The Turquoise Sea Page 2

  “Why do you always call her poor dear? I hate people who gossip!” Mrs. McCormack stopped rummaging in her handbag for a moment, and smiled tolerantly. “My dear, I pity her because she has so empty a life that she has nothing else to do but talk.” She looked into the bag again and gave a triumphant cry. “Ah!” She produced her passport. “For an awful moment, I thought I had lost it.” She looked at Kate’s face and chuckled.

  “You must think I’m a silly old fusspot.”

  “I think you’re a darling,” Kate said. “Please – you’ve never let me thank you properly for all you did for me. Having you has made all the difference to my journey. When I was so ill—”

  Mrs. McCormack’s face turned turkey-cock red. Gratitude embarrassed her so.

  “I’ve loved every moment of it. My dear, we’d better hurry. Ah ...” she said as the ship gave a light jolt. “That’s mean’s we’ve docked. Come on!” They went up to the lounge, to wait their turn. The passengers only passing through Lourengo Marques had already gone ashore to see the town, but there were still quite a number of people, all talking and laughing, saying last-minute farewells, exchanging names and addresses.

  Apart from Mrs. McCormack, Kate realized that there was no one on board she would want to see again. The shipboard romances she had often read of in novels were not, apparently, for her. There had been some young men on board, but oh — how very young they had seemed when compared with Randel Lister!

  Finally the time of waiting was over and Kate’s papers were stamped.

  She went out on deck. Mrs. McCormack was already there, leaning over the rail, gazing eagerly at a group of people standing round the gangway.

  Suddenly she gave an excited shriek, and Kate saw a tall, fair-haired man waving up at the ship.

  “There’s James. James, my son,” Mrs. McCormack said proudly. “Can you see your Mr. Lister?”

  Kate gazed hard, but could see no one remotely resembling the tall, dark-haired man whose arrival she awaited with such breathless excitement.

  “No—” she said, rather sadly.

  “Probably caught up in a conference. He’ll be along in a moment. I’ll just go down and meet James.” Mrs. McCormack went into the lounge, on her way down to the decks below and the gangway.

  Kate leant against the rail, answering those people who spoke to her but watching the people on the dock. She felt remote, detached from reality, conscious only of her impatience to start her new life.

  As she stood there, small dark cold fears crept into her mind. Mr.

  Lister’s eyes could be very cold. He would demand perfection from his employees. Suppose Rose did not like her new governess? Kate told herself that most children liked her. As for Mrs. Kelly’s dour prophecies —

  why let them worry her? After all, Kate knew very well that she was good at adapting herself to fresh and even strange situations, and why shouldn’t she learn how to live in a Portuguese household for six months?

  “Kate!” Mrs. McCormack’s voice made Kate turn round. Hurrying along the deck, a little breathless, came Mrs. McCormack, smiling up at the tall, pleasant-looking man by her side. “This is my son — James. And James, this is Kate Williams.”

  Kate stared up at the tall man and liked his very blue eyes and thought what a nice smile he had. His mother had certainly not exaggerated about his charm. Now he held Kate’s hand for a second and his eyes began to twinkle.

  “Mother has casually mentioned your name.” His laughter made Kate chuckle and then they were laughing in the shared amusement. James’s mother beamed at them.

  “I knew you’d like one another,” she said happily.

  James smiled at Kate. “Mr. Lister may have been delayed. Could I give you a lift?”

  Kate hesitated, not liking to admit that she did not know Mr. Lister’s home address — not even his business one. Suddenly that seemed rather witless of her and she shivered a little. Supposing Mr. Lister had changed his mind? Or was ill and did not turn up? As she looked into James s frankly friendly face, her fear vanished. She had the McCormacks. She need only telephone them. That gave her a feeling of security. “I think I should wait,” she told them thoughtfully.

  James nodded. “Maybe so. You know, I heard a rumor about you, but I didn’t believe it.

  “A rumor — of what?” Kate asked, rejoicing in the hot sun on her back and these two nice people standing by her side, making what was something of an ordeal so much easier to bear. Now if only Mr. Lister would turn up!

