‘I do hope David is in,’ said Alexandra when at last they’d reached London and she was on home ground (apart from the one-way streets, which sometimes interfered). ‘He was out with a friend last night and I’ve just realised he might have stayed the night.’
‘I hope he’s there too,’ said Lizzie. She hesitated. ‘The sooner we can get that car back the better.’
‘You don’t have to come with me! I’ll manage,’ said Alexandra. ‘I realise you must feel a bit worried that someone might see you. And I do rather like this sporty little thing now.’
Lizzie didn’t answer. She really didn’t want to go all the way back to that house which she had left under such a cloud. But she couldn’t let Alexandra down.
‘Thank goodness we didn’t get stopped by the police!’ interposed Meg.
‘The traffic was light, it being so early,’ said Lizzie, ‘which would have helped.’
‘It won’t be so light on the way back,’ said Alexandra. ‘But I know the car now, so that will be fine.’
‘Iwillcome with you,’ said Lizzie, suddenly stricken with guilt. If this caper went wrong, it would be all her fault: she was the one who’d wanted to leave. The other two would have been perfectly happy to stay until David collected them. ‘You need me to map-read, and no one – except Vanessa – will be out of bed if we go straight back now.’
‘Thank you, Lizzie,’ said Alexandra. ‘I’m not always as brave as I pretend to be.’
David was at home, and, after a lot of explanation, he brought the car round to the front, ready to set off to the country.
‘You girls,’ he said. ‘I never know what pickle you’re going to put me in next.’
‘We keep you young!’ said Alexandra, unrepentant.
‘I’m quite young enough without needing you lot to help,’ said David, patting his pockets to makesure he had everything he needed. ‘Look, I’ve got things to do, apart from rescuing you. Have you got money if you need petrol?’
Lizzie prised apart the layers of her handbag which were still wet. The little wallet where she put her banknotes was still fairly soggy. ‘I’m not sure. I did have.’
David sighed. ‘I’ll lend you money. You can dry out yours and pay me back later.’
‘Right!’ said Alexandra. ‘Here I go again! I must say, this is awfully good driving practice.’
‘And on someone else’s car, too!’ said David. ‘That’s the part I like.’
‘Come on,’ said Lizzie. ‘I’m on navigating duty.’ She wanted to be useful. So far she’d just caused everyone problems.
When they were in the car and sitting at a set of traffic lights, Alexandra patted Lizzie’s knee. ‘I am really enjoying myself. Don’t feel guilty.’
‘You’re very kind. And if ever I get the chance to help you out of a spot, I will.’
‘I know you will. I love having friends,’ said Alexandra. ‘Ones who are my own age, I mean.’
Lizzie was glad that she had to concentrate on where they were going, turning the map book round in her hands to help her navigate. It stopped her thinking too much about what had happened. Her spirits swung violently between deepest despair –she was deeply in love with a man who could never be hers – and utter joy.
Rightly or wrongly, she and he had shared a wonderful experience. She could hold on to that for ever.
PART TWO
Chapter Twenty
Lizzie was in the kitchen. It was late morning and the other two girls were out. She was sitting at the table fiddling with things while David was cooking something behind her.
‘What’s worrying you, chicken?’ David asked. ‘You’re not your cheery little self and haven’t been for a while. Are your parents nagging you to go and live with them? Get a proper job? Or are they happy with you being a waitress to the aristocracy with Meg?’
All those things were true and were, indeed, worrying Lizzie. Any of them would be perfectly acceptable reasons for her anxiety. She wondered which one she should give. Instead, she found herself saying, ‘I’m late for my period.’
‘How late?’
‘I’ve missed one completely. I didn’t notice at first. I’ve been busy and I lost my diary for a bit.’ She felt obliged to explain how she could have been so careless. ‘I’d stuffed it into a coat pocket after it dried out – you know after I nearly drowned and then I lentthe coat to Meg and she left it somewhere and it was a while before I got it back.’ She paused. ‘The next one was due a few days ago,’ she finished bleakly.
