The Sea House by Esther Freud Read Free Book Online

chairs. Until now Lily had only seen the children, and once or twice the shoulder of the woman, hanging clothes out on the line. But here was the father standing side on to her, dressed in an old jumper and a woollen hat. She leant forward to see, and, just as she pressed her face to the window, the wood snapped apart and he turned to catch at the short end before it fell. Lily stepped back. She took her tea and went through to the table where she’d laid out her work. She picked up a letter, and began busily to read, turning the words, as she understood them, from German into English, drifting as she did so into a foreign rhythm of speech.
On the cold, dark train , Klaus wrote to Elsa in 1932, I began to fear that I haven’t shown you enough love. But what can I do since you became the loving one, and I simply had to open my arms to you and accept? At 1.30 this morning I was still horizontal in my carriage, thinking of you, and attempting to sleep. Weren’t the days at Hiddensee as beautiful as the memories? And how many there are going to be till we grow old?
Lily could still hear the man sawing. If she glanced behind her and out of the kitchen window she could just see his shoulder, working back and forth.
Darling, I am so glad that the small feather that I sent you made you happy. For years it has been my favourite kind of feather, and I took it as a good sign when it simply floated down on to my page. Will you think me ridiculous if I tempt you with another pair of shoes? Black. Rounded, very pretty and well made. In size 37 there is just one pair left. Similar high boots! I can hear you laughing. Is my urge to buy you shoes so funny? But I really do believe we might not be able to get anything so nice for many years to come. My darling, until my return let there be nothing beside you but empty space.
Just then Lily saw the postman walk past her window and, her heart leaping, she jumped up and ran round to the side door. If Nick didn’t write to her soon, she’d have to call him, tell him the phone box had been mended, but still she might last out one more day. The postman hesitated for a moment and then stopped. Lily watched as he drew an envelope out of his bag, but instead of turning towards her he pushed open the gate to the house across the lane. In a flash the door was opened, and Ethel appeared. She took the envelope and, smiling broadly, she sliced it apart with her thumb. Lily stood, watching her face frowning and brightening as she read the words.
‘Morning.’ Ethel had seen her, and blushing, Lily nodded ‘morning’ and slipped back inside.
Lehmann’s next letter was from Dahlem.
I never dared to hope that I’d receive a letter from you even on a Sunday. But there can’t be any doubt about who the loving one is now. And who is planning to give us both a child? While I am here working I hear the sound of the bells ringing out at 7.30 each morning, and in my semi-sleep it sounds like Elle, Elle. Ellie, Elle. So I wake up thinking of you, and longing for you my El.
L, xx
Lily put down her pen and walked outside. She’d started to treat the Green as her front garden, standing in its centre looking up at the sky. She glanced irritably at the phone box, as if it really was broken, and then feeling the warm sun on her face she lay down in the grass. There were five white clouds, fine as carded wool, fraying and stretching, pulling back together in the breeze. Lily pressed herself into the earth, her head, her legs, the heels of her feet, and then she closed her eyes and listened for the sea. It wasn’t roaring now. She could hear it, gently murmuring, smooth and lapping, like the long drone of a bee.
‘Are you all right there?’ Someone was standing over her, casting a cool shadow half across her face. Lily opened her eyes and started. It was the man from next door, looking down at her, the sandy ends of his hair sticking out below his hat. ‘Right,’ he nodded, as Lily scrambled up, ‘just thought