Anne Mather

by Sanja

  'A clothes-line, then,' muttered Adam impatiently. 'Hurry, Mother. We may not have much time.'

  They eventually took Liza's plastic-covered clothesline and ran out to the cab. Adam ordered the driver to hurry. It was only seconds to the cliff-top, but every second counted when they didn't know how long they had.

  Caroline's courage had long since deserted her and she remained unhysterical by a great feat of will-power. The tide seemed to be coming in so fast and it wouldn't be long before it covered the sand where she stood.

  Already rivulets were forming on either side of her and she pressed back against the hard cliff face as though she expected the wall to give way and save her. She had been shouting on and off for such a long time and her voice was quite hoarse. She had known that there was little point in it really as no one had passed along the cliff top, but she had had to try to satisfy herself that she really was alone.

  She wondered whether the water would be deep enough to drown her. How deep was it at high tide? Of course, the force of it eddying around might sweep her off her feet and if that did happen it would be just as bad. She could swim, but not against a tide that might sweep her against the cliff, and the headlands on either side were too far out to swim round. Besides, even if there were no strong currents in the Sound, there might be nothing beyond the headland but more rocks and she might not be able to get back again.

  It was torturing to realise that there were people and houses only a few yards away from the cliff top. Could it possibly be that she was to die here only a few steps from Adam's house?

  She was soaked to the skin already and more frightened than she had ever been. What would Adam think of her when he found out? Of course, she thought bleakly, she might not be around to find out. Her trip to America had not proved a very great success one way and another.

  The storm had passed over, but a heavy drizzle was now soaking her anew. She felt cold outside but colder still inside. She thought how wonderful it would be to be able to shelter somewhere and maybe even dry herself with a warm towel.

  When she heard the car coming she thought she was imagining things. Its headlights swept the cliff and the car came to a halt. She stared in disbelief and then stiffened, panic-stricken, as she felt sea water oozing round her ankles.

  As though in a daze she heard men getting out of the car, talking. Summoning all the energy she could find, she shouted as loudly as she could: 'Help, please, help me!' and burst into tears.

  They heard her and looking up she saw the silhouettes of two men outlined against the headlights of the car.

  'Caroline!' shouted a voice, Adam's voice. She · surely must be dreaming all this. Adam was in hospital.

  "Adam," she croaked, her voice giving way, 'I'm down here!'

  There was a moment's silence and then he shouted: 'Okay, honey, hang on. We've got a rope.'

  Within a few moments, the longest moments of Caroline's life, a loop of plastic clothes-line came down to her. Caroline caught it, her fingers cold and fumbling.

  'Got it?' called Adam. 'Right, now, put it round your waist. It's a slip-knot and it will tighten as we begin to pull you up. Try and hold on to the line and take some of the weight off your body, okay? When you reach the grassy slope, you'll be able to walk up with the help of the rope.'

  'All right, Adam,' she said hoarsely, and did exactly as he asked. The line was strong and secure and it only took a minute to bring her up. She could hardly believe she was standing on the cliff top again. She looked a sorry sight, wet and bedraggled, her hair strag- gling round her face, her eyes wide and frightened still, naked fear showing in their depths.

  John released the rope from around her waist and looked shamefacedly at her, but she looked at no one but Adam.

  'Caroline,' he groaned, his voice gruff with emotion. 'Oh, you crazy little fool,' and he pulled her into his arms, uncaring of her wetness, pressing her close against him, warming her a little with his body. His injured arm was forgotten and the cab driver and John walked tactfully away.

  Caroline clung helplessly to him. It had been worth all the fear of the last hour to feel his arms around her again and to know he cared.

  'You came,' she whispered brokenly. 'You came.'

  'Of course I came,' he groaned softly. 'God, Caro, don't ever do a crazy thing like that again. I've been half out of my mind with worry.'

  Caroline merely pressed closer against him and regretfully he put her away from him and led her to the car.

  'You're saturated,' he muttered. 'Come on, you need a hot bath before you catch a chill, or pneumonia.'

  It only took seconds to reach the Steinbeck house. Adam, ignoring the pain in his arm insisted on carrying her indoors and up to her room. Caroline protested that she could walk, but he paid no heed to her words.

  Teresa was in the hall, pale but thankful, and instructed Liza to hurry ahead of them and turn on a bath for Miss Caroline. Adam stood Caroline down in the bedroom and said:

  'Right, strip off,' in a commanding tone, which brooked no argument.

  Wondering wildly whether he intended to supervise her ablutions, Caroline began to unbutton her cardigan, sliding it off her shoulders. However, Adam walked to the door as she did so.

  'I'll be back later,' he said, his eyes dark and fathomless. Then he slammed the door behind him leaving her alone.

  The bath was very hot, but Caroline found herself enjoying it and her whole body relaxed luxuriously. After the strenuous evening she had had it was balm to her aching limbs. Liza helped her into bed afterwards and she slid thankfully beneath the silk sheets. Then Liza went away to heat some milk for her.

  Soon after she had gone there was a light tap on the door and Caroline's heart somersaulted rapidly. 'Come in,' she called expectantly, and then was half disappointed when Teresa entered the room. She walked over to the bed, looking thankfully at Caroline. It was wonderful to see her here, safe and well.

  'My dear,' she exclaimed, seating herself on the edge of the bed, 'what a dreadful shock you gave us all! What on earth possessed you to go down there?'

  Caroline looked apologetic. 'I'm awfully sorry to have caused you such concern,' she apologised, 'but 1 really didn't intend to do so.'

  'Didn't you see the warning notice?' asked Teresa.

  'What warning?' exclaimed Caroline. 'No, I'm afraid in the half-light I must have missed it. You see, I was keeping one eye open for the storm. I didn't want to get caught in it.'

