Lizzie’s Daughters Read online

  He would have normally been content to leave it to Jack, but he wasn’t sure if he could still trust a man he’d thought of as a friend. Jack had betrayed him in some way. What happened in Germany showed there was a traitor somewhere, and Sebastian wasn’t sure if it was Jack or someone else in the department. He needed to talk to the man who had driven his hire car to the airport and given him the false papers. Jack had risked all their lives… and he had some explaining to do.

  His mouth was set grimly as he joined the queue for the flight back to London the next day. He’d tried to phone Lizzie twice but there was no reply and his imagination was running riot. Supposing she’d had a fall and the baby had come early or… But that way lay madness. In a few hours he would be home and he knew there would be some explaining to do. Lizzie was going to be angry because he’d left Betty to get home herself. He just hoped she was home, because otherwise it would be back to square one and he just didn’t have the energy to cope with that all over again. He’d rescued Gretchen, but if Betty had disappeared again he would never forgive himself…

  God, he was tired. He had a nagging pain in his chest and realised it must be indigestion… it was all the worry and rushing about, grabbing a sandwich on the run. He would go to the doctor when he got home and get something to ease it…

  Chapter 18

  ‘Where is your mother?’ Sebastian asked of his daughter as he put down his battered leather suitcase in the hall. ‘And is Betty here? I was told she’d come home…’

  ‘Betty was here but she took her things and moved in with Aunt Miriam,’ Francie said. ‘She doesn’t want to live here – she says you don’t really care about her. I don’t know what you’ve done to her, Dad…’

  ‘What I’ve done?’ Sebastian asked curtly. He was too damned tired for this and he’d just spent the last hour threatening an old friend with hellfire for no good reason. Apparently, Jack was furious because he hadn’t got Eric back for them.

  ‘He’s damned important to us, Seb. I thought you understood it was vital he talked to us. What the hell did you let him slip away for? We don’t even know if he got through alive.’

  ‘I didn’t hear any shots – and he wanted it that way,’ Seb said. ‘Obviously, I don’t have clearance to know everything – but I’ve been used and I want compensation…’

  ‘You want money? You never have before…’ Jack looked disbelieving.

  ‘I’m in financial trouble, but it isn’t for me – I want help for Gretchen and her mother. You’ve no idea what that girl has been through…’

  ‘I think I might guess,’ Jack said. ‘Look, I’ll do what I can, Seb, but our masters aren’t known for their generosity. Think yourself lucky you got papers to get them both over here…’

  Sebastian admitted that he’d been fortunate, because not all refugees were granted asylum, especially with Karl being labelled a war criminal, and yet he felt aggrieved that he’d been asked to bring Eric out when those who planned it must have been aware it could ruin Gretchen’s chances of escape.

  ‘Well, do what you can for me,’ Sebastian said. ‘I’m glad you didn’t deliberately set out to get us all killed – but someone did. You must have a traitor in the camp…’

  ‘I’m on to it, Seb, believe me. Look, I’ll try for at least some of the money – but I want something in return…’

  Sebastian’s gaze narrowed dangerously. ‘I think I’ve given enough. It’s time for me to retire and look after my family…’

  ‘If Eric gets in touch, promise me you’ll let me know when and where the meeting is set up – no one else, whoever asks. Even if it’s the damned Prime Minister or the archbishop of wherever… will you give me your word?’

  Sebastian studied him for a moment. ‘I’ll trust you, Jack. Obviously, you need to be careful, because someone wanted to ruin your plans – and that means you can’t trust anyone.’

  ‘Except for you.’ Jack offered his hand. ‘I trust you, Seb – and that’s why I know that if Eric contacts anyone it will be you…’

  ‘Daddy, you haven’t answered me,’ Francie’s voice broke through the haze of thoughts and pain in Sebastian’s mind. ‘Betty hates you now and there has to be a reason other than what we saw… because I don’t hate you even though I think it’s despicable to deceive Mum…’

  Sebastian blinked at his daughter. Everything looked vaguely red and he could hardly breathe for the pain in his chest, which was so much worse now.

