‘It’s very easy to be kind when you’ve nothing to lose. What did you think I’d do, turn Dodie from the door? I know exactly what you’re thinking, Eleanor, but I’m no Knight in Shining Armour, and I’ll have no labels pinned on me. I’ll pay off this eighty-pound debt because it’s easy for me to do and because I don’t want my mother to be upset.’ He drew level with her. ‘And what the hell you think to achieve by screwing your hair up in this ridiculous bun I don’t know,’ and he deliberately tugged at the back of her hair, which had been steadily falling all evening, bringing it tumbling down round her shoulders. ‘You look like little orphan Annie!’ he added sardonically.
‘I had to tie it back to work at Luigi’s. I quite realise how I look, thank you.’ Eleanor took a deep breath. ‘I think you want me to dislike you, Edward. I just don’t understand you.’
‘Good. There’s no necessity for you to do so.’ He moved abruptly to the cigarette box on the table, taking his time to select one, snapping the lid before saying crisply: ‘You’ll go to the jewellers tomorrow and collect your ring I’ve paid for the valuation, but they wouldn’t hand it over without a receipt. I’ll go into Harrods and place eighty pounds against Mrs. Slade’s account there. You may write to your sister and tell her the money is now available—I leave it to you whether you tell her where it’s come from. If you do tell her, I don’t want her thanks.’ He lighted the cigarette and turned his back, looking into the fire.
‘Very well. Goodnight, Edward.’
‘Goodnight, Eleanor.’ He waited until she reached the door and then added: ‘One thing more. So far as my mother is concerned, you’re a friend of the family, and your help in the shop is a justifiable blessing. We both know that the only basis on which it could possibly work is on a business one.’ A moment’s pause, and then: ‘You agree?’
‘I agree ... and understand perfectly. Goodnight,’ and Eleanor left the room and went wearily to bed.
There was an envelope marked ‘Dorothea’ written in bold, black writing, left on the piano, which they found the next morning.
‘I think it’s from Edward, he’s the only one who calls me Dorothea,’ exclaimed Dodie eagerly, ripping open the envelope and hurriedly scanning the contents. ‘He sends his best wishes and good luck for the exam; he’s sorry he can’t take me himself, but has an appointment he can’t break, and I’m to buy myself a present to remind me of this visit.’ She peered at the inside of the envelope and her eyes widened. ‘A fiver! Golly!’ and she took it out reverently. ‘I say, Nell, he must be awfully rich!’
‘Hush, Dodie. He’s very generous, certainly. Come along and let’s get ready,’ urged Eleanor, giving her a little push in the direction of their shared bedroom.
‘Mrs. Hickman’s washed the rain splashes out of my white socks, they look quite decent now. She’s a super cook, isn’t she?’ Dodie hardly waited for Eleanor’s reply before rattling on. ‘The house is terribly tidy, Nell, isn’t it? I think I’d find it an awful strain,’ and Eleanor, a sudden vision of the Rectory flashing through her, laughed and said:
‘Yes, I should think you would!’ She ran a comb through her hair and looked at her sister in the mirror. Her own face, above Dodie’s, looked like a ghost, but it was hardly surprising, for she had not slept well. ‘What do you think of the Mansels, now you’ve met them? Are they as you imagined from my letters?’
‘Mostly,’ admitted Dodie, experimenting with Eleanor’s perfume spray. ‘Mrs. Mansel smells nice, doesn’t she? and I suppose she’s jolly decent really, though she does fuss. Vanessa’s pretty. Do you think I should have my hair cut short, like hers, Nell? Ouch!’ She pulled a face as Eleanor brushed out her own long, corrugated locks. ‘I don’t mind Edward calling me Dorothea. I think he’s great, and not just because of the fiver,’ she added ingenuously.
‘He was certainly very kind to you last night,’ agreed Eleanor. ‘There, you look quite reasonable. Have you a clean hankie? Here’s one of mine and don’t lose it. Come ·on, it’s time to meet Hugh.’
They deposited Dodie at the Academy and wandered leisurely around, Hugh pointing out various places of interest. They went into a small art gallery and Hugh mentioned that this was where he had seen Vanessa that time a few weeks ago, but thank goodness, he observed with a smile, the pictures today were not so weird as then.
