Anna's Return (7 page)

Chapter Fourteen

Once Anna had relaxed a little more in Janek’s company, the
afternoon seemed to pass all too quickly. She wished she could spend more time
with him, but it was getting late and she needed to get Nicky back home.

“Thank you so much for inviting us,” said Anna when Janek
took them back downstairs to the foyer.

“Yes, thank you,” said Nicky. “May we come again?”

“You certainly may, my young friend,” said Janek. “But only
if you always promise to bring Anna with you.”

“Oh yes, we go everywhere together,” said Nicky.

“And you must tell your Mama and Papa that they are also
welcome,” Janek said.

“And Tasha?” said Nicky,

“Mr. Dabrowski can’t feed all of London,” Anna laughed. 

“Not all of London,” Janek replied. “Just the very special
people.”

“And who might they be?” asked Anna. She had hoped to bring
the conversation around to Mary Carmichael, but had shied away from it, afraid
of what she might learn.

“Anyone who is a friend to you, of course,” said Janek.

At that moment a man came from the kitchens, carrying a big
parcel. “The cake, Mr. Dabrowski,” he said. Handing the parcel to Janek.

“Here you go, Nicky,” said Janek. “It may be a bit heavy for
you to carry, so I’ll give it to Anna. It is a whole fruit cake for your Mama
and Papa and Tasha.”

“Oh really,” said Anna, “it’s too generous. I’m sure Nicky
only meant to ask for a slice each, is that not right, Nicky?” Nicky nodded,
his eyes wide open at the size of the cake which Janek gave to Anna.

“It is not too much. It is very little,” said Janek. “But
I’m only giving it to you if you promise to come again.”

“Oh we will,” said Nicky. But Anna felt that Janek was not
really talking to Nicky. He was talking to her.

“I’m off to New York tomorrow for a few days,” Janek
explained. “But when I return I should very much like it if you came for tea
again. Or perhaps even dinner.”

“I’m not allowed to stay up past eight o’clock,” said Nicky.

Janek smiled. “Then you might have to sit that one out, my
little friend. Can you bear to loan me Anna for just an evening?”

“I suppose so,” said Janek. “She’s allowed to stay up later
than I am.”

“I’m glad to hear it!”

“I should have to ask Madame if it is alright,” said Anna.
“Perhaps I’ll have the pleasure of meeting Miss Carmichael again.”

“Miss Carmichael? Oh, Mary. No, I doubt it. She’s returned
to Scotland and I don’t know when she’ll be visiting again.”

“Oh…” Anna did not know what to say. If Janek were seeing
Mary should he really be asking Anna to dinner? But of course, he only meant to
invite Anna to dinner as an old friend. She would be silly to read anything
else into his invitation. “If I can get the time off, I would like it very
much.”

Janek held out his hand. Balancing the cake on one of her
arms, Anna gave him hers. She expected him to shake it, but instead he lifted
it to his lips. Even though she wore gloves, she could feel the warmth of his
mouth through the fabric, and was caught off-guard to the point that she almost
dropped the cake. She just managed to rescue it before it fell to the ground.

“I’ll as the doorman to hail you a taxi,” he said, laughing.
“I don’t fancy the cake’s chances on the tube.”

“Oh I don’t know,” said Anna, trying to calm her nerves
again. “Broken cake tastes just as good. If not better.”

“Yes it does, but does not do much for Carmichaels’
reputation.”

“Of course, I’m sorry.”

“I was only joking, Anna.” Janek touched her arm, then took
the cake from her. “I’ll hold it until you get into the taxi.”

He waited as Anna and Nicky got into the taxi, then handed
her the cake. “Perhaps when we meet again,” he said in a low voice, “you can
tell me why there are posters in Hyde Park with your face on.”

Suddenly the sun went in for Anna, and she realised that it
was probably better if she did not see Janek ever again. If he found out that
not only had she harmed Teddy, but she was also a thief, he would not want anything
to do with her at all.

“Anna?” Janek frowned, and stood with the door open as if
waiting for an answer.

“Thank you for the lovely afternoon and for the cake,” she
said, her voice trembling.

“Anna, didn’t I just tell you that if you need anything you
can come to me?”

“Yes, but… if you knew…”

“We’ll talk about it when we meet again.” Janek shut the
taxi door, and it moved away from the pavement.

Anna breathed a huge sigh of relief. She had enjoyed her
afternoon with Janek and Nicky, but she decided with an aching heart that it
would probably never happen again.

