Authors: Carol Rivers
‘Good idea!’ Elsie adjusted her glittering bolero and scarf over her dress. Her black velvet turban framed her face and made her eyes look like two dark beads as she smiled.
‘I’ll help you dish up, Mum,’ offered Marie, but Elsie shook her head and nodded to Hector.
‘No, you did your bit yesterday, gel. I’ll muck in with your mother.’
‘You don’t want to get that outfit dirty,’ warned Ada, wrapping an apron around her grey suit, which she had last worn on that night in August, when they had all gone to the
Queen’s to see Teddy. It seemed like a lifetime ago, and the thought of it gave Marie a sad feeling. Then, they were all happy. It was before it had become clear that Teddy was a wolf in
sheep’s clothing, who was to have a devastating effect on their lives.
‘Don’t worry about me, gel,’ Elsie chuckled as they went to the kitchen. ‘Though I could do with another port and lemon.’
Marie hadn’t wanted a drink and was surprised that Hector hadn’t either. He always liked his Christmas tipple. But now he sat in the chair, dressed in his Sunday suit, which had once
seemed so smart but now hung from his thin body. Even the neck of his white shirt and attached collar was too big. His baggy waistcoat exaggerated the space where his paunch once used to be. Even
the sleeves of his shirt seemed too long under his jacket.
‘Dad, shall I pour you an ale?’ Marie asked when they were alone.
‘Not now,’ Hector said quietly in a distracted voice. ‘I’ll wait till your sister comes. She wouldn’t miss Christmas with us.’ He turned slowly to meet
Marie’s gaze. ‘They won’t let me see her, you know.’
‘Who?’
‘I went to the Blue Flamingo the other night but they turned me away.’
Marie reached out and took hold of his hand. Even though they were sitting in the warm room, beside a roaring fire, he felt cold. ‘Did you tell Mum?’
‘No, love. I didn’t want to worry her.’
‘Vesta will come home soon.’
‘I hope so. I miss her. And so does your mother.’
Marie put her arms around him. ‘It’s Christmas, and even if she doesn’t come, she’ll be thinking of us.’
‘Yes, and the day’s not over yet.’ He smiled, patting her shoulder.
Marie felt the tears prick her eyes. They all missed Vesta so much, especially now, at Christmas, when they had always been together. It was going to be difficult to eat their meal and feel
happy. But, as Elsie shouted to Hector that the meat was ready to carve, Marie knew they would all try.
Vesta woke, feeling sick. She had a pain in her head that felt as if it was about to split her brain in two. She had never felt like this before. She opened her eyes slowly.
Waves of nausea rolled over her. She looked for the white wardrobe that was always the first thing she saw in the morning at Teddy’s. Instead, she saw a pair of long curtains. A beam of
daylight flowed in. Automatically reaching out for Teddy, her hand felt an empty space.
Sitting up, she regretted the sharp movement. Her head spun and whirled. It was all she could do not to be sick. When her stomach had settled a little, she looked around her. The bedclothes were
rumpled and thrown back. Where was Teddy?
Pushing the bedclothes aside, she lowered her bare feet to the floor. The only garment she was wearing was her slip; her bra and panties were absent. A cold chill filled her.
The room was silent, except for a faint gurgling of water. Her toes landed on a thick, luxurious carpet. Where was she? Certainly not in the bedroom at Teddy’s.
She groaned. Her head hurt too much to think. She stumbled towards the curtains and pulled them open.
A set of French doors opened onto a long balcony and beyond this was the biggest green lawn she had ever seen. Around its edges were tall fir trees. A memory came back. They were the same trees
that she remembered from last night as she’d gazed from the big room.
Another scene appeared in her mind. She was dancing and laughing with the older man with silver hair. He was making her laugh and guiding her expertly round the dance floor, holding her very
close.
Where was Teddy in all this? Steadying herself on a chair, she felt the curve of hard, sculptured wood. Quickly she drew her hand away, as if she had no right to touch it. The chair stood in
front of a polished dark wood dressing table. Its surface was filled with silver-backed brushes, perfume bottles and delicate glass pots.
Her gaze travelled to a set of imposing doors with brass handles. Next to these was an elegant pink couch, which went up at one end and down the other. Its short, stumpy legs were like huge
bird’s claws.
Vesta gazed at the oil painting above. A tall, ugly woman, wearing an old-fashioned riding habit, looked down on her. Vesta shuddered. The picture reminded her of school and the history books
they had been made to study.
