Betrayal

by Margaret Bingley

  'She's… Actually she's being punished. She refused to do her geography and threw her book at me. I'll fetch her for you.'

  'Is she in her bedroom?' 'No, she's… '

  Lisa had already guessed where Rebekah was and ran on to the landing, wrenching open the door to the cupboard where cleaning materials were stored. It was large, dark and—she imagined—highly popular with spiders. It was an almost catatonic Rebekah whom she led out and held gently against her, waiting for the child to start crying and release some of her terror.

  When she realised it was Lisa holding her she sobbed and sobbed, gabbling about spiders and her mother, saying that she was sure they'd all come from that cupboard and were they in her hair? All the time she talked she was brushing at her clothes and her bare legs as though she could feel the creatures on her.

  'There's nothing there,' soothed Lisa. 'Come and lie on your bed, and when you're feeling better you can come out for a walk with me. I'm taking Jessica and… '

  'I don't want you to leave me!' shouted Rebekah. 'They'll come after me and run all over my bed, just like they did Mummy's.'

  'Mummy never had spiders on her bed , Rebekah. You must have had a bad dream without realising it.'

  'She did! They were great big tarantulas. They were crawling over everything and she was trying to knock them away, and then I saw… ' She stopped and frowned.

  'Saw what?'

  'I can't remember! I know I saw something else but whenever I get to that part I can’t remember!' She started crying again.

  'Look, wash your face and hands, change into some jeans and we'll go out for that walk. I promise there aren't any tarantulas in this house. As for your governess, she's going today. Why didn't you tell me what she was like?'

  'You'd have said it wasn't true, like the spiders. They're just as true as that horrible Mrs Woodward.'

  They certainly were to the overwrought Rebekah, Lisa realised as she marched back into the schoolroom and told Mrs Woodward to pack her things. The governess didn't argue and didn't mention a reference. Lisa assumed she'd complain to Neal later but even he wouldn't want to employ such a totally insensitive woman.

  Finally she took both children down the back stairs, across the lawn and over the stile into the wooded fields where Ruth liked to ride her horses. Jessica ref used to walk properly, choosing to twist and turn with her hands stretched in front of her, but apart from that she behaved well, making excited noises when a bird caught her eye.

  'I thought she was mad,' said Rebekah. 'She isn't though, is she?' 'Not at all. She's afraid of a lot of things and that's stopped her from developing properly.'

  'I'm afraid of a lot of things too. Perhaps she'd like me to go and see her when you're not here.'

  'She might but she often ignores visitors. She lives in her own world and doesn't want to let other people in.'

  'I know how she feels! There are lots of people I don't want in my world. I wish I was autistic.'

  'No you don't! Jessica will never be able to go to school or make friends. She won't marry or have a job. She'll never grow up properly.'

  'She might. You're trying to help her, aren't you?'

  'Even with help, I've got to accept that she has limits. She may learn to mix more but… '

  'I'll teach her,' said Rebekah, her own terror forgotten. 'I'll help turn her into a proper little girl but we won't tell Daddy. He'd only stop me, because really and truly he doesn't like Jessica very much, does he?'

  'I'm afraid not.'

  'He didn't like Mummy either and he doesn't like me. Is it nice to be you and have him loving you such a lot? '

  Lisa hesitated. 'Of course it is. We all want to be loved.' 'You often look sad about it.'

  'That's because of Jessica, not your father.'

  'Louise says he'll tire of you. What will you do then?' This time, Lisa didn't have an answer.

  When she rushed into the Chelsea flat at ten to five she was both surprised and pleased to find Neal already there. He was wearing a sports jacket and slacks and she wondered if he'd been to work at all. After last night however she decided not to ask. If he wanted to be secretive about his movements it suited her very well.

  'You're late!' he snapped, looking pointedly at the antique clock. 'I don't need three hours to make myself beautiful!'

  He raised his eyebrows. 'In a good mood?' 'Why not? '

  'I imagined you'd be annoyed at my overnight absence.'

  'Not at all. I only hope you managed to get some sleep!' With another cheerful smile she went through to the bedroom. Neal followed her.

