The Reluctant Guest (13 page)

The time passed too quickly. The children pretended to snooze in long chairs, the afternoon sun soaked into the
veranda
, and Hazel kept saying she ought to get into a frock, in case Vic’s parents decided to descend upon them for tea. In the end it was Storr who made the move.

He stood up. “We’ll get along, Hazel. It’s been good
s
eeing you and Vic. What about coming over to Groenkop?”

“Don’t count on it
.
You come here again as soon as you can. You’ll promise not to go back to Johannesburg without seeing us again?”

“I’ll come.”

“And do bring Ann,” said Hazel. “I like her candour.”

“You’re not on the receiving end,” Storr said.

They all drifted down to the estate car. The carton containing the plants was pushed into the back, and Storr made a mock effort at remembering hard, and found a box of candies under a seat for the twins. There were goodbyes, light kisses for the children.

Then, with her usual gravity, Fern said, “If
Ann
really wants one of the puppies I’ll keep it for her till she and Storr are married.”

Hazel threw back her head and laughed. Vic Wenham looked a little scandalized. Ann didn’t lift her glance to Storr’s face; she was crimson. But she could guess how he looked by his voice when he said casually,

“Start matchmaking young, don’t they?” From the age of one they try to get us just where they want us.”

“Well, they won’t succeed with you,” Hazel said comfortably.

Ann only smiled. She got into her seat and waved to the group who seemed so much a part of the background. The estate car purred away towards the road.

CHAPTER
FIVE

NEITHER Ann nor Storr mentioned the little girl’s parting statement; Ann didn’t, because it had shaken her more than she would have cared to admit. She reflected, momentarily, that she would like very much to be part of that family, entertain them and visit them, talk over things of mutual interest; but beyond that she suppressed her thoughts. Storr, she knew, had taken Fern’s offer and implication for what it was, a child’s assumption that was of no importance. He was probably t
hinkin
g about whatever he had planned to do this evening.

But when he spoke, it was a little amusedly, about his cousin. “Hazel used to be one of those smart golfing types,” he commented. “You wouldn’t think it now, would you? She’s like something that’s emerged rather carelessly from the soil—but it’s only a pose, of course.”

“I don’t think it can be; she’s too natural.”

“Let’s say it was to begin with, and now it’s grown
on her like a skin.” There was a smiling dig in his tones as he added, “Well, you’ve seen a marriage where the idea works. You’ll have to agree it’s successful.”

“I agree entirely that your cousin’s marriage is successful, but not with your deductions about it. For one
thing,
if she’s not in love with her husband as you say, she does have affection and tenderness for him, though I
think
it goes deeper than that
.
”

“Carry on, child.”

“If you’re going to bait me
...
”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. I knew you wouldn’t be converted to my way of thinking because you’re young and full of dreams. Cast back a little, and you’ll remember that we first got on to this loving and being loved business when I told you that first affairs should be allowed to die
off.”

Ann considered. “Well,
I’ll
agree that it was sensible in your cousin’s case, but it’s possible she was infatuated and not really in love.”

“My contention, little one, is that all first affairs are infatuation or very near it. Hazel got over hers and had a few more years of freedom before she decided Vic would make a faithful and adoring husband. That was rather too sensible for most women; more often they marry on the rebound and the husband gets hell.”

“I didn’t like the way you said that
.
Anyone would think it had happened to you.”

His smile, direct
e
d towards the road ahead, had gone a little tight-lipped. “Maybe I was just visualizing the relationship. I can’t imagine anything I’d hate more than to find I’d married a woman who’d just recovered from or narrowly missed a headlong bout of juvenile passion for someone else. I think I’d be the one to give hel
l.
”

“Dear, dear, you do feel strongly about it
.
”

“Yes, don’t I?” he said coolly, and it seemed to close the subject.

Ann sat withdrawn from him for a while, looking out of the window. The sun was westering in it
s
usual golden haze, and Africans were plodding across the footpaths towards their huts. Donkey carts moved along the verge of the road at a leisurely pace and an occasional wo
o
lly-headed boy would have charge of a few goats grazing by the wayside on their way back to the kraal. There was peace in the atmosphere, a serenity that at any other time would have affected Ann quite strongly. But she was conscious of Storr, and serenity and Storr did not blend.

