A Sister's Shame (24 page)

And yet, she missed her family. She had never been apart from them at Christmas. She knew exactly what they would be doing now: preparing dinner for tomorrow and wrapping presents. Ada would be
fussing about with Elsie in the hall, decorating the Christmas tree.

Vesta didn’t want to miss them or to feel guilty. Marie was her twin; they had never been separated. Six weeks was the first and longest time in their lives. But, as Teddy pointed out,
Marie had had her chance too and had refused it.

Comforted by this thought, Vesta slipped her fingers around Teddy’s smooth neck. She wanted reassurance. She wanted love. She wanted him, not her family.

‘Don’t do that, Vesta. We must go to the party now.’

‘Kiss me quickly, then.’

He laughed, his dark eyes assessing her. ‘You’re like a little girl, always wanting attention.’

‘What’s so bad about that?’

‘Nothing, in fact you’ll get plenty of it tonight.’

‘You’re the only man for me.’

Teddy smiled at her in a strange way she hadn’t noticed before. ‘Once you meet Wally and Leo’s friends, you’ll be too busy enjoying yourself to think about me.’

It was a remark that made Vesta feel a little uncomfortable. Teddy kissed her, running his fingers down the bare skin of her back and teasing the little place on her spine that he knew made her
want more – so much more. She wanted to meet all these rich and famous people who could prosper her career. But she wanted Teddy most of all. She was worried about the other women at the
party, who would be more beautiful and educated than she was. Women who took one look at Teddy and wanted him too.

A painful dart of jealousy went through her. She kissed Teddy so fiercely that soon her straps were falling around her bodice and he was peeling the soft, slippery material away from her
skin.

‘Happy Christmas, Mum.’ There was an hour to go to midnight and Ada was, at last, going to bed.

‘Happy Christmas, Marie.’ Ada kissed her cheek. ‘Thank you for staying in and helping me.’

‘Where else would I be on Christmas Eve?’

‘You could have gone out.’

‘Bing said he’d call round tomorrow night after he’s seen his mum and dad.’

Ada smiled and pulled the collar of her dressing gown closer. ‘Don’t get cold. The fire’s almost out.’

‘I want to put my presents by the tree.’

Ada smiled wistfully. ‘You girls couldn’t wait to get up in the morning on Christmas Day to see what Father Christmas had brought.’

‘I hope he turns up tonight.’ Marie grinned.

‘The best present he could bring me is your sister.’

‘Perhaps he will.’

Ada nodded sadly. ‘Goodnight then, love.’

‘Goodnight, Mum.’

Ada turned to go, then stopped. ‘If you see your father, tell him he can sleep on the couch.’

‘Mum, don’t make him do that.’

‘He’ll only disturb me. And I’m finding it hard enough to sleep as it is.’

When Ada had gone, Marie heaved a big sigh. The rift between Hector and Ada was growing. They had quarrelled bitterly earlier that evening over Hector going to the club.

‘So you’d put that club above your family?’ Ada had demanded as he was about to leave.

‘No, my dear, that’s not true.’

‘Then stay home.’

Hector had looked desperate as he stood at the door. ‘I promise things will change after Christmas, Ada.’

‘I’m not interested in promises,’ Ada had called over her shoulder as she went to the kitchen. ‘You just can’t bear to be away from what you think is the
limelight.’

‘That may have been true once,’ Hector had mumbled, ‘but not any more.’

Marie knew the truth. Her father was exhausted from the heavy work in the cellars. He was no longer smart and well-dressed. His spirit had been broken. He looked like a frail old man whose
dreams had fallen by the wayside.

When Ada went to bed, Marie took her presents to the tree. She laid them under the branches, listening to the church bells pealing for the midnight service. Families would sing carols and hear
the story of the Nativity once again. The cold weather and problems of the past year would be forgotten in order to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

Marie remembered how, when they first came to the island, Ada had taken them to church. As children they had enjoyed the feeling of unity, when people celebrated the special time of year. But
Ada had never been a strong churchgoer and the habit had died.

Smiling at the sight of the little pictures of Christmas that she and Vesta had drawn many years before, Marie swallowed on the lump in her throat. ‘Bring our family together
tomorrow,’ she whispered, ‘and let Christmas be like it once was.’

