The golden valley Read online

  CHAPTER X

  WHEN Sally saw Jonathan walking down the corridor, she stood up and hurried to meet him, still holding her painful wrist tightly. She felt absurdly weak and a little dizzy, but she could only think of one thing. "Netta? How is she?" she asked breathlessly. He stood still, towering above her, his face hard and cold. "She'll be all right. Fortunately we got her here in time. We could have you arrested for abduction, you know. She's a minor." Sally thought he was joking. "We were only going for a drive. You've no right to keep her shut up in the valley." "You have no right to criticise or defy us," he said icily. "Netta could easily have died, and . . ." Sally put out a hand vaguely as everything seemed to spin round, and the next thing she knew was that she was in Jonathan's arms, being carried down the corridor. "I ... I'm all right . . ." she said shakily. "You flaked out," he said. "Better have the doctor give you a check-up." He spoke as coldly as before. He had no sympathy with or concern for her. Sally knew. She closed her eyes, unable to bear the closeness of his face. She could have put out her hand and traced the outline of his arrogant square jaw, the strangely high cheekbones, the way his short fair hair grew on his temples so easily. "You'd better have a look at this one. Doctor," Jonathan said curtly, gently lowering Sally on to the couch. Sally opened her eyes as the bald, plump little man came to her side. He was wearing a white jacket and trousers now, but he still wore that icily cold look. 141 THE GOLDEN VALLEY "Oh yes, of course, she was in the car, too." "Driving," Jonathan said drily. He stood back. Sally felt the sharp pain jab right through her as the doctor picked up her limp hand, and before she could help it she cried out. He laid her hand down gently. "Bad, eh? Think we'd better X-ray it. Could be a broken bone. Hurt anywhere else?" It was difficult to speak for a moment, for waves of pain were still sweeping through her. "I ... I ache all over and . . ." She made a vague motion with her left hand towards her ribs, and was shocked to see how it was shaking. "I hurt there . . . and I'm cold and . . ." The doctor swung round. "Look, Jonathan, I think we'd better get her to bed. A case of delayed shock and probably a cracked rib or two. I imagine she got flung around quite a bit when they had to brake. Come back later." Jonathan gave Sally a quick look. "I'll notify Mr. White," he said, his voice cold. "He's out," Sally told him. "So is ... is everyone except Piet." "I see. Well, I'll phone them later," Jonathan said, and walked out of the room. Sally was caught up in the mechanism of the hospital, passed from one nurse to another, finding herself being X-rayed, undressed and lent one of the hospital's nightgowns and tucked up in bed with hot water bottles, given an injection, and having her wrist strapped up with a splint and plaster. "Why didn't you tell us you'd hurt your wrist?" Dr. Maude asked crossly. "You were busy with Netta . . ." Sally said sleepily. "Maybe," he said dryly, "but you could have told us you were in pain." Sally coloured. "Could I?" she said, THE GOLDEN VALLEY He pulled his chair up and sat down. His eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he looked at her. "No, you couldn't," he agreed unexpectedly. "Netta's going to be all right but it was a near thing." He stood up as if restless and went to the window. "I'v strapped up your ribs, but there's no real damage done there, but you can't go home for a couple of days," he said curtly, and then left the room. It was a small single ward. Everything was bright with white walls, white curtains and white bedspread. There was a bell Sally could ring if she needed help, but for most of the day she slept. When she did lie awake, she tried to sleep again, for her thoughts were not comforting ones. What she had done was unforgivable in Jonathan's and Ouma's eyes yet if the truth was told, it was not because she had taken Netta for a ride that the trouble started, it was because to Netta every man was a potential killer. What a strange way to bring up a girl. Sally thought, to trust no one and to fear everyone. What sort of preparation for life was that? Or perhaps Ouma planned to keep Netta in the valley all her life but what would happen when Ouma died? Sally wondered. Or had Jonathan promised to do the same? The doctor looked in late that