by Lilian Peake
‘I can answer that straight away. They didn’t.’
‘How do you know?’
He sighed and put down his book, reconciled now to a long interruption. ‘He told me that Nina had tried to see him - you know she lives next door to his parents? - but he refused. In the end, his mother persuaded him to agree to see her and apparently Nina pleaded with him to let them carry on from where they’d left off.’
He paused and she whispered, ‘What then?’
‘Lester said “no”. At which point it seems, she burst into tears and cried all over him, but he still wasn’t having any.
His mother argued with him and tried to make him change his mind. Then Nina’s mother had a go.’ He laughed. ‘One big happy family party.’ ‘Then what?’
‘Nothing. He was adamant. Said he’d finished with women. Full stop.’
She moistened her hps. ‘Was that why he came back early?’
‘Yes. He couldn’t stand the fuss. Now apparently she keeps pestering him by phoning him every other day. He tries to put her off and is quite rude to her, but it seems to make no difference. She won’t give in.’
He turned the pages, trying to find his place. ‘Whether or not she’ll wear him down and make him change his mind remains to be seen. Personally I doubt it.’
‘So he really meant what he said,’ she murmured, after a while, ‘he really has put women out of his life.’
‘So it seems.’
Their father came in. He tutted, having heard what they were saying. ‘Are you talking about Lester again?’ He listened while Elise repeated what Roland had said.
Harold laughed. ‘You’re not telling me that a good-looking young fellow like that is going to be allowed to escape from the bonds of matrimony for the rest of his life, when the world is full of designing females?’
Elise knew he was being facetious but she insisted, ‘He is, Dad. He’s absolutely determined.’
But Harold was not convinced. ‘Don’t you believe it. Shall I tell you what I think? I think he’s met someone else he likes better.’
Her heart began to race. ‘But, Dad, he’s not friendly with any other girl.’
Roland lowered his book. ‘She’s right. I know for certain he hasn’t got a girl friend.’
‘You can argue as much as you like, both of you, but take it from me - and I’ve got more experience of human nature than you have - he’s got a secret love, a woman tucked away somewhere.’
She wanted to cry out, ‘You’re wrong, it’s not true, there isn’t a woman in his life.’ But she stayed silent and kept her misery and doubt to herself.
Towards the end of the following week, Elise had finished her shopping and was waiting for the bus. She was heavily laden and tired. She was also depressed. Since the night of the party, Lester had not been near the house. She had spent hours trying to think of a reason for his continued absence. Even Roland seemed puzzled.
When she saw his car approaching, her heart throbbed at the prospect of being given a lift home, of sitting beside him and talking to him again. It was not until he was almost level with the bus queue that she realised he would not stop. He had not even seen her. And no wonder - there was a girl sitting in the passenger seat and Elise knew at once who she was.
So Nina had worked the miracle, achieved her object - she had worn his resistance down and they were back together again. She had, it seemed, achieved the impossible. In the face of her persistence, he must have given in and invited her to stay with him.
In the bus, on the way home, Elise stared miserably out of the window. The photograph had done the girl justice. From the brief glimpse she had had of her, Nina seemed to be as attractive in reality as the picture had suggested. Lester had probably pretended to refuse to take her back merely to salve his pride. That done, he had obviously relented and agreed to become engaged to her again.
As she let herself into the house, Elise told herself she could not blame him. What man would continue to say ‘no’ to such a beautiful girl?
When the telephone rang during the evening, she was in no hurry to answer it. She knew it would not be Lester.
It was, in fact, Howard. He mumbled something about being sorry for what had happened at the party and would she agree to go out with him again? ‘I’d like to see you, Elise. I promise to behave better next time.’
He sounded surprisingly apologetic, but his desire to appease did not flatter her, nor did it make her any more eager to see him again. She started to refuse, but checked herself. Why shouldn’t she go out with him?
Perhaps Lester was right. It would be foolish to turn down such an opportunity - marriage to a stable, solid, decent-living man who could offer her every comfort. The only demands she would find it difficult to meet would be those which any husband would make of his wife. And even those, she told herself, grimly, she would no doubt accustom herself to in time.
