Harriet (19 page)

    The specialist arrived at eleven and didn’t appear altogether happy. ‘He’s not out of the woods yet,’ he said. ‘Let me know when he regains consciousness.’

    Back came the panic, the terrifying fears. Oh don’t let him die, prayed Harriet.

    Quarter of an hour later came Dr. Williams, even moreunreceptive than usual, as Harriet bombarded him with questions about Jonah’s condition.

    ‘But he is going to get better, isn’t he?’ she said in desper- ation.

    ‘Really, Miss Poole,’ said Sister Maddox, ‘Dr. Williams has got a hundred and one other people to look after.’

    ‘I’m sorry,’ insisted Harriet, ‘but Jonah’s father’s due after lunch and he’ll want to know exactly what the score is.’

    ‘Oh, he rang ten minutes ago,’ said Sister Maddox. Harriet went white. ‘What did he say? Why didn’t you let me speak to him?’

    ‘You were in the loo or making a cup of coffee,’ said Sister Maddox. ‘I didn’t think it was that important.’

    ‘But you could have got me. You must have known I’d want to talk to him.’

    ‘And you must realize that Sister Maddox has better things to do than acting as a switchboard for all the patients’ relations. You must realize Jonah isn’t the only child in the hospital,’ snapped Dr. Williams.

    ‘But he’s the only child here belonging to me,’ shouted Harriet.

    ‘Have I come to the right place,’ said a deep throbbing voice. They all turned round. There in the doorway making the perfect stage entrance smothered in a huge black fur hat stood Noel Balfour.

    ‘Oh yes, I have,’ she said seeing Jonah, and walked quickly towards the bed.

    ‘Oh my precious, precious darling,’ she said with a break in her voice.

    And suddenly exactly on cue, Jonah stirred, sighed and opened his eyes, for a moment he looked at Noel incredu- lously.

    ‘Mummy,’ he croaked weakly.

    Harriet felt once more the explosion of jealousy as Jonah’s pale face lit up.

    ‘Mummy, is it really you?’

    ‘Yes it is, my darling. What a dreadful, dreadful time you’ve had.’ She brushed the dank blond hair back from his forehead.

    ‘My arm’s sore,’ muttered Jonah.

    ‘I know, darling,’ said Noel, ‘it’s that horrid drip, but it’s making you so much better every minute, so I know you’ll be brave about it. Because these kind nurses and doctors have been working so hard to make you well.’

    ‘I feel better,’ said Jonah, ‘but my head’s still sore,’ and, sighing, he drifted back to sleep. Noel bent and kissed him on the forehead, aware that she made a most touching sight. Hardly a dry eye in the room, thought Harriet. Everyone was gaping in admiration.

    Noel stood up and looked round. Pulling off her fur hat and running a careless hand through her blonde hair, so that it fell perfectly into shape, she smiled with dazzling wistfulness at the nurses, then turned her headlamp stare on Dr. Williams who was blushing like a schoolgirl.

    She held out a hand. ‘My name’s Noel Balfour,’ she said, as if everyone didn’t know it.

    ‘We didn’t know you were his mother,’ said Sister Maddox, looking rather shaken.

    ‘I don’t expect Harriet thought it important,’ said Noel. ‘Not when Jonah’s life was at stake. How is my son, Doctor?’

    ‘Well it’s been touch and go, but it looks as though he’ll pull through now.’

    ‘How long has he been here?’

    ‘Four days now.’

    ‘Four days! Why wasn’t I told before?’ Noel collapsed on a chair, and got out a cigarette with a trembling hand, letting her fur coat fall open to display her magnificent bosom.

    Dr. Williams leapt forward with a lighter.

    ‘We tried to find you,’ protested Harriet. ‘They said you were in Paris, but they didn’t know where.’

    ‘It was the studio trying to protect me,’ said Noel. ‘I escaped to Paris to learn a part. And you’ve been all by yourself, poor Harriet. What you must have been through! I’m sure she’s been wonderful.’

    Dr. Williams gave a chilly smile. ‘Miss Poole takes her responsibility as a nanny very seriously.’

    Noel, instantly detecting tension, looked from one to the other.

    ‘Where’s Cory?’ she asked Harriet.’He’s on his way back from the States,’ said Harriet.

    ‘He rang to say he’d be here this afternoon,’ added Sister Maddox.

    ‘Oh thank God,’ said Noel, ‘thank God we can give him good news. Let me sit with him for a bit, Harriet,’ she went on. ‘Go and have a cup of tea and get some rest. You look so tired.’

    Dropping with fatigue, black-ringed beneath the eyes, greasy-haired, and wearing the wrong length skirt, Harriet was only too well aware of the contrast she must make to Noel.

