The Golden Anklet

by Beverly Hansford

  Bob joined in her study of the photograph for an instant. ‘It’s a studio shot,’ he commented.

  There was a few seconds’ silence, both of them lost in thought. Eventually Bob broke the silence. He cleared his throat.

  ‘Perhaps I could take a similar photograph of you some time,’ he suggested. He hesitated for a moment and then asked, ‘Would you do it?’

  Jane turned to him with a smile. ‘Of course I would. I’d love to.’

  ‘We could do it in the studio one evening,’ Bob continued, enthusiasm beginning to bubble up.

  ‘I’ll look forward to it,’ enthused Jane.

  She changed the subject. ‘Gosh, I’m dying for a cup of tea. Shall I pour it?’

  ‘Good idea,’ replied Bob. He, too, was ready for a drink. They had only made one comfort stop on the way back and it was hours since they had had the coffee and scones in Goodmanton.

  Jane sat down on the settee and started the pouring process. Bob sat down beside her.

  When she handed him a mug of tea, he looked at her and voiced his thoughts. ‘How are you feeling now? About today’s trip, I mean.’ He studied her face, waiting for a reaction to his question.

  Jane nibbled one of the biscuits from the tray. She thought briefly. ‘It’s funny, but after we had the interview with that horrible manager, I felt really down and miserable.’

  ‘I could see that,’ Bob interrupted.

  She nodded agreement and then continued. ‘Meeting Lucy changed everything. After that I felt much more optimistic and positive.’

  She took a sip of her tea and replaced the mug on the table. She turned to Bob; her face was serious and thoughtful. She spoke again slowly, thinking as the words flowed out.

  ‘You know, Bob, I don’t know why, but somehow I have a hunch that Lucy is going to come up with something really exciting.’

  Chapter 13

  They lingered a long time over their tea, chatting about the day’s events. Jane suddenly became concerned about the time.

  ‘When do we have to leave?’ she asked a bit anxiously, glancing at her watch.

  ‘I’ve booked a table for half past seven,’ replied Bob, looking at his own watch. ‘It’s about a twenty-minute walk.’ He was quite casual about everything.

  For Jane alarm bells rang. ‘Heavens!’ she exclaimed. ‘It’s turned six already.’

  The thought of getting ready in a strange environment for an evening out alarmed her.

  Bob smiled at her. ‘We’ve got plenty of time, but I suggest you get ready first,’ he suggested.

  Jane was already up and making a move. ‘I’ll be as quick as I can,’ she called from the hall as she collected her weekend case from where she had deposited it earlier in the day.

  She was climbing the stairs when Bob called out from the bottom. ‘By the way, it’s a walk over fields, but at one point we may have to paddle over a stream if the water is high.’

  ‘No problem. I won’t be wearing tights,’ Jane called back before disappearing.

  She went straight to the main bedroom and dumped her case on the floor. She looked around. It was a pleasant room, dominated by a king-size bed. Fitted furniture gave a neat atmosphere. The duvet had been turned back, revealing a crisp white sheet and pillows. She was amazed how tidy the room was, with everything obviously put away.

  It was a two-minute job for Jane to unpack. Her dress for the evening; her nightdress – the one she had bought for the previous weekend – she placed neatly on one of the pillows. Grabbing her cosmetic bag, she disappeared into the bathroom. Twenty minutes later she was back downstairs. Bob was not in the lounge or the kitchen, but suddenly he appeared from the second ground-floor room.

  He looked approvingly at her. ‘You look very glamorous!’ he exclaimed. He kissed her. ‘And you smell delicious, as usual,’ he added.

  Jane grinned at him and then looked down at her pretty knee-length summer dress. She had complemented it with a necklace, earrings and bracelet. She glanced at her shoes. ‘I’m sorry these aren’t the best shoes for walking,’ she said, ‘but if we’re going to be walking over grass…’ She looked at Bob for his opinion. She had decided to wear the high-heeled shoes instead of the flats she had brought.

  ‘They’ll do fine,’ said Bob, following her gaze. ‘The ground is quite dry and firm now.’ He looked at his watch. ‘Give me ten minutes,’ he announced. He pointed to the doorway he had just emerged from. ‘Have a look at my studio while you’re waiting,’ he suggested.

