now? I don't know, Ella. I guess I'll have to think about that.
A harsh warm wind came off the hills and ruffled the surface of the
lake, darkening it to black and flecking it with white crests. The
fishing boats along the curve of the shore tugged restlessly at their
mooring ropes, and the fishing nets upon their drying racks billowed
like bridal veils.
The wind caught Debra's hair and shook it out in a loose cloud. It
pressed the silk dress she wore against her body, emphasizing the heavy
roundness of her breasts and the length of her legs.
She stood on the battlements of the crusader castle, leaning both hands
lightly on the head of her cane and she stared out across the water,
almost as though she could see beyond it.
Ella sat near her, on a fallen block of masonry out of the wind, but she
pinned her hat down with one hand as she spoke, watching Debra's face
intently to judge her reactions.
At the time it seemed the kindest thing to do. I agreed to keep the
truth from you, because I did not want you to torture yourself Debra
spoke sharply Don't ever do that again. Ella made a moue of resignation
and went on. I had no way of knowing how bad he was, they would not let
me see him, and so I suppose I was a coward and let it drift. I .
Debra shook her head angrily, but she remained silent.
Ella wondered again that sightless eyes could contain so much
expression, for Debra's emotions blazed clearly in the honey-coloured
sparks as she turned her head towards Ella.
It was not the time to distract you. Don't you see, my dear? You were
adjusting so nicely, working so well on your book. I did not see that
we could gain anything by telling you. I decided to cooperate with your
father, and see how things turned out later.
Then why are you telling me all this now? Debra demanded. What has
happened to change your mind what has happened to David?
Yesterday at noon David was discharged from Hadassah Hospital.
Hospital? Debra was puzzled. You don't mean he has been in hospital
all this time, Ella. Nine months it's impossible!
It's the truth He must have been terribly hurt, Debra's anger had
changed to concern. How is he, Ella? What happened?
Is he healed now? Ella was silent a moment, and Debra took a pace
towards her. Well? she asked.
David's plane flamed out and he was very badly burned about the head. He
has recovered completely now. His burns have healed, but Ella hesitated
again, and Debra groped for her hand and found it. Go on, Ella! But
David is no longer the most beautiful man I have ever seen. 'I don't
understand? He is no longer swift and vital and, any woman who sees him
now will find it difficult to be near him, let alone love him. Debra
was listening intently, her expression rapt and her eyes soft-focused.
He is very conscious of the way he looks now. He is searching for some
place to hide, I think. He talks of wanting to fly as though it is some
form of escape. He knows he is alone now, cut off from the world by the
mask he wears Debra's eyes had misted, and Ella made her gravelly voice
gentler and she went on.
