remember you telling me that you had a villa at Menton and that after the War you intended to give up Larkhill and live permanently on the Riviera. You kindly suggested that if ever I came that way I should look you up. Well, Iâve just taken the chance to slip down here for a short holiday. Iâm staying at the Bandol. So if your offer still holds good perhaps you could give me a ring and let me know if and when itâs convenient for me to come along.
I look forward to seeing you again after all these years.
Yours sincerely,
Bill Dillon.
P.S.âI was the fair-haired, rather hefty three pipper who once had the misfortune to spill a glass of sherry down your dress.
V
The following morning, during breakfast on the sun-dappled terrace, Nesta announced:
âIâm having a young man along to dinner this evening. I want you all to be here. Such a nice boy. I met him at Larkhill during the War.â She jerked a glance at Miss Pilligrew who, indulging a little weakness of hers, was furtively nibbling a lump of sugar. âYou must impress on cook to make a special effort. Understand, Pilly?â
âYes, dear.â
âI suggest soupe au pistou followed by ratatouille. â
âYes, dear.â
âNot that it matters to me, of course.â Nesta gave a hollow laugh. âI shall merely sit and watch other people enjoying the fruits of my hospitality. Mon Dieu! What a life. It is a life, isnât it, Pilly?â
âOh definitely, dear.â
âThen we might have, say⦠estocaficada. And for sweetââ
Miss Pilligrew suggested timorously:
âWhat about tourta de Blea, dear?â
âDonât be stupid! Youâre so unhelpful, Pilly. I had in mind robina fritters andââ
âOh for crying aloud!â broke in Tony with a surly look. âWhy all this fuss? Is it somebody weâre supposed to impress?â
âDonât be hateful, Tony. Of course it isnât. But he wrote such a charming letter and the leastââ
âDo I know the fellow?â
âNo, darling, I donât think so. His nameâs Mellon or Dillon or something of the kind.â
âDillon!â exclaimed Kitty, suddenly flushing beneath her tan.
âYesâCaptain Bill Dillon.â Nesta sighed. âSuch a handsome creature, with one of those nice bristly moustaches thatââ
âBill Dillon!â gasped Kitty. âButâ¦butââ
âDonât tell me you know him!â cried Nesta, a shadow of disappointment passing over her heavily handsome features.
âNo, of course I donât. Butâ¦but I once knew a Bill Dorman and it sort of struck a chord. You see how I mean, Mrs. Hedderwick? Dillon. Dorman. Theyâre something alike andâ¦for the momentâ¦â With a little titter, Kitty swung on Tony. âGot a cigarette, Tony? Oh, thanks. Well, if youâll excuse meâ¦Iâve got some letters to write. See you later, Tony.â
A brief silence followed Kittyâs hurried exit into the house. Nesta exchanged a meaning glance with everybody in turn and observed tartly:
âHow very odd. She seemed quite upset. An unbalanced, neurotic type. She ought to see a psychiatrist. Donât you agree, Tony?â
âNo, I donât!â said Tony shortly. âKittyâs had a tough time, poor kid.â He gulped down the remainder of his coffee and got up abruptly. âWell, Iâll be seeing youâ¦Iâve got a job to do on the Vedette. Iâll be out to lunch. Kitty and I are driving over to Monaco.â
And with a brisk nod he stalked off through the garden to the garage-yard.
Chapter V
Ominous Meeting
I
Caught up in the useless existence prescribed for her by her aunt, Dilys was bored. Her encounter the previous day with the young man at the exhibition had suddenly forced her to see with devastating clarity the emptiness of her life. For a few hours sheâd
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley