When Summer Fades (21 page)

The same thoughts were still occupying his mind as he headed towards the departure lounge. Suppressing the desire to ring Sophie, he dug his hand into his pocket, and seconds away from disconnecting his mobile, was startled to hear it ringing.

‘Carlos!’ A hysterical voice wailed. ‘Thank heavens I’ve found you! Where are you? I’ve been ringing and ringing your apartment.’

‘Rosa? What on earth’s the matter? Has something happened to Maria-Clara?’

‘It’s not Grandmother,’ she sobbed. ‘It’s Father! He’s had a heart attack!’

‘
What
?’ Recalling José’s ghostly pallor when he’d arrived home last night, plus his later flushed appearance during the meal, Carlos was suddenly reminded how they’d all believed José was suffering from indigestion. Only now, by all accounts it wasn’t indigestion – it was his heart!

‘Carlos, please will you come and fetch me? Mother’s gone with Father in the ambulance. They said there was no room for me, and she told me to ring you. When you weren’t there,’ Rosa sobbed, ‘I thought I couldn’t possibly ring Grandmother. I’m convinced the shock will kill her too!’

‘You mean your father’s d—?’

‘No!’ Rosa cried, confused. ‘At least, he wasn’t when the ambulance left. But he could be by now. Oh, Carlos! Please come as quickly as you can!’

In stunned disbelief, Carlos switched off his mobile. Rubbing his hand across his face, he looked about him, hoping someone would announce it was all a bad dream. Rosa hadn’t
really
called with such alarming news, had she? Surely it was still perfectly all right for him to proceed towards the departure gate and board his flight for London?

*

Thrilled at the prospect of seeing Carlos again, and far too excited to sleep, Sophie decided to surprise him. She stepped from her uniform and into the shower. Washing away all traces of Friday night in A&E, she planned her route to Heathrow. First she would catch the bus to Beckford Junction, and from there make the connection with the train to the airport.

‘I’ll cat nap on the way to Heathrow, ’ she told herself, once she’d finished dressing. Thirty minutes later and checking hair and make-up for the umpteenth time, she reached for her jacket and handbag, and hurried to the front door.

*

With furrowed brow, Carlos opened the car door for his tearful cousin. ‘If only Sophie had been here,’ she cried, through trembling lips. ‘She would have known exactly what to do. Mother and I simply panicked. You do think he’ll be all right, don’t you?’

Not knowing how to reply, Carlos merely nodded, and patted Rosa’s shoulder.

Relieved to see her nephew at last, Elisabete fell into his arms. ‘Carlos! I’m so glad Rosa managed to find you. I simply didn’t know what to do. You realize it’s all my fault, I should have called the doctor last night when José came home. This morning, while we were waiting for the ambulance, he … he…’

‘Shhh. Don’t distress yourself, Aunt. I’m here now. Can you tell me what happened? What did the doctor say?’

Elisabete shook her head in despair. ‘Nothing other than José’s had a heart attack, he’s in intensive care. What are we going to do?’

Carlos closed his eyes.
Intensive
care
! Two simple words that were to turn his whole world upside down. He couldn’t possibly turn to his aunt and cousin now, and announce, ‘Well, as long as Uncle José is being well cared for, would you please excuse me? I’m supposed to be catching a plane to England.’

Leading mother and daughter to a quiet corner, Carlos did his best to reassure them. ‘He’ll pull through you’ll see. Uncle José’s always been a fighter. By the way, what about Maria-Clara, have you rung her?

‘Oh, no!’ Elisabete replied, horrified. ‘I’m sure the shock would kill her. I thought we should wait until we know more. Perhaps you – or Cristovao, when he arrives – could pick the right moment to tell her?’

Convinced Maria-Clara would probably live until she was at least a hundred, Carlos agreed. ‘Mmm, perhaps that would be best.’ Moments later, he turned to see the doctor in charge, walking towards them. Watching Elisabete being led away to her husband’s bedside, Carlos remained with his cousin.

‘I can’t bear the thought of seeing him wired to a machine,’ Rosa cried, hysterical. ‘Hospitals always terrify me.’

Passing her a handkerchief, Carlos was reminded of the one person who would not be terrified of hospitals … his beloved Sophie. Sophie – who would be waiting for him at Victoria Villas – not long out of her bed, but freshly showered, with her hair gleaming and golden skin glistening. He groaned audibly.

Rosa fixed him with terrified eyes. ‘What’s wrong? You’re not ill, too?’

