by Sonia Parin
Oh… Evie hadn’t thought of that.
“I am sorry, Evangeline, but I am not going to lie. Not even for you.”
“You don’t have to. You can tell her… I have gone on an impromptu trip and will be traveling for quite some time. It’s what I’m doing and, in truth, I’m not really sure when I will return…”
“You seem to forget yourself, my dear. You are the Countess of Woodridge. Therefore, you will return in time to organize the Hunt Ball.”
“Oh… Yes, of course.”
Chapter Five
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a flat tire
Tom took his place next to Evie at the breakfast table. Despite the late night, his eyes sparkled. “Any sign of Phillipa?”
“Yes, I sent Caro to check on her. She apologizes profusely for falling asleep last night.”
In the end, they had celebrated without her. And, in the midst of it all, Evie had asked if they could join the car rally. The hasty decision had been made out of desperation and she hoped she wouldn’t have to repent at leisure. Evie also hoped their late night wouldn’t delay their departure.
“Did you enjoy your dinner conversations last night? You seemed to be holding a deep and meaningful discussion with the woman sitting next to you.”
“Marjorie,” Tom said.
“Plain Marjorie? Everyone else seems to have a pseudonym or some sort of fanciful pet name.”
“Yes, plain Marjorie. She’s actually a keen golfer. So, we talked at length about the game.”
“You play golf?”
Tom nodded.
Evie set her fork down. Why hadn’t she known? And…
Why did Marjorie have something in common with Tom?
“It must have been refreshing for you to chat with someone about a subject you are passionate about.” To think, when he’d first started pretending to be her chauffeur, he’d barely said a word to her, even when Evie had tried her very best to engage him in conversation.
“I enjoyed it.”
And? Evie held his gaze as a way of prompting him for more information.
“She’s thinking of writing a murder mystery set in a golfing tournament.”
Another writer.
“I am beginning to wonder if I have been condemned to live among people intent on killing. Where is this obsession with murder coming from?”
Tom took his time chewing his bacon. “You’ve found it somewhat entertaining. Didn’t you refer to recent events as solving a puzzle?”
“I don’t recall saying that to you.”
He shrugged. “I’m sure it came up in conversation.”
Her guests began to trickle into the breakfast room, most heading straight for the coffee.
Evie watched the parade and wondered if they were trying to make a statement with their haphazard style of dressing.
Unique had chosen a striped blouse with a polka dot skirt in contrasting colors of orange and blue. One of the gentlemen wore a cricketing outfit mismatched with a dinner jacket. Another one had applied a great deal of pomade to his hair and had styled it into waves curving across his forehead. Lark Wainscot and one other young woman had favored beige. Evie thought they were well suited for a trip to the pyramids or a safari adventure in the heart of the African continent or even a day out boating.
“Lady Woodridge. Are you still eager to join us?” Charlie asked.
Evie noticed several people looking up as if eager to hear her response.
“I most certainly am. In fact, I’m quite looking forward to the adventure. How soon do you think you’ll all be ready to leave?”
Sara had chosen to breakfast with them that morning; an unusual move on the dowager’s part as she normally preferred to enjoy a leisurely breakfast in bed.
She set her teacup down and said, “Evangeline, dear. If you are so eager to set off, why not get a head start and let these bright young things see if they can catch up to you?”
“I say, that would be splendid,” Charlie said. “I love a challenge.” Turning to Tom, he asked, “What do you drive? Oh, wait… An AC Six, the red roadster you drove in yesterday. That should give you a proper start. Will you be sharing the driving?”
Sara nearly choked on her tea. When she recovered, she mouthed, “I forbid it.”
“I had no idea Lady Sara felt so strongly about female drivers,” Tom murmured.
“Nor did I.” Did it have something to do with a sense of decorum or did Sara worry about safety?
Batty entered the breakfast room and Charlie filled him in on their plans, going on to suggest, “We could all meet up at the Pecking Goose. Do you know it? We always stop for a rest there.”
“I think Sara has set something into motion,” Tom whispered, “and we’re going to have to do the heavy lifting and put a decent distance between us and them.”
“Admit it, you’re looking forward to this.” Evie helped herself to another cup of coffee thinking she would have a long wait until her next one. “Edgar, please ask Mrs. Horace to prepare some sandwiches for our journey.” Leaning toward Tom, she whispered, “I have a feeling these young bucks think they can catch up to us in no time. We should give them a run for their money. Be ready to leave in a hour…”
***
Three hours later… On the road to nowhere.
Evie grabbed hold of Tom’s arm. “Why are we limping?”
“Flat tire.” Tom eased the motor car onto the side of the road and, keeping his tone casual, said, “It’s as good a time as any to stop for a break.”
Evie commended Tom for his bright attitude and expert handling of the vehicle only to then say, “Do you even know how to change a flat tire?”
Giving her a lifted eyebrow look, Tom held the passenger door open for Evie.
“I guess that’s a yes and…” she couldn’t help teasing him, “I suppose this means you wish me to stand by the side of the road.”
“It might help.”
