Anything, Any Time, Any Place
Page 9
“Don’t even joke about it,” she whispered. “Jack—”
“Bye, sweetheart. Go and enjoy yourself.”
He kissed her cheek and strode off to shake hands with the other driver, who was advancing to meet him. Kaye had no choice but to join the rest as they went inside to have a champagne lunch.
She tried to put her fears aside and concentrate on keeping the champagne out of Georgy’s reach. Nobody else seemed troubled for Jack’s safety, but Sam touched her arm gently and said, “Don’t worry, darling. The gremlins have never got him yet.”
“They’ve come pretty close,” she reminded him.
“But he’s still here,” Sam pointed out unarguably.
“He made a joke about being a rich widow. I wish he hadn’t.”
“Better than being a poor one,” Sam said impishly.
“Oh, you’re as impossible as he is,” she said crossly, and he roared with laughter.
At last it was time to take their places in the ferry. When everyone was aboard, the big boat began to move out to sea, until Dover was out of sight. Now they were dependent on the giant screen that had been set up on deck, and which clearly showed what was happening in the port behind them.
The two drivers appeared, dressed in sleek waterproof suits—red for Jack, blue for the other driver—and shook hands, to cheers. Jack waved before putting on his helmet and climbing into the cockpit of his boat, sliding so far down that he almost vanished. Kaye could just see his red helmet through the thick windscreen that went all around him.
Both boats started up, roared out of the port and were soon visible from the ferry. The bay was full of small launches, and for the first few minutes the two powerboats wove among them, giving a display of speed and maneuvering on their way to the official starting line. But at last the signal came and they raced over the line together.
Without the screen Kaye couldn’t have made out what Jack was doing. Two sets of buoys had been laid out in matching patterns, and the two boats swerved away from each other to weave their way around these a safe distance apart.
Kaye knew nothing about this sport, but even she could see that Jack was pushing the boat to the limit. Every turn was as tight as he could make it, and her heart was in her mouth as she watched him. The other driver was taking the turns wider, losing time.
Plainly she was the only one who was worried. Everyone else took it for granted that Jack was invincible. The boat’s designer hung over the rail with her, watching every move. “He’s testing that boat to destruction,” he breathed.
His satisfied tone riled Kaye and she turned on him. “Let’s hope for your sake that isn’t true,” she snapped. “Otherwise you’ll have me to deal with.”
He backed off at something in her eyes. “Just a figure of speech,” he said hastily.
The only other person who seemed troubled was a tall, dark man who watched every move obsessively through binoculars, drawing in a sharp breath each time Jack took a risk, and clenching his fingers on the rail. Kaye began to feel kindly toward him.
“I don’t think we’ve met,” she said. “I’m Jack’s wife.”
He shook hands. “I’m George Fernham,” he said, “Jack’s business manager. To be honest, I was hoping you’d manage to talk him out of this. Of course, his high profile is good for the company, but not if he kills himself.”
“The company,” Kaye echoed, feeling chilled again.
“If Jack goes down the chute so does everything,” Fernham said gloomily. “The insurance companies won’t touch him, you know. They say he’s mad.”
Kaye turned angrily away. Charlie came after her. “Don’t get upset,” he advised her cheerily.
“Someone needs to,” she said indignantly. “You’re all heartless.”
“Not heartless. Just used to Jack always coming through. Nothing can touch him. You’ll see.”
The boats had swept out of sight again and everyone’s attention was focused on the screen. Grinding her nails into her palm, Kaye watched as they swung back in line and headed for home.
“They’ll be in sight in about ten minutes,” Charlie said. He was frowning a little. “Jack’s lost his lead. I thought he’d be well ahead by this time. So did he, by the way he’s driving.”
“What do you mean?” Kaye asked anxiously.
“He’s getting frustrated. You can see it in little things.”
It would soon be over, she thought, trying to take comfort from that. At last the boats appeared on the horizon and everyone crowded to the rail as they began the final maneuvers, swinging tightly around the buoys, both seeking every last inch of advantage. The finish line was in sight.
