Something Wicked by David Roberts Read Free Book Online

Edward got up to go, Verity was her normal self but, as she went to the front door with him, she suddenly fell weeping into his arms.
    ‘I’m never going to leave this place, am I?’ she sobbed. ‘Oh, Edward, we’ll never get married. I’ll never have children. I’ll just waste away here until I become a skeleton like the boy we saw in the garden.’
    ‘Hey, chin up,’ Edward said, taken aback by the power of her sobs. ‘You’ll be out of here in three months and back at your post by the new year. In any case, you don’t want children.’
    ‘No, I know, but I just feel I’m going to disappear – vanish off the face of the earth – and leave nothing behind. I’ll be forgotten and you’ll marry someone else . . .’
    ‘V! Where does all this self-pity come from?’ he said gently, holding her in his arms. ‘It’s not like you to give way. I know you hate being ill. So do I. I’d be much less brave than you. You’d tell me to buck up. You’re not dying and you won’t be forgotten.’ He released her but still kept hold of her hands. ‘I’ll be here tomorrow about ten. All your friends will visit you. You won’t have time to be bored let alone forgotten.’
    He kissed her forehead but, when she lifted her face for him to kiss her, he hesitated.
    ‘Why won’t you kiss me?’ she demanded.
    ‘I . . . the doctors say I mustn’t . . . not till they give you the all clear.’
    Verity looked puzzled and then it dawned on her. ‘They think I’ll infect you?’
    ‘Well, I . . . It’s possible, yes.’
    ‘Please go now,’ she said, pulling away from him. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow. No!’ She backed away as he tried to embrace her once more. ‘I’ve just got to get used to being a pariah.’
    It was with a heavy heart that Edward got into the Lagonda and drove the three or four miles to Turton House. Harry welcomed him warmly, led him into the drawing-room and thrust a large whisky and soda into his hand.
    ‘You look as though you need this,’ he said.
    ‘You’re right, I do. It’s not much fun watching the girl you love laid low with what could be a fatal disease.’
    ‘It’s not as bad as that, surely? I mean I know it’s TB but nowadays . . .’
    ‘There’s still no cure for the bloody thing,’ Edward replied, unconsciously using Verity’s phrase for it. ‘They prescribe colloidal silver but God knows if it does any good. It all depends on the body and Verity has lived such a rackety life, not eating properly, not sleeping enough, living off her nerves – well, she’s not nearly as strong as she thinks she is.’
    ‘Poor Edward,’ Harry said. ‘And you’re going to marry this girl?’
    ‘God willing, yes. As soon as she’s better . . .’
    ‘You’re cut up, I can see. I’m so pleased I’m able to help. I’ve not met Dr Bladon – in fact, as I told you, I haven’t met anyone much since I got back from Africa.’
    Edward eyed his host and noted the thinning hair and the thickening waist. He was still handsome but not quite the heart-throb he had once been. Heavy drinking had left its mark – burst blood vessels and a high colour. He hoped he had worn better.
    ‘You’ve got no woman, then?’ Edward felt permitted to ask the question since Harry had been so direct with him.
    ‘No. To be frank with you, these English women seem rather milk and water compared to the ones in Happy Valley.’
    ‘I’m not sure that’s true. No one could call Verity milk and water. Tell me, Harry, when I got your letter I was puzzled. You always said England was too small for you. Shouldn’t you be exploring the Mountains of the Moon rather than being holed up here?’
    ‘Yes, you’re right. I’ve only been in England for a few months and I confess I’m bored. I think I’ll have one summer here and then sell up and go back to Africa. Get myself eaten by a lion or something. Mind you, since the slump, it’s not been the same in Kenya. The glory days are over. There’s no money to