Free Unknown by Unknown Page B

love autumn, the russets, greens and golds, the rustle of leaves beneath my feet. It’s a pity you’re leaving. You’ll miss the best part of the year.’
    ‘I know. Autumn’s always been my favourite. I remember when I was young collecting and pressing as many different coloured leaves as I could find.. I treasured them for years.’
    Brad smiled. ‘Autumn treasure, eh? Your hair’s like autumn, you know that? Sometimes it’s gold—like now with the sun shining on it, and another time it’s pure copper—as that leaf blowing across the lawn. I think I treasure you as you did those leaves—I really don’t know what I’d have done without you this last week or two.’
    Laura felt her colour rise. If only he knew what his words were' doing to her! Managing to return his smile, she said shakily, ‘Thank you for the compliment, but I’m sure anyone else could have done just as well.’
    ‘Don’t you believe it.’ He raised his eyes skyward, ‘How I’ve suffered at the hands of scheming females!’
    Feeling more and more uncomfortable by Brad’s unaccustomed friendliness, Laura had difficulty in hiding her feelings and was glad when breakfast was over.
    ‘I suggest you go and help Helen pack,’ said Brad as they left the dining-room, ‘and Laura,’ his hand resting lightly on her shoulder, ‘I’m glad you’re going. She needs someone to stand by her during the next few weeks.’
    ‘Are you coming with us?’ asked Laura, her shoulder burning at his touch.
    ‘I’m sorry. I can’t manage it. My man, Jarvis, will take you down in the Jag. Everything’s been arranged .'
    Helen was in excellent spirits. Obviously she had now decided that the treatment was going to be a success and couldn’t wait to get going. ‘It’s the first time I’ve left the house for twelve months ,' she said excitedly. ‘It will be good to be back in London. Even in the clinic I shall sense the atmosphere—the night life—everything I used to love .'
    'I'm glad you feel like this ,' replied Laura, snapping the fasteners on Helen’s case. ‘I was worried that you’d change your mind .'
    Helen raised her finely pencilled brows. ‘You really are concerned about me, aren't you? It’s nice to know that at last someone cares. If you weren't going with me I shouldn't go. I couldn't face it on my own .' She suddenly smiled. ‘I like you, Laura. I'm sorry for speaking the way I did yesterday .'
    ‘There's no need to apologise. I should probably feel the same in your circumstances. It’s enough to make anyone bitter.—I’ll tell Brad you’re ready now. We'll soon be on our way .'
     
    Jarvis took them straight to the clinic where Helen was shown to a room which was more like a hotel apartment than a hospital ward. It was thickly carpeted and luxuriously furnished. A supply of books and magazines were beside the bed on one side and a telephone on the other. Helen looked round her with undisguised pleasure. ‘Brad's certainly spared no expense. Let's hope this Doctor Jorgensen's as good as he says .'
    ‘And what has Brad Stuart been saying about me?’ came a deep voice from behind them.
    ‘Eric !' Helen spun round the chair which had been used to wheel her into the room, her face contorted in horror. ‘Oh, no! ’ She buried her head in her hands. ‘Brad’s done this on purpose. He knew very well I didn’t want anyone I knew to see me like this.’
    Doctor Jorgensen smiled, taking no notice at all of Helen’s fury. ‘And if I didn’t see you, I couldn’t cure you. It’s as simple as that. You can’t really make me believe that you want to spend the rest of your life—’ a slight pause and then with deliberate emphasis, ‘a cripple! ’
    If he thought his words would goad Helen into staying he was wrong, for she jerked up her head and with eyes full of hatred said, ‘How dare you speak to me like that! Laura, fetch Jarvis. I’m going home. I refuse to let this man treat me. If I’d known it was him I