‘No. There’s no cause for alarm. I remembered I have to make a phone call.’

‘Of course. Were you on your way to an appointment when I rang? I hope it wasn’t too important.’

‘No,’ Carlos lied, desperate for an excuse to leave, if only for a moment. ‘Look, Rosa, we could be in for a long wait; why don’t I go and get us both a coffee?’

‘What if anything should happen while you’re away?’

‘It won’t. I promise.’

Having rung Sophie five times in as many minutes, Carlos could only assume she’d gone shopping. With a heavy heart, he forced himself to return to Rosa’s side.’

‘You were right. Nothing’s happened,’ she whispered, taking her coffee.

*

At Heathrow, Sophie edged nervously towards arrivals, her heart pounding. To think in a matter of moments she would be in Carlos’s arms. He, no doubt, would not only be surprised to see her, but also glad of her company on the drive back to Beckford. Watching the minutes tick away as each cluster of newly arrived passengers emerged, Sophie glanced at the six arrival screens. No, she hadn’t imagined it. They all flashed the same information. Flight TPL 450 from Lisbon had landed half an hour ago.

Perhaps he missed his flight, or perhaps I missed him, she thought, knowing it certainly wasn’t the latter. She’d made such good progress taking the train from Beckford Junction, and had arrived at Heathrow almost an hour before Carlos’s flight was due. Sophie stared about her in despair. Where could he be?
Car
Rental
, she suddenly remembered, looking to her left. Hadn’t Carlos mentioned he was hiring a car?

Trying each of the car-hire companies in turn, Sophie began to lose hope until a cheery voice proclaimed. ‘Martins? Yes. We’ve got a Mr Carlos Martins picking up a car. Even dealt with the request myself. Arriving from Lisbon this morning, and returning home tomorrow evening. Does that sound like your friend?’

‘Yes, but why isn’t he here? You’re sure I haven’t missed him?’

‘Positive. I’ve been on duty since early morning. You don’t think your Mr Martins could have caught an earlier flight?’

Sophie shook her head. ‘No, because there isn’t one. I know the timetable off by heart. There are three flights from Lisbon today. The first left at 8.50, the second leaves at 10.10 and gets in at 12.40, and—’

‘That must be almost due,’ the young man broke in, looking at his watch. ‘I expect you’ll find Mr Martins missed the earlier flight, got caught up in traffic or something, and will be on this one instead.’

‘Perhaps?’ Sophie replied, unconvinced. It wasn’t like Carlos to miss a flight or an appointment.

Sometime later, returning to the same car rental desk, a kindly voice asked, ‘Still no sign of him?’

‘No. And as the next flight isn’t due until 7.15 this evening, I might as well go home.’

‘Before you do, why not try the information desk? Perhaps Mr Martins phoned and left a message for you?’

Sophie bit her lip. Logically, that’s what most people would have done, but as Carlos wasn’t expecting her to meet him, why should he leave a message? Walking quickly to the information desk she knew the answer even before she got there. Wretched and heartbroken, she returned home to Victoria Villas, hoping against hope to find Carlos waiting. All to no avail, there was no shiny hire car in
visitors’
parking
, only the usual assortment of battered and tired vehicles that had once seen far better days.

‘I know exactly how you feel,’ she murmured to what had once been a gleaming four-door saloon.

Wearily climbing the two flights of stone steps, her heart lifted at the sound of a man’s voice. ‘Carlos?’ she called, mustering enough energy to reach the landing she shared with Lottie and Pearl. To her acute disappointment, it was only Lottie paying the milkman.

Dressed in her purple satin kimono, peroxide curls tumbling about her shoulders, Lottie looked up from where she was delving into her purse. ‘Morning, Sophie,’ she said, sleepily.

‘Actually, it’s afternoon,’ Sophie replied.

‘Is it, ducks? Gawd, so it is! And there’s me thinking Ron here had dragged me out of bed at the crack of sparrow.’

‘Not bloomin’ likely,’ Ron quipped, ‘You might have legs like a sparrow, Lottie, but that’s where the similarity ends. It’s more than my life’s worth to come knocking on
your
door before two o’clock on a Saturday afternoon! That’s why I always leave you ‘til last. At least now I can go home, do my books and get some kip.’

‘Don’t you be so bloody cheeky about my legs,’ Lottie teased, ‘or I won’t give you an orange for Christmas.’

‘Cor! I’ll expect more than that,’ Ron said, handing over her change.

