The Sapphire Child (The Raj Hotel #2) - Janet MacLeod Trotter Page 0,43
she had dismantled Andrew’s adoration of his father. ‘Court-martialled . . . cowardly act . . . should have been shot . . . mental instability . . .’ And then Lydia had confirmed George Gotley’s gossip that Esmie was not properly married to Tom. Andrew’s beloved Meemee – the woman he thought of as his stepmother – had been living a lie.
Stella lay tortured by thoughts of her own part in this. She would have to write to the Lomaxes and warn them of what had happened. Given how word travelled so quickly around British circles in India, it was surprising that they’d been able to keep up the pretence for so long. Was that why they’d chosen to live a more reclusive life in Kashmir rather than in the army town of Rawalpindi?
Tom’s mental well-being must also have been a factor when they opted for a quieter life in Gulmarg – a place that was cut off in winter. She knew that Esmie shielded him from the outside world to some extent. Stella was one of the few people who knew that Tom’s bouts of depression were caused not only by shell shock but also his grief over the deaths of his first wife and baby daughter. It made Stella realise that another reason why Esmie would risk the shame of living outside of marriage with Tom was so that she could nurse him and take care of him during the bad days.
Stella gave up trying to sleep. She switched on the light and fetched her writing case. She began writing a letter to Hugh, but soon gave up. How could she write to him of love and happiness when her feelings were in turmoil? All was now overshadowed by the awful confrontation with Lydia.
Instead, she pulled out a fresh piece of blue airmail paper and began to write to Esmie.
Stella overslept. She’d fallen asleep at dawn and now woke groggy and exhausted. Splashing water on her face and dressing hurriedly she went below. The clock in the kitchen showed it was already mid-morning. Cook had left out some oatcakes and honey for her breakfast and a note saying she had gone shopping. Unable to face more than a nibble of oatcake, she went looking for Andrew. Today, the Langleys were due to return to Durham and she knew he would want to spend his final hours with Noel, no matter what state of mind he was in.
Stella dreaded bumping into Lydia, so began by searching outside in the hope that the boys were playing in the garden. There was no sign of them and she noticed that Lydia’s car was gone. At least she could avoid seeing Andrew’s mother for a little longer. She returned inside and went upstairs to check if Andrew was still in the house. His bedroom door was wide open.
To her surprise, she found Lily stripping the sheets off his bed.
‘Hello, Lily.’
‘Morning, sleepy-head.’ Lily grinned. ‘I couldnae wake you.’
‘Sorry, I slept badly. Has Andrew gone out?’
‘Aye. Gone doon to the Langleys.’
‘I thought he might. I suppose he’ll be away till after lunch?’
Lily scooped up the pile of linen. ‘He’ll naw be back for a while.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘He’s awa’ to stay wi’ Master Noel in Durham. Dinnae ken for how lang.’
Stella’s spirits plunged. ‘Did you see him this morning?’
‘Aye, he was naw his cheery self. Off his food too. Mrs Templeton couldnae get him tae eat and was feart he was sickenin’ for some’at.’
‘Did he ask for me before he went or leave a message?’
Lily shook her head. ‘Naebody was sayin’ much at all. The mistress had a sore heed. It was Master Andrew who asked if he could gang wi’ the Langleys. His mither was straight on the telephone to ask Noel’s granddad. She’s dropping him off there the now.’
Stella felt miserable at the thought of how unhappy Andrew must be after the previous night’s row.
‘Is Mrs Templeton in the house?’
‘Aye, I think she’s in the conservatory.’
Stella returned downstairs and found Minnie dead-heading plants.
Minnie looked up with a worried frown. ‘Ah, Stella, perhaps you can tell me what’s been going on? I hardly got a word out of Andrew this morning and now he’s rushing off to stay with the Langleys. Did you know he was going?’
Stella swallowed. ‘I knew Noel was keen for him to visit Durham but I didn’t know it would be today. I wish I’d been able to say goodbye.’