Diamond Cut

Diamond
By
Jane Donnelly



DIA MON D CUT DIA MON D

Why shou l d Cha r l ot t e's f a t her , w ho h a d a l w a y s b een so t ol er a nt of
her f r i en d sh i p s, ob j ect so st r ongl y t o her r el a t i onshi p w i t h Jer em y
Wy l d e, w h en he k new she l ov ed h i m a nd i nt end ed t o m a r r y hi m ?
A nd w hy d i d he so cl ea r l y a p p r ov e of t h e ob noxi o u s a nd ov er b ea r i n g
Sa u l La u r enso n? Then Ch a r l ot t e f ou n d o u t w i t h a v en gea nce!







Book s y ou w i l l enj oy b y JA N E DON N EL L Y

TH E FROZEN JUN GLE

Consi d er i n g w ha t she h a d d o ne t o Du n ca n Kel d not so l ong a go,
Pa t t i e d i d f eel i t w a s l ess t ha n t a ct f u l t o send her of f t o get a n
i nt er v i ew w i t h hi m . She cou l d on l y hop e t ha t hi s a nger h a d su b si d ed
a b i t b y now , a nd p er ha p s he w ou l d n 't r em em b er her a ny w a y . Bu t i t
ha d n't a n d he d i d !

FLA SH POIN T

When Ca r l y f i r st m et Mr s Cor b y , she h a d no i d ea t h a t t he ol d l a d y
w a s i n f a ct Fr ench, v er y r i ch, a nd l i v ed i n a ch a t ea u i n Br i t t a ny . Bu t
w hen she i nv i t ed Ca r l y t o sp en d a hol i d a y t her e w i t h her , Ca r l y f ou nd
her sel f a t l og ger hea d s w i t h t he f or m i d a b l e Li a m Sh er r a r d , w ho k new
a l l a b ou t her or t hou g ht he d i d a n d w a s d et er m i ned t o st op w h a t
he sa w a s her go l d - d i gg i n g p l ot . H ow cou l d Ca r l y m a k e hi m see t he
t r u t h?

SO LON G A WIN TER

When A ngel a w a s sev ent een, a n d m a d l y i n l ov e w i t h Ma t t
H a n l on, he h a d t ol d her , ' You ' l l a l w a y s b e t oo y ou ng a nd I'l l a l w a y s
b e t oo ol d .' Fi v e y ea r s l a t er t hi ngs h a d cha nged ou t w a r d l y , a t a ny
r a t e. A ngel a w a s now Ma t t 's secr et a r y , b u t ea ch of t hem ha d a l i f e of
t hei r ow n. Yet , d eep d ow n, w a s t he si t u a t i on a ny d i f f er ent a t l ea st
f or A ngel a ?

WH EN LIGH TN IN G STRIKES

Di sa st er st r u ck Rob i na w hen she l ost her l ov el y hom e a n d her
b el ov ed u n cl e i n one t er r i b l e ni ght . Ther e w a s l i t t l e l ef t now of her o l d
l i f eexcep t f or her a b i d i ng d et est a t i o n of Leo Mor g a n w ho w a s
r esp onsi b l e f or so m u ch of her u n ha p p i ness. A nd y et her new l i f e
seem ed t o b e i next r i ca b l y i nv ol v ed w i t h hi m