Waving goodbye and watching him go Lottie turned back to Sophie. ‘He’s a one! You’ll never guess what he said when I—Sophie, ducks, are you OK? You look all in? You haven’t just finished work, have you? I thought you were on nights.’

‘No. I’ve just been to Heathrow. I was expecting a friend. I don’t suppose you’ve seen anyone at my door?’

Lottie shook her head. ‘Like I was saying, me and Pearl haven’t been up long, but we normally hear if someone rings your doorbell. Yours just rings, and ours plays songs. Which reminds me, Pearl asked me to change it. She’s getting fed up with
Greensleeves
.’

‘Too right I am,’ Pearl said, appearing at the front door holding a mug of tea. Variety is the spice of life, my old mum used to say.’

Lottie emitted a deep, throaty laugh. ‘And we certainly get plenty of variety, eh, Pearl?’

Nodding in agreement, Pearl grinned and asked if Sophie would like a cup of tea.

‘No, thank you,’ she said, suppressing a yawn. ‘I think I’ll go straight to bed.’

‘Then I suggest you ring 1471 before you do,’ Pearl called after her. ‘Your phone’s been ringing non-stop. Someone’s obviously keen to get hold of you. I hope it’s not an emergency. Perhaps you should get an answerphone?’

‘Marvellous things they are,’ Lottie added as an afterthought. ‘We leave ours on all the time – even if we are here. That way we can pick and choose who we speak to.’

Chapter 14

Reminding herself why she had neither an answerphone nor a mobile – there were more than enough phones and pagers at Beckford General – Sophie dialled 1471.

Recognizing Monty and Edna’s number she immediately feared the worst and phoned them straight back.

‘Aunt Edna. It’s Sophie.’

‘Sophie, dear. I’ve been trying to get hold of you.’

‘So I gather. My neighbour said my phone’s been ringing all day.’

‘She’s right there. Every time I tried ringing this morning, your line was engaged. You’re a very popular young lady.’

‘I don’t know about that,’ Sophie said, ‘anyway, how are you and Uncle Monty? There’s nothing wrong is there?’

‘No. We’re fine. We were merely wondering when you’d be able to come and see us. We’re longing to hear all about your holiday in the Algarve. From the postcards you sent, you certainly appeared to be enjoying yourself.’

‘I did. It was simply amazing.’

‘Hmm. And that’s not all, is it? Who was this Carlos you mentioned?’

Deciding against saying too much until she’d discovered the reason for Carlos’s non-appearance, Sophie tried to make light of the matter. ‘Don’t you remember? He’s one of Rosa’s cousins. He took me out a couple of times – that’s all.’

‘Just a holiday romance then, was it?’

‘I’ll tell you when I see you,’ Sophie said, anxious to change the subject. ‘But that won’t be for quite a while, I’m afraid. Having had three week’s holiday, I can’t possibly disappear again. At the moment I’m doing extra shifts, trying to get back into everyone’s good books.’

‘Well, don’t overdo it, dear. And do take care, Monty and I worry about you so much. I do wish you weren’t quite so far away.’

‘At least for the moment you’re only in Norfolk, and not the Algarve. Which reminds me, they’re building some new villas near Alvor. I picked up a brochure in case Uncle Monty was really serious about moving to Portugal. I’ll pop it in the post tomorrow.’

Saying goodbye, and promising to see Monty and Edna as soon as she could, Sophie’s heart leapt when the phone rang almost immediately after. Fully expecting it to be Carlos, she was totally unprepared for Callie’s garbled outburst.

‘Hello! It’s me. Sorry! I know Carlos has only just arrived, and I hope I haven’t dragged you from his arms, but Mum’s invited you both to lunch tomorrow. I told her you’d have better things to do, but she insisted I ring.’

‘It’s OK, Callie, calm down. Carlos isn’t here. You haven’t dragged me from his arms. In fact, I was just dragging my weary body off to bed.’

‘To bed? Oh, dear! What happened? Did he decide not to come?’

‘I don’t know. When the phone rang, I thought it was Carlos ringing to explain.’

‘You mean he hasn’t even rung you?’

‘To be fair, he probably has. Against my better judgement, I went to Heathrow to meet him. If he has been trying to get hold of me, I wasn’t around to answer his call.’

‘Why not ring
him
instead? You’ve got his number haven’t you?’

‘I’m not sure if I should. Perhaps he changed his mind about coming at the last minute. I know he was hoping to talk to his uncle about our plans. Under pressure, José probably persuaded him it was simply a holiday romance, after all.’

