The Postcard (14 page)

‘When are you leaving for Egypt? Caroline tells me you are based there.’

‘Not exactly sure yet. I represent one of the Delta development companies. We are investing in infrastructure, properties and estates along the Nile. There’s such a potential in this
growing area. I have been busy making contacts. Cairo is such an amazing site for development. The Suez Canal has made journeys from Europe to the Far East much shorter. Now we have government
support.’ Toby Lloyd-Jones talked at length about his success, a little too fervently for Phoebe’s liking, like a preacher trying to convince you about his new-found faith.

‘Do you intend to live out there?’

‘For a while, to see things through, of course, I wouldn’t want to inflict that sort of climate on my family when the time comes,’ he offered, looking at Caroline, who
blushed.

So that was the set-up. He looked at her daughter as if he could eat her and she was looking up at him with a bold adoring gaze that filled Phoebe with alarm. What’s going on here? What
had she missed all these past weeks?

‘You’re quite right,’ she nodded. ‘It would be a mistake to burden a wife with such a change in culture and uncertainty, especially in these worrying times. The unrest in
northern Spain some say was only a rehearsal for a bigger show to come.’

Caroline glared at her, ignoring her reference to the trouble in Europe. ‘When people are in love, it doesn’t matter where they live as long as they are together.’ She clutched
her napkin to her lips. ‘Egypt sounds so romantic’

‘I’m sure it is – for a while – but what do the women do while men are at work, sit around in shade and play cards?’

‘There’s a marvellous Country Club on an island outside Cairo with a swimming pool, tennis courts, dining rooms, amazing parties under the stars,’ Toby replied.
‘It’s really very civilized.’

‘But it’s a long way from home, weeks on a ship,’ Phoebe suggested.

‘Ah, now there’s talk of a regular air flight with Imperial Airways. The world is shrinking, Miss Faye. That’s why these investments are such good value.’

‘Are you trying to sell me some, young man?’ She forced a laugh.

‘Phee!’ Caroline whispered under her breath.

‘Of course not, Miss Faye. I wouldn’t dream of using this occasion. It’s just my enthusiasm that carries me away.’

He smiled but she recognized impatience, a flicker of frustration in his half-smile. His eyes were hooded and as he blinked she thought of the falcons she’d seen tethered at Dalradnor
Show, and her stomach churned. Caroline was besotted by his charm, but Phoebe felt uneasy. He was direct, polite, but she sensed a steel claw in the leather glove. She’d seen enough of Mr
Lloyd-Jones for one afternoon.

‘Unfortunately I have to give classes at four. That was a superb luncheon and I’m so pleased to meet you at last. You have given me much to think about, Mr Lloyd-Jones.’

‘Toby, please,’ he said, rising as she did.’

‘All in good time . . . I’m old-fashioned enough not to be on first-name terms so soon. We hardly know each other.’ She made a graceful exit off stage left towards the powder
room, but Caroline came racing after her.

‘How could you be so rude?’

‘I wasn’t rude, just correct. That man was trying to sell me shares in some tin-pot scheme in the desert.’

‘He was not. He just wanted you to know what he’s about.’

‘And what are you about with him?’ she snapped.

‘I love him and I want to marry him,’ Caroline replied.

‘Has he asked you?

‘No, but he will soon.’

‘Oh, Caroline, you’re too young for such a commitment. You don’t know anything about him.’

‘I know enough to know I can’t live without him, and I won’t . . .’

‘Let’s discuss this later. Now’s not the time. If he loves you he’ll wait until you’re of age. You need to broaden your experience of men.’

‘You didn’t.’

‘That was different. There was a war. Everything speeds up in wartime. Do be sensible. I don’t want to spoil your first experience, but be careful or it’ll end in
tears.’

‘You’re just jealous because I’ve got what you’ll never have. Toby and I love each other and I don’t want anyone else.’ Caroline spat back at her.

‘So I see, but wait, darling, please. People change. There’s just something about him . . . I’m not sure about.’ She was doing her best but it wasn’t working.

‘I’m not listening to any more of this.’ Caroline marched out of the cloakroom, slamming the door, leaving Phoebe feeling sick.
Why do things always go so wrong between us?
How am I ever going to put this right now?

‘Everything fine? You look worried,’ said Toby, jumping up. ‘Your aunt is quite a woman. I hope I didn’t over do things . . .’ He paused,
searching for her reaction.

