She came and sat down beside him. They were listening to some Mozart. Perhaps his spirit was still there. It didnt want to go. She smiled. You did the right thing, Adam, to be with him. It must be very frightening to die alone.
He shook his head. Somehow I always saw myself as a doctor saving lives. Stepping in heroically and working miracles. I didnt think about the ones we cant save. They were silent for a few minutes. War is coming, Liza. Ill be staying on as a student because theyll need doctors. Robbie will be in the RAF. What will you do?
She shrugged. I want to go on painting. Ill do it as long as I can. Its my whole life. I dont want to do anything else. She paused. I suppose the folks might want me to go home and help with the farm.
Back to Wales?
She nodded. It hasnt happened yet, Adam. Perhaps it wont. Perhaps Hitler will change his mind. She shook her head violently. Im sorry. I cant bear the thought of him interfering in all our lives. I want everything to stay the same. I want to paint sunsets and flowers and happiness. I cant think about war. I wont.
Adam gave a rueful smile. We wont have any choice. Its in the air everywhere. Besides, he nodded over his shoulder at her shrouded easel, you never paint sunsets and flowers and happiness. You wouldnt know how.
She let out a shout of laughter. Perhaps youre right.
The first time they made love was after they had been to a concert together at the Usher Hall. As they walked through the darkened streets he put his arm round her shoulders and drew her to him.
Liza
She put her finger to his lips to silence him and then gently kissed him. They climbed the stairs to her studio and in the soft darkness she led him across to her bed.
They spent the summer together, and by the time the new term began they were inseparable. Liza was not like Brid in any way. Her loving was warm. In spite of her sometimes acerbic manner, with Liza he felt safe and secure and welcomed. All thoughts of the manse and the unhappiness there vanished. He had found someone in whom he could confide all his fears and hopes.
All his fears but one.
He saw Brid again one Thursday at the beginning of the new university year on South Bridge, and this time he was sure it was her.
Leaving Liza on the tram with a quick wave he had just jumped off with three fellow medics, a pile of books in his arms, his white coat slung across his shoulder, on his way to a physics lecture. The young men were laughing and talking loudly, dodging between the trams and cars, ducking their heads against cold relentless sheets of rain. Shaking his wet hair out of his eyes he looked up and saw her staring at him across the street.
A-dam He saw her mouth frame the word, but as before the traffic was heavy and the street was crowded and when he looked again she had gone.
He was not proud of what he did next. Instead of crossing the road to look for her he dived after his friends into the Old Quad and forged ahead, leaving the spot where he had seen her far behind.
Handing in his card to the servitor in his top hat, Adam edged into his seat in the lecture hall and found that his hands were shaking. He stared down at them, fiercely willing them into fists. What was the matter with him? Why was he so afraid? Was it that she brought memories of the manse, things he wanted to forget? Or was it guilt, that he had abandoned her so easily and put her out of his mind? Whatever it was he did not want to see her again. After all, it was a coincidence almost too big to be possible that she should be in Edinburgh. It was probably his imagination. Comforted, he sat back and gave his attention to the professor in front of him.
Liza stood back from the canvas and chewed the end of her paint brush. She glanced at her watch and smiled. A good time to stop.
The knock on the door came at exactly the right moment. She and Adam were planning to bike over to the Royal Botanical Gardens for a picnic in the warm autumnal sunshine. The bicycles were a new idea, borrowed from friends of hers who had graduated to a three-wheeled Morgan. Come in. Its not locked! She was rinsing the brush in a jar of turps and did not turn round. Ill be with you in two seconds, Adam. Ive done a lot of work this morning. What do you think? She turned, gesturing at the canvas and stopped short. Standing in the doorway was a strange young woman with long dark hair. Im sorry, Liza frowned, puzzled. I thought you were someone else.
You thought I was A-dam. The girl stepped into the studio and closed the door behind her. She was dressed in an ankle-length, russet dress with a soft woollen coat over it which came to her feet. On her shoulder hung a loosely woven bag. Her eyes were as hard as flint.
Who are you? Liza put down her brush and rag. The skin on the back of her neck had begun to prickle. There was something about this strange young woman which made her very uncomfortable. She moved surreptitiously a little nearer to the table and groped behind her for the knife with which she had been scraping her palette.