evening. He seemed pleased with her progress. "You're reacting well. How's the hand?" he asked. "All right if I remember not to move it," Sally confessed. "I still ache, but I don't feel I'm falling apart any longer." She hesitated. "Netta?" He sat down by her side. "She's fine. It was mostly shock, you know." He went on thoughtfully, "The excitement of breaking away from the valley, the thrill of being in a car for the first time, then the fright of your bouncing about . . ." " And the lorry driver looked quite terrifying," Sally THE GOLDEN VALLEY said. "But he was such a nice man and so hurt because Netta accused him of wanting to kill her. If only I hadn't given way to Netta's pleading." Doctor Maude laughed ruefully. . "While I don't condone your taking Netta for a drive for it was a very dangerous risk I sympathise with you, for I know' how she can behave. D'you know the latest?" "No," Sally said. She could believe anything of Netta, she thought. "Netta's story is that you and she were running away." "Oh, no! " Sally's hand flew to her mouth in dismay. "But that's ridiculous. We hadn't any clothes . . ." "She says that you promised to buy her new clothes as she hated her old ones," Doctor Maude said. Sally stared in dismay. "But you don't ... no one could believe that? I mean, we. . . I hadn't enough money, and ..." "She also suggested that you might have been planning to hold her to ransom," he added dryly. Sally gasped. "But that's . . ." "Fantastic," he supplied with a smile. "Anyone who knows Netta realises that." He looked grave. "The danger is that she might and she will, if she gets the chance talk to people who don't know her and her little ways." "I don't understand," Sally began. He looked at her. "The Press. This may be a small town, but news travels like wildfire, and they've been besieging us already, wanting a story, a photograph of each of you . . ." Sally's eyes were wide with dismay. "Oh dear, it must have been the other driver who told them. I thought he looked curious. Jonathan will be livid!" "He is," Doctor Maude said. "Anyhow, don't worry about Netta. It was quite a small cut and not very deep, THE GOLDEN VALLEY and she's not suffering from shock any more. In fact, she's enjoying herself. Our problem is to keep her quiet for a few days, and that's quite a problem." He stood up. "Could I see her?" Sally asked, a little nervously. He looked at her. "If it was my affair I'd say, certainly. She's constantly asking for you and you're obviously the only friend she's ever had. On the other hand, Ouma feels very strongly about it, and Jonathan . . ." "Disapproves with equal strength," Sally said bitterly. "He's never liked me or trusted me from the first time we met." The doctor hesitated. "I don't think it's you he distrusts, but . . ." "Mr. White?" Sally tossed back her hair. "Oh, but he distrusts me, too, because I work for Mr. White. He's called me a liar before now." "But I gather," Doctor Maude said quietly, "that on one occasion you called him a liar, too." He closed the door quietly behind him and left Sally staring at it worriedly. How many people had Jonathan told of that little episode telling them also, of course, what a fool she had made of herself when she wore the beads to Chief Keremido's krall? In the morning. Sally's first visitor was the last one she would have expected. Cynthia Maddox! How lovely she looked. Sally thought, very conscious of the oldfashioned hospital nightdress she was wearing and that her hair must look lank and she wore no make-up, as she looked at Cynthia in a wine-red tussore frock with a matching hat. Cynthia brought some white lilies and gave them to Sally. "You're in the news again. Sally," she said gaily, and smiled. "But not as a heroine this time." She sat down gracefully and arranged her skirt before 146 THE GOLDEN VALLEY looking up. "The town is full of reporters and photo graphers. Ubito has never known such publicity, and we're not sure that we like it." "But . . . but why . . ." Sally began. Cynthia took some newspaper clippings from her handbag and passed them to Sally. Sally stared in horror at the headlines. "Fanatic Millionairess Locks Up Teenager" "Beautiful Young Heiress Escapes from Valley Prison" "Seventeen Years in Valley Prison and Now She Escapes" Sally read them through hastily, her depression growing. How Ouma and Jonathan must hate her, she thought miserably. "Well," Cynthia said with a smile, "satisfied at the stir you've created? You know," she went on, "it was very foolish of you to tak
