The Sapphire Child (The Raj Hotel #2) - Janet MacLeod Trotter Page 0,91

her that made her laugh and cry in equal measure. All too soon, the two hours it took to drive to the ancient town by Dal Lake were over. Hugh had arranged for a car and driver to be at the Srinagar Nedous Hotel to take him back to Rawalpindi, from where he would get the train south and east back to Calcutta.

‘We’ve just over an hour to buy your ring, my sweet girl,’ said Hugh.

Leaving Bijal to meet them at the hotel they continued on foot, crossing one of the many bridges that arched the Jhelum River, and scoured the narrow streets for jewellers. Hugh rejected the first two dark shops as being ‘too native’.

‘It doesn’t have to be grand or expensive,’ she said. ‘Please don’t spend too much on a ring. Anything you give me will be special.’

But Hugh ignored her pleas. ‘I’m not buying you a trinket to hang from your nose,’ he said with a laugh.

Finding a shop he was happy with, he ushered her inside. The owner was welcoming, inviting them to sit down on wooden chairs with gaily embroidered cushions. His offer of tea was waved aside by Hugh.

‘We haven’t time for the niceties,’ he said. ‘Show us what you have in precious stones – diamonds or maybe a ruby. And be quick about it.’

The Kashmiri made a great show of laying out a dark-green velvet cloth on a low table in front of them and then placing rings on it like delicate flowers. Stella was entranced, gasping at the jewels in their gold settings.

The jeweller gave her an encouraging nod. ‘Please, memsahib, you can try them on.’

‘Come on, let me help you find the right size,’ Hugh said.

He picked up one with a large diamond and slipped it onto her finger.

‘It feels too big,’ said Stella. She also thought it would be impractical and would catch on things when she was working, but didn’t think Hugh would want to be told that.

‘What about this emerald?’ Hugh picked up another one. ‘To match your beautiful eyes.’

It fitted, but Stella thought it too showy in its circle of diamonds. She took it off and picked up a more modest ring: a simple sapphire set in a crown of tiny gold claws. It fitted well. The Kashmiri nodded with approval.

‘I love this one, Hugh,’ she said with enthusiasm. ‘What do you think?’

Hugh looked a little disappointed. ‘If that’s the one you want.’

‘Oh, yes, please.’ She gave a bashful smile. ‘The dark blue will be a constant reminder of your handsome eyes.’

Hugh laughed. ‘Then it shall be yours.’

He began a robust haggling with the shopkeeper. Stella sat with stomach knotted in case Hugh would refuse to pay a sum that the dignified but stubborn Kashmiri would accept. To her relief, they both settled on a price. Hugh drew a wad of cash from his wallet and counted it out.

When the seller offered to wrap the ring, Stella said, ‘I’d like to wear it.’

He handed her a box to keep it in.

They walked out of the shop arm in arm into the sunshine. It was already hot and motes of dust rose from the dry unpaved streets. The rank smell of effluent and rotting vegetation from the river was growing stronger and people were calling to each other from wooden balconies that jutted precariously over the water.

‘Smells worse than a pigsty in Ireland,’ Hugh joked. He hailed a tonga to drive them to Nedous.

Stella snuggled close to Hugh. The moment of parting was almost upon them.

Bijal was waiting with the van outside the hotel. ‘Keating Sahib, I’ve taken your luggage inside for safekeeping.’

‘Thank you,’ Hugh said distractedly and turned to Stella. He took her hands in his and said, ‘Let’s not make this worse for ourselves. A swift goodbye is best.’

Stella’s throat watered; she swallowed hard and nodded in agreement.

‘I’m going to miss you every minute of every day,’ she said huskily, smiling through her tears.

He kissed her hard on the mouth. ‘Take care of yourself, my green-eyed girl.’ He gave her one of his heart-melting smiles.

‘And you too,’ she croaked. ‘Write to me from Singapore and let me know you’re safe, won’t you?’

‘Of course.’ He kissed her one more time and then let go of her hands. ‘Off you go back to Gulmarg,’ he ordered. ‘I want to see you leave so I know you’re not here on your own.’

He led her round to the passenger side of the van, helped her in and closed the door.