‘Sophie Fuller! What am I going to do with you? Of course it wasn’t a holiday romance! You’re only saying that because you’re tired. Go to bed and get some sleep, and when you wake up, promise me you’ll ring Carlos. Is that understood?’

‘I promise,’ Sophie said, meekly.

‘Good! And make sure you do, because I shall be checking up on you!’

*

‘I’m very sorry, sir,’ a polite voice broke in when Carlos dialled Sophie’s number yet again. ‘We don’t allow mobile phones near intensive care. Hospital policy, I’m afraid. There’s a call box at the end of the corridor.’

Murmuring apologies, Carlos disconnected his phone and turned to see Rosa returning from the visitors’ toilet. Like him, she was exhausted by the endless waiting and pacing the floor all day. ‘As your mother’s staying overnight at the hospital, and Cristovao said he’ll go and break the news to Grandmother and Augustina, why don’t I take you home?’

Rosa shuddered. The words ‘
break
the
news
’ sounded so final. Surely in the few short moments that she’d been away, her father hadn’t died?’

‘Father? He hasn’t…?’

Carlos placing a reassuring arm about her shoulders, ‘No. Don’t alarm yourself, Rosa. Your father’s a fighter. He’ll be OK, you’ll see.’

Dazed and confused, Rosa wasn’t quite so convinced. Through tear-filled eyes she said goodnight to her mother and allowed herself to be led away, leaning heavily on her cousin’s arm.

*

Equally dazed and confused, Sophie stirred sleepily. Not only was the phone ringing, but also there was someone at the door. ‘Just a minute!’ she called.

Struggling with her bathrobe, and making an impossible grab for the phone, she heard the line go completely dead. ‘Damn!’ she muttered, stumbling down the hallway.

Rubbing at her eyes, she peered uncertainly round the door. ‘Callie! Good heavens! What time is it? Come to that, what day is it? I think I’m still in the land of Morpheus.’

‘I’ll second that,’ Callie said, pushing her way past. ‘And in case you’re interested, they’ve already begun auditions for the Christmas panto. You’d definitely get a part. Especially as they’re so desperate.’

Sophie frowned, yawning. ‘Christmas? Why are you talking about Christmas? It’s only August, isn’t it? Or have I slept through autumn? It certainly feels as if I have.’

‘You certainly look as if you have! And in answer to your query, Beckford Amateur Dramatics are doing
Snow
White
and
the
Seven
Dwarves
. From where I’m standing, you’d make the perfect Sleepy and Dopey combined.’

‘Oh! Like the hospital, are they also having to make cut backs?’

‘Not that I know of. I was simply trying to be funny.’

‘Sorry,’ Sophie replied. ‘Having just woken up, I’m not in the mood for jokes.’

‘Or, more to the point, not in the mood for
me
?’

Sophie looked up, forcing a weak smile. ‘I’m always in the mood for you, Callie. You’re one of the few people I rely on to cheer me up.’

‘I take it you do
need
cheering up?’

‘Yes. Because I still haven’t heard from Carlos. So I suppose you could add Grumpy to your earlier cast list, and cut the wage bill for the panto even further.’

‘Hmm. Four dwarves instead of seven, I’m not so sure about that. Anyway, from dwarves to giants. Patrick and I were going out later, but perhaps I should cancel and stay here instead, especially if you want cheering up?’

‘No way, Callie! Now who’s being Dopey? You’ve been holding a torch for Patrick Murphy ever since you were eighteen. Now he’s come back into your life, you’re not going–’

When the phone rang yet again, Callie and Sophie froze. ‘Carlos!’ they cried in unison, as Sophie dashed to answer it.

‘Sophie! Thank God! I’ve been frantic with worry. Where have you been?’

‘Where have
I
been?’ she whispered, aghast. ‘Where were
you
? I went to Heathrow to meet you, but you never—’

‘Heathrow! I thought you were going to wait at the flat?’

‘I was, but I thought I’d surprise you by going to the airport.’

‘And instead, I surprised you by not being there! Oh, Sophie. If only you knew how dreadful I feel about all this.’

‘Are you trying to tell me that you’ve changed your mind about us?’

‘Changed my mind? No, I’ll never do that. You’re my whole life. All I’ve ever wanted.’

Deeply puzzled, Sophie stood fidgeting with the sash on her bathrobe. ‘So why weren’t you at Heathrow?’

‘I was about to board my plane, when Rosa telephoned. Uncle José has had a heart attack. In the circumstances, I had little choice but to stay.’

