They went downstairs to a kitchen filled with modern appliances. Baird showed her where the tea and coffee were kept, and when he opened the fridge they were confronted by an array of sandwiches, savouries and small cream cakes. The sight of them caused him to exclaim, ‘Bread and milk were the only commodities I asked Lola to leave in the fridge! She has really surpassed herself.’
Ralph spoke from behind them. ‘Those goodies have nothing to do with Lola, boss. They’re a small welcome-home gesture from a few of the girls at work. I borrowed Lola’s key to put them in the fridge. Perhaps you’d like to return it to her.’ His last words, spoken in a dry tone while flicking a glance towards Cathie, gave the impression that other thoughts also occupied his mind.
Baird took the key from him and hung it on a hook in a cupboard. ‘It can stay there in the meantime, but now I must return to work and thank the girls.’
Baird’s departure left Cathie with a feeling of desolation, but that, she told herself, was only because she’d been sitting close to him for so many hours. He had now stepped back into his own world, and she must prepare herself to return to Levin where she’d have to begin searching for a job of some sort. It was all part of the unsettled state of returning home from an overseas trip, and she would have to learn to cope with it.
In an effort to shake off her depression she ran upstairs to find Amy. ‘Would you like a cup of tea?’ she asked with forced cheerfulness. ‘There are cream cakes in the fridge.’
‘That sounds nice, dear.’ Amy paused while hanging a dress in the wardrobe, then she added, ‘But first I’d like to take a quick look through the house. I’ve been sitting for so long—I need the movement to loosen my joints.’
Their tour of inspection revealed that the house had been well planned with built-in wardrobes, and that the master bedroom had its own television set and an en-suite bathroom, as Baird had already mentioned to Cathie. Everything was comfortably appointed with wall-to-wall carpets and elegant furniture.
‘She’ll be a lucky bride who steps into this lot,’ Amy murmured.
‘Let’s hope she makes Baird happy,’ Cathie returned crisply while they examined the grandfather clock and the wall barometer in the front hall. Both were antiques, she decided, then went to the kitchen to fill the electric kettle.
They drank their tea sitting beside the gas fire in the cosy living room, and as Amy finished her second cup she said, ‘I shall now go upstairs and hang up a few more clothes.’
‘I’ll do it for you,’ Cathie offered cheerfully.
‘No, thank you, dear.’ Amy’s tone was firm. ‘If I don’t have movement I’ll soon be as stiff as an old horse.’
‘Then I’ll help you upstairs—’
Amy waved her aside. ‘My dear—Elspeth is not with me every time I go up and down stairs. I must manage alone.’
‘Very well—I’ll clear away these dishes.’
Instead of putting them in the dishwasher she dealt with them by hand, washing, wiping and putting them away, and as she did so she became conscious of a strange satisfaction while attending to these simple chores in Baird’s kitchen. It almost felt as if—but no, she pushed that thought away. It was not to be contemplated.
She then opened the deep freeze, which, she discovered, consisted of drawers, and, pulling them out one by one, she searched for something suitable for the evening meal. Within a short time she had found a shepherd’s pie consisting of minced meat and mashed potatoes on top, packets of frozen vegetables, and ice cream to have with a can of fruit from the grocery cupboard.
She was standing with a can in each hand, trying to decide whether to open peaches or pears, when she glanced up to discover a woman’s face staring at her through the kitchen window. Startled, she almost dropped the cans as she gazed back at the grey eyes and blonde hair, and moments later the woman strode through the back door. Nor was it difficult to guess her identity, and as Cathie looked at the tall, slim figure in the closely fitting dress that emphasised every curve she knew that this must be Lola.
The latter was the first to speak. ‘Who are you? What are you doing here?’ she demanded imperiously.
Cathie was secretly amused, and while she also resented the other woman’s rude manner she decided against snapping back at Baird’s neighbour. Forcing a smile, she spoke calmly. ‘I’m Catherine Campbell. As for what I’m doing here—at the moment I’m tossing up between peaches and pears.’
The blonde’s grey eyes narrowed. ‘Don’t you mean you were deciding how many cans you could carry away?’
Cathie’s chin shot up. ‘Are you accusing me of theft?’