Fi r st p u b l i shed 19 82

Thi s ed i t i on 19 82

Ja ne Don nel l y 1982

ISBN 0 263 73817 5

CHAPTER ONE
The g i r l ga l l op ed v er y f a st a cr oss t he f i el d , cr ou ched l ow ov er t he
hor se's neck a s t hou gh she w a s r a ci n g or b ei n g p u r su ed . It h a d b een a
d r y su m m er a n d t he gr ou nd w a s ha r d . The p ou nd i n g of her hor se's
hoov es m a t ched t h e t hr ob b i ng i n her hea d a nd she w a sn 't goi ng
b a ck t o t he st a b l es u nt i l she h a d w or k ed som e of t he f r u st r a t i on ou t
of her sy st em . Ther e w a s not hi ng l i k e a good g a l l op t o b l ow a w a y
t he b l u es, a nd r i g ht now h er m ood w a s i nd i go.
Kel l y , a m a g ni f i cent f ou r - y ea r - ol d w i t h gl ea m i ng ch est nu t f l a nk s,
w a s enj oy i ng hi m sel f , goi ng a t f u l l st r et ch, p r a ct i ca l l y r ei n l ess, a n d
Cha r l ot t e Du nscom b e w a s a su p er b r i d er . They m a d e a d a shi ng p a i r ,
a ha nd som e p i ct u r e i f t her e h a d b een a ny one w a t ch i n g. Bu t t he f i el d
w a s em p t y , a n d t h e f i r st m a n t o see t hem w a s not st r u ck w i t h
a d m i r a t i on.
Kel l y j u m p ed a l ow hed gehe w a s goo d a t hed g es, he ha d b een
b r ed a s a hu nt er a nd Cha r l ot t e w a s g i v i ng hi m hi s hea d a n d t he
l a ne w a s a p r i v a t e r oa d , t her e shou l d h a v e b een no t r a f f i c on i t . Bu t
a t t ha t m om ent a ca r r ou nd ed t he b en d a n d she r ei ned f r a nt i ca l l y ,
ca u si ng Kel l y t o r ea r a n d w hi nney , w h i l e t he ca r 's b r a k es scr ea m ed a s
i t t ook b u m p i ng ev a si v e a ct i on ov er t he gr a ssy v er ge op p osi t e.
Kel l y w a s a l l r i g ht . H e ca m e d ow n shu d d er i n g on f ou r f eet , b u t
Cha r l ot t e's st om a ch d r op p ed a s si ck eni n gl y a s t hou gh she ha d
st ep p ed d ow n a l i f t sh a f t . She ha d h a d t he f r i g ht of her l i f e. She ha d
ha d no i d ea t ha t a ca r m i g ht b e com i n g. The l a ne w a s on l y a t r a ck
b et w een t w o f i el d s, b ot h p a r t of her f a t her 's sm a l l est a t e, a n d her
m i nd ha d b een o n ot her t hi ng s.
The d r i v er a n d hi s ca r seem ed u nd a m a ged . The ca r ha d d r a w n
u p , a n d t he w i n d ow ha d b een w ou nd d ow n, a nd a n a n gr y - l ook i ng
m a n w a s l ea n i n g ou t , sho u t i ng, ' Wh a t t he hel l d o y ou t hi nk y ou 'r e
d oi n g?'
'W ha t a r e y ou ? Th i s i s a p r i v a t e r o a d . Ca n't y ou r ea d ?'
N or m a l l y she w o u l d h a v e p u t t ha t d i f f er ent l y , b u t she h a d h a d a
b a d t i m e i n t he p a st hou r a nd i f t hi s t r esp a sser w a nt ed a r ow he h a d
com e t o t he r i ght p l a ce. 'Roa d ho g!' she sna r l ed . ' You m u st ha v e b een
d oi n g sev ent y r ou nd t h a t b end !'
'Don't t a l k r u b b i sh,' he sn a p p ed b a ck , 'I w a s d oi ng u nd er t hi r t y or
I'd ha v e h i t y ou . Is t he hor se a l l r i ght ?'
Kel l y w a s m ov i n g r est l essl y . H e w a nt ed t o get ga l l op i ng a g a i n.
'Seem s t o b e,' she a d m i t t ed . 'N o t ha nk s t o y ou , t hou gh, y ou cou l d
ha v e k i l l ed b ot h of u s!'
'If y ou 'r e i r r esp onsi b l e enou g h t o t a k e t he p oor b ea st ov er hed ges
w i t hou t m a k i ng su r e t he r oa d 's cl ea r ,' h e r et or t ed , 'y ou shou l d n't b e
i n ch a r ge of a hor se, som eb o d y shou l d b e i n ch a r ge of y ou !' a nd
b ef or e she cou l d com e u p w i t h a n a n sw er t o t ha t he h a d d r i v en
a w a y .
It w a s a p r i v a t e r oa d , b u t i t d i d co nnect one v i l l a ge w i t h t he next ,
a n d a s t hey w er e a b o u t ha l f w a y b et w een t he t w o t her e w ou l d n't b e
m u ch p oi nt t r y i n g t o ca t ch hi m u p a nd or d er hi m b a ck . Besi d es, he
d i d n't l ook t he sor t t o t a k e or d er s, so Cha r l ot t e t r ot t ed t he hor se
a l on g t o t he f i r st g a t e a n d l ea ned ov er t o op en i t .
Then she l et Kel l y b r ea k i nt o a ga l l op a ga i n a n d w ent on w i t h h er
t her a p y , onl y now she h a d a d ou b l e ca u se of d i scont ent . A n ext r a b i t
