Third Child

by Kate Mitchell

  ‘Well, I’ve managed to save you some dinner. It’s pasta which I understand from what you’ve said you don’t like.’

  ‘Well, I suppose I’d better eat it. It’s healthy enough…’

  ‘Look, and this is my suggestion which you don’t have to take. Would you like to come out and have a proper dinner with me at a decent restaurant?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know,’ this invitation was a great surprise.

  ‘Say yes, please. It would make my evening. I’ve had such a pointless day. Nothing is working out the way I want it to. Usually, I never have problems with my clients.’

  ‘You mean you haven’t found that woman?’

  ‘Not yet, but I will. And I’m not sure if she is in this country anymore. How can a person disappear like that? She thinks she has done something wrong, but she hasn’t and now it has become very complicated.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll come with you for a meal, but only on one condition that I can pay for myself.’

  ‘Are you always so difficult to please?’ Peter was frustrated. ‘What’s wrong with women these days? Can a man not look after a woman without anything else going on? Be friends with me, please.’

  ‘We will still be friends even when I pay for my meal.’

  With exasperation, he stared at her.

  ‘Look, I get paid a great deal, I have so much money, but I don’t have the time to spend it. You would be helping me a great deal if you will let me treat you—just for tonight, please.’

  His sparkling blue eyes reached imploringly into hers which made her smile. Relationships with men after the Thomas affair had made her very wary especially after the humiliation. She believed he loved her and was sure of it, which was why she embarrassed herself. Running after him and pleading with him, she even offered herself to him if only he would be kind to her. But he became a pig, for she had empowered him with her devoted love.

  But they were the dark days which should be canceled and be forgotten.

  ‘Okay, that would be nice.’

  ‘Good,’ his hand for a second touched her arm in a gesture of happiness.

  ‘But I need to go and change. Give me twenty minutes to shower and dress.’

  ‘Yes, I can smell you. The same nurse again?’

  ‘Yes, the same nurse.’

  When she reached her room, she put her hand to her nose to smell herself. The odor of the clinic was barely noticeable, yet he could smell it. Something bad must have happened to him in the past to be affected like this.

  11

  Sitting in the restaurant together was like having a holiday from life. Wonderful to catch a cab together and to be helped from the car as if she was a princess. She took his hand when he offered.

  The restaurant’s specialties were fish and especially lobster, crab, caviar, and oysters. Cecelia looked down at her charity shop dress and wondered if the original owner would be here and with puzzlement identify the dress as being one which she had previously owned. This was filling her mind so much that she didn’t notice the beautifully decorated interior, which was probably just as well as she would undoubtedly have hesitated to go inside.

  Peter escorted Cecelia as if she was his queen, purposely he ignored the maître d who hurried over to suggest a table.

  ‘I want the best Champagne you have,’ Peter said to the man who was waiting at his side.

  ‘Yes, sir; I’ll get your waiter to serve you,’ with that the very trim man of medium height, dapper in his sharp dark suit walked brusquely away. This proud and elegant man with his hair sleeked back with an expensive nose was put out of joint. He knew his job, this was his life, and he had been offended.

  ‘Can you see anything on the menu that you would like?’ Peter asked kindly with curtesy wanting to make a good impression.

  Cecelia’s eyes were more on the prices than what this restaurant had to offer. ‘It’s very expensive,’ she said at last after looking for the cheapest dish to eat.

  ‘I think what you mean is that time is expensive. It’s the only true item of value that we own on earth. My time and your time are much more expensive than anything on this menu. So, please, if you can’t choose anything, would you allow me to select you some dishes?’

  Shrugging meant she would be pleased if he took the responsibility off her. Taking up the menu, he scrutinized it seriously.

  For both, he ordered lobster. Everyone likes lobster seeing the price of it. This was to follow after a starter of caviar. And finally, Crepes Suzette.

  ‘So, what do you think?’ asked Peter holding his glass of sparkling champagne.

  Cecelia though had been totaling up the price of the meal. What he was about to pay on one meal could easily keep her going for a month on food and even rent. Yet there was one person who Cecelia knew would appreciate these settings. While she looked at Peter, Angelina awoke from her grave in Cecelia’s mind, her silent face said nothing except she was waiting to see what was going to happen next.

  ‘It’s very nice here,’ Cecelia’s smile followed by a gesture of discomfit, a quick glance about her and then to him. This was a very different world to what she was used to.

  Leaning back in his chair, Peter was pleased with her and her answer. He was beginning to appreciate her more and more; she was the type of person he could get along with. She looked good, and she was aloof which was something that also appealed to him.

  ‘This is the style of life that I could easily get used to,’ he smiled happily towards the ceiling. ‘I am rich you know—not fabulously rich on the fashion of kings, but nor am I very far off it either. I could live my days in comfort doing very little. I have enough money to keep us both and still have plenty over.’

  He leaned across to catch her eye. ‘The reason why I work is that I need something to occupy me. The devil makes work for the idle. If I have someone to share my life with, then I wouldn’t need to work.’