  'What do you mean by that last remark?' 'Exactly what I said.'

  'Are you insinuating that I spent the night with another woman?' 'No! Did you?'

  'I did not, but if I had I wouldn't expect you to complain. It isn't as though you're falling over yourself to keep me contented in that area, is it?'

  Lisa could feel all her good humour draining away. 'Look, if you're in a bad mood about something please don't take it out on me. I've had a busy but very productive time at home and I'm looking forward to tonight, so could you either talk pleasantly or keep silent?'

  He studied her with slight amusement. 'That's how I first remember you. A spirited girl, that's what I thought you were.'

  'So I was. Unfortunately life has a way of knocking the spirit out of people.'

  'Not entirely, it appears! Why the pleasure over the Ball? Is the Italian going?'

  'No, but I've got a super new Victor Edelstein gown that I'm longing to wear.'

  He seemed to relax. 'I see. What went so productively at Berkshire?'

  'I sacked Mrs Woodward. She'd locked Rebekah up over some childish piece of defiance and was sitting drinking tea when I walked in on her. She'd shut your daughter in the landing cupboard, knowing full well she's terrified of dark places because she loathes spiders.'

  'What had she done to be punished like that?'

  'I don't think that's important. No child should be shut up in the dark. She's already convinced she saw tarantulas in her mother's room the night Naomi died. Heavens only knows what she'll start imagining if… '

  'She what?' Neal's eyes were sharp.

  'I've told you before. For some reason she thinks Naomi died because a plague of tarantulas invaded her room. Where they disappeared to even she can't imagine but nothing I say can shake her firm conviction that she saw these horrible hairy things crawling all over the cover of Naomi's bed.'

  'You were probably right to sack the woman. Rebekah starts at Heathlands after Easter, I dare say a few weeks off will help her get over her strange ideas. She's always been highly imaginative.'

  'She's very affectionate, Neal. If you could find more time… ' 'Is that all that happened?'

  'No, for the very first time, Jessica… '

  'I thought I'd made it clear to you,' he said slowly, 'that I do not wish to know anything at all about what goes on at your sessions with that child.'

  Lisa's head drooped. 'I'm sorry. You asked and I just forgot.'

  He tilted her head with his hand. 'Please don't forget again. And while we're on the subject, please don't bore our friends with accounts of her progress either. They may pretend an interest, but I assure you that a half-witted toddler is not gripping conversation.'

  'You're determined to be hurtful tonight, aren't you? What's the matter? Has someone upset you or is it just plain ill humour?'

  'I'm in a very good humour,' he lied, grateful that she didn't know how he'd spent his day searching for the negative of the photo only to discover more photos, two of them considerably worse than the one he'd already been sent.

  'I'd better get changed,' she said shortly. He went back to the dining-room, remembering how Carol had looked last night when he and Bishop had shown her the London apartment from which she would now work and set out details of the agreement. She hadn't been quite so confident any more. He'd be interested to learn how she got on with their friend from New York tonight. From what he remem
bered of Glen, she'd certainly earn her share of their fee.

  When they set off , Neal had to admit that his wife looked stunning. Her gown was of flame-coloured satin with two thin shoulder straps, a tightly ruched bodice, close fitting over the hips then flaring out into a dipping Bo-Peep skirt that was split in the front to open as she walked , showing a tantalising glimpse of long, slender legs. With her dark hair and carefully applied makeup she looked almost exotic in her slender beauty.

  Sitting beside her in the car, with the scent of her Dior perfume rising from her warm flesh, he was overwhelmed with desire for her. It was driving him mad this continued desire for possession that, no matter how hard he tried, always ended in disappointment. Even when she faked a response, he knew the deception. More than anything else he wanted to see her writhing with passion beneath him, knowing she was truly his. But even now she was his wife and had given him a son he didn't feel he truly owned her. She was no more his than in the days before they'd become lovers. In fact, he sometimes felt that she was less his because their differences were rapidly becoming more apparent.

