Page 82 of The Sapphire Child
‘Ma is just being protective of me,’ said Stella. ‘With Pa not being here to take care of things, she worries more.’
‘Then she’s a good mother,’ said Hugh. ‘What is it she’s worried about?’
Stella steeled herself to be frank. ‘Not knowing enough about you. The other boys who’ve courted me – she’s known them and their families for years. She’s afraid you might already be married.’
Hugh looked at her dumbfounded. ‘Is that what you think too?’
‘No, of course not. I know you better than that. But maybe you could reassure her?’
He seized her hand. ‘I feel I’ve been waiting all my life for you, Stella. How can your mother not see how much I’m in love with you?’
Stella hesitated. He hadn’t actually said he wasn’t married. She pressed him. ‘So, there’s no MrsKeating waiting for you back in Calcutta?’
He looked at her gravely with his mesmerising blue eyes and she held her breath.
‘I swear to you there isn’t.’ He said it with such vehemence that Stella felt ashamed for asking.
‘Kiss me,’ she whispered.
‘Do you believe me?’ Hugh persisted, hurt in his eyes.
‘Yes, of course. I’m sorry for doubting...’
He silenced her with a passionate kiss.
Afterwards, he said, ‘I just want to make you happy, Stella.’
‘You do make me happy,’ she insisted. ‘I can’t bear the thought of you going away tomorrow. When will I see you again?’
‘I’ll come back when I can. Will you write to me, Stella, so I know you’re thinking of me?’
She gave him a tearful smile and nodded. Then they kissed one last time.
Chapter 29
The Raj Hotel, spring 1941
Stella’s romance with Hugh blossomed over the next few months. He managed to be sent on regular trips to the Punjab for work. Even if it was in the south of the state, he would snatch a night or two in Rawalpindi to see her. She was especially pleased that he went out of his way to charm her mother and reassure her.
‘I cherish your daughter, MrsDubois. I’d do nothing to hurt her, I promise.’
Stella had never been so happy. Her life was fulfilled; she had work, family life and frequent visits from Hugh. She was deeply in love and it made her optimistic about the future, even with the war.
Unexpectedly, Monty got leave in April. Stella wasn’t surprised that he didn’t come to see her, though she was concerned to hear from Jimmy that he was likely to be shipped out soon.
Jimmy told her, ‘Most likely Iraq, he thinks. He’s—’ He hesitated as if changing his mind about saying something.
‘Go on,’ Stella said.
‘He’s heard about you and Hugh.’
Stella blushed. ‘We broke up before Hugh came back into my life.’
Jimmy nodded. ‘Then you won’t mind that he’s already courting someone else too?’
‘No, I’d be pleased if he was,’ she assured him. ‘Do you know who?’
‘Yes, our cousin Lucy.’