    As she went listlessly down to the canteen she knew she’d been outmanoeuvred. No doubt at this moment Dr. Williams was telling Noel how stroppy she’d been with the nurses, and what a bad influence she was on Jonah. And this afternoon Cory would be back, and the first thing he’d find was Noel looking stunning by the bedside. Suddenly she felt twitchy and threatened.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

    NOEL, like all charming people, was totally dependent on the approval and admiration of others. When she sensed disapproval, she merely moved on to fresh conquests. She only liked to live in the sunshine. Her effect on the hospital was dramatic. Suddenly every doctor and nurse in the building seemed to find an excuse to pop in and check Jonah’s condition. The passage outside was like Paddington Station.

    ‘The poor little lad took a turn for the better the moment his mother arrived,’ Harriet heard one nurse saying to another as they added ice-cream scoops of potato to the roast lamb on the supper trays.

    ‘Isn’t she lovely, and so natural?’ said the other. ‘ "Nurse you must be so tired," she said, "Thank you for saving my baby’s life." Which is more than the complaints we got from that…’ They stopped abruptly when they saw Harriet.

    Did you see her shoes?’ said one.

    ‘Weren’t they lovely? And her hair. And did you see the way her face lit up when she heard her husband was coming? Such a shame they’re splitting up. She’s obviously still in love with him. Perhaps this’ll bring them together again.’

    The most dramatic change was in Dr. Williams’s behaviour. Usually one couldn’t see him for dust the moment he’d done his rounds, but now Noel was ensconced, he was looking in every five minutes. Harriet knew he was off duty that day at three o’clock, but he was still hanging around at five. The compelling, cold, surgical grey eyes were quite moony now, the bored voice husky and caressing. Harriet even caught a waft of aftershave.

    He was very concerned that Noel hadn’t had any lunch. But there was no suggestion that she might go down to the canteen for a cup of tea, Irish stew and carrots. A quarter of an hour later, smoked salmon sandwiches and iced white wine appeared.

    ‘Isn’t he wonderful?’ Noel said to Harriet. ‘So considerate and so concerned about Jonah.’

    ‘It’s only since you’ve been here,’ said Harriet sulkily. ‘He’s been a pig up till now.’

    One of the day nurses popped her head round the door.

    ‘I was just going off duty, Miss Balfour. I wondered if I could have your autograph.’

    ‘Tell me your name,’ said Noel, taking the piece of paper. ‘Nurse Rankin,’ said the nurse.

    ‘No, I know you’re Nurse Rankin. I mean your christian name.’

    Nurse Rankin giggled. ‘Actually it’s Dorothy. But everyone calls me Dotty.’

    ‘To Dotty with great pleasure, love and gratitude,’ wrote Noel in her huge scrawl. ‘I think Dotty’s a lovely name.

    Imagine what it was like being christened Noel. People were always making jokes about the first Noel.’

    ‘I’ve seen all your pictures,’ said Nurse Rankin, a slave to sudden passion. ‘I think you’re absolutely wonderful.’

    ‘And I can never thank you enough for what you’ve done for my little boy.’

    Lay it on with a trowel, thought Harriet in disgust.’Everything all right?’ It was Dr. Williams popping in again. ‘Absolutely marvellous,’ said Noel, turning her startling tawny eyes on him. ‘You are a saint, David.’

    David now, thought Harriet. He was looking exactly like Sevenoaks when Mytton’s bitch was on heat.

    ‘I haven’t managed all the sandwiches,’ said Noel, ‘I’m feeling too upset to eat, but the wine is delicious. Won’t you have some?’

    ‘Not when I’m on duty,’ he said, ‘but I’d love one later.’

    Harriet’s only comfort was that Sister Maddox was looking absolutely furious.

    When Noel heard that Chattie and William were staying at the Pembertons’, she went off and had a long telephone conversation with Elizabeth.

    When she returned her attitude was distinctly less friendly towards Harriet. Oh God, I bet Elizabeth mentioned something about my being wrapped round Cory at the Hunt Ball, thought Harriet.

    Noel’s main preoccupation now seemed to be to get her out of the hospital before Cory came back.

    ‘I really don’t feel we can dump William and Chattie on Elizabeth any longer,’ she said, ‘particularly when William’s teething and keeping them up every night. I think you should go and collect them, and take them home.’

    ‘Sammy really doesn’t mind looking after them,’ said Harriet. ‘I would like to stay here with Jonah, just another night.’

    ‘Are you quite sure you’re the best person?’ said Noel gently. ‘People here seem to
think
you’re rather - well overemotional.’

