Strangers May Marry Page 2

  'I haven't any idea where her father is,' she said at last, a hint of fear in her voice and a pain in her heart. She couldn't even picture life without Mandy, and yet, as Phil had said, to keep her was to run the risk of trouble with her father, should he ever show up and want custody of his daughter.

  'You have never once heard from your sister since she went off with this man?'

  'Not a word. It almost broke my mother's heart because she loved us both equally in spite of Irene's character, and the life she led.'

  'And you have no idea how to go about finding her?'

  'There must be means, but she'll have taken this man's name.'

  'What a mess!' Anger again in Phil's tone. He was fighting too, for his future, for what he wanted, which was Laura without the encumbrance of the child. 'Have you any idea at all which part of Greece they went to?'

  Laura began to shake her head while at the same time endeavouring to recall anything said by Irene that would provide a clue. At last she murmured, 'I seem to recall her saying something about Crete—it's an island as you will know?'

  'It's the one nearest to the north coast of Africa.' He paused as though mentally locating it on the map. 'You think they might have gone there?'

  'I just don't know,' admitted Laura with a sigh. 'Greece is a relatively large country, and I believe there are around a hundred and thirty inhabited islands.'

  'So unless you had something to go on, it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack?'

  'I feel it would be almost impossible to find someone whose name you don't know.'

  'Not impossible. They're English, remember, and there is sure to be a register of foreigners resident in the country.'

  Laura nodded, her eyes flickering. 'I have just thought of something…' Her voice trailed to silence as she realised just what she was contemplating. She was hoping to find Mandy's father so that she could pass Mandy over to him. She had had the child for two years and grown accustomed to having her about the house.

  'You have?' eagerly and swiftly. 'What is it?'

  'Irene had a friend who used to come to the house now and then. Her name's Vera Gresham and she works at the Herald office—or she used to.'

  'The Herald . . . It's not too far from where your own office is. Why not take a trip around there in your lunch hour tomorrow and see if you can find anything out? Irene might just have confided in this friend.'

  'That's what I thought.' Laura paused a moment after telling Phil that she could make the visit early tomorrow, as she was not forced to use her lunch hour. She was almost her own boss, never, from the beginning, having had any kind of supervision. She had no idea why she should be wanting to make him aware of this perk to her employment; she supposed she was in effect telling him that there were still some things he did not know about her. 'Irene might even have kept in touch with Vera.'

  'That's possible. And if so, you should have no trouble in finding Mandy's father.'

  'You're taking it for granted that Vera will provide me with my sister's address.'

  'I am hoping she will, Laura.' She said nothing, merely draining her glass and placing it on a small table by the wall. And as Phil could see she had no intention of continuing the conversation, he changed the subject. 'Let's go out to dinner, love. You can phone Teresa and ask her to baby-sit.'

  Laura shook her head. 'She only left a couple of hours ago. I wouldn't bring her out now. Besides, I'd rather stay in—on my own.'

  'On your own?' with a lift of his brows. 'I came to have my evening meal with you, as usual.'

  'Yes, I know, but I'd like to think this thing over.'

  His eyes brightened and he said quietly, 'You're really serious about letting Mandy go. I can see a resolve about you that wasn't there a short while ago—'

  'Please, Phil, I'd rather not talk about it any more tonight.' Deep unhappiness showed on her face, and a sigh that was almost a sob left her lips.

  Phil moved towards her and said, 'I realise you don't want to pursue this matter just now, but let me say this: it would be nice for you to find your sister. You said you made some kind of an attempt when your mother died but soon gave it up as impossible. Well, now that you've remembered this Vera, you might have more success.' He stopped abruptly, and drew an impatient breath at her expression. 'Very well, I'll not mention it again until you do.' She said nothing and he hesitated a moment in indecision. 'Do you really want me to leave you?' he asked, and she nodded her head, the tears which had been so close beginning to fall on to her cheeks, large round tears that splashed eventually onto her blouse. Phil took her in his arms, dried her face and kissed her tenderly on the lips. 'My dearest, I'm not leaving you like this.'

