by Iris Danbury
“No, apparently not.”
“Then where has she been living all this time?” he asked.
“I’m not sure. I mean I haven’t had time to find out.”
“Where is your sister now?”
“In the garden,” replied Nicola, hoping that Lisa would at least behave in a reasonable manner.
“Then bring her in here. I shall be delighted to welcome her, for your sake, Nicola, as well as her own.”
Nicola was glad of the opportunity to hurry out of the study, taking the opportunity to brush away a few tears from her eyes.
At first Nicola could not find Lisa, and for a moment her disloyal heart lightened. Had Lisa already seen the impossibility of the situation? But as Nicola turned the curve of a row of oleander bushes she heard Lisa’s voice talking in very bad Spanish.
Lisa reclined on a chaise-longue, a long cool drink at her elbow, while Felipe, one of the gardeners, smiled down at her. Oh, trust Lisa not to waste time sitting alone! Nicola thought uncharitably.
“Ah, there you are!” exclaimed Lisa when she saw Nicola. The gardener bowed and went off to his tasks. “Well, how did the great man take the dramatic news?” she wanted to know.
“Come with me and meet him,” replied Nicola, keeping a tight rein on her self-control.
Sebastian gave Lisa a smile of welcome and said, “I am very glad that you have been found. Your sister has been very anxious about you.”
He placed a chair for Lisa, waited for Nicola also to be seated, then he sat at his desk as though he were in his consulting room. He pulled from a drawer the photograph of Lisa that Nicola had received from England and compared the picture with the original.
“You mustn’t take any notice of the difference,” Lisa pointed out immediately. “I’ve had my hair tinted a different colour and I’m sun-tanned.”
He nodded. “Have you been ill, Miss Brettell?”
For a few seconds Lisa did not reply, and Nicola held her breath, fearful of what revelations her sister might make.
Then Lisa said sweetly and patiently, “I think I must have been ill for some time, because I don’t remember whole patches of events. I seemed to wake up and weeks and weeks had gone by.”
So that was to be the tale, Nicola reflected. Loss of memory. Perhaps it was as good as any other.
“Did you have some kind of accident? A blow on the head? A car crash or something of the kind?”
Lisa appeared to ponder. “I don’t remember. It could have been a car crash, I suppose.”
“But you were not in any hospital in this part of the country,” he said crisply. “Were you nursed privately?”
“I suppose I must have been.”
Sebastian rose. “Then we must look after you, Miss Brettell, and see that there are no bad after-effects. I may be allowed to examine you later on, perhaps? I am a doctor.”
“Naturally. I shall be most relieved to be examined and find out that I’m now all right.”
Sebastian ordered a guest room to be prepared for Lisa, who came along to Nicola’s room some time before dinner.
“I came to see what I could borrow to wear for dinner,” Lisa explained. “I haven’t a rag, as you know.”
“I’ve one or two outfits in the wardrobe,” Nicola offered.
Lisa inspected the contents and sniffed. “H’m. Not much here, is there? Everything’s too long, anyway. You’re taller than I and no one would ever call you an up-to-date fashion-follower.”
“There’s a pink skirt there that you could hitch up a bit by turning the waist over and wearing this little brocade jacket on top.”
“It’ll do for one evening,” observed Lisa grudgingly. “Tomorrow you must come with me to Barcelona and help me do some shopping. I must have a few rags to stand up in.”
Nicola’s first impulse was to say that she couldn’t possibly spare the time, but second thoughts warned her that it might be desirable to watch Lisa actually spending the money and paying cash for the articles. Nicola would have to provide the money anyway.
Lisa was glancing round the room. “Not bad,” she said. “I really wanted to see if mine was as good as yours, as I don’t see why I should be fobbed off with anything less.”
“And are you satisfied with your accommodation?” asked Nicola coolly.
“For the time being, yes. I think, Nicky, that I’m going to enjoy myself in the Villa Ronda. Good girl, you chose a nice place. I’ll say that for you.”