‘Yes, I am. I believe you came here for some reason and discovered the back door to be unlocked, and you then realised the house was empty. I happen to know that food was brought here earlier today and put in the fridge. The idiot who brought it probably marched off without locking the kitchen door. I’ve a good mind to call the police,’ she finished somewhat breathlessly.
Cathie laughed. ‘You do that. But before you make a complete idiot of yourself why don’t you phone Baird and ask him who is this Cathie Campbell—and what is she doing in his house? You’ll find him at the factory. There’s a phone over there on the wall.’
Lola looked confused. ‘Are you saying he’s actually here, in Palmerston North—that he has arrived home?’
Cathie nodded. ‘That’s right.’ The cans regained her attention and, deciding on the peaches, she replaced the pears on the pantry shelf. The peaches were then carried to the sink bench.
Lola became impatient, almost stamping her foot as she exclaimed, ‘Why didn’t he ring me at once? I’m his neighbour and it might interest you to know that we’re—we’re very close.’
Cathie spoke casually. ‘Oh, I’ve guessed who you are. I recognised your voice.’ The last words slipped off her tongue.
Lola stared at her in amazement. ‘How could you do that? I’m sure I’ve never met you before now.’
Cathie realised that an explanation was necessary, therefore she decided to tell the truth. ‘I was with Baird when he phoned you from his bedroom in Singapore. Your voice came though the receiver so clearly it could be heard by anyone else in the room.’
Lola stared at her incredulously. ‘Are you saying you heard every word I said—and that you were actually in his hotel bedroom? I don’t believe you,’ she jeered. ‘I know you’re lying.’
Cathie gave a slight shrug then went on, ‘I was sitting beside him on the bed. I heard you refer to his stepgrandmother and her companion as a pair of boring old ducks. The conversation included ironing his shirts and the request for Ralph to meet him at the Palmerston North airport. Now do you believe me?’
Lola’s mouth became a thin line while she glared at Cathie with suppressed fury. ‘So—where are these two old ducks?’
Cathie spoke with an icy edge to her voice. ‘Mrs MacGregor, who happens to be my great-aunt, is upstairs. As for her companion—I shall be staying here in that role.’
Lola drew a long hissing breath. ‘We’ll see about that. Just you wait until his mother gets here—’
CHAPTER FIVE
LOLA continued to glare at Cathie, her eyes glinting with a cold light. ‘What exactly are your plans?’
Cathie’s delicate brows rose. ‘I can’t see that they are your concern.’
‘I mean—how long do you intend to remain in this house?’ Lola demanded crossly.
Cathie saw no point in withholding the information from her, therefore she shrugged off her irritation as she admitted, ‘I suspect it could be anything up to a fortnight. As soon as Amy is over her jet-lag we’ll be visited by Baird’s parents. It’s really an exercise in getting to know each other.’
The prospect of a visit from Baird’s parents seemed to please Lola because her face lit with a broad smile as she said, ‘In that case I wouldn’t be in too much of a hurry to unpack my bags if I were you.’
‘Oh? Why do you say that?’
‘Because Muriel can be relied upon t
o arrange matters nicely.’
‘Who is Muriel?’ Cathie asked, as if she couldn’t guess.
‘She’s Baird’s mother, of course. She’s good at arranging what is best for other people. When she decided that her husband should retire to Lake Taupo she was the force behind the move.’
‘How kind. How very efficient,’ Cathie murmured.
‘I’m sure she’ll soon make you see that you should be going back to your job—whatever it is—and that I can take over giving Mrs MacGregor any care she needs.’
‘You make her sound like a tyrant. I can’t imagine Baird’s mother being a domineering type of woman,’ Cathie said thoughtfully.
‘Oh, she’s not domineering,’ Lola assured her quickly. ‘She just works in a quiet manner to achieve whatever she has in mind.’
‘So that from the moment she arrives my days in this house will be numbered? Is that what you’re trying to say?’
Lola drew a deep breath. ‘That’s it exactly.’
‘But suppose Amy and I refuse to fall in with her suggestions?’
Lola laughed. ‘You will. She can be most persuasive. You won’t know it’s happened until it’s all over.’