  As they climbed out of the car and the flashbulbs exploded he knew that there were many men envying him, but couldn't help feeling bitter at the knowledge that they wouldn't if they knew the truth about their relationship and that as a lover he failed to satisfy his young wife.

  He still found this hard to understand. At their table tonight there were at least three women whom he knew would willingly go to bed with him, and would undoubtedly have a wonderful time and try to keep the relationship going as long as possible. He knew this because it had always been that way for him. Until now, with his own wife. Lisa put her arm through his and smiled at him. 'I guessed as much. Nearly all the gowns are black, gold or both! That's why I chose this one. You didn't want me to look like everyone else, did you?' she added when he didn't respond.

  'No, I certainly didn't. I like you to stand out in a crowd.'

  At least she managed to please him in public, she thought with relief. Then they were swept away into a chattering group and she was busy listening to tales of broken marriages, vanishing nannies, unreliable housekeepers, and all the similar difficulties encountered by wealthy women who were too busy to cope with such mundane matters.

  'We're very lucky,' she said brightly. 'Neal never seems to have any difficulty in keeping staff.' Afterwards she wondered why there'd been such an awkward silence. After all, it was remarkable, although possibly due to their high wages. Certainly there was no reason for people to look embarrassed.

  Late that night when Neal was peeling the magnificent gown from her body and laying her carefully on the bed, as his hands started to touch her she looked up at him and for a brief moment he looked like a stranger. He was concentrating so hard on what he was doing that his features looked quite different, less cultured and more ruthless. She shivered slightly and he quickly looked into her eyes. 'You're mine,' he whispered, his fingers moving between her thighs, 'Mine and nobody else's. Nothing can alter that.'

  Wishing that she could feel more passion, Lisa moved uncomfortably beneath his touch and wondered why she resented his pride of possession. Hadn't she always wanted to be loved? Hadn't she longed for someone who wanted her for what she really was?

  Yes, she thought with a flash of clarity as he thrust into her, that was what she'd wanted but it wasn't what she'd got. Neal didn't want her for what she was. He wanted her to be his idea of the perfect wife, and at the times when she didn't fit the picture he became far from loving.

  Perhaps, she thought, as he continued thrusting at her already aching body, no one ever did accept you for what you were. Perhaps everyone had to pretend just a little all the time. She hoped not. It was such a depressing thought.

  With a groan he climaxed, but when she reached out to embrace him he pushed her away. 'Don't bother to show how grateful you are that I've finally finished! What's wrong with you?' he added beneath his breath. 'What is it you want?'

  She couldn't tell him because she still didn't know. She only knew that whatever it was, Neal wasn't the man who was going to be able to provide it.

  'We have heard that another robbery is planned.'

  Bellini stared at Giovanni Muti in astonishment. 'They plan to hit us again?'

  'So I believe.'

  'You hear this from a reliable source?' 'Utterly reliable.'

  'Then it is to be a deliberate slap in the face for me. They intend that I return to Rome with my tail between my legs.'

  Giovanni shrugged apologetically. 'Who knows how their minds work? '

  'I do. Tell me, what do you know about the laundering of our funds?'

  Giovanni smiled uneasily. 'These rumours abound since the unfortunate affair of Roberto Calvi. For myself, I know nothing of it.'

  'The term "God's banker" means nothing either?'

  'I have heard it, of course. We have all heard it. It is a media term that has caught the attention of the public. So emotive with its religious connotations. Here in England they still wish to discredit Catholics.'

  'I'm beginning to think we do not need their help!'

  'You are at a party tonight, Renato. Could you not discuss this with someone then?'

  'Everyone there is connected with the Gueras organisation. I would simply alert them to our suspicions and shorten my own life span!'

  'Get close to the woman . It is said that all is not well within the marriage. Perhaps she could help you.'

  He thought of Lisa's fragility, the danger he could place her in, and shuddered mentally. 'I do not use women,' he said shortly. 'Not where business is concerned.'

  'Who will you take to the party?'

  'Camilla Foxby . She and I understand each other.' 'How fortunate for you,' said Giovanni dryly.