Nicola realised at dinner that those delightful tete-a-tete meals with Sebastian were at an end. Lisa made a lively but intrusive third, and Nicola was nervously on edge lest her sister should drop some hint of unpaid bills or visits to San Fernando or any other perilous subject. Sebastian was courtesy itself, conversing with Lisa in a way that both flattered and challenged her to sparkle. Eventually Nicola excused herself on the pretext that she wanted to finish some typing, but he rose quickly instead.
“No, Nicola, not tonight. You must stay and talk to your sister. You must have so much to say to each other after this long silence.”
When the two girls were alone on the lamp-lit patio, Lisa helped herself to a little more wine.
“Utterly charming,” she said softly. “I’d no idea. D’you think you’ve any chance of marrying him?”
“No chance at all, I imagine,” Nicola replied smoothly, grateful for the darkness that dimmed her face. “He’s otherwise reserved for someone else.”
“Pity,” commented Lisa. “You’d be in clover here. So might I.”
“After a pause, Lisa continued, “I wonder ... I wonder if I could—”
“Could what?”
“Manage to oust this other woman who has put a reserved label on him.”
Nicola managed a chuckle that was half amusement, but half desperation. “It’s rather early to make plans yet, Lisa. You don’t really know what he’s like.”
“And do you?”
“To a small extent, yes,” replied Nicola.
“Tell me about him.”
Nicola stood up. “Some other time, Lisa. It’s late and I’m going to bed. Coming?”
“This place isn’t exactly a centre of evening entertainment, is it?” grumbled Lisa. “Everyone off to bed before midnight.”
“It’s not Barcelona, if that’s what you mean. It’s not even San Fernando.”
“Oh, well, maybe there’ll be more excitement when the others return from the yachting trip.” Lisa stretched and yawned.
“All right, Nicky. I’ll count my blessings, as you so often used to command me, and we’ll see what tomorrow brings.”
Long after Lisa had gone to her room after a final chat, Nicola lay awake, apprehensive and disquieted not only at the sudden reappearance of her sister, but bitterly ashamed at her own reactions. She would have been more content to know definitely that Lisa was safe and well and prosperous, but at some distance from the Villa Ronda. She did not want Lisa here in Sebastian’s house and knew that her reasons were selfish and unworthy.
CHAPTER VIII
On the shopping expedition next day to buy clothes for Lisa, Nicola decided to be as generous as possible with money, if only to salve her conscience and cancel those distrustful feelings that Lisa’s sudden reappearance had caused. For her part Nicola was pleasantly surprised to find Lisa’s demands so moderate. “A couple of inexpensive dresses, two pairs of shoes, some underwear—those will probably do for the time being,” she said as she walked with Nicola along one of the shopping streets.
Sebastian had considerately given Nicola the entire day off, so the two girls were able to lunch leisurely at a restaurant in the Paseo de Gracia.
“We ought to telephone Patrick,” Lisa suggested. “You don’t want him to go on searching for me, do you?”
Nicola smiled. “I thought you said he knew all about your movements. If that’s so, then he’ll know that you’re now staying at the Villa Ronda.”
Lisa made a grimace. “Still, there’s no harm in talking
to him.”
“I never like telephoning men at their office in business hours,” Nicola objected.
“Have it your own way.” Lisa shrugged. “I can see why David didn’t come rushing back to marry you. You’re too diffident, Nicola. You’ve simply got to be more positive in this world.”
Nicola looked down at the tablecloth. “There was no need to remind me of David. That’s all over and finished.”
“Well then, why don’t you learn from experience? We all make mistakes. I made one over Tony, but I’m not going to forget those hard lessons.”
In the end Lisa telephoned Patrick, who agreed to meet the two girls when he had finished work.
“He’s another like you,” gibed Lisa. “‘When I’ve finished work ...” Any man worth his salt would just walk out of his office, take a taxi and arrive here in ten minutes.”
Nicola laughed. “Perhaps he doesn’t think either of us is worth getting into trouble with his boss.” After a moment, she asked, “Wasn’t he surprised to hear from you?”
