sat between his parents, unnerved by their silence. His father chain-smoked as the vehicle jostled along the Mall.
He forced himself to ask the question that was preying on his mind. ‘Dad . . . none of it’s true, is it? About the court-martial and having to leave the army under a cloud?’
His father’s expression tightened. ‘Now’s not the time to talk about this,’ he replied.
Andrew’s alarm grew. He longed to hear his father deny the accusations. Why couldn’t he just tell him?
Esmie gave him a reassuring look. ‘Your father is one of the bravest men I know – and he certainly wasn’t forced to leave the army – he chose to go.’
Andrew watched his father, expecting him to confirm her words. But he stared rigidly ahead, gripping the steering wheel, and said nothing. An hour ago, Andrew had been triumphant that he had stood up for him, but now he wondered if his father was regretting it. He seemed very cross with him.
Andrew decided he might gain his approval by talking about the future rather than dwelling on the past.
‘Where do you think I should go to school, Dad?’ he asked. ‘Can I go to Biscoe’s in Srinagar? They do mountaineering and trekking, as well as lots of swimming.’
‘It’s too soon,’ his father muttered. ‘Let’s just see.’
‘If I went there,’ Andrew enthused, ‘I could be a weekly boarder and come home to Gulmarg at weekends. And in the summer term I could lodge with Baroness Cussack on her houseboat so that I don’t miss out on weekend cricket matches.’
‘Andy!’ his father protested. ‘You can’t just expect to walk into whatever school you fancy. They’ll want to know why you’ve left Nicholson’s.’
Andrew’s stomach tightened. ‘They won’t ask Mr Bishop, will they?’
‘Even if they don’t, word travels fast.’ His look softened. ‘Don’t worry about it. Meemee and I will have to discuss it first.’
‘But Biscoe’s might be just the place for you,’ Esmie said with a pat on his arm.
Andrew stiffened at her touch. George’s loathsome words wormed their way back into his thoughts.
As they descended to the plain, Andrew grew sleepy and his head began to nod.
‘Put your head on my lap,’ Esmie offered.
Andrew forced himself to stay awake. ‘I’m fine, thank you.’
He turned away from her puzzled look and stared rigidly ahead.
Chapter 3
The Raj Hotel, Rawalpindi, 1933
By the time the Lomaxes arrived at the hotel – having stopped to eat on the way – it was late and they went hurriedly to bed, assuring the Duboises that everything was fine. Stella was struck by how much Andrew had grown, and he gave her a bashful smile as he made for the stairs.
‘Look. I’m much taller than you now!’ He patted the top of her head the way she used to do to him. His voice was deeper, too.
‘Stop that.’ Stella batted his hand away and laughed. ‘I bet I can still beat you at backgammon.’
‘Bet you can’t.’
Esmie interrupted. ‘Plenty time for challenges tomorrow. Bed now, Andy.’
He didn’t seem to know what to do with his gangling limbs and clumsily knocked into a table, scattering a pile of newspapers. Stella bent to help him pick them up and he ruffled her hair again.
Stella laughed and pushed him off. ‘I’d forgotten how annoying you can be.’
Andrew smiled and thrust his untidy pile of newspapers back on the table. ‘’Night, Stella,’ he said, leaping up the stairs two at a time.
Early the next morning, Stella found Tom smoking in the courtyard and talking to her father. Frisky was snuffling around Tom’s feet.
‘Ah, Stella!’ Tom looked pleased to see her. ‘I’ve just been telling your father our reason for being in Murree. I’m sorry if we caused concern. There’s nothing to worry about. It’s just we’re not happy with the school and have decided to take Andy away from it.’
‘Oh dear,’ said Stella. ‘I’m sorry to hear that. I thought Andy was happy—’
‘Not for us to comment, Sweet Pea,’ her father interrupted.
Tom drew hard on his cigarette and continued. ‘Anyway, there was no point paying to stay in Murree when we were so near Pindi – and we thought we could take you back with us, Stella – save you the cost of the journey next week.’
Stella brightened. ‘Oh, yes please!’ Then she looked quickly at her father. ‘If that’s all right with you, Pa?’
Charlie smiled. ‘Of course it is. Whatever is most convenient and beneficial for Mr and Mrs Lomax will gladden my heart too.’
Tom nodded, his smile tight. ‘Thank you, Charlie.’
Stella bent