The Angel in the Corner - Monica Dickens [147]
‘Why didn’t you?’
‘I didn’t think Helen would have me. And then, of course, I met Vivien and everything was changed. I had a home, and Vivien showed me how to enjoy a child, a joy I never allowed myself with you.’
He took out his wallet and showed Virginia the pictures of his children, a serious-faced schoolboy and a two-year-old baby, fat and pleasing. ‘We have a house in Richmond. Modest, but there’s a garden, and Andrew does well at the school. I have a housekeeper who looks after them, and looks after me in a sketchy way when I’m at home. I do these trips quite often. I’m with another travel firm now, and we’re pushing holidays in Britain on to the Americans for all we’re worth. I was damn lucky to get the job, and I have to go where I’m told, but I hate being away so much. Mrs Leavis is – well, adequate. I can’t stand the woman myself, but she’s reliable with the children. I’ve talked too much, and you’ve been sitting there listening so quietly. You never used to be so quiet. But of course, I only remember you as a schoolgirl. You used to drop things and fall over your feet all the time. I suppose you don’t do that now. Tell me what happened to the schoolgirl. Tell me everything. At least,’ he glanced at her uncertainly, ‘as much as you want to tell. I don’t even know where you’re going now, or why.’
‘I’m going to stay with Helen. I’ve been ill.’
‘I can see that.’ He put his hand under her chin, and turning her face, gently touched her cheek. ‘An accident?’ It was the first time he had mentioned the scar.
Virginia nodded. ‘That’s why I’m going to America. I’m going to have plastic surgery. Helen’s going to pay for it,’ she said, and realized how odd that sounded. It was natural that a mother should pay for a daughter’s operation. Natural, unless you knew what had happened between Virginia and Helen. ‘Did you know she had married an American?’
‘I heard about it. That’s nice for her.’
‘He’s very rich. Helen is going to send me to Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. I wanted to have it done in England, but Helen is so Americanized now that she doesn’t believe that any English surgeon could do it properly.’
They both laughed. ‘You know,’ Harold said, with a note of surprise, ‘after all these years, I’m really rather fond of your mother. I don’t remember the quarrels and bitterness now. I remember how bright and smart and attractive she was – always so much too poised for me. But that wasn’t her fault. It was mine. A rich American.’ He smiled. ‘Much more her style.’
He paused. Virginia thought about her mother, wealthy and discontented, running to fat and losing her looks from idleness; and about her father, finding out from Vivien what marriage could be, losing her, and plodding along in the wake of her guidance, with his hopes pinned on the two children who meant so much more to him than Virginia ever had.
After a while, her father said diffidently: ‘Do you want to tell me about the accident?’
‘Not now. There’s too much to tell. I don’t want to start telling you now when we’re only just getting to know each other again. I’ll tell you another time. When I get back to England. Helen thinks I’m going to stay in America, but I’m not. When it’s over, when I look human again, I shall go back to London and get a job.’
‘Will you really come and see me?’ Her father’s lined face looked younger and happier. Virginia could see what he must have looked like during the serene years with his wife.
‘If I may. It will be something to look forward to.’
They were silent for a while. Her father