The Beachcomber

by Josephine Cox

  Kathy felt ashamed. “Sorry. You’d best come in. I’ll get you something to eat.”

  “I’m gasping for a drink.” That was Samantha’s first thought. “I wouldn’t mind a gin and tonic.” Collecting her suitcase, she followed Kathy up the path.

  “If you want a gin and tonic you’ll have to go to the pub.” Kathy stepped aside to let her in. “You know I’m not a gin and tonic person.” She hated herself for it, but she couldn’t help the jibe. “I never got the taste for it. I’ve never moved in the same exclusive circles as you and Mother.”

  “Hmh! I should have thought you’d keep some by for your guests, though of course I don’t suppose you get many of those, out here in the back of beyond.”

  “Sorry” – the biting comment rolled off Kathy’s back – “no gin and tonic.” Closing the door behind her, she led Samantha into the sitting room. “I’ve got half a bottle of whiskey, which I keep for an old friend. You’re welcome to a tot of that or I’ve tea or soft drinks …”

  Dropping her case on the carpet, Samantha ignored her offer. She made a face. “You don’t seem too pleased to see me!”

  “I’m not!” Kathy saw no point in beating about the bush. “I’ve not heard a word from you or Mother since I left, and this is the last place on earth you would want to visit.” She took note of Samantha’s meticulously groomed long, dark hair, the brown high-heeled shoes and that shockingly expensive suit that clung to her like a second skin. “So, tell me … why are you really here?”

  Samantha’s green eyes narrowed in a sly little smile. “I could be missing you, have you thought of that?”

  “Oh, please. Credit me with some sense! You haven’t just turned up here because you’re ‘missing’ me,” Kathy pointed out with brutal honesty. “There’s something going on. What are you up to?”

  “My! My!” Dropping into the armchair, Samantha lolled back, looking for all the world as if she was here to stay. “What a suspicious mind you’ve got.”

  Kathy’s back was up now. She knew her sister too well, and she knew something was not right. “I’ve had reason too many times to be suspicious,” she replied curtly. “Or have you forgotten how deceitful and mean you and Mother have been … or how you shut me out of your lives whenever you felt like it?”

  “Ah, well, that was Mother’s fault. Not mine.”

  “Really?”

  Realizing she had better not be too arrogant, or her plan wouldn’t work, Samantha smiled sweetly. “I don’t want to put you to any trouble, but my stomach’s rumbling hungry.”

  “I’ll see what I can rustle up.” Kathy went into the kitchen and peered into the cupboard. “I’ve got ham and tomatoes, or beans on toast.”

  “What!” Samantha came running in, her face wreathed in disgust. “Is that all you’ve got?”

  “I wasn’t expecting visitors.” Kathy paused. “I think you’d better settle for fish and chips,” she said finally.

  “Hmh!” Samantha gave a shiver of disapproval. “If you ask me, the place is uncivilized!”

  Kathy laughed. “Not your usual scene, is it?”

  “I dare say I’ll get used to it.” Samantha was determined to get what she came for, however grim it was here. “If you’ll just show me my room, I’ll unpack while you go for the fish and chips … a large cod for me, and just a small portion of chips.” She patted her thighs. “I don’t want to lose my figure.”

  “They’re not open until six.”

  Kathy wished her sister could be the genuine article. It would have been so nice to have someone she could sit and talk with. And she did so want it all to be pleasant. “Look, Samantha, get your case and I’ll show you where you’ll be sleeping. Then we’ll have a cup of tea and a proper chat. If you’re that hungry, I can make you some toast if you like, while we’re waiting for the chip shop to open.”

  Throwing out her arms in frustration, Samantha refused the offer. “I don’t fancy any of your bloody toast.” She had seen the primitive kitchen, and wasn’t even sure it was hygienic. “Don’t bother. A cup of tea will keep me going until the fish shop opens.”

  Leading the way into the sitting room, she left Kathy shaking her head and muttering, “Keep on like that, and you’ll be leaving sooner than you think!”

