CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Hyacinth, still in her party dress, pulled away from the Hull ferry terminal. The package delivered safely by the courier was zipped into her handbag. It meant a trip to her London Bank sooner rather than later. She didn’t like keeping the diamonds in the house. The nagging voice in her head kept urging her to organize a safe deposit box in Newcastle. This was a personal consignment after all; it had nothing to do with the Coven.
Daphne’s sleep was disturbed by the telephone ringing. Anticipating a hospital emergency she paled when she recognized her caller’s voice.
‘I have been thinking about you, Daphne. I have decided I would like you to be the new Matron of my unmarried mothers’ unit in Carlisle.’ H casually fondled the bag of diamonds she’d carefully placed on her bedside cabinet. ‘It’s such a beautiful Georgian building and I need someone with your expertise and someone I can trust.’
Daphne attempted to speak.
‘No, Daphne. You must listen to me. This is how it’s going to be. You will move into the self-contained ground floor flat within the premises. I will double your hospital salary, provide you with a new car, secure your pension, and increase your holidays. In return you will hand in your resignation today, when you go on duty. Then I want you to take a holiday until you come to me in Carlisle. There is one other thing: you will never see or try to contact Beth McConnell again.’
There was silence while Hyacinth allowed Daphne time to digest the implications and seriousness of her words.
‘Hyacinth, thank you. What can I say? I don’t really want to go to Carlisle, I’m quite happy where I am.’ Daphne floundered, dreading the consequences if she dared to refuse.
‘Are you, darling? Do you think the Hospital Board will want you to stay when they learn about how you prey on the female student nurses and the dreadful things you make them do so they score good marks in their ward assessments.’ Hyacinth spoke calmly. She knew Daphne would accept her offer. She could afford to be patient.
‘Why are you doing this, Hyacinth? I’ve never done anything to hurt you. I’ve always been protective.’
‘That’s exactly why I know I’ve made a good choice and I can rely on you to make the right decision.’
‘You’ve given me no choice, have you? I’ll submit my resignation today.’
‘Good. Welcome aboard. We’ll speak later. You won’t regret it.’ Hyacinth replaced the receiver, admired herself in the dressing-table mirror, all the while congratulating herself on her latest plan. That was Daphne neatly moved out of the Beth equation and she had the perfect Matron into the bargain.
Three hours later, Daphne handed in her notice, collected her belongings and left the hospital without telling a soul.
Later that day, rushing along the corridor between wards, Beth, half asleep, literally bumped into Hyacinth.
‘H! What are you doing here?’
‘Hello darling. I’ve come to tell you my good news.’ H lifted her slipping shoulder bag back onto her shoulder. She wanted to prolong this conversation.
‘News? What news?’
‘I’ve accepted a new position, darling,’ Hyacinth lied.
‘A job?’
‘Yes, as you so sweetly put it. A job.’
‘Where?’
ʻHere, of course. I want to be close to you. They’ve been head hunting me for ages so I thought, why not? It’s the perfect opportunity for us darling. I officially accepted this morning, but I won’t be starting for a few months. We have to keep it to ourselves until the official announcement.’ She flicked her hair seductively, expecting Beth to be delighted.
Beth didn’t know if she was or not. It was a bit of a bombshell. Through gritted teeth she forced a smile, ‘Well, isn’t that nice. Congratulations, doctor.’
Linking Beth to walk with her, H continued, ‘I’ve booked our London weekend. We’re going to have a wonderful time, darling, so be ready to go two weeks on Friday. We’ll take the early train. George can drive us to the station.’ She loved rubbing his nose in it. ‘Oh and I have some more friends I want you to meet. I’ll arrange a little get together.’
‘Don’t jump the gun. I could be working.’
‘You’re not, I’ve already checked with George.’
Hyacinth stroked Beth’s arm. Beth wished she would stop treating her like a pet Poodle.
‘Darling, you have forgiven me for last night?’
