The Sapphire Child (The Raj Hotel #2) - Janet MacLeod Trotter Page 0,102

the broadcasts, but she overheard him talking in grave whispers to Esmie about the naval losses. ‘Losing such ships will seriously damage the defence of Malaya and Singapore. We mustn’t talk about it in front of Stella – she’s making herself ill with worry over wretched Keating as it is.’

Stella was distressed to hear Tom talk about her fiancé so disparagingly but she could hardly blame him. So far, Hugh had failed her, and it was the Lomaxes who were bearing the burden.

So she went to them and said, ‘I want to go to Srinagar and send a telegram to Calcutta – before the snow cuts us off here – and demand that Arthur Lamont puts me in touch with Hugh directly. If Malaya is under attack, then surely McSween and Watson will be pulling out their men? He might already be back in Calcutta.’

‘You’re not going anywhere in your condition.’ Tom was firm. ‘I’ll make the journey to Srinagar – I can pick up extra supplies while I’m there. And I’ll put in a call to the Raj and assure your mother that all is well.’

‘Thank you,’ Stella said, curbing her frustration at not going too. Despite her swelling womb and growing tiredness, she hated the enforced idleness but knew that at six months pregnant she would only be a liability to Tom if she went.

For four days Esmie and Stella looked out anxiously for Tom’s return as the snow around the house deepened and the tracks down the mountainside disappeared. Then on a clear crisp December day, they spotted a distant blanket-wrapped man zigzagging between the chalets with a mule laden with supplies. Even though clothed like a native, they recognised Tom’s tall lean figure.

Esmie pulled on her boots, coat and hat and went to meet him. When Stella tried to follow, Esmie was firm. ‘We’re not going to risk you slipping on the icy paths. Stay with Karo and I’ll be back soon.’

It seemed an eternity before they appeared outside the small chalet. While Bijal led the mule away to be unloaded, Tom and Esmie came inside, wafting in cold air and stamping the snow off their boots.

Stella could see immediately from Esmie’s expression that she had momentous news.

‘Tell me!’ she urged. ‘Have you heard back from Calcutta?’

‘No,’ Tom answered, shedding his thick woollen blanket. ‘But this was at the post office waiting to be delivered.’ From his jacket he pulled out an airmail letter. ‘It’s for you – from Singapore.’

Stella stood up so fast she went dizzy. Tom reached out to steady her.

‘Sit down, lassie,’ Esmie urged. ‘Karo, will you bring us tea, please?’

The servant nodded and left the room.

Tom guided her into a comfortable chair and handed her the letter. Stella gulped for breath. The writing on the envelope was Hugh’s. At last! Not waiting for Esmie to fetch a letter opener, she tore it open.

The Lomaxes went to sit by the fire. She pulled out two flimsy pieces of paper with shaking hands. She saw that it was dated before the invasion of Malaya in Hugh’s large expansive writing.

My darling girl,

Your letter was awaiting me on my return to Singapore. I’m furious with Lamont for failing to pass on that you had been trying to contact me by telegram. Useless man! But what a letter!

I can’t pretend I wasn’t shocked by the news – dumbfounded even. I thought I had been careful, but then passion for you must have clouded my senses.

How long ago that seemed now! She read on eagerly.

But what’s happened has happened and we will face the future together.

Stella put a hand to her chest to still her hammering heart; rereading the words with exultation: ‘. . . face the future together.’

She turned over to the next page. The writing was smaller and more closely written.

Now, my darling Stella, I have a confession to make. I feel terrible that you have to hear this in a letter and not in person. If I’d had more time with you in Gulmarg I would have spoken of this sooner – there’s a little fly in the ointment to our being married. You see, although I have long been estranged from her, I have a wife in Ireland. I haven’t lived with her as her husband for years – she refused to live in India and sometimes I even forget she exists. Rest assured I will divorce her as soon as I can – and it does not alter for one moment my desire