The Beachcomber (41 page)

Ignoring her sister’s spiteful remarks, Kathy informed her she would have to root about in the cupboard and get her own lunch. “I had a sandwich at work. That should keep me going while I’m out.”

Samantha had not planned on getting her own meals. “I hoped we could go out for a meal – you, me and Tom?”

“Did you now?” Because of the blatant way she was flirting with Tom, Kathy wanted her gone, but was too polite to say so.

Insensitive at every point, Samantha retaliated. “You seem very insecure these days,” she said harshly. “Anybody would think I was trying to steal him from you.”

Kathy picked up on that. “And are you?” It wouldn’t be the first time Samantha had stolen a boyfriend of hers.

Instead of giving a straightforward answer, Samantha simply smiled. “He might even prefer me to you. Have you thought of that? Oh, but don’t worry. If he makes advances on me, I’ll put him in his place, I promise.”

“Like you did with other men I’ve liked?” In her heart Kathy had never forgiven Samantha for her behavior. “You just lured them away, and when you’d had your fun, you dropped them. It was all just a game for you, wasn’t it?” Kathy was annoyed with herself for rising to the bait, but Samantha’s taunts had brought the memories flooding back.

“It wasn’t
my
fault! They came on to me!”

“Maybe they did, and maybe I ought to thank you for showing me what swine some of them were, but I can promise you that Tom is a different kettle of fish altogether.”

“Are you sure about that?”

“As sure as I am about anything, yes.”

“Really? Well, if you’re so sure, why are you afraid of inviting me along this evening?”

Kathy was losing her patience. “You know very well he’ll be leaving for London tonight. He’s busy tying up a few loose ends, but I want to see him on my own later.” Her voice hardened. “You’re welcome to stay here, but occasionally Tom and I would like some time to ourselves. And another thing, while we’re at it. I’ll thank you not to keep inviting yourself everywhere we go. Or including yourself in every conversation we have.”

Samantha had been painting her nails, but now she looked up with a feigned expression of horror on her face. “Do I do that? Oh, I am sorry.”

Not wanting to get into one of Samantha’s one-sided arguments, Kathy walked away. “I’d best get ready.”

“Yes, I should if I were you.” She blew on her nails. “If Tom pops in, I’ll look after him, don’t you worry.”

After the conversation they’d just had, that remark cut deep.

Kathy asked her outright. “You still haven’t told me why you’re here.”

“I’ve come to see you. I would have thought that was plain enough.”

“I don’t know why you should.” Kathy had learned not to mince words where Samantha was concerned. “You’ve never bothered about me before. Why start now?” She was no fool. “You’re after something. What is it?”

Taking Kathy by surprise, Samantha suddenly became tearful. “You don’t want to know,” she said, wiping her eyes.

Kathy was adamant; she would not be taken in by her sister’s show of emotion. “Try me.”

“It’s Mother.”

“What about her?”

“She’s been such a fool. I’ve been trying to comfort her, you see. And now she’s cost me my job. I’ve lost my home and everything.”

Kathy could see now that Samantha was here for a purpose. “Go on. I’m listening.” If they really were in trouble, she could not turn her back on them.

“Well, she got really depressed. He’s not the easiest man in the world to live with. In fact, I think he’s hit her now and again, only she’s too proud to say so.”

Samantha congratulated herself on the ease and skill of her lies. “Anyway, I went to see her the other week. She was all worked up. She began telling me that she had been wrong to marry just for money, and that now she wanted to find herself someone kinder. She didn’t care how rich he was, she just wanted someone who would take care of her.”

Kathy was amazed. “Are you sure we’re talking about the same woman?”

Samantha snivelled. “She’s changed, Kathy.
He’s
changed her. Anyway, while she was saying all these things about him … like how she would make a new life and all that, she had no idea he was there, listening at the door. Now he’s stopped her allowance and won’t give her a single penny. I’m really worried about her.” In fact, the only person she was worried about was herself.

