Island of escape Read Free

fingers earlier on. She was thankful when the waiter came and he was taken to a table that, though it was within sight, was at least out of earshot!
    Jake had taken the bracelet and was fastening it round her wrist.
    `No protests, darling. Giving you things is my pleasure. Having money is no use unless you have someone to share it with, and Siddie and I had precious
     
    little time.' He didn't release her wrist, but looked at her seriously. 'Am I going to be able to persuade you to forget about this job you've applied for and come to live with me and Pat? You'll get along very well together, I promise you.'
    Ellis bit her lip and awkwardly moved her hand from his to pick up her glass.
    `Jake, I—I don't know what to say. I feel so ungrateful, but the fact is, I just don't think I could adjust to doing nothing. I know you think I'm mad to have applied for a position as housekeeper, but it's really what I want. I want to be independent, to—to do some kind of work—'
    He frowned thoughtfully. B ut not that kind of work, Ellis. I don't know how you came to apply for such a position, but as far as I can see it will be a case of jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. You'll be a drudge. It's just not good enough. you've slaved for that uncle of yours for long enough while Jan's messed around enjoying herself, and you'd be wasting yourself to go off and do the same thing for some sheep farmer. When I think what a pathetic, unhappy little thing you looked the day I met you at the airport last week, and how in just a few days you've blossomed out into a beauty—a real beauty—I regret the years you've been away from me.' He paused and gave her a long look. 'Didn't you see yourself in the glass before you came downstairs tonight? There's not a woman in this room can hold a candle to you. You're a—a mad mixture of sophistication and innocence, of lady and coquette. You'd have a wonderful life with Pat and me —you'd meet all sorts of eligible fellows, forget that idiot Paul completely—'Ellis shook her head hopelessly. It would be impos-
     
    sible to tell him that Pat wouldn't really want her, and after a second she said ruefully, 'I guess there's something wrong with me, then, Jake, because most of all I want to do something useful—I really do. And—and I'm not a beauty. You've given me some lovely clothes, I've learnt how to make the most of myself, and I know I look a lot nicer than I did, but inside I'm just Ellis Lincoln.' She sighed a little. 'I really would like to get this job I've applied for. Besides, isn't work supposed to be an—an antidote for a broken heart?' she added with a wry smile.
    `I guess it is, Ellis,' he agreed after a moment. 'And it could be you're wise. Maybe I'm just selfish to want a daughter.'
    `You're sweet,' she said, and put her hand over his.
    No more was said on the subject after that. They had dinner, and at ten-thirty the cabaret show began. Ellis hadn't realised it was a nude show, and for the first few moments she felt more than a little shocked. All those beautiful girls with their fantastic headdresses and their bare breasts
    For some strange reason, she turned her head to see if the man in the velvet jacket was still there. He was, and he was looking not at the show but at her. Badly disconcerted, she turned swiftly away, and decided to put him completely out of her mind, and soon, because she began enjoying the show, she managed it. The sets and the lighting were lavish and dramatic and so were the costumes, and though it was the most sophisticated show she had ever seen in her life, it was not in the least vulgar, and the dancing and singing were really first class. Ellis supposed that with all that money coming in from the gaming tables, the management could
     
    well afford a production where no expense was spared !
    When it was over and the lights went up, some of the performers—though not the nude ones ! —came down to move about among the tables, and Jake told