‘All right, Howard, I’ll go out with you.’
He seemed sincere in his thanks and they arranged a time. As she put the receiver back on its cradle, the doorbell rang.
‘Hallo, Elise,’ Lester said, his hand on the arm of the girl at his side.
‘Hallo, Lester,’ she answered, her face blank.
Nina smiled at her, her eyes bright in anticipation of the welcome she was sure she would receive from Lester’s friends. Lester introduced the two girls.
‘Elise,’ his hand motioned them towards each other, ‘Nina, my ex-fiancee.’
Nina flashed him a smile. ‘Not so much of the “ex”, darling.’
Her eyes became coolly estimating, taking in the dowdy clothes Elise was wearing, the face free of make-up, the uncombed hair. ‘Isn’t Elise the girl, Lester, you described on the phone that day as “stunning”?’ She laughed gaily. ‘Do you know at the time, I really thought you meant it!’
‘Did you?’ His face held no expression. ‘Now you cansee for yourself that I was joking, can’t you?’
Elise took them into the sitting-room. ‘Where’s Roland, Elise?’ Lester asked shortly. ‘In his room?’ He was up the stairs before she could reply.
‘What a pleasant house,’ Nina said, looking round.
‘It needs redecorating,’ Elise replied, trying to keep the sharpness from her voice.
‘It - er - it’s not exactly what you would call modern, though, is it?’ Nina commented casually. ‘Although I expect it’s solidly built.’
. ‘Very,’ said Elise, frowning and turning her face away so that the other girl could not see it. Did she have to be so condescending about everything? Did Lester know what he was doing? Beauty or no beauty, the girl’s personality hardly seemed to fit in with his down-to-earth cynicism.
‘Lester and I,’ Nina was saying, ‘have been looking round the houses on the estate he’s building. I think they’re beautiful, and so well designed. With any luck, one of them should be ready in time.’
‘In time for what?’ Elise wanted to ask. ‘Our wedding,’ would have been the answer, and they were two words she did not want to hear.
‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ she asked, her tone drained of life.
Nina patted her middle. ‘Oh dear me, no, thank you. We had such a lovely meal at Lester’s place. Mrs. Dennis is a darling and such a good cook, don’t you think?’
‘I really don’t know,’ said Elise, ‘I’ve never had the chance to find out.’
Nina laughed and her expression became distinctly gloating. ‘Of course,’ it seemed to say, ‘you aren’t Lester’s wife-to-be. You are not as privileged as I am.’
She sank back against the cushions and waited patiently for the return of her fiance. She did not have long to wait.
Roland followed Lester down the stairs. The introductions were performed and Roland said, ‘Lester tells me you’re on holiday, Nina. I expect you’re going to make the most of your few days away from the hospital.’
Elise frowned at her brother. Need he be so nauseatingly polite?
‘I certainly am.�
�� She smiled at Lester. ‘I’ve been worked off my feet in the wards lately. Now I’m looking forward to being taken round and having fun before I go back into the maelstrom. Aren’t I, darling?’
‘Yes,’ said Lester vaguely, ‘I suppose you are. Unfortunately, my spare time is limited, but I’ll see what I can do.’
Nina slipped her arm possessively into his and gazed up at him. ‘Now there’s a wonderful fiance to have.’ She turned to Elise. ‘Have you got a boyfriend?’ Her eyes skated disparagingly over her as if anticipating a negative answer.
‘Yes,’ Elise said, feeling a thrust of pleasure at Nina’s surprise, then turning her eyes defiantly to Lester. ‘His name’s Howard.’
Lester bristled like a snarling dog, then his lips curled cynically. ‘So you’ve made it up?’
She avoided his eyes. ‘I’m going out with him tomorrow.’
Nina laughed happily. ‘Just like us, Lester. We’ve made it up, too, haven’t we, darling?’
He didn’t bother to answer. It was so obvious that they had.
‘Come on, Nina.’ He urged her towards the door.
As they drove away, Harold arrived home. ‘Who was that gorgeous vision in Lester’s car?’
