Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley

spree in Harrods that, taking a short cut through the pet department, she bought a dachshund puppy. Her attempt to get the price reduced on the grounds that it was German met with contempt. She was, though, able to make arrangements to have it sent to Richard by train. ‘I was mindful of your carpets,’ she told Sarah.
    ‘Carpets aren’t going to matter much. I have telephoned Polly’s mother about Sophy for you.’
    ‘And what did she say?’
    ‘Said it’s a good school, send the child and she can stay with Polly when she has to pass through London or for half terms.’
    ‘You’ve done my job for me.’ Helena was huffed.
    ‘You can visit the school, here’s the address. Telephone tonight. Get it done, Helena.’
    ‘You are rushing me.’
    ‘There is a rush. Being hated at Sophy’s age isn’t right.’
    ‘I never said I hated her.’
    ‘But you do.’
    Helena went to visit the school. When she got back to London she found a message from Richard to ring him urgently. ‘Something has happened to Sophy,’ said Sarah.
    ‘What?’
    ‘He won’t or can’t say. He sounds desperate.’
    ‘All right, I’ll go.’ Helena gave in.
    This time alone, Helena had an unpleasant drive down the winding roads. From now on, she thought, petrol rationing would restrict what freedom the car gave her.
    Richard came out to meet her, carrying the dachshund puppy in his arms.
    ‘So you got my present.’
    ‘It chews everything, it’s eaten my best cardigan.’
    ‘Where is Sophy?’
    ‘In bed at the Rectory.’
    ‘Why? What happened?’
    ‘Child won’t or can’t speak. The Rectory offered. It seemed better for her to be with a woman. I can’t do much with my leg. Monika Erstweiler sits with her. The doctor said to keep her quiet.’
    ‘But what happened, for God’s sake?’
    ‘Don’t know.’ Richard put the puppy down on the grass and watched it make a puddle. ‘Good little chap. Nice thought of yours.’
    ‘What happened to Sophy?’ Helena felt furious impatience.
    ‘Went out for a walk. You know how she wanders. I don’t know where. I’ve been stuck here with my leg—’
    ‘Damn your leg!’
    ‘Yes.’ Richard looked at his wife with sympathy. ‘Must be as trying for you as it is for me. Sorry. Must ignore it. I hear there’s a chap with no legs who flies, chap called Bader trying to get back into the Air Force with no legs, I ask you.’
    ‘Sophy?’
    ‘The Rector found her wandering on the cliff road. Thought she looked odd, offered her a lift and she passed out in his car. She hasn’t spoken, just lies there. It’s unnerving.’
    ‘Any bumps or bruises?’
    ‘Nothing, had some sort of fit, I’d say.’
    ‘Rubbish.’
    ‘Well, yes. The doctor says shock, but round here, it’s ridiculous, how could she get a shock?’
    ‘We’d better go to her.’ Helena opened the car door and Richard got in holding the puppy.
    ‘Doesn’t even respond to the puppy. You’d think she’d like it.’
    ‘Did the doctor say, I mean has he—’ Helena hesitated.
    ‘Not interfered with. Nothing. Can’t have seen anything of Penrose either. Wrong place, wrong time.’
    ‘Penrose? Who is Penrose?’
    ‘Coastguard chap, you know him. The Army are wiring off the path against invaders, I ask you. Hitler’s not going to invade up perpendicular cliffs. Of course with my leg I never walk along it. Oh, sorry, mentioned it again.’
    ‘It doesn’t matter.’ Helena drew up at the Rectory. ‘What about Penrose?’
    ‘Fell over the cliff. Drunk, I suppose, or suicide, moody fellow his wife says. Anyway the Army found him, saw him floating. The police are being quite active, gives them something to do. If I had my leg I’d—’
    Helena got out of the car and rang the Rectory bell. The Rector opened the door. Helena kissed him on the cheek.
    ‘Like to go straight up? Monika’s with her. The room at the top on the left. Mildred had to go out.’
    Sophy lay propped on pillows, eyes dark in a face no paler