Marie shivered as she stood in the hall. The house was very quiet. It was Christmas Day.

Vesta blinked through the crowded room, searching for the smooth, dark hair of Teddy, who seemed to have disappeared in the throng of partygoers. Someone, a young man whose
name she had forgotten, with a cut-glass accent and a lot of fair, wavy hair that fell into his eyes, had danced with her after Teddy had introduced them.

‘Drink up, darling,’ he had told her, pressing a glass into her hand. ‘It’s gone twelve and Christmas Day!’

Since then she had had more dances and another glass – or was it two? – of what she now knew was the best champagne. Lots of people had spoken to her. She had hardly seen Teddy.

‘Vesta, are you all right?’ Teddy was suddenly beside her.

‘Where have you been?’

‘Just circulating.’

She giggled.

‘What’s so funny.’

‘Nothing. It’s the long words you use.’

‘Do you want a breath of fresh air on the balcony?’

Vesta turned, following Teddy’s nod to the two large doors that led into the big room overlooking a green wooded space outside. She had been in that room with Teddy when they’d first
arrived. Wally and Leo Scoresby had been there and were talking with other men in dress suits and smoking cigars. It had seemed very exciting as they’d all turned to look at her and smile.
Even Wally’s face hadn’t seemed so ugly as he’d actually given her a nod.

‘No, I don’t want any fresh air. I’d rather go on dancing for ever.’ She laughed, sounding silly even to herself.

He smiled. ‘Yes, I saw you enjoying yourself.’

Vesta felt a little disappointed. ‘Weren’t you jealous? Why didn’t you come and rescue me?’

‘You didn’t look as if you needed rescuing.’

Vesta thought that her head felt very strange and her own voice sounded a long way off. But the feeling was not unpleasant. In fact, she liked it.

‘Do you want something to eat?’ Teddy asked, touching her bare back above the zip of her dress. She shivered. He could make her feel so excited with only one touch. ‘Wait here,
I’ll go and get you something.’

She wanted to stop him. Food didn’t interest her, although she had been amazed at the variety of food placed on a long buffet table under the big windows. She didn’t recognize some
of the dishes and Teddy had said names she’d never heard before. He knew so much and she knew so little. Like this wonderful place, she thought, as she gazed around. To come here with him and
to be introduced to all these people was amazing. Above her, the low-beamed ceilings were strung with expensive-looking decorations and silver and gold banners that twirled and waved above their
heads. Teddy had told her the Christmas tree on the lawn outside was sixteen foot high and cut down from the acres of woodland that surrounded the old house. It was covered from top to bottom in
different-coloured lights.

As Teddy had paraded her around, all the men seemed very imposing in their dinner suits, accompanied by glamorously dressed women who looked a lot younger. There were sultry brunettes and
dazzling redheads and one very beautiful blonde who wore a backless silver evening gown that perfectly moulded her reed-slim figure. She had spoken to Teddy softly, kissing him briefly on the
mouth, which Vesta hadn’t liked at all. Another woman also did the same a little while later, but then Teddy had explained it was the custom amongst people who knew each other well in these
kind of circles.

‘Do you know these girls well, then?’ Vesta had asked, causing Teddy to smile and raise his eyebrows.

‘It’s part of my job. Leo and Wally expect me to be charming to their guests.’

Then she had been full of envy for the women. She wanted to be like them: confident and sure of herself. She knew she was beautiful and young – Teddy always told her that – but, more
than that, she wanted an air of poise and sophistication that she knew was lacking.

Vesta drank the last of her champagne. She began to smile as the warm sensation swirled inside her. The drink was making her feel confident, exactly what she had wished for.

‘What’s so amusing?’ Teddy asked when he returned, a small plate in his hand filled with odd-looking pieces of food.

‘Your face is all funny.’

‘You’d better eat this.’

‘Can I have another champagne?’

‘After you’ve eaten.’

She took the food to please him. He always had her best interests at heart. She loved the way he looked after her, and showed her off, giving her all the attention.

‘These people must be very rich,’ she said after swallowing a few scraps. Quickly she put the plate down on a side table.

‘Yes, they are.’

‘How do you know them?’

‘I told you, it’s my job for the Scoresbys to know people.’

