by Neels, Betty
Dr Fitzxoy paid his usual visit in the morning, listened good-naturedly to his patients’ long-winded account of their guest, pronounced himself satisfied with their health and suggested that Katherine should go with him to his car parked outside to fetch some tablets.
‘Well?’ he asked, once they were free of the street door. ‘What do you think of this nephew? Can you cope with a guest in the house? Mrs Dowling has enough to do...’
For all the world, thought Katherine, as though I sit about all day reading novels... ‘Of course I can,’ she said rather tartly. ‘He’s very considerate, and he’s someone new for them to talk to. They like having him here.’
‘But you don’t. And don’t frown at me like that, Katherine. Your face is like an open book when it comes to feelings.’
She went pink, and looked at him with such horror that he added, ‘Now what have I said? You look as though I’ve caught you stealing...’
He might say that he could read her thoughts, but he hadn’t discovered that she was head over heels in love with him; she thanked heaven fervently for that, managed a smile and decided not to answer him.
Dodie came that afternoon, professed herself delighted to meet a member of the family she had heard of but never seen, and stayed for tea. She and Tom Fetter got on splendidly, and when she got up to go he offered to walk with her.
In the hall, putting on her coat, Dodie asked, ‘And how is our little paragon?’ She glanced at Katherine and smiled brilliantly. ‘Dr Fitzroy seems to think you are the eighth wonder of the world—I can’t think why. Do you like him?’
Katherine said calmly, ‘Yes, I do, he’s been very kind to me and I’m happy here.’
‘Just the kind of little willing work-horse he was looking for, and of course you think he is marvellous... You ought to see the nurses at the hospital falling over each other to work for him! He’s got charm, all right, and knows how to use it, too. He comes home and tells me of some new conquest and we have a good laugh...’ She got out a lipstick and studied her face in the hall mirror. ‘Still, you’re too sensible to get taken in, aren’t you? I mean to say...he can take his pick of pretty girls, and I don’t mind, he’s not serious with them.’ She smiled quite brilliantly again. ‘I’m the one who matters.’ She nodded. ‘I thought I’d let you know that.’
Tom Fetter came into the hall, and she added, ‘See you some time, Katherine,’ and went away with him, leaving Katherine quite speechless. She had to stay where she was for a few minutes to calm down, for she found that she was shaking with rage. Why had Dodie told her that load of rubbish—for she was sure that that was what it was—unless, horrid thought, she had somehow guessed at Katherine’s feelings for Dr Fitzroy? She went hot and cold at the very idea.
It surprised her when Dodie came the following afternoon and stayed to tea, and again Tom Fetter saw her home. The next day, he told Mrs Grainger that he was taking Dodie out to lunch.
‘So nice that they are enjoying each other’s company,’ declared the old lady. ‘He is such a splendid companion, isn’t he, Katherine? So amusing and thoughtful. I’m sure we haven’t enjoyed ourselves so much for a long time.’
And, true enough, he kept them happy, even though Katherine now found it difficult to keep them to the gentle routine Dr Fitzroy had mapped out for them. They wanted to stay up later, change their suitable diets for the more exotic dishes he was always describing to them.
At lunch, Mr Grainger said suddenly, ‘I wish Tom lived with us, he’s such splendid company. I did hint at it, but he says he has this very pleasant house in Cheltenham—too big for him, it seems, and costs a great deal to maintain...’
Katherine settled them for their afternoon nap, glad that the house was quiet, and then put on her outdoor things and went into the town. She had intended to save her week’s wages, but she had seen, days ago, a winter coat in an unassuming peat-brown cloth, not quite what she had hoped to buy, but the days were becoming cold and a thick coat was a must. She hurried back with it, well pleased with her purchase, despite the fact that she had very little money left in her purse.
She went into the house through the kitchen door, and found Mrs Dowling loading the tea tray. ‘I don’t know why they’re all here,’ she complained, ‘the doctor and Miss Dodie and that Mr Fetter, all wanting their tea.’
