The Golden Thread Page 6

  As soon as Stefano had left, Claudia went to find Maria and unleashed her anger. ‘How dare you muscle in on my lesson! That was unforgiveable!’

  Maria was unrepentant.

  ‘Oh, what an amazing man! Those blue eyes! Those charming manners! You are a lucky so-and-so Claudia. I hope you realise how fantastic he is – or are you so devoted to your studies you don’t even notice an Adonis when he’s right in front of you!’

  ‘I’ve told you already, I’m simply giving him lessons. Of course it doesn’t escape my notice that he’s very handsome, but he’s paying me to teach him English, and that’s what I’m doing.’

  The next day Stefano rang up. His company had suggested that in order to concentrate on his language learning before he returned to Italy he could perhaps have one whole day with his tutor, visiting London, getting to know his way round, and improving his grasp of the language further. Instead of giving him an hour the following day, could she manage a day out? And if she could not spare the time, perhaps her sister might do him the honour? He added that perhaps that was not a good idea, however, as he might then be listening, rather than speaking, if Maria was with him.

  Claudia was torn. She could see the sense of it. It would do him good to have a whole day – but this was the last week of her vacation, and her Finals were getting uncomfortably close. She really couldn’t give up a whole day. On the other hand, she knew that if she did not agree, Maria would have no trouble thinking up some excuse to get time off work, and grab the chance of spending a day with Stefano like a shot. Common sense prevailed. She must forego the chance, but perhaps she could just not mention it to Maria.

  She told Stefano that she was sorry, she could not take a day away from her studies, and her sister would be at work the next day, which was Friday.

  ‘Then perhaps she could come with me on Sunday! I have a very good idea – when I have had my lesson in your wonderful city of London, then perhaps I could ask two lovely ladies to come to have dinner with me. Please say yes – I want to thank you for all the time you have given me.’

  There was nothing for it, then, but to pass his message on to Maria, who, as Claudia had anticipated, was in a state of high excitement at the prospect. The arrangements were made, and Claudia was to meet them at seven o’clock at an Italian restaurant in Richmond.

  Much to her annoyance Claudia arrived that evening to find that the other two were not yet there, and forty minutes slowly ticked by before they appeared. They came in laughing and talking, and although Stefano greeted her warmly when he saw her, Claudia sensed that there was now a familiarity between the other two which made her feel left out. She was unable to join in their chatter, and relapsed into a miserable silence, which neither of the other two appeared to notice.

  Afterwards Maria came to her.

  ‘Don’t be cross, Claudia. I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that he was such fun, and so different from the boring English boys I’ve been out with. And you said you weren’t interested in him, except professionally, so I didn’t think it would matter.’

  ‘So what happened? Where did you go? Knowing you, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’d managed to wheedle a proposal of marriage out of him!’

  ‘Don’t be silly! Of course not! We just had a good time. And I did remember I was supposed to be helping him, and I showed him how to use the underground and the buses. And we walked all over the place, and sat down in the park, and I’m so tired, but it was heavenly! Dear Claudia, please say you aren’t cross. He’s going away very soon, so I don’t suppose I’ll see him any more.’

  Claudia softened. Perhaps she had been rather too quick to feel jealous. Anyway, she still had one last lesson with Stefano, on Tuesday, and Maria would be safely out of harm’s way.

  Chapter 10

  Stefano was his usual self when he turned up for his last lesson – smiling, gallant, and appreciative of the time Claudia had given him. She put Sunday’s episode out of her mind and concentrated on making the most of this final session. There was no doubt his English had improved, but there were still many instances when it was clear that here was an Italian trying to master English.

  At the end of the lesson he stood up. ‘I want to say a thousand thank yous to you, Claudia. You have understand what it means to me to learn your language and you have spent much time, when I know you want really to study for your exams.’

  Claudia squirmed. Had she managed to teach him anything?

  Stefano continued. ‘Wait here, please.’ He went back into the hall, where, it seemed, he had left something. He returned carrying a large, smart carrier bag with the name Carbotti printed across it.

