Letter From a Stranger

by Barbara Taylor Bradford

  ‘And that’s when you met Maxwell,’ Justine asserted.

  ‘No, it was actually two years later, in 1950, when Maxwell had been here for two years. Mark asked him to come to dinner. That’s how we met.’ Anita’s eyes suddenly twinkled, and she finished with a bit of a flourish, ‘And the rest is history, as they say.’

  ‘So you got married and lived happily ever after. Always here, Anita?’

  ‘Yes. But we did make frequent trips to London. My brother Mark married eventually and had children, and his eldest son Oliver went into our ceramic business, and now it’s Mark’s grandson that runs it – Ken, my great-nephew. I’ve mentioned him before.’

  ‘And what happened to Lowe’s of London?’

  ‘Maxwell ran it until the day he died, and then his nephews took over. It’s still here, but run by the new generation of Lowes. I have an interest in it, of course, but I’m a silent partner.’

  ‘Michael told me that his mother went to Harvard, studied law.’

  ‘Yes. She’s talented, a clever woman, in fact. But as no doubt Michael explained, she fell in love with Larry Dalton, married him quickly, after her graduation, and has never practised law.’

  ‘Her son takes after her,’ Justine murmured, smiling.

  ‘That’s true. More’s the pity. I can’t tell you how worried I was when he was in the Secret Service. I hardly had a proper night’s sleep, fretting over him. It’s dangerous work, Justine.’

  ‘I understand that. Although the other day he told me it was endlessly boring at times.’

  ‘Maybe. But it was still dangerous.’

  The two women went on chatting for another hour, and Justine listened attentively. It was Anita who finally brought the interview to an end.

  ‘I’ve talked my head off, darling, and I must have a rest now. But we can continue this whenever you wish.’

  THIRTY

  After Anita had retreated to her own yali to rest, Justine went upstairs to her bedroom, fully intending to play back the recording and sort through her notes. But suddenly she felt tired herself; immediately she kicked off her shoes and lay down on the bed.

  Earlier, Ayce had closed the opaque curtains to keep out the sun and had turned on the ceiling fan. Her room was softly shaded and cool. Placing the cell phone on the bedside table, she punched the pillows, put down her head and closed her eyes. Within seconds she drifted off, falling asleep almost instantly. It was a deep sleep and dreamless.

  When she awakened, Justine glanced at the clock and saw that she had slept for over an hour. There was no doubt in her mind that she had needed it. She and Michael had kept very late hours, and the weekend had passed in a haze of intense lovemaking and quick naps, plus other activities. Exhausted, that’s what I was, and probably still am, she thought, and reached for the phone when it began to ring.

  ‘Hello,’ she said.

  ‘It’s me,’ her brother answered. ‘Am I calling at a bad time?’

  ‘No, a good time. I just woke up from a nap. I’ve been interviewing Anita for the documentary, then we had lunch, did another interview, and finally we both needed to take a rest. Is everything all right, Rich?’

  ‘I’m good, and the installation is almost finished. It’s gone without a hitch so far, although I’m almost afraid to say that – I don’t want to tempt providence.’

  ‘This is great news. Do you know when you’ll come to Istanbul? We’re all anxious to see you,’ Justine now said, wanting to pin him down.

  ‘Another week and then I should be able to take off. I’ll soon be there, don’t worry.’

  ‘With Daisy, I hope.’

  ‘Of course.’ There was a pause. Richard cleared his throat, said carefully, ‘Do you mind if Joanne comes with us, and brings Simon?’

  Her brother had caught her by surprise, and for a moment she was startled and didn’t respond.

  ‘It is all right, isn’t it?’ he asked anxiously when she was silent.

  ‘Of course it is. Gran will be thrilled, and so am I.’ There was a slight hesitation before she said, ‘You must have had a nice weekend with her, enjoyed it.’

  ‘Yes, I did, and she did, actually. We spent most of our time at Indian Ridge with the kids, and being with her made me feel relaxed. I’ve not felt so good since… well, before Pamela got sick. Joanne was really fantastic. She made me laugh a lot, and was a great companion. And—’

  ‘She always has been,’ Justine cut in, laughing quietly. ‘You’d just forgotten.’