of a ggr o t o b l ow a w a y . Th i s w a s d ef i n i t el y not her d a y . She w a sn 't
u sed t o m eet i ng m en w ho scow l ed a t her a n d cou l d n't get a w a y
f r om her f a st enou gh.
Ev en a n gr y m en u su a l l y sof t ened w hen t hey l ook ed a t Cha r l ot t e
Du nscom b e, b eca u se she w a s sp ect a cu l a r l y b ea u t i f u l , w i t h l o ng, l on g
l egs, sm ok y - b l u e ey es t ha t t i l t ed ca t l i k e, chest n u t h a i r , p er f ect t eet h
a n d a t r a nsl u cent sk i n. She w a s t w ent y - one y ea r s ol d a nd cou l d l ook
a b ou t f ou r t een, a nd w ha t ev er she d i d m en u su a l l y f or ga v e her .
N ot t ha t she h a d ev er d one a ny b o d y m u ch h a r m , she w a s
b a si ca l l y a k i nd g i r l , b u t she ha d ha d her q u ot a of scr a p i n g ca r
p a i nt w or k a l t hou gh t hi s w a s t he f i r st t i m e she ha d nea r l y l a n d ed a
hor se on t op of a ca r t r ea d i ng on t o es i n cr ow d s a n d , of cou r se,
b r ea k i n g d a t es a n d b r ea k i ng of f a f f a i r s t ha t t hr ea t ened t o get t oo
i nt ense. N ea r l y a l w a y s t he m en l ook ed i nt o t he gl ow i ng ov a l of her
f a ce a n d sa i d , 'Th er e, t her e, t ha t 's a l l r i g ht ,' or som et hi ng a l o ng t hose
l i nes.
The m en w ho f el l i n l ov e w i t h her cou l d b e l ess u nd er st a n d i ng.
N one of t hem cou l d cl a i m t h a t Cha r l ot t e ha d p r om i sed t hem
a ny t hi ng, b u t t hey st i l l l ef t m u t t er i ng a b ou t her not k now i n g w ha t
she d i d w a nt , or b ei ng sp o i l ed r ot t en, or ha v i n g a f a t her f i xa t i on.
The f i r st t i m e a b oy b l a m ed her f a t h er b eca u se she d i d n 't r esp on d
t o hi s a d v a nces she w a s si xt een, o n hol i d a y i n Bou r n em ou t h w i t h her
f a t her , a nd t he b oy , st a y i n g a t t he sa m e hot el w i t h h i s p a r ent s, w a s a
sop hi st i ca t ed ni net een. H e h a d a hi gh op i ni o n of hi m sel f a nd
Cha r l ot t e w a s t he p r et t i est g i r l i n t he hot el , he ha d n 't seen a p r et t i er
one i n t ow n, ev en i f she d i d n't a ccep t hi s op i ni o ns a s h ol y w r i t . Sh e
ha d a n a nnoy i ng t end ency t o a r g u e, u su a l l y p r eced i n g i t w i t h, 'My
f a t her sa y s' b u t sh e w a s a l l u r i n gl y sexy a n d a p p a r ent l y u n a w a r e of
i t .
They sw a m t og et her a n d w ent t o t he sea si d e show s, a n d w h en he
k i ssed her she w a s w a r m a n d sw eet b u t a m ena b l e no f u r t her , a n d i t
w a s a f t er a b r i ef sk i r m i sh t ha t t ook p l a ce w hen t hey w er e w a l k i n g
b a ck i n t he m oonl i ght t o t hei r hot el a f t er a d i sco t ha t he ca l l ed her a
'd a d d y 's g i r l '. ' God k now s w hy ,' he a d d ed sp i t ef u l l y , ' b eca u se y ou r
f a t her 's a p om p ou s ol d f ool .' H e w a s a gr ea t b el i ev er i n t he
gener a t i on ga p , a n d t ha t a l l f a t her s w er e f ool s, b u t he w a s t a k en
com p l et el y b y su r p r i se b y Ch a r l ot t e's r esp onse.
She k nock ed h i m sp r a w l i n g o n t he sof t t u r f , not a shov e ci t her b u t
a h a r d st r a i ght b l ow . Then she st r od e of f , her l ov el y l on g l egs cov er i n g
t he gr ou nd f a st , a n d t hey nev er sp ok e t o ea ch ot h er a ga i n.
H er f a t her ha d r o a r ed w i t h l a u ght er w hen she t ol d hi m , a n d she
w a s l a u ghi ng her sel f b y t hen, b eca u se p om p ou s a n d ol d w er e
r i d i cu l ou s a p p l i ed t o Col i n Du nscom b e. H e w a s a m a r v el l ou sl y
u n d er st a nd i ng f a t her , d ot i ng on her b u t l et t i ng her choose her ow n
f r i end s.
Cha r l ot t e h a d gr ow n u p i n b ea u t y . ' Wh a t a n exq u i si t e chi l d ,' w a s
som et hi ng sh e hea r d w h i l e sh e w a s st i l l i n her p r a m , a n d she ha d
once go ne i nt o t he k i t chen a n d a sk ed t he hou sek eep er , ' W ha t 's a
q u i zzi t ?' Mi ss Snow e ha d hi d d en a sm i l e w hen she w or k ed t ha t one
ou t , p r onou nci n g, 'H a n d som e i s a s ha nd som e d oes,' b u t p r i v a t el y
a gr eei n g w i t h t he d escr i p t i on.
Cha r l ot t e ha d i n her i t ed her m ot her 's l ook s. H er f a t her w a s a
