by Anne Hampson
‘Your garage men,’ he said. ‘Arrived rather sooner than you expected.’ He went out and Kim could not suppress the smile of triumph that rose to her lips. Little did he know what was in store for him. Little did he guess that his plan for getting poor little Vicky into his power was about to collapse about his ears.
‘Vicky — Aunt Margaret! What’s brought you here at this time?’ The voice was low and rather crisp, and it contained an unmistakable element of impatience which strengthened Kim’s conviction that Julian had no tender feelings whatever for his fiancee. Nevertheless, she felt exultant, for his tone conveyed the impression that his visitors were far from welcome — and this would soon register with Vicky’s Aunt Margaret.
They entered the room and Vicky gave a little cry of surprise -as planned.
‘Oh ... you have a friend here.’ Vicky’s face fell and the light went out of her eyes. ‘I expect we’re intruding.’ All this was for Aunt Margaret’s benefit, for Kim had recommended a ‘softening up’ process whereby Aunt Margaret should be informed of Julian’s unfaithfulness, even though she might not believe it. ‘P-perhaps we’d b- better go.’ How well Vicky did it! Kim silently congratulated her. That little break in her voice had registered with Aunt Margaret too and she looked up at Julian with a frown.
‘Are we intruding?’ she asked, a trifle shortly. Her eyes rested on Kim, who instantly became flustered, drawing her coat tightly about her legs. There was a small silence during which Kim’s heart throbbed painfully, for Julian was looking most oddly at her. But he couldn’t suspect anything, she told herself impatiently, and turned her attention to Vicky’s aunt. Greyhaired and rather tired looking, she had at the same time an attractive face, and her blue eyes were large and trank. They were settled on Julian, taking in his attire. And her expression was half puzzled, half suspicious. ‘Who is this girl, Julian?’ she added without any attempt at tact.
Slowly Julian removed his gaze from Kim and, after allowing it to rest on his fiancee’s accusing face for a moment, he explained how Kim had come to the flat, and gave the reason for her still being there.
‘Do sit down,’ he invited then, and asked them what they would like to drink.
‘Just a sherry, please — a very small one because I’ m driving.’ Aunt Margaret turned to Kim and threw a smile in her direction. ‘How annoying for you, having this trouble with your car, I mean.’
‘It - it is a-annoying,’ stammered Kim, justly proud of her well-feigned confusion. ‘It’s — it’s always going wrong.’ Julian was looking at her again and making no move to produce the drinks. Supposing she didn’t have the opportunity of carrying out the rest of her plan? Ah, he turned at last, standing with his back to them as he opened the lid of the cocktail cabinet. Surreptitiously Kim unfastened her coat, then she spoke to Aunt Margaret, ensuring her attention. With a careless movement Kim crossed her legs; her coat came open, and to her intense satisfaction she saw the woman’s eyes widen unbelievingly, before, with a swift, embarrassed gesture, Kim gathered her coat to her again, wrapping it closely about her. A deep sigh left Kim’s lips, a sigh of relief that it was now all over - all over bar the final scene, in which Kim herself would take no part. Aunt Margaret was old-fashioned; this was all that was required for her to decide that Julian Parnell was no fit husband for her niece. Vicky could go ahead with her jilting and no objections would be forthcoming now from her aunt.
There was the click as the lid of the cocktail cabinet was closed, and for some reason it caused Kim to jump. Julian turned and slowly made his way towards the couch where Aunt Margaret sat. Still dazed by what she had seen, the old woman took the glass with a trembling hand and never even looked at Julian. In any case, his eyes were on Kim. They seemed to bore into her; she shivered, then threw off her tiny tremor of fear. It was natural she should have this tinge of apprehension, for her part had not been easy. Nevertheless, she wished Julian would not look at her like this, for despite the sure knowledge that he was in complete ignorance of what was taking place, his gaze was that of a man of omniscient perception, a gaze which Kim found it impossible to ignore.