  ‘I have brought you this little gift, to say thank you for all my excellent lessons. Please accept this, from me. Please.’ He held out the bag to her.

  Claudia opened it, and inside was a fairly large object wrapped in tissue paper. She removed this and was left holding a beautiful leather handbag of a size and quality that made the two rather tatty specimens in her cupboard look pretty pathetic.

  She gasped.

  ‘For me? This is for me?’ Her fingers moved over the soft leather, feeling the texture of an object she knew was far more expensive than anything she had ever owned in her life before.

  ‘It is for you. You have been very patient, very kind. So many stupid mistakes I know I make. You are very good to help me.’

  ‘Oh no, you have done very well. You have been an excellent pupil. I’m sure you feel you have made progress, don’t you?’

  ‘With your help, yes, I have.’

  ‘Oh, Stefano! I don’t know how to thank you! It’s an absolutely beautiful handbag. How did you manage to pick something that I would love so much? The colour is perfect, and the style – well, it’s so smart. I just love it. There really was no need to give me anything – I was generously paid for the lessons, but I can’t tell you how much I love it!’

  Claudia was filled with a warm glow, basking in his admiration and gratitude, and thrilled by the gift which she knew was far superior to anything she would ever have bought for herself.

  The next moment her blood ran cold. He was holding out another carrier bag. ‘And please, give this to your very pretty sister, who was so good to come with me on Sunday, and show me London.’

  It is extraordinary, thought Claudia, how one moment you can be on top of the world, and a few seconds later find yourself plummeting down to the depths.

  Totally unaware of the effect of the bombshell he had just dropped, Stefano continued speaking. ‘You and your sister, you have shown much kindness to a stranger, an Italian who is far from home. Please you say thank you to her, and now I say goodbye.’

  He stepped forward and kissed her on both cheeks.

  With very mixed feelings she watched him go. And then she had an idea. The more she thought about it the better the idea seemed. She would work out all the details of the plan she had just hatched and would put it into action as soon as she returned to Oxford.

  Chapter 11

  It was six days since Claudia had posted the letter. The lack of response was frustrating. It meant that instead of being able to give her mind fully to her carefully planned schedule of revision, she was waiting for the post daily, and rushing down to see if a letter had come for her – an unwelcome distraction in view of the proximity of her final exams, and the need for her to make one last concerted effort.

  It had not occurred to her that there would be this delay. She had thought there would be a letter by return. More fool her! Why should she assume he’d be delighted with her suggestion? It had all seemed a brilliant idea when she had first devised the plan, but now she began to think she had acted very foolishly.

  Then, finally, it came. She knew his handwriting – distinctly continental in its cursive, flowing style. With trembling hands she tore the envelope open and retrieved the folded sheet of paper from inside. She could not believe her eyes – he was saying everything she had
hoped! He was honoured to be asked to escort her to the college Summer Ball. He would be so happy to travel to Oxford, and looked forward to seeing some of the city’s famous sights, with Claudia as his guide, and then, that evening, to accompanying her to the ball.

  Claudia walked on air, breathing sighs of relief, and smiling to herself. She had achieved it! For the first time in her three years up at Oxford, she was one of the lucky students who would be going to a ball. The thought of Stefano dressed in evening attire made her go weak at the knees. She knew he would look incredibly handsome, and she felt sure she would be the envy of every other female student.

  A practical problem now presented itself – she had no ball gown to wear. It had seemed far too much like tempting fate to do anything about acquiring one until she had had a positive response from Stefano, and no doubt all the best ones in the ‘nearly new’ fashion shops would have gone. Claudia had a little money, thanks to the lessons she had given, but the frugal side of her nature would not let her spend the whole amount on one dress which, in all probability, she was only going to wear on this one occasion.

