by Anne Mather
Madeline half-smiled. ‘I’m sorry, darling. Of course you must go.’
Diana shrugged. ‘Well, it’s something to do,’ she said lightly.
‘Yes. Besides, Adrian will probably be round later. He said he had some marking to do, but I guess he’ll find time,’ Madeline smiled wryly.
‘He always finds time for you,’ murmured Diana slyly.
Madeline compressed her lips. ‘Yes, that may be so. But that means nothing, Diana, absolutely nothing.’
Diana shrugged regretfully and began carrying the dishes through to the kitchen. Madeline stubbed out her cigarette in the ashtray and walked through to the bedroom. She was becoming a little tired of Diana’s insinuations about herself and Adrian. Truthfully they were insinuations based on fact, but Madeline had no wish to make insinuations reality.
As she dressed in dark blue stretch slacks and an Italian silk over-blouse, she found herself wishing, not for the first time, that Joe was still alive. Diana was growing up now and becoming quite a responsibility in many ways. Also, she had worshipped Joe and he had adored her. He had been a bachelor for so many years before he married Madeline and he had found Diana utterly irresistible. Madeline wondered now whether her marrying Joe had precipitated his condition. He had certainly had more responsibilities and had worked hard in the years following their wedding. But his illness had been incurable, and the doctors had told her numerous times that she had made his last years happy ones.
She decided to leave her hair loose and emerged from the bedroom looking youthfully attractive. Diana was touching up her make-up with a deft hand. She wore only dark eyeshadow and lipstick, her olive skin not requiring any further cosmetic.
She looked critically over her shoulder at her mother.
‘Does Uncle Adrian approve of slacks?’ she asked pointedly.
Madeline looked amused. ‘I can hardly see how it matters,’ she answered lightly. ‘I’m wearing them, not Uncle Adrian.’
‘I know, but honestly, Mum, you’ll probably marry him one day and then you really will have to dress more in keeping with your position.’
‘My dear Diana, I have no intention of marrying Uncle Adrian. I’ve told him, and incidentally you, so a hundred times. Heavens, I’m thirty-three, not fifty-three, and although I’m sure it seems a great age to you, I don’t intend taking to my rocking chair yet.’
Diana frowned. ‘Uncle Adrian is no older than Daddy, would have been had he—’ She halted.
‘Oh, darling, I know. But that was different.’
‘How?’
Madeline glanced at her watch. ‘Isn’t it time you were going?’
Her daughter shrugged. ‘I suppose so. Okay, suit yourself.’ She pulled on the duffel coat. ‘I’ll go, then.’
‘All right, darling. Look after yourself.’
Diana kissed her mother’s cheek and whirled out of the flat. Madeline walked into the kitchen. Evidences of Diana’s hasty washing-up session were to be found on the floor which was almost swimming with water. The dish-mop was soaking and causing a wet stain to trickle over the window ledge and down the tiles to the sink.
Madeline squeezed out the dish-mop and taking the large mop she soaked up the water from the floor, wiping clean the parquet flooring. Then she put away the dishes which Diana had left on the bench, and returned to the lounge.
She had just settled herself in front of the television when the door bell pealed.
Lazily, she rose to her feet and padded to the door. Opening it, she found Adrian Sinclair waiting to be admitted.
Adrian was a tall lean man in his early fifties. Twenty years older than Madeline and a bachelor, he found his secretary utterly charming and desirable and all his hitherto undisturbed feelings were being violently churned by her apparent lack of romantic interest in him. Frankly, Madeline wondered what it was about her that appealed to older men. She found Adrian intellectually stimulating but emotionally cold, and marriages were not built on intellect alone. He made no headway in any other direction with her.
‘Come in, Adrian,’ she said, smiling now. ‘Is it still as cold?’
‘Colder,’ remarked Adrian, coming in and loosening his overcoat. ‘Hmm. This is a cosy room, Madeline. I always feel at home here.’
‘Good. I’m pleased.’ Madeline closed the door and relieved him of his coat before following him across the room. ‘Do you want a drink before I sit down?’
‘Thank you. I’ll have a small whisky.’