For one foolish minute, Kathy was tempted to believe her. Concerned, she sat down.

“Are you telling me the truth?” she asked pointedly. “I know you can spin a good story when it suits you, but I would hate to think of Mother being knocked about.”

Images of her mother flashed through her mind: the jewels, the family home, the callous way she had treated Father. And all those many times she had made Kathy feel worthless. “I couldn’t stand back and see her being ill treated,” she told Samantha now. “Though if she
has
messed up her life, she’s got no one to blame but herself.”

“Of course I’m telling you the truth!” Samantha could put on a good act when needs be. “She’s not only ruined
her
life. She’s ruined mine as well. Why do you think I’m here?”

Kathy’s suspicions were never far away. “Why
are
you here, Samantha?” Kathy still couldn’t quite believe what Samantha was telling her. Irene was a strong, arrogant woman who could look after herself in any circumstances, and who would certainly find life without a wealthy husband very hard to bear.

Samantha reiterated what she’d already said. “I’m here because I needed to see you. Like I say, I’ve lost my job, and I’ve nowhere to live.”

“What about the jewels Mother gave you?”

“She took them back. After he stopped her allowance, she couldn’t pay her bills. She was suicidal. I had to help! You would have done the same.”

“But the house!” Kathy was saddened about that. “How in God’s name could you lose that? It was worth a small fortune!”

“It just went. She kept draining me of money and I kept borrowing on the house.”

A picture was beginning to build up in Kathy’s mind and it was frightening. “You’re lying as usual!” Clambering out of the chair, she faced her down. “I know why you’re here!”

Suddenly it was all too clear. “Mother had nothing to do with it. You’ve squandered everything, like you always do, and now you’re after taking this place from me, aren’t you?” Her voice shook with rage. “Have the decency to admit it!”

Samantha gave another sniff; she even had real tears in her eyes as she pleaded, “All right! I admit it! But you have to help me, Kathy … And anyway, Father should have left this place to me. It was my right as the eldest. You could sell it and split the money, and you’d still have enough to put down a deposit on a smaller place.”

“You really are a cunning, selfish creature.” Kathy stared down at her sister. Deep down she thought she had known all along that Samantha was not here for the love of it. She had lost her own inheritance, and now she was after Barden House.

The idea was unthinkable. “If you think I would sell this place, you had better think again. Father left me Barden House, and now it’s my home. You had ten times more than I ever had. It’s not my fault if you’ve squandered it.”

Seeing her one, easy chance slip away, Samantha came back at her, this time with anger. “You owe it to me! I really am in trouble. I’m not lying about that. And it’s true that he’s stopped Mother’s allowance: he overheard her planning how she would spend his money after he’d gone. He heard her say she would have the time of her life; and maybe she’d find herself a younger man. What the hell is wrong with that?”

“Not a lot as far as I can see; except the poor old fool who married her might have wanted her to be just a bit more loyal, instead of waiting for him to drop dead so that she could get a younger man to fill his shoes.”

“Hmh! All she did was to say how she felt. It was just a shame he overheard her.”

Kathy could only smile. “At least we’re getting to the real truth of the matter. All right! So Mother may well have spoiled her chances of going through that poor man’s money like a house on fire, and now he’s put a stop to her extravagant ways … what man wouldn’t in the circumstances? But I don’t suppose for one minute he’s thrown her out, has he?”

“No.”

“So she’s still living in luxury, with everything at hand?”

“It’s not the same as having your own account and being able to buy what you want when you want it!”

“I’m sure she’ll wheedle her way around him somehow. She usually does.”

“Don’t you care that she’s unhappy?”

“Well, of course I do. But, when you think about it, the whole thing might be a blessing in disguise. Maybe she’ll begin to understand what it’s like to make a pair of shoes last a bit longer, or wear the same dress twice. So what if she has to stretch every penny to make it go farther? We all have to do that. It won’t kill her. I’m sure he would never throw her out. As I recall, he thinks the world of her. Like I say, it’s only a matter of time before she has him wrapped around her little finger again.”

