Page 142 of The Sapphire Child
‘I’d love to,’ Stella said, and she walked ahead, her heart hammering.
The lodge veranda had an elevated view over the Mall and the town below. A handful of other residents were already there so they moved to the far railing.
‘It’s clearer this evening,’ said Stella, breathing in the scent of roses and sweet peas that wafted up from the pocket-size garden that clung to the hillside below. ‘We’ll get a view of Dehradun.’
Andrew lit up a cigarette and leaned on the balcony, scrutinising her. ‘So why did you decide to leave Pindi?’
She gave him a wry look. ‘It was partly your fault.’
His dark eyebrows rose. ‘My fault?’
‘That last time we met – it made me think. You were heading off to fight and I was still doing little more than filing a few memos. I needed to do something more worthwhile for the war effort – not as much as you were doing, but at least something.’
‘Well, I had no idea.’ Andrew blew out smoke. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever inspired anyone to do anything before – least of all you.’
Stella laughed and nudged him. ‘Don’t let it swell your head too much. It wasn’t the only reason.’
Andrew grinned. ‘Tell me about Delhi and your job.’
Stella talked about her work for the major.
‘Now your turn,’ she said. ‘Did you see combat in the Arakan? Only tell me what you’re allowed to, but don’t just say it was all okay because I know from the major that it wasn’t.’
Andrew ground out his cigarette and glanced around. He lowered his voice. ‘It was a disaster. We were totally unprepared for the conditions – our sappers tried their best to lay roads and get ourvehicles moving but it was hopeless in all that hilly jungle. And we didn’t have the supply lines – we’d have been finished off if we hadn’t retreated. The only thing that saved us was that the enemy were struggling to get supplies in too. We’ve had a reprieve – but only a temporary one.’
‘So how soon will you be going back there?’ Stella asked anxiously.
Andrew shrugged. ‘We’re certainly training for jungle warfare now. The enemy aren’t going to give up the prize of India easily. It could be as early as the cold season.’
Stella tried not to show how upset the thought made her. She turned and watched the sun set over the plain, obscuring Dehradun in a hazy golden dust. Searching for a lighter topic she asked, ‘Any word from Scotland? I miss hearing Tibby’s news to your father.’
Andrew hesitated and then said, ‘Grandmamma passed away in April.’
Stella put a hand on his arm. ‘Andy, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.’
He nodded. ‘She caught a cold which turned into pneumonia. Mamma said that right at the end her mind cleared and apparently she asked for me – wanted me to help her down to the flower room so she could arrange a bouquet as an engagement present. Mamma had to remind her I was in India. After that, she didn’t try to get out of bed. My mother said it was very peaceful at the end.’
Andrew held her look and for a moment said nothing.
‘What will your mother do now?’ Stella asked. ‘Will she stay on in the big house alone?’
‘She says she wants to keep it ready for when I return,’ said Andrew, turning away to study the view. ‘In case Felicity and I want to start married life there.’
Stella felt hollow at this reminder that Andrew had a life back in Scotland that she would never be a part of.
‘Of course,’ she murmured. ‘That’s thoughtful of your mother.’
‘Mamma hates being on her own,’ said Andrew. ‘Though I can’t quite see her living under the same roof as Felicity – or vice versa.’
‘Do they not see eye to eye?’ Stella asked.
He pulled a rueful expression. ‘You know my mother – she likes to be the queen bee and my fiancée is showing all the signs of being the same. Mind you,’ Andrew added, ‘Dickie Mason has been visiting more frequently since Grandmamma’s funeral which is making Mamma happy. I’m thankful for that. Makes me feel less guilty that I’m not there to comfort her.’
Stella said, ‘It must be very difficult for you to be away from home for so long.’
He gave her a strange look. ‘I’m beginning to wonder—’
‘Lomax!’ They were interrupted by a cry from John Grant. ‘I need a dram. The major got to checkmate before I’d hardly made a move.’
