Cuckoo by Anne Piper

Author:Anne Piper [Piper, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: uploadable
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2017-07-06T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER IV

Mary wrote at the beginning of June to suggest that Prue spend her holidays with them in Geneva.

“She would be such a help with the children and we could use her foreign allowance, and pay her in English money when we get back. Do you think she would agree to this ‘wage freeze’? I should so like to have her with us and would gladly give her £2 a week for the pleasure of being free from time to time.”

“Would you like it, Prue?” I asked, trying to conceal my own elation.

“Oh Claire — it would be heaven. Six whole weeks in Switzerland — think of it.”

“I didn’t know you were so fond of children.”

“Not all children, but Mary’s are nice on the whole, and Mary herself is a dear. I’m sure she’d be easy to work for. I’d thought of taking a job in England for a few weeks anyway but this would be far more fun. Nice Mary — shall I write, Claire, or will you?”

“I think it would be polite if we both wrote.”

“I shall now,” and she rushed out of the room. I hadn’t seen her look so pleased or ordinary for months. Funny child, but the joy to be without her. I began to plan a trip to France myself. Perhaps I could even take my holiday in September when she was due back, and thus avoid her for at least two months.

I tried so hard not to think about Tom. I tried too hard. I kept myself busy enough at the office all day, even working late into the hot light evenings, but when the others had gone, and I sat at my desk in an odd stillness uncrackled with typewriters, my eyes strayed again and again to the trees outside.

Those are no-good trees I told myself. They look green and cool from this height, but if I came close to them they’d be too black to touch. But not too black to stand under. Then I leaned on the window-sill, looking down, and longing for the feel of Tom’s fingers under the trees. It was a bad time. Three weeks, four weeks, and I was hopping mad to see him. Perhaps if I just have a drink with him before he goes abroad. Just to say goodbye. After all he may be away three months. If it’s like this after three weeks, what about three months? Round and round ticked my brain, and round and round rushed my blood after it.

One morning I knew for certain that I’d go away with him. I’d ring him at once and tell him. Then it would be all over, and I could start living again.

“Tom? Claire here. — Yes, it is a long time. I’ve been busy — oh various things. It’s a hot summer isn’t it? — Well, it makes a change after the cold winter anyway. How are you all? When are you off to Switzerland? Oh — as soon as that? Nothing — no it doesn’t matter.

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