He said at last, with mockery, “You have to agree that Hazel just sits back and lets Vic squander his emotions all over herself and the family.”

“Has it ever occurred to you that that’s what he wants?”

“Oh, sure. It’s what Hazel wants, too.”

“And why does she want it so badly? Because she once did the same to someone who had no use for her feelings. It works with Hazel and Vic Wenham because they’re that kind of people.”

“All right, leave it.” A pause. “Glad you came?”

“Very glad. It’s been a lovely day.”

“You smiled more often than I’ve ever seen you
smile
before.”

“I believe I can say the same to
you. You
expanded c
onsiderably!”

“It’s easier in some places than in others. Don’t you like me at Groenkop?”

A treacherous pulse began to beat in Ann’s throat. “I don’t seem to know you there, and at times you do react rather more savagely than I’m accustomed to.”

“That’s the nature of the beast. I came down here to make a few decisions and half of them are already up the spout. I’m not used to that kind of thing.”

“But it does serve you right,” she said lightly. “Uncertainty in one or two directions might make you more human.”

“I’m not uncertain,” he said a little curtly. “Of other people, perhaps, but not of myself.”

“Never let it be said!” she rejoined, smiling. “Don’t lose the good mood before we get back.”

“You’re a nice girl, Ann,” he said negligently. “It’s rather enjoyable, taking you to places and people I know very well. You give me a new, wide-eyed slant on them.
You know, it could easily be arranged for you to spend the second half of your month’s vacation with Hazel and Vic.”

She turned to him a startled glance. “I couldn’t do that—the Borlands would be awfully fed up.”

“I’d fix it with Elva. Theo would understand .
..
wouldn’t he?”

The last couple of words were spoken softly, probingly, and for a moment Ann was at a loss. She even let her imagination wander fleetingly over the delightful possibility of spending two weeks with the Wenhams. And then she knew it couldn’t happen.

She shook her head. “I’m the Borlands’ guest, and I
think
in a way they need me. Yes, they do,” she added quickly, as he made an arrogant gesture. “You don’t know the inside details.”

“Tell me them.”

“They’re not mine to tell.” Then something came into her mind, and she made the error of divulging it. “Theo has talked to me about the
...
mistakes that led to his being grounded by the Airways Company.”

A coolness came into his manner. “Yes, I daresay he has. You were all sympathy, I take it”

“I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him. It wasn’t his fault, you know—the sense of insecurity that made him do silly things, like taking a drink before he reported for duty.”

“No? Did it happen while he wasn’t looking?”

“I suppose you have to be hard about these things, but
...
but don’t you ever review a decision, later? You ended his career—have you ever thought of it that way?”

“I’ve thought of it all ways, little one,” he said with chilly unconcern. “Theo was grounded because he broke the most important regulation in the book. He was offered a job in the office, but he wouldn’t work among men who knew he’d been a top dog. We couldn’t recommend him as a pilot elsewhere, and we were within our rights in giving
him
notice and a cheque. He seemed to want to hide
—
and as he’d grown up on a farm and Elva liked horses, I suggested the arrangement at Groenkop. It doesn’t work
a hundred per cent because he doesn’t really like farming, but it’s better than having him kick around in Johannesburg and turn into a hanger-on.”

She summoned courage, and used it. “He wants another chance. Won’t you consider it
...
seriously?”

Ann saw his lips go thin, the lean jaw tighten. “We’ll run the Airways Company without your help, if you don’t mind.”

“I’m sorry. I only thought
...”

“It’s very obvious what you thought. Theo has worked on your sympathy. Not that I blame him, but he forgot to tell you to keep quiet about it. You listened and pitied him because he’s tucked away here, where he’s safe.”

“Perhaps he doesn’t want to be safe!”

“It isn’t a case of what he wants, but of what he does with his opportunities. Three years ago he risked lives and his career and paid the penalty. Except during the last eight months I’ve visited Groenkop every few weeks, and it’s never once occurred to me that he’s changed in the least.” He shrugged. “I think he’s a little different now from when I last saw him, but I wouldn’t care to state that he’s improved. In my opinion, he’s just quieter.”

