‘Come on then, Kit. Take my hand.’
Out of the room. Out of the door. Down the path. Don’t hurry, don’t hurry. Talk, look natural. Get handbag. Out of the gate, slowly down the road. There it was, the taxi, waiting. Don’t rush, don’t.
‘You all right, Kit?’
‘Yes, Izzie, I’m fine.’
She could see him smiling.
Here was Venetia’s car now: open it, take out the suitcase. Dangerous bit, this. If someone came out now, saw them, or was arriving—
‘Kit, I’ve got the case.’ Her voice sounded odd, shaky, panicky.
‘Good. Don’t hurry, Izzie. Just walk slowly. Keep calm. I love you. Deep breaths.’
Right. Here they were. Opening the taxi door.
‘Miss Brooke?’
‘Yes. Yes, that’s right. To King’s Cross, please.’
‘Righty-ho. Here, let me help you with that case.’
‘No. No, it’s all right.’
But he had got out, was walking round the taxi very slowly.
‘Can’t let a young lady lift a great thing like that.’
‘It’s quite light. Look—’
God. This was agony. He smiled at her, picked it up, put it in the taxi.
‘Better strap it in.’
‘No. No, it’ll be fine.’
‘Don’t want to lose it, do you? Feels like there’s quite a lot in here. Right now, that’s all done. In you get. King’s Cross, wasn’t it?’
‘Yes. We have to catch the seven o’clock to Scotland. So—’
‘Where you two going, then, Gretna Green?’
He laughed loudly at his own wit, got back into the car, started the engine.
‘No of course not,’ said Izzie primly: too primly, he looked round at her.
‘Beg your pardon, I’m sure. Right then, off we go.’
They’d done it; they were away. Nothing could stop them now . . .
‘Where are Izzie and Kit?’ said Celia. ‘They’ve been a long time.’
‘Have they?’ said Sebastian vaguely.
‘Yes. It’s a quarter past six. Bit irresponsible, just wandering off like that. Especially when it’s her party and everyone’s working so hard.’
‘Yes, well I expect she was feeling a bit nervous. Edgy. I’m sure they won’t be much longer.’
Five minutes later, Adele arrived.
‘Hallo, Sebastian darling. You look awfully handsome. How are you feeling?’
‘Oh – you know. I could do with a drink.’
‘Me too. Let’s get one. Where’s the birthday girl?’
‘Oh – she’s gone out for a little walk.’
‘A walk! But it’s – goodness, twenty past six.’
‘I know. Kit wanted to go. He had a headache.’
‘Had she changed?’
‘No. No, she hadn’t. I’m sure she won’t be long.’
‘Well – let’s get a drink and you can show me everything.’
‘Celia, where’s Kit?’
‘I told you, Oliver, he went for a walk with Izzie. A few minutes ago.’
‘Oh, yes. It seems longer than that. I wanted to ask him something.’
‘Well, the minute he gets back I’ll tell him. I wish he’d hurry, I’ve got to tie his wretched tie.’
‘Mummy, I don’t want to worry anyone, but I can’t find Izzie and Kit anywhere. It’s getting late, it seems a bit – odd.’
‘Not odd,’ said Celia crisply, ‘but irresponsible. I shall be extremely irritated when they do get back.’
‘I might pop out, see if I can see them and get them to hurry. They’re probably having one of their heart to hearts.’
‘Yes,’ said Celia, ‘very probably.’
‘Celia, there’s no sign of them. What on earth do you think they can be doing?’
‘I don’t know, Sebastian. It’s – odd. Adele’s gone out to see if she can find them.’
‘They haven’t slipped back, I suppose? Without us seeing them?’
‘Unlikely. But I’ll go up to her room.’
Izzie’s room had the neat, unlived-in look of a room abandoned; not the untidy heap of a girl getting ready to go to a party. Celia began to feel sick. She looked at the dressing table: no hairbrush, no powder compact. She took a deep breath. Don’t be silly, Celia, keep calm. She’s a funny old-fashioned child, not a messy hedonist like your daughters.
