Telling herself that everybody was allowed one lapse, and that, what with having just had a baby and everything, Justines hormones were probably still all over the placesufficiently, anyhow, for her to act in a way she wouldnt normallyEllena suddenly had one very bright positive thought, that was startling in its simplicity.
Possession, it was said, was nine-tenths of the law. So what was to stop her from going to Russell and Pamela Langfords home and taking possession of Violette? To hear Justine tell it, and Gideon Langford too, for that matter, Pamela Langford was only interested in money.
No problem. If Justine had not settled with her and the temporary nanny in advance, then she could easily do so. Did she have any proof with her that she was who she said she was? Of course, she had her passport with her. And both Pamela and Russell Langford, from the two times she had telephoned, would know the name Ellena Spencer. Though, come to think of it, she would have to call at her flat first to pick up Russell Langfords address and her car.
The plane started to descend. Ellena couldnt wait to be on her way. Andrea had said, Take as much time as you need... There was a lot to do. First things first, though; she was making tracks for Hertfordshire...
Gideon Langfords organisation was highly efficient, she discovered, after they had landed. Someonethe pilot or whoevermust have notified someone of their estimated time of arrival. In any event, there were two chauffeur-driven cars waiting for them.
George will drive you to your home, Gideon Langford explained, plainly heading in another direction himself, no doubt to some high-powered business meeting.
Thank you, she answered politely.
Ill be in touch.
You mean your lawyers will! But civility cost nothing and, even if Gideon had sprouted horns, give the devil his due, thus far she had reason to be grateful to him. She extended a hand. Thank you for everything, she said sincerely.
They shook hands. Goodbye, he said.
She turned away. She had urgent business to attend to. She doubted the next time she saw himin courtthat they would be so civil with each other.
In the limousine she gave thought to what must be done. She didnt want this fight, this tug of war. Please God, Justine and Kit would be back before the fight got started.
She vaguely remembered something in the newspapers only recently, about a magistrate or judge sitting in emergency session of the family division of the court when someone needed an instant decision on what was best for a child. Ellena had only her own love-filled childhood to go on. But surely it was better for a child to be brought up where love was?
Worriedly, she instinctively knew where love was not, and that was with Pamela and Russell Langford. It was possible that in futureif he could spare time away from his other non-work activitiesthat Gideon might get to know and love his niece. Though she doubted he would see much of her. It went without saying that he would hire a nanny... All this wasnt going to happen, though. Bearing in mind that Violettes parents would come homeshe must believe that; she mustEllena sincerely felt she would be letting Justine down if she allowed anyone to have guardianship of the baby but herself.
At her flat Ellena thanked George very much. Its not heavy, she smiled when it seemed he would carry her bag indoors for her.
Once she was in her flat, Ellena raced around finding the address she needed, and was again on her way. She could, she realised, have left Violette with Pamela and Russell Langford for the duration Justine had contracted with them. But fear that Gideon Langford would take pre-emptive action spurred her on. Should it come to a court hearing, she wanted it established that Violettea healthy, happy Violettelived with her.
Ellena stopped briefly on her way to buy a baby car seat and a few other essential purchases for Violette, and was soon speeding on again. She did wonder if she should ring the Langfords to let them know she was coming. She decided against it. Gideon might ring Russell at any time to tell him the latest concerning Austria. She didnt want Russell revealing that shed phoned. She didnt want Gideon knowing anything until after her visit.
She arrived at the address she was seeking, a very smart house in its own grounds, with hope in her heart that her own neighbours would bear with her when she brought a baby home to her flat. There was a very sleek and expensive car on the drive of the Langfords home which hinted that, for all they were accepting payment for looking after Russells niece, they werent too badly off.
Ellena rang the doorbell, with her thoughts on the early possibility of maybe renting somewhere where children were allowed; only on a short lease while she got somewhere more permanent arranged.
The door was opened almost at once. Good... she began as part of her greeting, but the rest didnt get said. The sleek and expensive car didnt belong to Russell Langford, she swiftly realised. It belonged to his brother, Gideon! Gideon Langford, having changed the chauffeur-driven vehicle for his own car, had got there before her!
