He did so. She placed it around his neck with the ceremonial kiss. He lifted the ankh, looked at it. “Thank you, Eunice. It’s a beautiful present. Am I to wear it now?”
“As you wish. Or wear it in your mind—I know you’ve never been one for much jewelry. Ready, Winnie?” Joan Eunice dropped her robe, melted into Lotus; Winnie followed her. Jake got out of his bathrobe, leaving the necklace on, joined them.
“Jake, will you lead us tonight? No need to say ‘hold’ or ‘breathe,’ we’ll stay in step. Just like last night, a prayer for each of the four parts. Keep the tempo slow.”
“I’ll try. Om Mani Padme Hum!”
(Om Mani Padme Hum.)
Jake Salomon appeared to fall asleep instantly once they put him to bed. The girls quietly left the darkened room. Joan stopped a few feet down the hail. “Winnie, will you do something for me?”
“Anything, dear.”
“What time do people start stirring in the morning?”
“I don’t know what time Cook gets up. About six, maybe. Mostly seven or near it, for the others; staff breakfast is at seven-thirty.”
“Della doesn’t matter, she never comes upstairs. I mean this floor.”
“Well, cleaning starts at nine. But no one cleans near your room until you phone down for your tray. Have you been disturbed?”
“No. And I don’t mean to be. I guess Hubert is the only one who worries me. I’m going back and sleep with Jake.”
“Oh!”
“I’m not going this instant, I want to be sure he’s sound asleep. If he sleeps all night, I shan’t wake him; the poor dear needs his rest. But sleep with him I will! I don’t want Hubert barging in. Can you think of a way to divert him?”
“Oh, I see. I’m pretty sure Hubert never goes to Mr. Salomon’s room until Mr. Salomon sends foe breakfast and Hubert takes it up. Some mornings I’ve eaten downstairs and seen Hubert sit and drink coffee and watch the news, oh, quite a long time. Waiting for Mr. Salomon to phone.”
“That’s a relief. It’s not likely that anyone but you will know it, then. Not that I mind for myself, but I would hate to be the cause of Jake being dragged into a gossip item. All right, will you do three things for me? Read or sleep in my bed a while, muss it up. Stay all night if you like but muss yours, too. And will you set your alarm for eight and if I’m not in my own bed by then, phone the Green Suite? I’m sure Jake would rather know that you knew than have us caught by someone else. Then one other thing. Would you fetch me lounging pajamas and slippers? Then, if anything slips, I’ll put a bold face on it—I’ll be dressed and to hell with snoops. While you get them I’m going to put my robe down here and say a few more Money Hums. My mind is made up but I’m a touch nervy. Afraid Jake will scold me, I guess.. (Afraid Jake won’t scold you, I guess.) (Don’t you want us to, Eunice?) (Yes! Quit yattering and get on with it.)
“Right away, Joan. Oh, I’m excited myself! Uh, I think I’ll sleep in your bed. If you don’t mind.”
“You know I don’t. But I may come back and wake you, most any time.”
“Don’t mind. If you need a shoulder to cry on, I want to be there. Or maybe just for snuggle.”
“Or I might have something to tell you. You don’t fool me a bit, Winsome. Never mind, I would like to find you there when I return, no matter when or why.”
A few minutes later Joan slipped silently into the bedroom of the Green Suite, dropped her clothing without lighting a light, found her way to the bed by Jake’s soft snores. Cautiously she got into bed, felt the radiant warmth of his body close to hers, sighed happily, and went to sleep.
Some indefinite time later Joan felt a hand on her in the dark, came instantly awake. (What?) (General Quarters twin! It’s now.) (I’m scared!) (I’ve taken over, dearest—the body remembers. Say a Money Hum)