Betrayal (8 page)

'Not even a thank you?' he queried, plucking a cordless phone out of his coat pocket. 'I might be quite hurt by that, if it weren't for the fact that you're obviously in a state of shock.'

'Why you?' she asked in confusion. 'Why is it always you?' 'Always? We scarcely know each other! Steve, bring the car round and take her to the hospital. They're expecting her. Ask for Dr Cooper and get him to have a gynaecologist come over too. There's a chance she might be losing our friend Toby's claim to immortality!' 'Who's Steve?' murmured Lisa, terrified it might be another friend of Toby's.

'A nice lad. He'll be very kind to you. He'll probably hold your hand if you ask him. I'd come myself but I want to talk to lover boy here. Walker, let Steve in when he arrives.'

The dull ache in Lisa's stomach was beginning to turn into a sharper, more ominous pain and she tried to wrap her arms round her abdomen until the injury brought her up short and she cried out again.

'Shoulder?' asked Bishop casually. 'Don't worry, they'll soon fix that up.'

'No, it's… '

'The baby? Probably for the best, don't you think? Shouldn't imagine you want a permanent reminder of this marriage. I'm sure there'll be other children, unless you're irreparably damaged of course!' And he gave her a smile that was more frightening than any of Toby's blows.

'You bastard!' she cried. 'You're enjoying all this, aren't you?' 'Not at all, but I admit it's diverting. Ah, here comes the cavalry!' Steve was tall, well built and extremely kind. He carried her out of the flat, laid her carefully on the back seat of the car, then got in beside her, letting her head rest on his knees while another man, silent and totally lacking in curiosity, drove them through the streets of Battersea and into London.

Now and again, Lisa couldn't help crying out. Her arm was on fire with pain and her stomach felt as though there were hot pokers sticking into it. Steve stroked her forehead as he murmured encouragement, and she would be forever grateful to him for helping her keep her self-control.

Once at the hospital things happened with lightning speed. A young, fresh-faced doctor, after one look at her, took out a needle. She tried to push him away, terrified of losing consciousness and probably the baby as well, but he gently held her down on the trolley and the last thing she heard was his voice telling her that she was going to be all right. She didn't believe him.

Chapter Six

For a few days it seemed that Lisa was right and the doctor wrong. But then, as she continued resting in the luxurious, deeply-carpeted private room with its pale lilac walls and snow-white curtains and bedspread, the bleeding stopped and finally the gynaecologist professed himself satisfied that the baby was safe and well.

'How can you be sure it isn't hurt?' asked Lisa anxiously. 'What if it's got brain damage?'

'Babies are well protected,' he assured her. 'Besides, we've done a scan. The baby's fine and so are you.'

'When can I go home?' she asked, and then wondered where home was.

'I'm afraid there's no question of you going anywhere at all until after the baby's born. You've been through a traumatic experience and need rest and quiet. As I understand it, you're homeless at the moment. Where could you possibly go that would offer you more peace than here?' He smiled his very expensive smile.

'Well, it's true that I… '

'Precisely! Now I must be on my way. I'll look in tomorrow if not before. Dr Cooper tells me the arm's coming along nicely too.'

'Mr Heywood, who's paying for me to stay here?'

'I understood it was a family friend. I'm afraid I don't… ' He was obviously embarrassed.

'I'll speak to one of the nurses,' she said quickly.

'Just relax, Mrs Walker. Money is fortunately not one of your problems at the moment, but tranquility is. Stop worrying and rest. The baby needs all the rest you can give it for these final few weeks.' Of course he was right, but since she never had a visitor and up to now hadn't been allowed a television in the room in case she became overstimulated, her mind had nothing better to do than worry away at the problem.

It wouldn't be Toby. He didn't have that kind of money. His own private treatment was paid for by the television company; and it certainly wasn't Stephanie, who hadn't so much as sent her a get well card. Who else was there? she wondered.

It bothered her, and at night she stayed awake worrying despite the mild sleeping pill they allowed her. After three sleepless nights, Dr Cooper came to see her. 'Sleeping badly I understand, Mrs Walker. Why's that? Pain from the arm?'

'No.'

'Worrying about the baby?' 'No, I… '

'Afraid we might let your husband in to see you? We won't, you know, not under any circumstances, although he does ring up each morning.’

'Big deal! No, I… '

'How about a psychiatrist to teach you to relax and forget all the trauma of the past months. Would you like that?'

'Not particularly. How much does a psychiatrist cost?' 'Cost?' He looked as horrified as if she'd sworn at him.

'Yes. I don't understand how I can afford to stay here. That's what's keeping me awake at nights. I don't need a psychiatrist, he'll only add to the worry! Why won't anyone tell me who's paying for all this? '

'You should have asked me before. It's your godfather.' 'My what?' She couldn't believe her ears.