She waited until he had his back to her again and then gave Vicky a significant glance. There was no time to waste. For one thing, given the chance of recovery, Aunt Margaret was naturally going to ask questions, in which case she would discover the real reason for Kim’s being without her dress. And for another thing, should the man from the garage arrive Julian’s explanation would instantly be proved genuine.
Vicky was prepared and she acted her part well, for she had so much to lose if anything went wrong. Julian was handing her her drink, but she brushed it aside and rose unsteadily to her feet,
pressing a hand to her chest.
‘No, Julian, not for me - oh dear, I’ve the most awful pain—’ She swayed and Julian reached out and caught her.
‘My dear,’ he said soothingly, ‘what is it? You look so white.’ ‘Oh ... do I?’ Vicky blinked at him in surprise, but Kim’s eyes narrowed strangely. Yes, I suppose I must do. Oh,’ she breathed in agonized tones, ‘Aunt Margaret, please take me home, now! ’ ‘Darling....’ Poor Aunt Margaret, thought Kim. But it really was her own fault. She should have allowed Vicky to do her jilting without any interference or threats of being cut off with only a shilling. ‘Are you very ill, dear? Julian, will you help me get her down the stairs?’ She was clearly frightened and for the present what had just occurred was of no importance. ‘Can you walk, Vicky?’
‘Just about - Oh, the pain!’
Don’t overdo it, warned Kim, though silently. This man’s no fool.
‘Perhaps I should phone the doctor,’ suggested Julian, watching his fiancee’s face closely. For a second consternation touched her eyes, but she instantly recovered. ‘No, it’s just something I’ve eaten, I’m sure.’
‘Then I’ll help you downstairs.’ He glanced round, keeping his arm under hers. ‘Did you have a bag?’
Aunt Margaret had already picked it up along with her own and they all moved to the door.
‘Don’t worry about me,’ pleaded Vicky looking up at him from under fluttering lashes. ‘Promise you won’t, Julian?’
‘I can assure you I won’t,’ came the swift and suave reply, and Kim’s head jerked up. How callous! And he should be insisting on seeing her safely home, not merely taking her down to the car. Fury raged within Kim as she waited for his return. She felt she could almost throw caution to the winds and tell him exactly what she thought about him. But presently she managed to calm herself as she listened for the sound of the car starting. She heard it at last, then the engine purred away into silence. But what could Julian be doing? she asked herself a few minutes later. He had had more than enough time to come back to the flat. Her puzzlement grew as the moments passed and she felt she could not sit still a moment longer.
He opened the door and stood there, looking steadily at her, his face darker and more harsh than ever. Then he closed the door softly and came further into the room.
Kim cleared her throat.
‘The men from the garage should be here directly,’ she commented, giving another tiny cough as she endeavoured to dislodge the tightness that had gathered in her throat. ‘They said half an hour.’
‘There are still ten minutes to go,’ he observed, sitting down on the chair he had recently vacated.
A strange quietness settled on the room; Kim found it quite unbearable and said conversationally,
‘It’s to be hoped the repair won’t take too long.’
Julian shot her a look and said, in an expressionless tone,
‘You should know how long it will take, for you’ve had this trouble before, you said?’
‘Yes —yes, I have.’
‘The starter?’
She nodded.
‘It wants a new ring gear and — and something,’ she told him vaguely. A friend at the office had had that done. Pity she couldn’t remember the rest, but no matter; she was sure it sounded convincing.
‘Does it now?’ He seemed faintly amused, she thought, and wondered why. But though his voice held this inflection his mouth was harsh, and the glint in his eyes was like cold steel. If only the men would come! She must get out of here, for there was something almost evil about this man, something so profoundly inhuman that she could see him doing all those things of which Vicky had spoken, and much more besides. Kim could think of nothing more terrifying than to find oneself at the complete mercy of this man. ‘Well,’ he added at length, ‘I should certainly get your car put right if I were you ... for it might let you down on an occasion where it could cause you some very real inconvenience.’
Her eyes flew to his. Why the slight hesitation? Was it intentional? - made in order to stress his following words?
The sound of a car pulling up outside prevented further conversation, for this time it was the breakdown van; the men’s voices could be heard.