“Which could mean that he’s more stable.”

He paused, swung the car round a bend and put on speed. “You’re really plugging for him, aren’t you? Would you rather be married to a pilot than to a hayseed farmer?”

“Do I have to answer that?”

“Not if it’s
embarrassing
,” he said, with leashed violence. “In any case, why should you answer a question to which I know the reply?”

“Yes, why!” she said recklessly. Then, with more restraint, “I wish I hadn’t mentioned the matter.”

“I’m glad you did. I was beginning to forget a few things that are better remembered!”

Ann had no idea what he meant; at that moment she wasn’t even curious. She controlled the sudden quivering of her body, swallowed on the salt lump in her throat and was glad to see that they were already in the Belati district and nearing the farm. Bitterly, she blamed herself for introducing a topic which was bound to irritate him, at least. It had been a perfect day and she herself had spoiled its conclusion. Yet she did feel that he had grown cold and angry for no real reason. Theo did merit a little thought from Storr, and what did it matter
if
she,
Ann,
were the one to remind him of it?

She looked towards him, her eyes bright with unhappiness, but Storr kept his gaze on the road and his foot hard down on the accelerator, and she felt baffled and powerless. He didn’t want her to say
anything
more; she could see that.

They swept along the gravel road and down the Borlands’ patched-up lane. He pulled up outside the cottage, got out and waited till she was in the porch.

Then briefly, he said, “Thanks for coming. So long,” and slipped back into his seat. Even before she opened the door into the living room the car was a cloud of dust down the orchard.

Ann entered the room quietly, saw that both Elva and Theo were there, seated and apparently leafing through some of the old magazines.

Theo said, “Hi. Been going places?”

But Elva stood up, perhaps because she didn’t want Theo to see her face as she commented, “You look rather less impeccable than usual. Didn’t you take a compact?”

Ann found she had to clench her hands at her sides in order to still the renewed jumping of her nerves. She managed a smile. “The jaunt was expected. Did the horse arrive all right?”

“Yes. Your message, too.”

“I didn’t sent it. I hope you didn’t mind my going off like that?”

“Why should we? We’re just the people you’re staying with.”

Theo said, “Hold on, Elva. We’ve missed Ann, but this is her holiday, after all. You can’t expect her to stick around with us the whole time.”

“I expect it on Sundays!”

Ann said quickly, “I didn’t have much choice I’m afraid. You know how it is with Storr
...”
Too late, she realized that this was the first time she had used his first name to Elva. She lifted her shoulders, said steadily, “If we’d arranged something I wouldn’t have gone. It seemed that this was just another day to you two, so I went out to the African service, and met Storr on the way back—by accident
.
”

“That’s all right,” said Theo easily. “Sit down a bit, you must be tired.”

“No, I’ll change first I feel a bit grubby.”

There was no reply to this, and Ann went quickly down the passage to the bathroom.
She washed thoroughly, slipped into her room and changed into a plain white with navy polka dots. The frock had full three-quarter sleeves and stiff arched points to the collar. It made her look neat and demure though the tawny hair and hazel-green eyes offset the primness. She had used a touch of lipstick and was getting out a clean handkerchief when Elva slipped into the bedroom and closed the door behind her.

Ann turned about, was on the point of making a casual remark when she noticed the white grip of Elva’s hand on the back of a chair. Unconsciously, she squared her shoulders. And then she saw peculiarities in Elva’s expression. Those eyes, which were bluer than Theo’s and yet curiously lifeless sometimes, were strangely dark and there was a smudginess below them. The full features were set, the coarse yet flawless skin looked queerly tight. Ann hadn’t seen her like this before, and her first amazed thought was: “She’s finely balanced!” And next, she thought of her own long talk with Theo, of the thin
gs
he had told her about his sister and that she hadn’t quite believed. She believed them now.

She said hastily, but gently, “I didn’t think you’d mind so much, Elva. I hadn’t promised you I wouldn’t go anywhere at all with him had I? We simply went to his cousin’s farm, had lunch there and eventually drove back. That’s all.”