  He departed up the stairs and Jane wandered through the doorway. She found herself in a typical photographic studio with white walls, flood lamps and camera tripods. A quantity of photographic equipment stood on shelves and tables. Two walls were adorned with large photographs. A few landscapes were in colour, but the majority were in black and white. There were also several still lifes. Jane was intrigued by two photographs featuring women. One was of a reclining nude; the other was of a young woman putting on a pair of stockings, clipping a suspender in place.

  Jane was still looking at the two pictures when Bob reappeared. He had changed into a pair of cream casual trousers, an open-necked shirt and a jacket. He came over to her.

  ‘The nude is my sister,’ he remarked. ‘She wanted it as a Christmas present for her boyfriend a couple of years ago.’

  ‘I quite like it,’ said Jane. ‘It’s rather nice – not too explicit,’ she added thoughtfully.

  ‘That’s what she wanted,’ Bob explained with a smile.

  ‘And this one?’ Jane pointed to the glamour picture.

  ‘One of my early photographs.’

  Jane looked at him and then back at the photograph. ‘I’ve never quite understood the attraction stockings and suspenders have for some men,’ she said, adding with a smile, ‘but then I’m not a man.’

  Bob grinned at her. ‘A man hasn’t lived until he has removed a woman’s shoes and stockings,’ he said.

  Jane looked at him, wide-eyed.

  He smiled again and answered her silent question. ‘And a woman has not lived until she has experienced her lover removing her stockings.’

  ‘Oh. Now I understand,’ Jane responded politely, at the same time revealing a slight grin.

  ‘It’s a prelude to greater things,’ laughed Bob.

  ‘Well, I’ll have you know I have worn them.’ Jane gave him one of her coy looks.

  Bob was going to ask her to explain, but she was already preparing to elaborate. She spoke in a more subdued voice. ‘I wore them from time to time when I was married. Graham liked me to.’

  ‘Good for him,’ laughed Bob.

  ‘I like this one as well.’ Jane pointed to another picture. It was a still life of a spider’s web with dew sticking to it and the sun shining through.

  ‘I took that in the back garden a few years ago. It was one of those unique opportunities.’

  ‘I wish I knew how to take better photographs,’ commented Jane, almost to herself.

  ‘I could give you a few tips,’ offered Bob.

  ‘I’d really like that. But I think I’d probably need a different camera.’ She was remembering her frequent failures with photography.

  ‘What sort of camera have you got?’

  ‘Oh, just a basic one, but I think it’s a bit out of date now. I need an upgrade.’ Jane smiled as she spoke.

  ‘I’ll have a look at it next time I’m over at your place,’ said Bob. The thought of helping Jane with her photography appealed to him.

  Bob would have lingered in the studio, but Jane suddenly looked at her watch and exclaimed, ‘Hey, it’s nearly seven! Perhaps we should start to walk.’

  Her suggestion stirred Bob into action. Five minutes later they set out. The earlier rain had long since disappeared and it was now a pleasant warm June evening. Jane wandered outside first and then Bob followed, carefully locking the door. He had a camera slung over his shoulder. He noticed Jane’s glance.

  ‘I like to carry a camera when I’m walking. You
never know what you’ll come across in the photography line,’ he explained.

  Jane smiled at him. ‘Always on duty,’ she replied gaily.

  Bob was concerned at her remark. ‘You don’t mind, do you?’ he asked anxiously.

  Jane gave a little laugh. ‘Of course I don’t silly,’ she replied, smiling.

  ‘Good,’ replied Bob, somewhat relieved.

  He immediately took Jane’s hand as they set off. The first five minutes or so were along a leafy lane, which led into a path through a wood. After they emerged from the trees, their route skirted an open field. At the end of the field, they came upon a fast-flowing stream. It was about ten feet across, but a series of large, flat stones ensured a dry crossing.

  ‘This is the bit you sometime have to paddle across,’ remarked Bob. ‘If there’s been a lot of rain, the water flows over the stones. I thought it might be like that tonight.’

  ‘I’m glad I didn’t wear my wellies,’ joked Jane. She had already taken off her shoes for safety and was walking barefoot over the stones. She was halfway across when she heard Bob call.