‘No, she’s fine. Let’s not talk about her. Did you mean all that about Egypt and the clubs and a wife?’

‘Why, are you volunteering?’ he smiled.

‘If there’s a vacancy,’ she smiled back, eyeing him as their feet touched under the table and a slow hand lingered around her thigh.

‘I’d like to try the applicant out to see if she’s up to the mark.’

‘Let’s go then and I’ll give you a demonstration.’ Part of her wondered how she could be saying such things, but with Toby there was no holding back. She’d not be
going back to face Phee in the studio, all po-faced and stiff-lipped. She didn’t want to waste any of their precious time together, not when she had a fail-safe rubber cap ready for any
action. What would her mother say if she knew she’d been fitted up in Harley Street by a doctor? They weren’t going to take any risks. Toby was careful like that, waiting patiently
until she was protected. He’d been so attentive, buying her beautiful lingerie to wear for his eyes only, gorgeous silks, which she kept in his mirrored room at the Cavendish Hotel, making no
moves on her until she’d begun to think there was something wrong.

All that biology was useful in school, but could never prepare her for the shock of having such a strong man’s body caressing hers and entering her with such finesse and skill that she
scarcely felt the loss of her virginity. She couldn’t wait to go back to his little room to experiment even more. The thought of being his wife was wonderful. How dare Phee say she
didn’t trust him? He’d lavished her with gifts, clothes, wined and dined her until she was drunk with desire for his body on hers. Sometimes he came back from work with a bottle of
champagne. ‘Scored a hit!’ he’d laugh. Other times he came back with only a worried frown on his brow. ‘Waste of time, couldn’t shift the bugger.’ That was when
he took her roughly, like an animal, in a passionate coupling that left her bruised and exhausted.

He was changing her in ways others noticed. Pamela had remarked that she looked tired. ‘Is he working you too hard?’ she sniggered. ‘We know all about your big romance and we
know you’ve done it with him. It’s written all over your face, you naughty girl.’ She didn’t go out with the girls now, except for their Thursday teas when they caught up on
gossip. ‘The Welsh Wizard’s had his wicked way . . . so watch out. Hardly see you these days. Where’s this cave he carries you to?’

Callie was sure they were all jealous but she didn’t want to spoil the spell by sharing any details. Now she would have a new exciting life abroad. Ought she to tell him the truth about
Phee when he asked about her family? Why should she? He said very little about his. She’d mentioned Sir Lionel a few times, and that they owned a house in the Trossachs and that she had a
small allowance until she was twenty-one.

‘I’d never ask you for a penny,’ he said. ‘But some names of friends who might be interested in investments would be useful.’ Callie couldn’t think of any he
didn’t already know from the 400 Club. He never asked again.

They left the Ritz and strolled down Jermyn Street to his room at the Cavendish Hotel. At the door he hesitated for a moment. ‘You know I’ll be off soon – any chance of you
coming along for the ride?’ He paused. ‘We’d have such fun driving through France to Marseilles, and then a ship across the Med, or will you be stuck making tea for your
aunts?’

‘I’m not sure. I ought to give them notice. One of my aunts is ill.’ For all she was angry with Phee, she couldn’t just run out on them – or could she?

‘Can’t hang around long, darling . . . things to do. We’d pick up a car once we’re across the Channel. Let’s elope so there’s none of all that wedding fuss.
Come with me next week or we’ll have to wait months.’

‘It’s very tempting,’ she smiled, but suddenly she was feeling unsure. It all seemed such a rush.

‘Then come inside and let me tempt you. Time for some active persuasion . . . I may have a little trick or two that’ll have you gasping for more.’ He grabbed her arm firmly and
marched her to his room. She couldn’t wait to sample the delicious delights he had in store.

Caroline didn’t come home that night, or the next. Phoebe was furious, worried sick. Callie had never done such a thing before, and she hadn’t even told her mother
where she was. Phoebe almost called the police. What if this man was an abductor, or worse? She just knew Toby Lloyd-Jones was a chancer, turning her daughter’s silly head. He was taking
advantage of a naïve young girl and he’d drop her once he was bored. She’d seen this happen in the theatre when dashing stage-door johnnies courted the chorus girls, promised them
the earth and then left them high and dry. If only she could find out more about him and his family, but what with the studio classes and another call to a film casting, she’d no time for
investigations just now. Then Caroline came home, defiant, sullen, and Phoebe told her just how worried she’d been. They snapped at each other until Phoebe could stand it no longer.