She looked in the cupboard; the pink dress was hanging there neatly under its cover. Surely – surely . . .
‘Sebastian—’
‘Found her?’
‘No, Sebastian, I—’
‘Hallo, Sebastian. Here we are.’
It was Henry and Roo, absurdly grown up in their dinner jackets.
‘Where is she? We’re dying to give her our present.’
‘She – she isn’t here at the moment,’ said Celia quickly, ‘she took Kit for a walk.’
‘What, just before her party? Bit rum. Well, never mind. The girls are coming in and the aged parents are following in their car with Fergal.’
‘Right. Well, you all go and have some fruit punch. Sebastian and I have things to do.’
‘Want us to go and look for them? We can run jolly fast.’
‘No, it’s all right. Adele’s gone. And it’s only—’
Only twenty-five to seven. Three quarters of an hour since they’d gone. God. Dear God.
‘Oh Sebastian,’ she said. She felt terribly sick.
‘I can’t see them anywhere,’ said Adele, ‘it’s really odd.’
‘Yes. Yes, it is a bit.’
‘Mummy, are you all right? You look awful.’
‘I’m – fine,’ said Celia quickly. ‘Um – darling, you go in and get your camera ready—’
‘Mummy, what is it? Why are you looking so frightened?’
Celia stared at her.
‘I think they – they might have run away,’ she said.
‘Well we’re here,’ said Izzie.
‘Yes. I can hear. Such wonderful sounds, steam hissing, trains whistling. I love stations.’
‘Me too. Now then, just let me see if I can find a porter – ah, there we are. Yes, please. The seven o’clock to Scotland. Which platform is that?’
‘Platform Six, Miss. I’ll take you over. Here, put your case on this cart.’
‘Oh – good evening, Helena.’
‘Good evening, Celia. Are you all right?’
‘Why should I not be?’ said Celia icily. Even in her hour of terror, she was not going to have Helena patronising her.
‘You look terrible.’
‘Well, thank you for that.’
‘No, I’m sorry, I mean you look marvellous. But a bit – pale.’
‘Well I’ve been working very hard all afternoon doing the flowers. Good evening, George and Mary. Giles, take them all through and give them a drink, would you?’
‘Of course. Where’s the birthday girl?’
‘She’s not here,’ said Celia.
‘Celia, keep calm, keep calm.’ Sebastian was holding both her hands, staring into her eyes. ‘It’s probably perfectly all right. They’ve just gone on some childish expedition together. Very naughty, but not serious.’
‘No, Sebastian. It’s not that. I’m sure, I’m sure it’s not. They’ve – they’ve run away together. And if they have—’
He looked at her; his face was drawn and almost grey.
‘Yes,’ he said, ‘if they have . . .’
‘Right. Here are our seats. You sit here, Kit, that’s right, in the corner, and I’ll sit next to you. Shall I take your jacket?’
‘No. I’m a bit chilly, at the moment.’
He looked rather pale; he was shivering slightly.
‘I feel shivery too. I suppose we’re a bit – scared.’
‘Yes. Still, once the train has started—’
‘Mmm. And they have no idea where we are. So—’
‘No. Here, sit down. Give me your hand. That’s right. Better?
’
‘Much better.’
‘Darling Izzie.’
‘Darling Kit.’
‘But they could be anywhere. Anywhere. How do we start finding them? I think we should get the police—’
‘Mummy, they’ve only been gone for less than an hour. The police would laugh at you.’
‘Venetia, please allow me to handle this in my own way.’
‘Yes, all right. Sorry. Can Boy help?’
‘No one can help.’
‘We’re here!’
‘What – oh! Jay, Tory, hallo.’
‘Hallo, Celia. Gordon’s just parking. Sebastian, let me give you a kiss. You look terribly attractive, I can’t wait to dance with you.’
‘Yes, that will be very nice. Look – go and get yourselves a drink, will you, I’ll be through in a minute.’
