Wings of the Morning (32 page)

‘How nice of you to come,’ she said, ‘and only just in time. Do you admire what you see?’

‘How are you Alexa,’ he replied bending from the waist like a courtly, old fashioned hussar to kiss her cheek, ‘and actually No is the answer. I really don’t care at all
for this sort of stuff. I prefer a painting to be of something I can recognise.’

Alexa relaxed. ‘Yup. I must say I agree and I’ve been having to look at it for days on end so you’re getting off lightly.’

‘Well,’ he said, ‘we mustn’t be that honest with poor Roland. He would be disappointed in our inadequate taste.’

He paused for what seemed an age before resuming with a question.

‘Since you’ve had enough of all this, what about a drink somewhere?’

In that moment, Alexa knew that the electricity between them was not going in one direction only. There was chemistry at work, and all this was leading somewhere. It was going to happen, but she
knew this was not the time. So she shook her head and fixed him in the eye.

‘I’d love to, Hugh, but not this evening. I really must finish this job properly and make sure we’re all ready to move out first thing in the morning. But thank you.’

Hugh inclined his head.

‘Of course. I respect your dedication. Roland evidently doesn’t know how lucky he is to have you around him.’

Alexa was trying to decide if there was a further meaning in his words when he continued.

‘And when you finally do get away, how do you wind down from all of this?’ and he asked the question as one long arm wandered around the room.

Alexa knew she must stay firm.

‘By going home to put my feet up, have more than one glass of wine and finish my excellent book.’

He nodded his understanding, but was not yet to be put off.

‘How very laudable,’ he smiled, ‘and somehow I guess that you’re not reading either War and Peace or a bit of Jane Austen?’

‘You’re right. But the first is close. Actually it’s War and Remembrance.’

His eyebrows rose. ‘An excellent choice. Such an epic novel and worth the long wait since The Winds of War. What led you to Herman Wouk as an author? The Caine Mutiny?’

‘Actually not, although I’ve read it and seen the film of course. No, my first Wouk work was Youngblood Hawke which I loved. I like the way he tells a story and I was under the spell
from page one. The idea of a hillbilly who’s a brilliant writer but looks like a truck driver captures my imagination. But then I’ve often been attracted to people who are not what they
seem.’

Alexa turned away, suddenly embarrassed by her own candour, but Hugh just stood there with his long arms folded about him and grinning with unrestrained pleasure. Finally, he said.

‘Well message taken. Oh, and I do hope to see you again soon.’ And with that he left her.

As things turned out, it was not that soon. July turned into August, a month which Alexa had come to regard as her least favourite of the year, when it was hot, humid and brazenly sunny. She was
reminiscing over her last trip to Sydney and starting to anticipate her mother’s visit in September. She was conscious of being irked by some of the demands of working at Ince. She loved her
apartment and tried some redecorating but decided the results were disappointing. She was unsettled, distracted and frustrated when Tina Fullerton precipitated a crisis.

‘Bill and I are throwing a bit of a party,’ she phoned to say, ‘it’s at the Club and it’s to celebrate being here ten goddam years. Would ya believe that,
Doll!’

Garden lights were twinkling prettily as Alexa got out of her taxi and a buzz of lively conversation stirred the languid air in the spacious area between the Club’s main pool and the
tennis courts. There must be a hundred or more here already, Alexa thought to herself as she collected a glass, waved to a couple she knew and went to find her hosts. Bill was busy talking but Tina
peeled off from somewhere to give her a hug of welcome. They had no time to natter before the restless swirl of gossiping guests moved to reveal a familiar figure standing a few feet away with his
back to them. Tina muttered something like ‘great timing’ and moved across to tap him on the elbow before a horrified Alexa could stop her, then Hugh Dundas turned around and his smile
of pleasure embraced them both.

‘What a great party, Tina,’ he said, ‘how did we get on for entertainment here before you and Bill arrived? Alexa, how lovely to see you after much too long. Have you brought
Herman Wouk with you?’

Hugh laughed as he bent forward to kiss her cheek and at that moment she heard Tina say, ‘And hey, Alexa, have you met Hugh’s wife Janey?’

Alexa was never to forget that introduction. Janey Dundas gave the sweetest smile and held out her hand which carried a warmth of greeting.