  ‘Everything becomes a habit after a while,’ she smiled; she didn’t know what else to say. She was in beautiful surroundings and way out of her league. But even to her ears now and on reflection, her answer sounded glib. But had he heard her? It seemed like he didn’t, he was staring now at Cecelia evocatively.

  ‘I have been doing a great deal of thinking particularly about you.’

  At last, he had attained her full interest.

  ‘We get on well together, don’t you think? I enjoy your company, and you mine, I hope. From what you’ve told me, there doesn’t seem to be anyone significant in your life. You are on your own like me. Do you like me?’

  This was true, so why did she suddenly feel uncomfortable. They had been spending their evenings together ever since they had been at the bed-and-breakfast. Her hesitation to his question caused him to elaborate on what he was about to propose.

  ‘What started me thinking was what you said the other day. For the first time, I considered alternatives to my life. From that point, I considered I had got into a bit of a rut.’ His smile was vetoed by seriousness. Changing one’s life should be done with grave prudence. ‘Do I really want to do this all my life; I’ve been asking myself? I have never done anything else but this,’ he scratched his head. ‘But I could change. We could enjoy our lives and travel the world together. I find I have a growing passion for art.’

  It was a shock to hear his thoughtful wants and needs, it impacted her head. True, she had given birth to fancies and daydream, but somehow, not any more or at least, not yet. While his career was showing him that he was in a rut, she, on the other hand, experienced differently. Nearly ten years of living on her own gave her thoughts to independence. His suggestion was sudden, it came like an avalanche on to her quiet composure and just when she was now deeply involved in her own pursuits.

  ‘Think about it. Would you like to travel the world? You’re alone like me—and we get on well together isn’t that so? You care about me because, why would you bring my dinner to my room after I quit the table?’ a frown poked between his brow as he continued to r
egard her, noting her looks, the shape of her figure and how she would do well on his arm.

  ‘Think about it. Once your uncle decides to die of his own free will, you will be available to go. And let me guess, I don’t believe you are enthused with your job. I have been watching the anxiety on your face. From what you have told me, I don’t believe that life has been kind to you?’

  ‘Well…’

  ‘At the moment,’ he interrupted her. ‘I have to finish this job, but I won’t be on it forever. I know that soon I’ll get my lucky break. I can feel it.’

  There was a great deal to think about, and while they ate their lobster, Peter conversed with an admiring Cecelia about all the places he had visited. The exotic names like Istanbul, London, Milan, Paris, and even Russia. Visits which had nothing to do with sightseeing. This had never been his primary goal, but it would be nice to journey there—with her and fill his head with the culture of other countries.

  In her quiet way, Cecelia was noting everything he did. He was a gentleman, respectful and thoughtful, educated and eloquent; she could, Cecelia understood, not do much better.

  In the light of other people’s eyes, their meeting could be seen as romantic. Two people who met by the whims of fate had found a gentle relationship between them. What were the chances of that?

  When he saw her yawn, he thought she wasn’t enjoying his company. He was peeved and suddenly irritable. For a handsome man like him, he was strangely insecure.

  ‘I didn’t sleep very well last night,’ she explained seeing the frown growing again across his forehead. ‘I’m not particularly doing anything, sitting there and watching, and when my uncle is conscious, I talk to him, but the morphine makes him sleep more. And the more he sleeps; I find myself also wanting to nod off.’

  It was a relief for Peter because he laughed after she made this confession. He liked her more for it, she was refreshing, and she held every virtue he admired. Another early night wasn’t so bad. Ten o’clock was a sensible time. He had a few places to go tomorrow, and he wanted to make it to every one of these places to complete the job. It was better to do this sooner, rather than later.

  They took a cab back soon after that. There were people by the small bar chatting and drinking, they could see them from the window as they climbed the steps to the door. A couple of people who were by the dining room door turned to see who it was when they entered and passed. These two together were certainly going to be talked about. This was a story that they liked to spin out of proportion. True love, who knows.

  Should she kiss him, Cecelia wondered when they stood on the landing of their parting? Was he going to make that proposal and kiss her? Yet, despite what he had projected to her, Peter did not appear to be very romantic. If there was to be a relationship together, it might not be a conventional one. But what are relationships all about? A friend in your life, someone you could talk to that you knew would be on your side.

  As they were about to part, Peter going to the right at the top of the stairs and she turned to the left. They both stopped for a count of three seconds. Didn’t he want to kiss her? It then struck her that perhaps he didn’t know how to kiss.

  ‘Well, goodnight,’ she quickly turned. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow morning,’ she walked smartly away while wondering what was going on with him. Still, he was a nice man, she repeated this idea to herself. A gentleman, a man one could settle down with. A tame man—and there is much which could be said for that.

  ‘Where were you?’ said Ruth answering her private line the next morning. ‘I’ve been up since five. The baby keeps me awake.’

  ‘I don’t usually get up till six.’ Was this friendship going to cost her an early hour in the morning?

  ‘Excuse me a moment, Clara. My husband is asking me who’s calling?’

  ‘Are you going to say, who called you?’ the panic button had been pressed.

