by Anne Hampson
Logical words and, Mrs. Davis later admitted, ones which had been spoken by the doctor on the day the stroke occurred.
‘Not that every stroke is the result of over-indulgence,’ the doctor had said, ‘but in this case I’m bound to say that your husband has driven himself to destruction.’
Gale dwelt on these words now as she stood with her mother beside the bed, looking down at the man lying there. Every night for as long as Gale could remember he had been out drinking, and it was not at all unusual for him to return home as late as four o’clock in the morning. This, as often as not, when he had to be at the university at nine.
‘Shall I go, Mother?’ Gale put the question as the doctor walked into the room, having let himself in at the front door.
‘No, dear, please stay.’
Ten minutes later the doctor had gone, leaving Gale and her mother with the news that Mr. Davis had only a few hours to live.
‘You’ve been so very kind, Julius,’ Mrs. Davis was saying a week after the funeral. ‘It’s so comforting to have someone to lean on, someone who sees to things with such unobtrusive efficiency. I think my daughter is a most fortunate young woman.’ She glanced affectionately at Gale as she spoke. But Gale avoided her eyes, for she was not at all sure that she was fortunate, not with things being as they were between Julius and herself. True, he had not seized the opportunity to be with Daphne, but Gale had reached the conclusion that despite his gentleness and concern, his decision to accompany her to England had stemmed from a sense of duty alone. It was in keeping with his character for him to consider it his duty to come with his wife, and the more Gale reflected on this the more dejected she became. This dejection gave rise to the gging conviction that Julius would, if the truth were known, far rather have stayed behind with Daphne. She lifted her head to glance at him, saw him frown and could not decide whether it was owing to her mother’s words or to some secret thought of his own.
‘It was nothing,’ he said. ‘Obviously at such times as these one must make oneself useful.’
‘You’ve done everything for us, Julius, and I do thank you—’ Mrs. Davis broke off as her son-in-law lifted a hand. ‘Very well, I shan’t mention it again, but I shall remember.’
They were dining out, at the small cosy inn where they were to meet Jack. Mrs. Davis would have refused Jack’s suggestion, when he called four days after the funeral, but again it was Julius who took over, saying at once that it would be pleasant for them all to get together before he and his wife returned to Greece. They had stayed on for two reasons: firstly, Gale had no desire to leave her mother too soon, and in this Julius was in full agreement, and secondly, Julius had decided to conduct some business while in England, and the day after the funeral he had gone to London for a couple of days. Tomorrow Julius was visiting a few friends and then they were catching the early morning plane the following day.
Jack was already there when they arrived. It was the first social meeting between the two men and on seeing them together Gale was struck by the likeness in physique and bearing, both looking a hundred per cent fit and both possessing a similar air of confidence and authority. It was soon evident that they were to get along, and before the evening was over Julius had extended an invitation for Jack and Mrs. Davis to stay with him and Gale at the villa.
‘It’s an open invitation,’ he added. ‘I don’t expect you’ll wish to come just now.’ He glanced at Gale, for she had given a slight start, and as their eyes met briefly she knew he read deep and profound relief in hers. In his she read faint surprise. It was clear that if she herself had doubts about the future, her husband had none - at least, it was plain that he wasn’t contemplating a separation just yet.
For a short moment Gale despised herself; had she any pride at all she would not be wanting to remain with a husband who had already been unfaithful to her ... and yet she knew for sure that she would never leave him by her own design.
The following day he went off, leaving Gale and her mother to spend a few hours alone. He would return in time for the evening meal, Julius promised.
Mrs. Davis had been wearing an anxious expression for several days; Gale had put it down to the strain which could be expected at this time, but as she and Gale sat, during the afternoon, she asked Gale a question she had put to her on a previous occasion.
‘Gale dear, you are happy with Julius?’
Gale looked at her, noting the same deeply-troubled expression she had seen before. The mystery seemed to be looming up again.