  James was smiling. “Everyone heard that Randel Lister was importing an English governess for his daughter, but no one believed it.”

  “Why ever not?” A chill ran down Kate’s back. “Why didn’t you believe it?” She frowned. “Do you know Mr. Lister well?” James shrugged. ‘We belong to the same club. I played golf with him once. We speak when we meet. That sort of acquaintance, you know.”

  “But why didn’t you believe the rumor?” James’s mother asked, practically taking the words’ out of Kate’s mouth.

  He looked uncomfortable, as if regretting his casual words now.

  “Please tell me,” Kate begged.

  He tried to make light of it, but still looked ill at ease. “You know What rumors are. Were

  always hearing things. Actually we didn’t think the Dominguez would agree.”

  “The Dominguez?” Kate and Mrs. McCormack spoke at once.

  “Senhora Dominguez is the child’s grandmother — but it was Mariana, really—”

  “Mariana?” Kate echoed, feeling more bewildered than ever.

  James’s face showed the struggle inside him.

  “It’s probably all talk, but— Well, to cut it short, Mariana is Lister’s sister-in-law. She is extremely beautiful, very selfish, and most possessive.” James’s voice was crisp. “It’s obvious that she intends to marry Lister, but how he feels about it is — well, anyone’s guess.” James shrugged. “Most men think he’s mad to hesitate. Mariana is a very beautiful and passionate creature.”

  “She sounds most unpleasant,” Mrs. McCormack said firmly, looking at her son with the nearest approach to a frown Kate could imagine on her face. “James — I cannot understand, if you know so much about her, how it is that I’ve never met her.”

  James gave her that affectionate smile that Kate was already beginning to look for, as he said, “Mama darling, she isn’t the type of woman you would introduce to your mother.”

  The answer seemed to satisfy Mrs. McCormack, but James’s eyes were twinkling as he looked at Kate. Kate’s drooping spirits lifted. How could she feel gloomy when she had friends like these?

  “But if she is that type,” Mrs. McCormack went on thoughtfully,

  “surely Mr. Lister ...”

  James looked at his watch. “I told you she was selfish, and I think Lister knows that. His engaging Kate to look after his child must have been rather a snub for Mariana. I can imagine how angry she must be.” Kate took a deep breath and tried to ignore the desolation that was creeping back. It looked as though she had a tough job ahead of her.

  “Do you know Mr. Lister’s daughter?” She asked.

  “Rose? Yes, she’s a nice little kid, but so old-fashioned. Very Portuguese and sweet, but not m the least like an English child. She is very sedate, very pale and well-behaved. Frankly, a darned bit too well behaved, if you ask me. I’m not surprised Lister thinks it’s tune to make a change. A pity he didn’t think of it before. The child needs a lot of loving, and to be taught to laugh and enjoy life.”

  “But her grandmother must love her. After all, she has looked after her for all these years,’ Kate put in hastily.

  James looked amused. “I don’t think people like the Dominguez know what we mean by love. Rose is accepted so long as she does not make a nuisance of herself, but I imagine that if she behaved like a normal healthy child, she would soon get punished.” He looked at his watch again. “I really am sorry, Mother, but we must go. Don’t worry, Kate.” He turned to the
quiet slim girl and took her hand gently, looking into her somewhat forlorn face with a reassuring smile. “You mustn’t let us worry you. I’m sure everything will work out all right. Lister is no fool. He will have made the position clear to the Dominguez. We’ll be seeing you soon.”

  “Of course,” Mrs. McCormick said quickly. “Kate has promised to telephone me the instant she is settled in. Then she will come round and see us a lot. I’m looking forward to having her companionship.” She smiled at Kate. “You have promised, dear child.”

  Kate smiled. “Of course I have. It’s just wonderful for me to have you here — makes all the difference in the world,” she added warmly.