ha n d som e m a n, b u t her f ea t u r es a nd co l ou r i ng w er e a r ep l i ca of her
m ot her 's. The d i f f er en ce b et w een t hem w a s t ha t r heu m a t i c f ev er ha d
l ef t t he f i r st Cha r l ot t e w i t h a w ea k hea r t . Wh en she w a s exp ect i ng
her l on ged - f or b a b y she w a s w a t ched o v er t end er l y b y her h u sb a n d ,
ca r e a n d m o ney w er e l a v i shed on her , a n d t he b a b y w a s b or n, a
p er f ect l i t t l e gi r l , a nd Col i n D u nscom b e t ha nk ed Go d t h a t h e h a d
b ot h hi s w i f e a nd hi s d a u g ht er .
Bu t b ef or e b a b y Ch a r l ot t e's f i r st b i r t h d a y her m ot her w ent d ow n
w i t h a f l u v i r u s t ha t w a s p l a gu i n g t he cou nt r y b u t onl y st r i k i ng i n
d ea d l y f a shi on a t t he w ea k a n d t he ol d . A l l her hu sb a n d 's m oney
cou l d n't sa v e her . Cha r l ot t e ha d no m em or i es of her m ot her , o nl y t he
st or i es t ha t ot her p eop l e t ol d her , b u t her hom e h a d a l w a y s b een
f i l l ed w i t h l ov e.
Inev i t a b l y she ha d m ea su r ed t he m en w ho ca m e a l o ng a g a i n st her
f a t her , a n d a t t w ent y - one sh e st i l l ha d p l ent y of t i m e f or l ook i n g.
Onl y now she w a s i n l ov e.
Rea chi ng t he t op of a hi l l , she j u m p ed d ow n f r om t he hor se a n d
t et her ed h i s b r i d l e t o a t r ee. The hot su n sho ne on t hem a nd a f t er a
m om ent t he hor se b eg a n t o cr op i n t he sha d e w hi l e Ch a r l ot t e f l u n g
her sel f d ow n on t he gr a ss. A l i t t l e b r eeze r ea ched t hem u p her e a n d
she p u l l ed of f t he ca p she w a s w ea r i n g a nd her t h i ck w a v i n g chest nu t
ha i r ca sca d ed ov er her shou l d er s. It w a s gl or i o u s ha i r . If t her e w a s a
gi r l w ho ha d ev er y t hi ng i t w a s p r ob a b l y Cha r l ot t e Du nscom b e, a n d
she k new how l u ck y she w a s, esp eci a l l y si nce she h a d f ou nd Jer em y .
She w ou l d b e m eet i ng hi m i n a n hou r or so, a n d she f el t q u i t e f a i nt
w i t h l on gi ng, a r u sh of hea t t o t he hea d a n d hea r t . Thi s h a d t o b e
l ov e, a nd i t w a s a v er y exci t i n g sensa t i on . Thi nk i n g a b ou t Jer em y w a s
t he next b est t hi n g t o b ei ng w i t h hi m . It w a s m a k i n g her f eel b et t er
a l r ea d y .
Thei r l u nch t oget her w ou l d n't b e t he cel eb r a t i o n she' d hop ed , b u t
m a y b e i t w a sn't t oo b a d . N ot hi ng w a s f i n a l , not hi ng cou l d n't b e
cha nged . She w ou l d n't b el i ev e t ha t she cou l d n't get her ow n w a y i n
t he en d .
She r od e b a ck a t a st a i d er p a ce, t r ot t i n g a l o ng t h e t r a ck b et w een
t he ha w t hor n hed ges. B i r d s w er e si ngi n g a n d t he hu m of b ees f i l l ed
t he a i r . Th e ca b b a ge w hi t e b u t t er f l i es f l u t t er ed ov er a b a nk of w i l d
t hy m e, a nd w h en she t u r ned i nt o t he cou r t y a r d a t t he b a ck of t he
hou se t w o gol d en r et r i ev er s ca m e b ou nd i ng t o m eet her .
She f u ssed t hem f or a m om ent , t hen r u b b ed Kel l y d ow n a n d
sl i p p ed a b l a nk et ov er hi m , a nd l ef t hi m i n hi s st a b l e. She l ov ed t hi s
hou se. She l ov ed Tr i a a nd Wi l b u r t he d ogs, she l ov ed Kel l y . She
d ea r l y l ov ed t he i m m ensel y f a t w om a n w ho w a s chop p i ng ch i v es i n
t he k i t chen, a n d w ho a nsw er ed t o 'A u n t Lu cy ', a l t hou gh M i ss Snow e
w a s no b l ood r el a t i o n. She h a d b een ho u sek eep er her e w hen t he f i r st
Cha r l ot t e a r r i v ed a s a b r i d e. It w a s her ha n d t ha t t he d y i ng g i r l h a d
cl u t ched t o w hi sp er , 'Look a f t er m y b a b y .'
N ob od y k new t h a t , b u t Lu cy Snow e, a n d God k now s Mr Col i n
ca r ed f or hi s d a u ght er m or e t h a n he ca r ed f or h i m sel f , b u t t o Lu cy
Snow e, sp i nst er , Ch a r l ot t e w a s her ow n d ea r ch i l d .
N ow she l ook ed u p f r om her t a sk a s Cha r l ot t e w a l k ed i n a nd
a sk ed , 'M eet i n g y ou r l a t est ?'
'You k now I a m .' Cha r l ot t e ha d t ol d h er y est er d a y t ha t she w a s
