While the twins took part in gymkhanas, fêtes and tournaments at the Club, Audrey’s snatched moments alone with Louis were few and fleeting. Their hopes simmered in their hearts, quietly, unobtrusively until they reached boiling point and could be ignored no longer.
Louis strode purposefully into Audrey’s bedroom. Cecil was at work and the house was empty for Mercedes took a siesta in the afternoon and emerged from her memories only at teatime. Audrey was putting away the clothes that Mercedes had washed, her thoughts deep in an imaginary future where she and Louis and the twins were one happy family together in the land of make-believe. She thought Louis had gone out for the day and was surprised when his ardent face appeared around her door.
‘I thought you were at Gaitano’s,’ she said as he drew her into his arms.
‘I came back early. We need to talk and we never seem to have more than minutes these days.’ Then his voice cracked and his face turned grey. ‘Audrey, I can’t go on like this any more.’
She gave a sad smile and ran her fingers across the frown that had dug trenches into his forehead. ‘I know, Louis. What are we going to do?’
‘Let’s run away together. Once the twins have gone to England. We’ll join them there. Start a life together, you, me and the girls. Then you won’t miss them any more and you won’t miss me either.’ She hesitated.
‘I can’t break it to Cecil,’ she said. ‘I’ll write a note, explain everything in writing. I’ve never been very good at communicating with him. I can’t bear to see his hurt face. In spite of our differences, I’m very fond of him. I just don’t love him like I love you.’
‘We’ll take a plane and sort everything out once we’ve arrived in England.’ Then when he saw her face shadow with doubt he added firmly, ‘You can’t go on living your life for other people. One day your parents will be dead and you’ll be left with Cecil and the remains of a sense of duty that will no longer matter.’
‘You’re right.’
‘I’m not asking you to leave your children, my love. I would never ask that of you, or want to. They are the most important people in your life and I understand that. They should never have been sent away in the first place.’ Audrey thought of leaving the country she had grown up in and considered home, but then before she could miss it she remembered that feeling of freedom she had felt on the Alcantara, gazing out onto the horizon of endless possibilities.
‘I’m frightened,’ she confessed, resting her head against his chest. ‘I love you and am prepared to give everything up for you. But I’m still afraid.’
‘I know,’ he whispered, stroking her hair and kissing her forehead. ‘I’m frightened too.’
‘You are?’
‘Yes, frightened of losing you again.’
‘Oh, Louis,’ she sighed. ‘You’ll never lose me now, I promise.’
They planned their trip and cast their dreams across the waters to England but neither dared think beyond for beyond lay a mist of uncertainty.
As if Aunt Edna sensed their plans she arranged to meet her niece for tea at the Club while the twins rode out across the plains with their Uncle Albert and his girlfriend, Susan. Audrey suspected nothing of her aunt’s intentions and greeted her warmly. But Edna noticed the strain behind the smile and was determined to get to the bottom of it once and for all.
‘So the twins fly to England in a few days,’ she said, pouring them both a cup of tea. ‘I shall miss them very much.’
‘I can’t bear it,’ Audrey replied sadly. ‘They won’t be home for a year. A year is a long, long time to be away from home and one’s family.’
‘All for a good education,’ Edna sniffed disapprovingly.
‘I can’t believe it’s worth it. But I’ll spend more time in England with Cicely. Perhaps I’ll get a place of my own.’ She hesitated, taking care to choose the right words. ‘I don’t want to be a burden to Cicely.’
‘I’m sure you’re not a burden, my dear. And besides, England is not your home.’
‘No, it isn’t. But it’s where my children will be. I want it to be a home for them. In time they’ll feel more at home there than here, I’m sure of it.’
‘Leonora is a charming little girl. She’s very dear. I’m immensely fond of her.’
‘She’s a good girl,’ Audrey agreed proudly. ‘She hasn’t her sister’s advantages . . .’
‘Or her nature, thank the Lord. One Alicia is bad enough,’ Edna interjected warily. ‘She’s a little too beautiful for her own good.’