  But you have caused it, she said silently, her face lifted to his as she took in the softened expression, the one she knew so well. He was not exactly handsome, but rather rugged in a manly and attractive way. His complexion was fresh, healthy, his eyes light grey and his hair mid-brown, thick and wiry. He had a dimple in his chin and teeth that were white but rather uneven; they added attraction to his smile, she had always thought. How she loved him! To be married to him was her one abiding hope almost from the first week of knowing him, but now there was this problem. Yet basically he had a point, and also he was right in saying she could be in serious trouble if Mandy's father should ever turn up and demand to know why she had been taken in by Mrs. Hudson instead of being handed over to the local authority, which would have set machines in motion for finding both mother and father. It had been highly illegal from the start, as Phil had pointed out. Mandy was at play school at present, but six months hence she would be going to a proper school; her birth certificate would be required…

  'Kiss me, darling.' But Phil gave her no time to comply as he bent his head to take her quivering lips. 'My lovely Laura. I want you—need you!' A sexual charge was in the air, but where only yesterday Laura would have eagerly responded to his lovemaking, she now drew away, a frown marring her face. He held her at arms' length, not surprised by her lack of response. He sighed and continued to take his fill of her beauty. The heart-shaped face with its skin the colour of enriched cream, except where it stretched tightly over the high cheekbones, where it bore that peach-bloom enhancement of perfect health. He looked into her eyes, sad at this moment, but he was remembering that when she smiled they shone like sapphires, pure blue, and bright. Her whole face became alive when she smiled… He frowned at her sadness and kissed her, on the lips and the cheek, holding her close to his breast and recalling the many happy times they'd had together. He felt again the pangs of jealousy when other men turned their heads to look at her with admiration—and it was hard even for women not to look twice at Laura. Her very presence seemed to stir the atmosphere immediately she entered a room.

  He could understand how she came to land her most excellent post with Hendrick; her appearance must have carried her more than halfway. Added to that was her charm of manner, the courteous way in which she treated potential clients. Phil supposed that in the case of men they were swept off their feet before they had time to think properly. Yet despite this admiration she invariably carried an air of modesty which, for Phil, added enormously to her attractions. How could he lose her? he wondered as he watched her flick aside strands of the golden half fringe that curled on to her wide, intelligent forehead. It was an impatient gesture and one he had never noticed before. He felt the convulsive quivering of her slender body and knew what she was going through.

  'I want you, darling, and soon.' His mouth was warm and moist against her throat. He was tempting her, hoping to draw her from the mood of near despair that she was in. At twenty-four, he thought, she should not be burdened like this. It should be the best and happiest time of her life. 'I must have you for my own—soon, very soon.'

  She said on a little quivering note, 'Mandy wouldn't be any trouble, Phil, you know that.' Why oh why wouldn't he accept the child? Yet alongside the question there flowed that other problem, pointed out to her jus
t now by Phil.

  He held her from him, eyebrows raised a fraction. 'At times she's adorable, at times pensive and withdrawn. But, my darling, even you must own that there's a little devil somewhere in that child's makeup.'

  'She's lively. I'd never attempt to break her spirit.' 'I believe that a father is necessary if she is to grow up as you, my love, would have her grow up.'

  'Perhaps she does need a father. But is her own father right for her? You would be…' Laura's voice trailed to a despairing silence and she drew herself from his arms. A few moments later he was gathering up his coat and the briefcase he had brought with him from the office. He left the room quietly, his eyes and his lips unsmiling.

  Chapter Two

  Mandy was shuffling about within the confines of her seat belt as the plane began its descent over the outskirts of Heraklion. The child was by the window and she looked down, then exclaimed excitedly, 'It's like looking at a lot of little dolls' houses, isn't it?'

  'I told you, when we were climbing, that everything looks small when you are high in the air.'