“Well, yes, in a way, I suppose he was, but you heard me explain to him,” Lisa answered vaguely.
Nicola had also heard Patrick’s sharp exclamations of surprise at the other end. “Lisa!” he had shouted. “Lisa! I can’t believe it. Nicola will be pleased. Oh, she’s there with you.”
When eventually he met the two girls at a cafe near the Plaza de Cataluna, Patrick’s first reaction to Lisa was one of complete astonishment. “Lisa! I would scarcely have known you.”
“I can see I shall have to go back to my uninteresting dark hair and peaky little white face, or else my friends won’t know me,” Lisa returned with self-assurance.
Over the coffee and cognac Patrick asked questions and Lisa answered vaguely or parried his queries neatly with irrelevant remarks.
“And how did you enjoy your yachting holiday?” he asked Nicola.
“Fine. I liked San Fernando, too. The others aren’t back yet. I flew home with Dr. Montal, because he had to start work again. He can be away for only a very limited time.”
Patrick smiled. “Well, you did right to pick a job like that. Think of the perks!”
“I’m going on the next yachting trip,” declared Lisa. “It’ll just suit me.”
“Shouldn’t you wait until you’re asked?” teased Patrick.
“Oh, never fear! Nicola wouldn’t dare go without me. Would you dear?”
“Since the yacht belongs to Ramon, I suppose he can ask whom he likes,” Nicola said lightly.
On the way home to Orsola in the train, Lisa said idly, “Patrick finds you very attractive, doesn’t he?”
“I just happen to be English—and someone to talk to,” Nicola answered non-committally.
Lisa shook her head. “Not so! I know that look in their eyes. You might do worse than marry him, Nicky. I think he has a reasonable job with prospects, and at least you’d be living in a lovely climate.”
Nicola laughed. “Don’t try to arrange my future for me. Or even Patrick’s.”
For a few days Lisa behaved very well indeed, amusing herself down on the shore swimming or sunbathing when Nicola was busy with Sebastian’s secretarial work. Then the Clorinda returned with Ramon, Adrienne and Elena.
At first Adrienne was as cordial in her welcome as her uncle had been.
“Oh, it is so good that Nicola has found her sister,” she said when she heard the news, and was introduced to Lisa.
Dona Elena was far more restrained.
“She looked at me,” complained Lisa afterwards, “as though I were a particularly nasty-smelling piece of fish.”
“That’s her usual manner,” soothed Nicola. “She doesn’t do it deliberately.”
“I don’t like her,” said Lisa, and there was something ominous in her tone. “It’s a blessing she doesn’t live here.”
“You may be wrong in that. Dona Elena has shut up her house near by for a few weeks and she may stay here, so don’t go out of your way to offend her. She and Adrienne don’t hit it off very well together, so we don’t want the house in an uproar.” Nicola spoke firmly, knowing her sister’s capacity for stirring up indignation and resentment between people who were antipathetic to each other.
But it was Nicola who first became indignant and Dona Elena who started the explosive series of situations that seemed to detonate each other.
“Is she in truth your sister?” Elena asked Nicola one evening. “You are not at all alike.”
“It’s not unusual for relations to be entirely opposite in looks,” answered Nicola mildly.
“It was very clever of you to insert this girl into Dr. Montal’s house,” continued Elena. “Naturally, by maintaining that you had lost touch with her, that she was missing and might be in deep trouble, you were assured that when the time was ready, you would have no difficulty in bringing her here for an indefinite stay.”
“Is that how it appears to you, Dona Elena?” asked Nicola. “I assure you that my sister was really missing. In fact, she has been ill with loss of memory.”
Elena gave an unbelieving smile. “That is always the excuse. Loss of memory. So easy. Who could prove otherwise?”
“I suppose Dr. Montal could tell whether Lisa were shamming or not?” Nicola said coldly.
“He would know, but he might not tell you. He would not want to hurt your feelings.”
