had simply evaporated and Anna was more like herself. He grimaced when he thought of the last five days and prayed they would never experience anything like it again.

  When they reached the gates, Hollie jumped out to swing them open. She had always enjoyed doing this job, but then she saw Grandma Harrington waiting for them by the main entrance and set off to run into her arms. Jason drove through the gates and Anna got out to close them, shaking her head at the whimsical little girl. They dove up the drive and into the forecourt where Margaret stood, holding Hollie’s hand.

  “Anna! Where’ve you been for the last three months?” chastised Margaret. “I’ve missed you and you should have come to visit with Jason and Hollie.” Anna apologised and followed everyone indoors and into the warmth of the parlour. “My dears, we are going to have a lovely Christmas together, but what a shame Ben couldn’t join us this year.” Suddenly, Hollie saw Tess lying peacefully on the hearthrug in front of the fire and bounded towards her. Flinging herself on the floor, she gave a shriek of delight as she put her arms round the retriever’s neck. “Don’t be too rough, Hollie dear. She’s an old dog and can get bad tempered if she’s man handled too much.”

  “Old!” Hollie screamed. “She was here when the dinosaurs were about.”

  It was wonderful being back and Margaret had already discussed the sleeping arrangements, putting Anna and Jason into his room at the top of the flight of seven stairs.

  They had their coffee and then went up to their rooms to unpack. Anna couldn’t help stopping halfway up the grand stairway to survey the immense hall below her. Yes, she thought, being here will help me forget. It was here Jason and
I fell in love. She smiled at the gigantic Christmas tree standing in the corner, glittering with lights and tinsel.

  Jason caught up with her. “Guess who’s coming to lunch tomorrow?”

  Anna thought for a moment.

  “It can’t be Doctor Orchard and Sarah. Margaret said they’ve gone to Spain for Christmas.”

  “No, it’s Nigel and Sophia.”

  “Wonderful,” smiled Anna, in absolute delight.

  And it was a delight for her. After they had eaten, they all took a walk outside, even though the light was starting to fade.

  Sophia came to Anna’s side. “I know this is a social visit, but I was just wondering how you are,” she said, keeping her voice low.

  “I’m fine. My bruises have healed.”

  “You certainly look better,” said Sophia. “You’ve got more colour in your cheeks.”

  “Yes, I feel better and more positive. My husband…he’s finally agreed to a divorce.”

  “Good! Get plenty of rest over the holiday and you’ll soon be your old self.” She looked about her. “It’s so pretty here.”

  Above the main entrance a cascade of Christmas lights trailed over the stonework and to the left of the door was a spruce weighed down by tinsel and blue and white lights. These twinkling lights were repeated in the trees along the drive. The air seemed filled with the scent of moist pine needles.

  “Yes,” breathed Anna. “It’s magical.”

  “Have you thought any more about telling Jason?” Sophia hoped that Anna couldn’t see the eagerness in her eyes; informing Jason would solve so many problems.

  “No and I never will,” said Anna adamantly.

  “Why not?” Sophia couldn’t hide her disappointment.

  “Because he’ll be appalled and he’ll want to do something about it. And he’ll also think me an utter fool to trust a man like my husband.”

  “I think you underestimate him. If you explained it all to him, I’m sure he’ll understand.”

  “Yes, I’m sure he will. After he’s got Dave banged up in prison!”

  Sophia couldn’t help laughing. “Well, I’ll leave that up to you. But you’re going to need a lot of support and understanding over the next few months and no one can give that better than the man you love and who loves you.”

  “I think he’ll give me that anyway,” said Anna softly.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  Christmas Day started at five-thirty, much to the displeasure of the adults who were forced to stumble, bleary-eyed downstairs to open their presents. Hollie had made it her duty to wake up everyone, ringing a bell that had been found in the kitchen.

  “Who the hell gave her that?” groaned Jason, pulling on his dressing gown.

  “I think it was Fran,” said Anna, from beneath the bedcovers.

  “Come on! Get up everyone. It’s Christmas Day!” came the cry around the house.

  Margaret tried to shush her and told her not to wake up John and his family who were still sleeping in their apartment.

  “Lucky old John and family,” muttered Anna. She tried to snatch a few more minutes but finally had to give in and join the others in the parlour.

  It turned out to be a very wonderful two hours as they opened their presents in front of the fire. Margaret went down to the kitchen and brought up a pot of steaming coffee and as they let the caffeine bring them to life, they marvelled at the gifts that littered the floor. There seemed to be everything; clothing, books, toiletries, jewellery, tapestry frames and numerous other treasures, some requested and some given as a surprise. Jason’s gift to Anna was a beautiful and very expensive watch bought from Harrods. Anna began to wonder if all his gifts had to come from only the exclusive department stores and if he had ever chased a bargain as an astute Yorkshire lass would do. Margaret’s gift to Anna was a wonderful set of golf clubs in a leather bag.

  “We’ll have to try them out as soon as we can,” Jason smiled.

  “Isn’t the club closed over Christmas?”

  “Only today and tomorrow. We can play on Sunday after the boys have left, if you like?”