  It was a glorious summer day, making the ‘dreaming spires’ of Oxford look more magical than ever, lit as they were by bright sunshine against a blue backdrop. If this spell of fine weather lasted until the day of the ball, Stefano would be enraptured by all he saw. How could it fail to put him in the best of moods? Dipping into her precious revision time, Claudia began a quick circuit of the shops she thought might stock dresses that had probably been worn by other students in past years, but she could find nothing. It seemed the other students had been quicker off the mark and had snapped up all the bargains! No doubt they had had their partners lined up well in advance.

  Time was running out, and so was the supply of possible outlets for what she sought. She racked her brains for a fresh source – trying to think of somewhere that had eluded her so far. As she stood there mulling over her problem, she noticed an Austin Seven chug round the corner. The car was just drawing level with her when a black cat appeared out of nowhere, darted across the road, realised the car was approaching, hesitated, and then made the fatal decision to continue on its journey. There was a screech of brakes, and a dull thud. The young man who had been driving the car stepped out to investigate, a worried expression on his face. He bent down to look at the inert small body lying on the road and exclaimed, ‘Holy mother! I’ve killed a cat!’

  Claudia had run across the road to where he stood, and joined him in looking at the lifeless body.

  ‘I saw him dash into the road in front of you. Is he …? Do you think he’s dead?’

  ‘I’m very much afraid so. I tried to stop, but there just wasn’t time.’

  ‘Poor thing,’ said Claudia. ‘Should we call a vet?’

  ‘Not much use,’ said the young man. ‘Too late for that. I feel dreadful.’

  ‘It’s not your fault. He shouldn’t have been out roaming the streets.’

  ‘Look, there’s a collar with a name tag. Perhaps it’s got an address on.’

  They looked closely, and sure enough the details were there. The young man squinted at the metal tag through his thick glasses.

  ‘His name’s Tiger – only his family can’t spell – it’s written with two gs.’

  ‘That’s not Tiger, it’s Tigger,’ said Claudia. ‘You know, Christopher Robin, Pooh Bear, and all those characters.’

  ‘Ah, I was a Swallows and Amazons boy – I think I missed out on A.A. Milne.’

  He started to take off his jacket. Claudia noticed that, although the jacket was reasonably presentable, the jumper now on view had seen far better days. There were large holes in the sleeves. He saw her glance.

  ‘Sorry,’ he said. ‘The jacket hides a multitude of sins, but I think Tiger’s – or rather Tigger’s – need is now greater than mine.’

  With gentle hands he picked up the small black body and wrapped it tenderly in the jacket.

  ‘What are you going to do now?’ Claudia asked.

  ‘I’ll have to return the cat to its owner, and break the bad news. The address is only two roads away.’

  ‘Would you like me to come with you?’

  ‘Would you? That would give me a bit of courage.’

  He smiled, and Claudia saw that, although he was far from handsome, with his bristly fair hair, freckled face and oversized ears, he had kind eyes and his smile was reassuring. Gently he laid the bundle on the back seat.

  ‘I imagine you’re a student?’ he asked.

  ‘Yes, St Hilda’s, reading maths. And you?’

  ‘Brasenose, and I’ve embarked on history. I’m in my second year. What year are you?’

  ‘My third. I decided on maths, but I love history, particularly the classical period.’

  ‘We have something in common then, apart from a dead cat. What’s your name?’

  ‘Claudia, Claudia Hansom. And yours?’

  ‘Bernard Stubbings. My friends call me Burns – because I write poetry.’

  ‘Really? What sort?’

  ‘The very bad sort. Here we are.’

  He drew up, and then got out to pick the cat up once more. Together they walked up to the front door. He rang the bell several times, but there was no answer.

  ‘What do we do now?’ He turned to Claudia, the worried look back on his face. ‘I can’t just dump the poor thing on the front doorstep. Perhaps we can get round the back.’

  They found a gate to the side which was unlocked. Bernard carried the cat round to the back and laid him by the back door.

  ‘Have you got a bit of paper? I’ll have to write a note.’

