Page 178 of The Secrets of the Tea Garden

‘Please, Adela,’ she said, ‘I need to put it back in the box before MrsGibson finds out it’s gone.’

‘You took it without asking?’ Sam said in disapproval.

‘Yes, but I was always going to put it back after the party,’ said Joan, tears springing to her eyes. ‘I’m not a thief.’

‘Did MrsGibson tell you where the box came from?’ Sam asked.

Joan shook her head. ‘But she keeps it on her dressing table so I know it must be special. She’s bound to notice the necklace is gone sooner or later. Please, Sam, make Adela give it back. I don’t want to get in any trouble and MrsGibson’s been so good to me and Bonnie.’

‘Her son,’ Adela said, her voice shaking. ‘How old is he?’

Joan looked baffled. ‘What’s that got to do with it?’

‘Just answer her,’ said Sam.

‘He’s eight, I think.’

Adela felt her knees weaken. Sam gripped her around the waist.

‘What’s he called?’ Sam asked.

‘Jack. Except they say it in a funny way.’

Adela let out a soft moan.

‘What’s the matter?’ Joan looked at her in alarm. ‘What have I said?’

Adela’s teeth began to chatter as if she was freezing, yet the day was mild and warm. Sam hugged her to his side. He didn’t speak. He wasn’t going to tell her what to do. Adela saw tears trickling down Joan’s face and knew she was terrified of being found out and losing the friendship of the well-to-do major’s wife.

After a moment’s hesitation, Adela held out her arm and opened her clenched fist.

‘Take it,’ she said in a hoarse voice.

Joan snatched at the necklace in relief. ‘Ta very much.’ She looked contrite. ‘You will come and see us before you go to India, won’t you?’

Neither Sam nor Adela answered as Joan turned and hurried away. After she was out of sight, Sam said, ‘That was kind of you to give her back the necklace.’

She turned and looked at him in distress. ‘It’s him, isn’t it? The boy they call Jack or Jacques,’ she whispered. ‘It’s John Wesley.’

In a tight voice Sam said, ‘It sounds likely.’

‘Oh, Sam, what should I do?’

He put his hands around her face and held her look. ‘I think you have to go and see for yourself if it’s your son. It may not be the right thing to do but I know you will always regret it if you don’t.’ His eyes were full of sadness. ‘I won’t try and stop you. It will only come between us if I do.’

Adela gulped down tears. ‘Come with me,’ she beseeched him. ‘Please, Sam. I can’t do this without you.’

He let go a sigh and nodded. She put her arms about him and held on tightly.

‘Thank you.’

It was Sam who suggested that they ask James to take them up to Willowburn to visit the Gibsons. It meant waiting till James got back from StAbbs, but he swiftly arranged for them to go riding on the following Monday, pleased that they wanted to go with him. Adela was dismayed to see James looking pinch-faced and subdued after his holiday, but his interest was immediately sparked by the suggestion of a ride at Willowburn. She felt embarrassed at his eagerness but couldn’t bring herself to tell him about her ulterior motive for wanting to go to the Gibsons’ home. She assumed Tilly would never have told him about her having an illegitimate baby, knowing he would disapprove of scandal in the family.

All week, Adela tried to keep herself busy and control her nervous excitement but could hardly settle long to any job. Jane was quick to notice her distraction so Sam kept her away from the café by finding Adela lightweight jobs to do on the allotment. As the day of the visit drew nearer, Adela became beset with doubts. What if it turned out not to be John Wesley after all? There might be some other explanation as to how MrsGibson came by the swami’s necklace. Then an old anxiety resurfaced: what if she didn’t recognise her son?

On the Sunday evening, Sam took her for a late walk along the promenade towards Whitley Bay, knowing she would hardly sleep a wink that coming night. Adela unburdened her greatest worry.

‘If it is John Wesley,’ she said, ‘how will I know it’s him? I meanreallyknow. He’s an eight-year-old boy. He won’t look anything like the baby I last saw.’