Page 89 of The Sapphire Child
Bijal was waiting with the van outside the hotel. ‘Keating Sahib, I’ve taken your luggage inside for safekeeping.’
‘Thank you,’ Hugh said distractedly and turned to Stella. He took her hands in his and said, ‘Let’s not make this worse for ourselves. A swift goodbye is best.’
Stella’s throat watered; she swallowed hard and nodded in agreement.
‘I’m going to miss you every minute of every day,’ she said huskily, smiling through her tears.
He kissed her hard on the mouth. ‘Take care of yourself, my green-eyed girl.’ He gave her one of his heart-melting smiles.
‘And you too,’ she croaked. ‘Write to me from Singapore and let me know you’re safe, won’t you?’
‘Of course.’ He kissed her one more time and then let go of her hands. ‘Off you go back to Gulmarg,’ he ordered. ‘I want to see you leave so I know you’re not here on your own.’
He led her round to the passenger side of the van, helped her in and closed the door. Stella felt a sob rising in her chest but she kept smiling for him. Bijal climbed into the driver’s seat and started the engine. Hugh tapped the side of the van for them to go.
As they began to move, Stella wound down the window and shouted out, ‘I love you!’
He blew her a kiss and waved. She gazed at him as long as she could, straining round for one last glimpse and waving back. When she could no longer see him, Stella sat back and, putting her face in her hands, began to cry.
Bijal looked at her in concern. ‘Stella-Mem’?’ he asked. ‘Shall I get you chai?’
‘N-no, thank you, Bijal.’ She fought to stop her weeping. She felt as if her insides had been torn out and sat hugging her stomach. How could the world be looking so beautiful in the sunshinewhen she was feeling so bereft? The Dal Lake sparkled beside them as they drove north.
Suddenly a thought came to her. ‘Bijal,’ she said, ‘can you take me to see Baroness Cussack on her houseboat? Do we have time?’
He glanced at her and nodded. Turning off the road he made towards the lake. Stella’s spirits lifted a fraction to see the spread of waterlilies and the vivid green of the floating vegetable gardens beyond the wharves.
Soon she was in a shikara being paddled across the still water towards theQueen of the Lake. As it glided in beside the houseboat, Stella could see Hester sitting on deck having a late breakfast. It was astonishing to think it was only eleven o’clock. The elderly woman stood up to see who was approaching, and on seeing Stella gave a cry of delight.
‘My darling, this is a lovely surprise!’
Stella almost fell up the houseboat steps in her haste to be with her. She threw her arms around Hester’s bony shoulders and hugged her.
‘Whatever is the matter?’ Hester asked in concern. ‘Has something terrible happened? Is Captain Lomax all right?’
‘Yes, everyone is fine,’ Stella gabbled, ashamed of making her worry. She made a supreme effort to bring her emotions under control and speak calmly.
‘It’s good news really,’ she said. ‘Hugh and I got engaged two days ago – we’ve just bought the ring.’ Stella held out her hand to show off the sapphire.
‘How marvellous!’ Hester clasped her hand. ‘And what a pretty ring. Congratulations, darling. But where is your young man?’
‘I’ve just said goodbye to him in Srinagar,’ Stella said, her voice wobbling. ‘He’s going to Singapore and I don’t know when I’ll see him again...’
Hester put her knobbly hands either side of Stella’s face. ‘Ah, my poor Stella,’ she sympathised. ‘Come and sit down and tell me everything.’
Stella let her elderly friend steer her into a comfortable seat. Looking across at the romantic gardens and the glimmering Himalayan peaks beyond, Stella poured out her heart to the baroness.
Chapter 31
Ebbsmouth, late September 1941
Andrew hadn’t told his mother that he was coming home for a few days. He made straight for The Anchorage to see his aunt. Somehow it seemed easier to talk to Tibby first. She would understand better – or at least not get too emotional at his news. He found his aunt picking blackberries in an old pair of jodhpurs, a woolly jumper and her favourite purple hat, which was looking more battered than ever.
‘Dear boy!’ she cried. ‘How lovely.’
He swung his kit bag from his shoulder, kissed her cheek and popped a blackberry into his mouth.
‘As sweet as my favourite aunt,’ he said with a grin.
