Chapter 3  Jonathan's Salvation

 

Jonathan's cab stopped outside the Bed and Breakfast.  He bid the driver a good night and

paid him.  He had sold his Ahm Shere diamond over a month ago to a private collector,

much to Evelyn's dismay.  She may have preferred the museum to benefit from it, but he

was in more need of the money.  He had never felt so justified by any other decision he'd

made in his life, for after years of riding on the coat tails of others, he was now fully

independent, and it was a bloody good feeling. 

 

Checking at the desk to make sure she was still here, Jonathan covered the cost of her

accommodation for the next month. The only reason he could find for doing this was the

pity he felt for her hopeless situation;  pregnant, beaten and made an outcast.  The last

two he was overly familiar with.  Although his sister would never abandon him, he knew

he wasn't quite in her league.  However pitiful this creature was, in a way it was possible

she could be his salvation.  As he walked towards her door he wondered if this is what he

needed, to save someone on his own, outright, then maybe he could save himself.  It had

been a growing realisation since his thrashing that he was in dire need of a new direction

in life, but a doubt crossed his mind just before he knocked on her door.  Did he think he

was falling in love with this girl, or was he merely clutching at straws?  It was definately

dangerous and unchartered ground.   If she was cunning she could take him for every

penny. His mouth was working overtime last night, telling  her every detail of Hamunaptra

and Ahm Shere.  The bold adventures he and his family embarked upon.  Whether or not

she believed in ancient curses raising dead priests was debatable, but he left her in no

doubt about his wealth and his willingness to assist.  "Blundering idiot!"  he cursed himself. 

"It's quite possible I've set myself up for the biggest fall of my life!"  He stood silent outside

her door contemplating what to do.  He decided to knock, he had to take the chance but

without the rose coloured glasses.  If he could begin to think less of himself, the likelihood

of success was good as long as he embarked on this realistically and kept his eyes open.

 

*****

 

Fortunately as the months passed Grace and Jonathan became good friends.  Even though

they were separated by class they were kindred spirits.  In the beginning Jonathan earnestly

wished the child was his, but now with time, he understood there was no possibility of this

becomming a burning romance, his roll was more that of a father figure.

 

It took a long time to get to know her.  In the early days she was always wary of him, willing to

accept his help, but unsure of what he wanted in return.  Her fear and frustration were

compounded during those weeks when he wouldn't call in to see her.  His weakness for the

gambling tables would nag at him from time to time, but he never confessed to that and

always invented some other excuse for his absences.  She was shrewd enough not to complain 

and was acutely aware her being here in the first place was nothing short of blind luck.  She

wasn't about to bite the hand that fed her.

 

However, once she did begin to trust him she opened her heart.  She told how her employment

as a kitchen maid was abruptly cut short after it was discovered she way pregnant by the

chauffeur.  The loss of earnings to her family infuriated her father and she was thrown into the

street.  She knew her lover would have lost his job as well, but she hadn't seen or heard from him

since that night.  Her father had an uncanny ability of making 'problems' disappear when it was

deemed necessary, not that either of them would know where to search for her.  Being put up in

the swish end of town isn't what they would have imagined and certainly not a place they would

think to start looking.

 

Jonathan kept her provided with all she needed, and it did his heart good.  He truly enjoyed

playing his part even though he knew it couldn't last.  He knew that Grace wouldn't be content

to live as she was forever, he wasn't so vain as to think she saw him for anything more than he

appeared to be...her meal ticket.   They liked each other and shared a common bond and goal

and that was the end of it.

 

 She grew more and more restless as the birth neared and on his last visit she had asked him

to try and find her boyfriend.  A part of him ached on hearing her request, even though he had

come to expect it, it still hurt.

 

******

 

"There'll be a few people calling at the house over the next week or so, Evie.  I've placed an

advertisement for a driver."  Jonathan announced at the breakfast table.

 

"What on earth do you want a driver for, Jonathan."  Evelyn answered "For all the waiting

about he'd have to do at all the ungodly hours it would be much cheaper for you to keep

using cabs.  Beside which, you still don't have a car, remember?"

 

"It's not for me." he said as he poured tea from the pot "A friend of mine is in need of one

and wants to keep it quiet from the wife.  If you get my drift." he lied.

 

"Perfectly." Evelyn just looked at him.  For months now he'd been a peculiar mix of the

old Jonathan and some entirely new entity that she couldn't quite grasp and wasn't sure

she even liked. He was keeping secrets, of that she was certain.  It worried her to think

what kind.   Rick's assumption of a girlfriend seemed to be off base,  it was more of an

endless line of faceless predators  "You have a lot of new 'friends' of late it seems.  All

needing different favours."  His lifestyle concerned her greatly, she feared for his safety

and, at times, his sanity.  "You do know what you're doing, don't you Jonathan?  I mean

you, of all people, know how these things can end."

 

He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.  "No need for worrying, old mum.  It's

not as bad as I paint it."  He could see the concern in her eyes  "Look Evie, one day soon,

I'll sit you down and tell you all about it, I promise.  But for now, it has to be like this.  It's

important for me, understand."

 

"Not really."  They sat for a moment looking at each other, both righteous in their

principals, then Evelyn shook her head and looked away "Whatever pleases you, I suppose."

then looking back at him with deep concern in her eyes "All I ask is that you be careful."

 

"You know me, Evie!"  he answered with a lift in his voice.

 

"Yes, indeed I do and that's half the problem."