‘Of course.’ Beth pulled away before anyone had the chance to see them together. It’ll be like this all the time when she works here, she thought, we’ll be continually ducking and diving. Hyacinth liked to take risks; she didn’t. She decided she had put it off long enough. It was time to talk to Lindsay. She could trust her lifelong friend. She would call her tonight.
Uncharacteristically she crashed through the doors into the ward causing the nursing staff to wonder what had ruffled Miss McConnell’s feathers.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Lindsay ran her hands through her short light brown hair. She was tired and it had been a bitch of a day. What she needed was a strong drink. Murders always meant long hours, although this one was all but solved. Closing the door to her minimalist two bedroom first floor apartment, she dropped her jacket onto the hall chair then poured herself a large whisky. Carrying it carefully across the cream carpet of her neat and tidy living room, she pulled open the patio doors. She intended to relax on the balcony and catch the last of the sunset. She was just settled into her comfortable lounger, long legs stretched out, tired blue-grey eyes about to close when the phone rang.
‘This better not be work.’ She leaned back, reached behind the curtains and picked up the phone.
‘Inspector Powell.’ She crossed her fingers, hoping it wasn’t more trouble. The desperate voice on the other end of the line brought an immediate change to her features. ‘Hi, Beth. What’s wrong?’
Sensible Lindsay listened without comment to her friend’s garbled tale. A down to earth, matter-of-fact woman, she let Beth talk without interruption until Beth ran out of words. Lindsay loved her like a sister. She’d always believed Beth had gay tendencies, strengthened when she’d introduced her to a girlfriend once, as Beth hadn’t been able to take her eyes off her. They’d been friends since childhood, sharing secrets, looking after each other, and Beth had often been Lindsay’s alibi, getting her out of awkward situations with demanding girlfriends.
They missed each other terribly when Lindsay gained promotion and transferred to Brighton. At the end of their long conversation Beth felt elated and knew exactly what she needed to do.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The surprise resignation of Daphne left Beth mystified, but relieved. Her departure from the hospital, taking all her annual leave and going off on holiday, was the talk of the place.
Despite the altercation with Hyacinth, Beth couldn’t help but look forward to their London trip and Daphne was quickly forgotten. Desperate for answers, she did as Lindsay suggested, and several times took out her tarot cards. Each time she shuffled the cards she couldn’t bring herself to read them, afraid of what they might reveal.
At last the day for the trip to London arrived. Beth was both excited and apprehensive.
The train was nearly full, but the first class carriages were not so busy. Hyacinth wanted to hold Beth’s hand under the table. Beth was reluctant. She looked around while trying to pull her hand away, terrified people would notice. Hyacinth didn’t care, but eventually she gave up, irritated by Beth’s attitude. Deciding to freeze Beth out for a while wrongly assuming she could teach her a lesson, H started reading her newspaper.
Relieved, Beth sat back in her seat and relaxed, looking out at the fields and the overcast sky before glancing around the carriage.
An attractive blonde sitting further along on the opposite side, reading a magazine, was surreptitiously watching them. When Beth looked along the carriage the blonde deliberately caught Beth’s attention, and smiled.
Beth smiled back wondering where she had seen her before? Staring, unaware she was analysing the other woman’s appearance, taking in the expensive cut of her burgundy suit, the beautiful brown eyes. The sexual excitement she felt in her groin told her exactly who it was. It was Lou Scott. The very woman she had secretly admired for a long time.
Lou didn’t want to go to London. She wanted to jump off the train when it pulled into York station and rush home to her rustic Yorkshire farmhouse, see Frances, her groom, and check on the horses. Instead she had to travel to London and meet with her agent to discuss a possible film offer. Not something she could ignore.
Running a hand through her long, wavy, honey blonde hair, a gesture she used when stressed, she reached into her Louis Vuitton overnight bag for the current editions of Horse & Hound and Eventing. She’d only just had time to buy them before jumping onto the train. Her good nature was quickly restored. She couldn’t be grumpy for long especially when her attention was drawn by the two attractive women sitting further along the carriage.