e the child for a drive. I had warned you about her." "But it's not true," Sally said quickly. "Netta is . . ." "Safer in the valley. Look at the way she reacted to that man. He only meant to help you, but she thought he meant to kill her. You've upset Ouma very much, I understand. She had, for the first time in her life, to take a sleeping pill. As for Jonathan . . ." "He's very angry," Sally sighed unhappily. She looked at her wrist bandaged in a sling, and remembered Jonathan's lack of interest in her. "Sally," Cynthia said so sharply that Sally looked up. 'You foolish child ..." Cynthia went on, her voice suddenly kind. "You've fallen in love with Jonathan, haven't you? Don't bother to lie it stands out a mile. I did warn you. Sally. You poor girl," she finished sympathetically. It was the worst possible thing to say, for Sally's eyes, sternly disciplined not to cry, suddenly gave way and the tears swept down her cheeks. With her free hand, she THE GOLDEN VALLEY fumbled for the handkerchief she knew wasn't there and had to accept, gratefully, the handful of tissues Cynthia passed her. "Sally, I told you long ago that Jonathan and I have an understanding and . . ." "Netta thinks he's going to marry her," Sally said as she mopped her face unhappily. Cynthia laughed softly. "Poor Netta, and naughty Ouma! It's Ouma's idea, of course, and Jonathan may go along with it and marry Netta, for the poor child obviously needs someone, but she won't live long." Sally stopped crying at once. "Why not?" Cynthia shrugged. "Some little-known but fatal disease, I understand. A few years and . . ." "How can you talk of it like that?" Sally cried. "You forget. Sally, I've never met Netta," Cynthia said quietly. "She's just a name to me and the cause of our having to be so patient. I'm more concerned about you. Sally. I wish you could get away right away from here." "I am I'm leaving soon," Sally began, and then realised what she had said. "Please don't tell anyone," she begged. "I haven't handed in my resignation yet and I'd hate Mr. White to hear of it from . . . from someone else. He's rather alarming at times," she added with a smile. "And what will you do?" Cynthia asked. "Go back to my Aunt Gabby in England. I can soon get a job and ..." A lump was in Sally's throat. She looked out of the window at the hospital lawns on which were strolling many of the Xhosa walking-patients. She could hear their voices and laughter. How could she bear to leave this lovely colourful land? she asked herself. "I think you're a very sensible girl. Sally," Cynthia said as she stood up. "And I hope you find happiness in THE GOLDEN VALLEY England," she added with a smile before she left the room. Sally lay against the pillows, very still, staring at the white lilies. She could hear voices and footsteps in the corridor outside, but she was left alone. She closed her eyes and thought of what Cynthia had told her. Netta had some kind of disease that meant she could only live a short time? What could it be? She could not bear the thought of Netta, so full of life and mischief, having to face a long hopeless illness. Perhaps that was why Ouma was so protective a quiet life might be the only one Netta should lead. The door opened and it was the doctor. He came in with a smile. "And how's the patient? Feel like some more visitors? They're almost queuing up, but I don't want you overtired." As he spoke, he took her pulse quietly. "I'm fine," Sally said. Who could be her visitors? she wondered with an inward shiver. He smiled, his plump face creasing into deep lines. "You are actually the patient here, you know. Our anxiety as regards Netta had to do with her condition. I understand you know about it?" "Cynthia told me ... it's fatal. It can't be, surely?" Sally queried unhappily. The doctor frowned. "No, I wouldn't call it fatal, but it could be. It's a blood disease a very severe form of anaemia. That's why Jonathan was so alarmed when he saw the blood pouring out of the cut on Netta's face. It wasn't a bad cut, but if help had not arrived in time, it could have proved serious." "I didn't know," Sally said softly. "Is that why . . .?" "That's why she's never been allowed to go to school or mix with people, as Ouma feared she would ride someone's bicycle, fall off and ..." He shrugged as he THE GOLDEN VALLEY paused for a moment. "There's