It does not matter who I am. The voice was strangely monotone.
I think it does. You are in my home. I would like to know what you want.
You are A-dams girlfriend. The voice, though still flat, held venom.
Lizas questing fingers found what she was looking for and she quietly picked up the palette knife. She stepped back again, putting the table between her and her visitor, praying that Adam would appear. Her nerves were beginning to scream. I am his friend, certainly, she said cautiously. If you are looking for him, hell be here soon.
The young woman did not look round. Her eyes were fixed on Lizas face. I do not need you, she said calmly. A-dam does not need you. She was reaching into her bag as she spoke.
Liza gasped. She saw a blade flash as the woman raised her arm and had barely registered the knife when without thinking she threw herself down behind the table at the same moment as she heard Adams cheerful shout from the bottom of the stairs.
Adam! she screamed. Adam, be careful!
He found her sobbing on her knees, the palette knife still clutched in her hand, her fingers covered in thick yellow paint.
Liza! Liza, what is it? Whats wrong? He was down beside her on his knees. Tell me. What happened?
Where is she? Shaking, Liza managed to stand up. For Gods sake, Adam, who was she? She was staring round wildly. The studio was empty.
Who? What? What happened?
That woman! That girl! You must have seen her? Unaware of the paint on her hand she pushed her hair back off her face, leaving a smear of yellow across her forehead. She tried to kill me!
Adam closed his eyes. He took a deep breath. Why had he thought immediately of Brid?
Describe her, he said. He led her to the bed and sat her down gently. Then he walked over to the door and stared down the stairs. As he had climbed them in the dark, glad to be out of the cutting wind, he had been halfway up when a cat had fled past him. He had time only to register the dark shape, the fierce green eyes, the wild fury of the claws on the worn steps, and it was gone. Theres no other way out of here is there?
She shook her head. No.
Then she must still be here. He walked slowly round the studio searching every corner, every cupboard, every shadow. There was no one there.
She shook her head. No.
Then she must still be here. He walked slowly round the studio searching every corner, every cupboard, every shadow. There was no one there.
She was small, dark hair. Long dark-red clothes. She spoke with a funny foreign accent.
Brid.
What do you mean, she tried to kill you? Adam sat down beside her.
She pulled out a knife and threw it at me.
Are you sure, Liza? His voice was gentle. Where is it? Where is she? I dont see how anyone could have been here. I would have seen her. He found himself picturing the cats eyes as it raced past him down the stairs.
Are you telling me Im making it up? Liza stared at him furiously. Adam, for Gods sake, I know if someone tried to kill me or not!
Then we should call the police. His hands were shaking. He pushed them firmly into his pockets.
Of course we should call the police. Theres a potential murderer running round here. Look over there. The knife must be somewhere. I saw her hurl it at me as I threw myself on the floor. She couldnt have gone to look for it. There was no time.
But there was no knife. They looked for half an hour, combing every inch of the studio.
So. Who is she? Liza had cleaned off the paint and was feeling calmer.
Adam shrugged. For a moment he wondered if he should deny his suspicions, but Liza knew him too well. She had already read the dawning horror in his eyes. He sat down on her divan and felt in his pocket for his cigarettes. The pendant he had given Liza, Brids pendant, was lying where Liza had left it, on the side table under the lamp. He could see the soft gleam of silver from where he sat.
It sounds like Brid. Shes someone I saw quite a bit of at home, he said at last. He refused to meet her eye. We used to explore the hills in the holidays. Her brother was is a stone mason. He carves brilliantly. I think, he hesitated, I think the family have rather exotic roots. Theyre very excitable. He made it sound something unpleasant. Brid has a very short temper. Shes attacked me before now. He gave a small, uncomfortable laugh.
And what is she doing in Edinburgh?
She must have followed me. He shook his head. I told her it was all over. We were kids together, that was all. She was going to college up north and I was coming here. There was no future for us. None at all. He paused for a moment, then he went on. But she didnt like it. She wanted to come with me. I told her no. I never expected her to follow me.
Had you seen her here before?
He shook his head, but she saw the troubled look in his eyes.
Adam?