l u nchi ng w i t h Jer em y t od a y , a nd a sk ed i f she w a nt ed a ny shop p i n g
d one i n t ow n. Cha r l ot t e ha d a l w a y s ha d b oy - f r i en d s a nd A u nt Lu cy
m u st gu ess t ha t t hi s t i m e w a s d i f f er ent , b u t she st i l l i nsi st ed on a ct i ng
a s t hou g h a l l Jer em y w a s w a s a not her f r i end .
Tha t b ot her ed Cha r l ot t e a l i t t l e. She h a d b een d i sa p p oi nt ed w hen
she i nt r od u ced h i m a nd A u nt Lu cy w ent on b u st l i ng a r o u n d , b eca u se
he w a s so sp eci a l t ha t she ha d exp ect ed her t o b e i m p r essed . Wom en
d r ool ed ov er Jer em y . They ca m e u p a nd a sk ed f or hi s a u t ogr a p h
now a nd w i t hi n a y ea r or so he w a s go i ng t o b e f a m ou s. When sh e
a p ol ogi sed Jer em y sa i d of cou r se i t d i d n 't m a t t er . H e ha d n 't exp ect ed
her t o r ecogn i se hi m . Th e ol d d u ck l ook ed a b i t p a st a ct i v e
t hea t r egoi ng a n d h i s TV a p p ea r a nces ha d b een b r i ef .
Bu t Cha r l ot t e w ou l d ha v e l i k ed t o t a l k t o her a b ou t Jer em y . It
ha d b een A u nt Lu cy 's w i d e l a p she ha d cl i m b ed on t o a s a ch i l d , t o
hea r st or i es a nd t o t el l secr et s. H er f a t her a l w a y s t r i ed t o f i nd t i m e f or
her , b u t he w a s a b u sy m a n. A u nt L u cy w a s a r ou n d a l l t he t i m e, a n d
Cha r l ot t e t ol d her a l m ost ev er y t hi ng. Secr et s w er e sa f e w i t h her .
Cha r l ot t e m i ght ha v e co nf i d ed t ha t she ha d f a l l en i n l ov e, g i v en a
l i t t l e en cou r a gem ent , b u t A u nt L u cy 's f a m ou s p er cep t i o n d i d n't seem
t o b e w or k i n g ov er Jer em y .
'You ' l l b e i n f or d i nn er , w on't y ou ?' sa i d A u nt Lu cy now . 'You r
f a t her 's exp ect i n g y ou her e.'
'I k now ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e, b i t i n g her l i p .
'A nd w h a t 's w r on g w i t h t ha t ?' She h a d n't m i ssed t he sha d ow on
Cha r l ot t e's f a ce, a n d Ch a r l ot t e a l m ost a d m i t t ed , ' We'v e j u st h a d a
f ea r f u l r ow . The f i r st ev er . It m i ght b e b et t er i f w e k ep t ou t of ea ch
ot her 's w a y f or t he r est of t he d a y .' Bu t t ha t w ou l d hor r i f y A u nt Lu cy ,
a n d now t h a t a l i t t l e t i m e ha d el a p sed Ch a r l ot t e cou l d h a r d l y
b el i ev e i t her sel f . By ev en i n g su r el y t hi n g s w ou l d b e a l l r i g ht a g a i n.
'N ot hi ng's w r on g,' sh e sa i d . 'I'l l b e hom e i n t i m e.'
The t w o d ogs ha d st a y ed d o zi ng on t he f l a gst ones ou t si d e, a n d
now Ch a r l ot t e st u ck her hea d r ou n d t h e d oor of t he d r a w i ng r oom
w her e a t i ny p a l e- ca r a m el - col ou r ed Pek i ngese f l i ck ed i t s t a i l i n
w el com e. 'It 's a l l r i g ht , Geor gy ,' sh e sa i d , 'i t 's m e.'
Geor gy w ou l d ha v e w on a p r i ze f or p r et t i ness, w i t h hi s b l a ck
v el v et m a sk a nd l ong si l k y ha i r , b u t a l t hou g h he h a d a f a u l t l ess
p ed i g r ee a n d p ek es a r e f a m ed f or cou r a g e t he l i o n- d ogs of
Im p er i a l Chi na t h i s p ek e w a s a n a r r a nt cow a r d . It t ook v er y l i t t l e t o
ha v e Geor gy scu t t l i ng f or shel t er , b u t i n b et w een p a ni cs he w a s com i c
a n d l ov i ng, a n d i n Cha r l ot t e he sa w hi s p r ot ect or a ga i nst a w or l d
t ha t w a s ou t t o get h i m .
When Cha r l ot t e w a s a r ou nd he w a l k ed w i t h h ea d u p a n d
sw eep i n g t a i l hel d h i gh, a n d now he f ol l ow ed her u p st a i r s a n d l a y on
t he r u g a t t he f oot of her b ed w hi l e she cha n ged her shoes f or p i nk
f l a t - heel ed p u m p s t ha t m a t ched her p i nk cot t on shi r t . Sh e w a s
w ea r i ng j ea ns a n d she t w i st ed a p i nk sca r f b a nd ea u - f a shi o n t o hol d
b a ck her h a i r f r om her f a ce. Si ng l e d i a m ond ea r r i n gs sp a r k l ed i n her
ea r s a nd t he i ce- b l u e of a n ov a l a q u a m a r i ne i n a p l a i n gol d set t i ng
w a s v er y ef f ect i v e a ga i nst t he sm oot h t a n of her ha nd .
