Gone Away (17 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

It was a few weeks later that Patricia was humming softly as she inserted her key into the front door and entered the
h
ouse. She had scarcely closed the door behind her when she heard Mrs.
Jutson’s heavy tread on the uncarpeted basement stairs, and saw her face, flushed with the exertion of hurrying, appear round the bend of the staircase.

“There you are, Miss Dare! I’ve been waiting to hear you come in.” Supporting herself against the wooden banister; Mrs. Jutson continued speaking. “There’s been a lady call to see you. I told her you wouldn
’
t be back till six, so she wouldn’t wait. I told her I’d tell you just as soon as you got back.”

“A lady
...
who?” Patricia asked with interest.

“There now ... I just can’t remember her name.” Mrs. Jutson wrinkled her brows thoughtfully. “Miss Han
...
Han
...
what is it? Oh, yes, I remember, Miss Hanny!”

“Miss Hanny!” Patricia echoed, arching her eyebrows in surprise. “Are you-sure? What was she like? Can you describe her?”

“Tall—what you might call a bit starchy, none too young, and a proper lady,” Mrs. Jutson announced with fluency.

“That’s Miss Hanny all right,” Patricia admitted somewhat grudgingly, as if she had hoped the whole thing might be a mistake. “I can’t think what she could have wanted me for.”

“She said she came across your address again by accident like and decided she’d like to have a chat with you, Mrs. Jutson explained.

“Did she leave any message?” Patricia asked with interest.

“She says she’s at the same address where she was before, and would you call and see her, and that’s about all I could get out of her,” Mrs. Jutson replied.

“Call and see her
...
but what about?” Patricia inquired, her interest now thoroughly aroused. What on earth could Miss Hanny want her for? It couldn’t be for news of Maimie; she knew she’d left Maimie weeks ago. Why, she’d been back in England two months.

Patricia hurried up to her room and, after a quick bath she changed into a cool dinner-frock. When Ian arrived Patricia was ready and waiting.

It was not until she and Ian were in a taxi on the way to a restaurant that Patricia mentioned her visitor. “Miss Hanny called on me today. I was out, but she left a message with my landlady that she wanted me to call.”

“Miss Hanny? That’s Maimie’s aunt, isn’t it—the one she lived with?” Ian asked with surprise.

“Yes. I’m rather curious to know what she wants. She said something about coming across my address again by accident, so I imagine it can’t be anything very important; perhaps just curiosity about Maimie’s new home.
”

“Maimie’s probably written home lurid details about the lack of hot water and sanitation,” Ian laughed. “No wonder the old lady is worried.”

“That’s quite possible.” Patricia’s red lips curved into a smile and her voice was gently reminiscent. “How she hated all the discomforts of the bungalow! I’m afraid Maimie doesn’t adjust herself very readily.”

“I don’t think you’ll be much help to Miss Hanny. The less you say the better, or you’ll have the old lady rushing out to Singapore to rescue her niece from the deplorable conditions that threaten a planter’s wife!” His tone became more serious. “I expect Maimie will adapt herself in time, and in any case she’s scarcely back from her honeymoon, so she can’t have written home complaining much yet.”

“She may have written plenty in the month
before
she married,” Patricia reminded her companion laughingly, “but I don’t think so. Maimie would rather put up with a caravan in
-
the jungle than return to the guardianship of her aunt,” she amended with certainty.

“It’s really difficult to imagine what Miss Hanny can want with you after all this time,” Ian remarked as he helped Patricia to alight from, the taxi. Taking her arm, he led her into the restaurant an
d
to a table.

After ordering their meal, Ian re-opened the conversation. “I haven’t broken the news to you yet, but I couldn’t get seats for that show you wanted to see. They were booked up for tonight, so I got a couple for tomorrow. I hope you don’t mind? Perhaps you would like to look in on Miss Hanny tonight. I’ll run you up there and call back later, if you like,” he suggested.

“I would like to get it over.” Patricia pondered the suggestion for a moment, then added, “but it’s a shame to spoil your evening.”

“Not a bit!” Ian protested. “If you’d like to do that, don’t bother about me.”