‘Would it trouble you very much if I said I was not happy?’ she inquired in a level tone, while keeping her eyes fixed upon her mother’s face, a face that went a trifle pale as the words left Gale’s lips.
‘Yes - indeed it would! You must know that - you’re happy,’ she said urgently. ‘You are! Say it!’
What would happen were she to tell the truth? — were she to say no, she was not happy? Nothing would have given Gale more satisfaction than to say this, just to see whether or not her mother would then decide to be more communicative. But Gale could not hurt her at this time, and to relieve her anxiety she said,
‘I am happy, darling, so don’t look so troubled. What makes you ask the question anyway?’
A small sigh, but relief instantly took the shadows from Mrs. Davis’s eyes.
‘You don’t look happy - not like a bride should; I couldn’t bear it if you were regretting the marriage, not after ... after...’
‘Yes, Mother?’ prompted Gale softly.
‘Well... after my insistence that you marry Julius. However, as long as you’re not regretting the marriage, and you’re perfectly happy, then let’s not talk about it anymore.’ She was eager to change the subject and before Gale could speak she went on to say, ‘Would it seem very wrong if Jack and I came over to spend Christmas with you and Julius?’
‘Certainly not. Why shouldn’t you spend Christmas with us?’
‘It would be quite all right for me to do so, but — Jack?’ ‘You deserve to be happy,’ Gale told her gently. ‘You haven’t a thing to reproach yourself for. You’ve been a good, faithful wife, and were even willing to remain with Father even though you loved someone else.’ Gale shook her head. ‘There’s no reason at all why you should not come together.’
‘Later — we’ll be married.’
‘Of course.’
‘Edward wouldn’t approve of my bringing Jack-’ ‘Darling, it isn’t as if you’re going to sleep together—’ ‘Gale! Oh, I do wish you were a little more delicate! Young people say the most embarrassing things!’
Gale had to laugh despite the solemnity which hung over the house.
‘You’re still old-fashioned, aren’t you, darling? Perhaps Jack will eventually bring you out.’
‘I don’t want to be brought out, as you put it. I’m all right as I am.’
‘Julius thinks you’re old-fashioned, but admires you for having ideals.’
Her mother coloured prettily.
‘I do like your Julius, Gale. You’re so very lucky that he fell in love with you—’ She broke off swiftly on noting her daughter’s changing expression. Gale was about to speak, but at that moment the bell rang and Jack appeared. He had been looking at a property in a nearby road and so decided to drop in to see Mrs. Davis. As it was almost tea time he was invited to stay, and just as he was leaving Julius drove up in a taxi. Gale gave a sigh. Having decided once and for all to tackle her mother outright, she was to be thwarted, it seemed.
Very noticeable was her husband’s expression, and the strange manner in which he regarded her throughout the meal. When it was over, and they were drinking coffee in the sitting-room, she was still acutely aware of his curious attitude, and the glances he gave her certainly conveyed the fact of his having something on his mind - something which affected her as well as himself.
He spoke immediately they were in their room, having said goodnight to Gale’s mother, who had also gone to bed.
‘Can it possibly be
that you overheard Dave Ingham a second time?’ he inquired without preamble, and his answer was received when Gale gave a visible start of surprise.
‘You’ve been with him today?’
‘I asked you a question, Gale.’ Soft words and a little impatient sigh following. Gale nodded and averted her head, remembering that Julius had admonished her for eavesdropping on that previous occasion. ‘What did you overhear?’
No answer, and Julius repeated his question, tilting her face up at the same time and keeping his finger under her chin until she spoke.
‘I heard — heard his friend say — say....’ She twisted away, shaking her head. ‘I’m not telling you! I don’t want to talk about it—’ She stopped as Julius took hold of her shoulders and swung her round to face him. His jaw was set and stern but there was not the least sign of guilt portrayed on his dark and handsome features.