“I can always ask him to let me know the truth,” retorted Nicola, “and hope that my feelings can stand it.”
Elena shrugged her elegant shoulders. “Surely it would be better now that you two sisters are reunited if you found work where you could be together?”
“I am still employed by Dr. Montal,” Nicola reminded her, but did not add that she was bound by her promise to stay a year. “My sister will certainly find work as soon as she has had a short rest.”
“But then you will still be separated, and if your sister is not in good health, it is your duty to look after her.”
Nicola realised that it was hopeless to try to argue with Elena. “I agree with part of what you say, Dona Elena, but in all matters I must take instructions from Dr. Montal.”
Nicola thought with a certain touch of mild savagery that Elena would lose no time in pouring her troubles direct into Dr. Montal’s ear.
A few days later Adrienne was at war with Lisa. It appeared from Adrienne’s impassioned outburst that she had caught Lisa snooping about in the upstairs rooms of one wing of the Villa Ronda.
“She had no right to be there!” declared Adrienne hotly. “Those rooms belonged to my parents. My father wanted my mother’s suite kept exactly as it was when she died. When he went away, we also kept his rooms as they were. They are not for strangers to roam about.”
Nicola could well understand Adrienne’s indignation. “But how could Lisa get into that wing?”
“Naturally the rooms must be cleaned sometimes. Possibly Lisa followed one of the maids. I don’t know. I went there myself because today is my father’s birthday anniversary and I wanted to be in his room. Lisa was there, picking over the papers on his desk.”
“I’m very sorry,” Nicola said quietly. “I’ll speak to Lisa about it and see that it never happens again.”
Adrienne, whose grey eyes were full of unshed tears, seemed pacified by Nicola’s gentle understanding, but there were other bones of contention.
“Also I do not like the way she is always making journeys to the yacht to see Ramon. Almost every day she is down at the harbour signalling for the dinghy to fetch her.”
Nicola smiled. “A yacht is rather a novelty to Lisa. It was to me. I’d never been aboard one like Ramon’s before.”
“Then perhaps she can explore other yachts instead of the Clorinda.”
At this moment, with Adrienne in a state of furious excitability, Nicola was too tactful to say what she thought, but in her opinion it might benefit Adrienne if Lisa provided some real or imagined competition for Ramon.
Nicola again promised to do w
hat she could to prevent Lisa from becoming too friendly with Ramon. There was no opportunity that day, for Lisa stayed out all day and telephoned that she would not be at the Villa for dinner. In one way Nicola was only too glad of Lisa’s absence, but she could not help worrying in case some new mischief were brewing.
Ramon was here at dinner, so obviously Lisa could not be in his company, but Nicola guessed that Lisa would not be spending the evening alone. Patrick, perhaps? Or the faithful spy, Ruben?
When Lisa appeared about mid-morning the next day, Nicola knew that she had to move warily.
“Did you have a good time yesterday?” she asked.
Lisa, still looking sleepy, nodded.
“You must have come home pretty late,” continued Nicola. “I wasn’t in bed until after one and I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Does it matter what time I come in? This place is like a rest home for old ladies. I must have some gaiety somewhere.”
“All right. As long as you remember that the Villa is not a hotel with a night porter. Someone has to get up and let you in.”
“That’s what they’re paid for, isn’t it?” said Lisa sulkily.
Obviously this was not the moment to reproach Lisa with causing upsets in the Montal household. Nicola thought it wiser to choose a more propitious moment. The delay did not help for when the mail was delivered usually just before midday, Nicola took Sebastian’s letters to his study, opened the circulars and then glanced at several letters addressed to herself.
She turned the envelopes over. “Senorita Brettell, Villa Ronda ...” She had given her address to so few people. Perhaps these were for Lisa.
She opened them. Bills for dresses, coats, shoes, all from expensive shops.
Nicola raged, fury in her heart. No wonder Lisa had been so modest in her initial demands on Nicola’s purse! She had now gone in for a real shopping spree.