Honorary Surgeon (33 page)

Mary went over to her and gently pushed her down on to the edge of the bed. Then, dropping on her knees beside the bed, she whispered:
“
Don
’
t cry, darling. There will be some solution.
”

“
There can
’
t
...
there can
’
t
...
I
’
ve been over every practical and unpractical idea, and there
’
s nothing left but
to stick it out,
”
Veronica exclaimed distractedly.

Mary shivered at the despair in the other
’
s voice. Veronica was wrong
...
there was a way out ... a way out for everyone ... for Richard as well. It was really so easy to take Guy at his word and go to him as he had begged her to do: then Veronica could divorce him and she would be free to go to
...
Mary bit her lip to keep back the tears. Even in her innermost thoughts, she could scarcely frame Richard
’
s name
...
But
’
it was no use hedging
...
Everything lay in her, Mary
’
s hands. She could free Veronica to join her life with Richard
’
s. There would be no disgrace for him, none for Veronica; and she would have the custody of her child as well. What a perfect solution to the problem! The only two who had not been reckoned with were herself and Guy
...
Well, he hadn
’
t been happy in his first marriage; perhaps she would be able to make up to him for that, and she herself
...
well, of course she
’
d be sorry to leave Lady Alymer, but she supposed she didn
’
t really want to end her days as an old maid; she didn
’
t seem cut out for that, and, after the first pain of losing Richard had disappeared, she might grow to be passably content with Guy. There
’
d be compensations, anyway; she
’
d always wanted to travel, to see the world
...
now the opportunity would be hers. In the new life out East she might be able to bury her past hopes and take up an entirely different life. There would be much to interest her, to hold her attention; besides, she
’
d probably have her work cut out to keep Guy up to the mark. After a time there might be children
...
She caught her breath ... But it was Richard
’
s children she wanted, not Guy
’
s ... She must not, must not let such thoughts creep in; she must banish all idea of Richard from her mind once and for all, for otherwise she
’
d never be able to carry through this scheme. Anyway, she must act, and act quickly ... act before she had time to change her mind. She would see Guy later today, tell him her plan
...
How would it be best to arrange matters? What was the correct procedure in these cases? She felt hopelessly at a loss, but she must have her scheme cut and dried; there wouldn
’
t be much time for explanation and detail. She would have to go away with Guy somewhere, send
Veronica the hotel bill
...
Surely that was the accepted thing to do? Then what?
...
Would she have to go on living with Guy until his leave was up?
...
No, that would be altogether too sordid. They would just spend a night somewhere in order to get the necessary divorce evidence, and then she would leave him. When the decree was made absolute, she would join him in Singapore and they could be married there. It would be far better that way, better to be married where nobody knew her
...
But where should she live during that period of waiting? Lady Alymer might refuse to have her back at Frensham Manor
.
..
Her mouth twisted into a sad smile
...
Where then could she go? She had saved a little money, and might be able to keep herself during the long winter months if she were really economical
...
Perhaps then she and Guy could stay together in London; that might be the most simple plan ... She had been promised a couple of days
’
holiday by Lady Alymer to do Christmas shopping; she could make that an excuse
...
But how she Med all this deception! And yet, what other way was there? After all, she was doing it to help Lady Alymer
’
s son
...
Yes, that was the thing that made all this subterfuge possible ... the ability to give Richard his happiness
...
Richard and Veronica ... her best friend
...
that made her sacrifice doubly worth while.

She glanced up to find that Veronica was staring at her through tear-stained eyes. Of course, she hadn
’
t uttered a word for ages; it must seem strange.
“
Sorry, Veronica, dear.
”
she apologized,
“
I
’
ve been trying to formulate some plan, and
I believe I
’
ve succeeded; but you must promise not to ask what it
’
s all about.
”

“
You are a sweet thing, Mary. I know you
’
d always be ready to help me if you could, but I don
’
t see how even you can work miracles.
”

“
One never knows,
”
Mary retorted.
“
And now let us go down and see Aunt Bess and Jeannie.
”

Mary could never quite recollect just how the rest of that day passed. Looking back on it afterwards, she felt as though she acted all the time as in a dream; nothing was clear, nothing defined. It was only as tea-time approached that details began to take shape again, to become less hazy, for Guy would be back any time now ... In a short time her future would be committed forever to his keeping
...
She could scarcely
keep her eyes from the clock, scarcely restrain a little start of nervousness if a bell rang, until at last she felt as though she could no longer endure the strain, the uncertainty. A quarter past five
...
half past ... a quarter to six. Would he never come? She really could not stay much longer if she had to go back by bus; she still had the library books to change, too. Why hadn
’
t she done it before? Anyway, it would be too late now, for the shops would be shut. Strange that she should have remembered that detail at a time when so much was at stake. That was life, though; one had to go on, carrying on the small things, ordering meals, cleaning, sewing, answering the telephone, giving messages; all these trifling matters had to be attended to, even though one
’
s heart might be breaking.