  ‘Hold it there.’

  She turned to look at him. He had his camera at the ready.

  ‘OK. Stand there. Lift your arms up.’

  Jane obediently obeyed the instructions.

  Bob was the professional at work. ‘OK. Arms a bit higher, outstretched. Stand on tiptoe. That’s it. Smile.’

  The camera clicked as Jane posed. Bob took several photographs and then seemed satisfied.

  ‘That’s fine,’ he announced, moving to catch up with her.

  When they were on the other side of the stream, he smiled cheerfully at her. ‘Thank you. You’re a good model. I’ll get those printed out back home.’

  ‘I’ll look forward to seeing them,’ Jane replied eagerly. She dropped her shoes onto the ground in front of her. She gazed at the grassy route ahead as she put them back on.

  ‘I’m always tempted to walk barefoot on grass,’ she admitted with a shy grin.

  ‘It’s magical, isn’t it?’ agreed Bob, as he took her hand again.

  The incident stirred memories for Jane. She turned to Bob as they walked. ‘You know, in the orphanage we were never allowed to go barefoot outside the dormitory. We had to wear these horrible slippers everywhere inside, all the same kind.’ She paused for a few seconds, remembering, and then continued her reminiscing. ‘I was already in my teens and I was allowed to go camping with the Girl Guides for a few days. That was the first time I ever experienced going barefoot outside on grass. It was fantastic.’

  Bob nodded. ‘I know the feeling,’ he agreed. ‘My childhood was a bit similar in that respect.’ He smiled. ‘Perhaps that’s why I’m always strutting about at home without shoes on.’

  Jane turned to him with a little laugh. ‘I do the same,’ she admitted. She smiled again. ‘It can be a bit embarrassing at times,’ she remarked, remembering the way Gerald had looked at her a few days previously.

  ‘In our Western culture we have a problem with bare feet. It’s not considered polite, or something like that. Eastern countries don’t appear to have that problem,’ observed Bob thoughtfully.

  ‘Have you been to lots of countries?’ asked Jane, always eager to learn more about his past.

  ‘Quite a few. India, China, Japan…’ he reeled off. ‘Oh, and Australia and New Zealand as well.’

  ‘Gosh, that’s quite a lot.’ Jane was surprised. ‘What about America?’ she asked.

  Bob chuckled. ‘I’ve travelled across it from East to West,’ he answered.

  ‘Phew. That’s a long way.’ Jane was impressed.

  ‘What about you?’ asked Bob.

  Jane was thoughtful for a second. ‘Quite a bit, I suppose. I did more when I was married, because Graham travelled quite a bit and could sometimes take me, but I couldn’t always go, because of my work.’

  Their conversation was interrupted by the sight of rooftops ahead. Two minutes later they were walking down an alleyway between some houses. Soon they were in the main street of the tiny village.

  ‘Here we are,’ announced Bob, with a wave of his hand.

  Jane looked where he was pointing. Almost opposite them was a picturesque village pub, its walls superbly decorated with hanging baskets bright with flowers. A hanging sign advised potential customers that it was The Gamekeeper.

  ‘It looks really nice,’ remarked Jane, who was quite eager to see inside.

  They crossed the road and entered the pub. After the bright sunshine outside, at first it seemed to be quite dark, but their eyes quickly grew used to the environment. Jane became aware of a low-ceilinged bar, with lots of beams and gleaming brass-work, before ‘mine host’ swiftly ushered them to the dining room at the rear of the pub. The dining room was quite small, no more than a dozen tables. They found themselves seated in an alcove with a window overlooking a pleasant garden.

  ‘It really is a lovely place,’ observed Jane, looking around.

  Bob followed her gaze. ‘They do quite a lot of bar food here,’ he explained, ‘but the dining room is quite small, as you can see, and you have to book early. It’s quite popular.’

  ‘I’m rather glad you did. It’s a bit more intimate,’ replied Jane.

  Their conversation was interrupted briefly by the arrival of the waitress, who enquired whether they were ready to order. They asked for another few minutes.

  When it eventually came to ordering, they both choose the same thing: asparagus soup followed by a salmon steak with new potatoes. Bob ordered a bottle of wine to top everything off.