To her left was a long marble-topped cabinet and on it a painted china jug and big bowl. Marie went back to the dressing table and looked in the mirror. A cry escaped her lips. Her face was
white, like a ghost’s. Her eyes looked smudged from last night’s make-up and her hair was a mess, hanging down in tangled clumps. One strap of her slip had fallen over her arm,
revealing her breast. She pulled the strap up quickly. Where was her underwear? Where was her lovely pink dress? Where was Teddy?
‘Good morning,’ a voice said.
Vesta spun round. The tall, silver-haired man from last night stood there. His chest was naked and a white towel was wrapped round his waist.
‘Where am I? Who are you?’ she mumbled.
‘Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten already?’ An amused smile played on his lips. ‘William Dearlove is the name. Last night you called me Bill.’
‘Bill?’ Vesta’s heart was racing. She looked round. ‘What am I doing here?’
‘Don’t you remember?’
Vesta tried to think back, but her head ached too much.
He stepped towards her. ‘You and Teddy had rather a frightful argument. After which he left.’
‘He wouldn’t leave without me.’
‘I’m afraid he did.’
Vesta fought back the waves of sickness. ‘What happened?’
Bill tilted his head. ‘You really don’t remember?’
‘No.’
‘Perhaps you should use the bathroom and freshen up, first?’ He gestured to the room behind him.
‘I want to go home.’
‘You are free to leave,’ he shrugged. ‘Though I thought we could enjoy breakfast together – after such an enjoyable night.’ He glanced at the bed.
Vesta followed his gaze. The rumpled covers were strewn everywhere. ‘You mean I . . .?’ Had she slept in that bed with this man? She couldn’t have. But why was he standing
there half naked and she had no clothes except her slip? She began to cry.
‘Come now, Vesta, calm yourself.’
She wiped her eyes with her fingers as he stepped close. ‘Stay away from me. I want to leave.’
He gave another casual shrug. ‘Go ahead. If that’s what you want. But wouldn’t it be best to wait for your clothes?’
She looked around, at the floor and the chairs and back to the bed. ‘Where are they?’
‘I asked the maid to clean them. I’m afraid you spilled rather a lot of champagne over your dress last night.’
Vesta’s head hurt each time she tried to think. She was confused. She couldn’t have slept with this man. She couldn’t!
‘Meanwhile, please do as I suggest and use the bathroom whilst you’re waiting for your clothes. There’s a robe in there and a selection of toiletries at your
disposal.’
Vesta felt trapped. She couldn’t run away without her clothes. But was this some kind of trick? Oh, why had Teddy left her in all this mess?
Bill Dearlove seemed to read her thoughts and grinned. ‘Don’t worry, you will be quite safe, I promise you.’
She ran to the door. Once inside the bathroom, she slipped the lock. Her breathing was fast as she leaned her back against the cold wood. Sharp flashes of memory returned: the silver hair and
charming smile. Hands on her, touching her. And then, the most awful memory of all: him lying beside her, removing her clothes, kissing her and making love to her.
She wanted to die, and ran to the big white toilet to be sick. When she’d finished, she turned on the golden tap of the basin. Waiting for the nausea to subside, she splashed water over
her face. Once again she was shocked when she saw herself in the gold-framed mirror. Her ashen, mascara-streaked face belonged to a stranger.
Vesta turned unsteadily and looked at the bath. Perhaps she would feel better if she bathed and tidied herself. She had never seen golden bath taps before, or such a big bathroom. Whoever this
man was, he must be very rich. She remembered him telling her about his work in the theatre. Slowly it was all coming back.
Everything, except what had happened between her and Teddy. It was as if it was so bad, she hadn’t wanted to remember it.
‘At last, I’ve got you all to myself,’ said Bing as they stood by the tree on Christmas night. Marie thought he had never looked more handsome than he did
tonight. He wore a white open-neck shirt, a V-neck sleeveless jumper with coloured stripes, and smart grey Oxford bags with turn-ups. He had also grown his hair longer and managed to smooth it
down. Though it looked very neat, Marie liked the natural way it always stuck up.
‘Thank you for our presents,’ she told him softly. ‘They must have cost a lot.’
‘Who else have I got to spend me money on?’
‘You’re not Father Christmas.’
‘No, but with Vesta not turning up, they put a smile on everyone’s faces.’
‘Yes,’ she sighed sadly, ‘it wasn’t the same without her.’