‘No, we haven’t met before and I’m so pleased to do so now. Hugh has often spoken of you.’ Janey spoke with the voice of a genuine English rose, and she had the
complexion to match. She had a sweet face with gentle laughter lines and the slightest suggestion of a dimple in each cheek. Even in this light, Alexa could make out the compelling violet colour of
her eyes which sparkled with her vivacious spirit. She wore her enviably thick auburn hair to her shoulders and the lights from the pool caught the double row of diamonds about her neck where they
rested on her fine bosom encased in a white silk top which was set off by slight and delicate embroidery.

A proper English lady, Alexa had time to think to herself as she took the proffered hand and smiled her own greeting. She had to bend down. Janey Dundas was in a wheel chair, and she could never
rise from it.

In sharp contrast to that moment, Alexa could never remember quite what happened next. She had vague memories that they chatted in a group for a few minutes before Hugh found the right moment to
push his wife on to speak to other friends. As they stood alone, Alexa turned to Tina and said,

‘Be my friend. I’m going home now, but call me.’

Tina Fullerton didn’t ring her the following day, but went one better. She was waiting on the door step as she returned from work, and they went for a pasta supper together before
returning to Alexa’s apartment for a talk on the balcony which lasted most of the night. Bill had been warned that he would likely be on his own.

After Alexa had apologised for ducking out of her party, Tina told her about Hugh and Janey Dundas. Alexa had not appreciated that the couples went back a long way. The men had been childhood
friends and had gone through school and university together. There was a considerable difference in their brain power and a greater contrast in their wealth. But Tina reported that in her typical,
straight talking style.

‘Hugh’s an absolute fuckin’ brainbox. He’s a bloody genius. And yet with all of that, the bastard’s just a nice guy. He’s gentle, thoughtful, never pushy. And
as a friend, well let me tell ya Alexa that he’s just the best. Ah, Jesus, just the very fuckin’ best.’

Tina’s language was inclined to deteriorate as her alcohol intake increased and Alexa was content to wait while she filled both their glasses and lit up another of her favourite
cigarettes. She curled her legs under her on the sofa and continued.

‘Hugh’s got my Bill into jobs and out of scrapes over the years more times than I care to recall, and to be honest with you, the two guys are really not in the same league at all.
Bill would be the first to agree. He couldn’t live with Hugh in any sort of a race. And you might expect Hugh to lord it a bit. But he never does: never has done and never will I reckon. He
doesn’t do patronising, he’s just there for you when you’re in the shit, and he somehow manages to pick up whatever sort of tab it is without you even noticing. I know he’s
razor sharp and he sure can be fuckin’ ruthless. I’ve seen it. But if you’re his friend, waal, you’re lucky ... and you’re goddamed guaranteed.’

All of which was good to hear, but it wasn’t the background history which Alexa craved, so she broke in gently to steer her friend with a question.

‘How long has she .... I mean how long have they been living here now?’

Tina didn’t answer immediately. She lay back on the sofa and stretched her long legs out to rest on the coffee table. She took a long drag at her Camel and pushed aside the long black
hair. Then she sat up suddenly and wagged a slim finger.

‘Ok, Alexa. Now listen up. First, I’ll give you the short history. Then I’ll tell you where you’re at and what you’ve gotta do about it. OK?’ Without pausing,
Tina went on, ‘and here’s where we are gal. No interruptions. No questions. Nothing I say gets repeated. To nobody. Not ever. Not even your goddam mother. Is that a deal?’ And she
looked pretty fierce.

Alexa nodded, ‘I promise.’

Tina nodded with her and reached for her glass. She took a swig and started in.

‘The short version, heh! I was born in Small town Dakota, US of A. Bright kid, did well at school, graduated near top, heading for Wall Street, took six months out to travel Europe. Did
France and Italy. Saw the museums, test drove the boys. Finished up in London. Went drinking. Got picked up in a club in Belgravia. Some fancy speaking Limey schmuck. Fell for him and married him.
So. Tina Goranko becomes Mrs Bill Fullerton. Leaves behind her Polack past and joins the British upper class.’ She threw a face and mimicked a regal dowager look which gave Alexa the
giggles.

‘OK so far?’

‘Gottcha!’ and they both laughed together.