  Claudia fished a piece out of her handbag. He hesitated for a moment and then wrote:

  ‘I’m so sorry, I’m afraid your cat ran out in front of my car. I couldn’t stop in time. I’m really very sorry.’ Then he added his name, and that he could be contacted at Brasenose College, and put the note beside the body, placing a stone on top to stop it blowing away.

  ‘Right, that’s it. I think we can go now.’

  ‘What about your jacket?’

  ‘It seems disrespectful, somehow, to leave the poor thing uncovered. I think I’ll sacrifice it. It’s the least I can do.’

  They walked back to the car.

  ‘Now, where can I drop you? Back where I found you? Or were you going somewhere? I’ll give you a lift if you like. It’s very kind of you to have come with me. I would have felt awful doing it all on my own.’

  ‘Actually,’ Claudia replied, ‘I’ve been trying to find a dress for our summer ball, but all the shops that sell second hand ones have none left, and I can’t think of anywhere else to go. It’s annoying, because I should be studying for my Finals, and I’ve wasted a lot of time.’

  Bernard looked thoughtful. ‘I know a charity shop,’ he said at last, ‘that I seem to remember has things like that. Would you like to try there? I could easily drop you off.’

  ‘That would be good, if you don’t mind. I’m getting a bit desperate.’

  ‘It’s the least I can do. You’ve been a great support to me in my hour of need.’

  As they drove off Bernard remarked casually, ‘I don’t suppose you need a partner, for your ball, do you? I mean, if by any chance you do, I’d be pleased to …’

  ‘Thank you, Bernard, that’s very nice of you. But actually …’

  ‘Yes, I guessed you’d have one already lined up. Oh well, I just thought I’d ask.’

  What was that saying about buses? None for ages and then three come along at once? All this time up at Oxford and no one had asked her to a ball before, and now suddenly, she had two offers! For a moment Claudia regretted that she had had to turn Bernard down. She rather liked him, even if his looks left a lot to be desired. Then she thought of Stefano – charming, handsome, sophisticated Stefano – and knew there was really no contest. Still, it was a pity she had not met Bernard before. He seemed a pleasant, kind sort of man.
They drew up outside the charity shop.

  ‘Poor old Tigger didn’t have much luck today, but perhaps he’ll bring you some,’ he said. ‘I hope so. See you around!’

  ‘Thanks, Bernard. And don’t blame yourself for what’s happened. It wasn’t your fault.’

  He nodded, and smiled once more. Then he drove off. Claudia pushed open the shop door and went inside. The assistant who came over to see what Claudia wanted was most enthusiastic.

  ‘How lovely! Fancy going to the summer ball! It makes me wish I were young again.’

  ‘Yes, but I haven’t been able to find anything to wear. There don’t seem to be any ball gowns left anywhere – certainly nothing within my budget.’

  The woman looked thoughtfully at her. ‘How handy are you with a needle?’

  ‘Quite good,’ replied Claudia. ‘Why do you ask?’

  ‘Well, a rather beautiful blue dress came in a few days ago, but it has suffered a bit of damage. Goodness knows what the last person who wore it got up to! I think someone must have trodden on the hem, because it’s got torn. But it might be repairable. Let’s have a look at it.’

  She went into a private room at the back of the shop and came back holding the dress over her arm.

  Claudia gasped. The dress had style and was a beautiful shade of blue – Claudia’s favourite colour. It could hardly have been more perfect. Together they studied the tear in the fabric.

  ‘I think I could do something about that,’ said Claudia. ‘I feel pretty sure I could sew it up so that no one would ever know. After all, it will be dark – well, for most of the time!’

  ‘And I think I could let you have it at a very moderate price, as you will have to work on it before it can be worn.’

  It seemed it was her lucky day after all! Thrilled with her purchase Claudia carried the dress back to her room and examined it closely. It was going to take some time to do the stitching required – time which she had not bargained for. She would just have to stay up at night, or get up early in the morning. She would do whatever it took, for here was the dress she needed to make Stefano proud of her. In this dress, perhaps, even she, Claudia Hansom, could, for once, be the belle of the ball. She drew in a deep breath and started to work on it.