  ‘What are you talking about…’ he started to say but then his tongue seemed to stick to the roof of his mouth; his eyes rolled, he gave a sigh and lurched forward, falling to the ground at his daughter’s feet.

  ‘Dad!’ Francie screamed and knelt by his side. ‘Oh, Daddy, please don’t die. I didn’t mean to upset you… please, don’t be dead…’

  The door opened behind her and Beth walked in. She took one look at Francie’s frantic face, then bent over Sebastian, working her finger into his mouth, making sure that he didn’t swallow his own tongue and choke and then turning him on one side so that his airways were not restricted. He was still breathing but seemed to be unconscious so she left him and quickly snatched up the telephone receiver, dialling a number she’d used on Lizzie’s behalf recently and knew by heart.

  ‘Doctor Staples’ surgery – how may I help?’

  ‘We have an emergency here,’ Beth said, sounding calmer than she felt. ‘Mr Sebastian Winters has collapsed and I think it must be a heart attack. He is unconscious but breathing and his airways are not constricted. Can you please send a doctor – or the ambulance…?’

  ‘I think you need an ambulance,’ the receptionist said. ‘Are you the patient’s wife?’

  ‘No, I’m a family friend, but his daughter is here and we shall both be going with him in the ambulance…’

  ‘The ambulance will be with you in about ten minutes, madam. Can someone let Mrs Winters know please?’

  ‘Yes, we’ll do that now,’ Beth said, and looked at Francie as she replaced the receiver. ‘I’m going to ring your mother. Fetch a blanket and a cushion; keep your father warm and comfortable. We’ll just have to pray the ambulance gets here fast…’

  *

  Lizzie sat in a taxi heading for the hospital to which Sebastian had been taken. Beth had told her to remember her unborn child and not to panic, but Lizzie’s fear was threatening to choke her. She couldn’t lose Sebastian now. He was older than her but still looked and acted like a young man – and perhaps that was half the trouble. He’d been working too hard for years and it was time he slowed down and took things easier…

  She’d been talking to Romany about the new spring and summer lines for next year, because you always had to plan several months ahead, and think about what was likely to be in fashion. Privately, when Betty was in the showroom serving a customer, Romany had told her that she had been talking about the girl to one of her contacts.

  ‘Walter is interested and he certainly liked Betty’s work,’ she’d told Lizzie, ‘but don’t say anything to her yet. He can be very fickle and he may change his mind. Wait until he says he wants to see her – at the moment he’s just asked to see more of her designs…’

  ‘I’m not sure Betty will let her sketch pad go,’ Lizzie warned. ‘She did that in Paris and three of her designs were stolen.’

  ‘That won’t happen this time, I give you my word. Walter…’

  Lizzie never did get to hear the rest of what she was going to say, because the telephone rang and Beth’s news had Lizzie rushing to order a taxi. Betty had entered the workroom just as Lizzie was about to leave but she hadn’t asked her to go with her to the hospital, because she knew Betty was still angry with her father.

  ‘I’ll telephone you as soon as I hear anything,’ she said and kissed Betty’s cold cheek. ‘Don’t worry, love. He’s on his way to hospital and I’m sure he’ll be all right…’

  ‘I didn’t want this, Mum…’ Betty was white-faced. ‘Please let me know soon…’

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bsp; ‘Yes, of course, love,’ Lizzie promised, but then the taxi arrived and there was no time. Perhaps some good would come from this, she thought, and prayed that Sebastian would recover. It was ironic that just as she felt her son was safe inside her womb her husband should be taken ill…

  Lizzie arrived at the hospital to find Beth and Francie sitting together in the waiting area of the emergency department. Beth got up and came to embrace her.

  ‘He’s stable,’ she told Lizzie. ‘The ambulance men gave him some treatment and I think he came round just as they got him here. He’s in that cubicle over there, love. The doctors are with him now and we were asked to wait here…’

  ‘I can’t see him yet then,’ Lizzie said and embraced Francie as she came to put her arms about her. ‘Don’t cry, love. Your dad is a fighter and I’m sure the doctors can help him… but I wish I’d known he was ill…’

  ‘He probably didn’t know,’ Beth said. ‘I don’t claim to have much knowledge, Lizzie, but I do remember from nursing training that we were told patients often had little or no warning of a first heart attack…’

  ‘He’s always been so strong,’ Lizzie said close to tears. ‘Oh, Beth, I can’t…’ she held the next words back, because Francie’s white face and big dark eyes told their own tale.