'Godfather. I must say you're a lucky girl to have… However, he's naturally anxious that you get the best treatment and… '

'I don't have a godfather.' 'Everyone has a godfather!'

'Not if they haven't been christened.' 'You weren't christened?'

'Yes, of course I was. I was simply pointing out that not everyone does have a godfather.'

He gave a polite laugh. 'I see. Well, that's your worry solved. I'll prescribe a little sedative for tonight I think.'

'Look, my godfather died in a road accident when I was twelve.' 'Just to make sure you sleep properly,' he continued firmly, his face flushed.

'Who the hell is paying for all this?' shouted Lisa angrily, and before she knew what was happening, one of the nurses was holding her gently down and the doctor was injecting her. She was still asking the same question when she fell asleep.

It was three hours before she awoke, her mouth feeling thick and dry. She tried to sit up to reach her water jug but her arm stabbed a reminder of its injury and she gave an exclamation of pain. It was only then that the man waiting in the corner approached the bed. 'Did you want something?' he asked gently, his voice deep and calm. She recognised him from a long time back, but couldn't place when or put a name to him.

'A drink, please. They put me out and I'm very thirsty.'

He poured her some squash, holding the glass while she drank through a straw because her mouth still hurt from one of Toby's blows and a straw made it easier.

'You don't remember me, I assume?' said the man after a short but not awkward silence.

'Yes, you came to see Simon once. It was a long time ago.'

'Quite a long time, and a lot of water's flowed under the bridge since then, not all of it crystal clear either!'

She remembered Roger and her eyes shadowed. Immediately he wished the words unsaid. 'You were the man in the library,' she murmured. 'Your wife had just given you a third daughter and you weren't pleased.'

He raised his eyebrows. 'I wasn't? That must have been Rebekah. She's a quiet little thing, no trouble at all.' 'Still no sons?'

'I'm afraid not. I was sorry about your father.'

Lisa settled herself against the pillows. She didn't feel in the least tense in this man's company. There was something solid and comforting about him. His presence was strangely reassuring considering they scarcely knew each other. 'I didn't appreciate him when he was alive, but he was a good man.'

'I'm sure he was.'

'The police don't seem to think so.'

He chuckled. 'There's good and there's "good". The police have different interpretations of such matters. Do you remember my name?'

'I'm sorry, it seems to have vanished from my mind.' 'Neal Gueras.'

'Of course! You used to ring Simon up now and again. He often spoke about you.'

'Then you'll understand why I felt compelled to make sure you were properly looked after.'

Lisa looked thoughtfully at him. 'You mean you’re paying for all this?'

'Yes.'

'How did you know that I was hurt?'

'It made some of our more sensational papers.'

'Not the instant it happened! I was brought straight here. I remember Bishop saying I was to be taken to a private hospital at once. Do you know Bishop?' she added, apparently casually.

‘Certainly. Once he realised who you were he very sensibly took it upon himself to ensure you had the best treatment available.'

'Why was he there that night?' 'Business with your husband, I think.' ‘That was lucky!'

'Quite. Presumably you'll want a divorce as quickly and quietly as possible?'

'Yes, but… '

'I'll get my solicitors on to it. You mustn't feel that this is done only because of Simon. I always understood that there was a provision for you in his will, a fund of some sort. Since this hasn't come to light I feel it's only right I should make some money available to you in compensation.'

'You didn't run off with the money, if there ever was any, that is?' 'I called in a debt. It's possible that he liquidised the money he'd invested for you in order to pay it off.’

'If he owed you money it was yours by right.'

'I want to help you,' he said quietly. 'I'd like to take care of you.' She looked into his eyes and knew what he meant. 'I'm sorry but very soon baby will make two. I don't think you'll want to take care of us both!'

'You underestimate me. I shall make sure you both have a suitable little house ready and waiting when you leave here. After that, we'll just have to wait and see.'

'A house?' She was stunned, and felt tears in her eyes.

He touched her lightly on the cheek. 'You're overwrought at the moment. It won't be a mansion, and neither will it leave me penniless! Now I really must be going. Business calls, I'm afraid, but once I heard you were worrying about money I knew I had to set your mind at rest.'

'Will you come and see me again?' 'Would you like me to?'

She sensed it was an important question and hesitated. 'Of course,' she said at last. 'I never see anyone at the moment.'

'And even I'm better than no one?'

She smiled. 'That wasn't what I meant. I'm very grateful to you and feel better already.'

'Then I'll certainly come again. Just take care of yourself, and don't worry about anything, will you promise me that?' She nodded, and with a final smile he departed, leaving behind the same scent of expensive cologne that she'd noticed in the library so long ago.

Tranquilised, isolated and safe in her small room, she didn't question his motives as she would normally have done, and didn't think about any long-term relationship with him. All she did was look forward to his visits and nurture the baby she was longing to hold in her arms. Someone of her own at last.