‘Why don’t you want to talk about it?’ he demanded, yet afforded her no opportunity of answering as he continued, ‘There can be only one reason - fear! You’re afraid of the showdown which you have concluded will break up our marriage. Correct me if I’m wrong.’
She looked up, pale and trembling as she nodded, and huskily admitted that she had in fact avoided a showdown. ‘Do you realize what that confession really means? Do you know what it has conveyed to me?’ Puzzled, she shook her head.
‘You’re talking in riddles, Julius.’
‘You overheard Professor Ingham and his friend
talking about me - saying I’d been in Paris with a blonde—’
‘The other man said that, but - but Dave was amused -I could tell by his tone.’
Julius’s eyes glinted.
‘I don’t think it matters from whom you heard it!’ A slight pause and then, ‘So you believed that of me?’ Something in his tone jerked her senses, and this in turn caused her pulse to quicken. She said breathlessly,
‘It isn’t true?’
His mouth went tight, and the grip on her arms began to hurt.
‘It’s true that I was in Paris, and also true that I was with a woman. But that woman was not Daphne - nor anyone else of importance,’ he added on noting her face fall at his mention of a woman. ‘She happened to be the wife of the business associate with whom I was staying, and as both she and I were going into town that particular morning we travelled together in her car. After she had parked it we walked no more than a couple of hundred yards together before she went off to the hairdressers and I to the office where I had a business appointment.’ He paused a moment, almost glowering at her. ‘Anything else you would like me to explain?’ Despite his expression there was in his voice a certain something which Gale analysed as relief. He at least was glad that the air was being cleared.
‘You said you were going to Munich,’ she reminded him at last, moving away as his grip slackened.
‘That’s where I did go. The Paris trip resulted from talks I had there. I am in the travel business, Gale, and it’s quite normal for me to move around.’
Deflated, Gale was silent for a time.
‘Daphne was away at the same time as you,’ she murmured presently. ‘You must admit it was an odd coincidence?’ Scanning his face, she saw the censure return to it.
‘I had no idea of that,’ he returned stiffly. And he added, his eyes glinting dangerously, ‘You lied when you said Apollo had told you Daphne had been in Paris, but I didn’t know this until today, when Dave began pulling my leg about a blonde I’d been with. I naturally realized that there was some connection between this and the fact of your mentioning Daphne had been in Paris. I soon learned from Dave that I’d been discussed at Tricia’s party and it wasn’t difficult to conclude that you had overheard this conversation. You must have done so, since no one was going to tell you outright that your husband was in Paris with another woman.’
Diverted for a moment, she said tartly,
‘Indeed no! Men are nothing if not loyal!’
He laughed then, and received a glinting look for his trouble.
‘So much is explained now,’ he said, causing her to give an involuntary little gasp as tenderness she would never have expected entered his voice. ‘I was astounded at the reception you gave me on my return.’ He paused a moment, regarding her with an all-examining gaze. ‘I went away primarily to discover whether or not you’d miss me,’ he told her, and her eyes opened very wide.
‘I gained that very impression!’ she exclaimed.
‘If you had missed me,’ he continued, ignoring the interruption, ‘I’d have known that you loved me, and,’ he added in an even, measured tone, ‘I’d have responded by telling you that your love was returned.’
She stared, unable to believe her ears. Her lips formed a little ‘Oh,’ of dismay which merely had the effect of bringing a flicker of amusement to her husband’s eyes. She would have spoken again, would have inquired breathlessly if he really meant what he said but she was denied the opportunity as he went on to say, in a tone of affected heartlessness,
‘See what you missed by your cleverness? You’d overheard someone say I’d been in Paris with a blonde; you’d learned from Apollo that Daphne had been away — away, mark you! No one had told you she was in Paris, but with typical feminine distrust you put two and two together and made the pattern which satisfied you - the pattern of an unfaithful husband who had told you he was going to Munich alone when in fact he was going to Paris with his ex-girl-friend. I expect you wallowed in self-pity; I can imagine your deciding to have a showdown - in fact, you started to do so and then changed your mind. Because, Gale, you were afraid of losing me— No, don’t you dare deny it! I certainly won’t deny that I myself was afraid of losing you, and that was why I did not pursue the matter. Had you received me differently on my return,’ he continued, ignoring her several little gestures of imploration for him to cease this tormenting speech, ‘I might then have told you why I married you.’