Eleanor remembered that Vanessa had been with Philip Nolan that day and as they made their way out into the street once more, she was prompted to say:
‘Hugh, how old are you?’ She saw his startled face and added hastily: ‘You needn’t tell me if you don’t want to, of course.’
‘I don’t mind telling you in the least,’ he assured her mildly. ‘It was the reason, rather than the nature of the question that surprised me.’ He paused slightly. ‘I’m thirty-one.’
‘I see.’ Eleanor looked at him consideringly. ‘I don’t feel that the ten years’ difference between us is a barrier to our friendship, do you?’
‘Good heavens, no!’ exclaimed Hugh.
‘Then why should it make a difference between Vanessa and Philip Nolan?’ she asked casually. ‘Vanessa is, in fact, six months older than I am and Philip a year younger than you are. What have you against him?’
Hugh was silent for a moment. ‘How do you know I have anything against him?’ he answered guardedly.
‘My dear Hugh, you bristle every time his name is mentioned!’
He laughed and shook his head. ‘I can’t believe that.’ He frowned slightly. ‘I don’t consider him to be a particularly steady person. He wouldn’t do for Vanessa.’
‘But she’s old enough to decide for herself,’ persisted Eleanor. ‘Van’s awfully level-headed, you know. I don’t think she’d rush into anything really important. You and Edward are so used to her you don’t see her properly. I’m a newcomer, so it’s easier for me. I think that once Vanessa makes up her mind about something, very little will shake her off course. Take a good look at her, Hugh, when you see her next. She’s not a little girl any longer.’ She let her words sink in and then asked interestedly: ‘Where are we?’
‘Mmm...?’
Hugh looked about him. ‘Oh, just leaving Wimpole Street.’
‘Ah, the tyrannical father, Mr. Barrett,’ stated Eleanor with relish.
‘Eleanor, do you think Vanessa is serious about Nolan?’
She replied promptly. ‘I don’t know. Why don’t you ask her?’
‘Heaven forbid! I’m not that brave,’ Hugh exclaimed with a laugh, adding with a vague gesture of the hand: ‘I just wondered if she’d told you.’
Dodie was already waiting for them when they went to collect her. She seemed outwardly composed, but Eleanor wondered whether this insouciance was real or merely assumed. Apart from saying that the theory paper was ‘a stinker’, she’d played ‘all right’ and the interview ‘seemed okay’ Dodie gave no further details.
As Eleanor might have supposed, Hugh rose to the occasion and they were borne off to the Planetarium and then on to Madame Tussauds, where Dodie’s impassivity died a death, volubility taking over from then on. They had an impressive tea at Fortnum and Mason’s and to round the day off, Hugh produced tickets for the National’s production of Blithe Spirit. At this, Dodie was once more rendered speechless.
It was a tired but very happy Dodie who snuggled down to sleep in the twin bed that night, and when Eleanor returned from tucking her up, she tried to thank Hugh.
‘She’ll never forget today, even if she doesn’t pass the exam. You’ve made it memorable, Hugh, and I’m truly grateful. On my own behalf too.’ She held out her hands impulsively and he took them in his own, drawing her to him. She raised her lashes shyly. ‘May I thank you in the time-honoured way?’ she asked, eyes laughing.
‘You may,’ assured Hugh, making it so much easier by lifting her hands and placing them securely on his shoulders. He folded his own with just the right amount of firmness around her and they stood for a moment, smiling at each other, and then their
lips met.
‘A perfect ending to a perfect day,’ he murmured, and kissed her again. Lifting his head, he regarded her whimsically. ‘Any doubts that may have been still lingering as to how old you are have irrevocably gone.’
Eleanor gazed demurely back. ‘Good.’
And then the door opened and Edward walked in. Eleanor’s first reaction was to leap at least five yards away from Hugh, but she wasn’t allowed to. Hugh’s arms remained firmly round her as he said mildly:
‘Edward. You’re back early.’
‘Too early, it seems,’ replied Edward dryly. ‘Sure I’m not interrupting anything?’
‘Nothing that won’t keep,’ Hugh replied, smiling at Eleanor and releasing her slowly.
Edward drawled, ‘Hullo, Eleanor. Have you had a good day?’
Eleanor said hurriedly: ‘Yes, thank you, we didn’t expect you back...’
‘Evidently not.’
‘... or else Dodie would have waited up for you,’ she finished firmly, and retreated to a chair outside the range of the table lamp.
