Secrets From the Past (23 page)

‘Yes, I know. And I’m not worried. My condition is very treatable. I have great doctors, and I’ll be fine.’

Allen nodded, put his hand on top of Jessica’s, which was resting on the table. He smiled at her. ‘You will be fine,’ he murmured softly. ‘I’ll make sure of that, I promise you.’

They sat there gazing at each other, and my heart lifted. I knew I was right about him. He was one of the good guys. My sense of relief was enormous.

My mother had loved afternoon tea, and she had collected lots of tea paraphernalia over the years. Teapots, milk jugs, cake stands, glass jam roll dishes, honey pots, jam pots, silver candy bowls, napkins, dainty forks, and beautiful old cake knives. Name it, we had it. It was all in the storage room with a collection of antique tea trolleys.

The room adjoined the kitchen, and now I went in and selected a trolley that had three tiers of glass shelves. It was probably Edwardian, and I particularly liked it because of the intricate metal work, and the fact that the shelves were large and held a lot.

As I wheeled it into the kitchen, Adeline looked at me, and exclaimed, ‘
Mon Dieu!
Why that one?’

‘Because it holds so much and we are five for tea, Adeline. Monsieur Lambert is here.’

‘
Ah oui
,’ she answered, nodding her head, giving me a knowing and conspiratorial smile. The housekeeper was a romantic at heart.

‘Before I forget, Jessica would like her pills, please. She said you had them.’

‘I’ll get them.
Immédiatement
.’ As she spoke she went over to the counter, rustled around in her bag, and handed them to me. ‘It is fortunate I was smart enough to bake a lot of cakes for the weekend.’

‘You’re a genius, Adeline,’ I said, laughing at her little display of vanity.

She paid no attention to me, rushed across the kitchen, selected the largest of the teapots, turned on the kettle and hurried into the larder. I went to help her bring out a coconut cream cake, a jam roll, a chocolate roll with cream filling, éclairs, an apple tart and a plate of biscuits. Everything looked mouthwatering and smelled delicious. Adeline had inherited Lulu’s talents as a cook.

I was as fast as Adeline, and within ten minutes we had the tea made and everything loaded onto the trolley. I rolled it from the kitchen to the hall, through the peach sitting room and out to the terrace. I gave Jessica her pills and I had just started to pour the tea when Zac came bounding up the terrace steps from the garden.

He greeted us both affectionately, and then Jessica introduced him to Allen. The two men began to chat in a desultory way at first, but they soon became animated and involved when they got onto politics and the turmoil that was happening in the Middle East.

I closed my ears to this chitter-chatter, and concentrated on being the perfect hostess, since Jessica had vacated that role for the moment. It was difficult for her to move around swiftly handing out cups of tea and cakes when her foot and ankle were in a plaster cast.

Jessica and I ate sparingly as usual, since neither of us were greatly interested in cakes and pastries. But the two men were thoroughly enjoying themselves, tasting everything and drinking endless cups of tea. I was glad they got on so well.

Twenty minutes later Cara came gliding onto the terrace, saying hello to everyone before flopping down into one of the chairs.

I glanced at her quickly; I couldn’t help thinking she looked pleased with herself, and I wondered why. I also wondered what might come flying out of her mouth at any moment.

She delivered her first bombshell when she finished her cup of tea. Looking at me intently, she spoke in that sombre voice of hers she used at times, and which I dreaded. ‘I have it on good authority that it is very likely you and I also have the osteoporosis that afflicted Mom, and which Jessica has inherited. We must have tests.’

Swiftly, I looked at Jessica, saw how flabbergasted she was, and gave her a reassuring smile. I myself was so furious with Cara I couldn’t speak for a moment. She had exposed Jessica and her illness to Allen without knowing how much he knew about the situation.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, mortified that she had been so thoughtless, and careless. And yet I knew that
she wasn’t malicious, that she merely said what was on her mind without editing herself. She was worried that we had inherited it too. And so was I. Cara would never do anything to hurt Jessica or me intentionally; she wasn’t a bitch. She was a nice person who never thought of the damage she might cause.

I opened my eyes when I heard Jessica reply in a mild voice, ‘Perhaps that would be a good idea, Cara. Why don’t you make an appointment for yourself and Serena with Dr Colmar. I’m sure he’ll fit you in as soon as possible, because you’re my sisters.’