  ‘That’s true, I guess.’

  ‘It is, yes, but I hope you’re more than just friends,’ she murmured, wanting to draw him out.

  There was silence for a moment before he replied, ‘Yes, we are. She’s warm, loving and sexy. For me it was like coming out of a deep sleep… I felt I was alive for the first time since Pamela died.’

  ‘I’m glad, Rich, and it pleases me, knowing you’re happy. And especially with someone like Joanne, you know her so well. She understands you.’

  ‘I guess I might have been a bit dumb in the past, not getting it… that she had romantic feelings for me,’ Richard muttered.

  ‘Never mind, you know now.’

  ‘Listen, Juju, I’ve something to tell you. I heard from our mother.’

  Justine sat bolt upright on the bed and exclaimed, ‘When? What did she want?’ She was instantly alerted to trouble.

  ‘I got an e-mail from her,’ Richard answered. ‘Which I just found this morning. She was asking if I know a certain architect in Los Angeles. He’s apparently designing a huge house in Tokyo for a Japanese tycoon. She’s being considered as the interior designer. She wanted the dope on him, that’s all.’

  ‘Did she ask about Daisy? Or me? Or you? Did she wonder how we all were?’

  ‘No mention of any of us. It was so businesslike, I must admit I was a bit ticked off.’

  ‘Keep it that way, and don’t reply.’

  ‘She’ll only bombard me with e-mails if I don’t get back to her. I can’t take that. I don’t want her to call me. She’s so pushy and overbearing.’

  ‘I know. So you’d better reply. And just be as cold and businesslike as her. By the way, is she still in Mainland China or has she gone to Hong Kong?’

  ‘I’ve no idea, and I’ve no intention of being friendly. I don’t feel friendly towards her. She’s impossible,’ Richard exclaimed.

  ‘We’ll have our day in court.’

  ‘That’s right. I suppose you haven’t asked Gran what other documents our mother found when she broke into the writing case?’

  ‘I didn’t. Nor do I want to question her, Rich. Michael told me something, though. He mentioned that Gran saved Anita’s life, and Gran’s going to tell me all about it tomorrow before she and Anita go to Bodrum.’ Her voice took on a more amused tone as she added, ‘They’re currently decorating a house for a client in Bodrum, if you can believe that.’

  ‘I certainly can – that’s the Gran I remember, always working. How did she save Anita’s life?’ Richard asked, as curious as his sister.

  ‘Michael didn’t say, but I’ll tell you when I know myself. It’s part of the past, I’m sure of that, all part of the mystery surrounding Gabriele.’

  ‘I agree with you, there’s a lot we don’t know from her early years. Are you going to call Joanne?’

  ‘I thought I would, and I’ll send my usual e-mails to her and Daisy. Let me know when you plan to arrive; the sooner you come the better.’

  ‘I wish we were coming tomorrow,’ Richard said. ‘I’m suddenly getting really excited about the trip.’

  ‘So am I, and Gran certainly is already. So, have a good day, I’ll talk to you later.’

  ‘Whenever you want, my phone’s on permanently. Big kiss, Juju.’

  After they hung up, Justine stretched out on the bed, thinking about the conversation. She was genuinely happy that Richard and Joanne had managed to take the huge leap into bed.

  Her thoughts went to her mother, but only fleetingly
. She had no time for her any more, and she only wanted to see her in order to confront her about the terrible lie she had told them years before. Once that had been accomplished she would be free of her, and could walk away. Permanently.

  Justine got off the bed and went to the desk, taking her cell phone with her. She dialled Joanne in New York, and within a second Jo was saying, ‘Hello?’

  ‘You did it!’ Justine exclaimed. ‘You finally got my brother into bed.’

  ‘He told you?’ Joanne asked, sounding light hearted, laughter echoing in her voice.

  ‘He didn’t come out and say the words exactly – you know how reticent he can be at times. But he more or less told me. And I couldn’t be happier, Jo, because you’re so right together. And it’s lovely that you and Simon are coming to Istanbul.’

  ‘When Richard asked me if I’d like to go with him and Daisy, and bring Simon, I was really surprised, but naturally I jumped at the chance. And I don’t think this is going to be a passing thing with him. I’m certain it’s going to last.’

