Beauty Chorus, The (45 page)

Evie tossed another log on from the basket. She settled back in his arms on the floor, pulled the blankets closer around them. ‘I think I’ve told you all the news from the pool. I
still can’t believe they’ve suspended Teddy,’ she said. ‘Good old Stella.’

‘I heard they bollocked him from arsehole to breakfast time,’ Beau said, ‘and about time too. The man gives the rest of the chaps a bad name. I never trusted him, the way he
pretended to have flown—’

‘You mean he didn’t?’

‘It wasn’t my place to call him on it, but I can’t imagine he saw a great deal of action behind his mahogany Spitfire.’

‘But I thought he’d been wounded.’

‘His leg? That’s real enough. He came off a motorbike, smashed up his hip.’

Evie stifled a giggle. ‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t laugh.’

‘I said to him once: “Why can’t you be proud of what you are? Not everyone is cut out to be a fighter pilot, and the Ops chaps do a valuable job.” But he wouldn’t
have it. “I don’t like the cut of your jib, sir.”’ Beau mimicked Teddy’s booming voice perfectly. ‘I told him he was a jumped-up penguin.’

‘I wish I had seen that.’

‘Men like Teddy are dinosaurs. You girls are good, and each intake seems to be learning faster.’

‘Well, the ATA training is second to none. Hadn’t you heard? We have excellent instructors.’ Her hand ran across his stomach, traced the hard edge of his belt. ‘I always
thought Stella would be a good instructor, she’s so calm and methodical.’

‘Unlike someone I could mention.’ He kissed the top of her head and settled back, watching the leaping flames of the fire. ‘Have you heard how she’s getting on in
Ireland?’

‘She sounded so different on the phone, so light and happy. I could hear David gurgling away in the background. She said he’s grown so much.’

‘It must have been very hard for her, being away from her child. When’s she coming back?’

‘Saturday.’

‘Do you think she’ll stay?’

‘I hope so, but losing Megan …’ Evie’s brow furrowed. ‘It really shook her up. I think she’s still coming to terms with a lot of things.’

‘Stella will survive. She’s been through a lot, but she’s strong.’ He sighed as he looked at the fire. ‘God knows, we need all the good pilots we can
get.’

‘Don’t let’s talk about the war,’ Evie sighed sleepily.

‘Alright.’

‘Tell me what you want—’

‘Right now, to get to bed. My leg’s gone to sleep.’

She kissed him as he shifted towards her. ‘What about later, after the war?’

‘You. All I want is you, and I can’t think beyond that, and this moment.’

‘How about we disappear for a while soon? I have some leave coming up.’

‘We could go to my place in Scotland.’ He thought of the old stone house by the loch, near the little whitewashed church. He slipped his hand into his trouser pocket, felt the
indentation of his mother’s ring against the leather wallet. ‘Evie, there’s something I want to ask you.’

‘Yes?’

He thought of the mission coming up.
What if I don’t make it back? I couldn’t bear to do that to Evie after Jack.
‘It can wait,’ he said. ‘We have all the
time in the world, darling.’

‘Do we?’ Evie thought of all the people she had lost in the last few months.

‘If not, we have to make the most of the time we have,’ he said, pulling her into his arms. ‘I’ve searched my whole life for you, and I’m not going to lose you
now.’ He kissed her neck, his words washing over her. ‘I love you, Evie, and if we get through this war, I want our life, and our family to be different.’

Evie rolled over, straddled Beau as he reached up, his hands in her hair. ‘Will you marry me?’ she said.

‘Marry you?’ Beau laughed in surprise. ‘Hold on a minute, I like to think I’m a fairly modern chap, but aren’t I supposed to ask you?’

‘You took too long. Like I said, we may not have forever.’

‘But we have each other, now.’

Evie dug him in the ribs. ‘So?’

‘Ow! It’s not fair. You can’t just spring this on a man when there’s no chance of escape!’

‘I like it when I’ve got your full attention.’ She gazed into his eyes.

‘Evie …’ he said, serious for a moment.

‘It wouldn’t have to be a big wedding. We could just slip away, the two of us.’

Beau kissed her. ‘Darling, I have to go away again soon,’ he said.

‘Away? Where?’ Evie’s face fell. ‘Beau, I can’t bear it. I never know where you are, or if you’re in danger.’

He pushed a strand of hair away from her cheek. ‘Trust me.’

Evie stood and stoked the fire. ‘Well, you’ve had your chance.’ She pulled a face at him and laughed, trying to hide her disappointment. ‘I shan’t beg you to marry
me.’

‘Is that the last of the wood?’

