Gone Away Read Online Free Page B

bundled her belongings into her suitcase and pressed down the lid.
    Ten minutes later Patricia was confronting the rather supercilious young woman behind the reception desk and preparing to settle her bill.
    “We usually expect a day’s notice.” The young woman’s carmined lips curled disdainfully as she eyed Patricia’s shabby costume and bulging suitcase. “It’s all very out of order; we might have missed a let.” She pushed the account towards Patricia with obvious reluctance.
    “I’m sorry. I only decided this morning. I really must leave immediately,” Patricia faltered while she fumbled with the fastening of her bag and, opening it, took out her note-case.
    “Thanks ... Just a moment and I’ll give you a receipt,” the cashier added as Patricia stooped to pick up her suitcase. “And will you leave an address? For forwarding mail, you know.”
    Patricia flushed. “Address? No, it doesn’t matter; there won’t be any letters. Good morning and thank you.” She hurried towards the door.
    “Shall I call a taxi, miss?” The porter took the bag from Patricia’s hand and preceded her down the steps.
    “No ... I mean yes ... yes, please do,” Patricia stammered. She supposed she’d better have a taxi; but what should she tell the driver? Where should she ask him to go? A momentary feeling of panic assailed her. She hadn’t any idea; she knew nothing about London, had no notion in which district one might hope to find rooms, a difficulty which in her troubled state had enti r ely escaped her notice. A taxi drew up at the curb and the porter lifted her bag inside; for a moment his questioning stare and broad figure clad so elegantly in the grey uniform with brass buttons terrified her, and, although she opened her lips to speak, no words came. Then, suddenly taking a hold on herself, she addressed the driver of the taxi; somehow h is weather-beaten and kindly face inspired her with confidence.
    “Drive toward the park. I’m not quite certain of my destination for the moment.” Patricia slipped a coin into the waiting porter’s hand, then, tilting her chin in the air, stepped quickly into the taxi.
    They were scarcely round the corner and out of sight of the hotel before Patricia leaned forward and tapped on the glass partition.
    “Please, I don’t really want to go to the park. I want to find a room ... apartments you know. I ... I don’t know London very well; perhaps you’d take me to the right district for that sort of thing, she suggested timidly. A broad smile lighted the chauffeur s face. So that was the trouble; they’d been rooking her at the hotel, like most of those places did, and she’d walked out on them. Quite right too in his opinion.
    “Well, miss, let’s have a think. There’s places and places, as they say, some good and some bad. Now it’s respectable you want, that’s what I say; never mind the place nor yet the rooms, but respectable they must be.”
    “But not too expensive,” Patricia broke in hurriedly.
    “Now if I haven’t thought of the very place!” His mouth broadened into a smile, “My aunt, she takes in lodgers—only nice people, mind.” He added firmly, “Mrs. Jutson is very respectable and reasonable, and I’m sure she’d be glad to oblige.”
    “Then please take me there. I’m sure, if you say so, it will be just what I want,” Patricia said gratefully.
    Patricia sank back against the shabby upholstery of the taxi with a sigh of relief. This was independence, true independence. Never again would she act with the thoughtlessness o f the past two days. From this moment her freedom would commence. Kay must be put right out of her mind; she had a job, and a good chance of room and shelter from the respectable Mrs. Jutson.

 
    CHAPTER FOUR
    The branches of the wind-swept trees swayed rhythmically in the gale, bending their stems against its force. Waves of yellowed leaves billowed across the roadway, and swirled around in circles before piling