A Christmas Wish

by Betty Neels

  She and Nel went upstairs and the child dawdled around, reluctant to go downstairs again. Olivia, ruthlessly tugging tangles out of her own hair, knew exactly how she was feeling. Mr van der Eisler’s aloof air boded ill for their future.

  ‘Uncle Haso won’t make me go back to that horrid lady, will he?’ Nel whispered.

  Olivia put a comforting arm round her. ‘Your Uncle Haso loves you; he won’t let you be unhappy. Whatever he decides will be right, my pet.’

  ‘But you’ll go away…’

  ‘Yes, and you’ll go back to school, and I’ll come and see you, I promise.’

  ‘Are you sad?’

  The question was unexpected. ‘Sad? Me? No, dear, why should I be sad?’

  ‘Your face looks sad.’

  ‘I dare say that’s because I’m hungry.’ She would have to remember to look cheerful… ‘Let’s go down.’

  Lunch was eaten without haste and the conversation was of the general kind so that everyone took part in it. Olivia, aware of Mr van der Eisler’s sharp gaze, smiled when she wasn’t actually eating. It must have looked pretty foolish but at least she didn’t look sad. She replied politely when Rita spoke to her, agreed with her host that the weather had been quite pleasant during the week and tried to ignore Rita’s snappy asides to Nel, whose table manners weren’t quite perfect—hardly to be expected at her age.

  Rita wasn’t snappy with Haso. On the contrary, she was amusing and attentive to his every word, looking at him with a sweet smile which Olivia longed to wipe off her face. A man—any man—would be flattered by her obvious interest in him and the inviting looks she gave him.

  Mr van der Eisler, of course, wasn’t any man. He was the perfect host—attentive, carrying the talk effortlessly from one topic to another—and all the time he was aware of Olivia, sitting there saying little, avoiding his eyes, outwardly serene, inwardly, he had no doubt, seething.

  ‘Shall we have coffee in the drawing-room? Perhaps Nel would like to go and see what Anke is doing in the kitchen? Cakes for tea, no doubt…’

  Nel escaped willingly enough but when Olivia started to go with her she was asked if she would be good enough to go to the drawing-room too.

  ‘For this concerns you, Olivia,’ he told her.

  Mevrouw van der Eisler was pouring the coffee when the phone on the table by his chair rang. He listened without speaking and even when he did, at some length, Olivia was none the wiser, for he spoke in Dutch, but she could see by the concern on his mother’s face that it wasn’t good news.

  He put the phone down presently. ‘This is most unfortunate; I have to return to Amsterdam at once. Even if I should operate this afternoon I shan’t be able to leave my patient until tomorrow morning at the earliest. We must delay our talk until then.’

  Rita pouted, but his mother said placidly, ‘We quite understand, dear. I hope you will be in time.’

  He was already on his feet. ‘They’ll keep me informed—the phone’s in the car. I’ll let you know how things are as soon as possible.’

  He kissed his mother, said briefly, ‘You’ll stay, Rita?’ And to Olivia, ‘Don’t worry, leave everything to me. Kiss Nel for me.’

  ‘What a lot can happen in five minutes,’ said Olivia.

  Mevrouw van der Eisler smiled at her. ‘Yes, my dear. Being married to someone in the medical profession isn’t easy but you get used to it.’

  ‘There’s no need for it,’ said Rita. ‘If Haso will work for all these hospitals instead of just keeping his private patients—heaven knows, he’s famous enough to do what he likes.’

  ‘I don’t think it has anything to do with fame,’ said Olivia, forgetting to whom she was talking. ‘It’s something he does because he wants to do it. I don’t suppose he notices if it’s a VIP or someone without a farthing to their name; they’re patients and he knows how to help them…’

  ‘What sentimental nonsense,’ said Rita. ‘Though if I heard aright this patient is a VIP.’

  ‘Yes,’ agreed Mevrouw van der Eisler, ‘but if it had been a beggar off the street Haso would have gone just the same.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ cried Rita. ‘You must think me a heartless creature. I know how good Haso is—better than most people, I believe, for he has taken such care of me.’ She smiled sweetly, ‘And now we cannot tell you our plans until he returns.’

