Outrageous Fortune Read Online Free PDF Page A

apprehension. There was no echo from the fog. But she called him Jimmy. She had brought him here. And she said “we.” She said “we,” and she called him Jimmy. His hand clenched hard upon the bed. He had to force his voice.
    â€œWho are you?”
    â€œOh, come!” said Nesta.
    â€œWho are you?”
    â€œGood Lord, Jimmy—you don’t mean—”
    â€œWho are you?”
    â€œYou don’t mean to say—”
    â€œFor God’s sake!”
    She began to laugh.
    â€œMy dear Jimmy—”
    He looked at her with something so grim in his expression that the laugh broke off.
    â€œWill you kindly tell me who you are?”
    The colour rose in her cheeks. She looked away from him. “I’m Nesta.”
    â€œI’m afraid that tells me nothing.”
    â€œNesta Riddell.” She risked a sideways glance. That three days’ beard gave him a savage look.… It wasn’t only the beard.… She stayed where she was, but it needed an effort not to jump up and get nearer the door.
    â€œAnd still that tells me nothing,” he said in a carefully controlled voice.
    Nesta sprang to her feet and flung out her hands.
    â€œI’m your wife. Jimmy—you can’t have forgotten me!”
    He had known what she was going to say; before she said it he had braced himself to take the shock. When it came, it actually steadied him. He felt as cold as ice and as quiet as if he were dead. He said just above his breath.
    â€œMy wife— no— ”
    She burst into angry tears. Take it whatever way you like, it was a slap in the face. Nesta did not take kindly to being slapped. She felt no impulse to turn the other cheek.
    â€œYes—your wife! What else did you think? How dare you think anything else—and in my own brother’s house!”
    â€œI beg your pardon—you misunderstand me. I simply have no recollection of you at all.” He should have left it at that, but he went on, his calm broken a little. “I can’t—I can’t—believe—”
    â€œYou can’t believe—and you can’t remember? Well, how much can you remember? How did you come here, if you’re not my husband? Why, Tom and I went to the hospital and fetched you away!”
    She dashed the angry tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. It was the gesture of a furious child. The tears were real, and so was the choke in her voice as she flung open the door and called,
    â€œMin! Min! Come here!”
    She stood aside as the girl in the blue overall ran in. Min came to a standstill about a yard inside the door, looking timidly from Nesta to the bed.
    â€œPerhaps you’ll believe Min, if you won’t believe me.” Nesta wasn’t crying now, but her colour was high and her eyes bright.
    â€œWhat is it?” said Min in a bewildered voice.
    â€œTell him who he is!” said Nesta sharply.
    â€œJimmy? Why, Jimmy Riddell.”
    â€œTell him who I am.”
    Min began to look frightened.
    â€œWhy, Nesta.”
    â€œNesta what?”
    â€œNesta Riddell.” She took a step towards the bed. “What’s the matter? Don’t you remember?” She spoke sweetly and pitifully.
    He shook his head, watching them both, holding himself in.
    â€œOh dear! Don’t you know Nesta? Oh dear! ”
    He spoke then, quite quietly.
    â€œI’ve lost my memory. I don’t know either of you. You say I’m Jim Riddell?”
    â€œOh yes.”
    â€œAnd that is Nesta Riddell?”
    â€œOh dear, yes.”
    â€œWhat is she to me?”
    â€œOh, she’s your wife,” said Min, and burst out crying.
    Something began to roar in his ears. He felt himself slipping and fell back against the pillows. The room went round. He heard the women’s voices as you hear voices in the roar of heavy traffic. They came and went, and they meant nothing. Actually he had done no more than lean back and