The Fire of Life (13 page)

Rayanne agreed next day when they left the house. Rather to her mixed dismay and pleasure, she found herself sitting next to Cary. Mrs Jefferson had insisted on sitting in the back. It was more comfortable, she said, but Rayanne, glancing at Cary, saw the smile playing round his mouth and knew that Mrs Jefferson had made it up; that normally she preferred the front, but she wanted to put Cary and Rayanne together! Oh, these matchmaking Mothers, Rayanne thought. If only they would leave you alone!

The day was intensely hot. Her dress was wet before she even left the house. There wasn't the slightest wind and she wondered how the old lady could bear it. But Mrs Jefferson seemed content and looking forward to her shopping.

Luckily Cary has business to do, so we can enjoy ourselves, Rayanne,' Mrs Jefferson said, propped up in the corner of the car with various cushions Cary had found for her. ' Some of the shops are quite

good.'

The earth road continued a long way, running alongside the high wire fence. They saw few wild animals, only a dozen giraffes galloping off with their funny movements away from the sound of the car.

At last the car was on the main road. This was also earth, but much more level, so the violent jerks and ·shakes that had been their lot up to then, no longer happened.

Perlee was a small town, but as Mrs Jefferson had said, there were several very good dress shops with the latest fashions. Mrs Jefferson needed some new clothes, she said, would Rayanne help her decide what to wear?

I like crazy clothes, but Cary, dear boy, is very conservative about what his mother should wear. However,' she laughed, ' I lay no store by what he say
s. I do what I like, and I tell
him so. Don't you think I'm right?'

Absolutely,' Rayanne agreed. She sat on a chair in the little fitting room while Mrs Jefferson struggled to get into a pale orange trouser suit.

What do you think?' Mrs Jefferson twisted and turned to try to see her back view in the mirror.

' It does something to you,' said Rayanne, and it did. Besides, why shouldn't Cary's mother wear what she liked? After all, when you get old, Rayanne thought, there can be very few pleasures to enjoy, so why not let her enjoy this?

Good!' Mrs Jefferson beamed. What about

you?' She turned to the assistant. Have you any really thin clothes? My young friend feels the heat

very much.'

Rayanne hesitated. Did she really need any more thin clothes? After all, she couldn't stay there
forever
, and they'd be far too thin to wear in an English summer.

The assistant brought two dresses, one leaf-green and one snow-white.

They look just you, Rayanne my dear,' Mrs Jefferson said eagerly. Do try them on.'

So Rayanne did, and Mrs Jefferson was right. They were perfect—light, beautifully thin and comfortable. But were they really necessary?

Do have them, Rayanne,' a deep voice said.

Rayanne swung round, startled. Cary stood in the doorway, smiling at them. She was wearing the leaf-green dress.

You like it?' she asked.

He shrugged. Does that matter? The important thing is that you like them, so why not have them?'

Why not, indeed?' his mother chimed in. It's

going to get hotter in the days ahead, Rayanne, dear child. You're going to need them.'

Rayanne stared at Cary. Should she ask him how long she could stay? His eyes met hers and there was a moment of silence. Rayanne had the strangest of feelings—that he could read her thoughts.

Yes, Ray,' he said gravely, take them. You're going to need them.'

That evening was strange, Rayanne thought, but they all seemed to miss Aileen. Dinner was a quiet meal despite the excellently-cooked food Mrs Jefferson's cook,. Matilda, had prepared for them. There were sudden silences that seemed to last
forever
.

Afterwards as they drank coffee in the drawing-room, Mrs Jefferson sighed.

' I think I'll go to bed,' she told them. I have

what feels like a migraine on its way.'

Rayanne walked with the old lady. You'll be all right?' she asked anxiously.

Mrs Jefferson smiled. Quite all right. It's been

a trying time for us all,' she said, and closed the door.