Traffics a nightmare at this time of day, isnt it? he murmured blandly.
It wasnt funny! The fact that he had beaten her to it wasnt funny at all so why did she find his remark amusing? Not that shed let him see, of course.
What are you doing here? she demanded.
He looked ready to put her in her place for trying to demand anything. But, to her surprise, instead he clipped out the words, Just leaving!
He was still there, though, when a man, not so tall as Gideon by a couple of inches, and fair haired, with the same features as Kit, came along the hall with a sharp-looking auburn-haired woman in tow. The woman looked hostile before they even started. Yes? she challenged irritably.
Ellena opened her mouth but, to her surprise, heard Gideon Langford say pleasantly; Ellena, I dont think you know my brother, Russell, and his wife, do you? Smoothly, he introduced them, and, while Ellena was seriously wishing that he would just clear off, he stayed to hear her business.
Russell Langford invited her into the sitting roomof the baby and her temporary nanny there was no sign. Gideon returned to the sitting room with them. Ellena tossed him an Afraid-of-missing-something? kind of look. He smiled back, though it was an insincere smile.
G-Gideon will have told you the news concerning Austria, she began.
Bad do, Russell replied, the way he had when she had telephoned him. Was it only last night? It seemed weeks ago!
The thing is that while I c-cant believe... she took a shaky breath ...that well never see Justine and Kit again, she gained control to continue, I feel, with your permission, of course, that they would want me to look after Violette until they get back.
Now isnt that strange? Thats more or less exactly what Gideon said! Pamela Langford answered for her husband waspishly.
Ellena guessed she should have expected, from what hed said on the plane, that Gideon would not drag his heels in taking some action. What was unexpected, though, was that Pamela Langford would look at her with such blatant hostility. Then it was that Ellena recalled Gideon saying something about Pamela being a money-grubbing bitch, and, although she was wishing that Gideon would just get to his car and go, there seemed nothing for it but to conduct her business in front of him.
Im sorry, she apologised as pleasantly as she was able. I know there are someermoney matters outstanding. She knew nothing of the sort, but realised that if Justine hadnt paid Pamela in advance, then outstanding the matter of money must be. Naturally Ill settle what Justine owes y
That child was left in our charge! Pamela Langford cut in loudly, coldly. And in our charge is where shell stay!
Oh, heavens! Ellena felt tremendously taken aback. She hadnt expected this sort of reception! I appreciate that you want to do whats right, she began, forcing herself to be placatoryshe had not the smallest intention of leaving her niece with this cold, unfeeling woman. But...
But nothing. The child stays here, Pamela Langford cut in sourly. Ellena looked from her to Russellhe was looking anywhere but at her or his brotherno use appealing to him! Not that she wanted to set husband and wife against each other. And, given he wanted the same as she wanted, she couldnt expect any help from Gideon. Which was just as well, because, while silently absorbing everything that was taking place, Gideon Langford was not offering her any help. Ill show you out, Pamela stated frostily.
Id like to see Violette if I may. Ellena refused to budge.
Shes upstairs asleep. Im not going to have her disturbed again; it will take hours for her nanny to shut her up.
Ellena was aware that Violettes needs were nothing in this alien household, and felt a desperate need to check that the little mite was being properly cared for. I wont disturb her, she stated, still refusing to budge.
Thats right, you wont, Pamela Langford answered nastily.
Ellena felt frustrated beyond bearing by the womans attitude. She couldnt leave without seeing the baby, she couldnt. Then, just as she was about to insist that she must see her, Gideon Langford chipped in, to tell her quietly, Ive seen the baby, Ellena; she seems well looked after and healthy.
Ellena turned to him swiftly, not knowing why she trusted him when she didnt feel she-could trust his sister-in-law. Shes all right? she asked urgently. She looks happy?
He gave her a slightly sardonic smile as though to say, What do I know about four-month-old babies? She wasnt crying, he said.
Ellena turned back to Pamela Langford. Perhaps youd tell me when it would be convenient for me to spend some time with my niece.