  At the same time as Renato Bellini was organising his affairs, Lisa was holding a screaming Jessica in her arms, wondering what had gone wrong. They’d been progressing so well and then this morning out of the blue she'd regressed to the terrified child of their first sessions. Now it was as much as Lisa could do to keep her on her lap. 'What 's the matter?' she murmured, trying to keep her eyes on her child's face. 'Please, Jessica, tell me what's wrong.' Jessica's eyes were screwed tightly shut as she kicked and punched, swinging arms and legs wildly at her mother who had obviously become the enemy again.

  After thirty minutes Lisa gave up. Regardless of what Mrs. Honeywood said, she felt certain that today she wasn't helping her daughter. She was making her worse. Until she knew what had caused the set-back, she didn't intend to persist.

  Once released, Jessica curled into a ball on the floor and rocked fiercely as though trying to banish her fears by the sheer force of her movements. After ten minutes she stood up, walked on the tips of her toes to the bookshelf and started hurling books all around the room until the shelf was bare. Then she grabbed hold of the shelf and swung on it until the brackets came away from the wall and she tumbled to the ground, the shelf crashing down within inches of her head. Apparently unperturbed by either the noise or the danger she gave a squeal of satisfaction and began investigating the brackets, running her fingers over the smooth metal as though it was a much-loved doll. Lisa looked across to Janice whose eyes were full of tears. 'What's happened to her?' she asked. 'Yesterday she was so good. I even took her for a walk with Rebekah. Now she's as bad as she's ever been. When did it start?'

  'Yesterday tea-time.' 'Do you know why?' 'No, madam.'

  'You do! You've never called me "madam" before. We're friends, we've been together for over a year now and I'm asking you, as a friend, what's happened to my daughter?'

  'Mrs Gueras, I'm so sorry,' the nurse was barely able to speak coherently. 'She escaped again and I lost her. I thought she might have gone to look at the baby so I checked there, then I asked Rebekah to try and help me find her, but by the time we'd got down to the bottom floor it was too late.'

  'What had happened?'

  'I don't know exactly. I heard her screaming, yo
u see. Really terrified screams, not just shouts. Rebekah realised where she was and ran into the dining-room ahead of me. By the time I got there he'd let her go but… '

  'Who had?'

  'Mr Bishop. He was in there with Miss Louise arid they were both in a fine temper. They said terrible things about poor Jessica, and Mr Bishop threatened to cut her throat if I didn't keep her upstairs where she belonged. He'd been holding her, there were bruises on her wrists, little blue smudges. Since then I haven't been able to do anything with her.'

  'I'll kill him!' Lisa was white with fury. 'How dare he touch my daughter? Is he still here?'

  'He went back to London early this morning. I think he spent the night in Miss Louise's room.'

  'I don't believe it!'

  'That's what the new maid told me.'

  Lisa suddenly felt very tired. It was as though she was continually fighting against enemies who kept creeping up on her when she least expected it. Together, Louise and Bishop would make a formidable partnership, and with Neal already discontented could well succeed in driving him further away from her. She couldn't afford that. She needed Neal because of Jessica. And also, although she scarcely dared acknowledge it to herself , because she was now aware that no one walked away from her husband. They simply died.

  'What can I do?' She sounded as frightened as Janice had felt on encountering Bishop's cold grey eyes across the dining-room the night before and listening to his brutal description of what he'd like to do to Jessica; a description she would never repeat to Lisa.

  'I don't know.'

  'I can't let him get away with it. Jessica needs a tranquil atmosphere and people she can trust. How could you let her get out again?' she added distractedly. 'You're the one person here I can normally rely on.'

  The nurse didn't reply because she knew Lisa was right. It had been her fault, and she didn't like to explain that Jessica could be very cunning. She'd taken the nurse into the kitchen then run away, banging the main door shut behind her and triggering the automatic lock. By the time she'd got free, Jessica was far away.

  'I'll speak to my husband,' said Lisa at last. 'Not about Jessica, I'm afraid he wouldn't listen, but about Bishop and Louise. I'm sure that will take care of the problem because if he's got any sense at all he'll banish Bishop from the house.'