‘Well,’ murmured Victoria to Jay as they walked through the house, ‘something doesn’t seem quite right. I’ve never seen Celia looking so distraught. What do you think it is?’
‘Probably just decided one of the waiters isn’t quite the thing. Champagne?’
‘Please.’
The party was already uneasy, pockets of silence in the noise, everyone wary, knowing that something was not right, not liking to ask what. Even Henry and Roo were unnerved. The waitresses stood with their trays of drinks, uncomfortable as well; not liking to start moving round this still, taut gathering. The younger children were in the garden, shouting, a backdrop of normality to the tension.
‘I don’t like this,’ said Adele.
‘Of course,’ said Sebastian suddenly, ‘the taxi rank. He said something about a booking for six o’clock. And Izzie said—’ He stopped, raced upstairs to Mrs Conley’s room. She was sitting dressed in her hat and coat.
‘Mrs Conley, did you order a taxi for six?’
‘A taxi, Mr Brooke? No, of course not. My son is coming for me, is he here?’
‘Not yet, Mrs Conley, no.’
He ran downstairs again, into his study, asked for the number.
‘Engaged, sir, sorry.’
‘Keep trying.’
Barty arrived in a taxi, with Jenna.
‘Hallo. Sorry I’m late, I – Celia, whatever is the matter?’
‘We’ve lost Izzie and Kit,’ said Celia. She had stopped pretending.
‘Taxi rank?’
‘Ah yes. Mr Brooke here. Look, we had a taxi at six today—’
‘Yes?’
‘Is he back yet?’
‘Not as far as I know, Mr Brooke.’
‘Well – do you know where the booking was for?’
‘It was – let me see. Yes, King’s Cross station.’
‘King’s Cross? But why there—’
‘Mummy, Sebastian—’
‘Yes, what is it?’
Adele had never seen her mother look like this, so absolutely shaken from her normal composure, chain-smoking, pacing up and down. It was – odd.
‘I’ve been thinking. And I’ve got an idea. It’s only an idea, but—’
‘Yes, what is it?’
Adele took a deep breath.
‘I think you should – well, have you thought about – about Gretna Green?’
‘Surely the train should have left by now.’
Izzie looked at her watch. She frowned. ‘Yes, it should. I wonder—’
A porter was coming along the platform; she let the window down by its leather belt, leaned out.
‘Excuse me, has there been a delay?’
‘Just a short one, Miss. Some problem with the guard. Apparently he’s not well.’
‘Oh no! So how long will it be—’
‘Not long, Miss. Shouldn’t be more than a few minutes.’
‘Oh. Oh, I see. Well – thank you.’
She sat down again, took Kit’s hand. ‘Did you hear that?’
‘Of course.’
‘Just our luck.’
‘It’s only a little delay.’
‘I know that. But it could be dangerous.’
‘How?’
‘Well, suppose they’ve guessed. They might come after us. If the train’s still here—’
‘Izzie, don’t be silly. How on earth could they possibly guess? Of course they won’t. And even if they did, they’d never get here in time. Stop fussing and read me a bit of the evening paper.’
‘Yes, all right.’
‘I’ll drive.’
Boy flung himself into his car, started the engine. Adele got in beside him, Celia and Sebastian in the back.
‘What time is the train?’
‘Seven.’
‘Well we won’t make it. Can’t. It’ll take at least ten minutes. Even with me driving. It’s five to seven already.’
‘It’s worth a try. Anything’s better than just hanging around that place.’
Boy shrugged. ‘OK. We’ll try.’
‘Of course,’ said Adele, ‘I may be wrong.’
‘In matters of intuition,’ said Boy, ‘and in my experience, you and your sister are very seldom wrong.’
‘And I am rather good at planning how to run away,’ said Adele quietly.
George Riley, the guard on the overnight express to Scotland, swallowed his third Rennie tablet and stood up, then groaned loudly and sat down again.
‘Bloody ’ell.’
‘Bad, is it George?’
‘Bloody awful. The wife said I didn’t ought to have had it. That pie. They never agree with me. Do for me ulcer. But I was so hungry and it looked that inviting – oh Lord. Excuse me.’
