Chapter 14
Reminding herself why she had neither an answerphone nor a mobile – there were more than enough phones and pagers at Beckford General – Sophie dialled 1471.
Recognizing Monty and Edna’s number she immediately feared the worst and phoned them straight back.
‘Aunt Edna. It’s Sophie.’
‘Sophie, dear. I’ve been trying to get hold of you.’
‘So I gather. My neighbour said my phone’s been ringing all day.’
‘She’s right there. Every time I tried ringing this morning, your line was engaged. You’re a very popular young lady.’
‘I don’t know about that,’ Sophie said, ‘anyway, how are you and Uncle Monty? There’s nothing wrong is there?’
‘No. We’re fine. We were merely wondering when you’d be able to come and see us. We’re longing to hear all about your holiday in the Algarve. From the postcards you sent, you certainly appeared to be enjoying yourself.’
‘I did. It was simply amazing.’
‘Hmm. And that’s not all, is it? Who was this Carlos you mentioned?’
Deciding against saying too much until she’d discovered the reason for Carlos’s non-appearance, Sophie tried to make light of the matter. ‘Don’t you remember? He’s one of Rosa’s cousins. He took me out a couple of times – that’s all.’
‘Just a holiday romance then, was it?’
‘I’ll tell you when I see you,’ Sophie said, anxious to change the subject. ‘But that won’t be for quite a while, I’m afraid. Having had three week’s holiday, I can’t possibly disappear again. At the moment I’m doing extra shifts, trying to get back into everyone’s good books.’
‘Well, don’t overdo it, dear. And do take care, Monty and I worry about you so much. I do wish you weren’t quite so far away.’
‘At least for the moment you’re only in Norfolk, and not the Algarve. Which reminds me, they’re building some new villas near Alvor. I picked up a brochure in case Uncle Monty was really serious about moving to Portugal. I’ll pop it in the post tomorrow.’
Saying goodbye, and promising to see Monty and Edna as soon as she could, Sophie’s heart leapt when the phone rang almost immediately after. Fully expecting it to be Carlos, she was totally unprepared for Callie’s garbled outburst.
‘Hello! It’s me. Sorry! I know Carlos has only just arrived, and I hope I haven’t dragged you from his arms, but Mum’s invited you both to lunch tomorrow. I told her you’d have better things to do, but she insisted I ring.’
‘It’s OK, Callie, calm down. Carlos isn’t here. You haven’t dragged me from his arms. In fact, I was just dragging my weary body off to bed.’
‘To bed? Oh, dear! What happened? Did he decide not to come?’
‘I don’t know. When the phone rang, I thought it was Carlos ringing to explain.’
‘You mean he hasn’t even rung you?’
‘To be fair, he probably has. Against my better judgement, I went to Heathrow to meet him. If he has been trying to get hold of me, I wasn’t around to answer his call.’
‘Why not ring him instead? You’ve got his number haven’t you?’
‘I’m not sure if I should. Perhaps he changed his mind about coming at the last minute. I know he was hoping to talk to his uncle about our plans. Under pressure, José probably persuaded him it was simply a holiday romance, after all.’
‘Sophie Fuller! What am I going to do with you? Of course it wasn’t a holiday romance! You’re only saying that because you’re tired. Go to bed and get some sleep, and when you wake up, promise me you’ll ring Carlos. Is that understood?’
‘I promise,’ Sophie said, meekly.
‘Good! And make sure you do, because I shall be checking up on you!’
*
‘I’m very sorry, sir,’ a polite voice broke in when Carlos dialled Sophie’s number yet again. ‘We don’t allow mobile phones near intensive care. Hospital policy, I’m afraid. There’s a call box at the end of the corridor.’
Murmuring apologies, Carlos disconnected his phone and turned to see Rosa returning from the visitors’ toilet. Like him, she was exhausted by the endless waiting and pacing the floor all day. ‘As your mother’s staying overnight at the hospital, and Cristovao said he’ll go and break the news to Grandmother and Augustina, why don’t I take you home?’
Rosa shuddered. The words ‘break the news’ sounded so final. Surely in the few short moments that she’d been away, her father hadn’t died?’
‘Father? He hasn’t…?’
