Eve of the Isle (34 page)

‘Don't you like it?'

‘I just ain't never had it before, Charlie.'

‘It is a special occasion. Happy birthday, Eve.'

‘I feel like a queen,' she laughed.

Charlie put down his glass and, feeling mellow and less nervous, he said, ‘I had a dream once, a few months ago. It was a bit muddled, but you was in it.'

‘You never said.'

‘I didn't think of it till now. There was this queen at the Tower of London. She was the Queen of Hearts and she looked like you.' He watched her look away. Why had he told her that? He was thinking what a fool he was, when she said quietly, ‘I had a dream too. But not like a real dream. It was that night . . . that night at Shadwell.'

He waited as she seemed to search for words. ‘I don't know if it was a dream. But I saw you, Charlie. You was on the foreshore . . . and I was there too. Only you was bending over me. I wanted to tap you on the shoulder and tell you I was all right.' She looked at him. ‘Only I wasn't, was I?'

Charlie shivered. That dream he'd had was about drowning and it was only a few hours later that Eve had almost drowned. Now she was telling him that she too had had a similar experience. But did people dream
when they were actually drowning? He remembered that moment under water, when he'd felt her hands bound and her small body limp and floating, he'd thought that he was too late. It was the most harrowing experience of his life. Now when he gazed at her, all he wanted to do was protect her and yet he didn't know if there was room for him in her life.

He took her hand. ‘Do you believe that dreams can tell us something or even predict the future?'

Eve frowned. ‘I don't know.'

Charlie smiled. ‘Well, it ended up with us here tonight.'

‘Yes, and it's wonderful.'

When the band began to play again and scantily clad dancers filed on to the floor, everyone began clapping which meant that Charlie had to let go of her hand. He forced his attention on the show, but he wished that tender moment could have gone on for much longer.

Tonight Eve had lost all her fears about going into a place like the Diamond Club. Since she had only ever sold flowers outside them, she had been in trepidation when Charlie surprised her yesterday with the tickets. She'd had no idea what she could wear, she only had her green jacket. But all those concerns had been put aside as Peg and Joan had encouraged her to go up to Aldgate to look in the shops. But the new fashions had been far too expensive, and anyway the current rage
was the cape effect with knee-length skirts, dropped waist and flutes and frills that Eve thought didn't suit her small stature. She hadn't wasted any time in returning to Cox Street market on the island where she had found just the thing she was looking for. A simple evening frock with a long matching scarf that was transparent enough to see her dress underneath. Although one of the dainty straps was broken, the loose golden bodice was easy to repair. Even Samuel and Albert had commented on how good it looked. Peg and Joan had agreed.

Now, on the small floor in Charlie's arms, she could hardly believe she was dancing. It was a slow dance and amongst the other couples, it didn't seem to matter about the steps. Charlie was a marvellous partner, guiding her gently around and holding her tightly. The Charleston that they had just finished had been fun. It had left them breathless, and the wine had helped melt away her worries about dancing. Everyone at the club was having a good time, flinging their arms and legs about, enjoying the music and the wonderful band.

Charlie put his mouth close to her ear. ‘Are you having a good time?'

‘Wonderful.' She had never enjoyed herself so much. Never been to a place like this. The chrome and glass furnishings, the glassy black lacquered wood and the silver and gold wallpaper under the geometrical shaped lights were like those she had only seen when she and Raj had gone to the films.

At the fleeting memory of Raj, she felt guilty about being here, as Charlie's arms held her against his chest. She wondered what Raj would think of his wife with another man. She hoped he'd be happy for her. They had had so little time together to find happiness.

If it was love she had felt for Raj, what did she feel for Charlie? He had seen her as the Queen of Hearts. And she had watched him as he'd tried to revive her. They had been close in another world. It was a connection she felt with him. But Raj had been her dear husband, the boys' father. Eve gave a little sigh. Her life had changed, and if her life had changed, could her feelings also change?'

‘Eve?'

She lifted her face as Charlie spoke.