Cathie said, ‘There’s one point you appear to be missing. We are here as Baird’s guests. We are not the guests of his mother.’
‘Baird is very fond of his mother,’ Lola said with confidence. ‘He always listens to her wishes.’
‘Really?’ Cathie gave a light laugh. ‘I know of one particular wish where he appears to have been rather deaf.’
Lola regarded her with suspicion. ‘What are you talking about?’
Cathie recalled being told about his mother’s wish for grandchildren, but she merely said, ‘It was just something he mentioned in confidence.’
‘During a cosy chat in his bedroom, was it?’
Cathie made no reply.
‘You can tell me,’ Lola rasped impatiently. ‘Baird and I have no secrets from each other.’
Still Cathie made no reply, and instead turned away.
The action frustrated Lola, causing her to lose her temper. Her hand shot out to grab Cathie’s shoulder, spinning her round so that they stood face to face. ‘Will you tell me, or do I have to shake it out of you?’ she hissed.
‘Mind your own business,’ Cathie snapped.
‘This is my business—’ The words died on her lips as her eyes caught the gleam of Cathie’s brooch and earrings. ‘Singapore orchids in gold!’ she exclaimed. ‘I’ll bet you didn’t buy them. Tell me at once—did Baird buy them?’ Her voice had risen.
‘Why don’t you ask him?’ Cathie flung at her.
Amy’s voice spoke from behind them. ‘Is there a reason why he should not have bought them? Cathie, dear, who is this person?’
They swung round to see her standing in the doorway, her walking stick in one hand. She had changed into a warmer suit of fine wool in a lilac shade, the scarf Baird had bought her forming a cravat at her neck.
Cathie introduced them. ‘This is Baird’s neighbour, Lola Maddison—Mrs MacGregor.’
Lola hurried towards Amy, her hand outstretched. ‘How lovely to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you. Welcome to his house,’ she gushed.
Amy looked slightly bewildered. ‘Thank you—but Baird has already welcomed me into his home.’ She paused, staring at Lola with questioning eyes. ‘Am I to understand that you also have a share of some sort in it?’
A trill of girlish laughter left Lola. ‘Well, not yet exactly, but the time is coming when I expect to have a very large stake in it—a sort of matrimonial stake, if you get my meaning.’
‘Oh, I get your meaning,’ Amy said drily. ‘But as yet I see no ring on your finger—which means that Baird is free to buy a gift for Cathie if he so wishes.’
Lola’s lower lip came forward in a pout. ‘Well, yes, I suppose so. But I’m afraid I’m rather possessive where Baird is concerned. You see, he’s been like a big brother to me for so long I can’t help feeling it’s high time that we—that we—’ She broke off, sending a look towards Amy that was little short of being defiant.
‘You think it’s high time you were married,’ Amy finished for her.
‘That’s right.’ She bit the lip that was still pouting, then sent a warning glare towards Cathie. ‘You will keep your hands off him.’ The words were issued in the form of a command.
Cathie’s eyes widened slightly as she returned the glare with a direct look. She was still smarting under the suggestion that she could be a thief, and she saw no reason for accepting Lola’s verbal slaps, first on one cheek and then the other. And while she had no wish for unpleasantness, she could also see that it would be necessary to stand up to Lola, otherwise her period in Baird’s house would become a time of misery.
Forcing a smile, she said in a firm tone, ‘Have you never heard that all’s fair in love and war?’ And although she had no idea of what had put the words into her head she realised they’d been sufficient to make Amy look at her with interest. Amy, she guessed, would now be wondering if she’d fallen in love with Baird—but of course such a thought was ridiculous.
However, Amy’s attention returned to Lola. ‘You must have quite a large trousseau, having had so many years to collect it.’
Lola laughed. ‘Trousseau? Why should I bother about that, when I can step into all this?’ She waved an arm vaguely to indicate the entire house.
‘Why, indeed?’ Amy smiled. ‘The only question being, when will the stepping-in begin? However, few girls like to go to a man empty-handed—unless they are ones who demand all and give nothing in return.’ She paused while regarding Lola thoughtfully before adding, ‘By the way, does Baird know of your ambitions?’