She op ened a j ew el l er y b ox t ha t st ood on t he d r essi n g t a b l e a nd
st ood f or a m om ent t hou ght f u l l y con si d er i ng t he cont ent s. Most
w om en w ou l d ha v e consi d er ed t h i s a f a nt a st i c col l ect i on: r i ngs,
ea r r i ngs, b r a cel et s, a t a ngl e of gol d cha i ns, a n d Cha r l ot t e ha d m or e
v a l u a b l e j ew el l er y st i l l i n t he hou se sa f e a n d t he b a nk ; b u t she d i d n't
l ook a s t hou g h t he si ght of i t w a s gi v i ng her a ny p l ea su r e. She si ghed
d eep l y , cl osi n g t he l i d , a n d t u r ned t o scoop u p Geor gy . H e cou l d
m a na ge get t i n g u p t he st a i r s, b u t goi ng d ow n som et i m es p r ov ed t oo
m u ch f or hi m a n d he cl osed h i s ey es a n d l ost hi s f oot i ng.
The t w o r et r i ev er s l ook ed u p hop ef u l l y a s she op ened t he ga r a ge
d oor s, b u t w hen sh e sa i d , 'N o,' t hey w en t b a ck t o t hei r d r ow si n g. She
of t en t ook t hem w i t h her , b u t i t w ou l d b e t oo hot t o l ea v e t he t hr ee
of t hem i n t he ca r w hi l e she ha d l u nch a n d i t w a s no f u n w a l k i ng a
p a ck , t hr ou g h t he b u sy st r eet s. She d r op p ed Geor gy on t he p a ssen ger
sea t a nd d r ov e her sca r l et sp or t s ca r t h r ou gh t h e g a t es of t he sm a l l
el ega nt Geor gi a n hou se t ha t l ook ed ou t a cr oss t he gr een t o t he
chu r ch a n d ch u r chy a r d .
It t ook her a l i t t l e u n d er h a l f a n ho u r t o r ea ch t ow n a nd she m a d e
f or w her e she k new she w ou l d f i n d a p a r k i ng sp a ce, a t t he b a ck of
Du nscom b e's i m p r essi v e sa l ons. Thi s w a s t he f a m i l y f i r m , her f a t her
w a s t he t hi r d gen er a t i o n a nd a r esp ect ed n a m e i n t he j ew el l er y
b u si ness. Insi d e t he shop w er e d a r k b l u e v el v et w a l l s a nd a m i r r or ed
cei l i ng, a nd ca ses of p r eci o u s g em s i n gol d , si l v er a n d p l a t i n u m . In t he
cou r t y a r d b ehi nd w er e t he of f i ces a n d w or k r oom s w her e j ew el l er y
w a s d esi g ned a nd m a d e.
Cha r l ot t e p a r k ed her ca r a l on gsi d e t he r ow of st a f f ca r s, cl i m b ed
ou t w i t h Geor gy u nd er her a r m a n d ca l l ed a cheer y , 'H i ,' t o a y ou ng
m a n a nd a g i r l w ho w er e cha t t i n g t oget her a t t he t op of a f l i ght of
st ep s l ea d i n g t o t he of f i ce f l oor .
They b ot h a nsw er ed her , b u t a s she w a l k ed ou t of t he y a r d t he gi r l
m u t t er ed , 'It 's not f a i r , i s i t , a l l she's got ? I b et she d oesn't d o m u ch
cl ock i ng i n a t ni ne i n t he m or ni ngs!'
The gi r l w a s a sa l esgi r l f r om a gi f t sh op , a nd she w ou l d h a v e
env i ed Cha r l ot t e ev en i f Cha r l ot t e ha d b een f l a t b r ok e, b eca u se
Cha r l ot t e l ook ed l i k e a t op m od el a n d she d i d n't . 'A n d ,' she a d d ed
b i t chi l y , 'i t w ou l d n't su r p r i se m e i f t h a t h a i r 's a w i g!'
Cha r l ot t e ha d a na t u r a l f l a i r f or j ew el l er y d esi gn. She w ou l d ha v e
b een h a p p y w or k i ng her e, b u t i t ha d a l w a y s b een i m p r essed o n her
t ha t she w a s need ed a s h er f a t her 's ho st ess f i r st a nd f or em ost . A nd
she m od el l ed t hei r p r o d u ct s. She enj o y ed d r essi ng u p i n st r i k i ng
f a shi on s a n d w ea r i ng t he com p l i m ent a r y a ccessor i es, b u t she l ook ed
j u st a s ey e- ca t chi ng, i n ca su a l cl ot hes, a s she t hr ea d ed her w a y a l o ng
t he cr ow d ed p a v em ent s of t he ol d Cot sw ol d t ow n.
The su n w a s sh i ni ng a nd t he p u b s a n d r est a u r a nt s seem ed t o b e
cr ow d ed , m ost l y w i t h t ou r i st s. A cr ow d of y ou ng f ol k w ho l ook ed l i k e
st u d ent s w er e ea t i ng sa n d w i ches a n d d r i nk i ng Cok es, si t t i ng o n t he
st ep s of t he cr u m b l i n g A ng l o- Sa xon cr oss i n t he m i d d l e of t he t ow n
sq u a r e, a n d Cha r l ot t e w ond er ed w hy t hey d i d n't go d ow n t o t he
r i v er b eca u se i t w a s hot u p her e a n d d u st y .
The i d ea of a p i cn i c b y t he r i v er w a s a p p ea l i n g. W hen she m et
