A Daughter’s Dream

‘What about her family?’

‘Her mother died when she was young and I think her father is often away or out on business. I don’t think he bothers with Mary much. He gives her money but he is too busy working to spend time with her.’

‘Poor little rich girl,’ Lainie said with a wry twist of her mouth. ‘She’s probably lonely, Amy.’

‘Yes, I am certain of it. She says her aunt’s friends are boring and she likes me better than other girls she has met.’

‘It’s up to you, of course. I just hope you won’t be hurt if she suddenly drops you, Amy.’

‘Mary isn’t like that.’

‘She still hasn’t told you her second name then?’

‘It hasn’t been necessary. It doesn’t matter … Does it?’

‘I shouldn’t think so.’ Lainie smiled. ‘You’re a sensible girl, Amy. All I’m going to say is that you should be careful of any men you might meet at Mary’s. Don’t trust them until you get to know them – and then be careful.’

‘You don’t have to warn me, Lainie. I’m in love with Matthew. I’m not interested in other men.’

‘I thought you had quarrelled with him.’

‘I have – but I’m going to telephone this evening and apologize.’

‘Good. He’s decent and honest, Amy. If he has decided to do this extra work it’s only so that he can save more.’

‘Yes, I know. I was upset because he couldn’t get home, but I don’t mind so much now.’

I was secretly rather pleased that Matthew hadn’t been able to get home for the weekend. I missed him terribly, of course I did, but I was excited at the prospect of going to Mary’s house.

I was a little overawed as the cab stopped outside the huge red-bricked house situated close to Hampstead Heath. There were a lot of impressive houses in the area, but Mary’s was by far the biggest and I double-checked the address on her card before paying my taxi and letting it go.

Feeling nervous, I opened the gate and went inside, walking up the tree-lined drive towards the house. A dog was barking and it suddenly came round the corner of the building, rushing towards me in a fierce manner and snarling. I stood absolutely still, wondering what to do and not daring to move. Then a man came round the corner and called to it.

‘Here, Brutus! Come here, boy.’

The dog gave me another menacing look, then went bounding off to meet the man who continued to walk towards me as I stood unmoving, still afraid of being attacked.

‘Hello,’ he said, smiling at me. ‘I’m sorry if you were frightened. He is a bit of a brute if you don’t know him.’

‘It was just the shock,’ I replied, managing to breathe at last.

He offered his hand, his clasp firm and cool.

‘I’m Paul Ross by the way. Mary’s cousin. It was my fault about the dog. Mary warned me not to let it out because you were coming, but the poor thing needed some exercise. I’m afraid they get neglected at times, that’s why I come round as often as I can to keep an eye on them.’

‘It’s all right now you’re here. I was afraid the dog might bite me, but you seem to have him under control.’

‘Oh yes, he does what he’s told.’

Paul Ross was perhaps in his early thirties. He was extremely handsome, with aristocratic features, dark honey-blond hair and blue eyes, and he had a lovely smile. Dressed in a smart navy-blue blazer, white open-necked shirt and grey flannels, he was quite obviously a gentleman – out of the top drawer, as my aunt would say.

‘Do let me take you in. Mary is waiting for you and I was about to leave.’

‘You’re not staying to lunch with us?’

‘No, unfortunately I can’t,’ he said, looking regretful. ‘I wish I could, Amy. Forgive me, I only know you as Amy. Mary didn’t tell me your surname.’

‘It’s Robinson. Mary probably doesn’t know it.’

‘Amy Robinson. Very pretty, like it’s owner.’ He gave a soft chuckle as he saw my blush. ‘No, I didn’t mean to embarrass you, Amy. Mary told me you were pretty and the words were in my mind. Forgive me for being familiar.’

I wasn’t sure how to respond, and felt flustered.

‘It was a compliment, so naturally I forgive you,’ I said.

‘I am so glad. Let me take you to my cousin, and then I must go.’

I felt a little shy as I glanced at him. He was very different to anyone I had ever met before. His face was thin and he had a sensitive, artistic look about him, and his hair was perhaps a little too long. But he was very charming and his smile lit up his face as well as his eyes, though when he wasn’t smiling there was something oddly sad about him – almost haunted. But no, that was silly!

Mary was at the back of the house. The long glass doors were opened and she was sitting in a cane chair on the lawn, which had been set with various chairs and small tables. There was a huge oak tree some distance from the house and beyond that lay a tennis court set behind a formal rose garden and an old stone sundial. The atmosphere was peaceful and welcoming, and some of my nervousness fell away.

‘Oh, there you are!’ Mary cried with a look of relief. ‘I was afraid that the dog would frighten you off. It scares me half the time, but my father says it helps to keep intruders away. He has three more like it shut up somewhere. I never go near them.’

‘Brutus isn’t so bad,’ Paul Ross said. ‘Anyway, I didn’t let anything happen to your friend, Mary.’

‘Just make sure it’s safely locked up before you go.’

‘Your wish is my command, my lady.’

Mary stuck her tongue out at him in a most unladylike way and he went off laughing, with the dog trotting at his heels.

‘I’m so glad you’re here,’ she said and came to kiss me on the cheek. ‘We’ll have drinks on the lawn and then go inside for lunch. It’s impossible to eat out here when it’s so hot. I thought we might play tennis, but it is much too warm.’

‘I do play a little,’ I said. ‘They taught us at school, but I’m not terribly good.’

‘Nor am I,’ Mary confessed. ‘Paul is marvellous, of course. Eleanor was too … Did you like my cousin? He can be rather a tease but he isn’t too bad – at least not with me. My father doesn’t care for him much. They don’t get on, but they are always polite to each other for the sake of appearances.’

‘He seemed very pleasant,’ I said, letting the comment about her father pass.

‘Paul is charming when he wants to be, though he isn’t as nice as he was before the war. That changed him, I suppose. He hated every minute of it, but his father insisted he join up. He was in the Royal Flying Corps as a pilot. A lot of his friends were killed, but Paul was wounded and discharged a year or so before the end. He had a nervous breakdown and spent some months in hospital. I think Eleanor’s death had something to do with his illness lasting as long as it did.’

‘He was her brother?’

‘Yes, of course. And he absolutely adored her. I’m fond of Paul, but I don’t trust him as much as I did Eleanor. He … Well, he can be a bit odd at times.’

‘What do you mean, odd?’

Mary shrugged. ‘I’m not sure. Changeable might be a better word. I suppose he’s moody. Eleanor said it was because he is such a gifted pianist. Did you notice his hands?’