    ‘I l-love him,’ stammered Harriet. ‘I was worried.’

    ‘I quite realize that, but you must remember you’re well only…

    ‘The nanny.’ Harriet felt herself going very red in the face.

    ‘Exactly,’ said Noel, pouring herself another glass of wine. ‘And it’s your duty to go home and look after Chattie and William, so I’d like you to pack your things at once, and my driver will take you home, and you can collect the children on the way.’

    ‘But Mr. Erskine left me in charge of the children. I’m sure he’d want me to stay.’

    Noel lost her temper.

    ‘I’ve been married to Cory for ten years. I think I know him slightly better than you. The thing he’ll like best when he arrives is to find me here with Jonah.’

    Harriet was beaten. She went next door and began to gather up her things. She heard Jonah waking up again and complaining that his head ached, and could he have some iced water. Noel poked her head through the door.

    ‘Could you just pop down and get me some ice,’ she said.

    Running the tray under the tap to get out the ice cubes, Harriet suddenly thought she’d burst if she didn’t see Cory. hate Noel, I hate her, I hate her.

    Then soon she heard a quick step in the passage and there was Cory walking past. Her heart lurched. She tried to call out to him, but her voice stuck in her throat. She went out into the passage. It required the greatest control of her life not to run after him.

    As it was, she reached the door in time to see Noel leaping to her feet. The next moment Cory had taken her in his arms and was comforting her as she sobbed with great restraint, but not enough to spoil her make-up. I can’t bear it, thought Harriet, her nails digging into her hands.

    She saw Cory let Noel go, and move forward to speak to Jonah. She tiptoed forward trying to hear what he was saying.

    But Sister Maddox was too quick for her. The faster Noel transferred her attentions to Cory and got her claws out of Dr. Williams the better.

    ‘I think the family would all like a little time on their own,’ she said firmly. ‘The porter downstairs has just rung up to say the car’s waiting for you.’

    Harriet went into the side room, and mindlessly put the rest of her things into the canvas bag Mrs. Bottomley had brought.

    Then she heard Jonah say, ‘Where’s Harriet?’ And Cory saying, ‘Yes, where is she?’

    ‘I’m here,’ said Harriet, pushing open the door.

    Cory was sitting on the bed holding Jonah’s hand. Harrietexpected him to be pale and drawn. But he was tanned dark brown by the Los Angeles sun. Never had he seemed more handsome - or more beyond her reach. He looked up quickly, full of concern. ‘My God, what you must have been through! I’m sorry I wasn’t here.’

    ‘I’m so glad you’ve come now,’ she muttered, fighting back the tears.

    ‘All I can say is thank you,’ he said. ‘Sit down. You look absolutely knackered. Are you up to telling me something about it?’

    ‘My driver’s waiting to take her home, Cory,’ said Noel in icy tones. ‘She’s been here for four days. She needs a break. And she’s going to collect Chattie and William. Elizabeth’s looking after them but we can’t leave them with her for ever.’

    Cory didn’t turn round.

    Jonah, still drowsy, suddenly said, ‘Where’s Mummy?’

    ‘Here darling,’ said Noel, going towards the bed.

    ‘Where’s Harriet?’ muttered Jonah.

    ‘She’s going home, darling.’

    ‘No,’ said Jonah, sitting bolt upright, suddenly hysterical, ‘I don’t want her to go home. I want her to stay. I want Harriet! I want Harriet!’

    ‘But l’m here,’ snapped Noel, her lips tightening.

    ‘But you won’t stay,’ he screamed in desperation, ‘You only say you’ll stay, then you go. Harriet stays all the time.’ He started to cry.

    Cory took him by the shoulders, and gently eased him back on the pillow. ‘It’s all right, old boy. Harriet’s not going anywhere.’

    He turned to Noel. ‘I took the precaution of getting Kit to find us a temporary nanny. She came up in the plane with me. She took the taxi home. She’s going to look after William and Chattie. I thought as you’d seen the whole thing through you’d probably want to stay with Jonah,’ he added to Harriet.

    ‘Oh, yes please,’ she whispered.

    ‘But Cory,’ began Noel. ‘Can we have a brief word?’ Harriet retreated into the side room shutting the door. She was shaking like a leaf. No doubt Noel was telling Cory what a disaster she’d been with all the nurses and doctors. She caught the word ‘hysterical’ several times, and then Noel was saying in acid tones,

    ‘She complained about Dr. Williams, but honestly he couldn’t have been kinder, popping in every five minutes, solicitude and kindness itself. She’s obviously the sort of girl that gets people’s backs up.’

    Harriet couldn’t hear Cory’s reply. She collapsed on the bed, holding her clenched fists against her forehead in a desperate attempt to gain control.