  She became all at once a changed person, listening with interest to what her hostess had to say, talking about Nel’s school, asking Olivia if she had enjoyed working there. Olivia didn’t trust her an inch.

  Nel came in presently. ‘Tober says that you are going to the church to do the flowers, Mevrouw. May I go with you? Please? I’ll be very good, and Tober said perhaps you’ll let me sit in front with him.’

  ‘The flowers—I had quite forgotten.’ Mevrouw van der Eisler looked at Rita. ‘Perhaps you would like to come with us? It will pass the time.’

  ‘If I may,’ gushed Rita, ‘I’ll stay here. If I might use your desk? I have so many letters to write; this is a chance to do them in peace.’

  ‘And you, Olivia?’

  ‘I shall need to sort out Nel’s clothes before we go back—I’d be glad of an hour or two to do that.’

  ‘Run along, then, darling.’ Rita was the loving mother. ‘I’m sure Olivia will help you with your things…’

  ‘Why not, since we are both going upstairs,’ observed Olivia airily.

  She sent Nel downstairs again presently, suitably dressed, and followed after a minute or two to stand at the door and wave goodbye as Tober drove away with Nel, as pleased as Punch, sitting beside him.

  She went back to Nel’s room, for there was little point in joining Rita, who wouldn’t expect it anyway. She had just finished making neat little piles of clothes and putting them on the bed ready to pack when she looked up to see Rita at the door.

  ‘Olivia, I must talk to you.’ She came into the room and sat down on the chair by the bed.

  She looked serious, even worried, and Olivia asked, ‘Is something the matter? Don’t you feel well?’

  Rita had her hands clenched in her lap. ‘I know you don’t like me.’ She gave a rueful smile. ‘Well, I suppose I don’t like you, but all the same I can’t see you humiliated…’

  Olivia folded a small nightgown. ‘Why should I feel humiliated?’ she wanted to know. ‘If it’s something to do with going back to England, I knew I’d be going as soon as everything was settled between you and Mr van der Eisler.’

  Rita said slowly, ‘We are to be married—quite soon—before Nel has her Easter holidays. But you must have guessed that. It’s something…I’m not sure how to tell you, and probably you won’t believe me, but I beg you to take my word.’

  Olivia sat down on the bed. ‘I’m quite in the dark. Could you explain?’ She was pleased to hear how steady her voice was, and although her insides were turning somersaults she looked, she hoped, normal.

  ‘You’re in love with Haso, aren’t you?’ Rita spoke quietly. ‘He didn’t realise that at first. He thinks you are a very nice young woman and so reliable, and you have been such a help to him—to both of us. Now he is anxious to spare your feelings, he intended to say goodbye to you and give you your tickets so that you could leave as soon as you wished.’ She paused. ‘I don’t expect you believe me, but I should like to help.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because I am happy and you are not, and to meet Haso again, knowing that he pities you… He would never throw your love back in your face, he is too kind, but you will see the pity…’

  Olivia studied Rita’s face and had to admit that she looked and sounded sincere. ‘And how would you help me?’

  ‘Haso won’t be here until tomorrow morning at the earliest—he is always near his patient after that special operation he does, until he feels that he can leave him or her to his registrar. Would you like to go back today? He has your ticket, unfortunately, but I have money with me. You could get the boat train to the Hoek and get the night f
erry.’ She paused. ‘No, perhaps you would rather stay and see him before you go; you will want to say goodbye.’

  Olivia didn’t see the sly look. And look up into that loved face and see the pity and concern there? Olivia shuddered at the thought. ‘I’d like to go today. I can pack in a few minutes and if you will lend me the money I’ll go home. What am I to say to Mevrouw van der Eisler?’

  Rita frowned in thought. ‘You could say that you weren’t well—no, that would sound very silly.’ She sat up in her chair. ‘Of course—could you not say that you have had a phone call from home? That you are needed there? Someone is ill, perhaps?’ She frowned. ‘And Nel—she will be unhappy, but of course if she thought you were going home to look after someone…’

  Olivia was suddenly weary of the whole thing. ‘Yes, all right. How am I to get to the train?’

  ‘Mevrouw van der Eisler will send you to Leeuwarden in the car and, when Haso does come, she will explain. If you would like it, I will ask him to write to you.’