always the danger of being involved in a car smash, too, no matter how good a driver you are, so Ouma ruled out cars. Always in their garage there is a car with a driver waiting, in case Netta hurts herself, loses too much blood, and has to be rushed to hospital for a transfusion." "Netta knows?" He shook his head, rubbing his hand over his bald patch. "No, we thought it wiser not to tell her. As soon as we're sure she has stopped growing probably at the end of this year Jonathan is taking her to America where some very good results have been found from a special treatment they have. We have every hope that Netta will be cured, or greatly helped, and there is no reason at all why she shouldn't lead a perfectly normal life." Sally felt the tenseness leave her body. "I'm so glad." He smiled. "You really are, I can see that. Netta grows on one, doesn't she? Infuriating one moment, endearing the next. I'm sorry for the man who marries her," he added as he turned away. At the door, he looked back. "I'll let you have the visitors, another one this morning and two this afternoon, but I'll tell Nurse to keep an eye on them as I don't want you overtired," he finished, and left her. In a few moments, the door opened and it was Kay. "Sally!" she smiled as she closed the door behind her" What on earth made you do such a stupid thing?" she asked, bringing in a suitcase Sally recognised as her own, and sitting on the chair. "And why didn't you tell us you knew Netta? Dad is furious with you." Kay was looking just as pretty as usual. Sally thought, with her swinging hair and her tapered black stretchpants and bright orange shirt, but there was something unhappy about her face. "Why is he angry?" Sally asked. Kay sighed. "Honestly, Sally, I don't know. I only THE GOLDEN VALLEY know it's absolutely awful at M'Lita. Dad and Piet are barely talking, both sit glaring at one another. I get my head bitten off every time I speak, and as for poor Douglas, he can't do anything right. Your Jonathan rang us up this morning to tell us we'd been in a flat spin about you, for when I went in to see you last night Douglas and I stayed in Ubito to see a film he didn't want to but I got him to, in the end; anyhow, I went in and you weren't in bed. The exchange was off, so we couldn't ring anyone, and Douglas was well " She gave a funny little laugh. "If he's not in love with you. Sally, I hate to think how he'd behave if someone he loved was missing. He organised a search party and rushed out and then came back, saying that one of the boys had said you were in hospital. Jonathan rang us as soon as the exchange was on and told us not to worry, but that you had to stay in a few days so I brought some clothes." "Thanks awfully," Sally said. She touched the neatly crocheted lace of the nightgown buttoned up round her neck. "I feel weird in this." Kay seemed to notice Sally's sling for the first time. "Are you hurt?" "Not much. Some broken bones in my wrist and my ribs are . . . bruised. I'll be home in a day or two. Why is your father angry with me?" Sally asked. "It wasn't my fault." "Have you seen the papers?" Kay asked, and when Sally nodded, she said: "That's why. It's incredible, but already there are people in the valley taking photos and asking questions of us all. The Press, of course. Dad also says you've antagonised Ouma or whatever she's called so much that we haven't a hope of getting on her land to look . . ." Kay stopped speaking abruptly and a dull flush crept up her cheeks. "Look for legends and things about the Xhosas," she THE GOLDEN VALLEY added hastily. She glanced at her watch. "I must go. They wouldn't let Douglas in. They the doctor said I could only see you for ten minutes. Maybe it's as well," she added with an odd laugh, "for Douglas is nearly out of his mind with worry and will want to know how you are." Her hand on the door knob, Kay turned to look at Sally. "Are you sure there's nothing between you and Douglas?" she asked. Sally looked at her. "I'm quite, quite sure, Kay," she said earnestly. "I like him very much, but that's all, honestly." Kay smiled, her whole face lighting up. "It was just the way he fusses about you and . . . and something Cynthia said. See you soon . . . 'bye!" she said, and vanished. Sally was left alone until lunch was brought in by a friendly little nurse with dark hair and dancing eyes. "Well," she said gaily, "you have stirred up a pretty kettleful of fish. Isn't Netta a honey?" she chattered on. "But the things she says!" she added with a giggle. "I know," Sally smiled, and was glad to be alone again. Two visitors th