“One more turn,” Georgy said excitedly. “Dad’s ahead.”
“Only just,” Charlie muttered. “If I know Jack, that won’t be good enough.”
“But it’s not really a race, is it?” Kaye asked. “Surely the idea is to test the boat?”
“Officially,” Charlie said with a grin. “But Jack has to win. Anything less just isn’t good enough—My God!”
The exclamation was torn from him at the sight of Jack taking the final turn at a sharp angle. Either he miscalculated or the boat wasn’t built for it, for he clipped the buoy so lightly that at first the spectators thought he’d gotten away with it. But suddenly the boat reared up into the air and twisted violently.
Somebody screamed, and Kaye realized that it was her. The boat spun wildly before hitting the water again with a crash, swinging around, thundering against the buoy and disintegrating. Kaye buried her face in her hands.
When she looked up again Jack was already being pulled out of the water by the other driver, who’d turned back and dived in. He held him up until the ferry could reach them. Terrified, Kaye watched for any sign of life, but Jack never moved.
He was dead. He should never have made that joke about her being a rich widow. It was bad luck. Her legs had turned to jelly, but somehow she managed to move them along the deck to where he was being lifted aboard. They laid him down and someone removed his helmet. His hair was wet and tousled and there was blood running down his face.
“Jack,” she whispered, kneeling beside him. “Jack...open your eyes—please.” He didn’t respond, and she grew frantic. “I can’t lose you like this,” she pleaded, “not after all these years—when I thought—I hoped—you can’t leave me now—I won’t let you.”
To lose him would be an agony, but almost as bad was the thought that he might die thinking she had rejected him, never dreaming of her true feelings.
“I love you,” she whispered, close to his ear. “I’ve always loved you. I’m sorry about our wedding night, but even that was because I love you—if only you could understand....”
He gave a faint groan, and she gripped his hand, breathless with hope. The next moment he opened his eyes, looking straight at her. She tried to read his expression, to know whether he’d heard her. His first words would tell her what her heart longed to know....
“Kaye—?”
“Yes?” she breathed.
“Help me up—” He tried to reach for her and fell back.
“Keep still,” Charlie urged. “We’ll get you into an ambulance as soon as we reach the shore.”
“Where’s Alex?” Jack demanded in a husky voice.
The little designer was there, almost hysterical. “I’m sorry,” he kept saying, “I’m so sorry—I can’t think what—”
“Hush up and listen,” Jack commanded. “It’s a terrific boat. I want it. Get the papers ready for me to sign.”
“Jack!” Kaye exclaimed in horror. “It nearly killed you.”
“That was my own fault. Alex, do it.”
“Oh, God!” Kaye raged, driven beyond endurance. “Is that all you can think of?”
Jack began to heave and choke. When he could speak again he said, “My own fault—took that last turn too fast—wonderful boat—”
His eyes closed again. He was dreadfully pale.
“Dad
dy!” Georgy cried. Her sophisticated pose had vanished and she looked around frantically for comfort. Kaye took the girl into her arms and they clung together.
“It’s all right,” she said fiercely. “I’m sure it isn’t too serious.”
“Then why are you crying?” Georgy wept.
“I’m not—not really—oh, Georgy!” She fought to control her tears, but they flowed anyway.
The ambulance was waiting on the shore, and in minutes Jack was being lifted into it and hurriedly attached to drips.
“We’ve got room for one,” the paramedic said.
“Wait for Kaye,” Sam called.
“Me, too,” Georgy begged.
“No, darling, Kaye’s his wife,” Sam said, slipping his arm around Georgy’s shoulder. “We’ll follow right behind in the car.”
“Let Georgy go,” Kaye said bleakly.
Georgy gave her a swift hug of gratitude and scurried into the ambulance. Kaye tried not to see the puzzled stares of those around her. “She’s known him all her life,” she said to Sam. “I’m really—just an outsider.”