The blonde, the older of the two, was pestering her companion to hold hands. It was obvious to Lou the younger woman was embarrassed by the way she nervously slapped her friend’s hands away. Interesting . . .
Lou opened a magazine pretending to read, covertly watching them. Their antics might give some light relief to her enforced journey.
When the younger woman returned her smile, Lou’s world was rocked. Their eyes held, sending Lou’s senses spinning in reaction to the brunette’s exquisite looks, and for a brief moment, time was suspended, they were alone in the universe.
Hyacinth, who had been engrossed in the newspapers for the past half-hour, subconsciously remembered Beth. Coming back to the present from The Times crossword, she felt the need for strong coffee.
‘Be a darling, Beth. Run along to the Buffet Car and bring me some black coffee.’ Hyacinth dismissed Beth with a wave of her hand. That should keep you busy for a while, she thought. She resumed the crossword.
Initially surprised by the demand, Beth obediently stood up and headed towards the Buffet Car. As she walked past Lou Scott fate took a hand. The train swayed almost tipping her onto Lou’s lap. Automatically Lou reached to steady Beth to stop her falling.
‘Thanks . . . sorry . . . not a very smooth ride, is it?’ Beth cheeks reddened.
The blonde smiled, ‘Understatement. Lou Scott. Pleased to meet you.’ She took hold of Beth’s hand.
‘Hello. Yes, I know — that you’re Lou Scott that is. I’m Beth . . . Beth McConnell. It’s great to meet you. I watch all of your programmes.’
Still holding Beth’s hand, Lou indicated to the empty seat opposite her, ‘Please sit with me for a while, or is your friend desperate for her coffee?’
Beth glanced over her shoulder to check on Hyacinth. Good, she thought, it looks like she’s dozed off. I can take my time. Then she wondered had Lou been watching them and listening to their conversation? Maybe she’d seen them briefly holding hands? She sat down before Lou could change her mind.
She had always thought Lou attractive when she’d seen her on television. Now, meeting her in the flesh, she was thunderstruck. Gorgeous, sensuous, beautiful smooth hands, the small screen didn’t do this woman justice. She was a goddess. Beth felt something spark between them. Did Lou feel it too?
Lou was just so easy to talk to, they got on famously. ‘You know I’m an actor, and presenter, but what do you do?’
‘Nothing glamorous. It can be all blood and guts for me. I’m a surgeon.’
‘But that is glamorous. You save lives; help people. You’re brave. I can’t stand the sight of blood. I could never be a vampire!’
‘Pity. We have a vacancy in the blood bank.’ Beth laughed. She liked Lou’s sense of humour; she liked everything about her.
Beth became aware that she had been sitting with Lou for quite some time, but she couldn’t tear herself away, captivated by Lou’s soft brown eyes, honey blonde hair, and mellow voice. Lou’s wicked sense of humour became more apparent when she did some of the different accents her acting career had called for. Leaning back, looking into Lou’s eyes, hardly daring to breathe, Beth had an overwhelming urge to kiss her.
Not trusting herself she leapt out of her seat, startling Lou. ‘I must get H’s coffee. She’ll kill me!’ she blurted.
‘Oh, all right then. It was nice, chatting. Maybe we’ll run into each other again? I hope so. Let me . . . ʼ
Beth interrupted her, ‘Yes, yes. Me, too. Bye.’ She hurried away certain they would never meet again, but she would never forget her brief encounter with Lou Scott.
Her feelings for Hyacinth paled into insignificance in comparison to the torrent of emotions taking control of her now. In a blur, Beth got the coffee and returned to her seat, crestfallen when she saw Lou’s seat was empty.
‘I only sent you for coffee. Where the hell have you been . . . Brazil?’
Bitch, thought Beth. ‘There was a queue. Anyway, I thought you were asleep.’
‘Just dozing, darling, just dozing,’ Hyacinth snapped back.
‘Really Hyacinth, you’re so sharp sometimes, you could cut yourself. You know you had your head stuck in the crossword.’