Jer em y f or l u nch t hey u su a l l y a t e a t t he St a ge Door , w h i ch w a s t he
p u b nea r est t he t hea t r e, b u t on a su l t r y d a y l i k e t h i s t he l i t t l e g a r d en
a t t he b a ck w ou l d b e f u l l , a nd she w en t i nt o t he b a k er s a n d ca m e
ou t w i t h w r a p p ed sa nd w i ches a n d a p p l e p i es i n a ca r r i er b a g, t hen
i nt o t he shop next d oor f or f r u i t a nd t w o ca ns of l a g er .
The Li t t l e Thea t r e h a d st ood i n t he m i d d l e of Chi p p i n g Qu ea nt on
si nce V i ct or i a n t i m es. Thei r m a i n r ep er t oi r e w a s Sha k esp ea r e a nd t he
cl a ssi cs, b u t ea ch sea so n t hey p u t on som e exp er i m ent a l w or k b y
l i v i ng p l a y w r i ght s.
Cha r l ot t e w a s st i l l f i f t een m i nu t es ea r l y f or her l u nch d a t e, so she
l ook ed a t t he p ost er s ou t si d e, a l t ho u gh she k new t hem b y hea r t . 'Thi s
w eek Qu a l i t y St r eet , b y J. M.
Ba r r i e,' a n d t he ca st l i st w i t h Jer em y W y l d e's na m e nea r l y a t t he
t op . Insi d e t he gl a ss- f r ont ed ca ses w er e p hot ogr a p hs t a k en f r om t he
p l a y a n d t her e w a s Jer em y of cou r se, l ook i ng t er r i f i c. She ha d cop i es
of a l l t hese a t hom e, he h a d p r esent ed her w i t h t hem , b u t she st ood
l ook i ng, d r ea m i n g her sel f i nt o t he p i ct u r e u nt i l Geor gy g a v e a y el p a t
her a nk l es a n d she r ea l i sed t ha t a d ea r ol d l a d y w a s a b ou t t o p a t
hi m .
Then she p i ck ed h i m u p a n d w a l k ed i nt o t he f oy er , ha d a f ew
w or d s w i t h t he gi r l i n t he b ook i n g k i osk , a n d w ent i nt o t he t hea t r e t o
si t a t t he b a ck of t he st a l l s a nd w a t ch t he f i n a l m i n u t es of t hi s
m or ni n g's r ehea r sa l .
She cou l d n 't t a k e her ey es of f Jer em y . H e seem ed t o her f a r a nd
a w a y t he b est a ct or of t hem a l l , d om i n a t i ng t he scene, a l t hou gh t h a t
m i ght h a v e b een b eca u se she ha d a r r i v ed w hen he w a s t he one
d oi n g t he t a l k i ng. A l l t he r est ha d t o d o r i ght now w a s l i st en a s
Jer em y w ent i nt o a t i r a d e a b ou t cor r u p t i on i n hi gh p l a ces.
Thi s w a s one of t he new p l a y s, a n d t hou gh Jer em y 's v oi ce w a s
r i ng i n g w i t h si ncer i t y a n d t hr ee ot her m em b er s of t he ca st w er e i n
a t t i t u d es of r a p t a t t ent i o n Cha r l ot t e h a d d ou b t s w het h er i t w ou l d
gr a b t he a u d i en ce. She h a d r ea d t he scr i p t a nd i t h a d n't gr a b b ed
her , b u t w i t h a l l her hea r t she w i shed i t su ccess.
H er f i r st si g ht of Jer em y Wy l d e ha d b een i n t hi s t hea t r e. She ha d
gone a l o ng w i t h a gi r l f r i end t o see Sh a w 's Th e Dev i l 's D i sci p l e a nd
Jer em y w a s t he new a ct or w ho ha d r ecent l y j oi ned t he com p a ny
f r om a r ep er t or y u p nor t h.
A s t he d a shi ng Di ck Du d geo n, she h a d t hou ght , ' Wow , I cou l d
ha v e a cr u sh on hi m !' a n d l a u ghed a t her sel f b eca u se t hi s w a s a l l p a r t
of t he f u n. It w a sn 't r ea l a ny m or e t ha n t he p l a y w a s. Bu t w hen she
w ent b a ck st a ge a n d m et hi m t he gl a m ou r w a s st i l l t h er e. Th e m a n
cl ose t o, i n t he f l esh, w a s exa ct l y l i k e t he cha r a ct er he ha d p l a y ed . H e
ha d st r i p p ed of f hi s m a k e- u p , b u t t he sk i n u n d er nea t h w a s t a nn ed
a n d , a s he l ou ng ed i n a ch a i r i n f r o nt of hi s d r essi ng t a b l e i n t he r oom
he sh a r ed w i t h t w o ot her a ct or s, t he st a ge m a na ger l et Cha r l ot t e
a n d h er f r i en d i n. 'Tw o y ou n g l o ca l l a d i es,' he'd a nno u nced , 'com e t o
t el l y ou w ha t t hey t ho u ght of y ou r p er f o r m a nce.'
Jer em y ha d t u r ned w i t h l a n gu i d ch a r m , cy ni ca l a nd a sha d e
w ea r y , b u t w hen he sa w Cha r l ot t e hi s hea v y - l i d d ed ey es op ened
w i d e. She w a s w ea r i ng a sh i r t a nd sk i r t cov er ed w i t h sca r l et p op p i es
on w h i t e, her h a i r seem ed cop p er - col ou r ed i n t he el ect r i c l i ght , a n d