  In the sitting room, Samantha took closer note of the furnishings: the newly made curtains and the plain, well-worn furniture, which she wouldn’t have accepted if it was given to her. As Kathy came back in, Samantha gave a grunt of disapproval. “Don’t tell me this is the same furniture he had?”

  “The very same.” Kathy’s back was beginning to bristle. “Why?”

  Again, that haughty look of disapproval. “Well, look at it! It’s absolutely disgusting … I’d have thrown it out by now and got myself something decent.”

  “Well, I like it. But then, I’m not you, am I?”

  “But it belonged to them!”

  “If you mean Father and the woman he loved – yes, it did. Father left it to me, and that makes it mine now. So, it really doesn’t matter whether you like it or not.”

  “Hmh!” Samantha was amazed at Kathy’s new-found self-confidence. There was a time, not so long back, when she could intimidate her sister and get away with it. “There’s no need to get on your high horse.”

  “And there’s no need for you to be so insulting.”

  Kathy was taken aback when Samantha put a very personal question. “You’ve found yourself a man-friend, haven’t you?”

  “What makes you think that?” Kathy didn’t know whether to be pleased or wary.

  “Well, just look at you!” Samantha had never seen her sister so attractive. “You’re positively blooming. Your eyes have that secret little sparkle and you appear to have lost weight. There must be a man involved!”

  “Maybe there is, maybe there isn’t.” Still cautious, Kathy gave nothing away.

  “Well, if there is, you want to be careful.”

  “What d’you mean?”

  “Well, for a start … have you been stupid enough to tell him that you own this house lock, stock and barrel? Is he after you for your charms? Or is he after moving in here? Perhaps he doesn’t think anything of you at all. Perhaps he’s just looking for a cushy number?”

  “I doubt if he’s after this house.” Tom had told her all about his work, and the fact that while he had more money than he knew what to do with, he would give it all away in exchange for peace of mind. “I think I can safely say that Tom and I have something very special. And, in spite of what you might think, he isn’t looking for a ‘cushy’ number, as you so colorfully put it, because he’s already a wealthy man.”

  At that, Samantha’s eyebrows went up and her mouth fell open. “Well, I never! My little sister’s hooked herself a big fish, eh? Good for you.”

  Kathy’s anger was evident as she retaliated. “It’s not like that! I love Tom, and he loves me. I know you might find it hard to believe, but money doesn’t even come into it!”

  Smiling maliciously, Samantha tutted. “Really? But you’re right. I do find it hard to believe.”

  Kathy needed no reminding of her sister’s opinion of her. “Whether you believe it or not, I haven’t had an easy ride these past few years. But I’ve got my life together now, and I’m more content than I’ve been in ages. I won’t let you spoil that, Samantha,” she told her quietly. “So, if you intend staying with me for a few days, you had better get used to the idea that this is not the Ritz or the Savoy. This is my home.”

  Stunned into silence by her sister’s quiet self-confidence, Samantha wondered if her task was going to be as easy as she had first thought. She realized she was dealing with a woman who had thrown a protective barrier around herself and what was hers, and it was a sobering thing to see. On the face of it, she could not envisage how she might get Kathy to sell this house and give her half the proceeds.

  The solicitor was right after all. It would not be easy, she could see that now. But it didn’t put her off, not for on
e minute. In fact, if a fight was what Kathy wanted, then a fight she would get!

  For what seemed like an age, the two sisters stood facing each other: one with hatred in her heart; the other with a deep-down need for the company of family, and peace of mind.

  For the moment, though, the atmosphere in that room was electrifying. In the background the clock ticked, and somewhere outside a dog could be heard barking.

  A sudden knock on the door broke the brooding silence. “Seems you’ve got another visitor.” Samantha soon recovered her arrogance. “You’d better go and see who it is.”

  It was Tom.

  “I just thought, if you weren’t doing anything, that we could go into Weymouth. Maybe have a meal on the sea-front; sit and watch the sun go down. What do you say?”

  Before Kathy could answer, Samantha appeared. “It sounds good to me,” she told Tom, astonishing him with her boldness. “I haven’t strolled on the sea-front in ages.”