  THIRTY-ONE

  Later that afternoon, Justine went out to the gardens to wait for Gabriele to come back from her meeting on the other side of the Bosphorus. She sat down on the garden seat, her mind focused on the documentary. She had formulated many ideas last week, whilst searching for her grandmother, and after studying her notes a short while ago she knew she was on the right track. Even though her life had changed drastically in the last few days, she was still hoping to make the film, and Michael agreed that she should.

  The crunching of footsteps on the pebbled path brought her head around, and she smiled and waved as Anita came towards her, wearing a colourful cotton caftan and large dark glasses, as chic as always.

  ‘Can I join you?’ Anita asked.

  ‘Yes, come on, sit down here,’ Justine answered and, leaping to her feet, she gave Anita a big hug.

  Once they were seated, Anita said, ‘You know, I was thinking about the two interviews we did earlier, and I realized we had only touched the surface of my thoughts and feelings about Istanbul.’

  ‘But they were very interesting, and you certainly captured Istanbul for me, as far as the sounds and smells are concerned. I really conjured up a few of the areas I’ve already been to, listening to you, and got a true flavour of the city, I promise you.’

  Anita looked pleased, then she said, ‘But you can’t very well film smells, now can you?’

  Laughing, Justine shook her head. ‘You can capture sounds, though, and you’ll be talking about the smells as we go around the city together when I’m actually filming. We’ll visit the markets, the fish stalls, the food shops, the Grand Bazaar, and we’ll paint a living picture of smells, in a certain sense.’

  ‘I understand.’ Anita turned slightly and looked intently at Justine. ‘Istanbul is the place of my memories – that’s something else I understood when I was taking a rest. I grew up here. I started my design career here. And, of course, this is where I spent those wonderfully happy years with Maxwell, where together we brought up our daughter, Cornelia, Michael’s mother. Naturally, I have some very happy memories of London, the times we stayed for short periods, because Maxwell got homesick occasionally. But my most treasured memories are rooted here.’

  Glancing around the garden, Anita murmured softly, ‘And especially in this old yali, which Maxwell loved so much, as do I.’

  ‘And Gran loves her yali, Anita, and she’s happy and grateful to be living so close to you. I’m sure she has a fund of memories of Istanbul as well.’

  ‘She does. Gabriele was happy here with Trent. On the other hand, she was happy in England, and naturally at Indian Ridge. Gabri always loved that place in Connecticut, and being there with you and Richard.’ Staring hard at Justine, Anita then asked, ‘And when is he coming? Do we know yet?’

  ‘As a matter of fact, we do. I just spoke to him, and he’ll be finished with the hotel installation a week from today, and he plans to leave at once.’ Justine refrained from mentioning that Joanne and Simon were also coming along. She wanted Gabriele to be the first to have that news.

  When her cell phone began to trill, Justine pulled it out of her pocket, put it to her ear and said, ‘Hello?’

  ‘Hi Justine,’ Michael responded. She glanced at Anita, silently mouthed, ‘It’s Michael.’

  Anita mouthed back, ‘Give him my love,’ and rising she walked down the garden path, understanding all about love, and the need lovers had to constantly speak to each other.

  ‘Are you there, Justine?’ Michael asked, his voice rising.

  ‘Yes, I’m here, and hello, hello! Your grandmother says to give you her love. We were sitting here on the garden seat, chatting. Now she’s gone, being respectful of our privacy. How are you? Is everything okay there? With your client?’

  ‘I’m fine, and everything’s under control. As you know, I can’t really discuss my business, so just let me say I think I have some solutions for him. And so he’s feeling better. What’s been happening there?’

  She laughed. ‘You’ve only been gone since this morning! So there’s nothing new, Michael, at least not here. What is good news is that Richard is coming in about a week, and bringing not only Daisy, but my best friend Joanne and her son Simon. And guess what? They’ve finally got their act together and are involved.’

  ‘That’s great, and I can’t wait to meet them, and especially Richard.’

  He lowered his voice. ‘I miss you. I wish you were here. I thought of bringing you with me, but I didn’t want to take you away from Gabri. Still, I can’t help wishing I had.’