***

Teddy went upstairs to his father’s room, having been told
by Izzy that Sir Lionel had asked for him. Since his illness, Sir Lionel had
not moved from his bedroom at all. Even though he was out of bed, and sitting
in a chair, he seemed to prefer the relative peace and quiet.

“Father,” said Teddy, after knocking and putting his head
around the door. “Did you want me?”

“Yes, Teddy, come in and shut the door.” Sir Lionel’s chair
was near the window, and he sat looking out towards the lake. “There’s a lovely
view from here.”

“Why don’t you come outside, Father?” asked Teddy. “It’s
even nicer in the fresh air.”

“No, I like it here,” said Sir Lionel. “Not least because
your mother does not like sick rooms. She visits me in the morning, to do her
duty, then she leaves me to my own devices for the rest of the day. I’ve never
read as many books as I have these past few months. Of course, young Izzy puts
me through my paces in the afternoon, but I don’t mind that. I find I like the
girl’s cheerful chatter. I gather you like her too.”

“As she said anything?”

“No, but I see a lot from this window,” Sir Lionel said,
smiling. “Like you following her around the lake, like a puppy dog.”

“I’m not a puppy!” Teddy protested.

“Oh don’t take it as a criticism, boy,” said Sir Lionel.
“Every young boy needs a first love.”

Because he did not think his father would understand, Teddy
did not tell him that Izzy was his one and only love.  “Is that why you wished
to see me? To talk about Izzy? Because if you tell me she’s not good enough for
me…”

Sir Lionel raised his hand. “I intend no such thing. Not
least because I know what it is to love someone whom society thinks is beneath
me.”

“Mother?”

“No, not your mother. Her pedigree is impeccable. Actually
that’s what I wished to discuss with you.”

“Mother’s pedigree?”

“No. I hear that you and Izzy are thinking of going up to
see Mrs. Palmer and Mr. Stephens. So you can find Anna.”

“Izzy told you that?”

“Well yes, she felt she needed my permission to accompany
you, what with you being under eighteen.”

“I’m quite old enough to make up my own mind.”

“Yes, I know you are, son. I’ve been very proud of the way
you’ve taken the accounts in hand. I know you want to be a doctor, but I can’t
see that Silverton Hall would have a better master than you when I’m gone.
Only…”

“Only what?”

“Nothing. I also gather your mother is after the combination
to my safe.”

“Did Izzy tell you that too?”

“No, your mother did. She is not nearly as clever at hinting
as she believes she is. The truth is lad, that’s where you come in. There is
something in my safe that your mother must never see. If she does find it, she
will surely destroy it. I’m not so sure I shouldn’t destroy it. I find myself
trapped between a rock and a hard place. But I also want to put right a
dreadful wrong whilst I still have the chance.”

“How can I help, Father?”

“In my safe is a letter, addressed to Anna. I want you to
get it, and keep it from your mother. I’m going to give you permission to look
inside it. Then, if you choose to destroy it, you can. I will not hold it
against you, because you’re as innocent in all of this as Anna is. Or, if you
wish, when you find Anna – and I pray you will find her safe and sound – you
can give it to her. I’ll leave it to you to decide. But you must never let your
mother see it. If she finds out about it, then so be it. But if she finds it
before you do, then she will most certainly destroy it.”

“Why?”

“You’ll know if you choose to look inside the letter. Don’t
think too badly of your mother, either. Whatever she did would only be to
protect you.”

“I think I can guess what the letter says,” said Teddy. “But
why now, Father? Why not when Anna first came here? Her life would have been so
much different.”

“Would it? I don’t think so. I think it might have been
worse. Mrs. Palmer protected her a lot. I should have done more to take care of
her, I see that now. As I said, I want to put right a dreadful wrong. Whilst I
have the chance. This illness has made me realise I may not get that chance. This
is why I’m passing the baton to you. But as I said, son, I shan’t think badly
of you if you decide to destroy the letter. In fact I give you my permission to
do so if that is your decision, as I would not have you live with the same
guilty conscience as I’ve had to live with.”

“Father, I already feel guilty about Anna…”

“You shouldn’t. You were just a child and your mother
overruled you. She overruled me too, when I tried to reason with her. I know it
seems unlikely but I am rather afraid of Geraldine.”

“Me too. Izzy is the only one who isn’t. Father?”

“Yes, Teddy.”

“If I decide to marry Izzy, neither you or Mother can change
my mind.”

“Good. Good. Keep thinking that way. You’ll be a much better
man than I am if you learn how to stick to your guns.”

After his Father told him where the combination to the safe
was hidden, with an extra warning to remove the paper taped under the desk and
take it to his father for safekeeping, Teddy went downstairs to the study.