is afternoon, the doctor had said. Sally wondered who they could be. Jonathan probably, she thought, with a slight shiver. It was not that she was afraid of his anger but that she was terrified of betraying herself when he was with her. Why on earth, she asked herself miserably, had she to fall in love with a man like Jonathan? Why couldn't she have fallen for someone like Douglas, so easy to get on with and understand, so helpful always, never calling her a liar or being arrogant and ordering her about? She closed her eyes. She had changed into one of her own brushed wool nylon pyjamas. It was an eau-de-nil green, and she had brushed her hair as well as she could with her left hand, and got the nurse to tie it back in THE GOLDEN VALLEY a pony-tail with a ribbon. She had also managed to make-up, so she felt better prepared for what lay ahead than when she had looked so dreadful in the hospital nightgown. She was tense as she waited, watching the hands of the clock creep round for Kay had thoughtfully brought the travelling clock as well as make-up, and clothes and her writing pad. Sally was thinking that she would have to learn to write with her left hand when the door opened. Sally just stared and stared, unable to believe her eyes, and then the short, plump, white-haired woman in the long black dress walked into the room, closing the door behind her. "Ouma?" Sally gasped, and then went bright red. "I beg your pardon, I mean, Mrs. McSeveney." The old woman smiled. She had a black hat perched on her braided white hair and a fur cape round her shoulders. "Call me Ouma, Sally. I expect you have grown used to it when talking with Netta. May I sit down?" she said. "Please do. This is awfully good of you ... I mean . . " Sally began, confused and startled, "is Netta . . . ?" Ouma's mouth twitched with what seemed to be amusement. "She is having what is known in modern jargon as, according to Nurse, a 'ball'." She sat down, one hand playing with the locket that dangled round her neck. "Jonathan says that you're the one most hurt by the unfortunate occurrence and that it's not your fault." Her eyes were wary, her voice slow as if she had to consider each word before she sa.id it. Sally blushed again. "I shouldn't have taken her out for a drive, I know, but . . ." Ouma nodded. "I know Netta and her beguiling ways. THE GOLDEN VALLEY Sometimes I think she should be an actress. She seems able to turn on tears or smiles by pushing a button," she said quietly. Sally laughed. "Yes, she does, but she's a darling." "She's very fond of you. Sally," Ouma said slowly. "You must think me a terrible monster to have kept her shut up." "I understand now. The doctor told me. It must be very worrying," Sally replied quickly. Ouma stood up and went to the window, idly pleating the curtain in her fingers. "I am very worried. Fortunately Jonathan understands the situation and I can lean on him. I sometimes wonder what I would do without Jonathan." She turned round and looked at Sally, a strange expression on her face. "Jonathan is very fond of Netta," she said. Sally nodded. "I can see that. He loves her very much." Ouma's face changed, became bright, her eyes shining. "Yes, he does, doesn't he? One day . . ." she began, and the door opened. It was the doctor. "Time's up," he said with a smile. "Your next visitor is champing at the bit," he said with a quick smile at Sally, "so relax for half an hour. It won't hurt him to wait for once," he added, as he manoeuvred Ouma out of the room and closed the door. Sally stared at the closed door. Her next visitor could only be Jonathan. She felt for the mirror in her handbag and looked worriedly at her face. What worried her most were her eyes, for they kept filling with tears, and Jonathan mustn't see that, she thought. If they had been out of doors, she could have taken refuge behind her dark glasses, but in here she was so vulnerable. She was glad that Ouma had forgiven her. A strange thought made Sally feel uncomfortable. Had Ouma come for a specific reason? Why all that talk of Jonathan THE GOLDEN VALLEY and Netta? Had Ouma guessed as Cynthia had that Sally was in love with Jonathan, and was this a subtle form of pleading by Ouma to ask Sally to leave Jonathan alone ? It was a worrying thought for Sally, for