‘Thanks, Jessica, and we should go to your doctor,’ I said, and turned to Cara, threw her a pointed look. ‘I’ll fit in with your schedule,’ I said somewhat coldly.

‘I can’t do it until later next week,’ Cara responded.

‘Oh really, and why not? You’re the one who made it sound so urgent.’ I frowned at her, and she knew at once that I was annoyed.

Taking a deep breath, Cara explained, ‘Because I’m going away for the weekend, and I won’t be back until Tuesday night.’ She glanced around the table, as if this had been a special announcement. Actually, it was her second bombshell.

‘Oh really, and where are you going? Is it a business trip?’ I asked a little sharply, my eyes riveted on her.

‘No, it’s not.’ There was a moment’s pause before she said slowly, ‘Well … I’m going to London.’

On hearing this, Zac sat up straighter in the chair, chuckled hilariously and asked in that teasing tone of his, ‘Don’t tell me you’re going to see our little lad Geoff. You’re not, are you?’

Cara gave him a smile that was somewhat smug and knowing. She replied in a cool voice, ‘Of course I’m going to see Geoff. Why else would I go to London?’

‘The Chelsea Flower Show, your favourite,’ I ventured, unable to resist saying this. I knew it would irk her no end, and it did.

She gazed at me with a certain amount of disdain when she answered, ‘That’s later in May, as you well know, Serena. Geoff invited me, and I accepted. You know I don’t like to travel unless it’s necessary. I don’t relish it at all, in fact. I did too much of it as a child. But I’m going because I want to see Geoff.’

I was irritated by this retort, but I kept my mouth shut. Nonetheless, I wanted to slap her. Nobody knew better than I how much she had enjoyed travelling the world with our parents. Ungrateful, that’s what she is, I thought, and glanced at Jessica.

Jessica took one look at my face and started to laugh. It was that wonderful, pealing laughter of hers that I loved so much. It rang to the rafters and it was infectious. We exchanged knowing looks and immediately I started to laugh with her, unable to resist my sister’s good humour and jocularity.

It was Jessica who finally stopped laughing and spoke first. ‘I think that’s lovely, Cara. I for one am delighted you’re going to see Geoff. I know he likes you, admires you, and I think you’ll have a lovely time.’

Zac looked as if he was about to make some sort of pithy comment, and I shook my head, warned him with my eyes to stay silent. Which he fortunately did.

When my cell began to ring, I flipped it open. ‘Serena Stone,’ I said and rose, walking away from the table and saying, ‘Hi, Harry. How’re things in New York?’

‘All’s well at the office. Where’s Zac, honey?’

‘Right here on the terrace with me. Why? You sound funny. Is there something wrong, Harry?’

‘Let me speak to Zac, Serena. His phones are all turned off. Hurry up, honey, it’s urgent.’

‘Just a minute.’ I looked across at Zac, beckoned. ‘It’s Harry, for you. He says your phones are off,’ I explained.

‘That’s right,’ Zac exclaimed as he walked over to join me. ‘I didn’t want any interruptions when I was with Dr Biron in Nice.’

I handed him my phone, took a few steps away from him, wanted to give him privacy.

‘Hi, Harry, what’s up?’ Zac fell into total silence as he listened. I saw him stiffen, took note of his sudden deathly pallor. He looked shocked. ‘Okay, I’ll do it now. Right away … thanks Harry.’ Zac clicked off and stood gaping at me, speechless.

I could see he was stunned. ‘What is it?’ I went to him, grabbed his arm, led him away from the table, took him along the terrace. ‘What is it?’ I asked again, peering into his face. I could see how stricken he was.

At last he spoke. ‘It’s my mother. She’s had a stroke. She’s in the hospital. Dad’s been trying to reach me on my various cell phones. He finally called Harry. Dad wants me to get home as fast as I can. It’s serious. I must leave immediately.’

‘I’m sorry, Zac, so very sorry. I’ll help you to pack. We must get you on a plane tonight. Jessica has a good travel agency.’ I put my arms around him and held him close. ‘I’ll get everything organized, and I’ll come with you if you want.’

Zac clung to me, gripped me tightly, but remained silent.

Z
ac had left a week ago. He had gone to New York alone.

We had decided that this would be the best. He could stay out in Long Island with his family, focus on his mother in the local hospital, and help his father to cope. Also, with Cara going to London to see Geoff Barnes, I had not wanted to leave Jessica alone that weekend.