  She laughed, half-nervously, remembering her ordeal.

  Teresa shook her head. 'Thank heaven you're safe!

  I'm always advocating for a fence to be put along there, but mostly the sign deters strangers.'

  'I've been very stupid,' said Caroline, sighing. 'I think it's a habit with me.'

  'Not at all,' protested Teresa, smiling. 'Accidents will happen. We're only too happy to know that nothing worse happened to you.'

  Caroline smiled and put her hand over the elder woman's. 'You're very sweet,' she said. 'I'll never be able to thank you for being so kind to me.'

  'Nonsense,' exclaimed Teresa deprecatingly. 'Besides, these things all happen for a purpose. Perhaps it has done some good after all. Maybe it's brought someone to his senses.'

  Caroline understood her meaning. 'How did Adam come to find me?' she asked suddenly.

  'He discharged himself from the hospital,' replied Teresa, shaking her head. 'He was very concerned. I've never seen him so perturbed about anything.'

  Caroline twisted her hands together. If only it were true!

  After Teresa had departed, she lay back against her pillows re-living those moments when Adam had found her. Then, with practical determination, she put those thoughts from her mind, and picking up her hairbrush began to brush her hair. Liza came back with her hot milk and some aspirins and insisted on seeing Caroline take them.

  'There now,' she said, satisfied when all the milk had gone. 'You'll feel much better in the morning. My old clothes-line surely did come in handy.'
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  'That it did,' said a voice from the doorway, and Caroline looked up, her pulses racing, to see Adam leaning against the jamb watching her. He now had his arm in a sling but looked big and handsome, dressed in dark slacks and a sweater.

  Liza went out chuckling and Adam closed the door firmly. Then he said: 'Well, now who's the invalid?'

  Caroline flushed. His nearness always disconcerted her and she felt the disadvantage more strongly because she was in bed. However, as he advanced towards the bed she saw that his eyes held warmth and affection and she felt her body tingling in anticipation.

  'I'm sorry to have caused such havoc,' she murmured softly. 'I'm such an idiot.'

  He smiled indulgently, not contradicting her.

  'Will your leaving the hospital make a lot of bother?' she said anxiously. 'I mean, you haven't had your stitches removed, have you?'

  'No. I'm staying here tonight and I report back there tomorrow.'

  Caroline twisted her fingers together. 'Will you get into trouble?' she asked uncomfortably.

  'I hardly think so,' he replied lightly. 'You see, I sit on the hospital board of directors.'

  'Oh.' Caroline felt foolish. She ought to have realised that men like Adam Steinbeck did not have to behave in any constricted pattern.

  'And how do you feel?' he asked softly. 'I hope you haven't caught a chill. It was lucky we found you as we did. High tide was only about fifteen minutes away.'

  'I know,' she shivered. 'I was petrified.' .

  'With good reason,' he said soberly. 'That cove is very dangerous. That's why it's never used. My mother tells me you didn't see the sign.'

  'That's right. Oh, Adam, how did you find I was missing?'

  Adam smiled, and sat down on the side of the bed.

  'Fortunately I telephoned you at about ten o'clock and that was when you were found missing. Liza had seen you go out, but of course she had attached no significance to it.'

  'So she did see me.' Caroline sighed. 'I wasn't trying to do anything silly, as your mother suspected. I simply wanted to be alone. John and I—we'd had a row, you know.'

  'Yes. He told me,' Adam nodded. 'That was why Mother was so upset.'

  'She's been so very kind and understanding,' said Caroline, smiling faintly. 'I really think she likes me.'

  'So do I,' remarked Adam casually, 'which is just as well, as she's going to be your mother-in-law.'

  'What—what did you say?' Caroline couldn't believe her ears.

  'I'm asking you to marry me,' said Adam quietly. 'God knows, I need you badly enough.'

  Caroline's eyes were as wide as saucers.

  'That's why I rang you from the hospital,' he went on, caressing her fingers with his. 'I wanted to tell you, right then. 1 couldn't risk your leaving without seeing me.'

  'Oh, Adam!' she exclaimed. 'I can't believe you mean it!'

  With a muffled exclamation he leaned forward and pulled her into his arms. 'Then I must show you,' he murmured huskily, and proceeded to do so, his mouth finding hers in a long absorbing kiss. Caroline wound her arms about his neck, holding him closer, unwilling to let him go. But Adam became aware of how little she was wearing, and of how easy it would be to lose control completely.

  'When will you marry me?' he demanded, a trifle thickly. It's got to be soon. As soon as 1 can get a licence?'

  'Oh, yes,' she breathed, her face flushed with his lovemaking. 'Oh darling, you do believe I love you?'

  Adam smiled. 'Of course. I'm glad you didn't give up. I'm glad you came out here. I've been a fool.'

  'Have you?' Caroline bent her head. 'What—what about Mark Davison?'

  He shrugged his shoulders. 'I'd made up my mind this evening that whatever the consequences I must have you,' he said heavily, pressing her fingers to his lips. 'But while you were bathing, just now, my mother told me the true story, as you'd told it to her.'

  'I see.' Caroline looked up. 'If only you'd let me tell you!'

  'I know,' he said, shaking his head. 'But jealousy is a terrible thing.'

  'Don't I know it?' exclaimed Caroline, clasping his fingers tightly. 'You were so stubborn.'

  'I know. And so much time I've wasted. But I promise we won't waste any more.'

  Caroline smiled tremulously. 'I'm glad you had the accident,' she whispered shyly.

  Adam grinned. 'Now there's a thing to say!' he teased her, and then at her expression, he took her into his arms again.