He rushed off in the direction of the lavatory; the station master and the assistant station master looked at one another.
‘Look’s like it’s invited itself back,’ said the station master. ‘Anyway, have to find someone else, I think. He can’t go up to Scotland non-stop in that condition.’
‘Excuse me. Any more news of the guard?’
‘Yes, Miss. We’ve had to find a replacement. Mr Riley, that’s the guard, has been taken ill.’
‘Oh dear. But – well, when do you think we’ll be leaving now?’
‘In about ten minutes, Miss.’
‘You said that ten minutes ago.’
‘I’m sorry, Miss. Can’t be helped.’
‘Thank you.’
Izzie sat down again; she felt sick. Suddenly it wasn’t fun and it wasn’t an adventure; it was scary, going wrong, and she didn’t know how to cope with it.
‘Don’t worry,’ said Kit. ‘I told you, they’ll never guess. They couldn’t.’
‘This is jolly exciting,’ said Henry Warwick, ‘better than having the party. I say, Roo, shall we ask that waitress for some more champagne?’
‘Rather. Where’s Mother?’
‘Talking to Barty. Probably about babies. It’s all the women in this family ever seem to think of.’
‘Barty’s pretty old as well, isn’t she? I honestly don’t know what’s the matter with them all.’
‘Platform Six, sir. You’re lucky, it’s been delayed. You might just—’
‘Thanks. We’ve actually come to see someone off.’
‘You’ll need platform tickets then.’
Boy groped in his pocket, found a fiver.
‘Will this do?’
The ticket collector looked at him with all the dignity of his calling.
‘I’m afraid not, sir. One penny each, from that machine over there. Push your penny in, pull the slot out.’
‘Jesus,’ said Boy. ‘Sebastian, for God’s sake have you got any penny coins?’
‘Oh, good. There’s the driver now, walking along, look, with his mate. That must mean – oh there’s our porter again. Have they found a guard?’
‘Yes, Miss. Couple more minutes now and you’ll be off.’
‘Good. Kit, I’m just going out to the corridor, stretch my legs. I feel a bit—’
‘Hallo, Kit. Hallo, Izzie.’ It was Boy.
‘Hallo,’ said Izzie. Her voice was very quiet.
‘Sebastian! They’re here. Look, you two, I think you’d better get off—’
‘We’re not going to. Are we, Kit?’
‘No. No, we’re not. And you can’t make us.’
‘Kit—’
‘It’s no good, Sebastian, Izzie and I are in love. We’re going to get married. We’re going to Scotland. Where we can. And if you stop us this time, we’ll just do it again. So you might as well—’
‘Kit, old chap. Kit, listen to me.’ Sebastian sat down now next to him, put his arm round his shoulders. Kit shook it off.
‘Don’t. Don’t patronise me.’
‘Kit, get off this train. And you, Izzie. Please. Just quickly and quietly. Otherwise there’ll have to be a frightful row. We’ve told the station master what you’ve done, they won’t let you stay.’
‘Why the hell not?’ said Kit. ‘We’re not doing anything illegal.’
‘Kit, please, get off.’
‘No.’
A long silence; then finally Sebastian said, ‘There’s something I’ve got to tell you, Kit. Something which will – well, will change things for you. Which maybe we should have told you long ago.’
‘Who’s we?’
‘Your mother and I.’
Kit was suddenly very still; it was as if a hot white light had flared in his head. The memories, the odd memories, making sense with each other and at last: LM saying ‘your father must be so delighted . . . and Oliver too’; little Noni, looking at the photographs of Sebastian, saying ‘he looks like Kit, really exactly like’; the game at Christmas, Gordon Robinson’s voice ‘absolutely identical brains, the three of you’.
Sebastian’s absolute determination to take Izzie to America: it all made sense. Perfect, ugly, disgusting sense.
He stood up and said, ‘Let’s get off the train. Come on, Izzie. It seems we can’t go after all.’
CHAPTER 50
Something Dangerous Page 94