He shook his head again. I wondered if I had seen her the other day, in the distance. But then she wasnt there. He shrugged helplessly.
Shes obviously good at disappearing acts.
Yes. He shivered. Yes, she is.
And is she capable of trying to kill someone?
Miserably he stared at the floor. I think perhaps she might be, he said at last.
They did not tell the police in the end. There seemed no point.
Susan Craig was sitting in the corner of the tea room, her back to the wall.
Adam had seen her only once since their first encounter. Im sorry, I havent much time. He sat down opposite her. Weve a lot of studying to do at the moment.
Of course, dear. Im so proud of you. She had already ordered the tea. Pouring it into two cups, she pushed one towards him. Adam, there is something I must tell you. She was perched uncomfortably on the edge of her chair. Ive weve, that is, my friend and I have decided to go away. She spoke in a rush, not looking at him. To America.
Adam stared at her.
She blushed uncomfortably. No one will know us there. We can make a new start, and with the war coming and everything Her voice trailed away again and she stared down into her cup.
Adam was silent for a minute. Different emotions whirled round his head: anger, loss, contempt what kind of man ran away from his country when it was about to go to war?
Adam? She was staring at him anxiously.
He forced himself to smile. I hope youll both be happy, Mother. What else was there to say?
Two days later, Chamberlain announced that Hitler had not responded to his ultimatum and that therefore Britain was at war. Some weeks after that Robbie, already in the VR, was called up. Whether it was his decision or that of His Majestys government Adam was not sure, but his friends excitement at giving up the study of Latin and Greek civilisation for the patrolling of the clouds as part of the City of Edinburgh Fighter Auxiliary Squadron seemed totally unfeigned. To celebrate, he arranged a trip out to Cramond Inn for himself and his new girlfriend Jane. Adam and Liza went too.
Jane Smith-Newland had been a Classics student in Robbies tutorial. He was besotted by her. She was tall and slim with huge brown eyes and thick soft honey-coloured hair, tied in a schoolgirl plait. Her family were English, her father already high in the ranks of the army, her mother living in the south in their big house in the Home Counties. Adam, meeting her for the first time after growing used to Robbies usual flighty girlfriends, was fascinated by her accent, her background, her combination of reticence and the confidence which money brought her. She had beautiful clothes, a car of her own an old Wolsey Hornet bought for her by her parents, an almost unimagined extravagance to a penniless medical student. Lovely jewellery, and in complete contrast to all that, a genuine, deep fascination with Latin, Greek and the history of ancient civilisations, which had brought her to university instead of, as her mother and father had intended, being launched into London society. She was like no one Adam had ever met before. He could not keep his eyes off her.
As they crept with shaded headlights down the narrow roads on the way to Cramond Liza groped for Adams hand on the back seat. At least she cant follow us out here, she whispered above the sound of the engine. She was convinced Brid was still shadowing her. Adam was not so sure. He had seen no sign of her, and it made no sense for her to be following Liza. If she wanted to see Adam why did she not find his rooms and confront him personally? Presumably if she had been following them, she knew where he lived too. At first that thought had filled him with apprehension, but soon, very soon, the worry had passed and he had convinced himself that Liza had imagined the whole episode.
At least who cant follow you? Jane glanced in the driving mirror and caught Adams eye in the darkness. Her hearing was obviously very acute.
Just an old girlfriend of Adams, Liza put in. She seems reluctant to let him go.
Popular man, our Adam. Robbie chuckled. Hes always had to fight off the ladies!
Thats rubbish, Rob. Adam could feel his face growing pink. He glanced at Liza and shook his head. He did not want to talk about Brid. And he did not want Robbie to know that she might have followed him to Edinburgh.
It was Jane who wouldnt let the subject drop. Who would have thought the strong, silent Adam Craig had a string of ladyfriends! Youll have to watch out Liza, or youll lose him.
The words hung in the silence for a moment as Jane changed gear and turned down Cramond Road. It was Robbie who leaped in to the rescue. Handsome in his uniform, he sat sideways on his seat, his arm behind her, fondling Janes neck. I trust youre not looking to be one of those ladies, Janie. Id hate that. I know these doctor fellows can be irresistible, but not half as irresistible as an RAF chap, surely.