  ‘No, no, thank you.’ Olivia got up. ‘I’ll just finish seeing to Nel’s things—is she to go back to school?’

  ‘We shall take her in a few days and go to see Lady Brennon.’

  Olivia nodded. ‘I’ll pack my things,’ she said, and Rita got up and went to the door.

  ‘I’ll get the money,’ she said, and added soberly, ‘I am so sorry, Olivia.’

  When she had gone Olivia sat down on the bed again. After all it was only what she had expected. Well, not quite, she thought. She hadn’t expected Haso to discuss her with Rita, although that would be natural enough since they were to marry. At least Nel would have a loving stepfather and perhaps Rita would turn into a loving mother. Perhaps she had misjudged her. She swallowed the threatening tears and began to pack Nel’s clothes and, that done, she packed her own. When Rita came back presently she took the money she was offered, thanked her politely, and asked her where she should send it once she was in England.

  ‘Well, Haso had your ticket, and money for expenses, so you don’t owe anyone anything. Does he owe you any wages?’

  ‘They haven’t been mentioned. So, no, he doesn’t.’

  ‘You have been here for several weeks. You can’t work for nothing. Poor dear, he has so much on his mind—I’ll remind him. I’m sure he’ll send you whatever is owing.’

  ‘No,’ said Olivia, ‘I don’t want any money. I would prefer not to…’ She smiled. ‘A clean break is the expression.’

  When Mevrouw van der Eisler came home she had her story ready and, looking at her stony face, that lady believed her, and so did Nel, although she was tearful at the idea of Olivia going away so suddenly.

  After that it was easy—Tober was warned to have the car ready, there was tea to be drunk, farewells to be said to the staff, and finally all the right things to be said to her hostess. ‘I’ve written to Mr van der Eisler,’ said Olivia, ‘and put it in his study.’

  She shook hands with Rita, kissed and hugged Nel, and got into the car beside Tober. She didn’t look back as he drove out of the grounds and into the narrow road.

  ‘That was very unexpected,’ observed Mevrouw van der Eisler. ‘I had no idea Olivia’s mother was ill. She did have a phone call?’

  ‘Oh, yes. She was here with me, asking me about Nel’s clothes, when she took the message. It was a shock for her. I believe she is very fond of her mother.’

  ‘You will, of course, stay here until Haso comes?’

  ‘Oh, yes, of course. Nel must go back to school as soon as possible now that we have everything settled.’

  Mevrouw van der Eisler didn’t ask what had been settled. She picked up her embroidery and stitched in silence.

  Everyone was in bed and the house was quiet when Rita stole downstairs and took Olivia’s letter from Haso’s desk. Later she would read it. For the moment it was safe enough in her handbag.

  Mevrouw van der Eisler was at breakfast when Haso walked in. He was his usual elegant self but his face was grey with fatigue. As he bent to kiss her cheek in reply to her delighted greeting he observed, ‘Coffee—good,’ and sat down opposite her.

  ‘Where is everyone?’ he wanted to know.

  ‘Nel’s in the kitchen, helping Anke make vol-au-vents for lunch. Rita is in bed—she prefers her breakfast there.’

  ‘And Olivia?’

  His mother buttered a piece of toast. ‘At her home in London, dear.’

  Mr van der Eisler, about to take a drink of coffee, put the cup down again. His face was as impassive as usual but his eyes were suddenly bright and alert. ‘Oh? This is sudden. What has happened?’

  ‘I phoned you at the hospital, Haso, but you were in Theatre and I decided that a message might distract you.’

  ‘As indeed it would have done,’ he agreed, although they both knew that nothing distracted him from his work—even the sudden departure of the girl he loved.

  ‘There was a reason?’

  ‘She had a phone call while Nel and I were down at the church. Someone—I don’t quite know who—was ill and she was needed at home. When we got home she was already packed, for Rita had advised her that she would be able to get the boat train from Leeuwarden and cross over with the night ferry from the Hoek. I suggested that she phone home again to find out just what was wrong and then tell you, for you could have arranged everything for her, but she had made up her mind.’

  ‘Was she upset?’ He spoke very quietly.