  To Kate’s surprise — for Mrs. McCormack was not a demonstrative woman — Kate felt herself warmly kissed. James shook her by the hand, giving her that nice smile of his, and then she was alone, watching James help his mother down the steep gangway. At the foot both turned, waved, and then vanished behind the trucks as the great derricks began to swing into action and everyone started shouting. Kate felt horribly alone. She looked round wildly. If only she knew where Mr. Lister lived. It was dreadful waiting — wondering — fearing.

  James had said everything would be all right? But had that just been to comfort her? What of the Dominguez family? Would they talk English?

  Resent her — refuse to let her try to make them like her?

  She made herself watch the huge cranes move majestically, and even spared an admiring thought for the clever men who sat perched high in their little cabins, and worked these huge machines so accurately. She drifted to the other side of the ship. How beautiful everything was. Wasn’t she lucky?

  Lucky, too, because Mr. Stowe had persuaded Mr. Lister to let her travel out by sea rather than by air, because he said she should have a few weeks’ holiday between the two jobs. The voyage had been wonderful, but, better still, it had introduced her to the McCormacks. How much more worried she would have been feeling but for them.

  Kate remembered the days when she had been looking after the Stanfords’ children — both darlings, like their parents. And how miserable she had been when they announced they were going to America. And how thrilled when they asked her to go with them. Then had ensued a few hectic weeks preparing for the journey, and – Kate shivered and instinctively closed her eyes – then her father had been killed in a car crash. Naturally Kate had stayed at home with her mother, for they needed one another badly. Both were bitterly unhappy. In addition, Kate’s mother was a semi-invalid, though Kate’s friends always said that to hear her mother’s plans and see her happy, eager face, they found it hard to realize that she practically spent her life in a wheelchair.

  Kate had told Randel Lister this at her first interview. Now, remembering, she saw the thoughtful look on his face. He said nothing. It was only when she got home that night that she found he had been to see

  her mother.

  “What a fine man,” her mother had said. “How devoted he was to his wife. I wonder he has not married again, though, if only for the child’s sake. You must take the job, Kate darling. It’s a chance in a million. And only for six months. I promise you I’ll be all right.” Kate had hesitated, yet had known that she would hurt her mother far more by not going than by leaving her. Her mother could not bear it if she was made to feel a burden. Active, she had strong arms, and easily swung herself in and out of her chair, for she loathed being helped. They had good neighbors on either side of their house. Kate frankly admitted she longed to go. It would be fun to look after a child again, and how romantic Lourengo Marques sounded.

  Now, staring blindly at the sea, Kate wondered how it was that in all those hours of discussing the job neither she nor her mother had thought that there might be any unpleasantness or difficulties. Why had they never thought of it from the grandmother’s angle? Even so — James had said it was mainly Mariana who would cause trouble.

  Mariana — beautiful, selfish, passionate—

  Suddenly Kate realized she was on the wrong side of the ship. She hurried back to the dock- side, but the ship was almost deserted and there was no sign of a tall, good-looking dark man. At that moment, a tall boy came up to her.

  “Why, Ned!” Kate greeted him, and smiled. Very shy, very young, even now he spoke nervously, although they had often danced and chatted together.

  “I say, are you still here?” He went bright red and stumbled on: “That’s a silly thing to say, for I can see you are. What I mean is ...” Kate nodded. She tried to sound cheerful. “I hope I haven’t been forgotten.” She glanced at her watch and was shocked to see how long she had been waiting. Something must have gone wrong.

  Ned’s laugh was like his voice and not always under control. Now he giggled rather shrilly and then looked embarrassed. “I say, what fun if you have been forgotten. You can come on to Mombasa with us. Have you practised your Portuguese?”

  “Not much, I’m afraid,” Kate confessed. Ned, who knew some Portuguese, had been trying to teach her with the aid of a phrase book.

  “Let’s have a bash,” he suggested. “Bom dias.”

  “Bom dias.” Kate gravely returned the greeting, which meant “good morning.”

  He frowned. “Not quite right. Try it again.” Time flew, and Kate was struggling to say Muito obrigado, senhor while both laughed, when a shadow fell on them. Kate turned. Mr. Lister was watching them, frowning.