Adrian seated himself on the couch in front of the television where Madeline had been seated before his arrival and after pouring the drink, Madeline joined him.
She enjoyed Adrian’s companionship and his ready humour and was glad he made no strong attempts to force their relationship into anything more. He often broached the subject of marriage, but Madeline had tried to make it plain from the outset that there could never be anything more than friendship between them.
Adrian came to the flat as often as he was able, whether or not Diana was at home. He liked Diana and she was very fond of him. He had been Uncle Adrian since she was eleven years old and she saw no reason to change that now.
He owned a house in Otterbury, run for him by an efficient housekeeper. The house was near the Otterbury Secondary School of which he was headmaster, and although it was large and rather gloomy for a man living alone, he liked it, and kept it well filled with a selection of objets d’art which would furnish a museum. Madeline had sometimes mused that should he ever marry and have children about the house he would be in an eternal state of anxiety about his collection.
‘There was an accident on the Otterbury road today,’ he remarked now, casually. ‘Two cars and a lorry collided. It was in the late paper.’
‘Oh! Was there?’ Madeline suppressed her own knowledge of the accident. She had no intention of telling Adrian any more than Diana about her own mishap. Like Diana, he deplored her constant use of the scooter on the busy road and would have preferred her to use public transport on those evenings when he was unable to bring her home.
‘Yes. Some people move too fast for safety. Most of these collisions could be avoided with a little forethought.’
‘Oh, I agree,’ averred Madeline, sitting down beside him, and hoping her face would not give her away. ‘The traffic from Sheridans moves pretty fast.’
‘It does indeed. I’ll be glad when those houses are finished beyond the factory. Then those blighters won’t have to come into Otterbury to take the London road. Most of the cars make a racetrack of that stretch outside the school. I’m eternally grateful our crowd are away before them. Can you imagine what it would be like with a swarm of cyclists leaving our gates and trying to integrate with that lot? Heaven help them!’
Madeline accepted a cigarette from him and after they were both smoking, she said: ‘Have you ever been round the Sheridan factory?’
‘No. Not since it was opened. I once went over the site during the early stages of construction. It’s a terrific place. Apparently it will employ about five thousand men when it’s fully operational. They’ve brought several key workers over from Italy, of course, and from their factory near Detroit. I’ve heard that Nicholas Vitale himself has come over from Rome to make sure everything is going satisfactorily. Of course, he’s only here for a visit. He’s the big boss. His father started the business, you know. A man called Masterson is running this end. He’s an American, I believe, and he’s bought his family over. They’ve leased that house near Highnook. Ingleside, I believe it’s called.’
‘Yes, I know the place, Adrian. It’s enormous. Didn’t it belong to some penniless member of the aristocracy at one time?’
‘Yes. Old Lord Otterbury himself used to live there years ago.’ Adrian chuckled. ‘Trust Americans to install themselves in the local stately home!’
Madeline laughed. ‘It must be nice to be free from money worries.’
‘My dear Madeline, you too could be free from money worries if only you would let me take care
of you.’
‘I know, Adrian, and I appreciate it. But I just can’t see myself as a headmaster’s wife, dispensing tea and sympathy to the parents of the children. I’m not the type, I’m afraid.’
‘Nonsense, Madeline, you would adapt yourself easily.’ Adrian sighed. ‘Seriously though, Diana would be agreeable to your marrying me. She’s like a daughter to me already.’
‘I know that, Adrian. She’s a great advocate for your cause. It’s simply that – well, I enjoy my freedom, and more important still – we’re not in love with one another.’
‘Were you in love with Joe?’ Adrian frowned when Madeline did not answer. ‘Besides, I do love you, Madeline. Being in love is for young people. We’re adults; mature people, not teenagers hankering after the moon. Wouldn’t you like to relax sometimes and put your feet up instead of rushing out to school every morning and working all day just to rush home again in the evenings?’
