The Diamond Dad

He remembered her joy when he'd appeared at Faye's house. It was completely irrational that she should have still loved him when he'd given her so little. He knew he deserved no praise for having kept her love. It was to the child's credit, not his own. Uncritical devotion was a part of Cindy's character, as it was with her mother. With both of them he'd taken it as a right. And he'd betrayed both of them.

His only saving grace was that Cindy's adoration had touched his heart and he'd opened his arms to her with true warmth. Now their mutual love was genuine. But that was no credit to him either, for who could help loving Cindy?

And there was Adrian, who'd been rightly suspicious of his father at first. He'd regarded that as a challenge and set out to overcome it. With the Outland incident he hadn't even seen the pit that yawned at his feet. But for Faye, he would have fallen in. He'd meant to use what Adrian had told him, but in the very act of signing the documents something had held him back. He'd torn them up and even tossed away the pen, as though it was contaminated. He'd lost the land, but he'd gained his son. Thanks to Faye's timely warning.

In the darkness he experienced the most terrible depths of self-disgust. His beloved children were enduring heartbreak and it was his fault. His wife had abandoned him as a lost cause and he knew now that she'd been right. He blighted everything he touched and nothing could live near him. Cindy's hate was a dreadful punishment, but infinitely worse was the knowledge that he deserved it.

He sat down on a bench and buried his head in his hands. He'd always been the man in control, but now that it mattered as never before he was totally helpless.

He felt a light touch on his head, and looked up to find his daughter regarding him. He almost flinched away from her, but there was no judgement in her small, tear-stained face.

'I'm sorry, darling,' he said huskily. 'I did my best. Truly I did. But I don't know what else to do…'

'It's not your fault, Daddy,' she said gently. 'I'm sorry for what I said.'

Her generosity brought tears to his eyes. For a moment he couldn't speak. When he tried to say something the words came out haltingly.

'It is my fault- He was always too old- I should have insisted on another dog-'

She shook her head decidedly. 'Then it wouldn't have been Barker.'

'But you'd have had him for a lot longer-'

'It wouldn't have been the same,' Cindy said simply. 'Barker is-Barker. Even if we didn't have him for long, we did have him.'

'A few short weeks,' he murmured, unwilling to let himself off the hook.

'But we had those weeks, that's what counts.'

There was an ache in his throat that made it hard to speak. 'I wanted-to save him for you, darling, but- but-'

Overwhelmed, he put his arms about her and held her close, his shoulders shaking. She hugged him back. 'It's all right, Daddy,' she whispered. 'Truly, it's all right.'

He looked up at her, and she stroked his face in wonder. 'Are you crying?'

'No, of course not,' he said hastily. 'Daddies don't cry.'

'Don't they really? Mummies do.'

He tensed. 'Does your mother cry?'

'She cried a lot when we went away two years ago. I didn't understand. Why did she leave you if it made her so unhappy?'

'Perhaps it made her even more unhappy to stay,' he said slowly. 'Does she cry now?'

'I don't know. Sometimes I think, but she doesn't let on.'

They held each other in silence. Several times he thought she was about to speak, but she always hesitated. 'Daddy,' she said at last.

'Yes, darling?'

'I think-we ought to-stop trying to keep Barker alive.'

He looked closely into her face. 'Do you really mean that?'

'It's not kind to let him suffer.' Suddenly the tears were pouring down her cheeks. 'Oh, Daddy, I love him so much-but if you love someone-you've got to let them go-if it's best for them.' She clung to him, not sobbing as before, but weeping softly with resignation.

'Cindy, are you sure you mean that?'

'Yes, yes-1 mean it, I mean it-'

Garth hugged her tightly, wondering at his child's courage, so much greater than his own. He saw his son standing quietly in the shadows. 'We should ask Adrian what he thinks,' he said, desperately playing for time.

Adrian was very pale. 'I've been listening. Cindy's right.'

Garth held out an arm and his son went into its circle. The three of them clung together. Faye, watching unobserved, silently backed away. Something painful was happening in her heart. Tonight Garth had become again the warm, emotional man she'd fallen in love with, and what she'd feared most had happened. Her feelings for him flowed freely again, and it hurt.

He joined her a few minutes later. His self-reproach was painful to see. 'I'm useless,' he said desperately. 'There's not a thing I can do-not a thing-' His voice trailed away. He was staring into the middle distance.

'What is it?' Faye asked.

'I'd forgotten-' he said slowly. 'I should have remembered before- There is something I can do.' He began to walk urgently around the building to where the car was parked.

'Garth,' she said, following him. 'What is it?'

'I'd forgotten what he said-but it may not be too late. Tell Miss McGeorge to keep Barker alive tonight at all costs. And call Bill. Tell him to take off as soon as possible for Brussels Airport to collect James Wakeham.'

Faye heard the car door slam and the vehicle pull away fast.

The door was opened by a pretty young woman with long, auburn hair, no make-up and an intense expression.

'I'm looking for Kendall Haines,' Garth said, puzzled. 'Does he live here?'

'Yes, come in.' Garth gave her his name and she stood back and called into the house, 'There's a Mr Clayton for you, love.'

Kendall appeared. It seemed to Garth that he was smoothing down his hair, but he was too preoccupied with his errand to observe much. 'I have to talk to you urgently,' he said without preamble.

Kendall showed him into the front room and said, 'Coffee please, Jane.'

'Yes, Ken.' She spoke eagerly and rushed into the kitchen as if he'd offered her a treat.

'I need your help,' Garth said. 'My children's dog is dying. His one chance is an operation, but the best man for that is James Wakeham and he's abroad. He says it's not worth returning. But I remember your telling me that he's a friend of yours.'

'You've spoken to Wakeham?'

'Yes. I told him to name his own price, but I can't budge him. He kept talking about his conference, the important people he had to see. You're his friend. Can't you make him understand that none of those things matter if it means hurting a child?'

'We're not precisely friends,' Kendall said slowly.

'But he owes you a favour-'

'Possibly.' Kendall stood for a moment, sunk in thought.

'Haines, for God's sake!' Garth said desperately. 'If you want me to plead, I will. I'll do anything, but you must get that man back here, because otherwise-' he paused and a shudder went through him '-otherwise I've done something unforgivably selfish and cruel.'

'But even if I do convince him, he may not get a seat on the plane at such short notice.'

'No problem. My own plane has already taken off to collect him.'

'You're a man of great self-confidence, I see.'

'No,' Garth said heavily. 'None at all.'

'Do you have his number?' Garth gave it to him and Kendall dialled. From the conversation that followed Garth deduced that Wakeham wasn't immediately available, but would call back soon.

Jane entered with a tray of fresh coffee and poured for them both. She handed Kendall his cup as he was putting the phone down.

'Can I do anything else for you?' she asked eagerly.

'Yes, finish those papers we were working on in the study.'

'Nothing here?' she asked, sounding disappointed.

'Just leave us alone, there's a dear,' Kendall said kindly.

'If you want me, you'll be sure to call me?'

'I promise.'

'My secretary,' Kendall said when the door had closed behind Jane. 'We were working late.'