‘That’s right. You went to bed and I wrote up my notes for my workbook. You remember my workbook?’
‘I do. With the blue and green cover.’
‘It was just a normal night. I went to bed. I vaguely heard your father come home late. I went back to sleep. And then . . . and then there was shouting. Lots of men shouting. And a door slamming. And something smashed. I heard the pieces shatter. It was that big blue vase that stood at the top of the stairs . . .’
Luke nodded.
‘I ran out on to the landing. It was dark. I couldn’t see anything. I heard your father shouting at someone. At whom, I don’t know. What he was saying I couldn’t make out. My thoughts were for you. I ran into your room. You were awake but very sleepy. I don’t think you quite knew where you were. I sat on your bed and we said that little prayer I taught you.’
‘You will not fear the terror of the night,’ said Luke unsteadily.
‘You remember that still? The noises downstairs died away. I heard vehicles outside and men running in and out of the house. Your father opened your bedroom door to ask if we were both all right and I said yes, you were asleep. The house fell silent. I stayed with you all night. I could hear your father pacing around the house, talking to people on the phone. Several times he put his head around the door to check on you. He brought me up a coffee. I was shocked, Luke, when I saw him. He was so altered, his face seemed to have fallen in on itself. Such a big change in such a short time. He walked the house all night but there were no more disturbances.’
Jane wondered what that must have been like for her. Sitting in the dark with a little boy, wondering what was happening as men ran through the house shouting. Who were they? What could they have wanted? Was it a break-in? Or – and this seemed likely, given Luke’s immediate removal to a new school – had it been a kidnap attempt? He was the son of a wealthy industrialist. Had there been a ransom planned?
She thought back to her one sight of Luke’s father. A big, powerful man. In every sense of the word. It was hard to imagine him showing any signs of agitation, and yet . . . Was he fonder of Luke than he liked to show? And, having heard this, would Luke feel more kindly disposed towards his father?
‘The next day Ms Steel called to see me,’ Birgitte continued. ‘She was very pleasant, Luke. She apologised for bringing bad news but my employment was terminated immediately. Mr Parrish wished to express his gratitude for my services. I would be paid up to the end of the year. There would be a bonus as well.’
‘Contingent on your silence.’
‘Contingent on nothing. Nothing like that was ever mentioned. I’ve never told anyone about that night because no one has ever asked.’
‘So that was it. He just . . . cut you off?’
‘Not at all. A small apartment had been found for me so I could continue my studies in London and a sum of money set aside should I wish to start up on my own afterwards. He was extraordinarily generous.’
‘He bought you off.’
‘That may be so, but why would he do that? He was perfectly entitled to dismiss me at any time.’
‘He just cast you adrift.’
‘No, Luke. I moved out, of course, and about two weeks later I received a very nice letter from him, apologising for curtailing my employment so abruptly, thanking me for my care of you, assuring me you were well, and wishing me all the best for the future.’
‘You mean Ms Steel sent you a nice letter in his name.’
‘Again, Luke, no. It was handwritten. By him. I recognised his writing.’
Luke was bewildered. ‘So – all the shouting – what was that about?’
She shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I wondered afterwards if perhaps an attempt had been made to break in and your father had decided you would be safer at a boarding school rather than the one around the corner. Whatever it was, I can assure you he was most concerned for your welfare. Indeed, it was the only time I ever saw him not in complete control of himself.’
‘But you just vanished out of my life. Why didn’t you write?’
‘I tried, but I didn’t have an address, Luke. Your father sold the house – my letters were returned. I didn’t know to which school you’d been sent. I had no electronic address for you. I assumed your father was concerned for your safety and this was part of the increased security. I thought it best to leave you be. But it’s wonderful to see you all grown up now.’
For Jane, the rest of the evening was a blur. Luke and Birgitte talked and talked, reminiscing over days long gone. Jane dozed, listening to their voices coming and going. Eventually, they both wound down. A short silence fell and then Luke stood up to go and saw Jane still curled up in her chair.
‘Jane, I . . .’
‘It’s OK. You’ve had other things on your mind. But now I think we need to find our hotel.’
‘I am sorry I cannot put you up here,’ said Birgitte. ‘My other bedroom is Ilse’s studio.’
‘No, no,’ said Jane. ‘It’s fine.’ She regarded Luke for a moment and then extended her hand. ‘It was nice to meet you, Birgitte.’
‘And you too. Luke, I hope now you will stay in touch. I have often thought of you over the years.’
‘Yes, I will,’ said Luke vaguely. His eyes were unfocused. Jane suspected he was operating on automatic pilot. ‘That would be nice. I have your address.’ He appeared to pull himself together. ‘It was so good to see you again.’
‘For me too.’ She looked at him closely. ‘I think you need to take better care of yourself.’
He nodded at Jane. ‘Already in hand.’
She smiled. ‘I think you could not be in better hands.’
Jane glowed. For the right reasons. Just for once.
Back out in the street, he turned to her. ‘Jane, how tired are you?’
‘I’m fine. I’ve slept for most of the evening.’
‘Would you mind if we went straight back to London? I know we were supposed to be here for a few days but . . . I have some things to think about.’
‘No, of course not. Here’s our taxi.’
Luke said very little on the journey back to London. Attendants brought pillows and blankets for those who hadn’t booked a cabin. Luke stared out at the darkness on the other side of the window and Jane stared at Luke staring at the darkness and wondered just how helpful this trip had been. Did his old life still have such a hold on him? And, now he’d heard Birgitte’s story, Jane wondered whether Luke might, just might, harbour more friendly feelings towards his father.