Page 136 of The Sapphire Child
Stella hid her concern at Clive’s gloomy words – she too had picked up rumours from a WAC friend who worked in the telegraph exchange that the conflict in the Arakan was not going well.
But there was no point in dwelling on it. This would be her last family party for the foreseeable future and she was going to make the most of it. She went to chat to her cousin Lucy who was hopeful that Monty might get leave soon; she hadn’t seen her fiancé for over a year and a half.
‘But his last letter hinted he’d soon be leaving the desert behind,’ Lucy said, her eyes shining. ‘I just want him home long enough to get married!’
‘I’m sure he will if he possibly can,’ said Stella with a smile of reassurance.
Stella was distracted from their conversation by baby June, who was red-cheeked and grizzling. Bracing herself, she went over and took her from Ada’s arms.
‘She’s teething,’ said Ada, ‘and keeping us up all night.’
‘Party girl,’ said Stella, smiling.
She settled the fretful infant in the crook of her arm and pressed the knuckle of her little finger between June’s hot gums. June bit down with surprising strength. Stella’s chest tightened to think of Esmie or Gabina doing the same for Belle. She walked around the room, bouncing her gently in her arms and whispering rhymes in her ear while all around them was chatter and laughter.
Gradually the baby’s whimpering eased and her eyelids grew heavy. Stella was struck by how long and beautiful her eyelashes were against her creamy skin. She bent and kissed June’s hot cheek and then handed her back to Ada.
The cousins exchanged a long look.
‘You’re a natural mother,’ said Ada with a quizzical smile.
Stella felt herself blushing. ‘Plenty of practice with my nephew,’ she answered.
A moment later, Sigmund was thrusting a drink into her hand and asking her about Andrew.
‘You know he came round here when he passed through Pindi in April?’
‘No, I didn’t,’ Stella said, her pulse beginning to thump at the sudden mention of his name.
‘It was like we’d never been apart,’ said her cousin. ‘He was just the same.’
‘Yes,’ Stella agreed. ‘He’s as friendly as ever. I saw him in November.’
‘So he’s left the North West Frontier?’
Stella nodded. ‘I think he’s down in Chittagong – maybe the Arakan.’
Sigmund pulled a face. ‘Let’s hope not.’ He must have sensed her anxiety. ‘Even if he is, Andrew can take care of himself – he always could.’
‘Yes, let’s hope so,’ said Stella, sending up a prayer to keep him safe, wherever he was.
When it was time to go, the Duboises – merry with good food and drink – clattered down the outside steps to the street below, waving and shouting their thanks.
‘Merry Christmas again, everyone!’ Jimmy called out.
‘Good luck, Stella!’ shouted Sigmund.
‘Bring back a handsome officer!’ Ada teased.
Stella laughed. Her throat constricted with emotion at the sight of her relatives leaning over the balcony and grinning. She had no idea when she would see them again.
‘Goodbye!’ she called back.
As they walked home, a few snowflakes fluttered around them and they bent their heads into the raw night wind. Myrtle and Yvonne walked ahead, pushing a sleeping Charles in his pram. Stella linked her arm through Jimmy’s.
‘Dad would have enjoyed today,’ she said wistfully.
He squeezed her arm. ‘He’ll have been hosting a pukka party wherever he’s gone.’