Carlos placing a reassuring arm about her shoulders, ‘No. Don’t alarm yourself, Rosa. Your father’s a fighter. He’ll be OK, you’ll see.’
Dazed and confused, Rosa wasn’t quite so convinced. Through tear-filled eyes she said goodnight to her mother and allowed herself to be led away, leaning heavily on her cousin’s arm.
*
Equally dazed and confused, Sophie stirred sleepily. Not only was the phone ringing, but also there was someone at the door. ‘Just a minute!’ she called.
Struggling with her bathrobe, and making an impossible grab for the phone, she heard the line go completely dead. ‘Damn!’ she muttered, stumbling down the hallway.
Rubbing at her eyes, she peered uncertainly round the door. ‘Callie! Good heavens! What time is it? Come to that, what day is it? I think I’m still in the land of Morpheus.’
‘I’ll second that,’ Callie said, pushing her way past. ‘And in case you’re interested, they’ve already begun auditions for the Christmas panto. You’d definitely get a part. Especially as they’re so desperate.’
Sophie frowned, yawning. ‘Christmas? Why are you talking about Christmas? It’s only August, isn’t it? Or have I slept through autumn? It certainly feels as if I have.’
‘You certainly look as if you have! And in answer to your query, Beckford Amateur Dramatics are doing Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. From where I’m standing, you’d make the perfect Sleepy and Dopey combined.’
‘Oh! Like the hospital, are they also having to make cut backs?’
‘Not that I know of. I was simply trying to be funny.’
‘Sorry,’ Sophie replied. ‘Having just woken up, I’m not in the mood for jokes.’
‘Or, more to the point, not in the mood for me?’
Sophie looked up, forcing a weak smile. ‘I’m always in the mood for you, Callie. You’re one of the few people I rely on to cheer me up.’
‘I take it you do need cheering up?’
‘Yes. Because I still haven’t heard from Carlos. So I suppose you could add Grumpy to your earlier cast list, and cut the wage bill for the panto even further.’
‘Hmm. Four dwarves instead of seven, I’m not so sure about that. Anyway, from dwarves to giants. Patrick and I were going out later, but perhaps I should cancel and stay here instead, especially if you want cheering up?’
‘No way, Callie! Now who’s being Dopey? You’ve been holding a torch for Patrick Murphy ever since you were eighteen. Now he’s come back into your life, you’re not going–’
When the phone rang yet again, Callie and Sophie froze. ‘Carlos!’ they cried in unison, as Sophie dashed to answer it.
‘Sophie! Thank God! I’ve been frantic with worry. Where have you been?’
‘Where have I been?’ she whispered, aghast. ‘Where were you? I went to Heathrow to meet you, but you never—’
‘Heathrow! I thought you were going to wait at the flat?’
‘I was, but I thought I’d surprise you by going to the airport.’
‘And instead, I surprised you by not being there! Oh, Sophie. If only you knew how dreadful I feel about all this.’
‘Are you trying to tell me that you’ve changed your mind about us?’
‘Changed my mind? No, I’ll never do that. You’re my whole life. All I’ve ever wanted.’
Deeply puzzled, Sophie stood fidgeting with the sash on her bathrobe. ‘So why weren’t you at Heathrow?’
‘I
was about to board my plane, when Rosa telephoned. Uncle José has had a heart attack. In the circumstances, I had little choice but to stay.’
‘A heart attack? I don’t believe it! José′ looked so well at Maria-Clara’s party.
‘Unfortunately, he wasn’t quite so well yesterday evening,’ Carlos said, his voice full of despair as he explained the seriousness of the situation. ‘Although you probably have a far better understanding of these things than we do.’
‘Yes, I do. I also know the next few days could be crucial. José will have to be very careful and take things easy. Which means—’
‘Please don’t say it!’ Carlos begged, knowing only too well what was coming next. He’d already realized he would have to take over José’s side of the business, which in turn meant not going to England as often as he hoped.
Desperate to lift Sophie’s spirits, Carlos continued. ‘However, we mustn’t forget Cristovao, he’s with us full-time now, and making himself extremely useful for a change.’
Reluctantly saying goodbye and hanging up the phone, Sophie turned her tear-filled eyes to Callie.
