The Sapphire Child (The Raj Hotel #2) - Janet MacLeod Trotter Page 0,44
Lydia was very keen for him to join Noel. I suppose there’ll be more for them to do together in Durham than here – other boys to play with . . .’ She gave a distracted look. ‘Did anything happen last night while I was out? Lydia was a bit tearful this morning.’
Perhaps Lydia was feeling contrite, Stella wondered. How much should she tell Minnie of the terrible scene in the drawing room?
‘Things were said in the heat of the moment,’ Stella began, ‘about Mr Lomax . . . and about Esmie. Andrew got a bit upset.’
‘Oh dear.’ Minnie sighed. ‘I could see from the decanter that there’d been a lot of sherry drunk.’
Just then, a car appeared on the driveway. It was Lydia returning.
‘Oh, well, she’s back now and can tell me herself.’ Minnie put down her secateurs.
Slow minutes went by. A car door slammed and the front door opened. Lydia’s heels tapped noisily across the tiled hall floor. ‘Mummy?’ she called.
‘In here, dearest!’ Minnie called.
Lydia came in and stopped short at the sight of Stella. She looked at her coldly, then, ignoring her, spoke to her mother. ‘The Langleys have left. They send you their best wishes.’
‘That’s kind,’ said Minnie. ‘And how was Andrew?’
‘Absolutely fine. He was excited to be going to Durham. The change will do him a power of good.’
‘Yes.’ Minnie eyed her. ‘I hear he was upset last night.’
Lydia looked suspiciously at Stella. ‘What have you been saying to my mother?’
‘Don’t be hard on Stella,’ Minnie chided. ‘She’s said very little. She was just worried about Andrew—’
‘Well, there’s no need,’ Lydia said, putting on a smile. ‘I’m glad you’re here, Stella. I was wanting to have a quiet word. Come with me.’
Stella glanced anxiously at Minnie.
‘Lydia,’ Minnie said, baffled. ‘What is this all about?’
‘I’ll tell you later, Mummy.’
Stella followed Lydia out of the conservatory, through the hall and into the drawing room. As soon as they were out of earshot of Minnie, Lydia’s pretence at friendliness evaporated.
She rounded on Stella. ‘It’s your fault that Andrew’s gone away. To think how I’ve taken you into my home and treated you more like family than staff, but what thanks do I get? None! I get betrayal. Well, I’ve had enough of your interference. You’ve tried to set my son against me in favour of Esmie but it hasn’t worked. He’s ashamed of her now he knows the truth. He doesn’t even want to talk about her – or Tom.’
Stella dug her fingernails in her palms to try and stay calm. ‘I think it was Mr Lomax being called a coward that really upset—’
‘Shut up! I’m not asking for your opinion,’ Lydia hissed. ‘I think it’s best that you leave Templeton Hall. There’s nothing for you to do here while Andrew’s away and I don’t want you around when he’s not. You can go and stay with Tibby or I’ll pay for you to lodge in the town – but I don’t want you under my roof, not after the hurtful things you’ve said about me. You’ve made Andrew very upset and I’ll never forgive you for that.’
Stella flushed with anger. How dare she accuse her of upsetting Andrew! Her eyes stung with tears but she refused to cry in front of the hateful woman.
‘I’ll ring Tibby now and see if she’ll have you.’ Lydia said with an icy look. ‘Go and pack your case.’
Within the hour, Stella had packed, said hasty goodbyes to a dismayed Lily and a baffled Minnie and had been driven round to The Anchorage by Lydia.
Andrew’s mother dropped her at the gate. Gripping the steering wheel, Lydia said in a voice full of loathing, ‘You’ve been such a disappointment to me, Stella. I remember you as an amenable girl who was eager to please, but you’ve turned into someone who thinks they’re above their station. I blame Tom and Esmie for encouraging a half-half like you to think you could be the equal of my son. You’re not to contact him. If I had my way, you’d never see him again.’
Stella opened the back door and quickly climbed out, unable to bear any more.
‘And don’t try and come round to see my mother as she won’t be there,’ Lydia added. ‘I’m going to take her away for a holiday while Andrew’s gone. Is that clear?’
Stella ignored the question. ‘Thank you for the lift, Mrs Lomax.’ Heaving out her suitcase, she shut the car door firmly and walked away.