The Lie (16 page)

‘Three weeks, then I'm going down south for a while, but I shall be back.' He hesitated, looking at her uncertainly. ‘You wouldn't consider going out with me tonight, I suppose?'

‘I'm on duty tonight and most nights for a while.' She explained about Maura and he looked sympathetic. ‘But you could come to the station social evening next week. I shall be there, because it's my night off.'

‘If you're going I'll be there,' he said, and grinned at her. ‘I'm glad I bumped into you like this. I've got to meet someone in a few minutes, but I'll see you around.'

‘Yes, I expect so  . . .'

It wasn't until he had disappeared into the crowds milling around the railway station entrance that Emily realized she was wearing gloves. He couldn't have seen her rings and she hadn't thought to tell him she was married. Why hadn't she told him? She wasn't sure but it hadn't occurred to her. Perhaps because she'd kept it a secret at work, she thought. Sometimes she hardly felt married at all.

Emily pulled herself up guiltily. She
was
married! And she ought not to have agreed to meet Terry. It was just that she had been so very pleased to see him. But she would set him straight the next time they met.

‘Oh, it's so beautiful!' Alice cried as she saw the gold heart on its slender chain. ‘Did you really mean me to have it?'

‘Of course. Why not?' Daniel smiled, feeling pleased by her excitement. ‘It's not new. I found it on a stall on the Portobello, Alice. The man said it's Victorian – a love heart he called it. And that's a diamond in the centre.'

‘You shouldn't have spent so much but I'm glad you did! I love it, I really do.'

She wanted to say that she loved him even more than the necklace but she didn't dare. Daniel hadn't said anything like that to her, and it would be wrong for her to be first. It might look as if she were putting pressure on him for further commitment or an engagement ring, and she'd promised herself that she wouldn't. Daniel would ask when he was ready and she knew she had to wait, to be patient. The fact that he had bought her this lovely present made it so much easier, because it showed that he thought something of her.

He was walking her home after a visit to the pictures in Ely. They stopped outside her gate and he hesitated before putting his arms around her, kissing her softly on the lips, and then releasing her.

‘I'll be getting back to the house then. Frances is expecting me.'

‘Yes, I suppose so  . . .' Alice smothered a sigh. Just for a moment she wished that he would suggest a walk down the bank, and then, as the cold wind whistled about her ears, she laughed inside. They'd freeze to death! ‘Shall I see you before you go to the hospital for your medical?'

‘Probably not,' Daniel said. ‘It's Emily's birthday soon and I promised to visit her in Liverpool. But I'll let you know what happens and if I can get back we'll go out again.'

‘Yes, well, good luck then.' Impulsively, she kissed him on the mouth, then turned and ran up the path to her house.

Her mother was at the sink washing the supper things. From the amount of plates and cups it was clear the New Zealanders had been enjoying a good supper before going off to work at the drome. Her mother put their lodgers before them all, going hungry herself and cutting her family's rations in order to feed the young men, who were risking their lives for them nightly in the big bombers they flew.

‘Had a good time, love?'

‘Yes, lovely.' Alice hesitated then held out the box that Daniel had given her. ‘Look what he bought me  . . .'

Mrs Robinson wiped her hands before taking the box and looking inside. She frowned over the beautiful necklace and then handed it back.

‘That must be worth a bob or two.'

‘Daniel says he bought it from a market in London – but it's good, Mum; it's gold and that's a diamond.'

‘It's not a ring though.'

‘No, it's not a ring. We're not thinking of anything like that yet.'

‘No?' Mrs Robinson studied her in silence for a few seconds. ‘That's a good thing. You're too young to get married. I shan't nag you, love. Just don't break your heart over him. Remember he's a Searles and they think themselves too good for the rest of us.'

‘Mum, that isn't fair. Daniel isn't a snob.'

‘His sister Frances is though – and so was that stepmother of hers. Most people were glad to see the back of her. Since Frances married Marcus Danby she thinks she is royalty. She would think her brother too good for the likes of you.'