She said the last words so softly that Sam had to strain to hear, and she turned quickly away before he could ask.
“Did you hear that?” Sam demanded of Bertie.
“I sure did. And I don’t like it.”
Charlie drove them to the local hospital. With a discretion nobody would have expected from their riotous behavior, the two old men stayed silent. Bertie held Kaye’s hand tightly. Sam patted her knee before relapsing into a corner. He suddenly looked his full age, and Kaye forgot her own feelings to say, “He has been like this before, hasn’t he, Sam? And come through it.”
“Lots of times,” he declared robustly, and blew his nose.
Charlie tried to keep close to the ambulance, but they were delayed by a traffic light, and by the time they moved again the ambulance was well ahead.
As soon as the ambulance reached the hospital Georgy jumped down and looked around for the car but, seeing no sign of it, she followed the trolley, bearing her father, inside.
“Shouldn’t he have come round?” she asked anxiously as the paramedics handed over to a doctor.
“I think he’s waking now,” the doctor said.
Jack was stirring. “Kaye?” he whispered.
“No, Daddy, it’s me.”
“Kaye?” He opened his eyes, his gaze flickering from side to side. “Kaye?”
“She’ll be here in a minute,” Georgy said. “There was only room for one of us.”
“Oh, yes—of course. Hallo, darling.”
He drifted into unconsciousness again as he was wheeled away. As the swing doors closed on the trolley, Kaye and the two old men appeared at the other end of the corridor. Sam and Bertie were fulminating after an encounter with the press as they arrived.
“Damned vultures!” Bertie was saying.
Kaye had herself fully under control again. Whatever her feelings, nobody would be allowed to suspect them. She’d pushed her way through the press with a set face, and now all her concern was to learn Jack’s fate and look after Georgy.
“Is he still unconscious?” she asked the girl.
“He woke for a moment, but the doctor took him away at once.”
Kaye tried to shut down her imagination. It was useless to think the worst But she was tormented by the way she’d rejected Jack on grounds that seemed foolish now, when he might be dying.
But then came the other memory, herself kneeling beside him, telling him of her love, seeing his eyes open, hoping he would respond to her words. And he’d thought only of the boat. He probably hadn’t even heard her, but if he had, he wasn’t interested.
It might have been one hour or five when the swing doors opened and the doctor returned. The four people sitting there looked up quickly, their eyes fixed on his face, which wore, incredibly, a grin.
“He’s fitter than I am,” he said. “At least, according to him.”
“You mean he’s all right?” Kaye breathed.
“Three broken ribs, a chipped bone in his shoulder, and mild concussion!”
“I told you!” Sam roared. “Like last time. Just like last time.”
He went on repeating this as though it was some kind of personal triumph. Kaye was almost faint with relief.
They were allowed into Jack’s room for a few minutes. He was lying propped up against pillows, looking weary, but awake.
“Told you I’m indestructible,” he said with the ghost of a grin. “Oh, ye of little faith!”
“Whaddaya mean?” Sam demanded. “I always knew I couldn’t get rid of you. Been trying since the day you were born.”
Jack managed to laugh and return Georgy’s hug. “I want to be alone with Kaye,” he said huskily.
The others made their way to the door. When it had closed behind them Jack beckoned for Kaye to come to the bed.
“Something really important to say to you—haven’t got much voice left. Listen carefully.”
She nodded, her heart beating faster with hope.
“About Georgy—I’ll be here a few days, and while I’m off the scene Elsie may make a move. Watch out for that. Don’t let Georgy out of your sight. Sam will help, but he’s a bit—erratic. You’ll have to be fully responsible. Can you do that?”
She took a deep breath, fighting not to let her disappointment show. She’d hoped so much that Jack’s words would be something personal, intimate even. But she’d forgotten the reality of their marriage.
“I can do it,” she told him. “I’ll keep Georgy safe for you.”
