Page 16 of The Sapphire Child
She crept around the back of the studio as swiftly and silently as possible and headed back to the hotel.
Chapter 7
Stella had a restless night pondering the Lomaxes’ conversation and particularly Esmie’s puzzling words about wanting to confess something to Andrew. What secrets were they keeping from him? Yet, the possibility of travelling abroad thrilled her. She imagined herself on the boat and then seeing Britain, where both her parents’ families had come from generations ago.
What an adventure it would be! She had heard so much about the country from Esmie. Then there was Ebbsmouth, where the Lomaxes came from: a fishing town on the east coast of Scotland with beautiful sandy beaches and a castle where Tom’s sister Tibby lived. She had never seen the sea.
Stella eventually fell asleep imagining herself high up in a castle tower listening to the sound of the waves pounding the rocks below.
The following day, Tom took Stella aside. ‘I’ve decided to let Andrew go and see his mother for the summer and wondered how you felt about going with him?’
‘To Scotland?’ Stella was thrilled.
Tom nodded. ‘I can trust you to look after Andy,’ he said, ‘and you’ll know how to handle Lydia. She can be difficult at times, butshe was always fond of you and I’m sure she’ll give you a good time. And MrsTempleton is a kindly soul; Lydia’s mother will make you feel at home. I’m sorry MrTempleton has passed away – I always got on with Lydia’s father. But I don’t want to force you to go, Stella, if you don’t want to. I know Esmie will miss you terribly.’
‘I love being here, MrLomax,’ Stella replied, ‘but I’ve always dreamt of visiting Britain. If my father agrees – and you can spare me here – then I’d really like to go. Thank you!’
They went outside to break the news to Andrew, who was throwing a ball with Frisky on the hotel lawn. He gaped at his father as the news sank in. Stella had expected him to whoop for joy, but he just stood staring at them.
‘You’re letting me go to Ebbsmouth?’
‘Yes,’ Tom said. ‘It is what you want, isn’t it?’
Andrew looked at Stella. ‘Are you coming too?’
Stella grinned. ‘Someone has to keep an eye on you,’ she teased.
He gave a faltering smile. ‘Great. Yes. Of course I want to go.’
‘That’s settled then,’ said Tom.
Over the next few days, messages came and went between Gulmarg and the Duboises in Rawalpindi.
Charlie wrote,‘MrsDubois and I are most grateful for the opportunity that you are offering our daughter out of the bountifulness of your heart. We do, however, have a concern that she is not yet a fully fledged grown-up – although she becomes of age in August – and so would wish for her to be chaperoned on the voyage to the homeland. Perhaps it could be ascertained if a missionary lady or someone of good repute could be prevailed upon to keep a motherly eye on Stella. We know our daughter is of very good character, but we hear tales of romances at sea and would not want her to be the subject of unwanted attention.’
Stella coloured with embarrassment when she was told by Esmie of her father’s worries over her reputation.
‘I’m perfectly capable of fending off any advances from bored young men,’ she said in amusement.
‘I’m sure you are.’ Esmie laughed. ‘But I think it’s best if we do as your father asks. There are usually one or two older women who advertise as chaperones on these journeys. We can look at the ads in the newspapers.’
Passports were quickly applied for, and Tom asked the superintendent of police to sign a declaration that Andrew was his son, and to vouch for Stella as a ‘fit and proper person’ to receive a British Indian passport. They would pick up the documents in Lahore on their way to Bombay.
As the time grew nearer, Stella could hardly contain her excitement, but Andrew seemed strangely subdued. He would take himself off on long walks across the high margs with Frisky at his heels. One afternoon, she waylaid him on his return.
‘Penny for your thoughts,’ she said casually, while greeting Frisky with enthusiastic patting.
Andrew shrugged.
‘I can tell something’s bothering you,’ Stella persisted. ‘Are you worried about the long journey? Going so far away?’
Andrew shook his head.
‘Are you still dwelling on what Gotley said?’
‘Not really.’
‘What, then? Are you having second thoughts about wanting to go to Scotland?’
