Страница 89 из 90
made strong and vigorous progress, it could happen much sooner than I
expected. I'll do it, said David.
Can't you stop pushing me? I said I'll do it, and I will. just get off
my back, won't you.
Right. The Brig was brisk now. You've got until noon tomorrow. If you
haven't told her by then, I'm going to do it.
You're a hard old bastard, aren't you. David said bitterly, and anger
paled the Brig's lips and they could see the effort he made to force it
down.
I understand your reluctance, he spoke carefully. I sympathize.
However, my first and only concern is for Debra. You are indulging
yourself, David. You are wallowing in self-pity, but I am not going to
allow that to hurt her more. She has had enough. No more delay. Tell
her, and have done.
Yes, David nodded, all the fight gone out of him. I will tell her.
When? the Brig persisted.
Tomorrow, said David. I will tell her tomorrow morning.
It was a bright warm morning, and the garden below his room was gay with
colour. David lingered over breakfast in his suite, and he read all of
the morning papers from end to end, drawing out the moment to its
utmost. He dressed with care afterwards, in a dark suit and a soft
lilac shirt, then, when he was ready to leave, he surveyed his image in
the full-length mirror of the dressing-room.
It's been a long time, and I'm still not at ease with you, he told the
figure in the mirror. Let's pray that somebody loves you more than I
do.
The doorman had a cab ready for him under the portico, and he settled in
the back seat with the leaden feeling in his stomach. The drive seemed
much shorter this morning, and when he paid off the cab and climbed the
steps to the main entrance of Groote Schuur, he glanced at his
wrist-watch. It was a few minutes after eleven o'clock. He was hardly
aware of the curious glances as he crossed the lobby to the elevators.
The Brig was waiting for him in the visitors room on Debra's floor. He
came out into the corridor, tall and grim, and unfamiliar in his
civilian clothes.
What are you doing here? David demanded, it was the ultimate intrusion
and he resented it fiercely. I thought I might be of help.
Good on you! said David sardonically, making no effort to hide his
anger.
The Brig let the anger slide past him, not acknowledging it with either
word or expression as he asked mildly, Would you like me to be with you?
No. David turned away from him as he spoke. I can manage, thank you,
and he set off along the corridor.
David! the Brig called softly, and David hesitated and then turned
back.
What is it? he asked.
For a long moment they stared at each other, then abruptly the Brig
shook his head. No, he said. It's nothin&'and watched the tall young
man with the monstrous head turn and walk swiftly towards Debra's room.
His footsteps echoed hollowly along the empty corridor, like the tread
of a man upon the gallows steps.
The morning was warm with a light breeze off the sea. Debra sat in her
chair by the open window, and the warm air wafted the scent of the pine
forests to her.
Resinous and clean-smelling, it mingled with the faint whiff of the sea
and the kelp beds. She felt quiet and deeply contented, even though
David was late this morning. She had spoken to Ruby Friedman when he
made his rounds earlier, and he had teased her and hinted that she would
be able to leave in a week or so, and the knowledge rounded out her
happiness.
The warmth of the morning was drowsy, and she closed her eyes subduing
the strong rich flow of colour into a lulling cocoon of soft shades
which enfolded her, and she lay on the downy edges of sleep.
David found her like that, sitting in the deep chair with her legs
curled sideways under her and her face side-lit by the reflected
sunlight from the window. The turban of white bandages that swathed her
head were crisp and fresh and her gown was white as a bride's, with
cascades of filmy lace.
He stood before her chair studying her with care, her face was pale, but
the dark bruises below her eyes had cleared and the set of her full lips
was serene and peaceful, With infinite tenderness he leaned forward and
laid his open hand against her cheek. She stiffed drowsily, and opened
eyes that were honey brown and flecked with bright flakes of gold. They
were beautiful, and vague, misty and sightless, then suddenly he saw
them change, the look of them was sharp and aware. Her gaze focused,
and steadied. She was looking at him, and seeing him.
Debra was roused from the warm edge of sleep by the touch upon her
cheek, as light as the fall of an autumn leaf. She opened her eyes to
soft golden clouds, then suddenly like the morning wind slashing away
the sea mist, the clouds rolled open and she looked beyond to the
monster's head that swam towards her, a colossal disembodied head that
seemed must arise from the halls of hell itself, a head so riven with
livid lines and set with the bestial, crudely worked features of one of
the dark hosts, that she flung herself back in her chair, cringing away
from the terror of it, and she lifted her hands to her face and she
screamed.
David turned and ran from the room, slamming the door behind him, his
feet pounded down the passage and the Brig heard him coming and stepped
into the corridor.
David! He reached out a hand to him, to hold him back, but David struck
out at him wildly, a blow that caught him in the chest throwing him back
heavily against the wall. When he regained his balance, and staggered
from the wall clutching his chest, David was gone. His frantic
footsteps clattered up from the well of the stairs.
David! he called, his voice croaking. Wait! But he was gone, his
footsteps fading, and the Brig let him go.
instead he turned and hurried painfully down the corridor to where the
hysterical sobs of his daughter rang from behind the closed door.
She looked up from her cupped hands when she heard the door open, and
wonder dawned through the terror in her eyes. I can see you, she
whispered, I can see. He went to her quickly and took her in the
protective circle of his arms.
It's all right, he told her awkwardly, it's going to be all right. She
clung to him, stifling the last of her sobs.
I had a dream, she murmured, a terrible dream, and she shuddered against
him. Then suddenly she pulled away.
David, she cried, where is David? I must see him. The Brig stiffened,
realizing that she had not recognized reality.
I must see him, she repeated, and he replied heavily, You have already
seen him, my child. For many seconds she did not understand, and then
slowly it came to her.
David? she whispered, her voice catching and breaking. That was David?
The Brig nodded, watching her face for the revulsion and the horror.
oh dear God, Debra's voice was fierce. What have I done? I screamed
when I saw him. What have I done to him? I've driven him away. So you
still want to see him again? the Brig asked.
How can you say that? Debra blazed at him. More than anything on this
earth. You must know that!
even the way he is now?
If you think that would make any difference to me then you don't know me
very well. Her expression changed again, becoming concerned. Find him
for me, she ordered. Quickly, before he has a chance to do something