  ‘I’d love to be there, and I felt the same way as you, especially about Gran.’

  ‘Oh come on, fly to London instead! Be with me here. Please.’

  ‘Don’t tempt me, Michael. Listen, you know I want to, but my grandmother said she’d talk to me tomorrow about saving Anita’s life… I think I’d better stay here. I need to know about her past.’

  ‘I guess you’re right, but I sure as hell miss you, babe.’

  ‘I miss you too.’

  Gabriele’s face broke into smiles when she saw Justine hurrying towards her, and she called out, ‘What a sight for sore eyes you are.’

  A moment later Justine was enfolding her grandmother in her arms, holding her tightly. ‘I love you so much. I’m still pinching myself that I found you. A stroke of luck.’

  ‘I know what you mean.’ Linking her arm through Justine’s, Gabriele continued, ‘I’d love a cup of tea, wouldn’t you?’

  ‘Yes, I would. I’ll go and make it, and then you can tell me how your meeting went.’

  ‘Ayce will attend to it, Justine; I’m afraid she gets a bit miffy if anyone starts fiddling around in her kitchen, and Suna’s the same.’

  ‘Michael sends his love, and he says he’s on schedule.’

  ‘So you’ve spoken to him, have you?’

  ‘Yes, he called about half an hour before you got back.’

  Justine smiled at her grandmother, and squeezed her arm. ‘You two are very different, and yet I understand why you get on so well: you’re both so loving and compassionate, and in tune.’

  ‘Why thank you, lovey, what a nice thing to say.’

  Justine followed her grandmother into the front hall and asked, ‘Shall I go and look for Ayce or Suna? Ask for tea?’

  ‘That would be nice, and you might also ask her if she has some Cadbury’s chocolate fingers, please Justine.’

  ‘Be right back, Gran.’

  Gabriele stood in the doorway of the living room, watching her go, loving her so much, gratified and relieved that this young woman had been so persistent and determined to find her. Gabriele went along with the idea that it was a fluke, a lucky accident, that Justine had done so, but inside she believed it was part of a greater plan. There were those who would disagree, who thought everything that happened in life was random, just chance, and nothing more than that.

  Seating herself on the sofa, Gabriele
leaned back, glad to be in this beautiful old room, surrounded by many of the things she loved. The windows faced the sea, and now, as the light was changing, the sun moved slowly towards the far horizon. The room took on a hazy golden glow, just as Anita’s did at this hour.

  Closing her eyes, she relaxed, and opened her mind to a certain memory, as she often did at this particular hour of the day, and she heard it clearly, the music, the violin, echoing in her head.

  Feeling the tears gathering behind her eyelids, she sat up with a jerk, blinked, and flicked her fingertips across her eyes. No need for tears, she told herself, and smiled brightly at her granddaughter as she came back, so coltish and lithe.

  ‘English breakfast tea with lemon, chocolate fingers and ginger biscuits,’ Justine announced, sitting down opposite Gabriele. ‘So, Gran, tell me what happened at the meeting? Are they going to buy lots of your latest fabric?’

  Gabriele nodded, her blue eyes lighting up. ‘The whole line, Justine. The new company is taking every design, and in various fabrics – cotton, linen and pure silk. And what’s more, they’ll distribute them across America. They seem to be crazy about me – or rather, about the fabrics.’

  Her grandmother sounded so surprised, Justine stared at her in puzzlement for a moment. ‘Why wouldn’t they? The tulip patterns are sensational. Congratulations, Gran, you deserve your success.’ Then, leaning forward, she announced, ‘I’ve got a surprise for you. I spoke to Richard. He’ll be winging his way to us in a week – next Tuesday, to be exact.’

  ‘Oh how marvellous! I can’t wait to see him, and little Daisy. Who would ever have thought that I would live long enough to see a great-grandchild of mine?’

  ‘It’s going to be very special for you, I know. And listen, Joanne is coming with him and bringing her boy, Simon, who’s Daisy’s age.’

  ‘It’ll be old home week – all of us together again like we used to be at Indian Ridge. I was always fond of Jo.’ Gabriele’s face was radiant as she spoke.