‘I'd like to think we could . . . well, we could think of ourselves, as not only good friends, but—'

Charlie stopped and Eve saw a sudden wariness in his eyes. She followed their direction. A figure was beside them. She looked up into a startlingly handsome face, with dark eyes that were keenly assessing her. The young man's blond hair was thick and well styled and the woman he was dancing with was young, slim and dressed in one of the fashions Eve had seen in the shop windows; a sleek silver dress with a fluted cape that shone under the lights. Around her short dark hair she wore a band of silver. Her dangling earrings were shining like little stars.

‘So this is where you get to, you rogue!'

Charlie glanced quickly at Eve. ‘Eve, this is my friend Robbie Lawrence.'

Eve smiled.

‘I'm very, very pleased to meet you.' He took her hand and lifted it slowly to his lips at the same time looking into her eyes. She felt embarrassed.

She quickly withdrew her hand, but the man still continued to gaze at her.

‘I can understand now why you ditched Bunty for this young beauty.'

Eve glanced at Charlie. Who was Bunty?

‘Robbie, come along.' The pretty girl was turning away, pulling at his sleeve.

‘Hold on Ven, this is quite an occasion. Charlie, please introduce me.'

Eve sensed that Charlie didn't want to say who she was. Was he embarrassed to be seen with her?

‘This is Eve,' he said abruptly.

‘Eve . . . Eve . . . ah, the temptress from the Garden of Eden. How fascinating.'

‘Don't keep Venetia waiting,' Charlie said nodding to the girl who now had her hands on her slim hips.

‘Won't you join us?' Robbie replied with a smooth smile. ‘Johnny and his girl are over there. Let's make an evening of it, shall we, Charlie old man?'

Eve was startled when Charlie immediately refused. ‘No, we're just going.'

‘Are you? Yet you looked as though you were enjoying yourselves.' The tall blond man once again gazed into
her eyes. For some reason Eve found herself not liking his attention and turned away.

‘Perhaps another time?' he murmured.

Charlie took Eve's arm and saying an abrupt goodnight to the couple, he led her off the floor. The music had returned to the ever popular jazz and as they arrived at their table, Eve saw that the pair they had just been talking to were now with another man and woman. She noted that Charlie had also seen them and without saying more, he handed Eve her bag and took her out. Returning his ticket to the attendant, he helped her with her scarf and after collecting his coat, they walked out into the cool night air.

It was only when they were in the van that Charlie apologized for their abrupt departure. ‘I'm sorry we had to leave early.'

‘Had to? I thought Robbie was a friend.'

‘He is,' he replied, not taking his eyes from the road. ‘But I'm afraid the crowd he's mixing with aren't a sound influence.'

‘They just looked as though they were having a good time.'

After a long pause he said, ‘Yes, probably. Now, it's just half past eleven. Will Peg be expecting you back?'

Aware of his reluctance to discuss it, Eve merely shrugged. ‘Peg told me not worry about time. The boys will be fast asleep and now Joan is on the mend, they'll probably spend the evening playing cards.'

‘In that case, if there's no hurry . . .' He took his eyes
briefly from the road. ‘What do you say to a late night coffee? Somewhere along the Embankment.'

‘I'd like that.' Eve stared out at the glittering evening and the lights of the city as they flashed past. Although she hadn't wanted to leave the club, she realized that Charlie must have had his reasons for doing so. And she hadn't liked Robbie Lawrence very much anyway. His gaze had been very forward, like the men she sold flowers to outside their clubs, when they tried to flirt and if possible engage further services. But she was curious about this Bunty. If she had been anything like Robbie's companion, she would be beautiful and sophisticated. So why had Charlie chosen her instead?

The October night was fine, if chilly, as they strolled down the Embankment. The lights from the city reflected in the water, dazzling Eve as she gazed down into the rippling Thames. Blackfriars Bridge seemed to twinkle against the sky as did Westminster Bridge. The Houses of Parliament and Big Ben towered above the streets, a glorious spectacle of light. The avenues of trees were also silhouetted against the darkness and the smell of coffee lingered enticingly in the air. The late night coffee stand was a blaze of light as Charlie took off his coat and slipped it round her shoulders.

‘Can I get you something to eat?'

