Fragile Blossoms by Dodie Hamilton Page A

herself pregnant. She should have known it was always going to be that way!’
    Julia stared. Who is this? Where is the real Evelyn, has some white-faced fury had stolen her soul. ‘Then Bella mayn’t come to Bakers End?’
    ‘Of course not! Why would you want her? She’ll be popping soon and you saddled with a squalling brat. What will you do then?’
    ‘Keep her and the baby.’
    ‘You shall not. ’ Evelyn’s face was set in stone. ‘You shall not keep that baby just as you shall not keep her. You must find a maid elsewhere.’
    ‘I don’t understand. You dislike me taking Bella and yet were happy to recommend Mrs McLaughlin. Where was your shared intimacy then?’
    Evie laughed. ‘There was never intimacy there. She might’ve served the occasional coffee but that’s all. I couldn’t have borne her hands on my flesh. Bella’s young and fresh and clean. She smells of flowers not pissy drawers. The closest McLaughlin came to a secret of mine was via backstairs gossip.’
    ‘Then perhaps it is as well she is with me.’
    ‘You say so?’Evie’s eyes narrowed. ‘In point of interest how do you plan to support these waifs and strays when you can barely support yourself? Another mouth to feed, and the baby when it comes, I doubt an extra hundred or so will plug a hole that size in the housekeeping.’
    ’You think not?’
    ‘I do think so and I think the same about other dispensations.’
    ‘What are you saying?’
    ‘I am saying a stab in the back and the treasure chest is closed. You’ve cooked the Golden Goose, Ju-ju! Nothing left now but the bones. ’
    ‘I see. Well I’d better go. It’s best I withdraw for the night and catch an early train home tomorrow morning.’
    ‘As you wish.’
    ‘Will you allow me to apologise to you for hurt caused, and to Mr Masson for a broken engagement, and to Bella for disappointment incurred.’
    Evie was stony-faced. ‘I may pass on your regret to Daniel but will say nothing to Bella. She and her tears left via the back door hours ago.’
    ‘Oh Evelyn!
    ‘Don’t you Oh Evelyn me! This morning you questioned my feelings for you. You suggested I sought a gift you were not willing to give. You hurt me when you did that. What have I ever asked of you other than friendship? It’s all I ever asked. Day after day, week after week I’ve given to you. What did you give in return, Julianna, other than middle-class suspicion and ingratitude?’
    Julia locked the bedroom door and leant against it, an image burned into her brain, Evie’s mouth sucked in, a shell cracked open and another face peering through. More distress waited in the bedroom. The closet had been stripped of her belongings. Her bag, a railway ticket and the clothes she wore all that was left. The message was clear, leave as you stand.
    Three o clock the bedroom door was tried. Julia heard the first fumble and saw the doorknob swivel. A brief cessation of movement and then the knob was turned again and furiously worked back and forth.
    The twisting ceased. Footsteps padded away down the landing.
    ‘Oh!’ Julia leapt from the bed and dashing through the dressing room locked the outer door. A moment later that door was tried and with the same fury.
    Horrible! The key heavy and cold in her hand she stood gazing at the door. She had never before thought to lock it. Maids needing access she’d always left the key in the lock. There were no maids tonight, Evelyn denying aid.
    The rattling ceased. There was an odd hush and then a mouth was pressed to the outer lock and breath blown against the metal. No words, none that she could understand, only a soughing hiss. ‘Ju-ju......!’
    All night Julia sat watching the hands of the clock crawl toward dawn. Eventually floorboards began to creak, the maids going about their business.
    She unlocked the door. Jamieson, the butler, the chucker-outer, was at the bottom of the stairs. Face impassive he stepped forward. ‘Good morning, Madam.’
    ‘Good morning.’