‘I think you are being unfair, Mum. Frances speaks when she sees me and Emily was always friendly. Besides, Daniel is honest and nice. I know where I am with him.'

‘It's up to you, but keep a cool head. You know what I mean.'

Alice blushed but before she could answer her father came into the kitchen. ‘That boy's calling for a glass of water again, Mother. Why don't you take the bastard a pail full?'

‘Oh, Dad!' Alice said, and laughed. She knew her father didn't mean anything by it. ‘I'll take it to him.'

‘He's probably hungry,' her mother said. ‘I kept the cheese for the lads, and he had bread and scrape for his tea.'

Alice felt in her pocket. ‘Daniel gave me a packet of toffee for him. I'll take it up with the water  . . .'

Emily was pleased that her brother was coming to visit for her birthday. It was a few days early, actually, but that didn't matter. He was making a special journey to see her and that was the important thing. He would be here the night of the social at the church hall and it meant he would be with her. She had begun to feel very guilty for telling Terry that she would see him there, and for keeping her marriage a secret.

She had decided to speak to her supervisor. It took a bit of courage to ask to speak to Miss Anderson, who was a rather sour looking woman in her late forties, but after all, they could only sack her.

Miss Anderson looked grave as Emily explained, and she was sure it was the end. She would be asked to leave and that meant she might have to work in a factory or on the land, and she didn't think she would enjoy that.

‘Well,' the supervisor said when she had finished, ‘if things were different I should probably have to let you go – but you know how busy we are, Emily. The truth is I can't spare you. You're efficient, hard-working and bright. I think we'll just forget this conversation. If I knew you had got married without going through the proper procedure of informing us, I might have no choice. Of course, if you become pregnant you will have to leave. That is why we do not encourage married women in our ranks. It is a nuisance when they leave after all the training  . . .'

‘So you want me to carry on as I have been?' Emily was surprised but relieved.

‘It saves any awkwardness,' Miss Anderson said. ‘But thank you for telling me. If someone telephones for Mrs Vane I shall know it's you.'

‘Simon wouldn't ring here. He has the number at my lodgings.'

Well, that was a wasted effort, Emily thought as she left the office, almost wishing she hadn't bothered. She'd screwed up her courage and now she was still in the same position – which made things awkward.

‘Oh, Emily  . . .' Daniel looked at her half-amused and half in condemnation when she explained her predicament. ‘I thought you'd told your supervisor at the start?'

‘There wasn't time.' Emily pulled a face. ‘Some of the girls
are
married, but they were either married before the war, with husbands serving overseas, or they got permission – and we all have to leave if we have babies.'

‘You're lucky they didn't throw you out.'

‘She would have if she didn't need me,' Emily said, and laughed. ‘I suppose I could always go and work in a factory.'

‘But you like what you do, don't you?'

‘Yes, very much. Still, if it happens it happens.' She shrugged her shoulders.

Daniel frowned at her. ‘You aren't regretting getting married, are you?'

‘No, I don't regret it.'

She wasn't sure how she felt if she was honest. When Simon was with her she knew that she cared for him deeply, but he hadn't phoned or written since they'd parted and she was feeling uneasy. Was
he
regretting their hasty marriage? He'd been so reserved the morning he left  . . . but of course it was just that he had to go back to his duty, and like every other airman at the moment he never knew if it would be his turn to die next.

Emily blinked as her brother nudged her.

‘Who's that chap over there?' Daniel asked. ‘He's been looking at you for several minutes.'

Emily glanced in the direction he had indicated and blushed. ‘That's Terry Burgess. He has been transferred to a training unit until his hands are healed. You remember I told you about the fireman I visited in hospital?'

‘Yes, I remember. You'd better go and have a word with him, Emily. Does he know you're married?'

‘No, I haven't had time to tell him yet.'

‘Is that why you aren't wearing your rings?'

‘Miss Anderson said it was best not to for the moment.' She wrinkled her brow. ‘But I'm going to tell Terry this evening. It wouldn't be fair not to let him know.'

She was interrupted by the arrival of Maura, who lurched up to them a trifle unsteadily.

‘You must be Daniel,' she said, and smiled at him. ‘Emily told me you were gorgeous but she didn't say how gorgeous.'

Emily frowned. She thought Maura had had a bit too much to drink, but Daniel could cope, and besides, she needed to talk to Terry.

She walked towards him, seeing the smile leap into his dark eyes with a sinking heart. She felt a deep reluctance to tell him the truth, but it had to be done. It would be unfair to let him believe that there was a chance of a relationship between them.

Daniel looked at the Irish girl with slight apprehension. It was clear that she had been drinking and as a rule he disapproved of girls who took too much strong drink. However, as he looked into her face, he realized that she was desperately unhappy and he remembered Emily telling him about their visit to Maura's ex-boyfriend at the hospital.

‘We've met before,' he said gently. ‘Don't you remember – at your lodgings? I came with Emily that first day.'

‘Can't remember anything,' Maura said, and swayed slightly towards him. He put out his hand to steady her, thinking she looked as if she might fall. ‘I feel awful  . . .'

‘I'm not surprised. Would you like me to take you home? I can come back for Emily.'

‘Yes, please,' Maura said. Her face had a greyish-green look. ‘I may be sick.'

‘Let's get our coats,' Daniel said hastily. ‘Keep breathing hard, Maura. Don't be sick in here. Everyone will see.'

Maura's head went up. He could see she was fighting her nausea, but she managed to keep it down while they collected their coats from the cloakroom. Once outside the air hit her and she reeled. Daniel steadied her until she jerked away and retched into the gutter.

‘Here,' he said, giving her his handkerchief as she finally finished vomiting. ‘You'll feel better in a few minutes.'

Maura took the handkerchief, which had his initials in the corner, wiped her mouth and shoved it in her coat pocket. ‘Thanks. I'll give it to Emily when it's clean.'

‘All right. Do you want a coffee somewhere or shall we walk for a while? The air should sober you up.'

‘Could we have a cup of tea?' Maura gave him a pleading look. ‘If I go home too early I'll start drinking again. It's the only way I can sleep.'

‘Emily told me what you're going through. It must be very hard  . . .'

‘You think I'm a selfish pig, don't you?'

‘No, of course not.' Daniel frowned. ‘It's difficult for you.'

‘Harder for him  . . .' Suddenly Maura started to cry. ‘I want to love him but I can't. I hate myself for not being able to face up to it but I just can't bear to see him that way.'

‘It's not your fault he was burned.'

‘If I'd married him perhaps I might have—' Maura gave a sob, looking up at Daniel. ‘Could we go somewhere – a hotel? Would you stay with me tonight?'

‘Do you think that's a good idea?'

‘Please. If I have to be alone  . . .' Her eyes met his and the wildness in them scared him. ‘I shall probably cut my wrists. Please stay with me. You know what I mean – really be with me? I trust you. You're Emily's brother. If it isn't you I'll pick someone up or kill myself.'

Suddenly, they both heard a bang coming from the direction of the docks, and a flash of fire shot into the sky. It looked as if they were in for another raid. Daniel put his arm around the girl protectively.

‘We'll find a hotel,' he said. ‘I'll stay with you, Maura, but that's it. I won't sleep with you. You're in too much of a state to know what you want.'

‘Just stay with me, then,' she said, and smiled. ‘I like you, Emily's brother. Help me just this once. I shan't ask again.'

If he left her she might do something desperate, and on a night like this anything could happen. Daniel knew he wasn't going to desert her, despite the warning bells in his head. He would be a fool to get involved with this girl, even though she was rather attractive  . . .

Daniel woke with a start, turning his head on the pillow to look at the girl lying beside him. He must have been mad – mad to come here, and even more stupid to respond to her pleading and get into bed with her. He'd had no intention of letting anything happen when he'd brought her here. But in the night, he'd woken to feel her naked body close to his, her mouth kissing him where he'd never been kissed before. Daniel's sexual experience had been limited to the back seat of a car or a hasty coupling in the pub yard. None of the village girls he'd been with would have dreamed of doing something like this. It had shocked and then excited him and he'd forgotten all his good intentions.