if Ouma and Cynthia could see it then perhaps Jonathan had seen it, too. And that would be the end! The absolute end, she told herself, blinking fast. He would be more arrogant and superior than ever. He was so sure he was always right and that she was always wrong . . . She bit her lower lip that had started a horrible habit of quivering. Maybe the doctor was right and she shouldn't have visitors. They were upsetting her. Sally thought. She felt tempted to ring the bell and tell the nurse she felt ill then they would leave her alone. She smiled ruefully. That would give Jonathan a weapon he would gladly use. He would despise her for what he would soon recognise as her cowardice. That was all it was, she told herself. She was just a coward . . . The door opened and Sally dropped the mirror quickly, but not before Jonathan noticed it. He closed the door and surveyed her thoughtfully. "You'll pass," he said slowly, as he had done once before, and remembering the occasion the day they had gone to Chief Keremido's kraal Sally felt her cheeks burning. "Certainly an improvement on yesterday," Jonathan went on, pulling the chair towards him, twirling it round and straddling it, resting his arms on the chair back. "You were very wan." Sally looked at him with a strange hunger she had never known before. He was so good-looking she loved that Viking look of his fair short hair, the arrogant way he held his head, the piercing blue of his eyes. She had rarely envied anyone, but at that moment she envied THE GOLDEN VALLEY Netta with all her heart lucky Netta whom Jonathan loved so much. Sally was sure it was Netta he loved, though Cynthia was equally sure he loved her, but somehow Sally felt that had Jonathan to choose he would always choose Netta. His fear for her, his tenderness and concern ... "The doctor tells me you had quite a bruising in the car," Jonathan said abruptly. "He also tore a few strips off me for not having realised you were in pain the other day. It seems I owe you an apology for neglecting you, but as you know it was different where Netta was concerned . . ." "I know," Sally said quietly. Of course it was different, she thought, you love her. Jonathan asked if he could smoke, and when she said he could, he slowly lighted a cigarette and then looked at her. "Know something. Sally?" he asked. "I'm disappointed in you. I pride myself on being a good judge of character. Right from the beginning, I liked you, and even when circumstances " he smiled for a moment " such as Mr. White made me ask myself if you could be trusted, I still felt you could. That was why when I learned you were secretly meeting Netta I did nothing about it." Sally stared at him. "You knew all the time?" He nodded. "Of course." He inhaled slowly and watched the smoke drift ceilingwards. "I have my spies. Petrus, for one. I've never ever approved of Ouma's handling of Netta. As you know, we had to guard her, but I still felt she should have met people and not been so secluded. Ouma carried it to extremes." His voice changed and became cold and brittle as ice. "What I find hard to forgive is that you knowing the danger Netta would be in if involved in a car crash deliberately took her for a drive." Sally drew a deep breath. "I didn't know." 156 THE GOLDEN VALLEY He frowned. 'You did know about Netta's illness." "Yes, but only . . ." Sally began. "It you had been alone on that road, with no one to send in to Ubito tor help Carstairs went to the doctor first and then traced me Netta could have bled to death," Jonathan went on severely. "You knew the danger, and yet. . ." Sally was sitting up in bed and her hand was beginning to ache. "I didn't know . . ." she tried to say. "You've just admitted that you knew," he accused her. "I didn't!" "Oh, for crying out loud!" Jonathan exclaimed, standing up and towering over her. "What do you mean? First you say you did know, and then you say you didn't. Cynthia told me herself that she had told you about Netta." "Yes, she did, but.. ." "There you are, you did know then!" Sally stared at him. It was all she could do to keep from crying. Her hand felt something on the bed and she grabbed it. It was the book she had been pretending to read. She threw it with all the violence her left hand was capable of against the wall. It crashed against the locker, knocked a glass off and landed with a terrific slam. Jonathan stared at her. The door opened and the little nurse stood there, looking at them with startled eyes. "Anything wrong?" she asked. Jonathan turned. "Nothing, Nurse. Just something Ie)) Sown. I'm afraid we broke a glass , . ." As he spoke, he picked up the book. With a worried tut-tut and a qu