She watched him take off his coat and roll up his sleeves. “Do you think I’m a coward for fleeing?”
He chortled but refrained from commenting.
“I know it seems petty, but the thought of spending another second in Isabel’s company makes my head throb.”
“There’s your answer. You find her disagreeable and you’re taking the most sensible step by putting distance between you. She’s bound to get the message.”
“That’s just it. I’m afraid she’s rather persistent.” Evie crossed her arms and mused, “Know thyself. We both attended the same academy and took a class in philosophy but she must have missed that particular lesson. Isabel doesn’t know the meaning of introspection and, therefore, she has no ability to scrutinize her actions.”
Evie struck up a pensive pose and wondered if she thought she knew herself.
She knew enough and… she considered herself a work in progress.
The years had transformed her. Her husband had been in the prime of his life. Losing someone she’d expected to spend an entire life with had made her appreciate every moment she could experience living in joy. She simply refused to spend any of her valuable time in the presence of someone whose main aim in life seemed to be focused on making others miserable.
Evie gave a firm nod of her head.
Tom laughed. “Did you just reach a conclusion?”
“I did and I intend sticking to it.” Looking into the distance, she said, “I really don’t see how the others hope to catch up to us before noon. How far do you think we’ve traveled?” Shielding her eyes, she looked one way and then the other. “There’s a sign up ahead. I think it says Waltham or maybe Popham. It’s too far to see clearly.”
“We’ve probably managed to do about sixteen miles.”
Still too close for comfort, Evie thought. “Do you think they’ll catch up?”
Tom laughed. “I think you’re showing a competitive streak.”
“Well?”
Tom brushed a hand across his brow. “They didn’t look that
eager to hit the road. I wouldn’t be surprised if they are only now staggering toward their vehicles and making a move to leave.”
Digging inside her pocket, she retrieved a list Sara had compiled for her with the names of all her friends and acquaintances who lived between the village of Halton and Portsmouth. It had been quite considerate. She imagined Sara telephoning everyone to warn them of a marauding gang of bright young things accompanied by her daughter-in-law heading their way.
Putting the list away, she turned to admire the wildflowers growing by the side of the road but her mind couldn’t settle on the simple task. “What if it happens again? You won’t have a spare tire.”
Tom straightened and wiped his hands clean. “You might have to embrace the spirit of adventure and not worry about such details. We’ll be fine.”
“You sound confident.”
“That’s because I am. Someone tampered with our tire and, as we are alone on the road, there is no chance of it happening again.”
“What? H-how do you know someone tampered with it?”
“There’s a puncture. Someone pierced it enough for it to eventually give way.”
“In jest, I hope.” Who could have thought of doing such a thing? “Although, I don’t really see the humor in it, but I would prefer to think someone wanted to slow us down rather than… I can’t even bring myself to say it.” Nor could she stop herself from entertaining the thought. Did someone have malicious intentions?
“Are you sorry you came now?”
She wanted to say yes but she would not have been able to push the admission out even if she tried. This had to be a bad joke.
Her gaze fixed on the road behind them. She could see a motor car approaching and someone waving.
As the car drew nearer, Evie realized they were not waving hello. Another thought struck.
Evie recognized the person waving frantically.
Finally, she said, “Impossible.”
Tom finished putting his tools away and said, “If you think about it, nothing is really impossible.”
“Yes, I realize that now.”
Noticing Evie’s intense frown, Tom followed her gaze. “I guess someone has caught up to us.”
“It’s Isabel Fitzpatrick.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’d recognize those blonde curls anywhere. Would you mind explaining that to me? How is it possible? She sent a telegram saying she would arrive at Halton House this morning and now she’s here, on the road, heading right for us.”
“Evie?”
“I’m perfectly fine if that’s what you intended asking. In shock, but otherwise quite prepared… More or less.” Never mind that she had gone out of the way to avoid the woman only to have her hunt her down.
Evie pressed both hands against her cheeks. “Heavens, if I didn’t know better I’d say Isabel took exception to my exodus and is intent on running us over.” A few seconds later, she changed her mind. “Oh… Oh, my goodness. There’s something wrong.”
Tom agreed. He grabbed hold of Evie’s arm and guided her away from the roadster.
“Why is the car swerving?”
They both stopped in the middle of the road. One moment the oncoming motor car appeared to be headed in one direction and in the next instant, it swerved away…
They both squinted their eyes.
“I think there’s something wrong with Lorenzo and Isabel is struggling to control the steering wheel.”
The vehicle didn’t seem to be slowing down and yet everything appeared to be happening in slow motion.
Tom cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled out to swerve to the left. Then, at the last moment, Tom grabbed Evie by the waist and plunged them both toward the opposite side of the road.
Evie heard Isabel’s scream as the vehicle careened out of control and hit the ditch with a thud followed by the sound of metal crunching up.
“Stay here.” Tom scrambled to his feet and rushed toward the vehicle. Despite his warning to stay put, Evie followed and reached him in time to help pull Lorenzo and Isabel out before the car burst into flames.