Madeline sighed. All that Adrian had said was true. Diana would be delighted if they got married. Indeed she would be very enthusiastic. She liked and respected Adrian and would enjoy the social distinction of being the headmaster’s stepdaughter. And Madeline knew how pleasant it would be to have loads of spare time to read all the books she would like to read; explore all the museums and art galleries that she enjoyed visiting; maybe even have a larger family.
At this she drew herself up with a start. She could never resign herself again to a life like that. She was not a mercenary person at heart and the idea of marrying someone for the material benefits that were to be enjoyed appalled her. She couldn’t do it. She and Diana had managed alone this far, and in a couple of years Diana would be working and able to supply herself with the little luxuries that Madeline could not always afford.
‘I’m sorry, Adrian,’ she said, sighing again. ‘I couldn’t do it. Much as I like and respect you, I don’t see how we could make a go of it. You’re too set in your ways to change anyway. You would hate having a teenager in the house, upsetting your precious collection and rousing you at all hours to the sound of the latest pop group. You have no idea what it would be like.’
‘Nonsense,’ said Adrian once more. Then he sighed as he saw the reluctance on her face. ‘All right. Forget it. Anyway, where is Diana tonight?’
‘She’s gone to the Seventies Club with Jeffrey Emerson. Do you know him?’
‘I know of him,’ replied Adrian thoughtfully. ‘His brother is in the first year at my school, but Jeffrey goes to the Grammar, doesn’t he?’
‘Yes. He’s only seventeen. He has taken his Advanced Levels in G.C.E. and now he’s waiting for a place at university.’
‘Ah, yes. I remember Hetherington was talking about him the last time we had dinner together.’ Mr. Hetherington was the headmaster of the Grammar School. ‘He said that his mother is quite different, however. He can hardly believe that Jeffrey is her son. She’s quite coarse, I believe.’
Madeline bit her lip. ‘Jeffrey is quite a handsome boy and as you say he is intelligent, but I wonder sometimes if he’s a little wild, at least away from school.’
Adrian frowned. ‘Yes. Maybe.’ He looked ponderous. ‘Are you worried about his influence on Diana?’
‘Yes. Yes, I am.’
‘But Diana isn’t a tearaway.’
‘Oh, I know.’ Madeline moved restlessly. ‘It’s just that she’s so young.’
Adrian shrugged. ‘They mature earlier these days. Diana is a sensible girl. She would never behave stupidly.’
‘Wouldn’t she?’ Madeline rose to her feet. ‘Wouldn’t she?’ She smiled. ‘No. I suppose not.’
Adrian smiled too. ‘Look, I know how you feel. You’re her guardian. You feel doubly responsible because she has no father.’
‘What…what does Jeffrey’s father do?’
‘He works for a firm of haulage contractors,’ answered Adrian. ‘As I said before, Jeffrey is certainly the changeling in that family.’
* * *
The Seventies Club was located over a coffee bar of the same name in Otterbury High Street. Its members were all teenagers from the local schools or the technical colleges and the music was provided by a jukebox which was provided free by the owner.
This Friday evening it was packed with youngsters, all gyrating and turning madly to the lusty music issuing from the jukebox. A low bar along one wall served coffee or Coca-Cola and the lighting was subdued and mellow.
Diana Scott and Jeffrey Emerson were dancing together and as the music ended, Diana collapsed, laughing, against her partner.
‘Gosh,’ she exclaimed, ‘I’m fagged out. Shall we sit down for a while?’
Jeffrey grinned down at her, and his arms closed round her, holding her a prisoner.
‘I’d rather stay like this,’ he murmured softly, and Diana blushed scarlet. She liked Jeff very much and was pleased that lately their relationship seemed to be entering a more serious stage. She had never had a steady boy-friend before and she wanted to be like the other girls who spent their time discussing the merits of different boys.
She wriggled free, however, and holding his hand, she drew him across the room to the bar. They perched on stools together and Jeffrey ordered two coffees and took out a packet of cigarettes which he offered to Diana. Diana shook her head and Jeffrey lit his own and put them back in his pocket.
‘I thought you intended to try smoking sometimes,’ he remarked lazily.
‘I did…I do.’ Diana bit her lip.
‘You’re frightened,’ he jeered, and she stiffened her shoulders.