  When Tom looked questioningly at Kathy, she introduced one to the other. “This is my sister, Samantha.” Kathy felt a surge of anger that she was in this position. “And this is Tom Marcus.”

  She felt no obligation to explain Tom’s very special role in her life. Instead she was quietly seething. How dare Samantha interfere like that? But then, she reminded herself, it was Samantha’s way. Unfortunately, she knew no other.

  Tom held out his hand in greeting. “What a lovely surprise. Glad to meet you, Samantha.”

  Samantha positively glowed. “Glad to meet you too,” she purred. “I don’t suppose Kathy even told you about me?”

  Sensing Samantha was out for trouble, Kathy intervened. “Look, Tom. Samantha’s only just arrived, so if it’s all right with you I think I’ll have to forget about Weymouth.” More’s the pity, she thought angrily. “But we’re having fish and chips later.” Her face brightened. “Why don’t you join us?”

  She hoped he would, yet she was worried about him being too close to Samantha, who had an unenviable reputation for stealing other women’s men.

  “Well, thank you, darling. I’d love to!” he said, though he would have preferred to take Kathy to Weymouth, where they could be alone. The truth was, they had so much to talk about, and in a few days he would be gone from here, for who knows how long. But he understood how Kathy could not desert her sister who, judging by the look of her suit and attire, had only recently arrived. “What time do you want me?”

  “Why don’t you come in now?” Samantha had a soft spot for a good-looking man, and this one was all the more desirable because he was her sister’s. “I’m sure we could while away the time until the fish shop opens,” she suggested blatantly.

  “Samantha!” Kathy addressed her sharply. “I think it might be a good idea if you used the time to unpack and change.” She tried hard to keep the annoyance out of her voice, but Samantha had a way of riling her that sent all common sense out of the window.

  “Fine,” Tom said quickly. Realizing there was some sort of deep-rooted friction here, and not particularly having taken to Samantha, Tom addressed himself to Kathy. “What say I come down about ten past six? I could call in to the chip shop on the way and pick up the order.”

  Samantha hid her disappointment. “What a good idea!”

  Wanting to slap her, but restraining herself, Kathy told her, “You can take your case upstairs if you like, Samantha.” She gave her directions to the guest room. “You’ll find everything you need in there.”

  “Okay, sis.” Smiling at Tom, Samantha sighed. “Kathy was always the bully.” She gave him one of her loveliest smiles. “I’d best go, before she loses her temper with me.” Rolling her eyes like a frightened little girl, she hurried away.

  When she had gone upstairs, Tom looked at Kathy with raised eyebrows. “She’s nothing like you!”

  Already upset and disillusioned, Kathy retorted, “You mean she’s sophisticated and well groomed, while I’m more suited to plimsolls and a sloppy top?”

  Seeing he had innocently touched a raw spot, Tom slid his arm around her shoulders; drawing her forward, he kissed her full on the mouth. “I love you in your plimsolls and sloppy top,” he said mischievously. “Besides, you’re ‘suited’ to me,” he told her softly, “and I’m ‘suited’ to you.”

  When he looked down she was smiling up at him. “That’s better,” he chuckled. “Now then … walk me to the gate, and I’ll tell you how much I love you.”

  When he put it like that, Kathy thought, how could she refuse? – and anyway, in spite of Samantha, he had put back the heart in her. “You’re an old charmer,” she said, laughing.

  “Hey! Not so much of the ‘old”!”

  From Kathy’s bedroom window, Samantha watched the two of them. She saw how wonderful they were together. She heard their laughter; she cringed when Tom kissed Kathy, and her hatred grew tenfold. “I’m not finished yet!” she hissed. “This house and everything in it should have been given to me. I came here to get what’s rightfully mine, and I’m not leaving without it.”

  She thought Tom was a real man: handsome, rich, and attentive. “You’re a great catch,” she said, ogling him from afar. “She doesn’t know how to handle a man like you. But I do. By the time I’ve finished, I’ll have you and the house.” The idea of marrying a man with money was too appealing to brush aside.