Puzzled, Rayanne stood for a moment in the corridor. She could hear the cicadas humming away and an occasional howl of some wild animal coming from the distance. What had Mrs Jefferson meant? she wondered. It's been a trying time for us all.' Mrs Jefferson seemed to be rather confused; one moment she was saying she found Aileen both boring and tiring, the next she obviously missed her. One moment she had almost ignored Rayanne, making a fuss of Aileen, the next being glad Aileen had gone, and fussing over Rayanne! And now?

Back in the drawing room, the two men were silent as Rayanne joined them. She poured them all a second cup of coffee and the silence remained. Suddenly she laughed:

' You know, it's odd, but we all miss Aileen.'

Cary looked up, his face creased with a frown. And why should it be odd?' he asked. ' Aileen is intelligent and interesting to talk to. Very dedicated to her work.'

Rayanne felt the colour in her cheeks. ' Oh, I wasn't suggesting that she wasn't interesting. We used to talk for hours in my room at night. It's just that . . . well, I understand she hopes to go on this lecture tour with . . . I can't remember his name.'

Cary stared at her, his face grave. ' Yes, Alto Georgius. I hope to join her. It should not only be an interesting tour but may really help us make people see how important conservation is.'

' You're joining her?' Burt sounded surprised. ' Yes, I am,' Cary said quietly.

Burt whistled softly. ' Look, Christine's giving a party to the visiting staff. She asked me, but I thought I'd be playing chess with your ma, Cary, so I said No, but there's nothing much to do, so let's go.' He smiled at Rayanne. Coming?'

She hesitated. ' I wasn't asked.' She and Christine had hardly exchanged more than a dozen words, and those only when Christine had no choice, for Cary was there.

Surprisingly Cary laughed. Neither was I.

Somehow I don't think they're the sort of parties Ray enjoys, Burt.'

Burt looked annoyed. ' Well, we must do something. We can't just sit here.' He looked at Rayanne Let's go and see Samantha and Mike. I met him earlier today and he said something about fixing it for me to go and film that new baboon

family. You can talk to Samantha, she'll be glad to see us. She's pretty fed-up, and. I can't say I blame her. It's like being married to a football fan. Mike thinks of nothing but his work. Tough on the wife.'

No more tough than being married to a doctor, a merchant seaman . . or practically any marriage, for a wife has to accept her husband's involvement with his work,' Cary said quietly—a quietness that made Rayanne shiver for a moment. She knew he was angry about something. But what was it? she wondered. She was even more frightened when he suddenly turned to her and snapped: ' How often do you see Samantha?'

She blinked for a moment. Not as often as I

should, I suppose,' she told him. ' We do sometimes pop in for coffee, don't we, Burt? Also if Burt isn't with me, I get Kwido to take me there on my way back.'

' I see.' Cary's dark tufty eyebrows seemed about to meet as he frowned. You say you don't see her as often as you should. I wonder if you're not seeing her too much.'

Too much?' Rayanne's voice rose with surprise.

Cary nodded. Yes, too much.' His voice was cold. ' Sister Macintyre has been talking to me about Samantha. She says that Samantha's condition has gradually grown worse since you came here.'

' Condition?'

He nodded. Daphne Macintyre reckons she's

on the verge of a nervous breakdown—Samantha is,

I mean.' He frowned again. ' She's got steadily

more depressed, resentful and full of ailments that don't really exist. Daphne reckons that Samantha is like a child, trying to gain attention.'

She needs it,' said Burt, almost growling. Cary glanced at him, but ignored the remark as he went on:

As I told you when you first came, Ray, I'm not happy about the wardens' wives meeting girls like you. It makes them discontented, resenting their isolation. After all, surely a wife's duty is to share her husband's interests. I seem to remember you telling me that once.'

Rayanne caught her breath as her cheeks grew hot. She could remember it, too, so plainly. Also the soft gentle way he had answered her, saying: ' I think that's rather wonderful.'

Mike's a good chap. I'd hate to see his marriage threatened,' Cary finished.