‘Yes, would you mind getting some more?’ As Beau pulled on his thick blue wool coat and opened the back door, a draught of cold air swept through the house. Evie flopped down on the
floor and rolled over on her stomach to watch him. She could see snow falling in the light from the doorway as he trudged out to the woodshed, before the door banged shut behind him. She flicked on
the radio for the news and it crackled into life. ‘This is the BBC Home Service …’ The dancing flames were hypnotic, and when there was a knock at the door it took her a moment
to come round. ‘That’s funny,’ she said to Stalin. ‘Maybe Beau’s arms are full.’ Reluctantly she heaved herself up and pulled on her dressing gown. She went to
the back door, but there was no one there. Another knock, and she turned quickly, walked to the front door. ‘Who on earth would be calling at this hour?’ She unlatched the door, and
pulled it open, snow dragging onto the mat. ‘Daddy?’ she said.

Leo turned to her. She was shocked at his appearance, dark circles under his eyes and a couple of days’ growth on his chin.

‘Evie,’ he said uncertainly. As she hugged him tightly he relaxed. ‘It’s good to see you, darling.’

‘You too, Daddy. Come in, come in.’ She bustled him inside.

He picked up a crate from the doorstep. ‘I thought you might like some fish. There’s a couple of lobsters too.’

‘Are you still going to South Ken on a Friday?’

‘Yes. Funny isn’t it? You can’t get cheese for love or money, but you can have as many lobsters and prawns as you can carry …’ They fell into an awkward
silence.

The back door blew open. ‘Hello, Leo,’ Beau said as he strode in with an armful of wood, dropping it into the wicker basket beside the stove. He offered him his hand.

‘Alex, what a nice surprise. I hope I’m not interrupting anything?’ He eyed Evie’s dressing gown.

‘Not at all,’ Beau said. ‘It’s good to see you again.’

Evie looked from one man to the other, Leo dark and stocky, Beau athletic, golden. ‘You two know one another? How?’

‘This scoundrel?’ Leo laughed. ‘I’ve known Alex for years.’ He pulled a bottle of wine from the inner pocket of his coat and handed it to Beau.

‘Now I see where you get your tricks from,’ Beau said to her. ‘Do you have a corkscrew?’

‘It should be in the dresser drawer.’ She watched Leo as he settled down next to the fire. ‘How do you know Beau?’ she said, hands on her hips.

‘I knew his mother, before the war.’ He leant forward and beckoned Evie to come closer. ‘Alex is a fine pilot and horseman, but not someone I’d want you to be involved
with.’

‘Excuse me?’ she said indignantly. ‘You waltz in here unannounced, after months of silence …’

‘I didn’t want to intrude. I thought you needed time, and you made it clear you didn’t want any fuss on your birthday. Talking of which,’ he reached in his pocket and
handed Evie a velvet pouch. ‘These were Ingrid’s, and I know she’d want you to have them. I was furious when I found out Virginia had made you hand them over.’

Evie tipped her diamond earrings out onto the palm of her hand. ‘Thank you,’ she said, and clipped them into her ears. ‘You still can’t come here and start dictating
who—’ Beau walked back in with a tray of glasses and she stopped herself. ‘Look, Daddy brought my earrings back.’ Evie showed him the large diamond studs in her ears.

Beau’s face fell for a moment, but then he smiled. ‘This is a treat, Leo,’ he said, turning the bottle in his hand. ‘Château Lafite?’

‘It’s a peace offering.’ Leo raised his glass. ‘I’ve come to apologise to Evie, and I noticed a few bottles had gone from the cellar so I guessed she liked
it.’

‘I’ve been busted. Sorry, Daddy, I should have asked. Anyway, what do you mean, apologise?’

‘You were right, darling. Ross heard Virginia bragging to one of her bridge cronies about the bet she’d made with you. God knows I’ve turned a blind eye to a lot of things over
the years with her, but when he told me what she was up to, that was it.’ He took a sip of his wine.

‘Where is the stepmonster?’

‘Actually I don’t know. In a funny way you being at home kept us together all this time. After you left, she turned the full beam of her dissatisfaction on me. I couldn’t bear
it.’ He raised his glass. ‘Quickie divorce, and I’m a free man.’

‘Quickie?’ Evie looked doubtful. ‘How? I can’t imagine Virginia walking away easily.’

Leo dipped his index finger in his wine and traced the lip of the glass. ‘Let’s just say I had my suspicions about her for a while …’ He paused. ‘I have certain
documents and photographs. When I threatened her with a scandal, she went quietly enough.’ He emptied his glass. ‘I just wanted to let you know the coast is clear at the house.’
He patted Evie’s hand. ‘I’ll leave you to enjoy your evening. Cullen must be getting cold out in the car.’