  CHAPTER 14

  KEEPING A CAREFUL watch for anyone who might recognize her, Lilian got off the bus and quickly made her way to the churchyard. The gift of flowers was cradled in her arms, as a child might be.

  She knew exactly where to find Tom’s family. After all, she had attended the service after the tragedy, and since then had been many times to visit alone.

  Coming in through the tall iron gates, she headed for the far side of the churchyard, where Tom’s family were laid to their rest. For a time she looked down at the headstone and the beautiful words written there, and she felt a pang of guilt at loving the husband of this kind-hearted woman. Yet there was a feeling of envy too; a feeling that he should have been married to her, and not to this woman lying here. If he had been, this awful tragedy might never have happened!

  Her feelings were all mixed up: envy, regret, love and hate; they were all there, etched in her aching heart for all time. “I’m so sorry.” Whenever she came here, she always felt the need to apologize. “I know you were a friend to me, and I was always grateful for that, but it isn’t my fault if I love him, you need to understand that.”

  Undoing the wrapping, she took out the flowers: twelve beautiful yellow roses. With tender loving care she set them in the pot at the foot of the headstone, her heart leaping with fear when a voice at her shoulder said, “I’m glad to see you’re putting them in the vase and not throwing them all over the place!”

  The caretaker was an old fellow with a bent back and a sour face, and he was fed up with forever clearing up behind other people.

  “Go away!” Lilian had no time for him. “Clear off. Leave me alone.”

  “Huh! No need to be so downright bloody rude! All I’m saying is, I’m not paid to sweep up after you lot, so just make sure you leave the place tidy when you go.”

  He ambled off, mumbling to himself. “Got no respect, that’s the trouble. Damned visitors … no thought for nobody but theirselves.”

  Lilian watched him for a minute before getting back to the task in hand.

  When she was satisfied the flowers were arranged to her liking, she went to the tap, found the small jug which was there for the purpose and, filling it with water, returned to the headstone, where she topped up the vase.

  That done, she looked down on the headstone, her voice trembling with emotion as she whispered, “I love him, you know that, don’t you? I’ve always loved him. You were my friend, though. When you came to the office and we talked, and you bought me presents for my birthday … and that Christmas, when I was on my own and you asked me to your house … I loved you, too, in a way …”

  Emotions overwhelmed
her. “It was so awful … the accident and everything. I’m so sorry. It was my fault, you see. You don’t know how often I’d dreamed of getting you and the children out of the way, so me and Tom could be together. While you and the children were there, I didn’t stand a chance, don’t you see that? I wanted him, and I know he wanted me … but you got in the way!”

  She gave a nervous little giggle. “We’ve got a chance now, though … with you gone. I know it’s a terrible thing to say, but it seems to me it was meant to happen this way.” She outlined her plans. “He’s gone away for a while, you see. He said he wanted to be on his own, to think about everything – which is understandable in the circumstances.”

  She stood up tall and proud as she declared, “I’ve decided to go and see him tomorrow. I know he’s ready to talk about us. He won’t turn me away, not now. Not with you out of the way for good. You see, he’s been feeling guilty about wanting me, that’s what it is. But it’ll be all right now, you’ll see.”

  Suddenly she heard a sound behind her. Swinging round, she saw a young woman approaching from the bushes. “What are you doing hiding there?” A kind of madness took hold of her. “What are you up to?” Lilian was afraid the stranger might have heard what she’d been saying.

  “I’m not ‘up to’ anything!” Gloria laughed with embarrassment. “I was just delivering flowers,” she said. “I took the wrong turn and had to cut through the bushes.” Feeling threatened by the striking woman with her long auburn curls, she told Lilian, “I’m sorry to interrupt.”

  Spying the pretty bouquet of flowers in her arms, Lilian asked, “Are they for here?”

  “Yes.”

  “But there’s no room in the vase now.”

  “Oh, it’s all right. Look!” Shifting the flowers, she revealed how they were contained in a vase of their own. “The boss decided this was the best way of going on. You’re right. That vase is far too small. We’ve got a regular order, you see, and sometimes, if there’s flowers in the vase, I have to take mine back … it’s such a shame.”