‘What’s happened while you’ve been getting that coffee?’ Hyacinth peered intently over her diamond-studded designer reading glasses. ‘Have you been buying some attitude as well?’
‘Don’t be silly. Stop talking rubbish.’ Beth’s tone was harsh. She picked up a magazine. She couldn’t be bothered with H’s cutting remarks right now. Bad tempered bitch. If she continued like this, theirs would be a very short friendship.
Beth couldn’t concentrate on the magazine because every female face staring up from the pages appeared to look like Lou. Unable to control her thoughts she visualized Lou standing in front of her, naked. Could Lou read her thoughts? She glanced along the carriage to where Lou had returned to her seat. They smiled at each other, a slow sensual knowing smile. As the excitement welled up in Beth, the train slowed, pulling into Kings Cross.
Impulsively, leaving a disgruntled Hyacinth to collect their things, Beth dashed along the carriage to catch Lou before she left the train. Too late, she’d gone. Beth felt gutted, empty. She couldn’t believe the impact Lou Scott had had on her. Returning to a fuming Hyacinth, Beth was hit with the devastating thought, what if she never set eyes on Lou again?
Reading her thoughts, H reeled in horror. You’ll never see her again if I have anything to do with it.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
A short taxi ride took Beth and H to the Grosvenor Hotel, where the Concierge ushered them through to the reception desk. While they were booking in, music from the lounge drifted across. The resident pianist was in good form.
Their suite was on the third floor. Beth didn’t like lifts, but held her composure. She didn’t want any more sniping off Hyacinth.
Walking into the plush room Hyacinth went straight to the mini bar. In the short time it took the porter to unload the bags, she downed a miniature bottle of brandy. Then simultaneously tipping him she pushed him out, hanging the ‘Do Not Disturb’ notice as she closed the door.
Pausing to gather her thoughts, she decided to ignore Beth’s strange behaviour. Turning on the charm she gave Beth a devastating smile; seduction being the name of her game. ‘At last darling . . . I’ve got you all to myself. Now, what will I do with you?’ Slipping off her jacket H sat on the king sized bed.
Beth shuddered, suddenly she wasn’t ready. Playing for time she said, ‘I’m really tired after the journey. Aren’t you Let’s just have a couple of drinks and relax, shall we?’
She sounded so sweet and sincere Hyacinth couldn’t refuse her.
Hoping H would consume enough brandy to fall asleep and not bother her, Beth reached into the mini-bar. She wasn’t a drinker, but managed half a bottle of white wine on an empty stomach. Not a good idea. She felt queasy, put it down to hunger then promptly fell asleep in Hyacinth’s arms.
She woke to find H, unaffected by the brandy, showered, dressed and ready to go down for a meal.
‘Come on, Beth, darling. Stir yourself, or we’ll never get to the club.’ Hyacinth lit a cigarette.
‘I don’t feel well, H. It must be the wine. I’m not a drinker.’ Beth crossed over to the bathroom and closed the door, not sure if she wanted to be sick.
‘You’ll feel better when you’ve eaten, darling. Now get a move on!’ H shouted through to her.
Beth looked in the mirror. Her ashen reflection made her feel worse. Wishing she hadn’t drunk the wine she took her time in the shower. She emerged from the bathroom into a cloud of smoke as H lit yet another cigarette.
‘Hyacinth . . . really! Do you have to smoke so much? It’s a wonder the smoke alarms haven’t gone off.’
With a look of scathing disdain, H collected her things and walked out of the room. Beth followed.
Feeling slightly better for having eaten, Beth was surprised when H bothered to ask if she was feeling well enough to go to a nightclub. Not wanting to spend time alone with her, Beth was quick to say yes. Hyacinth knew of a trendy basement club in Oxford Street.
Going down the dim stairway into the club was like descending into the bowels of the earth. A dark, hot, thick, smoky atmosphere prevailed. Groups of women, although at first glance Beth wasn’t sure if they were all women, stood around a dimly lit room. The dance floor was a mass of moving bodies. Beth watched the dancers move as one to the sensuous beat of the music. The beat grew louder, relentlessly thumping in her ears, taking her into a stomach lurching light-headedness.
