Chapter 35

Gustav called the next morning, suprising Lauren since it was usually Elizabeth's job to deal with household matters. He stated, in a very business-like manner, that Lauren had been given control of settling all bills, household accounts, credit cards and would be contacted by their bank in the next few days for specimens of her signature. He had also written to her to outline what they thought were the best routes out of the country if trouble struck.

Twice he launched into a speech of how grateful they both were, how special Lauren was to them, and how they were delighted to have her in the family. Lauren felt touched by his remarks, although was embarrassed by the end of his second monologue, wishing they could discuss more mundane matters. Gustav gave her a brief update on the election, realising that she would not be able to follow the news in Spanish. He and Elizabeth would be traveling to Geneva for talks in two days, but would call before they went and let her know when they would be back.

She had only just rung off when the phone rang again. It was her mother, the line perfectly clear.

"Well, how are you?" asked her mother, clearly pleased to speak to her.

"Fine. We're all fine." What else was there to say? She was hardly going to tell her all the detail on the news, although she was fairly sure that CNN would have broadcast it around the world anyway.

"Dear, I have some sad news, I'm afraid."

"What?" She dreaded this. Early in the conversation, clearly why she had called. Perhaps father was ill, or her brother. Three thousand miles from home.

"Jim's been in a car accident. Seems he was pretty banged up. Happened last week"

"How is he?" The truth sank in slowly. He was a very good driver, and Switzerland had tough driving tests and strict laws. Her chin trembled. She was determined not to cry.

"Not good. I visited him in hospital. He recognised me but his jaw was sort of fixed." Her mother's voice wavered, Lauren catching the emotion.

"I'll write to his Mum, she can forward the letter"

"That would be nice, dear. I'm sure he'd appreciate it. He's been so miserable since you left, you know"

Lauren frowned. "How do you know?"

"I spoke to his mother"

"Ohh, yeah!"

"He's such a nice boy, Lori. Such a good friend to you!"

"Mum, he's just about the one and only boyfriend I ever had." Her sorrow turned to anger, a hard lump in her throat hurting as her breath shuddered with pent up tears. "We both agreed that we would be free to do whatever we wanted while I was out here!"

"That Claudette has been spreading more rumours, you know. I just don't know what to say" Ever since high school, Claudette had insisted that Lauren and Nikki had been 'partners", as she insisted on terming it. Her mother picked up the rumours in the village and strenuously defended her daughter. But Lauren knew it was difficult when her mother was ninety-five percent convinced that Lauren and Nikki had been lovers, not for a matter of days but years.

"She can say all she likes. I really don't care" A tear fell to the floor.

She covered the receiver as she sniffed.

"Lori, just be good, right. Look after those children." The implication hurt beyond measure, calling into question her competence. She dearly wanted to tell her just how strong she had been, how she had rejected, fended off temptation. But she was crying now, her mind tortured by the unkindness of Claudette's gossip and her inability to retaliate or even defend herself.

"Is Dad OK?" she stuttered.

"We're all fine. I'll write to you tomorrow, OK?"

"Hmm, OK. Bye"

She ran to her room, through into her lounge and stared out of the window, seething, shaking at the injustice of life. Her gaze took her thoughts over the horizon, almost due east, and hoping that she had suddenly been blessed with supernatural powers, imagined a bolt of lightning striking Claudette dead.