Page 113 of The Sapphire Child
‘Chip off the old block,’ said Ansom.
‘I’ll drink to that,’ said Fritwell, waving at Sanjeev to refill their glasses.
A voice from the stairs called out, ‘What are you all celebrating down there?’
‘Baroness!’ cried Ansom. ‘Come and join us. It’s the reunion of Lomaxes.’
‘Darlings! How delightful.’
Hester stood on the halfway landing dressed in a dark-blue velvet gown and a feathered headband that Andrew was sure he remembered her wearing when he was a boy. It delighted him that she still dressed up as if she were going to dine with the Viceroy. Heleapt up and went to guide her down the steps. The men stood up as Andrew steered her into a seat. Tom kissed her hand in greeting.
‘Ah,’ said Hester with a gracious smile, ‘all my favourite men gathered in one place. How lucky I am.’
‘We’re the lucky ones, Baroness Cussack,’ said Andrew.
‘Darling, you’re as charming as your father. I’m so happy to see you both together again after such a long separation. It’s a big sacrifice for parent and child,’ persisted Hester, ‘having to endure years apart. Isn’t that right, Andrew? You must have missed home terribly.’
Andrew tensed. He glanced at his father, who was looking at him warily. He might as well be honest with them.
‘I had my mother,’ he replied, ‘and she gave me a happy home. And there was Auntie Tibby too. Scotland is where I belong. I didn’t choose to come back to India – the army sent me. But I’m delighted that it’s given me the chance to meet all of you again.’
Hester looked momentarily lost for words. ‘And we’re delighted too,’ she said hastily.
There was an awkward pause; the men swigged their drinks. Andrew hadn’t wanted to embarrass them but neither was he going to let them talk as if his mother didn’t exist or he’d been living an enforced exile.
He decided to get the other contentious topic out of the way too. ‘So, Father, I hear congratulations are in order. You have a baby daughter. I hope mother and baby are doing well.’
Tom gaped at him, reddening. ‘Y-yes, very well. Thank you. I was going to tell—’
‘MrsDubois gave me the happy news.’
Tom looked stricken. ‘I’m sorry you didn’t hear it from me first. We didn’t tell anyone until near the birth...’
‘No need to apologise,’ said Andrew. ‘I’m very happy for you both.’ He watched his father, who seemed ill at ease.
‘Does she have Esmie’s lovely grey eyes or your blue ones?’ asked Hester.
‘Blue eyes,’ Tom answered. His expression suddenly softened. ‘She’s a contented wee thing and Stella’s convinced Belle has started smiling already. Esmie says it’s wind. She seems to like my singing. Though Belle doesn’t sleep well at night so we’re all a bit tired.’
‘Esmie will have an ayah for her, surely?’ asked Hester.
Tom knocked back his whisky. ‘Stella is helping at the moment but Gabina – Karo’s daughter – is going to come and be ayah soon.’
‘So, what will Stella do then?’ Andrew asked.
Tom looked confused. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Will she stay on and help in Gulmarg for the summer or come back here?’
‘Oh, I see.’ His father ran a hand over his face. It was a gesture Andrew had forgotten until now, a sign that his dad was agitated. ‘I think Stella wants to come back here – she hasn’t seen her family for nearly a year and misses them.’
‘Let’s have a toast to the return of our darling boy, Andrew – and the arrival of his sister, Belle,’ Hester suddenly exclaimed.
‘To Andrew and Belle!’ the men chorused.
Heart drumming, Andrew stood up. ‘Thank you.’ He smiled. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go and get changed for dinner.’
He left them ordering further refills and hurried away. It was the use of the endearment Belle that had made him emotional. Suddenly he had seen the happiness on his father’s face and realised that this half-sister really did exist. Belle was a contented baby with blue eyes. He couldn’t pretend that she was nothing to do with him. One day he would have to meet her and he didn’t know how he felt about that.