  During their meal they started to chat again about the day’s events. In spite of her early optimism that Lucy was going to come up with something, little moments of concern were now starting to creep into Jane’s thoughts. The congenial atmosphere of their surroundings and the effect of the wine made her voice her worries to Bob. Taking another sip of wine, she paused and looked anxiously at him.

  ‘You know, Bob, I still have this feeling that Lucy might come up with something about my past, but I’m beginning to get concerned about what will happen if she doesn’t find anything. What do I do then? Where do I go from there?’

  Bob thought for a moment. This was something that had occurred to him from the start, but he had decided that nothing helpful could come from voicing his concern. For Jane’s sake, he felt that he had to remain positive and supportive.

  ‘Well,’ he began, ‘we don’t know yet that she will find nothing, but even if she does there must be other avenues of research to pursue.’ He paused for a few seconds. ‘I can’t help thinking that somewhere along the way some error has crept in, perhaps a wrong name entered on some document. It could be simply that. If we keep plugging away at it, we must eventually come up with the answer.’

  Bob’s comments were of some comfort to Jane. He was always so calm and logical.

  ‘I suppose you’re right,’ she replied. ‘It’s just this feeling of not knowing who or what I am. Technically I don’t exist.’ She looked at him pleadingly again.

  ‘We’ll get to the bottom of it,’ he replied. He placed his hand on one of Jane’s briefly. ‘I’ll help you,’ he assured her.

  ‘That’s another thing,’ remarked Jane with a bit of a wry smile. ‘I seem to be leaning on both you and Gerald quite a lot.’

  Bob shook his head. ‘I enjoy doing it, and so does Gerald. Don’t worry about that,’ he replied firmly.

  Jane forced a smile. ‘I know,’ she said. I’m sorry about that. I’m just being a bit silly and getting myself all worried about things.’

  ‘In the circumstances it’s quite natural that you should feel like that. I’m sure anybody would,’ Bob replied sympathetically.

  ‘I wonder if it happens very often,’ she pondered.

  ‘I expect it does.’ Bob gave a little smile as he spoke. He thought of something else to add. ‘I do think that in your case it is most likely to be an error somewhere with paperwork. It shouldn’t happe
n, but apparently it has.’

  ‘I expect you’re right.’ Jane forced herself to smile again. She was glad of Bob’s approach to things and it was silly to get all worried at this stage. Bob could be quite correct: it could be a simple mistake somewhere. She just had to find it, and she could not have better helpers than Bob and Gerald. She made a point of changing the subject. ‘Do you come here often?’ she asked, indicating their surroundings.

  Bob shook his head. ‘No, not that often, but it has quite a good reputation with the locals.’

  He took another drink of his wine as he finished speaking. Then he looked at Jane and grinned. ‘Angus Pike lives not so far away,’ he remarked casually.

  Jane made a face at him. ‘Thanks for reminding me,’ she laughed.

  The rest of their meal was quite leisurely and congenial. Jane began to feel more relaxed and they chatted about a wide range of topics, perhaps both making a point of not talking about Jane’s family history. It was close to ten when they finally left The Gamekeeper.

  They walked back to Tatting Green the same way they had come, hand in hand, and then suddenly Bob put his arm around Jane. She followed his lead and placed her arm around his waist. They walked on, happy and contented. Dusk was already beginning to fall, and at one point Jane suddenly exclaimed. ‘Look! There’s the moon.’ She pointed up at the sky to show Bob. An almost full moon was just beginning to show above the trees ahead.

  ‘Full moon tomorrow,’ murmured Bob. He suddenly drew Jane towards him and they kissed passionately, the cares of the day forgotten.

  Their interlude was quickly interrupted by the sound of voices not far away. They continued their walk hand in hand, and within a few minutes another couple passed them walking in the opposite direction.

  When they eventually came to the fast-bubbling stream, Jane released Bob’s hand and stooped down, intending to take off her shoes again, but suddenly Bob bent down next to her, and the next minute she was in his arms. She felt him kick off his own shoes and then he was carrying her over the stream. Once he had reached the other side, he deposited her safely on her feet again.

  Jane nuzzled him. ‘Mmm. That was super. Thank you, Sir Galahad,’ she murmured.