Page 74 of The Sapphire Child
‘This is far more interesting being here with you.’ He smiled.
She turned into his hold and slipped her arms around his neck.
‘Kiss me then.’ She grinned up at him.
Andrew did so gladly.
Chapter 26
The Raj-in-the-Hills, Gulmarg, late June 1940
The Lomaxes’ relief at hearing of Andrew’s safe return to Britain was followed swiftly by worry over his safety in Scotland – and that of Tibby and others. News came through of serious bombing raids on Scotland. The radio bulletins were vague, citing only that there were attacks from over the North Sea. Tom scoured the newspapers for further details but it was only when a wire came through from Tibby that all was well in Ebbsmouth that Esmie could persuade him to stop worrying.
Tom, however, continued to be obsessive in listening to radio broadcasts and reading the papers to know what was going on at home.
‘Now that the Nazis have taken over Norway,’ he fretted, ‘they can launch attacks easily on east-coast Scotland.’
Yet up at Gulmarg, in the tranquillity of the mountains, Stella found it hard to believe they were at war. The Gujjars appeared with their herds and flocks as they did every hot season and the ‘grass widows’ of public servants brought their children on holiday. The baroness returned to spend a leisurely summer on her rented houseboat on Dal Lake just as usual. The hot temperatures brokeas the monsoon rains came in thunderous downpours and laced the mountains in mist.
One day, a consignment of sea mail arrived from Scotland. Mostly it was magazines sent to Esmie by Tibby, but there was also a letter for Stella.
‘Looks like Andrew’s handwriting,’ Esmie said, handing it over with an enquiring look.
Stella took it. Andrew hadn’t written to her for three years. She pretended that she didn’t mind, but it had hurt her a little that he hadn’t written to give his condolences when her father had died. Charlie had always made a fuss of Andrew at the hotel. She had blamed herself for writing a reproachful letter criticising him for never returning to his parents in India. She’d vented her frustration on Andy instead of the real culprit, Lydia, and had regretted it ever since.
‘It’s months out of date,’ she said, tearing it open with a finger. The postmark was from February.
Dear Stella,
I feel very bad for not having written this earlier but I’m arranging my affairs before getting my marching orders with the battalion. I wanted to say how very sorry I was to hear of your father’s sudden passing. I can’t quite believe he isn’t still standing in the lobby of the Raj greeting everyone with a cheery good morning and a comment about how lovely the weather is – even when it was as hot as hell and everyone was sweating like the proverbial pig!
MrDubois was one of the kindest and most considerate men I’ve ever met. He was only ever interested in others – no matter how young orunimportant they were. He always made me feel special as a cherished boy whom he treated like one of his own.
I know how much you cared for your dad...
Stella’s vision blurred with tears. She sat down abruptly on a cane chair in the office and pressed her hand to her chest.
‘Stella, are you all right?’ Esmie asked in concern.
Stella nodded, unable to stop tears rolling down her cheeks. ‘It’s such a lovely letter about Dad,’ she said, croakily.
‘Can I get you anything?’ Esmie asked gently.
‘No, thanks.’ She wiped at her tears and read on.
I know how much you cared for your dad so can only imagine how bereft you must be feeling – your mother and brother too. Charlie Dubois touched many, many lives and we’ll all miss him greatly.
I’m sorry, Stella, that I’ve been tardy in writing to you. It’s a lame excuse, but I felt that as long as I didn’t write about it then it didn’t seem real – a selfish reason, I know.
Take care of yourself and please pass on my deepest sympathies to MrsDubois and Jimmy.
Fond regards,
Andrew
Stella let out a sob and passed the letter to Esmie. ‘Read it. It’s beautiful.’
As Esmie was about to take it, she said, ‘There’s a P.S. on the back of the sheet. I didn’t see you read it.’