‘Why ...?’ Bewilderedly she stared at him. ‘It wasn’t — wasn’t for — desire?’
Julius regarded her in silence for a long moment before, in the tenderest voice she had ever heard in the whole of her life, he told her he had fallen in love with her almost on sight. But he was honest enough to add that marriage had not immediately occurred to him; he was initially interested in having an affair with her. She blushed and he caught her to him, kissing her with the ardour she had so desired on the day of his return from Paris.
‘Dearest,’ he whispered when at last he took his lips from hers, ‘there was only one answer to my question of a short while ago. Let me hear that answer.’
She was too full to speak; this was like some miracle and although there were still vital questions she herself must ask, she merely lifted her face again, inviting his kiss. Julius obliged, his dark eyes triumphant in a way that thrilled her through and through because it was the triumph of love returned.
“You mean,’ she managed at last, ‘the question about what my confession had conveyed to you?’ ‘Playing for time?’ Julius slanted her a look which held a great deal of amusement. ‘Or merely being coquettish? Is it necessary -when I know very well that you love me?’
Rosily she coloured, but because she was now so very sure of him she took the risk of saying,
‘There could have been an altogether different reason for my avoiding the showdown. We married for desire, remember, and so it could have been desire that made me reluctant to do anything which might bring about an end to the marriage—’ She was cut short as, roughly, he shook her.
‘Desire! Don’t you dare say that! It was love - just as it was with me. And what’s this about marrying for desire? I’ve just told you I married you for love.’
‘Of course. ...’ She became thoughtfully silent. ‘I know now, Julius, that it was love with me too.’
He nodded, but said he wished he could have been sure of that before now.
‘You see,’ he went on to explain, ‘the thought that you had no real love for me naturally res
ulted in my adopting an attitude of restraint. I could not bring myself to tell you the truth — not believing as I did that you had no love for me.’ He bent his dark head and
kissed her, tenderly. And for a while they were content to stand close together, in the silence of their room.
‘Mother,’ said Gale eventually, deciding to clear up the mystery she knew had existed at the time of her marriage. ‘She acted in a way totally out of character by forcing the marriage on me.’
Julius answered without hesitation, telling Gale that, although her mother had sent for him, it was only to discover the truth, to find out whether or not he and Gale had really been together at the lodge.
‘I told her the truth; she was filled with remorse, saying she had misjudged you and told you she could only forgive you if you had been contemplating marriage. Well, beloved, it was a chance too good to miss, for at that time I could not hope to meet with a favourable answer if I asked you to marry me. You were bent on remaining a spinster, remember?’ Amusement edged his voice and a shaky laugh escaped her.
‘I remember, Julius,’ she said, and asked him to go on with his story.
‘I had several talks with your mother, convincing her that I loved you to distraction—’
‘No,’ she interrupted firmly. ‘Not to distraction! Not you!’
‘To distraction, my dearest life - and don’t interrupt! After a great deal of persuasion I finally managed to get her co-operation—’
‘So that was it! A conspiracy? I understand everything now!’
‘You do? Well, there’s no need for me to say more.’
‘Yes, please tell me the rest.’
‘She agreed to my suggestion that she threaten to run off with Jack—’
‘You suggested it? And she agreed! Julius, you must have put on the charm to make my mother agree to a thing like
that!’
‘I had convinced her that we were meant for one another. I promised I’d make you love me. I told her your whole life’s happiness was in her hands, and that if she refused to co-operate, and later you made an unhappy marriage - or perhaps kept to your intention of never marrying at all - it would be entirely her fault—’