‘Of course he knows,’ Lola retorted scornfully. ‘His mother has told him it’s time we were married, but he’s—he’s been too busy—’ She floundered while searching for a more convincing reason to explain Baird’s tardiness in coming to heel.
Amy laughed. ‘Too busy to make a quick dash to the altar to marry a woman he loves? I don’t think you’re viewing the situation clearly, my dear.’
‘Is that so? In any case I’m unable to see that it’s your concern,’ Lola snapped angrily.
Amy remained unperturbed by her rude tone. ‘You appear to forget that Baird is my late husband’s grandson—a fact which gives me the right to be concerned about his future happiness.’
Lola’s lip curled. ‘No doubt you’d prefer to see him married to her,’ she said while sending a baleful glance towards Cathie.
‘Not unless they both love each other,’ Amy returned calmly.
At that moment the bang of a car door reached their ears. It came from near by, causing Lola to exclaim, ‘That’s Baird—he’s driven into the garage!’ She rushed across the kitchen to open the back door and the next instant Baird stepped into the room. She flung her arms about him. ‘Darling, you’re home—’
He looked pale and rather drawn, the dark shadows about his eyes betraying weariness and the fact that jet-lag was now catching up with him. ‘Yes, I’m home,’ he said in a tired voice while gently but firmly putting Lola away from him. ‘Is there anything to eat in this house, or shall we eat out?’
‘There’s plenty of food—’ Cathie began.
‘I shall fix it,’ Lola declared quickly, her glare warning Cathie to keep away from any food that Baird might lift to his lips. ‘I know exactly how he likes it.’
‘He didn’t seem to be all that fussy when he was in my house,’ Amy remarked drily.
‘Is it indeed your house?’ Lola queried with forced sweetness. ‘I understood it was part of the Glengyle Estate—’
‘Shut up, Lola,’ Baird barked furiously. ‘You sound like a demented hen.’
‘I have been demented,’ she whined. ‘How could I be otherwise with you so far away for more than a month?’
‘Then you’ll have to snap out of it. You’ll have to pull yourself together,’ he informed her with complete lack
of sympathy. ‘This possessive attitude must stop. Is that understood?’
She uttered a laugh, then spoke placatingly. ‘Yes—yes, of course, Baird. I can see you’re not quite your usual self. Maybe you need a drink—and perhaps you could open a bottle of light red wine.’
‘You’re right about the drink,’ he said wearily. ‘Perhaps we could all do with one.’ He looked at Cathie and Amy. ‘Sherries—?’
‘Gin and tonic for me,’ Lola said quickly.
‘I haven’t forgotten your favourite tipple,’ Baird said. ‘I trust you’ll not allow it to make you become too talkative.’
‘Do I ever?’ she asked, affronted.
‘Quite frequently,’ he returned in a dry tone.
By the time they sat at the table Lola had enjoyed two generous glasses of gin and tonic, the second one poured by herself while Baird was talking to Cathie. After that the meal hour became dominated by her constant chatter, all of it concerning her own activities during Baird’s absence.
Cathie noticed there was little or no interest shown in his overseas venture, no queries about how he’d fared over matters concerning business affairs. It was all self, self, self. And this, she realised, reflected Lola herself. In Cathie’s opinion Lola was not a suitable mate for Baird—so why was his mother so keen on the match? Didn’t she know what Lola was like? Perhaps not. Perhaps Lola was sweetly unselfish in his mother’s presence.
They had almost finished their coffee when Lola’s chatter ceased abruptly. Looking at Baird, who appeared to be staring into space, she said accusingly, ‘You’re not listening to me, Baird. I don’t believe you’ve heard a word I’ve said.’
‘I’ve heard you, Lola,’ he said with a weary sigh. ‘Your tongue has been going non-stop from the moment we sat down.’
She looked startled. ‘Has it? Well, yes, I suppose I have been chattering too much again. I know you did mention it—and I thought you liked to hear me chatter.’ She put her head on one side in a childish manner.
‘There are others at the table,’ he pointed out gently. ‘I doubt that they’re interested in all this trivia concerning the girls at work, or what various clients think about different television programmes—and frankly, neither do I.’
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