The Sapphire Child (The Raj Hotel #2) - Janet MacLeod Trotter Page 0,70

‘Andrew has always known how to take care of himself. I’m sure the Borderers are training him well.’

Chapter 23

Templeton Hall, Ebbsmouth, late February 1940

It was Felicity’s idea to go and see a matinee film in Edinburgh.

‘You’ve been prowling around here like a caged tiger for the past fortnight,’ she accused Andrew, ‘and I’m dying to see Cary Grant in Gunga Din, aren’t you?’

‘Not really,’ said Andrew, stopping to stare out of the drawing room window at the icy landscape that was finally beginning to thaw. His embarkation leave had been extended because of the snowstorms and freezing weather of the previous month, which had brought the country to a standstill. In the Highlands he’d seen post delivered by skiers and milk by sledge.

‘But it’s about the army in India,’ said Felicity, ‘fighting wild tribesmen – just like your ancestors.’ She slipped her arms around his waist and lowered her voice. ‘Besides, it’ll give me a chance to have you to myself – your mamma monopolises you and there’s so little time left . . .’

Andrew looked down at her and smiled. ‘You’re very pretty when you pout at me like that.’ He kissed her on the nose.

‘Good. So does that mean we can go to the pictures in Edinburgh?’

Andrew nodded. ‘I’ll go and tell Mamma not to expect us for lunch.’

Andrew was exhilarated as they drove up the coast towards Edinburgh, the North Sea sparkling and benign under a cobalt-blue sky. It was hard to imagine that danger lurked out there: a deadly game of cat and mouse between shipping and U-boats. Soon, he too would be crossing the sea to join the British Expeditionary Force in France. He was impatient for it – Noel had been there since October with his battalion – and he itched to join him and start doing his bit.

‘Penny for your thoughts?’ Felicity asked.

He glanced round guiltily. ‘Just thinking what a lucky man I am to be taking you out.’

‘Liar.’ She gave a huff of amusement. ‘You were miles away. Probably already in France.’

Andrew flushed. ‘You know me far too well.’

She slipped a hand onto his thigh. ‘Not as well as I’d like.’

He experienced a jolt of excitement. It had surprised him how quickly their friendship had blossomed since the previous New Year. They’d met up every time he’d been on leave. As soon as Felicity had turned seventeen last spring, she’d insisted on leaving school and had been one of the first recruits locally for the Women’s Voluntary Services, helping to look after evacuated children. When she wasn’t doing that, she was working in her father’s stables because his stable hand had been called up by the navy.

She was emotionally mature beyond her years and was outspoken and lively – and was keen to take their relationship further. Andrew, though, was hesitant. He was about to be sent abroad into conflict and there was a chance he might not come back.

Andrew picked up her hand, kissed it and then gently placed it back on her lap. ‘We don’t want this car going off the road,’ he joked.

By the time they got to Edinburgh three-quarters of an hour later, the sky had clouded and a chill wind was blowing down the rows of elegant terraced streets. Andrew parked down a cobbled lane near the main thoroughfare of Princes Street and then walked hand in hand with Felicity.

‘First, lunch at Jenner’s,’ he decreed, ‘to fortify us for Gunga Din.’

Despite the recent introduction at home of rationing of bacon, butter and sugar, restaurants so far were under no such restrictions. Andrew and Felicity tucked into a meal of fish pie and carrots with cheese sauce, followed by sponge pudding and custard, and a large pot of tea.

Afterwards, they made their way towards the New Victoria Cinema. Felicity slipped her arm through Andrew’s in excitement as they stepped into the brightly lit foyer and across its marble floor to the ticket kiosk.

Buying tickets for the stalls, they entered a long curving lounge dotted with pot plants and cane chairs. People were milling about, chattering and laughing. Andrew had a sudden sensation of having been there before, and then it hit him: it reminded him of The Raj Hotel. He stopped and took a deep breath.

Felicity looked at him in concern, pausing in unbuttoning her coat. ‘Are you all right, Andrew?’

He recovered quickly. ‘Yes, of course. I’m just taking it all in.’

‘Fabulous, isn’t it?’ She grinned, pulling him forward.

The auditorium was even grander; it resembled a Greek amphitheatre