His mother was out playing Bridge with friends, so hopefully
would not be home until much later. Nevertheless, Teddy felt nervous about what
he was about to do. Even with his father’s blessing, going into Sir Lionel’s
safe felt like an intrusion. If his mother did return early, and happened to
enter the study, she would most likely demand to know what was happening.

The only thing that stopped Teddy from running out of the
study and refusing to have anything to do with it was the thought that the
letter for Anna might help her in some way. He owed her that much.

There was an angle poise lamp on the desk. Teddy switched it
on and pulled the drawer out, carefully tearing the piece of paper so that he
did not destroy the combination before he had a chance to use it.

Feeling like a burglar, he knelt down by the safe and
started to turn the dial, careful to turn it accurately. The first time he was
so nervous, he turned it the wrong way, and did not realise until he came to
open the safe only to find it still securely locked. He reminded himself that
he had his father’s permission, but knowing that did not stop his hands from
trembling. It was not just going into his father’s safe that concerned him. It
was finding out the contents of the letter.

Finally, getting the combination right, the safe gave a
satisfying click and the door opened when he pulled the handle. Inside the safe
were several items his father had put away for safe keeping. One was an old
rifle, which Teddy remembered had a faulty firing pin. He avoided that. Instead
he looked through the piles of papers until he found what he was looking for; a
yellowing envelope upon which was written ‘For Anna’.

Teddy stuffed the letter into his pocket along with the safe
combination, locked the safe up firmly, and turned out the lamp, before going
back upstairs to his father.

“Did you get it,” asked Sir Lionel, when Teddy handed him
the combination.

“Yes, Father.”

“Have you opened it?”

“No father.”

“Will you open it?”

It was something that Teddy had been considering since his
father told him about the letter. He shook his head. “No. I think I’ll let Anna
see it first. That would be the proper thing to do, since it’s addressed to
her.”

“You’re not afraid of what it might say?”

“Why should I be? I know what I want to do with my life,
Father and if this letter is what I think it is, then perhaps that will make it
easier for me.”

Sir Lionel was silent for a while, so Teddy took that as his
cue to leave. As he was walking away, his father called him back. “I’m very
proud of you, Teddy,” he said. “One more thing.”

“Yes, Father.”

“If you find Anna, tell her I’d like to see her, whenever
she’s ready to forgive me.”

Chapter Fifteen

Anna was finding it increasingly more difficult to occupy
Nicky. Every day, Madame insisted she take him out, regardless of the weather.
The child really needed to be at school, with other children, but Madame and
Mr. Voronin had insisted in hiring a private tutor for their son’s education.
However, as it was the summer holidays, that tutor was not due to start work
until September.

She still suspected she was being got out the way for some
reason and tried not to let it bother her. She felt sure that if Madame were
unhappy with her, then she would say so. Similarly if Madame had found out
about what happened with Teddy, Anna would have been dismissed immediately. The
Voronins took no chances with their beloved son. She was left to believe that
there were just things that the Voronins and Tasha did not wish to share with
her. She did wonder if it was to do with Russian state secrets, and whether
they did not trust her. But many a night, Mr. Voronin had talked candidly about
the Russian government in her presence, so that did not seem to make sense.

To add to her somewhat gloomy mood, Janek had not contacted
her again, even though it was well known that he had returned. The papers had
been full of the news of the New York Carmichaels and how popular it had become
in a short time. Perhaps, she thought, he felt he had done his duty in inviting
an old friend for tea and did not feel the need to invite her again. Or perhaps
he was spending all his time with Mary Carmichael.

“Why are you sighing?” asked Nicky, as they walked through
Hyde Park. If Anna had taken Nicky there in the hopes of bumping into Janek
again, she had not admitted it to herself.

“Did I sigh, sweetheart? I’m sure I just took a deep breath.
The air is lovely, isn’t it?”

“It’s alright, but it will be better at the seaside.”

“The seaside?”

“Yes, Mama said we are going there, tomorrow.”

“Are we? She did not say anything to me.”

“Oh, I forgot…”

“Forgot what, dear?”

“It’s supposed to be a secret. I’m not to tell you.”

“Oh… Do you mean a secret or a surprise?”

“A secret.”

“I see. Oh well, perhaps your Mama and Papa want time alone
with you.”

“Hmm, but Tasha is coming too. I heard her talk to Mama
about it. That’s why Mama had to tell me. But she said I must not tell you.”

Anna swallowed hard. She must have done something to upset
Madame. It was the only explanation. It was not that she expected to go on all
their day trips with them. Only that she always had in the past. “I’m sure
you’ll have a lovely time,” she said, her voice feeling tight. “You’ll have to
bring me back a stick of rock.”