‘Nina,’ said Roland, ‘his ex-fiancee.’
‘ “Not so much of the ‘ex’, darling,”’ Elise mimicked in Nina’s silvery tones. She went on sourly, ‘She’s been restored to full “fiancee” status. On her own terms, too, judging by the way Lester is pandering to her every whim.’
‘You surprise me,’ said Harold. ‘That’s hardly in character. He doesn’t strike me as being a man to pander to any woman’s whim.’
‘You’re not always right about people. Dad,’ Elise said wearily, going up the stairs.
‘That’s what you think, young lady,’ he muttered to himself, as he shut his bedroom door.
Later, the telephone rang. Roland answered. ‘Elise,’ he called, ‘it’s Lester. He wants to talk to you, not me,’
‘Yes?’ she said into the mouthpiece, her voice dragging with tiredness.
‘Is it true what you said about going out with Howard?’
‘Of course. Why shouldn’t I go out with him?’
‘After all you’ve said about him, and after sending him packing the other night?’
‘I’ve changed my mind. I’m entitled to, aren’t I?’
‘Being a woman,’ he snapped back, ‘and a particularly stupid one at that, of course you are. But it can only mean one thing - that you’ve decided to marry him after all.’
‘Well,’ she shouted, tears welling out of her eyes, ‘you’ve changed your mind about Nina, you’re going to marry her,
She heard what sounded like ‘damn Nina’ but she knew she must have been wrong. After all, the girl was probably standing beside him, holding his hand.
‘There’s no need to shout,’ he reprimanded. ‘I’m not deaf.’
‘You may not be deaf, Lester Kings,’ she wanted to cry out, ‘but you’re blind, blind, blind …’
‘All right,’ Lester snarled, ‘make a complete mess of your life. Marry him. Enjoy his worldly goods. And his love-making!’ The receiver was slammed down and there was silence.
She went out with Howard. She even tolerated his kisses, managing by a great effort of will to appear as though she was responding. He seemed satisfied with the evening’s achievements.
‘We’ll get a ring.’ He looked at her. ‘Shall we?’
She knew he was testing her, getting at last a definite answer to his proposal of marriage.
‘Yes,’ she said, keeping her eyes down and steeling herself for the passionate kiss which she knew would follow her acceptance. With rigid self-control she managed not to recoil as his lips fastened hungrily on hers.
She closed her eyes. The bulldozer was upon her, levelling her to the ground, grinding her emotions into the dust and carrying away with it her last shreds of control over her own destiny. Howard had won.
He took her home. ‘When shall we get the ring? Next week?’
Why not? she asked herself. There was no reason now for delay.
‘Next week,’ she promised, getting out of the car.
When Elise arrived at the shop the following morning, Phil Pollard was in the office. Clare beckoned to her, made a face and whispered, ‘He’s a bit sour. Watch your step.’
It was so unusual for Phil to be ill-tempered that Elise felt nervous as she opened the office door. He turned as soon as she entered.
‘Good morning, Mr. Pollard.’ Her voice sounded over-bright.
He nodded abruptly and went on flicking through a batch of invoices on his desk. She removed the cover of the typewriter and sat down. The silence was unnerving and she began to feel guilty for no reason at all.
‘So you won’t be working here much longer.’
It was spoken so sharply and so irritably she rotated on her chair and stared at him. He surely couldn’t have heard about her engagement to Howard because she hadn’t even told her family yet.
She asked him what he meant.
He looked at his desk. ‘I’ve heard rumours…’
‘What about?’ ,
‘I bought something at Wilf Frenley’s yesterday and he told me about you and -‘
She broke in, ‘Lester Kings?’ Her laugh dismissed the subject as though it were too trivial to discuss. ‘Yes, I’ve heard it myself, but there’s no truth in it at all.’
He was not listening. ‘After pretending to be on my side, even joining in the protests, how you can go over to the enemy to the extent of having an affair with him - ‘ He shook his head. ‘You, of all people - I simply can’t understand it.’
‘But, Mr. Pollard, it’s not true!’
