gilt, framed picture of some nameless officer. Candy's taste leaned
rather heavily towards martial men.
'You little bitch!' roared Sean in pain, and he launched a counter,
attack. Candy fled, naked and squealing, but he caught her at the
door, lifted her on to his shoulder and carried her kicking to the
bed.
'Now, my girl,' he grunted as he arranged her, pink bottom up, across
his lap. 'I'm going to teach you some manners.'
The first slap left a perfect red print of his hand upon her chubby
cheeks, and stilled her struggles. The second slap had considerably
less force behind it, and the third was an affectionate, pat. But
Candy was sobbing pitifully.
With his right hand raised, Sean realized with dismay that for the,
first time in his life he was striking a woman! 'Candy! ' He spoke
uncertainly, and was amazed that she twisted and sat up in his lap,
clasped him about the neck and pressed a damp cheek against him.
Words welled up in his throat, words of apology, a plea for
forgiveness, but his good sense prevented them from emerging and
instead he demanded huskily,
'Are you sorry for your behaviour?'
Candy gulped and nodded shakily. 'Please forgive me, darling. I
deserved that. ' And her fingers fluttered at his throat and across
his lips. 'Please forgive me, Sean. I'm so terribly sorry.
They ate dinner in bed that evening. In the early morning, while Sean
soaked lazily in the sunken bath and the hot water stung the scratches
on his back, they talked.
'I'm catching the morning train home, Candy. I want to be home for
Christmas. ' 'oh, Sean! Can't you stay, , just a few days'?'
'No.
'When will you come back'?'
'I don't know.
There was a long silence before she spoke again.
'I take it then that I am not included in Your plans for the future?'
'You are my friend, Candy,' he protested.
'Now, isn't that nice.' And she stood up. 'I'll order your breakfast.
' In the bedroom she paused and regarded herself slowly in the full,
lepgth mirror. The blue silk of her gown matched the blue of her eyes,
but at this time of the day there were tiny creases in the Skin of her
throat.
I am rich, she thought, I don't have to be lonely. She walked on past
the mirror.
Sean walked slowly up the gravel drive towards the Goldberg mansion. He
walked between an avenue of
'Pride of India' trees and around him the green lawns climbed in a
series of terraces towards the rococo facade of the house. It was a
morning of drowsy warmth and the doves in the Pride of Indias cooed
sleepily.
Faintly from among the ornamental shrubbery he heard the tinkle.
of laughter. He stopped and listened to the sound of it.
Suddenly he was shy, loth to meet her again, unable to know how she
