The Sapphire Child (The Raj Hotel #2) - Janet MacLeod Trotter Page 0,24
her eyes were brimming with tears.
Feeling guilty at Stella’s unhappiness, Andrew dashed after the Werners to say farewell. The Americans were leaving the ship at Marseille too, but were staying on the French Riviera.
When Andrew and Stella finally got onto the quayside, Andrew looked back to see Moira and Hugh standing close together, watching them go.
‘They’re waving at us,’ he said.
Stella hesitated a moment and then, putting on a broad smile, turned and waved back.
Andrew thought Stella seemed subdued on the train north. She was probably growing nervous at the thought of meeting his mother in two days’ time. He experienced a fresh stab of guilt that she could be missing Hugh – and that he might have spoilt her final days with the young Irishman. Andrew suddenly regretted that he had encouraged Moira to go after Hugh. He shouldn’t have interfered. Stella was so seldom sad and he hated to see her like that now.
By the time they got to Paris, she seemed more her usual self. Andrew was consoled by the thought that once Stella got to Scotland, she would forget all about Hugh Keating.
Chapter 10
Ebbsmouth, Scotland, 1st July 1933
After their long journey, Stella was entranced by the sight of the neat harbour town and the sea beyond, as the train made its way along the estuary.
‘The cottages are made out of pink stone,’ she marvelled. ‘So pretty!’
Andrew was infected by the same nervous excitement. ‘And look at that huge tower on the cliff edge,’ he said. ‘Looks like it’s about to topple into the sea! Do you think that’s The Anchorage?’
‘Where your Auntie Tibby lives?’ Stella asked.
‘Yes, Dad said it was more of a tower house than a real castle.’
As the train slowed to a halt, Stella adjusted her hat and licked her dry lips. She straightened Andrew’s tie – she’d insisted he wore one for meeting his mother – and reached up to smooth down his tufts of dark hair with her fingers.
‘You’ve got a smut on your cheek,’ she said, licking a finger.
Andrew pulled away. ‘Don’t! I’m not five years old.’ He rubbed his face with the sleeve of his jumper.
Stella laughed. ‘Sorry, Andy. I’m just a bit nervous.’
He looked at her with large blue eyes. ‘So am I. Come on, let’s go and get this over with.’
The platform was busy, as the train was full of holidaymakers. Stella peered at the expectant faces, wondering if Lydia would be as she remembered her from her patchy memories of thirteen years ago.
A well-dressed woman in a navy frock and large-brimmed hat was standing at the barrier, peering down the platform. Beside her an older, stouter woman was waving a handkerchief.
‘Is that them?’ Andrew asked. ‘Is that my mother and grandmother?’
‘I think you might be right. I don’t really remember what old Mrs Templeton looks like – but I’m pretty sure that’s your mother. Go on,’ Stella encouraged, ‘give them a wave.’
Andrew did so, and the woman in navy responded by raising a hand and beckoning him to her.
‘You go ahead,’ said Stella, ‘while I see to the luggage in the guard’s van.’
Andrew seemed panicked. ‘Please don’t leave me now, Stella.’
‘Okay,’ Stella agreed, placing an encouraging hand on his back and steering him forward.
As soon as they got to the barrier, Stella recognised Lydia. She was plumper in the face but still beautiful. She had the same large blue eyes as Andrew and wore her blonde hair in neat waves to her chin.
‘Hello, Mother,’ Andrew said, holding out his hand.
Lydia was gaping at her tall son. ‘My little boy – you’re so big – I didn’t expect . . .’ She seemed suddenly overcome and clutched at his hand. Quickly she recovered. ‘My goodness, you’re the image of your father!’ She touched his cheek with a white-gloved hand.
Andrew smiled nervously. ‘He joked that I might be as tall as him by the time I return to India.’
Lydia cried, ‘For goodness’ sake, you’ve just arrived! I’ll not have you talking about going back already.’
‘Sorry.’ Andrew flushed.
Lydia turned her attention to Stella. ‘My, my, you’ve grown into a beauty. Your parents must be very proud to have such a fair daughter. I know how much pale skin means among your people.’
Stella dipped her head, trying to hide her immediate annoyance at Lydia’s patronising words. But this was Andrew’s holiday and she’d do everything to help it go well.
Lydia introduced them to her mother. Minnie Templeton kissed Andrew on the cheek. ‘Call me Granny.’