  'I know. I looked down when we were leaving London and I saw millions of dolls' houses!'

  Laura laughed even though her heart was heavy. Whatever the outcome of this trip to Crete, she, Laura, was going to be hurt—and probably the child, too, for a while. Well, see how it goes, had been a favourite saying of Laura's mother, and that was all that Laura could do. She had managed to get the address of her sister from Vera, who also told Laura that Irene had two small children, a boy and a girl. Irene and Joseph Warburton were not married, as he had not bothered to find out whether his wife was willing to divorce him or not. That she might be dead had obviously not occurred to him. Vera had wanted to know the reason why Laura desired to get in touch with her sister. Laura had merely replied that her mother was dead and she wanted to send on the news to Irene. No mention of Mandy; it had not been necessary, and in any case, Phil had warned Laura to keep silent about the taking of the child without getting in touch with the police. And by this time Laura was in fact becoming perturbed, for she could lose her job if she found herself in trouble with the authorities. What had seemed so simple four and a half years ago now seemed fraught with danger, and Laura could only be glad that any repercussions would affect her and not her mother.

  'Laura, when are we going to land?' Mandy's attractive, musical voice broke into Laura's thoughts, and she turned to look into her rosy, freckled face.

  'In a few moments—Don't fiddle with your belt. You must keep it on.'

  'It wouldn't do any good if we had a crash!'

  'You are probably right, but keep it on all the same.'

  Mandy twisted about until it was possible for her to kiss Laura's chin. 'I love you for bringing me on this beautiful holiday! I love you more than life!'

  Laura blinked and said, 'Good lord! Where did you hear that?'

  'James Brindle. He's my boyfriend at play school.'

  'And where did he hear it, I wonder?'

  'His daddy said it to his mummy—Ooh, look! We're nearly landing!'

  'I said it would only be minutes.'

  'James was in an airplane once and he said it bumped when it landed on the ground. Do you think this one will bump?'

  'It won't if the pilot is careful.'

  'I think it will bump.'

  'And I think it won't.'

  'Why?' Mandy lifted her face, her big brown eyes puzzled and curious. 'How do you know it won't bump?'

  'Darling, I don't know for sure it won't bump, but airplanes don't usually bump when they land.'

  'Not even a little bump?' persisted Mandy, displaying that most attractive grin she had.

  'It could bump a little,' conceded Laura, shaking her head and laughing.

  'Will we see the driver when we land?'

  'The pilot?' Laura nodded and said, 'Yes, we probably shall see him.'

  'I want to say thank you because Uncle Phil always says thank you to a taxi-driver—if we sometimes have a taxi when he doesn't have his car. Uncle Phil said you must always say thank you to people if they do something nice for you, and this was a nice ride, wasn't it?'

  'Very smooth,' returned Laura, the child's mention of Phil bringing back vividly his reaction when she told him she had been successful in obtaining her sister's address from Vera.

  'Don't waste time in writing, Laura dear. Take a trip and go over, taking Mandy with you.'

  She had looked at him through misty eyes. 'You're suggesting I take her because you hope I shan't be bringing her back, aren't you?'

  'I admit I have that possibility in mind. Laura, it would solve the entire problem if her father took her off your hands. Can't you see this?'

  'Irene has two children of her own. Will she want to take another?'

  'She should do—'

  'But you won't take a child who isn't yours?'

  He had frowned then and reminded her of the other problems involved. 'You seem to keep on forgetting them,' he said with growing impatience.

  And so Laura felt she must take his advice. In any case, Teresa had been taken ill and was to go into hospital for an operation. Her mother had told Laura that it was unlikely that she would be back at work for some months. Another problem which would be solved if Mandy's father accepted her, Phil was quick to remind Laura.

