Secret Beyond the Door... Page #3

It came closer and closer...

and stopped in front of the Hacienda.

Mark was in it- he'd come back.

But I wasn't glad...

I was afraid and my fear woke me up.

Yes?

Seora, the car came back. The driver say I must

give this to you pronto.

The letter is good, si?

- Oh, Paquita, I've been such a fool -

such a silly, stupid fool!

Five long days later my train pulled

in to Levender Falls.

Train for Hartville, Timpson, Shermerville...

I was looking for Mark,

but there was no sign of him anywhere. Instead I

found myself being kissed by a stranger.

You must be Celia.

Mark said you were beautiful.

I'm Carol:
Carrie, Mark's sister.

Oh, of course.

I'm relieved to hear that he mentioned me -

he's apt to disregard minor details.

Is all of this yours?

- Part of it... and some trunks.

I'll give you the checks.

I'll have them picked up for you tomorrow.

Thank you.

I wired Mark.

- Yes, he was delayed in New York.

He'll be here tomorrow for sure.

I think it's beastly of him.

Oh, Lim!

- Ma'am.

Would you put these bags in my car, please?

- Yes, Miss Lamphere.

It's a twelve-mile drive from Levender Falls

to Blaze Creek.

Mark does all his creative work at the house.

For a while he even thought of moving his

New York office to Levender Falls

when rents became simply criminal.

He had to cut a lot of corners to make ends meet,

but Mark finally decided he needed the New York

front.

We're rather short on servants -

we've only one old couple.

It was probably David, sizing you up.

David?

- Yes, Mark's son.

Andy!

Andy and Sarah are slow as molasses.

Andy!

Andy!

Yes ma'am.

Didn't you hear the car?

- No ma'am.

This is Mrs Lamphere, Andy.

- How do you do, Andy.

Mrs Lamphere's luggage is in the car.

Come, I'll show you to your room.

- Thank you.

Why didn't Mark tell me that

he'd been married, that he has a son?

I want to have Mark's children,

but not another woman's child.

The masks were collected by my great

grandfather Lesley, who was a sea captain.

Hideous, aren't they?

I suppose David loves them?

- Not any more.

Strange. I should think any boy would.

- David is a strange boy.

This is one of the newer wings.

Father started it and Mark did the rest when he

needed more space for his workroom.

I think you'll be comfortable here

once you get settled.

I'm sure of it, Carrie.

I imagine you'll want a day or two

to adjust before you take over.

What?

I'm sorry, Carrie. I was distracted.

Oh, just put them anywhere, Andy.

I asked when you wanted to start

managing the house.

I'm bone lazy, Carrie, I like to sleep

till eleven o'clock or later.

I'm not even conscious until

I've had three cups of coffee.

You'd save my life

if you kept on.

Just as you say. I was managing Blaze Creek

even before mother died.

Anyway, I'll need to make friends with David.

That will take time.

I told Sarah to keep the water heater going until

you got here. I thought you might want a bath.

I'll run it for you.

What does he like?

- Who?

David.

Oh. Books.

- Is that all?

He's very difficult since his mother died.

Didn't Mark warn you?

Yes, he did.

This is the bedroom.

- Oh, it's lovely.

The wallpaper is very old. Mark got it at an auction

in Paris -the candlesticks, too.

- It's really dreamy.

- Yes, I've always liked this room.

Eleanor had a real flair for decoration.

Mark does neglect details - he didn't tell you?

I'd forgotten her name was Eleanor.

- Well, that shows you aren't jealous, at any rate.

That would be rather foolish of me, wouldn't it?

Very sensible. Eleanor had a certain charm

but there was an enamelled quality,

an aloofness.

Anyway, I never asked

if you were hungry. What would you like?

Oh, I eat everything.

Fine, I'll fix a tray for you

while you have your bath.

Thank you.

Carrie.

Carrie?

I'm sorry, I was looking for Miss Lamphere.

I'm Miss Robey -

Mr Lamphere's secretary.

May I help you?

I'm Celia Barrett. I mean, Mrs Lamphere. I think I

saw you at the window when I came in.

It was you I saw.

- No.

Well, it was rather dark.

Caroline thought it was David.

Very likely.

- I'm looking forward so much to meeting him.

He isn't feeling well tonight,

since this afternoon.

Oh, I suppose it's because of me.

- He was very much attached to his mother.

I can understand how that

makes him somewhat difficult.

No, he isn't difficult. Only someone who hasn't the

time - or doesn't care to take the trouble

to know him - would think that.

David's a fine boy.

Nervous, maybe - and sensitive,

but he resents domination.

That's ridiculous, Miss Robey!

He's spoiled. We nearly had a flood, my dear.

Good heavens, the tub!

I turned it off just in the nick of time.

Your supper's waiting.

Good night, Miss Robey.

- Good night, Mrs Lamphere.

I wish she'd mind her own business.

Domination! I know what David needs.

Love, of course, but a firm hand.

I suppose he misses his mother very much.

Eleanor pampered him, probably because

she and Mark became so completely estranged.

The break was final after he came back

from the war:
He moved into the little room

adjoining the study.

When Eleanor became ill she shut herself off

from everyone... except David.

I noticed thatnoneof Mark'sthingswereinthere-

I wasgoingtofilea protest

They came this afternoon. Sarah kept them

in the refrigerator until you got here.

The rat! They're from Mark.

- So I imagine.

And now, to coin a phrase,

I could eat a horse!

Everything was raised right here at Blaze Creek,

even the milk - we keep a Jersey.

She's very good looking.

- Who?

Miss Robey.

- Oh. She used to be.

When David was four the summer house caught

fire and she saved his life.

One side of her face was burned.

I wondered why she was wearing that scarf.

It's a pity for a woman to be disfigured,

but she uses it as a hold over Mark.

I think gratitude has its limits,

but you know Mark.

You'd think he was old enough

to know these things.

- I guess men don't live to be that old!

Incidentally, what time does

my beast get in tomorrow?

The middle of the night for you: 10 a.m.

- Good grief! How could he do that to me!

But I'll fix him! I'll be there!

Cheers, we made it!

- Yes, ma'am, with a minute to spare

by the clock.

Mark! Mark!

Oh, darling!

Your heart is beating so fast!

I'm flesh and blood, remember!

I can feel your heart, too.

I'm tired.

- You look tired, darling.

Efficiently tired. Has it been bad?

Not good.

- Didn't the sale go through?

As soon as the found out I needed the money,

they got cagey and withdrew the offer.

I... I must see Townsend at the bank before lunch.

- Oh, darling, our first day?

Tell Andy to pick me up

about five. I'll see you at dinner.

When does the next train leave for New York?

- 4:
40 ma'am.

Thank you.

- Yes, ma'am.

Good morning, Mrs Lamphere.

Do you want Andy to take your trunks now?

No, thank you. Leave them here.

- Yes.

Home.

Home! Where is home?

Not with Mark- not any more.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes