Island of escape Read Free Page A

Ellis, `I'll see if I can persuade a couple of the members of the cast to come and join us for a drink. Would you like that?'
    She nodded smilingly. As a matter of fact, she would just as soon have called it a day and gone up to bed, but it would be unkind to reject Jake's efforts to amuse her. He really put himself out to do that, and she watched him go down the steps to speak to one of the male singers, then disappear somewhere at the side of the stage.
    Ellis sat back in her chair to wait for him. Drink waiters were hovering, a few people were leaving their tables, probably to go into the casino which stayed open till three or four o'clock in the morning. It had been fun staying here, she reflected, and it had helped a little to take her mind off her unhappiness, but this sophisticated life wasn't really for her. The late nights had exhausted her a little, probably because she wasn't sleeping well. Once she was alone with her thoughts, they were all too likely to go to Paul, and she would remember his kisses, his caresses—the murmured words that after all had meant so little
    Unaware of it, she had been staring at a man who was coming towards her, and her nerves jumped and colour flooded her face as he stopped near her, his hand on the back of the chair that Jake had vacated.
    `May I join you?' he asked her silkily, with a smile that bordered on a suggestive leer.
    Ellis licked her top lip nervously. I'm—I'm waiting for someone.'
     
    `Then let me buy you a drink while you're waiting,' he said, obviously not believing her. 'What would you like?'
    `Nothing. I—I don't want a drink,' she stammered. He looked so determined she didn't know what to do, and helplessly she watched as he pulled out Jake's chair, then looked about for the drink waiter. Ellis repeated distinctly, though she was quailing inside, 'I don't want a drink, and that chair is—is reserved.'
    Her words had absolutely no effect and she looked around her wildly for Jake but instead caught the eye of the man in the velvet jacket. He had risen from his chair and was coming purposefully towards the man who was pestering Ellis. She had no idea what it was he said to the other man, but it was certainly effective, for with a shrug, and without another word to Ellis, he took himself off.
    Ellis looked up at her rescuer to thank him and found herself staring into eyes that were green and hard and mocking, and totally devoid of anything resembling sympathy, and she felt herself stiffen instinctively.
    `Thank you,' she said indistinctly, discovering her throat to be suddenly dry, and added, reacting to his expression, 'You needn't really have bothered. I can—I can cope.'
    He raised dark eyebrows that, unlike his hair, were untouched by silver. 'Well then, you can cope with me, now that we're alone,' he said dryly. 'We'll see how you make out.'
    She parted her lips to protest, but without any regard for her wishes he pulled out Jake's chair and sat down opposite her, then turned and summoned the waiter.
    `What are you drinking?' he asked her with a lift of his brow.
     
    `Nothing,' she said icily, reflecting she had merely exchanged one unwelcome companion for another.
    She saw his mouth quirk. He told the waiter, 'A Dubonnet for the lady with ice and orange juice, and a Scotch for me,' then returned his attention to Ellis, and, in particular, to the bracelet glittering at her wrist. Instinctively she removed her arm from the table where it had been resting and then wished she hadn't. It looked somehow guilty, and she raised her hand to touch her hair.
    He said appreciatively, 'Real sapphires. Quite a nice little gift to receive before dinner—or even after it.'
    She bristled at his obvious implication—but of course she had known what conclusions he had drawn about her and Jake before. She had told herself she didn't care then, but somehow it was different when someone was sitting face to face with you and as good as telling you he thought you were immoral. She