ick glance at Sally's hot face, the nurse gathered the pieces and looked meaningly at Jonathan. "Not too long, the doctor said," she murmured, and then hurried from the room. THE GOLDEN VALLEY The silence seemed to fill the small space as Jonathan sat down and looked at Sally. "Perhaps you would like to explain your action," he said coldly. "I certainly would," Sally said, her voice unsteady. "If you'll let me get a word in edgeways. I've been trying all the time, but you won't listen to anyone but yourself!" "I won't open my mouth," he said solemnly, folding his arms, and Sally had the uncomfortable feeling that he was laughing at her, but he had to know the truth, even if he didn't believe you. "You are the most impossible, arrogant, pompous man I've ever had the misfortune to meet," she began, her voice still unsteady. She clenched her good hand tightly, praying for the courage to say what must be said. "I wonder why I'm wasting my time," she went on, her voice growing stronger. "For I know you'd rather believe anyone but me. I'll . . . I'll start at the beginning." "Please do," he said coldly. "I met Netta by chance. I was down by the river and I saw something move. I thought it was the tokoloshe . . . but of course, I knew it wasn't, for such things don't exist." "Don't they?" he asked. She had seen the way his eyes flickered as she had deliberately mentioned the word "tokoloshe", but he made no comment. "Of course they don't," she said crossly. "The next time I was there I heard a laugh and I called out, because I thought it was Ouma going to shoot at me again . . . and . . . and Netta appeared. I had a shock, for I didn't ... I hadn't heard of her then. We talked and she told me who she was, and . . ." Sally lifted her eyes and looked at Jonathan. "If you don't believe me," she said defiantly, "you can check with Netta. She was the one who had turned the THE GOLDEN VALLEY signpost round and that's why I trespassed that first day. She was lonely and had heard there were two girls at M'Lita and wanted to meet us, and she thought if I got lost and turned up, Ouma would have to be polite." "A likely story," Jonathan commented, "but please continue." Sally caught her breath. "You can ask her. She seems able to to get around the valley. I can only think she saw me driving the Land Rover, then somehow got to the signpost, changed it, waited until I had driven by, changed it back again and ran to her home. She told me she waited for me to drive up and then she heard the shots, and she said she cried and cried and cried." Unconsciously, Sally had mimicked Netta's voice and she saw Jonathan's face change. "That sounds like Netta," he admitted. Sally gave a little bow. "Thanks very much for believing me," she said, her voice faltering again with the anger that filled her. "That night, Kay mentioned to me that there was a granddaughter hidden in the valley, and when we were at a dance at the Club Cynthia talked of her. Cynthia seemed upset because she'd never met Ouma or the mysterious granddaughter," she went on, not looking at Jonathan, but studying the neatness of the plaster strips on her wrist. "She said that . . . that there must be something to make Ouma hide Netta. She didn't say she was mad, but . . . but that she might have been mentally retarded." She looked up and stared at Jonathan's impassive face. "I knew Netta wasn't. She's young and . . . and gets excited at times, but she isn't odd in any way. It made me angry and I wanted to defend her, but I couldn't because . . ." "Because?" "Because Netta said that if Ouma found out she'd send her to a convent as a punishment." THE GOLDEN VALLEY "And you believed that of Ouma?" Jonathan said coldly. Sally shrugged. "I didn't realise then how much Netta loves to exaggerate, but I did think Ouma would be angry if she found out, so I ... I kept my mouth shut. Cynthia also said that Netta's mother committed suicide because her marriage broke up, but . . . but Netta had told me that her father killed her mother and .. ." There was a faint smile on Jonathan's stern mouth. "You were completely confused." Sally's cheeks burned. "Of course I was." "You'd like the truth?" he asked, his tone still slightly amused. "Not