“Then I insist on going alone, and of course you’re not to fetch me. It’s not far—Kensington; I can get a bus the whole way.”

“Of course I’ll take you, and then the taxi can run me home.” Ian paused before continuing, “If you’re not too tired, you might come along to my flat afterwards.”

CHAPTER
TWENTY-TWO

“It
is kind of you to have come so promptly.” Miss Hanny motioned her visitor to a chair. “I came across your address—it was among some papers in my bureau—and I thought you would be the very person to help me.
”

Patricia remained silent as she glanced interrogatively at the older woman. She still felt strange and ill at ease, glad not to be called upon to speak.

“Before I tell you my purpose in bringing you here I should like to hear a little of your first-hand impressions of my niece’s future home.” Miss Hanny continued speaking.

With carefully chosen words Patricia replied, “Singapore is a wonderful city, and Mr. Warinder’s bungalow was charming.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Miss Hanny frowned. “My niece’s letters are dreadfully inadequate; they tell me so little. Of course, she is on her honeymoon now. I was very sorry you were unable to stay for her wedding. Maimie wrote me about your unfortunate recall to England. I sincerely trust that your father is now well again?”

“
Oh yes, quite well thanks,” Patricia responded briefly.

“Well, I was telling you about Maimie. She’s still away; apparently she has persuaded her husband to extend their honeymoon, an
d
they will be away from Singapore for a full six months before settling down. They appear to be travelling, and, so far, Maimie hasn’t been able to give any address. She writes me fairly regularly and seems very happy. The last letter I received was from Colombo.”

“Ceylon? I understood they were going to Java for their honeymoon?” Patricia could not restrain her surprise.

“They started off there, but I am afraid that, as usual, Maimie has had her own way.” Miss Hanny pursed her lips disapprovingly. “I don’t believe in these long honeymoons. I consider them very unsettling, but Maimie wanted to see something of India and Mr. Warinder has presumably given in.”

“Maimie will enjoy staying in Colombo. She adores change, and she’ll have to remain in Singapore after their return until Mr. Warinder gets home leave, which will probably not be for another two years,
”
Patricia explained.

“Maimie has told me that. It’s a pity; I’d like to have seen her before then.” There was an undercurrent of concern in Miss Hanny’s voice which Patricia was quick to notice. She might be prim, perhaps even difficult, but, whatever faults Maimie’s aunt possessed, Patricia was sure that her love for her motherless niece was genuine.

“I
’
m sure she’ll be all right.” Patricia lost her nervousness in her efforts to reassure the older woman. “Maimie has such a happy nature.”

“I’m glad you think that. It’s a long way for a girl to go, a tremendous step for her to have taken,
”
Miss Hanny murmured, speaking as if for a moment she had forgotten Patricia s presence.

After a few moments’ silent contemplation Harriet Hanny commented briskly, “I mustn’t keep you here; it’s getting late, an
d
I’m sure your time is valuable. I’ll get down to the purpose of this call. I won’t mince words. I miss Maimie, not for what she did for me—on the whole I found her most unreliable and helpless.” Miss Hanny’s voice softened. “But I got used to having young company around me and, lately, I find I need help with my correspondence and my household affairs.” She looked up, and stared directly at Patricia as she asked the question: “Would you care to live here and take on the work of companion and secretary?”

Patricia was completely taken aback. She felt it must be a mistake, that she couldn’t have heard correctly. Live here, in this house, be constantly hearing of Maimie
...
and of Seymour? The idea was preposterous, unreasonable. Miss Hanny surely couldn’t expect such a thing! Even as she prepared an indignant refusal, her senses returned. Miss Hanny didn’t realize what she was asking.

“Well, what do you think of my suggestion.”

Patricia felt the warm color flood her cheeks as she looked up to find her companion’s eyes searching her own. “I am in a post
...
I
am hardly in a position to consider it. It’s awfully kind of you to have thought of me,” Patricia faltered.

“I am willing to give you whatever salary you are now receiving and wait, of course, until you have given proper notice of your resignation,” Miss Hanny explained. “An
d
naturally you’ll be living in, and I promise you every consideration while in my employ.” As Patricia remained silent, the other continued speaking. “You see, I can’t just engage anyone. Maimie was so fond of you; her letters were full of praise for your kindness; that influences me, and then again your parentage, and consequently your upbringing
...”