  ‘Why, it’s you of course. The problem when you’re A-listed and wealthy, everyone needs to know where you are, who you are seeing, and what you’re going to do. It’s security. It’s very claustrophobic. They’re frightened I will be kidnapped and held to ransom. And with Hadleigh’s business as an arms dealer and provider of weapons to the world, they see it as dangerous when it concerns me,’ and then she chuckled. ‘He would give them anything they asked for to have me back.’

  ‘You are not going to give him my name, are you?’

  ‘Well, of course, I am. Whose name can I give?’

  ‘Someone else’s name—please don’t give him my name.’ If she was going to be researched, then her cover would be blown.

  ‘What’s wrong with me giving your name? Aren’t you to be trusted? Have you done something wrong?’

  ‘No, it’s this. You know I told you that I had no one in my life, no family as such who I keep in touch with. Well, I do—did have a boyfriend, and he was obsessed with me. He told me that if I ever had any thought about leaving him especially for someone else, he would kill us both.’

  ‘Is he nuts?’

  ‘I left him nearly two weeks ago, and I’m trying to remain incognito. He’s a police officer. Security and the police often move in the same circles, if you see what I mean. The likelihood of him finding me through your security is probably nil, but there is a chance—and if he does…’

  ‘I understand what you’re saying. But I’ve got to give a name. Someone who is real and exists. What name do you suggest I give?’

  Thinking quickly, only one real name came to Cecelia’s mind.

  ‘You can say that I’m Samantha Mantle. She works in the clinic. You probably saw her yesterday. She was standing next to me.’

  ‘No, I don’t notice anyone unless they’re important. Okay, I’ll do this for you. But, after this, you’ve got to be honest with me about everything. I have to trust you. If you must choose anyone, it has to be me. I’m taking a risk for you.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Thank you, Ruth. And now for a while, I can still live safely.’

  ‘Why didn’t you go to the police about him? Oh, I know, he’s the police. What’s his name?’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because that kind of person can be sorted out. I’ve got to go to my charity today, unmarried mothers. These women really need supporting.’

  It was a strange charity to choose considering her own pregnancy, but maybe this was her way of alleviating her guilt. The birth of Ruth’s child or children must be soon.

  ‘Has Mr. Deer told you when you are due?’

  ‘No, I told him. I want the child to be born on the twenty-fourth of November, the birthdate of Dale Carnegie. I wanted Cornelius Vanderbilt, but he wasn’t born until May, so that ruled him out.’

  It was not such a late night at the clinic for Cecelia. When Mrs. Blaine wasn’t there, Cecelia was back to her old position. The high life now hadn’t done her any favors with the other members of staff.

  No one appreciated her sudden rise to the top while they were overlooked, including Samantha. When she said hello to Samantha, Cecelia was ignored and this for some reason, Samantha’s attitude bothered her. She liked Samantha very much. Cecelia respected the rules Samantha had set herself. Her dedication was honorable. No one was overlooked who she cared for when she was on duty. She was respectful and honest to everyone she had dealings with. It was the virtues of the old world.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Cecelia came over to the table with her tray in her hand looking to take a seat beside Samantha. ‘Please don’t do this to me. It’s not my fault what happened. I didn’t set it up so that I would be picked.’

  Samantha looked up from her dinner with an expression of tired resignation.

  ‘Go on, take a chair next to me. You’re right of course, but just try to understand how we felt.’

  ‘I do, and I felt awful when she asked me to come with her. Believe me, I would sooner be here with you and the others than with her.’

  ‘Then you’re stupid,’ laughed Samantha who appeared to have a sense of humor. �
�If I had the chance like you did—especially on the first day. I wouldn’t want to come back to this. I’ve kept my head down for over five years. I’ve worked hard and studied to improve myself. But I guess it’s more to do with luck and who you know that helps you to get on in life. Don’t worry Clara, I’ll tell the others to get off your back.’

  Happy to be back with the other staff, and to make herself more popular, Cecelia thought she would confide in her friend, Samantha. When she began discussing the annoying parts of Ruth to Samantha, she was very quickly stopped by Samantha’s raised hand. Other ears were listening, and Cecelia could be reported and fired. It was the act of a good friend. A client’s personal life should not be discussed. This was a lesson that Cecelia had forgotten.

  Again, with admiration, Cecelia regarded this beautiful woman. With her looks and her qualities, what was she doing here working in this clinic, she must have an idea of what was going on with these illegal abortions? But perhaps she was one of those people who kept herself to herself, who preferred not to know and decided that she would be the best she could be. Unfortunately, Samantha was one of those rare finds who was dying out quickly in this day and age.

  But it takes all sorts to make a world.

  Pleased now to be going back to her lodgings, and pleased that she had made friends with Samantha, a strong person who she admired, Cecelia felt healthier with her wise advice.

  Taking the Metro back to her lodgings, Cecelia thought admiringly about Samantha. She was the kind of person who you knew you could rely on and trust. But the irony was and as Samantha had said, “there isn’t any reward in being decent and honest, the more crooked you are, the faster you get to the top. But it’s who you are to yourself which is the most important relationship you will ever have.”’

  Peter was on a high when he came into the dining room. His day, Cecelia worked out had gone well for him, because he came up to their table with a bottle of good wine.