if you don't want to tell me," Sally retorted. He glanced at her quickly. "Yes, I do. Netta's father did not kill her mother and her mother did not commit suicide. It was tragic but completely unnecessary. Netta's mother was brought up just as Netta has been, protected and taught that the world was a fearsome place. The man she married was a gold-miner who found his way into the valley, and she hated life in a mining camp. She was jealous and possessive and in the end took too many sleeping pills. The tragic part was that her husband loved her very much, and shortly afterwards died himself. That was how Ouma got the care of Netta, and it was then that it was discovered that she had this blood disease." "But surely Ouma learned from her daughter that . . ." "Over-protection is a mistake?" Jonathan said. "She has, now. She realises that Netta wouldn't be in hospital if she hadn't been so sure that man meant to kill her." "There are other things, too," Sally said earnestly. Now she'd had the courage to stand up to Jonathan, she felt it a good chance to tell him some more home truths. "Keeping Netta hidden has made people talk. and that sort of thing sticks. It could be years from now, but THE GOLDEN VALLEY someone will say, 'There must have been something wrong with the girl, otherwise they wouldn't have hidden her.' And . . . and also, Jonathan," the words tumbled out of her mouth, "it isn't fair to Netta to let her only know you. I mean, unless she meets other men, how can she be sure she loves you? The way Ouma behaves is giving Netta quite the wrong idea." "It is?" Jonathan asked quietly. Sally felt her cheeks burn. "It most certainly is. Netta fears every man except you. In her mind you aren't an ordinary man, you're a sort of super-giant, a knight on a white charger . . ." "And you don't think I am one?" Jonathan asked, searching for his cigarette case, and lighting a cigarette. Sally drew a long deep breath. What would he say, she wondered, if she told him the truth? That to her he was more than a knight on a white charger, he was the most handsome, thrilling, exasperating, lovable, infuriating . . . She managed a smile. "Seriously, though, Jonathan, you do agree with me, don't you?" "Oh, absolutely," he said lightly. "Couldn't have said it better myself. Just what I've been trying to make Ouma see for years." He stood up, putting the chair back into its proper place. "Well, if I may be completely corny, I must say that out of evil often comes good. Ouma has seen her mistakes and is planning to take Netta on a long trip round the world. At the end of the year, I'll join them and we'll go to America." "I'm glad," Sally said warmly, but inside her there was a cold, unhappy ache, for she knew what it meant. At the end of the year Jonathan would marry Netta and they would go to America for their honeymoon and . . . "The doctor said they can cure Netta," she added quickly. "What I can't understand, Jonathan, is why THE GOLDEN VALLEY Ouma lets Netta have her house in the trees and play in the river cave. She could so easily get hurt." Jonathan's hand was on the door knob, but he turned back, his face troubled. He was wearing khaki shorts and shirt, but he looked so elegant that Sally wanted, quite absurdly, to cry. Why did he have to be so perfect and so unattainable? she asked herself. "Sally, Ouma can't lock her up and they are always ready for an emergency. I'm afraid there is no definite cure," he said, his voice suddenly weary, "as yet. Every year they are making strides and they can offer us hope. A partial cure, perhaps, an alleviation, certainly. We can only try every avenue . . ." He had opened the door and turned again. "By the way, I don't imagine you're interested, but I do believe you. Actually I've just realised that we were talking at cross-purposes. Cynthia didn't know the truth about Netta until quite recently. She was mistaken when she said she'd told you." "I see," Sally murmured stiffly. So he was covering up for Cynthia now, was he? If he loved Netta so much, why did he take Cynthia out and let her believe . . . Jonathan stood, the door half-open, and smiled at her. "Know something. Sally? That's the first time a girl has thrown a book at me." Sally gasped. "But I didn't throw it at you," she said. "You didn't?" Jonathan sounded surprised. "Well, perhaps it's just as well I know that, for I was thinking what a rotten shot you were," he said, and closed the door.