‘Oh, dear,’ Callie murmured, reaching for her hand. ‘I think I can guess what’s happened. Sophie, I’m so terribly sorry.’
‘So am I,’ Sophie sniffed. ‘Because, while I’m deeply upset at hearing about Rosa’s father, I also have a horrible feeling Carlos and I will never...’
‘No! Stop that! I refuse to listen to another word! I’m going to tell Patrick I’m staying with you. I’ll be back in a minute.’
Sophie let out a gasp. ‘Patrick’s here? I thought you were on your own when you said you were seeing him later. I assumed you’d caught a bus. Now I see you’re all done up for a night on the town. ‘Oh, Callie! Why on earth didn’t you say?’
When Callie shrugged her shoulders in reply, Sophie choked back a sob. ‘Rose- Marie Callaghan, much as I appreciate your concern, I will not allow you to give up a perfect Saturday night spent in Patrick’s company.’
‘How do you know it’s going to be perfect?’
‘Because I do. Now please will you go! Although you’re bigger than me, I warn you, having dealt with the regular Friday night drunks in casualty, I’m perfectly capable of packing quite a punch!’
‘All right! All right! I’m going,’ Callie said, holding up her hands in mock defence.
*
Alone in the family’s Lisbon apartment, Rosa paced the floor aimlessly. In more ways than one she regretted not being allowed to stay with her mother at the hospital. Perhaps if she’d insisted? It wasn’t just being on her own that frightened her now, it was also the summer storm brewing noisily outside. If there was one thing Rosa hated more than hospitals, it was a thunderstorm. Overcome with renewed anxieties for her father, and terrified when a strident clap of thunder filled the air, Rosa reached desperately for the phone.
‘I don’t believe it!’ she cried, her eyes filled with terror. ‘Why is Carlos’s line still engaged, and why isn’t Cristovao at home?’
When repeated dialling of both numbers brought no response, Rosa poured herself a large glass of her father’s favourite malt whisky and switched on the television. Waking several hours later to a blank screen and a darkened flat, she realized to her horror there had been a power cut. Cold and terribly alone, she attempted to stamp warmth into her lifeless limbs. How long had she been asleep, and what had she been doing earlier?
Moments later, when her foot nudged against the half empty-whisky bottle, everything came flooding back. ‘Father’s whisky!’ she cried, reminded of José’s critical condition. ‘The one he keeps for special occasions!’
Special occasions, a voice echoed in her head. Your father is in hospital, fighting for his life and you are drinking his celebratory whisky!
Filled with remorse, Rosa staggered to the phone to ring Carlos as another clap of thunder rent the air.
‘Rosa? What on earth …? I thought you’d be asleep.’
‘I was, for a while ... then I woke up. I’m so afraid. You know how I hate thunderstorms. Please will you come and sit with me?’
‘Sit with you? But it’s two o’clock in the morning!’
‘Is it? Sorry, I thought it was ten past midnight. We’ve had a power cut here. I can barely see my watch.’
‘Rosa … have you been drinking?’
‘What?’
‘Drinking. Have you been drinking?’
Clasping her hand to her aching head, Rosa was reminded of the half-empty whisky bottle.
‘Yes,’ she replied, sheepishly, ‘but only because I was so frightened. With Mother at the hospital, and Father in intensive care, I thought it might help.’
When a sudden flash of lightning filled the room with an eerie blue light, Rosa let out a terrified scream. If there was a power cut here, there could also be a power cut at the hospital! Calling hysterically down the phone, it was sometime before she reluctantly agreed that the hospital would have its own generator.
‘You’re sure about the generator?’ she fretted.
‘Positive. Now why don’t you go to bed?’
‘I can’t. I don’t like being on my own in the dark. Won’t you please come?’
‘Rosa, I don’t think…’
‘Please!’ she begged again.
‘Oh, all right. Give me a few minutes to get dressed and I’ll be right over.’
‘Don’t forget the lift won’t be working.’
‘I won’t. I’ll use the stairs.’
Newly comforted in her cousin’s arms, Rosa freed herself from his embrace and watched him fold back the sheets.