‘May I pour you a drink, Edward?’ asked Hugh imperturbably.
‘You may,’ replied his host, and as the front door banged and voices were heard in the hall, he added mockingly: ‘Dear me! This is unheard of—the Mansels at home so early on a Saturday evening! Whatever can be the reason?’
‘It’s certainly most unusual,’ commented Hugh mildly, passing him a drink. We had to put Dodie to bed. What’s your excuse, Edward?’
Edward paused in the act of taking a drink, eyes narrowing as he looked at him consideringly. Their eyes held and then Hugh smiled, saying equably: ‘This sounds like Vanessa.’
‘Plus her escort,’ observed Edward, taking a quick drink. ‘Your tête-à-tête is rapidly disintegrating, old fellow.’
‘Yes, it is, isn’t it?’
The door opened and Vanessa swept in, looking radiant, followed by Philip Nolan. Eleanor wondered how things would go, but she was forgetting Vanessa’s panache for such occasions, and whatever Edward’s feelings, his inherent, good manners, and good sense, came to the fore. As for Hugh, Eleanor saw with amusement that he was eyeing Vanessa with a keener regard than usual ... and Vanessa was giving a good performance. Her skill with the introductions, the pouring of drinks, arranging the seating and steering the conversation was worthy of a mature woman. Eleanor’s attention was turned to Philip Nolan, whom she had not met before. He was a broad, well-built man with a rugged complexion, unruly fair hair, bold eyes and a ready smile. He dressed well and was articulate, and she could understand his easy, devil-may-care attitude appealing to Vanessa. Talk flowed between them and the time passed. Eventually Nolan made his apologies and left, and Edward, on Vanessa’s return, said dryly:
‘You’ve sent him home early, Vanessa. Not, I trust, with a flea in his ear?’
‘Sorry to disappoint you, brother dear. He needs his beauty sleep. There’s a vintage car rally on tomorrow and he’s picking me up early,’ and Vanessa smiled sweetly and said goodnight, Eleanor following her a few minutes later.
The next day, Dodie was disappointed to hear that she had missed Edward so finely. His gift had caused her much indecision the previous afternoon, and she had pondered long and deeply, twice changing her mind, finally choosing a beautifully illustrated natural history book. She was thrilled with it and wished Edward to sign it for her. On the way back from church she asked Eleanor if she thought Edward would be calling in before they left for the station.
‘I doubt it,’ Eleanor replied, and seeing her sister’s disappointed face, added hesitantly: ‘I suppose we could telephone and...’
‘Oh, yes, let’s do that, Nell,’ broke in Dodie eagerly. ‘Now! Please!’
Eleanor, although reluctant to bother him any more, did so.
‘Edward? This is Eleanor. I’m sorry to disturb you, but...’
‘You’re not disturbing me. What’s wrong?’ His voice was not very encouraging.
‘Nothing’s wrong!’ Eleanor said rather curdy, and then took a breath and began again. ‘Dodie bought a book with your very generous gift and she wondered whether you were calling in here before she left so that you could sign it. I said I’d ask, but she knows how busy you are—so please don’t bother if...’
‘What time is her train?’
‘One o’clock, but...’
‘I’ll pick you both up at twelve-thirty. Be ready and waiting, I won’t have time to come in,’ and barely allowing for Eleanor’s gratified ‘thank you’ he cut off. Eleanor went to tell Dodie the good news, and found her in the study, reading.
‘He’s coming? Oh, good-oh! Will he bring the Jensen?’ she demanded. ‘Just wait until I tell the girls at school!’ True to orders, Eleanor and Dodie were assembled on the top step ready and waiting by twelve-thirty. Eleanor had been at fever pitch in case he arrived and they were not there. Seeing the Jensen nose its way into the Crescent, Dodie flew down the steps, Eleanor following more sedately.
‘Hullo, Edward, may I sit in front?’ Dodie asked eagerly. ‘Oh! Is this your dog? Isn’t he a beauty!’
‘Yes, to both your questions,’ answered Edward, amusement in his voice, and he helped them in, plus all the parcels and packages. It wasn’t necessary for Eleanor to contribute to the conversation on the way, the two in the front managed perfectly on their own, the previous day’s happenings offered up minute by minute to Edward by the voluble Dodie.