‘You left him out there?’ Evie said incredulously. ‘Daddy.’

Leo considered her thoughtfully. ‘You’ve changed, Evie. I’m glad.’ She helped him into his fur-collared coat, and Leo pulled his hat on. ‘I’m very proud of
you, my dear,’ he said. ‘I wasn’t sure this was a good idea at all, but when I think of what you have been through …’ He patted her cheek affectionately. ‘Come
home anytime you want to.’

‘Thank you,’ she kissed him. ‘But I’m perfectly happy here.’

‘I’ll see you out,’ Beau said.

Leo closed the front door behind them and stepped out into the snow, pulling his leather gloves on.

In the shadows, Beau’s lighter flared. ‘How did it go?’ he asked.

‘Perfect. We’re all set.’

‘For heaven’s sake, you didn’t talk me up did you?’

‘No, no, exactly the opposite, just as you asked.’

Beau took a drag of his cigarette. ‘If you gave me your seal of approval she’d run a mile.’

‘Do you think she’s that childish?’

‘No,’ Beau laughed lightly as he exhaled. ‘Rebellious, headstrong …’

‘Just like you.’ Leo clapped him on the back. ‘Thank you for calling. I’d wanted to come and see her for some time, but after that dreadful falling-out when the American
chap was killed … well, I wasn’t sure she’d want to see me.’

‘She loves you very much, sir,’ Beau said. ‘She missed you too.’

‘You’re a good man, Alex,’ Leo said as they walked to his steamed-up car, the silhouette of Cullen visible just above the steering wheel. ‘We older generation do
appreciate doing things the proper way. I’m so glad you asked me for Evie’s hand. When will you propose?’

‘When the moment is right.’ Beau laughed softly. ‘Funnily enough, Evie just asked me.’

‘Did she? Good for her.’

‘I was a bit taken aback.’

‘You don’t strike me as the traditional sort, Alex.’

‘Perhaps not. I’d still like to propose properly. I was going to tonight, but this looks a bit insignificant after those earrings.’ He showed Leo the solitaire diamond
ring.

‘Oh I say, old boy, sorry if I stole your thunder.’

‘It can wait.’

‘So you’ve cleared everything up with Olivia?’

Beau shook his head. ‘She knows it’s over between us. She doesn’t know about Evie yet. I haven’t had a chance to tell her face to face.’

‘You’re a braver man than me, Alex. Hell hath no fury …’

‘How are you, by the way?’

‘So-so. Good days, bad days.’

‘Are you in pain?’

‘No, the doctors are very good. I’ve cheated fate many times in life, and I’m not going to let this ghastly disease get the better of me. I’m not called Lucky for
nothing.’

Beau took a drag of his cigarette. ‘Does Evie have any idea?’

‘No. And I don’t want her to. I have another round of treatment coming up. I’ll only tell her if there’s no hope.’

‘I understand. Perhaps we both need some luck.’

‘You take care of Jerry and I’ll sort out this damn cancer.’ They shook hands. ‘When’s your next mission?’

‘I leave tomorrow.’

‘Give my regards to your mother – if you see her.’ Leo hesitated, hugged Beau tightly. ‘Take care, my boy.’

51

Evie walked briskly along to the cottage, her boots skittering on the frozen, rutted track. She was fed up with the months of cold weather, and thought longingly of balmy
spring days. ‘I’m home,’ she called. ‘Managed to get back a bit early …’ Her voice trailed off as she noticed the pile of suitcases by the door.

‘Hello, Evie.’ Michael stepped out of the shadows of the kitchen, his dark hat in his hands.

‘Mike? What’s going on?’ Evie turned to the stairs as she heard Stella’s footsteps on the bare boards. She could see her friend had been crying, her eyes red-rimmed and
swollen. ‘Stella?’

‘I’m so glad you’re back.’ She ran to her, hugged her tightly. ‘I felt awful just leaving a note.’

‘You’re leaving already? But you’ve only been back a couple of weeks. When are you coming b—’

‘I’m not,’ Stella interrupted. She pulled a crumpled telegram from her pocket and handed it to Evie. ‘Richard’s dead,’ she said, tears streaming down her
face. ‘No. 232 Squadron lost some Hurricanes. He was one of the pilots that went down.’ She balled up her hand, pressed it against her eyes. ‘Oh God, I feel so guilty, after all
those dreadful things I said.’ She composed herself. ‘I’m going back to Ireland, to be with David and his parents, until they … they send his remains. Though what they can
possibly send home, I don’t …’ Her shoulders began to shake as Evie took her in her arms.

Michael stepped forward and picked up the cases. ‘I’m going to take Stella to Ireland. I don’t think she should be travelling alone in this condition.’