Katherine took off her outdoor things and laid the carrier bag containing the new coat carefully on top of them. ‘I’ll take the tea in,’ she offered. ‘They won’t want me to stay, I’ll come back here, if I may, and have tea with you.’
They all turned to look at her as she went in; the doctor took the tray from her as she murmured a good afternoon to the room in general and added, ‘I’ll just bring in the cakes and scones. I expect Miss Dodie will pour out.’
She whisked away and returned with a second tray, which she laid on a side table before she made for the door once more.
‘You’d better stay,’ said the doctor. ‘Mr Grainger has something to say to you.’
She turned slowly to face them all, all of a sudden aware that something awful was about to happen, a guess borne out by the sly look of satisfaction on Dodie’s face.
Chapter 4
‘Let me pour the tea first,’ said Dodie gaily. ‘And, Katherine, pass the scones round before you sit down.’
Katherine did as she had been asked. Dodie was making it worse, she guessed that, prolonging the moment when she was going to be told something which was going to shatter her newly found independence and contentment. She sat down presently, a cup and saucer in her hand, and took a sip of tea. She was going to need it before they had finished.
It surprised her a little that the doctor had said nothing, merely sat there, looking calmly from one to the other. Dodie went to sit beside him and laughed across at her grandfather. ‘Now, darling, do tell Katherine what you’ve decided.’
She looked around the circle of faces, smiling prettily, quite sure that they were all enjoying themselves as much as she was. ‘And I can’t take all the credit for it,’ she told them. ‘Tom shared my idea and made it possible.’
‘So, shall we hear what it is?’ suggested the doctor. ‘I, for one, can’t spare more than a few more minutes.’
Old Mr Grainger coughed importantly and glanced across at his wife. ‘Well, it’s like this,’ he began. ‘Dodie, bless the darling child, thinks that a change of scene would do us good, and Tom here has invited us to go back with him to Cheltenham—and we’ve agreed...’ He was interrupted by Mrs Dowling coming quietly into the room to whisper into the doctor’s ear. He got up at once, excused himself and left the room with her, to return within a few moments. ‘I have to go to the hospital—something has come up...’ He glanced briefly at Katherine, and then at Mr Grainger. ‘Perhaps we can talk about this later?’
He didn’t stay for an answer.
A pity he had been called away, reflected Katherine, listening to plans being made—plans in which she was not included. ‘We will give you a splendid reference,’ Mr Grainger told her, ‘and I’m sure you’ll find another job at once, Katherine. Why, Dodie tells me that she knows of several people who would love to have you. We can’t take you with us, you understand. Tom’s house isn’t large enough for that, and we plan to stay some months.’
He looked at his wife and went on, ‘Mrs Dowling will stay on here, of course, and you are most welcome to remain until you move to another job.’
Katherine found her voice, and marvelled that it sounded just as usual. ‘When do you intend to go?’
‘Within a few days. There will be a few arrangements to make, and the packing, but, of course, you will be here to do that.’
She agreed calmly, and if her face was pale she didn’t allow her dismay to show; she wasn’t going to give Dodie the satisfaction of that. She wondered why Dodie hadn’t persuaded her grandparents to ask her to go with them—she would have been out of the way then, and that was obviously what she wanted. So silly, really: Dodie had never been in a
ny danger of losing the doctor to her. Her vague speculations were cleared almost at once.
‘I know just the job for you,’ declared Dodie. ‘A nice old couple who live near Stockbridge—rather rural, but then you like the country, I expect.’
‘I’m sure I’ll be able to find work, but it’s kind of you to bother.’ Katherine stood up. ‘Shall I clear the tea things? I expect you have a lot to discuss. I’ll be in the kitchen.’
She went unhurriedly from the room, her throat so choked by tears that, when she reached the kitchen, she couldn’t speak. Mrs Dowling took one look at her, took the tray and asked, ‘Bad news? I had a feeling it was. Sit down and I’ll make a cup of tea, and you can tell me if you want to.’
Katherine wasn’t going to cry, but she couldn’t speak either, so she nodded her head and sat down at the table. The tea, a strong brew favoured by the housekeeper, steadied her. She was able to tell Mrs Dowling the plans which had been made, and ended, ‘You don’t have to worry, you’re to stay here while they’re gone.’