    A minute later Cory came in, shut the door behind him and sat down on the bed. Her whole body was shaken with sobs.

    ‘It’s all right, little one,’ he said gently, stroking her hair. ‘I know what you’ve been through.’

    ‘And I know I’m bad for Jonah at the moment,’ she sobbed. ‘I’m overreacting, but I love him so much, and I thought he was going to die, and no one would take any notice, and they wouldn’t give him any pain killers, and bloody Dr. Williams was so bored with the whole case it wasn’t true. And then she, I mean Noel, turns up this morning, and suddenly everyone rolls up, and starts paying attention to the case, and giving Jonah VIP treatment, and he’s been getting better all day. I know I should be h-happy. I prayed to God, if he m-made Jonah better, I’d never be unhappy again. I c-can’t think why I’m so miserable.’

    ‘I can,’ said Cory, his hand over hers. ‘You’re absolutely played out. What I want you to do now, is not to argue, but to go and have a bath and wash your hair, have a little gentle supper, and then go to bed and have a decent night’s sleep. Then you’ll be fresh to look after him in the morning.’

    ‘But he gets such frightful nightmares. You think he’s better, and suddenly he gets worse. Will someone sit with him tonight?’

    ‘I will,’ said Cory.

    He went back into Jonah’s room.

    ‘Well,’ said Noel icily. ‘Have you finished consoling her?’

    ‘For the time being,’ answered Cory in a level voice. ‘She must have been through hell and back. I’m absolutely appalled by her appearance.’’She’s obviously one of these people who go to pieces in a crisis,’ said Noel. quickly, Cory was about to reply when Noel added q y

    ‘Where can one eat round here?’

    ‘There’s a good restaurant in Skipton,’ said Cory.

    ‘As soon as Jonah’s asleep, I thought we might go there.

    In fact I’ve asked Dr. Williams to join us. He’s charming, and I thought he could give you the low-down on Jonah.’

    ‘No thanks,’ said Cory. ‘I didn’t come four thousand miles to go out to dinner.’

    Jonah in fact made very good progress and was out in five days. Harriet hardly recognized the nursery and the children’s rooms when she got home, they were so tidy. All the playing cards and jigsaw puzzles had been sorted out, the children’s clothes lay in serried ranks, beautifully ironed in the drawers. William’s nappies were all fluffy and as white as snow, even the old table in the nursery coated with generations of poster paints, gripfix, pentel, and coca-cola, had been scrubbed and was now gleaming like a furniture polish ad. Miss Hanbury, the temporary nanny, washa miracle, and Noel took every opportunity to poin Noel stayed at the Wilderness and only left at the end of a week because she had to be in London to go on the Parkinson Show. It was one of the worst weeks of Harriet’s life. William was teething and, like Cherubim and Seraphim, continually did cry, which gave Noel plenty of excuse for more bitchiness. Jonah, having had undivided attention for so long, displayed all the despotism and capriciousness of the convalescent… Chattie, from lack only attention, was very jealous and playing up. She was only just stopped from giving two of Noel’s minks to awoman collecting jumble, and one afternoon Harriet came into the kitchen and found her and Sevenoaks both looking sick and extremely sheepish. They had consumed a whole tin of Good Boy Dog Choc Drops between them.

    Chattie burst into tears when Harriet ticked her off. ‘I was only trying to turn Sevenoaks into a Good Boy,’ she wailed.

    The worst part was having Noel about the place, looking gorgeous, getting in the way, and interfering with the running of the house.

    ‘I can’t call my kitchen my castle any more,’ grumbled Mrs. Bottomley.

    Nor did the telephone ever stop ringing. It was either Noel’s agent, or the people on the Parkinson Show, or the Yorkshire Post wanting to interview her, or Ronnie Acland, or Dr. Williams. Then, if people weren’t ringing her, she was making long distance telephone calls herself, or getting Harriet to run errands for her, or wash her shirts, or sew on her buttons. Then there were the interminable discussions about her choosing the right thing to wear on Parkinson.

    When one has passed through a time of great anxiety, relief and happiness do not immediately follow. Harriet found herself subject to fits of depression, inclined to be crotchety. She told herself she was very run down. She was fed up with seeing Noel’s peach-coloured silk underwear on the line, of smelling her wafts of scent everywhere.

    Dr. Williams called every day, which Harriet was sure was quite unorthodox. Looking out of the window, while making beds one day, Harriet saw Noel sitting girlishly on the old swing under the walnut tree, with Dr. Williams pushing her, totally infatuated. The next moment she was called inside for a ten-minute drool with Ronnie Acland. Wedging her options open, thought Harriet.