Chapter Six
Repenting at leisure
Evie did not take her eyes off the road. Not even to look at her watch. Tom would be gone for as long as it took and she knew he would be doing his best to return as quickly as he could.
Since being pulled out of the wrecked vehicle, Isabel had said next to nothing. Even when Tom had covered Lorenzo with his coat, she had only managed a light whimper.
Any minute now, Evie expected her to snap out of it and go into a state of hysterics.
Evie kept her arm around her shoulder tucking Isabel’s limp body against her.
She tried to figure out how much time had elapsed. No point in checking her watch, she thought, because she didn’t know what time Tom had left…
Taking a deep swallow, she risked taking her eyes off the road to look around her and then up at the sky. When they’d stopped, the sun had nearly been above them.
She glanced at the smoldering pile on the other side of the road.
Isabel didn’t have a scratch on her but Evie had remembered some soldiers she had visited at the local hospital appearing to be perfectly fine while slowly succumbing to injuries suffered internally.
She looked around her and tried to take her mind off the images still lingering in her mind, to no avail.
Tom had shaken his head. Stepping away from the lifeless body, he had spent a few moments in silent introspection. Then he’d told Evie he needed to go for help because the alternative would be to wait for someone to drive along.
After spending some time making sure Evie would be fine coping with the situation, he’d driven off…
“An hour,” Evie whispered. In reality, she reasoned it had to be less. Waiting for someone or for something to happen… focusing on it, could make time drag on. Five minutes could turn into an hour. Ten minutes into two hours.
Hearing the sound of a vehicle approaching, she sat up and looked along the road Tom had taken but she didn’t see anything. So, she looked the other way. That’s when she saw a white vehicle approaching.
Evie swallowed only to realize her throat felt parched.
A few minutes later, the vehicle slowed and came to a stop. Two men emerged. “Lady Woodridge?”
Evie nodded.
“We received a telephone call from the next village. Their ambulance service is in use so we were called in.”
One man hurried toward Lorenzo and crouched down. After a moment, he shook his head and strode back to the ambulance. While the other man checked on Isabel.
“She’s most likely in shock,” he said. “We’ll take her up to the hospital.”
Evie made a few head gestures that even she found confusing. When the man helped Isabel to her feet, Evie rubbed the numbness away from her arm.
Feeling at a loss, she looked down the road and thought she caught sight of another vehicle approaching. It stopped behind the ambulance and a man climbed out. Tall and distinguished looking with gray hair and a smart suit.
“May I be of assistance? I’m Sir Richard Warwick.” He extended his hand to help Evie to her feet.
“I’m…” Hearing another car approaching, she looked down the road and saw Tom’s red roadster.
Bringing the car to a stop, he jumped out and rushed toward her. “Sorry to have taken so long.”
After Tom introduced himself, Sir Warwick turned back to Evie who must have looked confused enough for Tom to make the introduction.
“This is Lady Woodridge. We’d stopped to fix a flat tire when this other motor car ran off the road.”
“Lady Woodridge. Very pleased to meet you. I believe I know your mother-in-law. How is Lady Sara?”
Not surprised by the revelation as she often encountered people who knew either Sara or Henrietta, Evie forced herself to smile. “She’s quite well.”
“Are you all right to travel now?” Sir Warwick asked.
“We should be fine. Thank you.”
The ambulance took off in the direction Tom had come from. Taking a deep swallow, Evie managed to ask, “Do they have a hospital?”
“Don’t worry about that. How are you holding up?” Tom asked.
“I’m actually a bit shaken and thirsty.”
Tom rushed to their roadster and retrieved a bottle of cider Mrs. Horace had packed for their lunch.
Even though she knew no one would be able to provide exact answers, she couldn’t help asking, “How could this have happened?”
“Maybe the driver lost control of the vehicle,” Sir Warwick suggested. “It’s been known to happen. This is a well-traveled road and we’ve had our fair share of incidents. I daresay, the police will want to look into it.”
“Yes, they’ve asked us to remain here until they arrive,” Tom explained.
“When did you speak with the police?” Evie asked.
Tom explained, “The first person I spotted in the village turned out to be a constable.”
“You were gone for quite some time.”
“I had to get some gas. The pharmacy had a ‘back in five minutes’ sign but I had to wait half an hour for someone to open up again.”
Evie took a sip of the cider and wished she could have something stronger to drink.
“Did Isabel say anything at all?” Tom asked.
“No. The ambulance officer said she must be in shock. Now we know what it takes to make her be quiet. I daresay she’ll have a lot to say when she finally snaps out of it.” She looked at the mangled remains of the vehicle. “If we’d delayed getting them out of the motor car…” She shook her head and looked away. “I can’t imagine how she’ll react when she eventually recovers from the shock.” Evie only knew Isabel would be devastated…
“Well… If everyone is fine I think I shall be on my way,” Sir Warwick said. “If I can be of any service, don’t hesitate to contact me. Anyone in the village will be able to give you directions.” He tipped his hat and went on his way.
Five minutes later, the police arrived and after inspecting the wreckage they asked for their statements.