Well arrange visiting rights through the courts, was the vinegary replyand as the import of those words took root, Ellena didnt trust herself to answer.
She went to the door. Pamela Langford, as though she didnt trust her not to dart up the stairs, went with her. Ellena was forced to accept then that she was not going to see Violette that day, and took what solace she could from the fact that Gideon had seen the baby and, albeit that his knowledge of infants was limited, he thought she seemed well looked after and healthy.
She half expected him to follow her out. After all he had been about to leave when shed arrived. But he was obviously staying behind to have a word more with his brother.
Ellena drove home in a very upset frame of mind. Over the last few hours she had received one shock after another. Last night she had learned that Justine and Kit were missing; earlier today she had learned that Gideon was prepared to go to court over the guardianship of their child. And now, here was Pamela Langforda woman she had found it impossible to warm totalking of court action! What chance, Ellena wondered, did she have of loving and nurturing Violette until Justine and Kit came home?
After another fretful night, Ellena awoke on Friday morning with the same thoughts going around in her head. She was in two minds about going to her office. But realising that, if she didnt change her joband her plans of yesterday seemed to be getting further and further away from hershe was going to need time off work for court appearances; no way was she going to give up Violette without a fight. Ellena decided she had better go to work.
We didnt expect to see you! Andrea Keyte exclaimed when she walked in.
I may need time off later, Ellena replied without thinking.
Want to talk about it?
Andrea had been a wonderful friend and very forbearing with regard to previous crises Ellena had had over Justine. And normally Ellena might have confided in her this time. Only now, depending how things went, there was a possibility that in the interest of Violettes daycare, she might have to resign. Andrea had enough to worry about running her business, without Ellena giving out hints at this early stage that she might, or might not, be leaving.
Thanks, but not just now.
Ellena went to her own office, suddenly realising that if she hired a nanny herself, that would solve the problem of Violettes daycare. She wouldnt have to leave. She took out some work, though her thoughts became desperate that she might not need a nanny if Pamela Langford or her brother-in-law, Gideon, were granted guardianship, and her concentration wasnt all it should be. What she needed, Ellena realised, was some legal advice.
She was just contemplating ringing the solicitor who had always handled her parents affairs, and who had handled the legalities of selling their house for her and Justine, when the protector of the firms switchboard rang.
Ive a man named Langford on the phone for you, are you available? Lucy asked.
Langford? Which one? With hope in her heart that it was Russell, calling to tell her that he and his wife were prepared to let the baby go, she requested, Put him through, Lucy, hearing the click as she did so. Russell? Ellena asked.
Gideon, came the replyand her thoughts went racing in another direction.
Youve heard somethingfrom Austria? she questioned urgently, half in fear of bad news, half in hope of good news.
Afraid not, he answered instantly.
Oh, she said dully. But he hadnt taken time out of his day merely to chat. What can I do for you? she asked, knowing in advance that she wasnt going to lift a finger to help if he was still insistent on claiming guardianship of Violette.
Id like to see you, he stated.
Why her heart should give a little flip just then, she had no idea. He wasnt asking her for a date, for goodness sake! Not that shed go out with him if he was. Ive a full appointments book today. She countered that peculiar little heartbeatwhy should she want to see him? Grief!
I meant outside of business hours. Id like to call round at your flat this evening. Unless, of course, youd prefer we shared dinner while we...
My flat will be fine, she said hurriedly, too late realising that in her haste to show him she had no wish to have dinner with him, she had taken another option she didnt want either. Presumably this is in connection with the baby? she queried, just to let him know that she wasnt interested in entertaining him socially.
Of course, he replied, just as if the notion of seeing her socially had never for a minuscule moment so much as occurred to him. Seven-thirty?
Seven-thirty, she agreed. Simultaneously their phones went down.
Ellena seemed to take a queue of phone calls after that, some of them needing action, so it was lunchtime by the time she got round to ringing her solicitor. Mr Ollerenshaw has left for the day on other business, his secretary informed her. Hell be out of the office until Mondaycan anyone else help?