Today was Friday the thirteenth, which I did not consider unlucky as some people did. And I had had good news an hour ago.

Zac had called to tell me his mother was much better, had recovered most of her speech. I was thrilled that she was making such good progress after her stroke, and it made me happy to hear him sounding so cheerful. It was a lucky Friday, as far as I was concerned.

When Zac first left I had worried about him, asked Harry to be available if Zac suffered a sudden attack. Dr Biron had confirmed what Harry and I had begun to suspect: Zac was indeed suffering from PTSD. Harry had acquiesced, but had pointed out that Zac was now so totally focused on his mother that an attack was unlikely. And so far he had been correct.

I was making progress on Dad’s book,
Courage
. I had finished sorting out the last batch of pictures, and the entire book was now ready for shipment to New York. Because it was bulky, Jessica had suggested a freight company she used, and I’d agreed. She had arranged for the large package to be picked up next week and it would be crated and sent to Harry at Global’s New York office.

Currently I was sorting through the photographs in the box marked
Venice
. Cara had told me they were incredibly beautiful, and she was correct. In fact, the photographs were so superb many of them looked like paintings.

I thought of the great English artist, J. M. W. Turner, and the glorious landscapes and seascapes of Venice that he had created in the early to mid-1800s. It seemed to me that Dad had followed in his footsteps, had endeavoured to capture similar images with his camera that Turner had put on canvas: the lemons, golds and rusts of Turner’s sunrises and sunsets, and the blues of his seas. The warmth and colour of Venice made for wonderfully vibrant images on film.

The door of the studio suddenly opened, and I glanced up, surprised to see Cara standing in the doorway.

‘Hi,’ I said, staring at her. ‘I thought you’d gone to London again. For another weekend with Geoff.’

She shook her head. ‘Can I come in? Am I disturbing you?’

‘No, you’re not, and yes, come on in. I’m going through the Venice pictures, and you were right, they are truly amazing … 
awesome
. More like oil paintings than photographs.’

‘I know. I’m beginning to realize what a genius Dad was with a camera.’ She gave me a small smile. ‘But then you’ve always known that, haven’t you, Serena?’

I didn’t comment. I got up and walked over to the sofa. I said to Cara, ‘I can take a few minutes to talk to you. Is something wrong? You look worried.’

She followed me to the sofa and sat down in the chair opposite, leaning forward slightly, her elbows on her knees. She was totally focused on me, her expression intense.

‘I know you’re angry with me about last Friday, and I just wanted to talk. I’d like to clear the air between us, that’s all,’ she explained.

‘I’m not angry any more, Cara. But I admit I was last weekend.’

‘But why? I don’t really understand.’ She sounded puzzled.

For a moment I was nonplussed, taken aback that she didn’t realize what she had done. That was very dense of her; on the other hand, I knew she was being truthful.

I said quietly, ‘You spoke about Jessica having osteoporosis in front of Allen Lambert, without giving it a thought. It was so careless of you. What if she hadn’t told him? Don’t you realize the damage you might have done?’

‘But why does that matter? She’s not serious about him. And why should she be?’

‘Actually, Jess is serious. And I totally disagree with you. I think Allen’s very nice. Anyway, that’s beside the point. You can’t be indiscreet, Cara, it gets people’s backs up. It can also be hurtful.’

Cara sat up straighter in the chair, shook her head, then sighed heavily. ‘I know what you’re going to say – my mouth’s always open and my foot’s always in it.’

‘Another saying of Granny’s, which does happen to be true when applied to you, Cara. You must edit yourself, take the feelings of others into account.’

‘I can’t help being outspoken,’ she protested sharply.

‘When I was growing up I was glad you were so open about things. Such as explaining Mom’s osteoporosis to me. And also telling me all about sex. Even when I was far too young to really understand any of it.’ I began to laugh. ‘I know you probably meant well, believed I ought to be well informed for my own good. But you made it sound so … icky and gruesome.’ I started to laugh again, and so did she.

‘Sorry about that,’ she said. ‘But I’m sure you overcame your problems when you met Zac. How’s his mother, by the way?’

‘He phoned a while ago, she’s much better. She has her speech back. And thank God the paralysis has left her right side. He was very excited about her progress and how well she’s doing. The whole family are relieved. And incidentally, you once said a leopard doesn’t change its spots, but Zac has.’