‘But, I mean, when did you—’

‘I’ll get you another drink.’ She saw Teddy turn and stop a waiter. He took a long glass from the tray. She had never seen so many waiters and waitresses in one room. She
giggled. ‘I love champagne.’ The bubbles were going up her nose again.

‘How would you like a part in a West End show?’ Teddy asked casually.

‘Really?’ Vesta gasped.

‘That man over there is a director. I could put a good word in for you.’

Vesta looked up into Teddy’s handsome face. ‘But I don’t even know if I can act.’

‘You can sing and dance. You can probably act too.’ He grinned, touching the skin of her arm with his fingers. ‘It’s worth a try.’

Vesta took another sip of her drink. She felt scared and excited all at once. She looked at the man with silver hair that Teddy had said was a director. A tall, exotic-looking girl with black
hair was with him. Although he was much older than she, his silver hair and elegant posture set him out from the crowd.

‘What’s his name?’

‘William Dearlove. You should recognize his face from the magazines you spend so much time reading.’

Vesta saw the funny side of this. ‘Dearlove? What a silly name!’

‘Don’t say that out loud,’ Teddy told her sharply. ‘Not if you want to impress him. Come along, I’ll introduce you.’

‘Teddy, are you sure he’d be interested in me?’ she blurted, looking at the beautiful girl again.

‘Just relax and enjoy yourself.’

Vesta felt herself being guided towards the group of people now gathered round William Dearlove. Their faces all turned in her direction as they approached. The silver-haired man smiled
politely, making her feel quite special as he took her hand.

A moment’s embarrassment filled her as Teddy said, ‘Bill, I’d like you to meet Vesta, the singer at the Blue Flamingo I was telling you about.’

‘Why, I’m charmed, my dear.’ He kissed her hand.

Vesta stared into his piercing gaze – very blue eyes that didn’t blink. Teddy gave her arm a squeeze. In panic, she glanced round, trying to behave like the other girls did. They all
looked like the models standing in the West End shop windows. She straightened her back and gave a dazzling smile. Since singing at the Blue Flamingo, she had learned how to make herself more
attractive as Teddy always told her she must look her best. Now she knew why. Mixing with these famous people meant that she might fulfil her dream one day.

‘Please call me Bill.’

‘Yes . . . oh . . .’ She fumbled for words.

‘Tell me about yourself, Vesta.’ He took her arm and gently steered her away from the others, leaving Teddy to talk with the beautiful dark-haired girl. Vesta didn’t like that
much, as Teddy was admired by so many women. But Bill was taking the glass from her hand and replacing it with a full one. ‘We can’t have you going thirsty, my dear. Now, tell me, what
kind of songs do you enjoy singing?’

Vesta found that, after a few minutes, she was talking easily to him and her shyness faded. He really was nice. Her worries soon slipped away and the conversation didn’t falter as she told
him how she had started at the Duke’s with Marie and then gone on to the Blue Flamingo on her own. Bill didn’t seem to find this strange and he asked no difficult questions, as though
he assumed she was adult enough to make her own decisions. When she had finished her champagne, he asked her if she would like to dance. She looked round for Teddy, but he’d gone. Fear
gripped her. Had he gone off with the girl?

‘Don’t worry about Teddy,’ Bill said easily. ‘He knows you’ll be safe with me.’ He laughed and Vesta smiled. He was very gentlemanly.

On the dance floor, Bill’s hand slipped round her waist. As he took her in his arms and held her close, she felt as though she was treading on soft, spinning clouds. He told her about the
theatre and his work and the amazing life that he led amongst actors and actresses. As they danced, it seemed as if she had known him for ever.

When the music stopped, he seemed in no hurry to let her go. Vesta couldn’t help hoping that Teddy was watching from somewhere. And that he was jealous, just like he had been about
Charlie. And if he was with the girl, he’d soon drop her and come over to the dance floor. But he didn’t. Vesta was angry and frightened. Angry that he’d left her and frightened
he was enjoying himself without her.

‘Another dance?’ Bill asked.

Vesta looked round again. There was no sign of Teddy. She nodded. Bill smiled, drawing her close once more. She decided she was going to enjoy herself with Bill, just as much as Teddy obviously
was with someone else.

‘We’d better start dinner, or the chicken will be cooked to a crisp,’ Ada warned as the four of them sat in the front room on Christmas Day. Elsie had arrived
and now it was half past two.