Part 10 (1/2)
The doctor kissed his hostess soundly, shook his friend by the hand and introduced Cressida.
”Come in,” said Charity, 'the girls are longing to see you. Bring the dogs, Aldrik. Samson will be pleased; they can have a good run after lunch. ”
They all went indoors and the doctor said, ”I must go back this afternoon a clinic at four o'clock and I must call in at home on the way.”
”Come upstairs and see your room?” invited Charity, ”I'm so glad you could come, I don't get out a great deal.” She patted the elegant drapery over her tummy.
”We can have a good gossip.”
”You're very kind to have me. I wanted to go back to England but Dr. van der Linus wouldn't let me.”
”Quite right, too.” Charity opened a door in the gallery at the top of the staircase.
”Here we are, someone will unpack for you while we're having lunch and while the men take the children and dogs for a walk we'll get to know each other.” She opened the door again.
”Come down when you're ready we'll look out for you.”
Cressida, left to herself, explored the bedroom and the bathroom beyond, looked out of the window and then did her face and hair. It was rather like being in a dream, she reflected, and she supposed that sooner or later someone would tell her what was to happen next. Was she to stay here for one night? Was there a suitable job waiting for her? Or was she to stay longer and rely on local advertis.e.m.e.nts or agencies, and why had the doctor brought her all this way, as far away from the ferry as possible, or almost?
No way was she going to get the answers to her problems, not for the moment at any rate; they were waiting for her in the drawing-room and the two little girls were there too, and over drinks and lunch the talk never once touched on herself, but after the meal, when the children went to get their outdoor things and Charity went with them, Cressida found herself beside the doctor while Mr. van der Brons was telephoning.
”I really must know what's going to happen to me,” she hissed at him.
”I can't stay here, I simply can't, you must tell me.”
He smiled down at her, very large and very calm.
”Charity will explain while we're out, and if when we get back you still want to go back to England I'll run you back to Leiden and put you on the train.”
He patted her shoulder and wandered away to where the others were waiting in the hall. She watched him go, feeling frustrated; she hadn't had the chance to say half the things which were on her mind.
Charity came back into the room.
”I'm going to put my feet up,” she said cheerfully, 'curl up in a chair and we can have a good gossip. ”
Cressida curled up.
”Look,” she began, ”I'm most grateful to you and your husband for having me but I can't get Dr. van der Linus to tell me anything...”
Then can be tiresome,” observed Charity.
”They arrange things and expect everyone else, especially wives, to know all about it. Did he mention the ter Beemstras? No? Well, they live a few miles from here, youngish, six children and desperate for someone to help with them.
You see, the idea of six is a bit daunting, isn't it? But it's not like that at all. The three eldest are at school all day--boys, the twins are five years old and the littlest one is three. I rather think that Aldrik thought you might like to take them on. Actually, he had them in mind when he came back to Holland, but Nicola persuaded him that you would be happier with her aunt. ”
She rearranged a cus.h.i.+on to her satisfaction.
”If I had known I would have warned him I've met Jonkvrouw van Germert once and that was once too often, and I can't stand Nicola, she's got her claws into Aldrik.
You can't think how pleased I was when he phoned to say he was bringing you to us. ” She beamed at Cressida.
”If you like the idea I'll get Beatrix ter Beemstra to come over and talk to you. They're a happy family and the house is nice and they'll be generous with a salary.” She added in her friendly way, ”It would be lovely to have you not too far away; you could pop over for coffee or lunch or something. The twins get on well with ours and the baby's a darling.
Now I'm going to take a nap while you think about it. ”
She closed her eyes and Cressida, with no chance to say a word, set about considering her situation. The idea of six children didn't daunt her; she liked them and she thought that she would like Friesland with its wide horizons and endless fields, and, although she told herself that it would make no difference, she might see the doctor from time to time. She liked Charity and Tyco and the twins and perhaps the ter Beemstras would like her too and she could settle down with them. If she went back to England she would be going to unknown people, even if she were lucky enough to find a job quickly .
Charity's soft voice broke into her thoughts.
”Would you like to meet Beatrix ter Beemstra? Just to talk about it...”
Cressida took a deep breath.
”Yes, please, if you think I'd do.”
Charity went over to the side-table by one of the windows and lifted the receiver as the door opened and the men, children and dogs came in. The doctor went straight to Cressida.
”I'm leaving in a few minutes.” He glanced across at Charity.
”Are you get ting fixed up with the ter Beemstras?” And when she nodded he said, ”Good, I think you'll be happy with them. I'm sorry that you had such an unpleasant time with Jonkvrouw van Germert; it is a relief to me to know that you will be comfortably settled.”
Rather like finding a home for a stray kitten, thought Cressida. Now he was free to wash his hands of her. She swallowed the bitter thought.
She held out a hand.
”Goodbye, Dr. van der Linus and thank you for your kindness.” She saw the surprise on his face and wondered what he had expected her to say.
CHAPTER SIX.
standing in the porch with her new-found friends around her, Cressida wondered if she would ever see the doctor again. The Bentley disappeared into the gathering dusk and they went back to the drawing room to have tea and then play Monopoly with the twins until it was their bedtime.
Charity went upstairs presently to tuck them up for the night and Tyco, sitting opposite Cressida, said in his kind way, T think you'll like the ter Beemstras, they're good friends of ours, but if anything bothers you don't hesitate to let us know. I promised Aldrik that I would keep an eye on you. ”
”Thank you very much. I'm sure I'll be happy with your friends.” She hesitated.
”I didn't like to ask Dr. van der Linus but I do hope that I haven't been the cause of any--any difference between him and Juffrouw van Germert.”
”I can safely rea.s.sure you about that.” He smiled at her and got up as Charity came back into the room.
”I believe he intends to see her this evening.”
”Oh, good, I'm glad,” said Cressida, who didn't feel glad at all.
Sitting between them presently, eating delicious food with Jolly, the butler, hovering benignly in the J background, Cressida felt happy for the first time in
days well, almost happy; the thought that she had seen the doctor for the last time was ever present in the back of her mind. Even if he came to see the van ; der Bronses, he was hardly likely to see her. She won- j de red just where he lived and asked Charity, j ”Oh, not far away the other side of Dokk.u.m,
about ten miles from here. It's rather out of the way,
though. He loves it, but Nicola hates it. He has a i house in Leiden though you've been there handy I for him, for he goes to and fro a good deal. I suppose he'll be there for Christmas; his father died a few years ago and his mother is on a long visit to one of his sisters. He has another sister with children, I dare say they'll be with him as well as aunts and cousins. Oh, and Nicola, wrapped in furs and looking gorgeous.”