‘I should put your dress on now,’ Julian advised tonelessly. ‘I’m quite sure the repair will be done in a jiffy-’ A slight pause and then, softly, ‘Perhaps I’ll come down and watch them. It’s always handy to know how to deal with these various things that can go wrong with a car.’
‘Oh, no — I mean, there’s no need for you to bother—’
‘I’m not bothering. I said I wanted to learn something. My starter might go wrong some time, who knows?’
Consternation spread over Kim’s face. It came as a shock to discover that her scheme could misfire at this late stage.
‘Please don’t come out,’ she said with a distinct hint of anxiety. ‘It’s so cold, and if you’ve just had a bath....’
‘Perhaps you’re right,’ he returned, both to her surprise and relief. ‘I’ll heed your advice and take no risks.’ A pause and then, ‘I don’t know your name?’
‘Kim - Kim Mayfield.’
‘Kim.... That’s a rather pretty name - one not easily forgotten.’ He smiled, a smile without humour. ‘You know my name, of course.’
‘I — know—?’ An unsteady hand fluttered to her throat.
‘How can I possibly know your name?’
‘You heard my fiancee use it, just a few minutes ago,’ he reminded her, and she breathed freely again.
‘Of course.’ She laughed shakily. ‘Your first name, that was.’ Julian made no further comment, but opened the door to show her out. He seemed to take it for granted that the repair would be done quickly, for he did not offer to keep her longer.
‘Thank you for all your trouble,’ Kim said graciously as she stood on top of the flight of steps, just outside his door. ‘You’ve been very kind.’ What a hypocrite she was! But he deserved it all; she had no qualms about what she had done. ‘Goodnight.’
‘Good night, Miss Mayfield. Perhaps we shall meet again some day.’
‘I shouldn’t think so.’ The wish was father to the thought and the words were out before she could stem them.
‘But you’re only here because of your interest in the flat below,’ he reminded her, and added, ‘We might soon be neighbours — if you decide to take the flat, that is.’
‘Yes, yes, we might,’ she agreed, with a shaky little laugh. She then bade him good night again and ran down the stairs and out to the car. The men were standing by it but had not yet attempted to do anything.
‘I’m terribly sorry to bring you out like this,’ she said quietly, and with an unconscious glance at the lighted window above. ‘But someone’s been playing a joke on me and removed the distributor head. I’ll pay you, of course,’ she added and, extracting the card which she had ready in her pocket, Kim told them to send the bill to that address.
To her relief the men soon went off and within minutes Kim herself was driving through the gateway, profoundly thankful to have come out of her little escapade without harm and fervently hoping she would never again set eyes on the formidable Julian Parnell.
CHAPTER THREE
‘Well, I’ve had enough of that! ’ Kim stood back and surveyed the little kitchen. Everything shone, even to the floor. ‘It should do for a few weeks.’
Carole came and stood beside her, her pretty face creased with laughter.
‘I didn’t think you had it in you. How did you manage to stick at it?’
‘Felt I must,’ admitted Kim ruefully. ‘Couldn’t let you do all the housework. Made me feel guilty.’
‘I’ll bet it did!’ She glanced around. ‘Rewarding though, isn’t it?’
Kim turned, and grinned.
‘I must admit it looks nice, but — no, Carole, I’m not cut out for it. I was bored to distraction, thinking of all the interesting things I could have been doing.’
‘Come and look at my efforts now,’ Carole invited, and led the way into the sitting-room. ‘See, all polished and dusted, and the carpet all swept.’
‘Looks very' nice,’ admitted Kim. ‘Did you enjoy it?’
‘I did,’ laughed Carole. ‘I actually like housework, so perhaps my marriage won’t fail after all.’
‘I’m sure your marriage won’t fail,’ Kim returned, and she spoke with sincerity. Marriage might not be for her, because she was too practical and discerning, but there would always be women who would consider everything well lost for love, and Carole was one of them.
‘I think we deserve a run out this evening,’ Kim said later while they were having tea. ‘How about a cinema?’
‘I don’t mind,’ Carole returned accommodatingly.