  He spoke almost harshly. “I should have thought you had enough sense to go ashore when I failed to turn up. I was delayed and must now waste more time getting you through the Customs. Surely you could have managed that on your own?”

  Kate’s face stung. It was as if he had slapped her. She felt rather than saw poor Ned quietly fading out of the scene, and caught a glimpse of his distressed young face. Then the injustice of Mr. Lister’s remark gave her courage.

  “You told me to wait on the ship. In any case, you forgot to give me your address.”

  Randel Lister stared at the slim, valiant girl facing him and she saw the anger drain out of his face as embarrassment replaced it.

  “You’re quite right. I expressly told you to wait on board. And I forgot to give you my address. How could I have been so stupid?” He spoke thoughtfully. “I must apologize.” Abruptly he smiled. It was just as if someone had waved a magic wand, for a totally different man stood there.

  “Apologize,” he continued, “not only for my forgetfulness but also for losing my temper. Not a nice welcome, I’m afraid.” And — again he gave that wonderful smile.

  It was a totally different sort of smile from James’s. Where James’s smile was sweet and friendly — Mr. Lister’s was thrilling.

  “You must have been growing a little alarmed,” Mr. Lister went on.

  Kate tried to smile. “I was — a little.”

  “I’m sure you were. I’ve had a hot, frustrating morning, but that’s no excuse for the way I snapped at you. Am I forgiven?” Kate was smiling now. “Of course you are, Mr. Lister. But I wondered what I ought to do. I was afraid if I went ashore we might miss one another and—”

  “You were quite right,” he said, but now his voice was curt, indicating that the matter needed no further discussion. “What is your cabin number?

  I have a boy to get your luggage. No doubt you have some farewells to make, but get them over quickly and meet me at the gangway.” Kate hurried to find Ned and to assure him everything was all right.

  “I don’t like him — nor the way he spoke to you,” Ned said stubbornly.

  Kate could laugh now. “Neither did I. I was quite scared. But he did apologize. Ned, and that s more than many people will do, isn’t it?” She hurried to the gangway, but, despite her haste, Mr. Lister was waiting impatiently. Kate could see the African boy who was holding her cases.

  They hurried ashore, Mr. Lister’s long strides making Kate almost run

  to keep up with him. The customs officials did not look very friendly and eyed Kate with suspicion. She felt safe with Mr. Lister
being so impressive as he towered above them. All the same, they all spoke very fast, waving their hands about, rolling their eyes skywards, almost tearing out their hair.

  Kate began to wonder if she had unconsciously committed some crime.

  Mr. Lister’s voice changed, became impatient. Then everyone was miraculously laughing, the shouting ceased, and the officials chalked crosses on her unopened cases and ushered them out of the building.

  Somehow Kate had. not been prepared for the shock of the sunshine in the street. It was a violent heat as the waves reflected back from the road and pavement and the sun shone down. Her blue linen suit was suddenly much too heavy. She wished she had dark glasses and a shady hat. She followed Mr. Lister to a big red car, the kind she had only seen before in films. A uniformed African driver slid out from behind the steering wheel and came to open the car door, and then to pack her luggage in the trunk.

  Kate got into the car. To her utter amazement, Mr. Lister closed the door and spoke to her through the window, curtly. “I haven’t the time to take you up, but you’re expected. I’ll be along this afternoon to see how you have settled in.” His voice changed, then — almost as if the distress Kate was sure her face was betraying, forced him to say more —

  “Unfortunately, I have a very important interview for which I’m already late.” He turned and spoke to the driver, and the car moved away.

  Kate felt like crying — for one awful moment. So had she an important interview — meeting his daughter for the first time. Or didn’t Mr.

  Lister think that “important”? She was already dreading the meeting with the Dominguez as well – and to have to meet them alone made it a thousand times worse.

  She took a deep breath and looked round, trying to show interest in the unusual scene. First there was a rather drab, slummy area by the docks, but then the car moved out into a wide street between skyscrapers, big shops, with everywhere these great shining cars. It seemed to Kate that they crawled, for there was so much traffic and traffic lights every few yards. Ahead of her she saw an enormous church with a great cross —