‘No, I’m not. Give me one.’
Shrugging, Jeff handed her a cigarette and lit it. Diana drew on it as she had seen other people doing and then began to cough chokingly.
Jeff grinned and pounded her on the back and Diana shuddered.
‘Ugh, it’s horrible!’ she exclaimed. ‘I don’t know how you can.’
‘You must persevere,’ said Jeff. ‘Go on, have another drag.’
‘No, thank you.’ Diana was adamant. She threw the cigarette on the floor and put her foot on it.
‘Hey!’ Jeff was indignant. ‘They don’t grow on trees, you know.’
‘No. Plants,’ replied Diana sarcastically, and Jeff looked furious.
‘Very amusing,’ he said coldly, and stalked off across the dance floor.
Diana was flabbergasted. She had never dreamed he would walk away and leave her. Her heart was pounding rapidly and she felt herself going cold inside.
She knew that all the other girls at the Club envied her her association with Jeffrey Emerson. He was a very attractive boy and could have his pick of the girls. That he should choose her had always thrilled her enormously because prior to the last two months he had treated her like a child. Since she had started at the Commercial College she had grown up greatly and did not realize just how appealing she was with her silky hair and wide eyes. When he had started dating her, her prestige with the others had gone up a lot, and part of his attraction was that he was the current heart-throb.
The music had started again and she saw him approach a slim, fair girl and obviously ask her to dance. Diana felt hurt and angry. How dared he treat her like this? She had a good mind to go home. But she knew she wouldn’t. She would wait and see whether he came back. It was galling, but she couldn’t walk out on him. Not now.
She ordered another coffee and sat sipping it pensively. If he didn’t come back between dances she would have to go home. It would be awful!
She was in the depths of despair, two dances later, when she was aware that someone had joined her. Hardly daring to look round, she gave him a sidelong glance. To her relief, it was Jeff.
Jeff’s face was rather remote, but he said:
‘Do you want to dance?’
Diana felt her hands go clammy. ‘I…well, do you?’
He shrugged. ‘Yes. I’m going to dance,’ he replied coolly.
‘All right.’ She slid off her stool.
The music was slo
w and haunting now, a love-song being crooned by a current disc idol. Jeff drew her into his arms and put his cheek against her hair. They moved slowly, their arms wrapped round each other. Diana could feel herself trembling and he murmured: ‘Relax.’
‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered, aware of herself apologizing for nothing. But anything was better than his indifference.
Jeff looked down at her. ‘Are you?’ he asked.
‘Why did you walk away?’ she murmured, looking anxious.
‘I don’t like being treated like an idiot.’
‘But I wasn’t…oh, Jeff, I guess I am silly at times. Can’t we forget about it?’
Jeff’s eyes softened. ‘All right, Diana. I guess I was as much to blame for taking the huff. Did I make you jealous?’
Diana blushed. ‘Yes, you succeeded in that direction,’ she remarked softly, against his neck, and felt his arms tighten possessively about her.
When the music ended he glanced at his watch.
‘It’s nine-thirty,’ he said quietly. ‘Let’s go, hmn?’
She nodded and went to collect her coat. Outside the air was clear but bitterly cold and they walked swiftly along to the bus stop. Jeff lived at the opposite end of Otterbury, near the secondary school, in fact, but he always saw Diana right home.
The bus dropped them at the end of Evenwood Gardens and they walked up the darkened road towards the second block of flats where the Scotts lived. Before they reached the second block, between the two tall buildings, was a small ornamental garden with flower beds and a bench set among rose trees and rhododendron bushes. The last few dates they had had together had ended on the bench where they said a prolonged goodnight to each other. Although it was cold they still walked through the gardens to the bench, but they did not sit down tonight. It had been raining earlier in the day and everywhere was still slightly damp, but the bushes at least provided a little privacy.
‘Well,’ said Diana, looking up at Jeff, ‘thanks for bringing me home.’
‘It was a pleasure,’ he said softly, pulling her to him, close against his warm body. ‘Oh, Diana,’ he groaned urgently, and his mouth met hers.