“Thanks. I know I can rely on you.” His eyes on her were dark and puzzled.
“What is it, Jack?”
“Did I come round when I was on the boat?”
“Just for a moment.”
“I thought so, but it’s so vague...I can’t remember. There was something important—oh, yes—”
“Yes?” She could hardly speak.
“Alex. I told him I want that boat. Talk to Mary—tell her to contact him and make sure he understood. Get the paperwork going—I don’t want to lose this....”
“Of course,” Kaye said in a colorless voice. “Is that all you wanted to say to me?”
“Yes, except...” He reached out his hand and she took it. “I guess you were right. Maybe I’ll listen to you another time.”
“Maybe,” she said in a shaky voice, squeezing his hand. “But I’m not counting on it.”
“Getting to know me, huh?”
“A little.” She took a sudden breath. “Jack, I—”
“My head’s aching like the devil. I think I’ll sleep now.”
“Yes, of course.”
She went quietly to the door and looked back. His eyes were already closed.
Chapter Six
Next day an ambulance conveyed Jack to a hospital near Maple Lodge, and two days later he was home. As before, he discharged himself in the teeth of his doctors’ objections.
“I’ve promised not to do anything strenuous,” he told his family, “and of course I shall feel honor bound to keep my promise.” He said this with an unnaturally straight face, and Bertie and Sam obliged on cue by roaring with laughter. “I don’t know what’s the matter with you two,” he said with a defiant grin. “I’m a man of my word.”
“Sure you are,” Sam agreed at once.
“And to prove it, I’m going to sleep downstairs in the study for a while. It’ll save dragging my old bones up the stairs.”
He didn’t look at Kaye while he said this. Mindful of the curious eyes of the others, she smiled and said, “I’ll bet you also promised not to work too hard. No prizes for guessing if you’re going to keep that one.”
“Certainly I shall keep it,” he replied with offended dignity. “When I’ve answered my letters, returned phone calls, read reports, signed whatever needs signing, negotiated with the bank and cleared my In tray, I shall rest.”
In days he was going about his business as if nothi
ng had happened. He took his family out to a riotous lunch to celebrate his “recovery” and also “something else” about which he was determinedly mysterious. The answer was revealed when they returned home to find a new car gleaming in the sunlight outside the front door.
“Your wedding present,” he said, smiling at Kaye.
The car was pale blue, sleek and elegant, and she loved it at first sight.
“Jack,” she breathed, thrilled. “I never expected—”
“As long as you like it.”
“Like it...” The next moment she yielded to her impulse and threw her arms about his neck, kissing him eagerly. He laughed and kissed her back, the very picture of an affectionate husband. Georgy bounced about, applauding. Sam and Bertie were loud in their praise. Sam opened the door and showed Kaye everything, as though she’d never seen a car before. It was a happy moment, but it would have been far sweeter if Jack had given it to her when they were alone.
He didn’t even wait but limped back into the house while Sam was still droning on. Kaye found him in his study a few minutes later, looking drawn and rubbing his shoulder.
“You’ve overdone it,” she said anxiously.
“Quit sounding like Sam,” he said amiably. “I don’t know which of you is more of an old woman.”
“Jack, it’s a lovely car. Thank you so much for thinking of me—”
“You’ll need a car if you’re going to chauffeur Georgy around, and I can’t always spare Harry,” he said smoothly. “You’ll find it light and easy to drive. I told him to watch out for that.”
“Harry chose it?”
“He’s the expert. There aren’t many men I’d trust with my wife and daughter’s safety, and I’ve been a bit tied up.” He ruefully indicated his shoulder.
“Yes, of course. It’s just that... Thank you.”
“As long as you’re pleased.”
“Jack, how much longer are you going to sleep down here? I’m sure you could—”
“The couch is very comfortable, and the stairs still give me some trouble. Leave it to time, Kaye.” While she stood irresolute, he smiled at her again. The sight of that blank smile brought back the words he’d spoken long ago.