His Pretend Wife

He vanished fast, leaving her regarding the closed door. Slowly she locked it, feeling dizzy after the events of that evening. But as she settled herself on the sofa and turned out the light she felt a strange calm descend on her. On the surface things were no better. She still had nowhere to take Hetta next day. But Andrew had said he would take care of it. And that made her feel safe.

Now she could relax enough to fall asleep. As her consciousness blurred she felt she were back again in the garden, racked with torment, pouring out her heart to him, feeling the comfort of his arms about her.

That shouldn’t have happened, she thought. It had reminded her of things best forgotten. For years she’d hidden away the memory of what it had felt like to be held by him. Two husbands had come and gone, both of them bad mistakes. She’d survived by not comparing them to the man whose love she’d thrown away because she’d been too young and stupid to appreciate it.

She’d learned its value when it had been too late, and then she’d buried him deep in the dark places of her mind. It had been that or go mad with regret.

Now an ironic accident had forced her to remember. In the darkness it was as though he were there with her again, warming her, murmuring in her ear, just as once he’d whispered words of love and touched her face with his lips.

It was unendurable. She went into the bathroom, stripped off and got under the shower, trying to wash away all the weariness and desperation of her life. But as she stepped out she passed a long mirror, and what she saw gave her a shock. As a professional beautician Elinor knew how to make the best of herself so that her customers would trust her, and with the excellent cosmetics always within her reach she never looked less than well groomed.

But now, gazing back at her was the truth, and she saw, without defences, what the years had done to her. The last time she’d been in his arms her body had been young, rounded, bursting with life. Now she was too thin, her face drawn, her eyes haunted. The glorious mane of blonde hair that he’d loved and through which he’d run his fingers had long gone, hacked off in bitterness some time in her dreadful second marriage. Now it was short and neat, easy to care for, and that was all.

This haunted, desperate woman was what he’d held against him tonight. If he’d thought at all about the beauty he’d once loved it would be with disgust that it had so faded.

It was only then that she remembered that tonight he’d called her Ellie.

Andrew was there on the dot of five-thirty next morning, knocking softly. Elinor was already up, and she let him in. He’d brought her a cup of tea in a paper cup, which she drank down thankfully.

‘Any disturbances?’ he asked.

‘Not one.’

‘Good. Now, here’s what’s going to happen.’

As he spoke he paced the floor, somehow never looking at her.

‘Last night I called a friend of mine, who’s about to rush off on a business trip, and doesn’t want to leave his house empty. The person who was going to look after it for him has let him down at the last moment, and he would be delighted if you’d take over. It’s about ten miles from the hospital, on the edge of the country. And the pay is good, so you wouldn’t have to leave Hetta in order to work.’

‘Pay? You mean he’d actually pay me when he’s giving me accommodation?’ she asked, hardly daring to believe this.

‘There’d be some work. You’d keep the house clean-although most of it is shut up-keep it warm, make sure everyone knew it wasn’t empty.’

‘And I could forward his mail,’ she said quickly.

That made him turn to her, and a strange look passed over his face, as though he was completely taken aback.

‘Yes,’ he said vaguely, ‘although I don’t think there would be much. He has it redirected.’

‘But I could answer the telephone, and tell people where he is,’ she offered, anxious to do more than the light duties prescribed.

‘You could do that,’ he agreed, but in the same strange fashion, as though he was thinking of something else. ‘So I can tell my friend that you agree?’

‘I’d be glad to. But he doesn’t know anything about me.’

‘He’ll accept my recommendation.’

‘Can I call him, to say thank you?’

‘I’ll get him to call you when you’re there.’

‘What’s his name?’

‘I think you should go now. You must need food. Go up to the all night canteen, and I’ll see you later.’

The canteen was serving an early breakfast. Elinor discovered that she was ravenous, and piled her plate with eggs and bacon. At this hour the place was filled with doctors and nurses, weary-eyed after night duty, or just snatching a mouthful before starting their day. Among them she was dismayed to recognise Nurse Stewart.

The older woman’s eyes were like gimlets, and Elinor guessed she was furious at being denied the chance to interfere. She’d had to yield before Andrew’s authority, but she was unforgiving. She headed straight for Elinor’s table and sat down without asking.

‘You’re here early, Mrs Landers. May I ask where you spent the night?’

‘You may not,’ Elinor said angrily. ‘You have no more say about my daughter, since I gather your shift has finished. As soon as possible I’ll be going to the ward to prepare her to come home.’

‘But which home? That is a question I may legitimately ask?’

‘Good morning, ladies,’ came a voice from above their heads, and they both looked up to see Andrew about to sit down with them. ‘Mrs Landers, I’m delighted to find you here. I telephoned Mr Martin, and he’s delighted with his new housekeeper. The place is ready for your immediate occupation, and if you contact my secretary later this morning she’ll give you full details.

‘There’ll also be a chart explaining Hetta’s medication, to prevent her body rejecting her new heart, but I understand you already know a lot about that. The nurses say you always watch carefully when she has her pills. Well done. The district nurse is being informed about your arrival, and will call every day. But I don’t expect any problems. Nurse Stewart, how nice to see you again. I hope you’re eating well. You need to keep your strength up after a night shift. I always say night work is the most exhausting, because your blood sugar’s low. Have you found that, or do you manage to…’

He talked on, barely stopping for breath, giving the nurse no time to raise problems. Watching him with admiration, Elinor realised that this was a consummate performance, done for a purpose. Her instincts told her that this apparently outgoing man wasn’t the Andrew she knew, either years ago or now. He was forcing himself, and although his manner was light his intent was deadly serious.

But there was a stubborn look in Nurse Stewart’s eyes that said she wouldn’t be beaten. However long Andrew stayed, she could stay longer, to poke and probe at Elinor’s defences, in order, ultimately, to impose her own ‘right’ solution. And when Andrew’s pager went it seemed that the nurse had won.

‘Apparently I’m wanted,’ Andrew said. ‘Mrs Landers, may I trouble you to come with me? There are some final matters to discuss. Good morning, Nurse Stewart. It was a pleasure talking to you.’

His hand was under her elbow, guiding her into the corridor, and then he was breathing out like a schoolboy who’d successfully brought off a prank.

‘Thank heavens you came!’ she said.

‘I only thought of the danger when you’d gone. Did I get there in time to avoid disaster?’

‘By a whisker.’

‘You’d best get out of here to a place where she can’t follow.’

‘Is there such a place?’

‘Here’s the keys to my car. This is the registration number.’ He scribbled it for her. ‘Get in the back, pull the rug over you and finish your night’s sleep. See my secretary in four hours, and give her the keys.’

‘Is that safe?’ Elinor asked.

‘Completely. She’s the most discreet woman in the world.’

His car was brand-new and the very last word in luxury and success. There was room to lie down in comfort in the back seat, and pull the mohair rug over her head so that the outside world couldn’t see her. Like this she felt warm and protected.