  Anna nodded, her heart skipping a beat at the impending visit.

  A short time later, everyone made their way upstairs to get dressed and then back downstairs for breakfast. And after breakfast, Anna and Jason took Hollie outside to try out her new bike, courtesy of Grandma Harrington.

  Christmas Day at the Grange was always spent quietly and for the first time in many years, Anna wanted to attend the morning service with Margaret and Mrs Wilby. Jason expressed surprise at this, but not wanting to be left behind, agreed to accompany everyone to the beautiful medieval stone church of Saint Mary’s where he had been christened. The service was pleasant and Anna enjoyed singing the carols and listening to the sermon on the meaning of ‘love and trust’.

  And then it was back to the Grange for lunch. This was also an unhurried, quiet affair with turkey, Christmas pudding and all the trimmings. Being with Jason’s family made Anna’s heart twinge. This was the first Christmas Day she had spent away from her sons, the first Christmas she had not been with her mother and sister and after lunch, Anna paced the floor waiting for the call that would lift her spirits. When it came, she bubbled over with delight as her sons confirmed their arrival for the following day. As she put down the phone she was convinced more than ever that not telling Jason had been the right thing to do. Pressing charges would not have helped the situation one bit. Why spoil Jason’s happiness? Why spoil her sons’ life?

  The twins arrived on Boxing Day about mid-morning, after setting off very early and making good time. Not that Anna could wait to see them since she had spent the time since breakfast, going backwards and forwards to the window, until Hollie shouted that they were finally parking outside the house. Anna was out of the front door in seconds, her arms round her sons as they climbed out of the car. And then they were surrounded by the rest of the household, shaking hands and receiving kisses, before being bundled into the warmth of the Grange.

  “I said they must be fine young men,” said Jason, as they drank their coffee in the parlour. “And I was right.”

  “I do believe they’ve grown,” Anna smiled. “Although Martyn needs his hair cutting…and that beard!”

  “Beards and long hair are part of life at uni.”

  “Does that apply to the girls too?” laughed Anna.

  She couldn’t describe her feelings over the next three days, having her sons close. But it wasn’t just that, it was the fact they fitted in so well with life at the Grange and they obviously approved of Jason, telling their mother that he was a ‘great guy’. She showed them round the house and grounds and listened to their many stories of life on campus now that their first term was over. On an evening, she, Jason and the twins would escape to the billiard room and play snooker, the happy banter between the men she loved, lifting her heart out of the mire of depression she was apt to sink into at unexpected moments.

  Anna loved every room in the Grange, delighting in their unique style, but the billiard room was her favourite. It had hardly been touched for centuries and harked back to the time when the gentlemen would leave the ladies to pursue their own interests. Masculine in design, with oak beams, lime green walls and brass light fittings, the soft furnishings were upholstered in plush olive green velvet and very comfortable. Stepping into the room, Anna always got the impression that she was entering an exclusive gentlemen’s club.

  Anna leaned on her cue and narrowed her eyes. “Is this true, Martyn? Are you telling me there wasn’t a washing machine in halls?”

  Her elder son squirmed with shame. “I didn’t have time to do my washing.”

  Chris grinned. “So, he brought it all home for Grandma to do, even his bed sheets, the dirty sod.”

  “Thanks Bruv,” said Martyn, rubbing his chin.

  Jason bent to take his turn, trying not to smile. “I remember it well.”

  Anna turned on him in disgust. “Not you, surely?”
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br />   Jason straightened his back as the red ball disappeared into the side pocket. “I tried to get home every few weeks and I must admit I hauled my washing with me.”

  “Poor Margaret.”

  Jason winked at Martyn. “If you want to keep on the right side of your mother, then I suggest you use the laundry facilities.”

  “Well, I don’t suppose it matters to me,” Anna sighed. “I’m just thinking of my mum. She’s getting on and doing a whole term’s worth of washing isn’t going to help her bad back.” She cocked her head to one side. “Unless you move back in with your dad. I’m sure he could cope with the washing.” She caught the boys’ wary side-glance at each other. “What is it?”

  Chris cleared his throat. “Dad has a girlfriend. Well, a woman friend actually. She’s just moved in with him, so we decided to stay out of the way while they settled down.”

  Jason looked at Anna and noticed a blush come to her cheeks.

  “Oh, that’s fine,” she said nonchalantly. “Why shouldn’t he? Anyone I know?” She didn’t care that she was being curious.

  “Her name’s Pam,” said Chris. “Someone from work, I think, but we haven’t met her yet.”

  Anna closed her eyes as a cold wave passed over her, followed by a pang of jealousy as she imagined another woman using her kitchen, sleeping in her bedroom. But then a sense of relief flooded through her. She had been vindicated, the woman in the pub was exactly who she thought she was. Now she knew for certain, she started laughing.

  Jason came to her side and put his arm round her shoulder. “Are you OK, sweetheart?”

  She nodded vigorously. “Oh, yes. I said she could have him and so she can.”

  After the boys had left, the heavens opened and it rained continually, saturating the garden and drumming down on the roofs of the cars like a hail of bullets. Jason had proposed a game of golf but now it would have to be abandoned.