Classic Bestsellers from Josephine Cox: Bumper Collection. Josephine Cox

the room, his fists rubbing one into the other as though they were itching to hit something, or someone. ‘The police got there before me. When I turned the corner he was being arrested. After that, it was out of my hands.’ His features stiffened. ‘More’s the pity! A ten-year gaol sentence is so little for what he did.’

      Needing to end the conversation, he swung round on her. ‘What are you doing here anyway?’

      ‘I was worried about Sylvia.’ Venturing closer, she lied, ‘I couldn’t sleep. I got to thinking how that bastard Stratton beat her so bad she almost died. As it was, he damaged her brain so much she’ll never be whole again.’ Her voice dropped to a baby whine. ‘Is it her punishment, do you think … for having relations with him … cheating on you, when you’ve always been such a wonderful husband?’

      ‘That’s enough, Georgina. I think it’s time you went.’

      ‘Oh, Luke, I’m sorry. I know how painful it is for you to think about what happened.’ Making the sign of the cross on herself she whispered solemnly, ‘I promise I’ll never speak of it again.’

      ‘I’d appreciate that.’

      Georgina was a strange person, he thought. And he could never fathom her. Sometimes she couldn’t do enough for himself and Sylvia, and other times she seemed to take satisfaction in torturing him.

      Walking to the door he expected her to follow. Instead she went on talking. ‘It was just as well I got here when I did,’ she assured him. ‘By the time I arrived, Sylvia was already being difficult. Ask Edna, if you don’t believe me. Between us, we managed to calm her and get her to bed. Edna insisted on going in to check on her, but I wouldn’t let her. I sent her home instead.’

      A thought occurred to her. ‘What was she doing here just now? I told her not to come back. I told her I was going to have a word with you – that it must have been her who upset Sylvia in the first place, otherwise why was she in such a state when I got here? And just now, how did she get into the house? You can’t get into the house without a key.’

      Luke enlightened her. ‘Edna has a key. And before you say anything, she will continue to have a key. For Sylvia’s sake I need to know that Edna can let herself in at any time.’

      Georgina saw her opportunity. ‘Think about it, Luke! I have some experience of looking after sick people – I nursed my mother when she was ill – and the doctor said I would have made an excellent nurse.’

      ‘And you would,’ Luke agreed. ‘I’ve seen how gentle and good you can be with Sylvia.’

      ‘There you are!’ she cried jubilantly. ‘So, why don’t I sell my house and come to live here? Then you’d have no need of Edna.’

      He swiftly dismissed her idea. ‘Thank you all the same, but I really don’t think that’s necessary. Besides, Edna might be a little slower than she once was, but she’s more than capable and, as well you know, Sylvia trusts her implicitly.’

      ‘She trusts me too. I mean, on Tuesdays when Edna has her day off and you’re away working on your “secret” project …’ she waited for an explanation, and when there was none, she continued, ‘… well, she always enjoys my company. We get on well together. We always have.’

      ‘Yes. I know that.’

      He had seen how the two of them laughed and chatted together, about their childhood and other things that women were interested in, such as the latest fashion designs and favourite film stars.

      They really did seem to enjoy each other’s company, and on the one occasion when Sylvia had a bad turn, Georgina quickly got the doctor out and everything was under control.

      She was a sensible, intelligent woman. That was the reason he was content enough to leave them together while he enjoyed his own company on that one special day.

      All the same, his small, sneaking distrust of Georgina remained. Now, though, he thought it best to remind her of something. ‘Just now, when Sylvia saw what she’d done to my face, she was upset. But did you notice, it wasn’t you she turned to? It was Edna. No, Georgina, it’s kind of you to offer, but it’s best we leave things the way they are.’ His instincts told him it would be a very bad idea to have Georgina in the house at all times.

      Opening the door, he offered, ‘I’ll have a word with Edna … see if she wouldn’t mind me running you home.’

      But Georgina would not hear of it. ‘No. I’ll get a cab. I’d prefer that.’

      ‘All right,’ Luke conceded, ‘if that’s what you want.’

      Going to the hallstand, he took down two coats: a long dark, woollen coat with belt and deep pockets, and a black astrakhan three-quarter one with black bone buttons and fur collar.

      First helping her on with the astrakhan, he then shrugged on his own coat. ‘I’ll walk you to the bottom of the street. We’ll flag down a cab there.’

      It was a matter of only five minutes or less, before a cab pulled over. ‘Mind you go straight indoors once you get home.’

      ‘It’s all right,’ she answered with the sweetest of smiles, ‘I know how to look after myself.’

      Helping her into her seat, he kissed her dutifully on the cheek. ‘Good night, Georgina.’

      Before settling back into her seat, she clung to him a moment longer than he was comfortable with. ‘Good night, Georgina!’ Taking her by the shoulders he gently but firmly pushed her away and closed the door. ‘Eighteen, Park Street.’ He thrust a handful of coins into the driver’s hand. ‘There’s a bit extra there,’ he pointed out. ‘Mind you wait until she’s safely inside.’

      A smile from her, a wave and she was gone.

      Somewhat dejected, Luke made his way back to the house. ‘I’ll never understand it,’ he muttered. ‘How could two sisters be so different?’

      But then he reminded himself of how Sylvia had been having an affair with Arnold Stratton, before they found her beaten and battered in the alley.

      It had been the worst shock of all, and even now Luke found it hard to believe that she had deceived him with another man. He had adored Sylvia since the first day they met; with every fibre in his body. Without question or reservation. Time and again, she had told him how she never wanted or needed anyone else, and he believed her.

      In the early years theirs had been the ideal romance, the meeting, the courtship, the sharing and growing together. Then the cracks had begun to show, with Sylvia’s waywardness and selfishness. She was bored; she didn’t want Luke to go to the factory; she wanted to travel … She started spending every evening out – with friends, but they were not friends he knew – and she was drinking a lot. Luke tolerated all this because he still had his dreams of their growing old together, with maybe a son who would one day take over the business from him. Then Sylvia met Arnold Stratton …

      Luke still loved her now in spite of her cheating, but not in the way he had loved her before. Not with his heart and soul. Not blindly. But he had made his vows and he held her close to his heart. She was his wife, his responsibility and he would take care of her until the end of her days … or the end of his! Whichever came first.

      His thoughts returned briefly to Amy as he had seen her that evening – young, care-free, laughing in the street. She was his dream, but Sylvia was his reality.

      The portly cab driver was a chatty sort. ‘I’ll soon have you home, miss,’ he assured Georgina proudly, ‘safe and sound, just like the good man wanted.’

      Deep in thoughts of a devious kind, Georgina didn’t hear him.

      ‘Decent fella … seems concerned to keep you from harm,’ the cabbie went on. ‘Your intended, is he?’

      Coming out of her reverie with her mind made up, Georgina didn’t catch his last remark. ‘What’s that you say?’

      Half-turning