Josephine Cox - Live the Dream

A moment passed while Georgina silently considered his answer. She knew that, in spite of the way things were, he was speaking the truth, and to her mind it was a shocking waste of a man’s devotion. Deep down she resented the love he felt for her sister. ‘On these Tuesdays, when I come over to take care of her, where do you go ?’

‘That’s my business.’ He gave her a warning glance. ‘We’ve had this conversation once too often, Georgina. Make this the last time, will you?’

Not being a woman who gave in easily, she persisted, ‘I know you don’t go to the factory.’

Angry and worried, he demanded, ‘And how could you possibly know that?’

‘Ah! I have my ways and means,’ she said with a sly little grin. ‘But don’t worry. I won’t give your secret away.’

‘Do what you think fit,’ he advised casually. ‘It makes no difference to me.’

She took a step closer. ‘I really am curious. What do you do? Where do you go?’

Throwing the towel into the washbasin he told her, ‘That’s enough talk for now!’

‘All right. Like you say, it’s none of my business.’ She wisely backed off. When he had that look about him she knew it was impossible to get answers so, instead of riling him, she changed tack. ‘I meant what I said, though. I do love Sylvia and, whatever you might think, I would never hurt her.’

Luke nodded. ‘I don’t know why, but I’m inclined to believe you.’

He knew there had always been a measure of love between the two sisters, but: ‘All the same, I wish I could be certain of you.’

‘Oh, but you can!’ Tears swam in her dark eyes. ‘You really can.’

He nodded, but made no move towards her. One thing he had learned about her was that she could turn on the tears at will.

She bowed her head. ‘I know there are times when you don’t trust me, but it’s just that … I’m saddened by what’s happened to her, and there’s nothing I can do about it. Sometimes, it cripples me …’ she tapped her chest, ‘… inside here.’

He understood how that felt, and deep down, where the pain lived, he felt a kind of sympathy with her. ‘Oh, look, I’m sorry if sometimes I seem unfeeling.’ Ashamed, he reminded himself of the hours he and Georgina had spent together at the hospital, not knowing whether Sylvia would live or die. It had been the worst time of his life and she had been there for him when he needed her. ‘But she’s so precious to me. I can’t risk her being damaged again … not by anyone !’

Unmoved, she gave another glimpse of her cruel nature in her comment: ‘What about Arnold Stratton ?’

He gave her a withering look. ‘I don’t want to hear that name.’

‘Will you tell me something?’ There was a look in her eye that disturbed his peace of mind.

‘Depends?’ Just when he was beginning to trust her she made him wary as always.

‘ Why did you never go after him? ’

For a long, awkward moment he remained silent; the past swirling through his mind, taking him back to a place he did not want to be. ‘I did go after him.’

‘What!’ She stepped forward, her eyes wide with astonishment. ‘I never knew that !’

He smiled, a sad, telling smile that showed the scars inside. ‘That’s because I never told anyone.’

‘Not even Sylvia?’ There was no end to her cruelty.

‘ Especially not Sylvia.’

Excitement trembled in Georgina’s voice. ‘What happened?’

‘Nothing. I went there with the intention of tearing him limb from limb …’

The telling brought it all back with a vengeance, and he walked across the room, his fists rubbing one into the other as though they were itching to hit something, or someone. ‘The police got there before me. When I turned the corner he was being arrested. After that, it was out of my hands.’ His features stiffened. ‘More’s the pity! A ten-year gaol sentence is so little for what he did.’

Needing to end the conversation, he swung round on her. ‘What are you doing here anyway?’

‘I was worried about Sylvia.’ Venturing closer, she lied, ‘I couldn’t sleep. I got to thinking how that bastard Stratton beat her so bad she almost died. As it was, he damaged her brain so much she’ll never be whole again.’ Her voice dropped to a baby whine. ‘Is it her punishment, do you think … for having relations with him … cheating on you, when you’ve always been such a wonderful husband?’

‘That’s enough, Georgina. I think it’s time you went.’

‘Oh, Luke, I’m sorry. I know how painful it is for you to think about what happened.’ Making the sign of the cross on herself she whispered solemnly, ‘I promise I’ll never speak of it again.’

‘I’d appreciate that.’

Georgina was a strange person, he thought. And he could never fathom her. Sometimes she couldn’t do enough for himself and Sylvia, and other times she seemed to take satisfaction in torturing him.

Walking to the door he expected her to follow. Instead she went on talking. ‘It was just as well I got here when I did,’ she assured him. ‘By the time I arrived, Sylvia was already being difficult. Ask Edna, if you don’t believe me. Between us, we managed to calm her and get her to bed. Edna insisted on going in to check on her, but I wouldn’t let her. I sent her home instead.’

A thought occurred to her. ‘What was she doing here just now? I told her not to come back. I told her I was going to have a word with you – that it must have been her who upset Sylvia in the first place, otherwise why was she in such a state when I got here? And just now, how did she get into the house? You can’t get into the house without a key.’

Luke enlightened her. ‘Edna has a key. And before you say anything, she will continue to have a key. For Sylvia’s sake I need to know that Edna can let herself in at any time.’

Georgina saw her opportunity. ‘Think about it, Luke! I have some experience of looking after sick people – I nursed my mother when she was ill – and the doctor said I would have made an excellent nurse.’

‘And you would,’ Luke agreed. ‘I’ve seen how gentle and good you can be with Sylvia.’

‘There you are!’ she cried jubilantly. ‘So, why don’t I sell my house and come to live here? Then you’d have no need of Edna.’

He swiftly dismissed her idea. ‘Thank you all the same, but I really don’t think that’s necessary. Besides, Edna might be a little slower than she once was, but she’s more than capable and, as well you know, Sylvia trusts her implicitly.’

‘She trusts me too. I mean, on Tuesdays when Edna has her day off and you’re away working on your “secret” project …’ she waited for an explanation, and when there was none, she continued, ‘… well, she always enjoys my company. We get on well together. We always have.’

‘Yes. I know that.’

He had seen how the two of them laughed and chatted together, about their childhood and other things that women were interested in, such as the latest fashion designs and favourite film stars.

They really did seem to enjoy each other’s company, and on the one occasion when Sylvia had a bad turn, Georgina quickly got the doctor out and everything was under control.

She was a sensible, intelligent woman. That was the reason he was content enough to leave them together while he enjoyed his own company on that one special day.

All the same, his small, sneaking distrust of Georgina remained. Now, though, he thought it best to remind her of something. ‘Just now, when Sylvia saw what she’d done to my face, she was upset. But did you notice, it wasn’t you she turned to? It was Edna. No, Georgina, it’s kind of you to offer, but it’s best we leave things the way they are.’ His instincts told him it would be a very bad idea to have Georgina in the house at all times.