  ‘Not crying, just stony-faced and very anxious to be gone.’ She poured more coffee. ‘She told me that she had left a letter for you in your study.’

  ‘Ah…’ He went off at once to fetch it, and came back empty-handed.

  ‘You’re sure of that, my dear?’

  ‘Positive. Rita was there, she must have heard her telling me.’

  Mr van der Eisler buttered a roll and took a bite. He was no longer hungry, but performing small, everyday acts would help damp down his rising rage.

  He glanced at his watch. ‘She won’t be home for another two hours at least. I believe that Rita and I must have a talk.’

  His mother said regretfully, ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t stop her, Haso.’

  His smile was kind. ‘Dearest Mama, I’m sure you did your best. I had already arranged to take Nel back tomorrow and stay in England for a couple of days…’

  ‘With Rita?’

  He smiled slowly. ‘With Olivia,’ he corrected her. He might have said more but Rita came into the room, showing all the signs of having dressed hurriedly. She tripped across the room, wreathed in smiles.

  ‘Haso, what a lovely surprise—we didn’t expect you so soon. I got up and dressed the moment I heard you were here.’

  He had got to his feet, and something in his face stopped her halfway across the room. She said quickly, ‘Isn’t it a shame that Olivia had to go home so suddenly? I did all I could to help her…’

  ‘Perhaps you will tell me exactly what happened,’ suggested Haso softly.

  His mother, taking a look at his face and seeing the bottled-up rage behind its blandness, said quickly, ‘I’d better go and see Anke about lunch,’ and went quickly from the room. She had no doubt that Rita had been at the bottom of Olivia’s departure and her vague dislike of her became something stronger. All the same, she had it in her heart to be sorry for Rita—Haso in a cold fury was hard to face.

  Rita sat down. She said chattily, ‘So fortunate that I was here—Olivia had no money, you know. I gave her enough to get home.’

  He ignored this. ‘You were here when she had the message?’

  She opened her eyes wide. ‘Yes, she was so shocked. She had no idea how to get herself back to England—so lucky that I was here to advise her. By the time your mother was back everything was seen to.’

  Mr van der Eisler, impassive in his chair, spoke pleasantly. ‘You have a letter of Olivia’s, addressed to me, have you not? Give it to me, please.’

  Rita went red and then white. ‘A letter? I don’t know what y
ou’re talking about—and why should I take it? I haven’t got it.’

  He got up and went to the table by her chair, where she had put her handbag. He picked it up, opened it, and turned it upside-down so that its contents rolled from the table to the floor. The letter he took, and walked over to the window to read it, taking no notice of her indignant cries. ‘My lipsticks, my powder compact—it’s smashed—and my money’s spilled over the floor.’

  He gave her a look of utter contempt and opened the envelope.

  Olivia hadn’t written much and her usually neat handwriting showed signs of the writer’s strong feelings. He read it quickly and then a second time, before folding it and putting it in a pocket.

  He sat down again and Achilles settled beside him. ‘And now, if you please, you will tell me exactly what you have said to Olivia. There was no phone message. That was a tale to tell my mother, presumably.’

  Rita said sulkily, ‘What are you going to do?’ She squeezed out a tear.

  ‘Drive you back to Amsterdam as soon as you have packed. You have decided to let Nel stay at school in England and spend her holidays with her grandmother so that you may lead your own life. That decision rests. Why did you do this, Rita?’ He sighed. ‘And let us have the truth this time.’

  ‘That great girl,’ said Rita nastily, ‘and such a fool too. I only had to tell her that you found it tiresome that she was in love with you for her to agree to leave at once. Didn’t want to spoil your happiness.’ She laughed. ‘It was such a chance to get rid of her. Such a pity you had to find out. I’d rather set my heart on marrying you, Haso.’

  She shrugged her shoulders. ‘Well, there are plenty of fish in the sea—you see, what I want is a rich husband, you understand, who won’t interfere with my career.’

  ‘What did you tell Olivia?’

  ‘Why, that we were going to be married, of course, that you loved me and found her an embarrassment.’ She glanced at him. ‘Don’t look at me like that, Haso. You can’t blame me for trying.’

  He said very evenly, ‘Go and pack your things, Rita, we will leave in half an hour.’