Eve smiled. ‘Just coffee, thanks.'

When the drinks were poured they sat on a bench close by. Eve wondered if Charlie was going to refer
to Robbie and the other man called Johnny. But instead he loosened the bow tie at his neck, finally removing it altogether. Eve thought how handsome he had looked this evening, his tall, lean frame and thick, dark head of hair quite distinctive from the other men, many of whom looked well off. Robbie had been very handsome too, but in a way that said that he knew he was good looking. Charlie had an understated quality about him. Eve remembered how her mother had said that the eyes were the mirror of the soul. And Charlie had very soulful eyes.

‘It's a pity we had to bump into Robbie tonight,' Charlie said suddenly as he sipped his coffee. ‘I apologize if he seemed a bit forward. He'd had a few drinks and by the looks of it was going on for more.'

Eve shrugged. ‘It didn't matter to me. But who is Johnny? Is that the person you said wasn't sound company.'

He nodded. ‘As a matter of fact, yes. Johnny Puxley is another policeman.'

‘Don't you like him?'

‘Let's just say we don't see eye to eye.'

‘Oh, I thought it might be that he was with Bunty.'

‘Bunty?' He frowned at her.

‘The girl Robbie said you threw over for me.' Eve blushed. She knew she was being inquisitive.

Charlie laughed. ‘Believe me when I say I've never met her. It was a foursome arranged by Robbie that I
never turned up for. It was on the night that you went missing.'

‘Then it was me who spoiled Robbie's plans and disappointed your young lady.'

‘I told you, I've never met her.'

Eve looked up at the night sky, studded with twinkling stars. She was thinking how pleased she felt that Charlie didn't have a girlfriend. But did it matter that much to her? It was nothing to do with her what Charlie did with his friends, although Robbie really didn't seem like Charlie's type at all – or Bunty. She wondered if that was jealousy on her part? If so, it was silly, as at this very moment Charlie was sitting beside her, with his coat around her shoulders and the city buzz all around them on a breathtaking autumn night. ‘Thank you so much for my birthday present,' Eve said softly. ‘I'll never forget it.' She giggled. ‘Wait till I tell everyone tomorrow that I had a cocktail and wine and salmon in a sauce with those delicious afters. The boys will make me tell it over again and Peg and Joan will ask questions all day.' She paused, glancing at him uncertainly. ‘Would you like to come round tomorrow? We're having a small party for friends and neighbours.'

‘I'd like that. But I've a match tomorrow. I'll try to come afterwards.'

‘That would be nice.'

His gaze didn't quite meet hers. ‘We're playing at the King Edward Park in Shadwell of all places.'

Eve felt cold as he said it.

‘I would have asked the boys to come along if it had been anywhere else.' He paused. ‘And whilst we're on the subject, I went to the PLA to find out when the
Tarkay
is next in. According to their records it will be just after Christmas.'

‘Oh.' She smiled up at him. ‘Charlie, that's a long way off and I don't—'

‘Eve,' Charlie interrupted gently, ‘once there was no doubt in your mind that you wanted to discover what happened to Raj. It was because of your strong desire to know the truth that you tried to find Singh. Of course, your experience at Shadwell must have terrified you, but without resolving the question of what happened to Raj and setting his memory to rest, can there be a future for us?'

Eve sat up straight. ‘A future for us?'

‘I would like there to be one.'

She tried to free her hand, but he held on. ‘Eve I am beginning to feel I am fighting a losing battle. I can't compete with a memory as great as Raj's. What's more, an unresolved memory. Don't you think you must make peace with the past? And the only way I can help you to do that, is to discover the truth about his death.'

She looked down. She had no words to say to Charlie, for in her heart she knew he was right. She couldn't help feeling disloyal when Charlie was close.

Was it because she felt that one day, Raj would walk back into their lives again?

It was late when Eve crept in.

‘We're still up!' cried Peg as Eve was about to tiptoe upstairs.

‘You shouldn't have waited up for me,' she told them when she opened the front room door. Eve thought how they looked like sisters with their turbans and the same small, close eyes staring at her above the bedclothes that were spread over the mattress.