It was Burt now who was angry, so angry that his voice trembled. Look, Cary, if you want to see someone who is threatening the Crisps' marriage, it's that Daphne Macintyre. She hasn't an ounce of brains in her head nor a soft spot in that hard heart of hers. Every time Samantha goes to the Clinic, Daphne starts talking about the essential ingredients of a contented marriage, which is to share interests and have children . .

And what's wrong with that?' Cary snapped.

Burt scowled. Daphne hasn't a clue what marriage requires. Children are not essential—they may even harm a marriage. In this case, though, I think it's the answer, but it isn't exactly tactful of Daphne to harp on it when Samantha and Mike have

been trying to have a child for the last five years. It's like twisting a knife in a wound. Samantha always comes back in tears.'

You seem to know a lot about Samantha,' Cary said gruffly.

Burt smiled. Sure I do. Mike and I are real

buddies, but Samantha weeps on my shoulder.' Then he frowned. Look, let's get this straight. If Samantha has got worse since Rayanne came, it's not her fault—Rayanne's, I mean. It's Daphne's. As for Rayanne, if anything, she's tried to interest Samantha in her husband's work. All Rayanne talks about these days is the importance of conservation.' He smiled across the room at Rayanne who was sitting very still, her hands tightly clutched together. She's getting even worse than you, Cary, and never stops talking about it.'

Daphne Macintyre has been in charge of the Clinic for several years,' Cary said, in the rather pompous way he sometimes used and which Rayanne hated. ' I have no record of Daphne making a wrong diagnosis. She's seriously concerned for Samantha and that a nervous breakdown might occur.'

Rayanne found her voice. ' That's absolute rubbish, Cary! Samantha isn't like that. She's just bored and lonely. Mike is out all day and most nights he's studying or making notes. He has a lot of paperwork, as you know.' She sighed. Burt is right, you know, Cary. The, Crisps want a baby —so badly. If only . .

Burt suddenly clapped his hands. I've got it!

What fools we were not to think about it before.'

He smiled as he turned to Rayanne. Look, if they can't have one, they could adopt one. Lots of people adopt children and then have some of their own. They say it's because the mother stops worrying about it, and . .

Cary stood up. His face might have been -carved out of stone, it was so cold and lifeless.

' I would prefer you to refrain from interfering with the private lives of my employees, Burt. It's their affair, not yours. There are some people who find it impossible to accept other men's children. It's possible Mike feels that way.'

Then Mike would be plain selfish,' Rayanne said indignantly.

Cary looked at her. Would he? Or would it be Samantha who was being selfish?' He glanced at his watch. I've some letters to write, so if you'll excuse me . . .' He left hurriedly.

Burt whistled softly as he looked across the room. He's really mad tonight. I wonder what's rattled him. I didn't think he was that partial to Aileen Hampton's charm, but seems like he's missing her.' He stood up. Come along, Rayanne, let's go and see the Crisps. I can take the Land Rover I usually have.'

He pulled Rayanne to her feet and went on holding her hands, smiling down at her, swinging her hands gently.

Or shall we stay here, alone?' he asked, his eyes twinkling. A romantic setting. I could put on some music, turn low the lights . .

Of course he was joking, Rayanne told herself, but a shiver went down her back. Was he? Some-

times there was a look in his eyes that frightened her. Not that she was afraid of Burt—but she liked him too much to want to hurt him Perhaps it was just her imagination, but .. .

She managed a laugh. Let's go and see

Samantha and Mike, Burt. I wonder if they've ever discussed adopting a child. It might really be the answer.'

They went outside into the perfumed dark night with the sky's blackness broken by the beauty of the new moon. Rayanne looked up.

' It's unbelievable that man has been up there . .

Burt's hand was under her elbow as he guided her across the drive to the Land Rover. Many things are unbelievable today.' He paused and for one moment Rayanne thought he was going to take her in his arms. What should she do? she wondered wildly. He was too nice to hurt. She couldn't slap his face, or turn hers away . . . nor could she let him kiss her and believe that she loved him.