‘A heart attack? I don’t believe it! José′ looked so well at Maria-Clara’s party.

‘Unfortunately, he wasn’t quite so well yesterday evening,’ Carlos said, his voice full of despair as he explained the seriousness of the situation. ‘Although you probably have a far better understanding of these things than we do.’

‘Yes, I do. I also know the next few days could be crucial. José will have to be very careful and take things easy. Which means—’

‘Please don’t say it!’ Carlos begged, knowing only too well what was coming next. He’d already realized he would have to take over José’s side of the business, which in turn meant not going to England as often as he hoped.

Desperate to lift Sophie’s spirits, Carlos continued. ‘However, we mustn’t forget Cristovao, he’s with us full-time now, and making himself extremely useful for a change.’

Reluctantly saying goodbye and hanging up the phone, Sophie turned her tear-filled eyes to Callie.

‘Oh, dear,’ Callie murmured, reaching for her hand. ‘I think I can guess what’s happened. Sophie, I’m
so
terribly sorry.’

‘So am I,’ Sophie sniffed. ‘Because, while I’m deeply upset at hearing about Rosa’s father, I also have a horrible feeling Carlos and I will never...’

‘No! Stop that! I refuse to listen to another word! I’m going to tell Patrick I’m staying with you. I’ll be back in a minute.’

Sophie let out a gasp. ‘Patrick’s
here
? I thought you were on your own when you said you were seeing him later. I assumed you’d caught a bus. Now I see you’re all done up for a night on the town. ‘Oh, Callie! Why on earth didn’t you say?’

When Callie shrugged her shoulders in reply, Sophie choked back a sob. ‘Rose- Marie Callaghan, much as I appreciate your concern, I will
not
allow you to give up a perfect Saturday night spent in Patrick’s company.’

‘How do you know it’s going to be perfect?’

‘Because I do. Now please will you go! Although you’re bigger than me, I warn you, having dealt with the regular Friday night drunks in casualty, I’m perfectly capable of packing quite a punch!’

‘All right! All right! I’m going,’ Callie said, holding up her hands in mock defence.

*

Alone in the family’s Lisbon apartment, Rosa paced the floor aimlessly. In more ways than one she regretted not being allowed to stay with her mother at the hospital. Perhaps if she’d insisted? It wasn’t just being on her own that frightened her now, it was also the summer storm brewing noisily outside. If there was one thing Rosa hated more than hospitals, it was a thunderstorm. Overcome with renewed anxieties for her father, and terrified when a strident clap of thunder filled the air, Rosa reached desperately for the phone.

‘I don’t believe it!’ she cried, her eyes filled with terror. ‘Why is Carlos’s line still engaged, and why isn’t Cristovao at home?’

When repeated dialling of both numbers brought no response, Rosa poured herself a large glass of her father’s favourite malt whisky and switched on the television. Waking several hours later to a blank screen and a darkened flat, she realized to her horror there had been a power cut. Cold and terribly alone, she attempted to stamp warmth into her lifeless limbs. How long had she been asleep, and what had she been doing earlier?

Moments later, when her foot nudged against the half empty-whisky bottle, everything came flooding back. ‘Father’s whisky!’ she cried, reminded of José’s critical condition. ‘The one he keeps for special occasions!’

Special
occasions
, a voice echoed in her head.
Your
father
is
in
hospital
,
fighting
for
his
life
and
you
are
drinking
his
celebratory
whisky
!

Filled with remorse, Rosa staggered to the phone to ring Carlos as another clap of thunder rent the air.

‘Rosa? What on earth …? I thought you’d be asleep.’

‘I was, for a while ... then I woke up. I’m so afraid. You know how I hate thunderstorms. Please will you come and sit with me?’

‘Sit with you? But it’s two o’clock in the morning!’

‘Is it? Sorry, I thought it was ten past midnight. We’ve had a power cut here. I can barely see my watch.’

‘Rosa … have you been drinking?’

‘What?’

‘Drinking. Have you been drinking?’

Clasping her hand to her aching head, Rosa was reminded of the half-empty whisky bottle.

‘Yes,’ she replied, sheepishly, ‘but only because I was so frightened. With Mother at the hospital, and Father in intensive care, I thought it might help.’

When a sudden flash of lightning filled the room with an eerie blue light, Rosa let out a terrified scream. If there was a power cut here, there could also be a power cut at the hospital! Calling hysterically down the phone, it was sometime before she reluctantly agreed that the hospital would have its own generator.