  ‘Sebastian is as tough as old boots,’ Beth said staunchly, looking at Francie and then at Lizzie. ‘It was probably just a warning, love, but I thought it was best to get an ambulance quickly…’

  ‘Beth was wonderful,’ Francie said. ‘If she hadn’t been there I shouldn’t have known what to do…’

  ‘I did very little,’ Beth said with a wry look. ‘I might have managed some chest massage and mouth to mouth resuscitation if it had been needed, but it wasn’t – which is why I think this is probably just a warning…’

  As if to endorse her words, the curtains of the cubicle were swished back and Lizzie saw Sebastian sitting up against the pillows and talking to the doctor. She jumped to her feet and walked swiftly to his bedside.

  ‘Sebastian, darling…’ she cried and bent to kiss his cheek. ‘Thank God! I was so frightened when they told me you’d collapsed…’

  ‘I’m sorry to worry you all,’ Sebastian said. ‘It was just a bit of nonsense. Nothing to worry about…’

  ‘I didn’t tell you that, Mr Winters,’ the doctor said with a straight look at Lizzie. ‘It was a sharp warning to slow down. So no rushing about for a while. I’m going to send you up to a ward and we’ll be doing tests tomorrow to discover just what sort of condition your heart is in. Something is wrong or you wouldn’t have had this attack. At the very least you’re going to have to take things easier…’

  ‘He needs a holiday at home,’ Lizzie said. ‘He’s been away far too often of late, and I’m going to make sure he spends more time with his family.’

  ‘There speaks a sensible woman,’ the doctor said and smiled at her. ‘It will be about half an hour before they take you up to the ward, Mr Winters. After that I suggest you go home, Mrs Winters. Your husband needs some bedrest and we’re going to see he has a good long sleep before we do the tests.’

  ‘I don’t want to stay here longer than necessary…’ Sebastian protested.

  ‘You told me to stay in bed when it was necessary,’ Lizzie said, giving him a straight look. ‘You’ll stay here until the doctor says you can come home – otherwise you’ll be hearing from me.’

  Sebastian smiled and relaxed against the pillows. ‘You win, Lizzie Larch. To be honest with you, I could do with a rest…’

  *

  Betty finished for the evening and said goodnight to Romany and the other girls, leaving Romany to lock up as usual. She’d waited nervously all afternoon for a phone call to say how Sebastian was, but none had come. It was stupid but it hurt because her mother hadn’t rung her as soon as she knew the situation – and the way Mum had gone rushing off without even asking if she wanted to go with her made her feel like an outsider.

  Betty understood her mother’s thinking. She’d been so angry with Sebastian, but she would never do anything to make his condition worse. Of course she wouldn’t! She didn’t want him dead, even though she’d said she hated him… Tears stung her eyes and she almost bumped into the man coming from the busy café ahead of her. She swayed and his hands shot out, steadying her. Blinking hard, Betty looked at his face and gave an exclamation of surprise.

  ‘Frank! Frank Hadley,’ she said. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘Killing time in the hope of catching you when you left,’ Frank said. ‘Matt told me you were helping out here…so I thought I’d hang around for a while…’

  ‘Oh, Frank, why didn’t you come in and ask for me?’

  ‘Wasn’t sure you would want to see me…’

  ‘Of course I do – you’re a friend…’

  Frank studied her intently and then he put out a finger to wipe away her tears. ‘Then why are you crying, Betty?’

  She caught back a sob and brushed at her eyes. ‘It’s daft,’ she said in a choked voice. ‘Sebastian has had a heart attack and Mum was going to telephone but she hasn’t and I’m afraid something has happened…’

  ‘Why don’t we go to the hospital and find out?’ Frank said. ‘I’ve got my car here…’

  ‘I can’t go to the hospital,’ Betty said. ‘You don’t understand, Frank. We fell out… and they might not want me there…’

  Frank took her arm. ‘Where are you living, Betty?’