Ah, there he was at last! Now she would be able to take the irrevocable step; from now onward, there would be no turning back.

Guy Perivale, totally unaware of the turmoil he was creating, entered the sitting-room casually enough.

“
Hullo, everyone!
”
he greeted the occupants of the room. Then he walked over to Mary and gripped her hand.
“
Nice to see you, Mary; I was beginning to think that you were giving us the
‘
go-by.
’
What a pity I
’
ve been out all day; I
’
d have stayed at home if only you had let us know that you were coming.
”
He pressed Mary
’
s hand affectionately before releasing it, and she was deeply conscious of the meaning beneath the bantering words.

“
I didn
’
t know myself that I was coming until the very last minute,
”
she vouchsafed almost inaudibly. Now that she was face to face with Guy, the ordeal before her grew increasingly difficult.

“
You are too much cooped up at Frensham; it
’
s ridiculous,
”
Guy grumbled.

“
I
’
m not really
‘
cooped up,
’
as you call it.
”
Mary protested.
“
I
’
m allowed to do almost exactly as I please; in fact, today I
’
ve actually omitted to do the one thing Lady Alymer asked me
...
that is to change her library books. I don
’
t even seem capable of that small duty.
”
Mary endeavoured to speak lightly; anything rather than remain silent. She must talk, talk to hide her emotion.

“
And will her ladyship scold you?
”
Guy enquired a trifle superciliously.

“
Don
’
t be absurd, Guy! Of course not.
”
Mary hastily assured him. Even if she did, it would probably be for the last time, she thought sombrely. It would not matter for much longer whether she pleased or displeased her employer. Shortly, Lady Alymer would know the worst, and presumably regret the kindness she had bestowed on so unworthy a recipient.

“
I say, Guy,
”
Veronica interrupted,
”
we
’
ve been hoping you
’
d get here before Mary had to go. You see, I thought you might like to run her back in the car. It isn
’
t far; and it
’
ll save Mary a lot of cross-country buses,
”
Veronica added in explanation.

“
I
’
ll be only too pleased to drive her,
”
Guy responded with alacrity.
“
Are you ready to make a move yet?
”
he queried.

Mary rose to her feet with a decisive movement.
“
Yes, I must be going straight away. Thank you for taking me, Guy.
”
She looked him full in the face as she spoke, and wondered if she had managed to convey, by the forcefulness of those words, how important that short journey between Windyridge and Frensham Manor would prove to be.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Joan Mayton
threw open the door of her newly furnished guest-room and ushered Mary in, waiting expectantly for the words of praise which she knew would come. Joan was not disappointed. Mary, after one admiring glance at the tastefully furnished room, turned
impulsively
to her friend.

“
Joan, it
’
s beautiful! How awfully nice you
’
ve made it look. I simply adore this modern furniture, and those chintzes are just wonderful.
”

“
I
’
m glad you like it
...
I
guessed you
’
d be our first visitor to use it, so when I was furnishing I tried to think of the way you liked things.
”

Mary laughed.
“
You
’
re very flattering; I only hope my taste will suit your future visitors!
”
Her tone became more serious.
“
I
’
m not really afraid; I think anyone would think it charming.
”

“
It
’
s not bad, is it?
”
Joan put her head on one side in critical attitude.
“
Of course, it could have been better, lent such a heap of money on refurnish
ing that I had to
economize a bit on this ro
o
m.
”
She
turned to Mary.
“
Don
’
t bother to unpack now; there
’
ll be heaps of time later. Come downstairs to the sitting-room; I
’
ve a lovely fire there, and I am simply dying to hear all the news.
”

“
Well, just let me wash my hands and tidy my hair, and I
’
ll join you downstairs. I must say, the idea of a fire is most alluring.
”
Mary pulled a face.
“
Ugh! it was cold on the train; a perfectly awful journey altogether.
”

