The Sanchez Tradition by Anne Mather

Author:Anne Mather [Mather, Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781472097316
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2014-05-20T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

THE sun was beginning to slide down the sky as Rachel mounted the veranda steps and turning smiled encouragingly at Maria who lagged some few yards behind. The child’s sturdy little legs were shortening their step and she looked rosy-cheeked and healthily tired. She carried a bucket in one hand and a spade in the other, and Rachel carried their two pairs of sandals. Maria clambered up the steps, and grinned triumphantly up at her aunt.

‘You see,’ she exclaimed. ‘I told you I didn’t need to be carried.’

Rachel gave her tousled hair a gentle tug, and pushed her before her into the cool tiled hall of the villa. It was refreshing to be out of the glare of the sun, but Rachel had grown quite used to its intensity during the four weeks she had been staying with Marcus and Olivia, and it no longer troubled her by its brilliance.

Maria turned as they entered the hall, and said: ‘Will you give me my bath tonight, Rachel, please—oh, please!’ She pulled at Rachel’s hand appealingly, but just at that moment a slim attractive girl emerged from the room to their right, and said:

‘Now, Maria, you’ve only just got home. Give Rachel a chance to sit down and have a drink. You’re far too demanding! She’ll be getting sick and tired of you, if you’re not careful.’

Rachel smiled at her sister-in-law, and shook her head. ‘No, I won’t, Olivia,’ she said reassuringly. ‘But run along and see Tottie now, Maria. Like your mother says I want a nice relaxing cup of tea and a cigarette.’

Maria wrinkled her nose. ‘Then will you bath me?’

‘Most likely,’ agreed Rachel, nodding, and giving the little girl’s behind a sharp pat she sent her scampering off to the kitchen to find Tottie. Then she accompanied Olivia through the wide doors which led into the lounge of the villa. This was a long, low room that ran from front to back of the house, with plain white walls decorated with Brazilian carvings. The furniture was plain too, but very comfortable, and Olivia had added touches which were wholly feminine in the ribbons that looped back the heavy curtains, and the hand-embroidered cushions. It was a friendly, lived-in kind of room with toys stacked in one corner instead of stowed away in a nursery somewhere. Maria was very much a focal point in this small family, and Rachel thought that that was how it should be.

A maid had just brought a trolley of afternoon tea, and Rachel sank down thankfully, and accepted a cup from Olivia eagerly. Olivia poured her own, and then lying back in her chair, she said:

‘Honestly, Rachel, I don’t know how I managed before you came. You take that wretch of mine off my hands so much I’m able to do all the things I’ve never had time for.’

Rachel smiled. ‘You must know I adore her,’ she returned enthusiastically, ‘and we have some good times together.’

‘I can see that,’ nodded Olivia, sighing. ‘You wouldn’t consider staying here indefinitely, I suppose?’

Rachel’s cheeks coloured slightly.

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