Mrs Dowling nodded. ‘Suits me, but what about you? Turning you off at a moment’s notice, I can’t understand it! You’ve been such a help, and they like you.’
‘But Mr Fetter amuses them...’
‘Don’t trust the man, myself,’ declared Mrs Dowling.
Katherine was inclined to agree with her when, the following morning, coming downstairs after searching for Mrs Grainger’s spectacles, she overheard Mr Grainger’s voice, always rather loud. ‘You’re sure five thousand is enough, Tom? And of course we’ll arrange for extra help in the house while we’re with you. Just let me have the bills—you’ll have a good deal of extra expense...’
It wasn’t her business, of course, and Mr Fetter was a kind of relation. But there had been no need for him to invite the Graingers to his house; they had been happy enough. She hoped there would be someone at his home to fetch and carry for the elderly pair. She handed over the spectacles and began to unravel Mrs Grainger’s knitting, wondering what Dr Fitzroy would have to say when he was told.
He came half an hour later, gave his brief examinations, asked to sit down for a few moments, then did so.
He heard Mr Grainger’s news with no sign of disquiet, and that was something Katherine hadn’t expected.
‘I see that you are determined to go,’ he observed calmly, ‘and I imagine that there is nothing I can say which will make you change your mind? I cannot say that I like the idea, though. And whose idea was it?’
Mrs Grainger said excitedly, ‘Dodie’s, bless her, always thinking of us—and Tom was only too ready to fall in with her plans. She had them all settled for us, too. We shall go in a couple of days’ time, Katherine will pack for us...’
‘She goes with you?’ He didn’t look at Katherine as he spoke.
‘Oh, no! Dodie says there is no need, Tom will have plenty of help at his home. We shall miss her, of course, but I’m sure she’ll find more work easily enough.’
She glanced at Katherine and smiled. ‘Dodie knows some people near Stockbridge...’
He said easily, ‘I don’t think you need to worry about Katherine.’ He got up. ‘I’ll come the day after tomorrow and give you both a check-up and let a colleague of mine in Cheltenham know that you’ll be staying there for a time. You’re quite sure that you want to go?’
It was Mr Grainger who replied, ‘Quite sure, Jason. Of course, you’ll keep an eye on us when we get back?’
‘Of course.’ He bade them a pleasant goodbye, and Katherine went with him to see him out.
At the door he said briskly. ‘I shouldn’t worry about finding work. Something will turn up.’
She agreed quietly, watching him cross the pavement to his car. He hadn’t even offered to give her a reference. A great wash of self-pity threatened to swamp her. If only she hadn’t spent almost all her money on a coat! The week’s wages she would be paid wouldn’t go far. She fought back tears; being sorry for herself was no help at all. She gave a defiant sniff and went up to the attics to fetch the cases needed for packing.
She was kept fully occupied after that, packing and then unpacking again, because Mrs Grainger couldn’t make up her mind what she wanted to take with her. Mr Fetter was much in evidence, laughing a great deal, making rather grandiose plans and, when Dodie called, which she did each day, falling in with her own plans to visit them in Cheltenham. It all sounded delightful, but Katherine didn’t feel very happy about it. Somehow, Tom Fetter didn’t sound quite right, although she didn’t know why. Perhaps he laughed too much, and when he wasn’t laughing he was smiling, and yet his eyes were restless, as though he expected someone to query his good humour. Not that it concerned her, she reminded herself sternly; on the following day they would all be gone and she would have started looking for work. Mr Grainger had given her an extra week’s wages and told her that she might stay at the house until she found something else to do, so that her immediate worries had been quietened. All the same, on the last evening, after she had seen the Graingers safely into their beds, she had gone to her room and packed. Surely she would find work within the next day or two?
It was something of a chaotic morning. Mr and Mrs Grainger took time to prepare themselves for their trip, various comforts for the journey needed to be stowed about their persons, cases—already packed— had to be opened and checked, and a variety of instructions needed to be given to Mrs Dowling. At the last minute, Dr Fitzroy had driven up, got out of his car and strolled over to say a final goodbye. That done, he turned to Tom Fetter, who was fussing round his car.