‘You’ll feel so much better after a good night’s sleep,’ he insisted, drying her tears and guiding her to the bed.
‘And you will stay?’ she pleaded.
‘Yes, if you insist. I’ll be in the next room. I’ll sleep on the sofa.’
In her drunken haze, Rosa was suddenly reminded of England, Celia Sheffield and another occasion when she’d been equally confused. What had Celia said at the time? Something to do with Sophie and sofas.
‘I wish Sophie was here,’ she said wistfully.
‘So do I.’
Unzipping her dress and letting it fall to the floor Rosa watched a disturbed figure turn towards to the bedroom door. ‘Stay with me,’ she called after him. ‘At least until I fall asleep. When I was little and afraid of the dark, Father always stayed with me.’
‘But you’re not a little girl anymore, Rosa. You’re a beautiful young woman. I really don’t think it’s a good idea if I stay.’
Conscious of her cousin’s comforting presence and the familiar, intoxicating perfume of his aftershave, Rosa was no longer afraid. Slipping seductively between the sheets she held out her arms and whispered. ‘Hold me… please…’
*
Four weeks later, Sophie lay nestled in Carlos’s arms at Victoria Villas.
‘I still can’t believe you’re here,’ she whispered, snuggling against him. ‘What did you tell the family?’
‘Nothing,’ Carlos replied, stoking her hair. ‘It didn’t seem necessary, as it’s such a brief visit. Besides, I’ve been at everyone’s beck and call for weeks. I thought I deserved a rest.’
‘Most definitely, Sophie smiled. ‘Though I’m not so sure about the rest. You’ve hardly slept since you arrived.’
‘I never intended to … and with José making such good progress, at least it meant I could come away with a clear conscience.’
‘When will he start work again?’
‘My father and I have decided there’s little point in him coming back too soon, but I suppose he might be well enough by December.’
‘December?’ Sophie propped herself up on one elbow. ‘You’re going to be exhausted by Christmas.’
‘Possibly. Which is why I’d like you to come to Portugal in the early spring. Remember the almond blossom I mentioned? If I book a week’s holiday, will you come?’
‘Try and stop me!’ Sophie said, trai
ling her fingers across his bare chest. ‘Now tell me … what else is troubling you?
‘I should have realized I couldn’t keep any secrets from you, Sophie. For the moment, what concerns me the most is, not knowing when I’ll be able to see you again. José’s delicate condition means it could be dangerous to discuss the Rosa situation.’
‘I see … and how is Rosa?’
‘Surprisingly full of beans now her father’s out of intensive care. She coped badly at first, particularly when Elisabete was staying at the hospital. She used to ring me at all times of day and night.’
‘I know.’
‘You know?’
‘Well, at least I can guess as she also rang me several times at two o’clock in the morning. Fortunately, on most occasions I’d been working late. She was very distressed, even begged me to go and look after José once he came home.’
‘What did you say?’
‘I said I wished I could, but in the circumstances had to decline. She made me feel almost guilty.’
‘You mustn’t let that bother you. Believe me, Rosa can be very persuasive, particularly when she flashes those huge, brown eyes of hers.’
‘Ah, so you’ve noticed, have you?’
‘Mmm. Although they don’t have quite the same effect on me as my beautiful sand goddess does. By the way, I’ve also noticed you’re wearing the bracelet.’
‘That’s very observant of you.’
Carlos grinned and drew her towards him. ‘That isn’t too difficult is it, considering you’re wearing very little else!’
*
Sophie found saying goodbye to Carlos for a second time, marginally less painful than the first.
‘It’s not quite so bad,’ he reassured her, when they walked hand in hand through departures. ‘Especially as I’m determined to come to England at least once before Christmas. In the meantime, I’ll ring as often as I can, but I won’t write. Writing to you makes me sad. At least if I speak to you on the phone, I can hear your voice.’
‘Oh, there’s no need for letters. Rosa is forever sending scribbled notes or postcards that invariably end with “C. this” or “C. that.” I’m usually up to date with what you’re doing. Not only that, having stayed with you all makes it so much easier. I can picture everything in my mind’s eye,’ Sophie said, squeezing his hand. ‘Particularly the beach house.’
When Summer Fades Page 20