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In the West Wing
M
axim had to go up to London at the end of June. It was the
first time that I had been left alone at Manderley. I was sure
that Maxim would have a terrible accident or even be killed. I
was too worried to eat any lunch. At about two o'clock, Robert
brought me a message. Maxim had arrived safely in London after
a good journey. I felt happy again and also rather hungry. I went
back into the dining-room and took an apple and some biscuits.
Then I called Jasper and we went together into the woods.
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As I sat there I felt happier than I had ever been at Manderley.
I could not understand it. I had not wanted Maxim to go to
London, but now I was glad to be alone.
I walked through the Happy Valley to the bay. The sea was
very calm. Jasper ran up the rocks leading to the next bay.
'Not that way, Jasper,' I called. The dog took no notice.
Oh well, it doesn't matter, I thought. Maxim isn't here.
And I climbed over the rocks after Jasper.
The tide was out and there was very little water in the bay.
The white and green buoy was still there. I could read the
name on it now: Je Reviens. A strange name for a boat
- "I'll come back". And that boat would never come back
now.
I walked slowly across the beach to the cottage. The sun was
shining today and the cottage did not look frightening any more.
I pushed open the door. Everything was exactly as before. There
was a sound in the boat-house and Jasper ran up to the doorway,
barking angrily.
'Is anybody there?' I said.
I looked through the door and saw Ben sitting by the wall. He
looked very frightened.
'I think you should come out,' I said. 'Mr de Winter doesn't
like people coming in here.'
Ben followed me out into the sunshine.
'I'm not doing anything wrong,' he said. 'You won't lock me
up, will you?'
His whole body was shaking with fear and tears were rolling
down his fat, round face.
'I didn't do anything. I didn't tell anyone,' he said.
'That's all right, Ben. No one's going to hurt you. But don't
go into the cottage again.'
Ben smiled.
'You're not like the other one,' he said. 'She was tall and dark!
She had eyes like a snake. She came here at night. She saw me
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once, looking at her. "You'll be locked up. People will hurt you,"
she said. But you won't lock me up, will you?'
'No, of course not, Ben,' I said.
Ben smiled again and went off down the beach to the sea. I
went up towards the wood. Jasper followed me. When I looked
back, Ben had gone. But I had a strange feeling that someone was
watching me. Someone tall and dark, who watched and listened.
I started to run up the path and did not feel safe until I reached the
lawn. The house stood there, safe and secure. The sun shone on
something metal in the drive. A green sports car was parked there.
I had never seen it before and I hoped the visitor did not want to
stay to tea.
As I walked across the lawn, I looked up at the west wing. One
of the shutters was open and a man stood at the window. Then
another figure, dressed in black, closed the shutter. I was sure it
was Mrs Danvers. But who was the man? And why had he come
when Maxim was away in London?
I walked up the steps, through the hall and into the morning-
room. I could smell cigarette smoke. Then I heard voices and,
without thinking, I hid behind the door. I heard Mrs Danvers say,
'I expect she went into the library. Wait here while I go and see.'
She was talking about me of course. I did not know what to do.
Jasper had moved towards the drawing-room, wagging his tail.
'Hallo, Jasper, old boy,' said a man's voice and Jasper ran back
into the morning-room. The man followed. He saw me standing
Behind the door. I have never seen anyone more surprised.
'I beg your pardon,' the man said, looking down at me with
a rather unpleasant smile. He was a big, handsome man, but his
face was red and his eyes were a hard blue. His breath smelt of
whisky.
'I'm so sorry,' he said. 'I called to see Danny. She's an old
friend of mine.'
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He lit a cigarette and looked round the room.
'How's old Max?' he asked.
'Maxim's very well. He's in London,' I said.
'What? He's left you all alone? That's not fair, is it?' The man
gave an unpleasant laugh. I did not like him at all.
At that moment, Mrs Danvers came back. She looked at me
angrily.
'Well, Danny,' the man said, 'aren't you going to introduce
me to the new bride?'
'This is Mr Favell, Madam,' said Mrs Danvers.
'How do you do?' I said politely. 'Will you stay to tea?'
The man laughed again.
'Now isn't that kind, Danny,' he said. 'But I had better be
going. Come and look at my car,' he said to me. 'It's a good car.
Much faster than the one Max has.'
I did not like the way that Favell spoke about Maxim. I did not
want to look at his car. But I followed him out into the hall.
'Goodbye, Danny. Take care of yourself. You know my
telephone number.'
'Dear old Manderley,' Favell said as we walked out of the
house. 'What do you think of it? Aren't you lonely living here?'
'I'm very fond of Manderley,' I said.
'I have enjoyed meeting you,' Favell said, standing by his car.
'But I'd rather you didn't tell Max about my visit. I'm afraid your
husband doesn't like me very much. He might be cross
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with poor
old Danny.'
'No, all right,' I said awkwardly. 'I won't say anything to
Maxim.'
He got into the car and started the engine.
'That's very kind,' he said. 'Perhaps I'll come back and see you
one day. Goodbye.'
Favell drove away noisily and much too fast. I walked slowly
back to the house. Mrs Danvers had gone. I wondered who
Favell was. He had certainly been to Manderley before. And, like
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