“Yes, I will. And we’ll send a postcard. Mama said so.”

“A postcard? For a day trip.” Anna laughed, even though
there seemed to be nothing amusing about the situation to her.

“Well…” said Nicky. “It might be a bit longer than a day. I
can’t really remember now.” He ran on ahead, and Anna sensed that even at such
a young age, he felt embarrassed by the situation. She vowed not to let it
matter to her. Or at least not to let anyone see that it mattered.

“You’re behaving like more of a child than Nicky,” she
muttered to herself, when the feelings of disappointment and abandonment would
not go away as quickly as she would have liked. Then she was able to reason it
out. It was to do with cost, of course. If they took everyone from their staff,
it would cost them a lot of money, and she knew that even diplomats were not
terribly well paid in the Russian diplomatic service. So of course they had to
be selective. Tasha had been with them longer, so she was more deserving of a
trip to the seaside.

Yes, thought Anna, trying to be sensible and grown up about
it, that would be the reason why. Perhaps Madame felt embarrassed about it, and
that was why she had said to keep it a secret. She wished her employers had
trusted her a little more, but there was nothing to be done about it.

“Come along, Nicky,” she called. “It’s time to go home.”

The following morning, the family were up early, and the
atmosphere in the house was very strained. They ate a virtually silent
breakfast, only speaking to ask someone to pass the butter or the salt.

“Anna,” said Madame, tentatively.

“Yes, Madame.”

“We are all going out today and taking Nicky with us. We
thought that you have worked so hard, you deserve a day off.”

“Oh… thank you. That’s very kind.” So that is why Madame had
not invited her. She probably realised that if Anna were there, she would
naturally fall into the role of caring for Nicky. It made Anna feel a little
better. Madame was only thinking of her welfare. “But I would not mind.”

“No, no, it is decided now. There is just one errand I should
like you to run. If you do not mind.”

“No, not at all.”

“I have written a letter to Mr. Dabrowski to thank him for
the cake. I realise I should have done so weeks ago, but I have been busy with
other things. There is also an invitation in there for him to come to dinner.
Would you mind taking it along to him then waiting for an answer? I’ll know
then what to tell cook to order.”

It seemed a strange request, but Anna could do nothing but
comply. “Very well, Madame. What if Mr. Dabrowski is out?”

“He is not. I checked with the hotel last night. He has been
back a fortnight.”

“Oh…”

“Is something wrong, Anna?”

She shook her head. “No, nothing at all.”

“He has not been in touch with you?”

“No, but he is a very busy man.”

“Of course. I just hope … well I hope I have not put you in
an embarrassing situation.”

“No, Madame, not at all.”

“It’s just that I was under the impression that you two were
… great friends.”

“We are friends,” said Anna, blushing. “I suppose we are
anyway.”

“Good. Good. I hope so,” Madame said, looking very worried
all of a sudden.

“I’m sure he would like to come to dinner,” said Anna,
hastily, afraid that she might have spoiled Madame’s plans. “What I mean is
that there is no animosity between us.”

“That is comforting,” said Madame, vaguely. “Yes, very
comforting.”

“Alexandra, we must be getting ready,” said Mr. Voronin,
looking at his watch. For a family about to spend the day at the seaside, it
seemed to Anna that they were very unhappy.

“Yes of course Yuri. Tasha, Nicky, are you ready?”

Ten minutes later, Madame and Mr. Voronin, Tasha and Nicky
were waiting at the front door. “You run on ahead to Carmichaels, Anna,” Mr.
Voronin said in his gruff tones. “Then the day is your own to do as  you
please.”

“Very well,” said Anna, once again feeling that she was
being got out of the way. “I hope you have a wonderful time at the seaside.”

“What?” Madame looked perplexed. “Ah, I see Nicky has let
you in on our little secret. We have always wanted to see the British seaside,
have we not, Yuri?”

“Yes, dear, we have.”

“I’d best get going then,” said Anna, slipping between them
and opening the front door.

“Anna…” Madame started to speak.

“Yes, Madame?”

“We’re very fond of you, child. Always remember that.”

“Alexandra,” Mr. Voronin said in warning tones.

Madame glared at him, and it seemed to Anna that she was
about to burst into tears. Perhaps, thought Anna, they had argued about her
going with them, and it was Mr. Voronin who did not want her company for the
day. She did not like to think she had caused upset between a husband and wife,
so she merely smiled and said, “And I’m very fond of all of you, Madame.”

