The Sapphire Child (The Raj Hotel #2) - Janet MacLeod Trotter Page 0,110

onto the front steps and waved across.

‘Telephone call, Stella-Mem’! Sahib on the line!’

Stella jumped. Could it be Hugh? Had he made it back safely to India? Perhaps he had been trying to get in touch with her all this time . . . Dropping her sewing, she raced inside.

She grabbed at the receiver on the office desk.

‘Hello! Hugh, is that you?’

There was a pause at the other end and then a man’s deep voice answered. ‘No, sorry. It’s Andrew. Is that you, Stella?’

Stella’s first reaction was huge disappointment. Even after all that had happened, for a few dizzying moments she had dared to hope that it was Hugh trying to reach her.

She swallowed hard. ‘Yes, it’s me. Andrew . . . goodness! How are you?’

‘I’m well, thanks. How are you?’

‘Fine,’ she lied. ‘You sound so different. It’s like hearing your father. I mean, you have a man’s voice.’

She heard him give a huff of amusement. ‘Well, I suppose that’s what I am.’

She cringed. ‘Of course you are. What a stupid thing to say! I’m just caught by surprise at your call. But it’s lovely . . .’

‘I didn’t think you’d be up at Gulmarg this early in the year – or at all – now you’re engaged. Sorry if you were expecting it to be Hugh. How is he?’

Stella gripped the receiver. ‘I . . . I’m not sure. He’s been in Singapore – I don’t know if he’s safe – I’ve had no news . . .’

‘Oh, Stella! How awful for you! I’m so sorry.’

‘Don’t worry,’ she said hastily. ‘Knowing Hugh, he’ll have escaped any trouble. Might even be back in Calcutta by now. It’s just we’ve been cut off up here. But tell me about yourself. Where are you?’

‘Still in Delhi – we’ve been training here since January, but—’ The line crackled and Stella missed some of his words. ‘. . . up to Taha so I’m hoping to get a night or so in Pindi.’

‘Oh, Andy, that would be wonderful. Your dad and Esmie are longing to see you.’

‘Is Dad there?’ he asked.

‘No, sorry, he’s out with Esmie.’ Just in time, Stella stopped herself mentioning the baby. ‘He’ll be so disappointed that he’s missed your call. Can you ring back later?’

The line crackled again and she missed his reply. She strained to hear. ‘What did you say?’

‘. . . give my love—’

Abruptly, the line went dead.

Shaking, Stella sat down. She felt suddenly winded. It had been so long since she’d heard Andrew’s voice and yet, although older, he sounded just as friendly and affectionate as ever. She blushed to think of her flustered greeting about him having a man’s voice. What must he think of her? And to mistake him for Hugh . . .

Unable to settle to her sewing again, Stella went in search of the Lomaxes. Spotting them meandering back across the golf course, she ran to meet them, gabbling breathlessly about Andrew’s telephone call.

They started talking at the same time.

‘How is he?’

‘What did he say?’

‘Is he coming here?’

‘When will we see him?’

Stella berated herself for not having asked more questions; she’d hardly learnt anything about how he was or what it was like being back in India.

‘It was difficult to hear,’ she admitted, ‘but he said something about Taha and hoping to pass through Pindi. I’m sorry, I can’t really tell you any more than that. We got cut off.’ Seeing the disappointment on their faces, she quickly added, ‘But he sent his love.’

‘I wish I’d been there to speak to him,’ Tom said in frustration.

‘Oh, Tom,’ Esmie said, kissing his cheek. ‘It sounds like he’s on his way north. I’m sure we’ll see him very soon.’ She looked at Stella and her expression clouded. ‘Did you tell him about Belle?’

Stella stammered. ‘No. Perhaps I should have?’

Tom shook his head. ‘It’s not something he should be told about over a crackling line to Delhi.’

They returned to the hotel, the Lomaxes talking excitedly about the thought of seeing Andrew soon. Stella’s spirits lifted too. The conversation had warmed her heart, and yet it had been too frustratingly brief. How good it would be to talk to Andrew properly and to see him again.

At the end of March, a telegram arrived from Calcutta. Stella felt faint with anxiety as she opened it.

Report good news – STOP – Keating safe in South Africa – STOP – will remain there while India uncertain – STOP – Arthur Lamont

Tom was scathing. ‘Typical of the man to have got out