“
Hurry up, then
...
I
’
ll go downstairs and wait.
”
Left alone, Mary removed her coat and hat. After washing her hands in the green basin, she crossed to the mirror and combed her hair into its waves. Although she was now ready to go downstairs, she made no effort to hurry, and, sitting on the edge of the bed, drew her suitcase towards her. Snapping open the fastenings, she threw back the lid, but even then made no move to unpack; instead, she stared unseeingly before her and gave herself up to her thoughts. Her letter to Joan suggesting that she might stay with her in town while she did her Christmas shopping had met with an enthusiastic response, and the reply had left no doubt in Mary
’
s mind as to the welcome she would receive. That was all very well, Mary mused, but what would Joan think when she heard the real purpose of her friend
’
s visit? She
’
d have to tell her, and the sooner the better. Mary dropped the lid of her case back into place and rose slowly to her feet. Going over the whole thing again wasn
’
t going to help: Joan had to be told the truth. Having steeled herself for the ordeal, Mary hastened to join her friend.

Joan rose from the depth of an armchair.
“
You have been a time!
”
she exclaimed.
“
Come and sit here; you must be frozen.
”
She drew up a large leather pouffe and placed it before the fire.
“
Help yourself to a cigarette and tell me all the news.
”

Mary took a cigarette from the box on the fireside table and sank down gratefully on the pouffe. She accepted the match that Joan was holding, then, her cigarette lighted, smoked contentedly.

“
It
’
s lovely having you here; you can
’
t imagine how Noel and I have been longing to hear that you were really going to avail yourself of our invitation at last.
”
Joan
’
s dark eyes sparkled with excitement.
“
We
’
ve made all sorts of plans. Noel has promised to get home early, and he
’
s going to take us out every evening of your visit.
”
Scarcely pausing, Joan continued:
“
I only hope that now you
are
here, you
’
re going to stay a little while at least. You will, won
’
t you?
”

“
That
’
s what I want to tell you
...
I
’
m afraid I can
’
t.
”
Mary laughed apologetically.
“
I didn
’
t bother to explain in my letter; I hoped it would do when I saw you.
”

“
Explain what?
...
You
said you were coming to do some shopping; I don
’
t see how you can do much shopping under a week, at least,
”
Joan protested.
“
Unless you are still suffering from the effects of hospital life, and manage to spend a month
’
s salary in one afternoon
off ...
Why must you hurry back
?
We
’
ve seen little enough of you since you went to Frensham; I can
’
t tell you how I have missed you! Of course, I
’
m gloriously happy
...
more happy than I ever imagined possible
...
Sometimes I can
’
t believe those far-off hospital days ever existed
...
except for you.
”
Joan
’
s voice became dreamy.

“
Well, you see, it
’
s been difficult to get to town; it
’
s a fairly long journey for the day, and really I haven
’
t liked to ask Lady Alymer to let me come, although I know she would never refuse.
”

“
It
’
s not so bad for you
”
—Joan pouted
her full red lips—
“
you
’
ve got a friend there. Your old school friend, Veronica, whatever her name was, is there, isn
’
t she? But I
’
ve never really been friendly with anyone but you; at least, not for years. A husband is a lovely thing to have, but a girl friend is most important, too.
”

Mary could not
help smiling.
“
Joan, you are idiotic!
”
The smile died from her lips as she continued:
“
I
’
m here now, we
’
ve got the whole day together
...
and I
’
d love to stay tonight
...
But tomorrow
...
well, I must leave after tea.
”

“T
omorrow! Oh, M
ar
y!
”
Joan exclaimed, her expression one of utmost dejection
“
That only gives us one evening. Noel will be most awfully disappointed. Why do you have to go as soon as that?
”

Mary threw her half-finished cigarette into the fire before replying.
“
I
’
m not going back ... at least, not
tomorrow
—
But I
’
ve promised to do something else
...
I really can
’
t stay after tomorrow.
”
The eyes which met Joan
’
s were besee
ch
ing,
but, even if Joan was aware of her friend
’
s reluctance to offer any further
e
xplanation, she was not to be so easily put off.

“
What are you going to do? Why can
’
t you stay on here?
”
Joan persisted.

Mary looked at her friend appealingly.
“
I
’
m going to tell you, but don
’
t please hurry me
...
It
’
s very difficult to explain.
”
She twisted round on her seat until she faced her friend.
“
I do hope you
’
ll understand ... please try to!
”