Free The Young Wife by Stephanie Calvin

will be staying there. Too many dreadful memories of that awful night, you know? Anyway, I would like to introduce Leo to Miss Simpson, so I will be obliged if you would show us through to him, now!’
    She found herself outmanoeuvred and without moral support, so she turned, without a word, and led us to the drawing room, where they had set up a bed for the invalid. I suppose it was sensible, as it saved having to get him upstairs. He sat, looking very sorry for himself, by the window, and while I was none too pleased to see him myself, I was quite unprepared for the effect he had on Anne. She stiffened perceptibly, and I watched, as a curious mix of emotions swept across her features. Shock, followed by anger, followed by some form of resolution. She stepped forward with a grim sort of smile on her face, and turned him round to face her.
    â€˜Hello,’ she said. ‘I am Anne Simpson, Leo, and I will be helping to look after you now.’
    I glanced quizzically at her when I heard the tone in her voice, and she turned her head to give me a barely perceptible shake of negation before she turned her attention back to Leo.
    â€˜As soon as I am moved in, I am going to begin attending to your health, Leo. Would you like that?’ she said, in a deceptively mild and chirpy voice.
    If Leo recognised her, he gave no sign, even to a widening of his eyes, which was about all he was capable of. It puzzled me, and I couldn’t wait to get Anne outside so that I could ask her.
    I turned back to Vivian, and said, ‘We are going to be getting some of the things Miss Simpson will need, and I shall be engaging more qualified help, so that Leo can have round-the-clock care. Which means I don’t know what time I shall be returning. I expect you and Antonia will be wanting to get yourselves settled in the guesthouse as soon as possible, so I shall let you know what the final arrangements are as soon as I can confirm them.’
    Vivian sniffed, and shook her curly black locks in such a superior way that I had to quell the itch to slap her silly face. I strode past her instead, and forced myself to lean over affectionately to Leo, and kiss his dry unresponsive cheek. It was rough with stubble, and I took the opportunity to make a point.
    â€˜You need a shave, darling,’ I crooned, ‘but don’t worry; I shall make sure you have all the help you need from now on.’
    I turned my head quickly to glance at Vivian, and caught her throwing me a look of pure hatred. I resolved to punish her at the earliest opportunity, in whatever way I could. For the moment, though, I smiled sweetly, and called to Anne, ‘Miss Simpson, the day is slipping away from us. We must get moving if we are to keep that appointment. See you later, Vivian, and don’t wait up. I may be quite late.’
    She positively trembled with impotent fury, and I struggled to suppress a smile of pure malice as I swept past her, out of the door to the car. Neither Anne nor I spoke until we were well away from the house, and when I finally asked her what it was that was bothering her, she seemed to struggle with herself before replying, ‘It’s him.’
    â€˜Who?’ I asked, ‘Who is him?’
    â€˜Leo,’ she hissed furiously. ‘Leo is the man I saw. With Miss Rackham, you know?’
    I was shocked into silence, and I had to pull the car over for a moment, while we got to the bottom of this latest twist.
    â€˜Are you sure?’ I asked, and she nodded, tight-lipped and intense.
    I could think of nothing to say, and we drove back to her house in silence. She seemed to have come to some form of resolution by the time we arrived, however, for her mood had taken a swing back to the sunny side, and she seemed to be almost happy, once we were inside her front door.
    â€˜I don’t want to talk about it right now, Jess, if you don’t mind. It’s too much to take in,’ she said, and I murmured a soft