If Patricia hadn’t felt so bewildered she could have laughed. Her
father again. What a lot of advantages were attributed to the daughter of a clergyman.

“I do hope you will give the matter your consideration,” Miss Hanny urged. “I should be most happy to have you here.”

“It’s awfully kind of you,” Patricia reiterated, unable to express her true sentiments, for she more than appreciated the advantages of the offer; a wonderful home, probably a minimum of work and, considering it was a live-in job, ridiculously high pay. Patricia knitted her brows. It was going to be hard to refuse. Maimie couldn’t be home for two years—and, by Maimie, she actually meant Seymour. She wouldn’t have minded meeting Maimie again; in her heart Patricia reserved a very warm spot for Maimie. But now Maimie and Seymour were married, and, without Seymour, Maimie could never come into her life again.

Patricia rose to her feet. Far better terminate this interview, which was getting beyond her depth. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I’ll be able to accept, but I’m grateful for the offer, and I promise to think it over.” This offer meant the end of a bedsitting room existence, the constant fight for buses, and monotonous office routine, but balanced against those important factors was the linking of her life inextricably with all she had hoped to forget. “I’ll think it over.” It was a noncommittal promise, and the only possible answer she could give.

“I hope you decide to accept.” Miss Hanny rested her cool fingers for a moment in Patricia’s, then, turning away, rang the bell. “I’ve rung for the maid; she will show you out. I hope you’ll let me have your answer soon, as I’m anxious t
o
get someone.” A faint smile curved her lips and momentarily softened the somewhat austere lines of her features. “I do a considerable amount of Church work, which involves me with more correspondence than I can manage. My house, too, requires more attention than I find myself able to give it—just personal touches: flowers and things like that,” she added in explanation.

“I understand, and I promise I’ll give your proposition very serious thought.” Patricia bade her companion goodbye and, with mixed feelings, followed the waiting mai
d
to the door.

Patricia alighted from the bus at Baker Street Station and walked quickly toward the block of flats where Ian was staying. As Patricia rang the bell of the flat, Ian quickly appeared, welcomed her with enthusiasm, and led her into his sitting room. “You’re nice and early. I’m awfully glad you turned up. I was afraid you’d change your mind, and I was longing to hear the result of your visit.

Patricia sat back in the armchair and lit a cigarette
b
efore telling the details. She repeated the conversation to the best of her ability, and then waited expectantly to hear Ian’s opinion.

“Well, I’m dammed!” Ian exclaimed. “So she wants you to go and live there!”

“I was rather surprised myself. As you may have gathered, she’s a very strait-laced sort of person—quite the last woman in the world that I should have thought would seek young companionship,” Patricia added.

I expect she misses having no one to criticize and lecture now Maimie
’
s gone! Maimie was always saying what
a trial her aunt was.”

“I don’t quite agree with that,” Patricia interposed. “I think Maimie was rather unfair. You know she hasn’t any patience with criticism from anyone, and I should imagine she lea her aunt an awful dance one way and another.”

“She certainly led you a dance!” Ian admitted grimly. “Of all the inconsiderate, selfish people I’ve ever met, Maimie was the worst. I was quite fond of her; don’t mistake me,” he added hastily, as Patricia made to protest, “but not blind to her faults,” he amended.

“She couldn’t have been so bad,” Patricia countered, “or Miss Hanny wouldn’t be so anxious to risk modern youth in her home again.”

“That’s true enough, but from what you and Maimie have told me about the old lady, I should think she is astute enough to realize that in you she has found qualities of which Maimie could never boast.”

“Don’t be silly. She doesn’t know anything about me,” Patricia expostulated, “Except that I am a clergyman’s daughter, and in her eyes that makes me beyond reproach.”

“The question is, are you accepting the offer?”

“How can I?” Patricia stubbed out the end of her cigarette in the ashtray. “I can’t risk linking myself up with anyone even remotely connected with Seymour.
”

“Is that the only reason that you aren’t considering it?” Ian queried.