‘There’s a good film on at the Odeon.’
‘A war film - do you fancy that?’
‘I forgot. You don’t like them, do you?’
‘We’ll go, because you like them. What time does it start? -and how much are the seats?’
Carole looked for the newspaper and found the required information.
A couple of hours later they were in the cinema, and as it was only half past nine when they came out Carole suggested they go somewhere for a meal.
‘That’s an idea,’ agreed Kim, and drove out to a country inn which some of their friends from the office patronized.
‘There’s Pamela and Matthew - oh, and there’s Dennis and Leslie.’ Carole pointed to a far table and suggested they join the two young men.
‘Hi,’ said Leslie, obviously glad to see the two girls. He looked around for a waiter. ‘We’ve just been saying we’ll join Pam and Matthew, but now we could do with a larger table.’
Soon they were settled and during the meal there was a great deal of laughter and chatter. Kim was smiling at something that had just been said, and at the same time glancing idly around. Her eyes suddenly widened and she stared unbelievingly.
‘Vicky,’ she murmured softly. ‘And wearing an engagement ring!’ Vicky hadn’t seen her; she was positively glowing and had eyes for no one other than the man sitting opposite to her. ‘Engaged ... but it was only three days since...’
Kim could scarcely contain herself until the course was finished, and then, while they were all preparing to wait for the next, she excused herself and went over to Vicky’s table.
‘You! Oh, Kim, h-how lovely t-to see you!’
Kim’s mouth was set; she spoke stiffly, asking to be introduced.
‘My fiance - er - Stephen. Stephen, this is my friend Kim.’
Kim extended a hand, her gaze on Vicky’s flushed face. She was aware of murmuring something to the young man, and of his smiling response. Then Kim said, deliberately,
‘I want to see you alone, Vick. Shall I come up to your place tomorrow?’
‘But of course! I’d love you to come - er - make it early, though
- before eight, because we’re going to a dance, aren’t we, Stephen?’
‘That’s right, sweetheart. I’m calling for you at eight.’
‘What about your aunt? Will she be in?’
‘Oh, yes, I forgot.’ Vicky put a hand to her throat, a hand that was not quite steady. ‘Must you come? I mean, is it anything important?’
‘It’s somet
hing very important,’ returned Kim through tightened
lips. ‘You’d better think of a way for us to meet. How about here at seven tomorrow evening?’
‘But I can’t eat at seven,’ protested Vicky, glancing uneasily at her companion who was clearly puzzled by the conversation. ‘And we can’t come here and not eat.’
‘We can have a snack or something,’ Kim returned in firm and even tones. ‘Here then, at seven prompt.’
‘How am I to get here?’ Vicky asked, pouting.
‘I say, what is this?’ her fiance cut in, glancing up indignantly at Kim. ‘I won’t have Vicky spoken to like this.’
‘It’s all right, Stephen,’ Vicky said hastily, and then, ‘Very well, Kim, I’ll get a taxi.’
Kim turned away, unable to trust herself to say more.
The following evening she was at the inn first, but Vicky arrived no more than five minutes later, much to Kim’s surprise.
They entered the inn and Kim ordered sandwiches and coffee. As soon as the waiter had gone Kim said, without preamble,
‘I want to know all about it. You’ve obviously been seeing Stephen while you were engaged to Julian.’
‘I was,’ Vicky owned at once. ‘I’m terribly sorry, Kim, but I just had to get rid of Julian - and he was detestable, that was the truth, honestly.’
‘I’m thinking it’s you who are detestable,’ Kim admonished, staring at Vicky’s bent head. ‘You had no real excuse for throwing Julian over, did you?’
‘He was a bully, and I couldn’t possibly have lived with a man like that, now could I?’
An awful silence followed. All Kim could think about for the moment was that she had been duped by Vicky, used so that the girl could get rid of one fiance in order to become engaged again immediately. She felt furious with her friend, but even more furious with herself for becoming involved without investigating the matter more thoroughly. And what of that strange disquiet she had experienced while waiting for Vicky and her aunt to put in an appearance? Instinctively she had felt there was something wrong
