Page 43 of The Sapphire Child
To her surprise, she found Lily stripping the sheets off his bed.
‘Hello, Lily.’
‘Morning, sleepy-head.’ Lily grinned. ‘I couldnae wake you.’
‘Sorry, I slept badly. Has Andrew gone out?’
‘Aye. Gone doon to the Langleys.’
‘I thought he might. I suppose he’ll be away till after lunch?’
Lily scooped up the pile of linen. ‘He’ll naw be back for a while.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘He’s awa’ to stay wi’ Master Noel in Durham. Dinnae ken for how lang.’
Stella’s spirits plunged. ‘Did you see him this morning?’
‘Aye, he was naw his cheery self. Off his food too. MrsTempleton couldnae get him tae eat and was feart he was sickenin’ for some’at.’
‘Did he ask for me before he went or leave a message?’
Lily shook her head. ‘Naebody was sayin’ much at all. The mistress had a sore heed. It was Master Andrew who asked if he could gang wi’ the Langleys. His mither was straight on the telephone to ask Noel’s granddad. She’s dropping him off there the now.’
Stella felt miserable at the thought of how unhappy Andrew must be after the previous night’s row.
‘Is MrsTempleton in the house?’
‘Aye, I think she’s in the conservatory.’
Stella returned downstairs and found Minnie dead-heading plants.
Minnie looked up with a worried frown. ‘Ah, Stella, perhaps you can tell me what’s been going on? I hardly got a word out of Andrew this morning and now he’s rushing off to stay with the Langleys. Did you know he was going?’
Stella swallowed. ‘I knew Noel was keen for him to visit Durham but I didn’t know it would be today. I wish I’d been able to say goodbye.’
‘Well, he’ll probably just be gone a few days. Lydia was very keen for him to join Noel. I suppose there’ll be more for them todo together in Durham than here – other boys to play with...’ She gave a distracted look. ‘Did anything happen last night while I was out? Lydia was a bit tearful this morning.’
Perhaps Lydia was feeling contrite, Stella wondered. How much should she tell Minnie of the terrible scene in the drawing room?
‘Things were said in the heat of the moment,’ Stella began, ‘about MrLomax...and about Esmie. Andrew got a bit upset.’
‘Oh dear.’ Minnie sighed. ‘I could see from the decanter that there’d been a lot of sherry drunk.’
Just then, a car appeared on the driveway. It was Lydia returning.
‘Oh, well, she’s back now and can tell me herself.’ Minnie put down her secateurs.
Slow minutes went by. A car door slammed and the front door opened. Lydia’s heels tapped noisily across the tiled hall floor. ‘Mummy?’ she called.
‘In here, dearest!’ Minnie called.
Lydia came in and stopped short at the sight of Stella. She looked at her coldly, then, ignoring her, spoke to her mother. ‘The Langleys have left. They send you their best wishes.’
‘That’s kind,’ said Minnie. ‘And how was Andrew?’
‘Absolutely fine. He was excited to be going to Durham. The change will do him a power of good.’