He looked at her then, and caught the earnestness in her face, the sincerity in her tone and seemed to begin to believe her. But his expression became stubborn and mistrust seeped back into his eyes. She had failed to convince him.
Hoping at least to appease him she asked, ‘Have you been to the estate lately? Have you seen how artistically the whole development has been planned?’
He growled, ‘Been up there? I almost live up there. I haunt the place. I tell myself I’m mad to go, because it hurts every time I think of how it should be looking, now, in the spring…’
She turned back to her work. She was wasting her time trying to convince him. His words came back to her - ‘I haunt the place.’ She held her breath. Was Lester right? Was Phil Pollard taking his revenge against the Kings family? Was he engaged in a cold-blooded campaign of retribution?
But she could not believe that he was capable of it. It was surely not in his nature, his honest, upright nature - was it?
That evening the storm broke. Elise was as usual in her room. Her father was working, Roland was getting ready to go out with Clare. The house was silent. The record she had chosen to listen to was Scheherezade. But this time its magic was not working.
She was restless, worried, tortured by a premonition of impending trouble. As she removed the headphones, impatient with herself, the doorbell pealed. It didn’t ring, it pealed and went on and on until it was answered. She heard the familiar, ominous words, ‘Where’s your sister?’
She knew the voice and she knew the tone. It frightened her. She heard the heavy booted footsteps pounding up the stairs. The door was flung open and Lester burst in. He was wearing working clothes, so he must have come straight from the building site. He was beside himself with anger.
He strode across to the bed, his hands came out and he gripped her shoulders. He shook her mercilessly, the pressure of his fingers bruising her flesh.
‘Will you call off your gang? Will you call off your vandals? You’ve made your point. You’ll never forgive us for building on those damned woods.’ He gave her a last violent shake and took his hands away. Her head sagged to her chest. ‘All right, I’ve got the message,’ he thundered. ‘You hate my guts and my grandfather’s. Now bring this dangerous nonsense to an end!’
/> Dazed, her head throbbing, she raised wild, frightened eyes and stared at him. The words came hoarsely, ‘I don’t know what you mean.’
He bent over her, his expression menacing. ‘1 don’t know what you mean, he mimicked cruelly. ‘I’ll tell you what I mean. I mean that the house that was almost completed, the one we had decorated and furnished and were intending to open as a show house,’ he paused, as a thought struck him, ‘the house, in fact, you were inspecting so thoroughly the day the dog attacked you - ‘
She whispered, ‘The house where the hornbeam stood?’
‘The very one. The one you would have most reason to resent.’ He paused. ‘I see you know all about it. Do I need to go on?’
She mouthed the word ‘Please.’
‘That house is now windowless - every single one having been systematically smashed. Paint - taken with magnificent irony from the paint store - has been flung over the walls in every room. The kitchen fitments have been wrenched out and smashed, most of the furniture hacked to pieced. Now need I go on?’
Her hands were pressing against her cheeks, her eyes wide with fear as she remembered - ‘I haunt the place,’ Phil had said. ‘I’m sorry, Lester,’ she managed to whisper, ‘I know nothing about it.’
‘Oh, drop your injured innocence act. I know you’re involved, despite the fact that you’ve taken up with Howard Beale again - probably to act as a cover. Stop trying to shield Phil Pollard. He’s the culprit, isn’t he? With the gang of louts he’s recruited locally, he’s the one at the bottom of it. With your devoted, loving support.’
She looked bewildered. ‘My loving support?’
‘Don’t look so pure and artless, trying to pretend there’s nothing going on between you, when I know damned well - -‘
She clapped her hands over her ears. ‘Stop it!’ She wanted to scream with laughter at the irony of it all. That morning Phil had accused her of a liaison with Lester. Now Lester was accusing her of the same thing with Phil.
He took her cry as an admission of involvement. He went on in a quieter tone, ‘This is a police job now, Elise. I’ve put if off because of - ‘ He stopped, but she knew what he missing word would have been. He continued, ‘Because of the publicity which would necessarily follow. Now it’s different. I’m sorry, Elise, but I’m calling them in.’
