|
Chapter 55
Hong Kong - Sunday December 29th, 1996
|
�����
|
|
Carol and Gloria sat together on the wide, glassed-in verandah in the eastern wing of Guy�s house. Beyond the flower garden, the heavily wooded mountain fell away, revealing Causeway Bay far below, its white high-rises gleaming in the pale winter sunshine. Beyond, the harbour churned with ferries and junks, sampans and pleasure boats, going back and forth about their business. ��������� Gloria said, �I�m sorry you�re leaving so soon.� ��������� �I have a business to run. I said I�d take a week only.� ��������� �You hadn�t met BJ then.� ��������� �That�s true.� Carol smiled slightly but said only, �I�m more sorry about all this than I can say.� ��������� �It wasn�t your fault, any of it,� Gloria said quickly. �BJ would have found out about Pat. You just - speeded things up, maybe.� She looked out across the garden. �Have you seen Guy?� she asked in a strained voice. ��������� �No.� ��������� �He�s gone into hiding. No one knows where he is; except, I suppose, Dickie Forrest.� Gloria made a helpless little gesture. �After he was released, he came up here and got some clothes. He was ashamed to face me, but I can�t stop loving Guy, whatever he�s done. I know he�s wild. I expect it�s true about Lo Chin. I told you, Guy�s like our father. Remember the story about Dad and the fork-lift? I never really believed it was an accident.� She ended on a sob. ��������� There was a silence, then Carol asked, �What will you do now?� ��������� Gloria wiped her eyes. When she looked up, a hesitant smile twisted her mouth. �I spent this morning with David. He�s offered me a position with the company. He�s fighting to keep Langford-Price alive. He won�t let Guy come back; you can�t blame him for that. David, William and I are the only Langfords left,� she continued soberly, �not counting other family shareholders. I worked at Langford-Price until Guy brought the children home. Then I left to look after them. But they�re older now; they�ll be fine.� ��������� She drew herself up and added defiantly, �It�s a good opportunity for me; it�ll take my mind off things.� Her violet eyes glinted. �I think Pat would want me to take his place in the company, don�t you?� |
|
|
|
|
