Kelly could have cried with frustration. She had wanted to know the answer to that question, so when she saw it was Janet Amery at the door she glared at her angrily.
The poor girl couldn’t have missed that show of resentment, and she moved uncomfortably. ‘I’m sorry to trouble you, Jordan, Mrs Lord,’ she said nervously. ‘But Richard just called.’
‘And?’ Jordan was charged with a sudden excitement.
Janet held out a sheet of paper to him. ‘I have the figures here.’
He took the sheet from her, skimming over it. There was a look of triumph in his eyes when he at last looked up. ‘Get Jimmy on the phone,’ he instructed. ‘And when you’ve done that have Richard stand by. I’ll have some last-minute instructions for him.’
‘Yes, Jordan.’ She was already moving to the phone.
‘On second thoughts don’t have Richard stand by, get him over here,’ Jordan said thoughtfully. ‘We can discuss the finer points of the contract once I’ve spoken to Jimmy.’
‘Yes, Jordan.’ His secretary began to dial, giving a look of apology in Kelly’s direction. ‘I’m sorry I’ve spoilt your evening,’ she said shyly.
‘You haven’t.’ Kelly stood up resignedly, turning to Jordan. ‘I think I’ll say goodnight.’
‘Goodnight?’ He looked up from the figures he was working on. ‘Oh—oh yes, Goodnight, Kelly.’
She didn’t think he even noticed her going. It was just like old times, nothing had changed. Except her. She had changed. Once upon a time she would have made a scene about his preoccupation with work. But then she had been his wife, now she was just playing a role, and the sooner she remembered that the better.
How long would it last? How long would they have to continue this charade? It was becoming more difficult by the minute, Kelly having extreme difficulty remembering she was only playing a part, that in the end she and Jordan would once again be apart.
CHAPTER FOUR
THEY visited her father daily, either together or individually, but he didn’t seem to have remembered any more, treating Kelly and Jordan to a lot of teasing about their newly married state. Kelly preferred it when she saw her father alone, finding it a strain to behave like a blushing bride when in the company of Jordan. Alone she could recall how happy she had really been, and her father seemed convinced.
She went to the house the day before her father’s discharge, just to make sure everything was ready for when they arrived. Besides, she had to reintroduce herself to Mrs McLeod; the poor woman must be in a complete daze about this strange turn of events.
Nothing had changed, none of the decor, nor Mrs McLeod’s plump, bustling figure, nothing. Kelly could almost believe herself that the last five years away from Jordan hadn’t happened. She was falling more and more into this trap even at the hotel, was accepting Jordan’s easy companionship, was even coming to rely on it.
‘Here we are, then,’ Mrs McLeod brought Kelly in a tray of tea. ‘It’s just like old times,’ she beamed.
‘Not quite,’ Kelly smiled. ‘I actually came just to make sure Jordan had explained the situation to you.’
‘Oh, Mr Lord has told me all about your father. Terrible business, terrible.’ She shook her head.
‘Yes,’ Kelly agreed. ‘Won’t you join me in some tea?’ she invited.
The elderly lady flushed her pleasure. ‘Oh, I couldn’t!’
‘Sure?’ Kelly poured herself a cup.
‘Yes—thank you. I’ve put your father in the room he always used, I thought that best.’
‘Yes,’ Kelly frowned. ‘It’s all going to be very awkward, like walking on broken glass.’
‘He doesn’t remember a thing?’
‘Not after Mr Lord and I were married, no. That’s the reason it’s all going to be awkward.’
Just how awkward she didn’t realise until she and Jordan brought her father home the next day. Now they would be continually under her father’s watchful gaze, wouldn’t be able to drop their pose for a minute. Dr Jones had underlined the fact that her father must receive no shocks, had direly warned of the possible consequences if he realised the truth, desecrated the black void in his memory.
Her father looked around him admiringly as he seated himself in the lounge, the small plaster on his brow the only evidence of his recent accident. ‘I always liked this house,’ he spoke to Jordan. ‘But you have to admit that Kelly’s made it into a home.’
‘She certainly has,’ Jordan nodded agreement, watching Kelly as she sat pleating her skirt. ‘I wouldn’t know what to do without her now.’
‘I should hope not,’ the other man laughed. ‘Not for a while anyway. How are you, Kelly? You’re looking a little pale.’