Tina continued, ‘Bill Fullerton. Second son and third child of well connected, so so financed English for ever family. Farming in Cheshire since the Romans. Schooled at Rugby, known for
cold showers and bared bums’ — this in a grossly parodied true blue accent which had Alexa smiling — ‘there met Hugh Dundas, only child, orphaned through a car smash, lives
with uncle, aunt and cousins in wild Northumberland. The two become inseparable, asshole buddies as we say. Hugh gets Bill through exams and into university. They room together, drink together,
chase women together. Hugh has more brains than blood. Bill is the sportsman: really good at cricket and a shit hot golfer. Hugh is a mug at any sport and he’s not so strong as Bill at
pulling down the girls. So they balance a bit. Still get the picture?’

Just a nod from Alexandra.

‘The guys graduate and move to London. Set up house, get work. Both in the City. Hugh is snapped up with his double first, Bill is hired and in those days, a name was as good as a brain.
For a couple of years, they have a ball. Work a bit, party a lot, holiday as and when they can, visit each other’s family etc. All that good stuff. And can you guess what happens
next?’

Tina poured more wine and reached for her packet of Camels. Alexa replied tentatively.

“Ah ... you met Bill?’

Tina shook her head, ‘Not yet. First up, it’s Hugh who falls in love. He goes in a party to some concert — the Stones I think — and he’s introduced to Janey. The
Honourable Jane Williams-Blake, third of five daughters who hail from some goddam great pile in Wales. Janey and Hugh are smitten and get engaged in the fall of 1966. They’re pretty young,
but everyone agrees it’s a terrific match. Just the best and set for life.’

Tina paused to swig at her wine before she continued.

‘This next bit’s tough and I wasn’t on the scene to see it myself. It all comes from Bill. Like I said, Hugh was never into sports. But he did love cars and Bill says he used
to drive them pretty well and goddam quickly. He had a little old British sports car, an MGB race prepared. Hugh takes Janey out to show her the works. Hugh is trying hard and showing off. He
overcooks it, spins, clumps the bank, turns over twice, ends upside down. He’s fine, belted in. Janey isn’t. She’s thrown out: onto tarmac: damages lots. She can’t walk,
hasn’t walked since, will never walk again. Plus a few things more, like no control, no sex, no children. Not ever.’

Alexa was chilled by Tina’s account but kept her promise not to interrupt.

Tina contiued, ‘I didn’t come on the scene until ’68. Bill and I zipped home in the October, marrying before the worst of the Dakota winter started to hit. We were back in
London before Christmas, when I first met Hugh and Janey. By then, they’d been married about six months I guess, so a long time after the planned date, but on lots of levels incredible to go
through with it at all.

‘I can hear all the questions in your mind, Alexa, and I have to say, well shit, I don’t have too many of the answers myself. Bill says that after the accident, Hugh was calm, but
both grief and conscious stricken. He wouldn’t talk much about it, not even to Bill. He wouldn’t hear about getting out of the marriage or even postponing it beyond Janeys’s
critical recovery time. He was — what was Bill’s word? Obdurate. Yup, that was it. Obdurate. This is the girl I love, he seemed to say, and I’m sticking with her. For better or
for a great deal fuckin’ worse, and he hadn’t even signed up to the goddam vows by then.’

Tina waved a languid hand that suggested Alexa was now permitted to speak. She picked up her own glass and a cigarette before she replied.

‘Golly Tina. What you’ve told me is such a desperately sad story. Thank you though, thank you so much for telling me. I feel a whole lot better for knowing but I haven’t a clue
what to do next. The thing is that although there’s been absolutely zero involvement between Hugh and me, the chemistry is there and we’re already some sort of soul mates. I know it
sounds crazy to say that,’ she finished limply.

‘No it doesn’t. Why d’ya think I’ve opened up like this? You and Hugh have got neon signs all over you. The worry for me and Bill is that this has never happened for Hugh
before. Christ knows why not but I guess he just hasn’t met the right broad. Oh sure, he takes himself off now and again for a bit of mischief, and even Janey knows that and of course she
knows why. But I reckon she thinks it’s a bit like a guy who just has to go gambling once in a while. And anyway Alexa, I never had the chance to know Janey before the accident, but I have to
say I doubt we’d have become that close whatever. I think I’m a bit uncouth for her. We don’t get a laugh out of the same things and I do declare I would’ve always found her
a mite stuffy. The English rose with the upturned nose. I’m not so sure they were ever that passionately in love. Bill says I’m wrong, but Bill’s a man and what do fuckin’
men know about these things, huh?”