For a whole minute Elva did nothing but stare. Then at last she said draggingly, “You think I haven’t noticed the way you are with Theo? You don’t care about him at all. I’ve been speaking to him today, and he told me you thought he owned Groenkop and that’s why you came.”

“It isn’t why I came at all! I liked him and I was very much taken with the letter you sent me.”

“The letter! Anyone can write a good letter if they have something to gain. I wanted you here for Theo, and to help me. But when you arrived and discovered that we own only fifty acres and this house, you weren’t so keen, were you? It occurred to you that Storr was as handsome, in a different way, as my brother—that he was bigger and stronger
...
and richer. He was the
real
owner of Groenkop, and what luck it was that you happened to be invited just when Storr arrived, too. You pretended you’d help me, but in
s
tead
...”

“Stop it, Elva. I’ve done what I could for you and haven’t minded remaining in the background whenever Storr came to this house. You’re getting angry simply because I went off with him for a few hours today. I was alone with him on the journey there and back, but we drove fast, without stopping. If you’re annoyed because I went, I’m sorry, but I really don’t think
...”

Elva broke in quietly, arrogantly and offensively. “You think all right, and you act, too. You know a little about horses, nothing of farms or planes, so you try another angle. You put on the pure and simply pose. You’re gentle and trusting. But you don’t fool another woman. Don’t think that, for a moment!”

“Elva, please! You’re being ridiculous.”

“Am I? I hadn’t thought of it till after I’d talked with Theo, but I see you very clearly now. You have a line all your own—the girl who’s cool and clear as crystal, but hints that beneath a smooth, honey-colored skin there’s something that awaits the kindling glance and touch of a man
...
providing of course that his intentions are above reproach. And that he’s well-off!”

“Elva, I can’t think what’s got into you. I’ve tried to help you with Storr Peterson, and you know it
.
”

“How do I know you haven’t told him that you made all the improvements here
...
and even that you’ve altered some of my frocks?”

“You’ll have to believe me when I say I haven’t. I’d never let you down in any way.”

“Nobly spoken, but I don’t trust you. I wouldn’t trust any women who flattered Theo into believing he’d made an impression, and then was as cool to him as you’ve been, since he got back.”

“I haven’t been cool. What did you expect of me?”

“I had you here because I thought you’d marry him!”

Ann drew in her lip. “Yes, I suppose you did. Do you want me to leave?”

“No, you’ll stay, because Theo wants it, and because it would be difficult to explain your departure.” Elva pushed a hand over her forehead in a gesture that looked weary and strained. “You don’t know what this means to me. I want money and a position—not to be stuck here among the sheep farms. I want to travel and wear good clothes. When you have money, people fawn on you; you can go anywhere and hold your own. You can have all the things you’ve wanted and never been able even to hope for. All my adult life I’ve been, restricted by lack of money.”

“Money’s important, but it’s not everything,” Ann said. “One certainly shouldn’t marry for it.”

“I’m in love with Storr. I told you that the day you came.”

“But you have to be sensible about it
...
and you have to allow for the fact that there may be someone he’s met elsewhere.”

Elva shook her head decisively. “No, there’s no one. I’m sure of it
.
There’s only you
...
and me.”

Again that curious mistiness in the blue eyes. Ann felt a tremor run down her spine. “I’m not competing,” she said flatly.

“Then you’d better prove it in some way.”

“I could prove it by going back to Cape Town.”

“Theo would be miserable and blame me, and I can’t lose
him
through you—not yet.” Her eyes closed and her
brows drew together. “God, I’ve a pain at the back of my neck. I always get it when I’m worked up.”

Ann came quickly to her side. “Go and lie down. I’ll get you some codeine.”

Elva didn’t resist. She went out and into her own bare, untidy room. Ann brought cold water and the tube of tablets, shook two into her palm and got Elva to swallow them. Then the other girl lay down, her eyes closed, and Ann looked at her for a few seconds. The heavy, wheaten hair was a mass on the pillow, the face looked pained and resentful, even in repose. Ann drew the curtains across the window, tiptoed out and closed the door, put away the tablets and went along to the living room.