  The plane was coming down smoothly and Laura saw the mountains which Phil had told her about. He had decided to gather a little information so that he could pass it on to Laura. It was an island steeped in mythology, with Zeus, mighty king of all the Greek gods of pagan times, being born on the peak of Mt. Ida; and also here on the island was the Palace of Minos in whose dark depths had dwelt the fierce monster—half bull, half man—born of Pasiphae, who had mated with a bull and whose husband, King Minos, had in his shame taken the Minatour and housed it in what had become known as the Labyrinth. All most interesting, she had told Phil, but her mind was on realities, not mythology and the pagan gods of countless ages past. She was now thinking of the coming meeting with her sister, who did not know anything of this visit, because both Laura and Phil had believed that Irene might just be so ashamed that she would not want to meet her sister, and Laura had had no wish that her visit should be wasted by Irene's persuading her lover to take her away on holiday just until Laura had gone back to England. It was the kind of thing which Laura could easily attribute to her sister, for she had always been a shirker, avoiding the unpleasant no matter at what cost either to herself or others. So now Laura was to arrive, unexpectedly, with the child of the man Irene was living with.

  'We've landed,' she heard Mandy exclaim, 'and we didn't bump!'

  'Good. I told you we would not.'

  'Can I go on the sands as soon as we get off this airplane?'

  'No, darling. We have to go to an hotel and unpack our clothes.'

  The hotel was in Heraklion, the Florida, which was on the sea. Phil had booked it for them—in fact, mused Laura, he had done everything except travel with them. She had begged him to take some of his leave and accompany them but he had declined. He was saving all his holidays for the prewedding activities of finding a suitable home and furnishing it, and for the honeymoon. Laura had suggested that if they did marry they use her delightful little Mews home for a while, but Phil had been adamant in his decision to be the provider. Laura had spent a great deal of time, money and energy on the imaginative conversion and she did wonder how she would feel if and when the time came for her to leave it.

  'I like this lovely room, don't you, Laura?' Mandy was by the window, looking out to the aquamarine sea where gaily painted little caiques bobbed about, most of them moored to the jetty.

  'Yes, it's very charming.'

  'Can I unpack my own clothes?' Mandy turned and her piquant little freckled face was alive with pleasure. 'I want to wear my bikini and go out to the beach!'

  'Not today, love. We have things to do.'

  'What things?'

  'Look, I'll open your suitcase and
you can unpack, put all but your dresses in those two drawers over there. I'll hang your dresses up in the wardrobe with mine.'

  'Okay.' For the next few minutes Mandy was fully occupied and so was Laura, watching her as she herself began to unpack what few clothes she had brought. She was not expecting to stay long, and in fact she would have stayed only long enough to find out whether or not Mandy's father would have her, had she been alone. But Mandy expected this to be a holiday, and so Laura had decided to stay for about five or six days.

  'What are we going to do when we've unpacked?' Mandy wanted to know as she handed one of her dresses to Laura to hang up.

  'Take a stroll around the town.'

  'But, the beach—'

  'Tomorrow, Mandy. It's already late afternoon, so we shall just have a nice little walk and then come back here for a meal. By that time it will be bed for you, my child. You've had a long day.'

  'I know. I couldn't sleep because I was so excited, wasn't I?'

  'You woke me at half past six!'

  'Here's another dress. I like it most of them all and I gave Uncle Phil a big kiss for buying it for me.'

  Laura took it from her, recalling with poignant intensity the occasion of Phil's buying it. Mandy had been ill with measles and was so pale and wan that Phil had asked what could be done to cheer her up.

  Mandy had heard, and said with a weak little smile, 'I saw a beautiful dress in that shop that Laura knows…'

  Teresa had been there so Phil said he and Laura would go at once and buy the dress. That was the day when Laura knew for sure that Phil would soon proto her; it was the day when she had taken it for granted that Mandy would soon have a father. Laura and Phil had dined at the Ritz, leaving early because Laura had promised Teresa she would not be late. Phil had been so tender with Mandy, and the child had put her arms about his neck and kissed him, several times. A touching scene and a happy one at that time. Laura would never have believed anyone who said Phil would ever object to taking Mandy into his care. And now he did not want her…