‘H, I’ve got to get outside, into the fresh air.’ Beth turned towards the stairs. Hyacinth followed, concerned. Beth only reached the first step before she fainted. H helped her up. Beth went down again.
Outside in the fresh air Beth gradually began to feel better. Back at the hotel she went straight to bed, to sleep.
The next morning Beth had fully recovered. They visited Windsor Castle, then spent the afternoon shopping in Harrods. H, determined Beth would not suffer another day from lack of food and be well enough to enjoy the night out she had planned, insisted they go to the Dorchester for afternoon tea.
Shown to a table with a perfect view of the room, Beth sat back, teacup in hand surveying the scene. Her mind wandered to Lou, she couldn’t stop herself. She had a vision of Lou walking into the room, the only welcome vision she’d ever had.
She froze as Lou materialized, like magic, through the door. Oh my, this is no vision, Beth thought. She’s actually here.
Lou wasn’t alone. A small attractive woman carrying a bulky briefcase was by her side. They were shown to a nearby table. As she was about to sit down Lou spotted Beth, and flashed her a radiant smile.
Elated, Beth couldn’t help grinning. She had convinced herself that she would never see Lou again, yet here she was. But, she might as well be a hundred miles away. In her wildest dreams Beth couldn’t imagine them getting together. They had only met once, for God’s sake. Still, she supposed, there’s no harm in dreaming.
Hyacinth, seemingly oblivious to Beth’s distraction, tapped her feet in time to the piano. Beth wanted to linger. She wanted to sit and savour watching Lou so she started to pour more tea into Hyacinth’s cup. But H wasn’t oblivious. She had seen Lou, and knew she was going to lose Beth to her if she wasn’t careful. She began to penetrate Beth’s mind. Her thoughts hit Beth like a steam train entering a tunnel.
Beth set the teapot down hard on the table, and put her hands up to cover her eyes.
‘Beth, what’s wrong? Are you having a relapse?’
‘I have the most terrific pain in my head. I can’t stand it.’
Placing her hand on Beth’s forehead, H said, ‘Try to relax, let me give you some healing energy.’ She stopped her assault on Beth’s mind gradually releasing her control. She was shocked at the severity of her invasion, and how much pain she was able to inflict on Beth. She would have to be careful; otherwise she would end up killing her.
‘It’s gone, the pain has gone. How did you do that?’
H removed her hand from Beth’s forehead. ‘We should go. You need to rest, and I recommend you have a medical check-up when we get home.’
‘I’m fine now, honestly. I don’t need a rest, but we’ve got to allow ourselves enough time to get ready for tonight.’
H squeezed Beth’s knee under the table.
Anxious to escape H’s touch, Beth excused herself, ‘I just need the ladies’ room before we go.’
Beth stood up and glanced across at Lou’s table in the hope that Lou would see her, and follow. She felt terribly deflated when Lou didn’t.
Beth was in the bathroom when she heard the room telephone ringing. It was almost impossible to hear the conversation over the noise of the power shower although she could hear the tone of H’s voice, loud and annoyed. Stepping out of the bathroom wrapped in a white fluffy towel to ask who was on the phone, she was surprised when H, eyes blazing, slammed the receiver down.
‘Bloody silly room service! I told them that I hadn’t ordered anything, but the fools kept insisting I had!’ Viciously stubbing out her cigarette, she stormed over to the bathroom. Mentally kicking herself, she stopped. Pulling Beth into her arms she kissed Beth’s wet hair. ‘Mmm, your hair smells lovely. You are finished in there, aren’t you darling?’
‘Almost, just a couple more minutes. Are you sure you’re all right?’ Beth knew it wasn’t Room Service that had got H so rattled.
She could have sworn she’d heard H shouting at someone called Lady Corday and about how she was not in a position to dictate terms.
Hyacinth was too angry to make a move on Beth. As a result they were ready to go out much too early so sat in one of the hotel bars for a while.
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