Deciding not to say anything else, for fear of adding fuel
to the flames, Anna skipped down the steps, waving as she walked up the street.
She was surprised to see that the Voronins and Tasha were not waving back. They
simply watched her until she was out of sight.

Anna pulled her coat around her and shivered. The morning
was cool, suggesting that the good days were over and autumn was just around the
corner. She decided to walk to Carmichaels, even though it was across London.
It would give the Voronins time to get out of the way. Then she would return
and probably spend the day reading. She loved Nicky dearly, but like all
children, he made great demands on her time. It would be a pleasure to sit and
read a book without interruption.

With that positive thought in mind, whilst at the back of
her mind was the niggling feeling that something was terribly wrong with the
Voronins, she made her way to Carmichaels.

It took her over an hour to get there, by which time the sun
was shining high in the sky and she had to take her coat off because it was so
warm.

To her surprise, Janek was standing at the entrance, and it
seemed as if he was waiting for her. “You’d better come in,” he said, before
she could open her mouth to speak. “Wait until we’re in my flat upstairs,
before you say anything.”

Anna could only nod, dumbstruck by his attitude. For some
reason it reminded her of the Voronins’ mood when she left them. “I have a
letter for you,” she said, when Janek shut the door to his flat.

“That might explain what’s going on,” he said. Anna handed
him the letter.

“What do you mean, what’s going on?”

He put his fingers to his lips, whilst he opened the letter.
Inside were two notes. One for him, and one which he handed to Anna without
reading.

Our dearest Anna
, she read.
Please forgive us for
not being honest with you. For a long time we have feared having to return to
Russia.
We have come to realise there is only one thing we can do to
escape that, but I am afraid it means going away to a place of safety for a
long time. We thought long and hard about whether to ask you to come with us,
but it seemed wrong that such a young girl should give up her freedom for us. Tasha
has chosen to come with us, because she will be in danger if she does not.
Please do not think badly of us for not including you in our plans. It was for
your safety as much as for ours. We remain, as always your truest friends,
Alexandra and Yuri Veronin.

“They’ve defected,” said Janek. “Or at least they’re on
their way to do just that.”

“When I arrived, you said it would explain what’s going on,”
said Anna, feeling as if she had fallen into a deep sleep and was in the middle
of a nightmare. “What did you mean?”

“Half an hour ago all your clothes and belongings were
delivered here by taxi.”

“What?” Anna put her hands to her face. “Oh, but I could
have got them myself.”

“It isn’t safe for you to return there, Anna. The Russian
government will want to talk to everyone involved with the Voronins, including
you. At least you’re safe here.”

“Here? I cannot stay here,” said Anna. “I need to go and
look for a job and a place to live.”

“Then we will kill two birds with one stone. I’ll give you a
job and a place to stay. In fact, that’s what Madame Voronina has asked me to
do.”

“Oh, but you mustn’t Janek. I don’t expect you to. I’ll go
across the road to Miss Templeton’s and I’m sure she’ll find me something.”

“How long is it since you’ve looked on the other side of
this road?” Janek asked with a smile.

“I … I don’t know.”

“Miss Templeton is not there anymore. She hasn’t been for
about three years. I think she married and went to live in the country. Her
offices are now rented out to a firm of chartered surveyors.”

“I see… Well there will be other agencies.”

“Sit down, Anna and I’ll get you a cup of tea. You look
unwell.” When she did not comply, Janek said in firmer tones. “Sit down, Anna.”

Like a child, she obeyed him, sitting down on the plush
leather sofa. It was just as well, because her legs had been about to give way.
“I knew something was wrong,” she said, in a daze. “Why could they not trust
me?”

“I’ve told you, they knew that you’d be questioned.”

“I would never have betrayed them.”

“Anna, I’m not talking about before they defected, but
after. You don’t know much about the Russian authorities, but I can tell you
that I do. They are ruthless. Madame Voronin did the only thing she could do to
protect you. She kept you in the dark, and then she sent you to someone whom
she knew would take care of you. Probably because I had before.”

“I don’t need to be taken care of,” Anna said, with
uncharacteristic petulance. “I’m not a ten year old girl anymore, Janek.” She
immediately regretted her outburst, but her sadness over losing a family she
had come to think of as her own had made her tetchy. Even though she understood
that the Voronins had not meant it that way, she could not help feeling hurt
that they had not trusted her. She could at least have made her own
arrangements about where to live and work, rather than have them rely on the
kindness of Janek. It embarrassed her that once again she was seeking his help.

“Strange,” said Janek, “I’d have sworn, from the look on
your face that you were still running away from something.”