‘Did you like the record I gave you?’ he asked. Marie knew he was changing the subject deliberately. It had been a long day and Vesta’s absence had been keenly felt.
She nodded. ‘When I hear Bing Crosby singing “It Must Be True” I’ll always think of you.’
‘That was the idea.’ He laughed.
‘Did you like the wallet I gave you?’
‘Yes, and me lucky penny inside.’
Marie sighed again. ‘Well, it’s the end of the evening now.’
‘No, the best is yet to come.’ He gave her a squeeze.
‘Go on then, kiss me,’ she teased.
‘Look under the star first.’
She looked up to the top of the tree where the star twinkled. ‘When did you put that box there?’
‘Just now, when you weren’t looking.’
He stretched up and took hold of it. Placing it in her hands, he whispered, ‘Happy Christmas, beautiful.’
Marie undid the bow. With a curious smile on her face, she opened the lid.
‘Oh!’ she gasped.
‘Do you like it?’
Marie stared at the gold ring, with a ruby-red stone set in the clasp. ‘Is this for me?’
‘It’s me gran’s engagement ring.’ Taking her left hand he slipped it over her finger. ‘And now it’s yours, if you’ll have it.’
Marie gazed at the blood-red stone and gold band. ‘It fits perfectly.’
‘I know this ain’t a good time, but I figured if I don’t get me oar in first, some other blighter will get in theirs. Especially as you’ve got that new job an’ all,
with all them clever bods in the offices making eyes at you over their desks. One day, one of ’em is gonna make his play and I might lose you for ever.’ He pushed his hand through his
hair, causing it to spring up straight. ‘But if you’ve got a ring on your finger that says you’re mine, we can wait as long as you like to get hitched. I mean, I’d wed you
tomorrow if I had my way, but that’s only wishful thinking.’
‘Are you asking me to marry you?’
‘Didn’t I say?’
‘Not in so many words.’
He went down on one knee. ‘Marie Haskins, would you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’
She laughed but her smile soon faded. ‘Are you sure?’
He frowned, his eyes full of surprise. ‘I’ve wanted to marry you from the first moment I saw you. But I ain’t being pushy. It’s why we broke up last time. I’ve
learned my lesson since then. I want you enough to hang around. If you still want to tread those proverbial boards, I won’t stand in your way. Just keep me ring on your finger.’
‘I didn’t expect this.’
‘There ain’t a price I wouldn’t pay to have you as me wife.’ He stood up and held her close. ‘What makes you happy, makes me happy.’
‘You are such a good man.’
‘I’m handsome and rich too, don’t forget,’ he teased, lifting her face between his hands. His kiss was urgent and demanding and for a brief moment she felt frightened at
the thought of such a commitment. Was this love they shared enough to make them both happy? Would it last for ever, through thick and thin and all the ups and downs of life? Ada and Hector had been
happy once but now they had drifted far apart.
‘I love you, Marie,’ Bing whispered, dispelling her doubts as he touched her cheek softly.
‘And I love you.’
Marie closed her eyes as his lips went warmly over hers. It was the first Christmas that she and Vesta had ever been parted. And now she was going to be engaged. She wanted to tell Vesta. She
wanted her to be here so that she could share her happiness.
Vesta managed to calm down a little as she ran a hot bath. The luxury of endless hot water spilling from the gold taps and the bubbles that sprang to the surface made her feel
much better. As she lay in the sweet-smelling water, she began to look around. The bathroom was pure luxury, all black-and-white tiles with two carved figures of almost naked women sculptured into
the marble walls. There were many different bottles of perfume and bath oil on the glass shelves. The long mirrors and soft lighting made the room look big and spacious. Even the towels were huge,
white and fluffy, like nothing else she had ever seen before.
She stayed in the bath for a long time, feeling her body under the water. It didn’t seem any different, thank goodness. Whatever had happened last night, Bill hadn’t hurt her. She
remembered more things now: the feeling of confidence the champagne gave her; the soft words of praise that Bill had spoken; and then Teddy leaving her. She had gone to find him. And when she had,
he was with the beautiful dark-haired girl.
Vesta gave a sob. He was kissing her! Not just a peck on the cheek, or lightly on the mouth as she’d seen him do before. But in a room on their own, with the girl tightly in his arms. It
had been a passionate kiss. Tears of anger crawled down her cheeks and dropped into the bath. She had pulled Teddy away and slapped his face.