  ‘With Aunt Miriam…’ she hesitated then. ‘I know it’s a lot to ask, but would you phone for me?’

  ‘Of course. Don’t you know I’d do anything for you?’ He smiled at her in a way that made Betty blush and look down. ‘Come on, there’s a phone box just a few yards up the street…’

  Betty nodded and followed him into the cramped interior. They had to squash in together, but she didn’t mind because Frank was Frank and she was always comfortable with him. Thankfully the phone was working and he had a pocketful of change, which he inserted at the operator’s command.

  ‘Ah yes,’ he said, nodding at Betty when at last he was put through to the Nursing Sister that could help him. ‘It’s about Mr Sebastian Winters. We wanted to inquire how he is please… Yes, I am a relation. I’m his son-in-law…’

  Betty gasped at the barefaced lie, but Frank just grinned at her.

  ‘So he’s resting for now – tests in the morning but you think he’ll come home in a couple of days. Thank you, Sister Morrison. My wife was extremely worried…’

  ‘Frank, how dare you?’ Betty said, looking shocked as he replaced the receiver. ‘Telling her lies…’

  ‘Only a little one,’ Frank winked. ‘She wouldn’t have told us anything otherwise – and you were very worried, so where’s the harm in bending the truth a little?’

  ‘You’re not my husband. We’re not even courting…’ Betty’s cheeks were on fire because Frank was making no effort to move and let her out of the cramped phone box.

  ‘That’s something that could easily be arranged,’ Frank said with a cheeky grin. ‘I shall be working here in London for at least the next few months, Betty. I did a report on the new facilities at Gatwick and now I’ve been asked to do one for another airport. They’ve offered me a chance to work on various designs for the new terminal and the facilities and that means I’ll be around for ages – and you know you’re special to me…’

  ‘No!’ Betty gave a cry of anguish. ‘Please don’t say that, Frank. You don’t know me. You don’t know what I’ve done…’

  She squeezed past him out of the box and started to run up the street. Frank came after her and grabbed her arm, swinging her round to face him, holding her gently but firmly as he gazed down at her. Betty couldn’t look at him; she was afraid to gaze into those honest eyes.

  ‘I know you, Betty,’ Frank said. ‘I know that whatever happened in Paris wasn’t your fault – Pierre Saint-Jacquez is a devil. It’s all my fault. I wish I’d told you everything back
then, when I knew you were falling for him. I’m not much of a catch for you and you could do much better – but I’ll be around if you need me…’

  Tears trickled down Betty’s cheeks. She shook her head, too ashamed to look at him. ‘Please don’t, Frank,’ she whispered. ‘It wouldn’t be fair… I’m not fit…’

  He gave her a little shake. ‘That’s enough of that,’ he said harshly. ‘I don’t care what you did – what he made you do – you’re lovely to me and always will be.’

  Betty swiped her hand across her eyes. ‘Thank you for phoning the hospital for me, Frank – but my plans don’t include romance.’

  Reluctantly, he let her go and stood back. ‘If you need help or you want to see me, Matt knows where to find me,’ he said and then turned and strode away.

  Betty watched him go. She wanted to call him back, to feel his comforting embrace and know that someone cared for her – but that wouldn’t be fair. Frank was kind and generous and she couldn’t take advantage of him – besides, she was afraid that even if he admired her now he would come to despise her when he realised just what had happened in Paris.

  *

  ‘You ought to go, Beth,’ Lizzie said and glanced at the gilt and enamel mantel clock. ‘Tony and Tom will be waiting for their meal…’

  ‘I rang Tony and explained. He said they would have fish and chips – and he’s taking Tom out for a treat.’ Beth looked at her in concern. ‘I didn’t want to leave you alone, and Francie is too weepy at the moment. She hasn’t come up against serious illness before…’

  ‘No, our children are lucky,’ Lizzie said and smiled at her best friend. ‘They haven’t had to cope with the hardships we had, Beth – and thank goodness for that. Sebastian has always tried to protect them from harsh reality – and perhaps that’s wrong. I don’t know what she would do if…’