Samantha was on her feet now, thinking about herself as usual. “And what about
me
? What do I do? I’ve got nothing.”

“You
work!
That’s what you do. Like the rest of us. Get a job and rent a flat. Learn to look after your money, the same way we all have to do.”

She had never in her life met anyone else like Samantha, who thought the world owed them a living. Even Maggie worked and, if she got the sack – which was more often than Kathy cared to remember – she found another job, and so it went on. She didn’t laze at home all day feeling sorry for herself. “Knowing you, Samantha, sooner or later you’ll meet some rich fool who’ll lay the world at your feet.”

“Right! I’ve asked you in a civilized manner and you won’t listen.” She was in no mood for a lecture. “I’ll see a solicitor, that’s what I’ll do!” Though she knew it would be of little use. Her only chance was to frighten Kathy into doing what she wanted. “You’ll be made to sell this house, or take a loan against it, so I can get what I’m entitled to. I warn you, Kathy. I mean to fight for what’s rightfully mine, and I
will
win. You can be sure of it.”

Shaken to her roots, all of Kathy’s fears were suddenly confirmed. There was absolutely no doubting the real reason for her sister’s visit.

In a quiet, controlled voice Kathy told her, “I’m going to see a friend. I want you packed and gone by the time I get back.”

Going to the mantelpiece, she took down a small vase. Reaching inside, she drew out the folded ten-shilling notes and handed them to her. “This is money for paying bills and keeping the wolf from the door,” she said. “But you’re the biggest wolf of all. Here! Take it. I dare say it doesn’t seem much compared to what you’re used to. But it’s all I’ve got. If you’re careful, it should be enough to tide you over until you get yourself a job.”

“This is peanuts!” Samantha held the money at arm’s length, as if it was tainted.

“Take it or leave it, I don’t care which.” Kathy just wanted her out of there. “Just remember what I said: by the time I get back, I want you gone. And I never want to see your face again.”

Samantha had never seen such resolve in her younger sister’s face before. Usually she was able to cajole or bully her into doing whatever she wanted. Only now, Kathy had grown stronger, more confident. It was a real setback to her plans.

But she would not give in. “I intend to get this house, or part of it,” she warned again. “I always get what I want, you should know that.”

Kathy tried to ignore the fear that bubbled up inside her. Looking her straight in the eye, she smiled. “Do your worst,” she said and, turning away, she went out of the room and up the stairs.

In the privacy of her own bedroom, she sat on the bed, head in hands, her heart aching. It was true. Samantha had a way of always getting what she wanted.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw her father’s photograph, his smiling, happy face looking up at her. “Did you hear all that?” she asked wryly. “Your eldest daughter wants this house, and to tell the truth I’m not sure if she has a claim or not.”

The harsh exchange with Samantha had only made her all the more determined, though. This house was too special. It had been her father’s place of contentment and now it was hers. And Tom would help her, she knew he would. “She won’t get it!” she whispered. “I’ll burn it to the ground first!”

Pushing it all to the back of her mind for now, she began getting herself ready to visit Mabel at the hospital.

Twenty minutes later, as she passed the sitting room, she could see Samantha pacing the floor. “That’s it!” she muttered. “Work out what you’re going to do, now that I’m onto you.” She didn’t doubt for one minute that Samantha was already cooking up some mischief or other.

All the same, now that she was armed with the facts, she was ready for her.

But for now, she had a friend to see.

A brisk walk down the street, a ten-minute bus ride, and she was at the hospital.

She could see the change in Mabel already. Though the bruises were still evident – mellowed to yellow and purple now – they were on the way out; that dear woman was recovering fast from her ordeal. She wasn’t yet able to eat by herself but, thank God, her strength was returning.