‘I’ve telephoned Dr Carver, a friend of mine in Cheltenham. He promises that he will attend Mr and Mrs Grainger. You do realise that they need medical supervision regularly?’
‘My dear chap,’ began Tom Fetter, T wasn’t born yesterday—you medics aren’t the only people with brains. I’ll keep a sharp eye on them, never fear.’
Dr Fitzroy nodded. ‘As you like—as long as you understand your responsibilities. Dr Carver will keep me informed.’
Tom Fetter laughed uneasily. ‘Good lord, you sound as though you don’t trust me.’
To this, the doctor made no reply, merely turned on his heel, got into his car and drove away. He had neither looked nor spoken to Katherine, and she watched him go with mixed feelings: bitter regret that she was unlikely to see him again, and a waspish desire to say something really nasty if ever she did. She was discovering it was hard to love someone who completely ignored her.
The house was very quiet once they had all gone; Dodie had been there to see them go, but she hadn’t stayed. ‘I expected Jason to be here,’ she had grumbled. ‘I told him to wait for me.’ She had flounced off, looking cross.
It was nice to be kept busy for the next hour or two; there was really no need for Katherine to help Mrs Dowling, for the daily cleaner was there and was to stay all day, but it kept her occupied—stripping beds and getting the rooms ready for what Mrs Dowling called a good turn-out. After lunch, Katherine went into the city and sought out the agencies she had looked up in the telephone directory. She visited three, and none of them had anything suitable; she couldn’t type, and although she could cook she had no cordon bleu qualifications, nor had she any nursing experience. She was advised to return in a few days; home helps were always in demand, she was told encouragingly, but of course, with Christmas not far off, most people had made their arrangements well ahead. She went back to the house, not exactly worried, but vaguely apprehensive.
She spent the next day round the house, polishing the silver for Mrs Dowling and wrapping it carefully in baize so that it might be taken to the bank for safekeeping. She was putting on the kettle for tea when Dodie arrived.
‘Still here?’ She sounded annoyed. ‘I’ll give you the address of those people at Stockbridge. You can get a bus there tomorrow and be interviewed. They’re desperate for someone, so there’s no doubt that you’ll get the job.’
Katherine thanked her with a calm she didn’t
feel. Dodie had been the means of her losing her job with the Graingers, and now she was trying to push her into a household she knew nothing about, and buried in the country to boot! She had no intention of going there, but there was no point in annoying Dodie. That ■ young lady departed presently, well pleased with herself, having left exact instructions as to how Katherine was to get to the place. ‘I’ll phone this evening and let them know you’re coming,’ she promised.
Mrs Dowling was going to spend the night with her sister who lived on the other side of Salisbury; it was a chance, she explained to Katherine, which she might not get again for a long time, for, once Katherine had gone, she didn’t feel she could leave the house empty. ‘You don’t mind?’ she wanted to know. ‘You’re not nervous?’
‘Not a bit,’ declared Katherine, and promised to shoot every bolt, double lock the doors and close every window before she went to bed.
All the same, the old house seemed very empty, even with the TV on. She went to bed early, her head full of plans for getting a job as quickly as possible in Salisbury, plans hindered by thoughts which had nothing to do with them and wholly to do with Dr Fitzroy.
She got up early in the dark of the winter morning, made herself tea and set about getting breakfast. Mrs Dowling would be back for lunch, and she would have ample time to go back to the agencies and try her luck once again. She was making toast when the bell rang.
The postman, probably, with Christmas parcels—a bit early, but some people always posted them too soon... She undid the bolts, turned the key in the lock and took down the chain. She found the doctor on the doorstep.
‘My goodness, you are up early!’ said Katherine. ‘Is something wrong?’ She ushered him inside, full of delight at the sight of him. ‘I’ve just made breakfast. Would you like a cup of tea?’
‘Please. I’ve been at the hospital since four o’clock. I wanted to see you, and this seemed a good opportunity.’