On Friday 13th March, the baby was born. Lisa's labour was long and difficult but her daughter was beautiful and weighed a healthy 8lbs. She had a mass of dark hair, very smooth skin and an unusually mature look in her eyes. Lisa named her Jessica, and had never been so happy in her entire life. She remained happy for at least three hours, until it was time for Jessica’s first feed.

The trouble was that Jessica didn't seem to understand what breasts were for. She simply lay in Lisa's arms, staring upwards and totally ignoring the nipples. Even when Lisa managed to insert one into the baby's mouth it was allowed to slip out again, and the problem was intensified by her broken arm which severely restricted her movements.

After a time one of the nurses came to see how Lisa was progressing. She found her tearfully imploring her daughter to try harder, and had to suppress a smile as she hurried to reassure this already over-anxious young woman.

'It doesn't matter if she's not hungry,' she smiled. 'I expect she's rather sleepy. Your milk will be through better tomorrow. She'll soon be as greedy as anyone could wish, just you wait and see.'

'I thought they suckled instinctively! She doesn't seem to understand what's going on.'

'We'll give her some glucose mixture from a bottle this time. It's done more these days for the first feed. The important thing is that you rest tonight. Tense mothers have tense babies, you know. They're very quick to sense if you're worrying, and it makes them anxious.'

'But I wasn't worrying, I was happy!'

'Come along, Jessica,' said the nurse briskly. 'How about some nice glucose while Mummy has a rest?'

'I want her sleeping here with me,' said Lisa quickly, 'not left in the nursery.'

'Are you sure? It's surprising how every little snuffle sounds like a train going by when you're first left with them!'

'I'm quite sure.'

'Then I'll bring her back when she's had the glucose. What a lucky girl you are, Jessica. Most of our mothers are very happy to get a few nights' peace and quiet.'

'I want her to know she's loved,' whispered Lisa. The nurse smiled, privately considering Lisa highly eccentric but trained to keep her thoughts to herself. When she returned, Lisa looked at her anxiously. 'Did she drink the glucose all right?'

'Like a lamb. She'll be fine tomorrow just as I said.'

It was true that her daughter's small sucking sounds and mewing noises kept Lisa awake, but she didn't care. At last she'd got what she wanted, and in any case she was too strung up to sleep. At six in the morning she put the baby confidently to her breast, but once again Jessica lay still and placid, showing no interest in the nipple.

'Come on, sweetheart!' urged Lisa. 'Don't be difficult, they’ll think it's my fault. Have a drink for Mummy.'

After ten minutes she rang for a nurse. It was a new one who was quite used to first-time mothers having feeding problems. She swiftly moved Jessica around until, with her head tilted at what even the nurse acknowledged to be a strange angle, she finally began to suck. She sucked strongly and well, but after four minutes when she was moved to the other breast she reverted to placid indifference and not even the nurse could find a position where Jessica was willing to continue feeding.

'Obstinate!' she laughed. 'Don't worry, she must have had enough or she wouldn't stop. Remember to start on that breast next time.'

Lisa put her daughter back in the cot and looked carefully at her. It was true that she was beautiful, far more so than most wrinkled newborn babies, but for some reason she felt uneasy. Whilst she was experiencing the most incredible love for her child, she had the peculiar sensation that her love wasn't going to be returned.

That evening, Neal came to visit. She'd just finished feeding Jessica—on one side only again—and the baby was lying peacefully next to the bed. 'She's lovely,' he said appreciatively, glancing down at the child. 'Far more beautiful than any of mine were at that age. You look beautiful as well,' he added softly. 'Motherhood suits you.'

She was so pleased to have someone to talk to that she scarcely noticed the compliment, although the enormous bouquet of roses that he handed to her was impossible to overlook and she rang for a nurse to arrange the flowers straight away.

'Do you really think she's all right?' she asked anxiously. 'Of course. Don't you? '

'I suppose she looks fine, but somehow she doesn't seem to… I don't know, respond I suppose you'd call it.'

He laughed, but kindly. 'What do you want? A conversation with her?'

'No! But I'd imagined that when you picked a baby up and cuddled it, you sensed that it felt happy and secure. When I pick Jessica up she just lies there like a doll. And she’s incredibly difficult to feed.'

'Let her have a bottle. That way you'll keep your figure better.' 'I'm not bothered about my figure!'

Neal was, but decided he couldn't really say so. Instead, he sat close to Lisa and took some papers out of his briefcase. 'I've had my solicitors working on your divorce. It will all be settled very discreetly. He won't deny either physical or mental cruelty, and he won't ask for any access to his daughter, although he's willing to pay a token amount of alimony if you want it.'

'I don't want it, but I might need it.'

'I think it's better to cut him right out of your life. If he pays maintenance and then at some future date decides he does want to visit Jessica, a judge might well feel he was entitled to do so.'