‘Hugh seems to have made a hit,’ he observed, ‘with both of you,’ and Eleanor found blue eyes quizzing her from the mirror. She was proud of the cool smile with which she was able to answer him. They parked the Jensen and Dodie chatted excitedly all the way to the platform, suddenly remembering the book at the last minute.
‘Edward! The book!’ she exclaimed, mortified. ‘Quick, Nell, a pen. Here, Edward, sign it, please.’
He did so, adding a few words. ‘You have good taste, Dorothea,’ he murmured when finished, and checked his watch. ‘You’d better get settled in,’ he told her, opening one of the compartment doors.
Dodie threw herself at Eleanor, nearly knocking her over. ‘Goodbye, Nell darling. I do miss you, we all do ... when are you coming home?’
‘When she’s good and ready. Don’t be greedy, Dorothea. You’ve had her for much longer than we have.’ He looked at Eleanor. ‘The train’s rather crowded. Shall I install her while you walk along the platform?’ and taking the satchel and case from Eleanor, he ushered Dodie on to the train.
Eleanor walked level with them and Dodie was deposited in a window seat and Edward placed the satchel and violin case on the rack above. He was talking and Dodie was nodding earnestly, and then to Eleanor’s surprise, and surely Edward’s too, Dodie reached up and gave him a kiss. He pulled her plaits teasingly and smiled. Lucky Dodie, thought Eleanor, to receive such a treat. Did she appreciate how lucky she was? But it seemed she did, for Dodie was beaming when she turned to look out of the window to find Eleanor. Edward joined her on the platform and amidst the hustle and bustle of the last seconds they stood together, having one of those ridiculous conversations with Dodie through the glass, when there was nothing more to be said, knowing their mouthing antics to be comic. And then the train began to move, slowly at first, and Dodie waved, pressing her face hard against the window as she was taken further and further away, until she finally disappeared from sight and the train was merely an anonymous row of carriages.
‘I suppose she’ll be all right,’ said Eleanor, having a momentary qualm.
‘The child managed to get herself safely here on Friday, so I wouldn’t worry if I were you,’ replied Edward briskly, as they walked back along the platform. ‘I’ve had a word with the guard, he’s going to keep his eye on her until York.’ He shot her a keen look. ‘That warm heart of yours will get you into trouble one of these days, my girl. Your family appear to take untold advantage of it.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with having a warm heart,’ she responded crossly.
&n
bsp; ‘Not for other people, certainly,’ Edward said. ‘Kate and Dodie would agree with you.’
‘I’d sooner have mine than yours, any day!’
‘Oh? And what do you know about my heart, Eleanor?’ He saw the consternation on her face and gave a short laugh. ‘Never mind, don’t answer. I’ll admit it’s not so soft and vulnerable as yours.’
Why, oh why, despaired Eleanor, as she climbed into the Jensen, did they always end up arguing? She didn’t want to. She tried hard not to. He had every right to bemoan her warm heart—for it had caused him nothing but trouble.
The journey back to the Crescent seemed very quick. As Edward pulled up at the kerb, he said briskly:
‘I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the shop. Usually I’ll have left before you arrive and any messages will be on the pad, but for a while, until you get used to the routine, I’ll hang on until you get there. Van can join you in the afternoons for a week at least, and I’ll leave you a number to ring, should you need to contact me, and Ron Mann, the other part-timer, is a good man.’ His eyes went up to the rear-view mirror and he added: ‘Right, I think that’s all, unless there’s anything you want to ask me?’
Eleanor’s eyes followed his and saw a car pull up behind them. Felicity Maddox stepped out, smiled and waved before locking up.
‘No, thank you, Edward.’ Luckily the seat belt came apart easily and she shot out of the Jensen, running up the front steps without a backward glance.
The following weeks were easier than Eleanor expected. Vanessa was able to spend some hours of every day with her, as her own place needed to be altered before she could move in. Ron Mann also put in extra hours during the early stages, until Eleanor felt more capable. She soon found her feet, made friends with her neighbours and life settled down pleasantly.
From the start, Edward set the pattern of their behaviour, which was totally impersonal and businesslike, which suited Eleanor. Half-way through the second week he took off suddenly for Yugoslavia, which made her spirits rise, for surely he would not have done that had he any qualms about her ability to cope. Eleanor had to admit that she desperately wanted to make a success of this venture, if only to prove that Edward’s initial misgivings were unjustified.
Country Cousin Page 11