‘Don’t you realize you’re just his latest plaything? There’s only one thing he’s after—’

‘He wants to marry me,’ Caroline interrupted calmly, as if she’d been waiting for just such a moment to pounce.

‘Is that what he said to get you into his bed?’

‘He didn’t need to. I was in it already. Why do you dislike him?’

‘There’s something phoney about him. I can’t just put my finger on it, but I will.’

‘Oh, do what you like. You just don’t want me to be happy. How can you understand how I feel about him?’

‘I think I’ve got the score. He’s just using you, you silly girl. There’s more to marriage than sex.’

‘How would you know?’ Caroline did her usual stomping act into her room. ‘I’m going out.’

‘I haven’t time to argue with you now. If you go out make sure you lock up, and make sure you call in and see Maisie.’ There was no reply.

When Phoebe called in at the school later to relieve Kitty’s watch at Maisie’s bedside, she found everyone gathered there, looking at the doctor with concern.

‘It won’t be long now. She’s weakening by the hour. Her legs are cold. I’ve given her another draught. You’ll want to say your farewells,’ he advised.

They took it in turns to sit by Maisie’s bed, chatting as if she could hear them. Billy was in tears and Jem had obviously been crying, too. Kitty was being her usual professional self,
but her face was white and strained with emotion.

Phoebe recalled how kind Maisie had been when she went into labour in their flat, the day after she heard Arthur had been killed. How her friends had seen her through the darkest of times,
holding the baby with her, protecting her secret. Kitty and Maisie were like sisters, the sisters she had never had.

‘Did Caroline call in today?’ she asked.

‘If she did, she didn’t come up. Perhaps she’ll call in later,’ Kitty offered. ‘She’s always been very fond of Maisie.’

It wasn’t like Caroline to neglect her duty, but Caroline wasn’t herself any more, Phoebe thought. Still, she’d be sorry not to say goodbye.

Maisie slipped away in the small hours of the night without any fuss, just one lingering breath and then nothing. Kitty did what was necessary, laying her out with loving care as only nurses
knew how. They sat in the staff room drinking tea and reminiscing. Billy and Jem drove Phoebe home and she let herself in, not wanting to wake her ungrateful daughter, falling into her own bed
fully clothed, sleeping through the morning rush hour noise. It was only when she pulled up the blind that she saw the envelope on her dressing table. Inside was one of her own publicity postcard
shots.

Phoebe drifted in shock to Caroline’s room. The bed was made, the wardrobe half open, revealing empty hangers. Her leather suitcase was gone, drawers clearly emptied in a hurry, and her
passport was missing from the mother-of-pearl-inlay deed box. So this was a defiant elopement, meant to cause maximum hurt. What mother wants to be denied preparations for her own daughter’s
wedding? Caroline could not have made herself any clearer in disowning her. Perhaps if she’d had more tact and time it could all have been prevented. Now it was too late. Phoebe wondered if
the price of her keeping her daughter’s birth secret would ever be paid in full. This is what came of not having a father to protect and advise her. She’d made such a mess of parenting
alone.

Phoebe sank down weeping on Caroline’s cold bed, fingering the silk quilted counterpane with longing. ‘Oh, you silly, silly girl,’ she cried. ‘You’ll find yourself
lying on a bed of nails before too long. Who will help you then?’

The
Marie-Solange
docked in Alexandria, heaving to port as Callie hung over the rail drinking in all the strange sights: the bustle of men in what looked to her like
nightshirts, scurrying with ropes; others with baskets, holding out their wares, ready to mob the passengers.

‘Here at last,’ she cried as Toby put his arm on her shoulder.

‘Welcome to the wonders of the Orient, Mrs Lloyd-Jones.’

Callie couldn’t believe all that had happened in the past weeks. It was like some exotic dream, fleeing in the dead of night on the overnight ferry to Boulogne, a morning train to Paris
and then onwards to Marseilles. There was no leisurely car journey down to the south because poor Toby in his haste had mislaid his driving licence. She hadn’t minded their rough sleeping
arrangements. Everything was all new and exciting, with Toby charging through France like a bull on the loose. They took cheap rooms by the port until they found a ship and a captain who agreed to
marry them for a fee. They bought a gold wedding band and Toby promised to find her a beautiful ring when they got to Cairo.