t he gener a l ef f ect w a s st u nn i n g. Thi s w a s no or d i na r y l oca l gi r l . Thi s
one, he w ou l d h a v e sw or n, h a d a m b i t i o ns t o get on t he st a ge her sel f .
'You 'v e got t o b e a n a ct r ess,' he sa i d , a n d w hen she shook her hea d ,
sm i l i n g, 'A m od el , t hen.'
'Onl y f or t he f a m i l y f i r m .'
'A nd t hey ow n Vogu e m a ga zi ne.'
She l a u g hed , 'N o su ch l u ck . We j u st m a k e a f ew r i ngs a n d t h i n gs.'
N ext d a y w a s Su nd a y a n d he ca m e f or her a f t er l u n ch, i m p r essed
a s m u ch b y t he hou se a s he w a s b y t h e gi r l , not i ci ng t he m a r k s of
a f f l u en ce a nd p u t t i n g hi m sel f ou t t o cha r m .
Ther e w a s a d r i zzl e of r a i n a s t hey w a l k ed a r ou n d t he a l m ost
d eser t ed ga r d ens of a N a t i on a l Tr u st st a t el y hou se, t r ea d i n g v el v et
l a w ns, si t t i ng on t he w a l l of a p on d cov er ed w i t h f l a t l i l y l ea v es u nd er
w hi ch go l d en f i sh d a r t ed a n d f l a shed , w h i l e Jer em y t ol d Cha r l ot t e t he
st or y of hi s l i f e.
She w a s ent hr a l l ed . She w ent w i t h hi m t hr ou g h d r a m a school , w i t h
a t r a v el l i ng t hea t r e gr o u p , Pr est on Rep , a n d now t he Li t t l e Thea t r e.
Chi p p i ng Qu ea nt on w a s on t h e w a y t o St r a t f or d - on - A v on a n d she
ha d no d ou b t s, a n d nei t her d i d he, t h a t he w a s d est i ned f or t he
hei g ht s.
N ei t her b ot her ed a b ou t t he r a i n. It cu r l ed t he t en d r i l s of
Cha r l ot t e's ha i r a nd p u t a p ea r l y m i st on her sk i n, a nd a l t hou g h he
l i v ed a n d w or k ed a m on g b ea u t i f u l w om en Jer em y Wy l d e t hou g ht he
ha d r a r el y seen a l ov el i er o ne. They w er e si t t i ng i n a l i t t l e st on e f ol l y
t ha t w a s op en t o t he w ea t her , a nd he su d d en l y got u p a n d j u m p ed
d ow n t he t hr ee ent r a nce st ep s t o a p p ea r j u st b enea t h t he w i nd ow
t hr ou gh w hi ch she w a s w a t ch i n g hi m , st r a i g ht i nt o t he b a l co ny scene
f r om Rom eo a nd Ju l i et .
'Bu t , sof t ! w ha t l i g ht t hr ou g h y on d er w i nd ow b r ea k s? It i s t he ea st
a n d Ju l i et i s t he su n!'
She a l m ost gi gg l ed , b u t he w a s gi v i ng i t a ser i ou s r en d er i ng i n hi s
b ea u t i f u l a ct or ' s v oi ce, a nd t her e w a s no one el se i n si ght , a nd a s she
l ook ed d ow n i nt o t he ha nd som e f a ce sh e b eg a n t o t hr i l l t o t he m a gi c
of t he w or d s. A t t he end of t he sp eech she t ook her cu e a nd si gh ed
'A h m e.'
'She sp ea k s' H e w a s t r a nsp or t ed w i t h d el i ght a n d t hey p l a y ed
ou t a l i t t l e m or e of t h e scene, a l l a l on e, u nt i l Ch a r l ot t e r a n ou t of
w or d s a nd si ghed a ga i n, 'A h m e!' a nd sp r ea d her h a n d s w i d e w i t h a
r u ef u l exp r essi o n. Then he ca m e b a ck i nt o t he f ol l y a nd t ook her i n
hi s a r m s a n d sa i d , 'I k now now w hy Rom eo w a s r ea d y t o d i e f or
Ju l i et .'
La t er she t ho u ght t h a t she ha d f a l l en i n l ov e t hen. Tha t w a s l ess
t ha n t hr ee m ont hs a go, b u t i t seem ed t o Cha r l ot t e t ha t she ha d
k now n Jer em y f or ev er . Or p er ha p s i t w a s b eca u se she h a d a l w a y s
b een w a i t i ng f or som eone l i k e hi m .
H e sp ot t ed her now a n d j u m p ed d ow n f r om t he st a ge, a nd she
st ood u p , l i f t i ng Geor gy f r om her l a p i nt o her ' a r m s. Jer em y k i ssed her
cheek w h i l e Geor gy gr i zzl ed . 'Been her e l ong?' he a sk ed .
'N ot l on g.'
'H ow w a s I?'
'Fa b u l ou s.'
H e ga v e a m od est gr i n b u t w ou l d ha v e b een i r r i t a t ed b y a ny
ot her v er d i ct . 'A nd how d i d i t go w i t h y ou ?' H e ha d k now n t he
a nsw er t o h i s f i r st q u est i on, b u t t hi s o ne he a sk ed w i t h som e a nxi et y ,
a n d Cha r l ot t e si gh ed , 'N ot so good .'
'Bu t I t hou ght '
'I got som e sa nd w i ches,' she sa i d . 'Sh a l l w e ea t t hem b y t he r i v er ?
Ev er y w her e seem s t o b e f u l l .'
'If y ou l i k e, b u t w h a t exa ct l y '
'I'l l t el l y ou a l l a b ou t i t .' She d i d n 't w a n t t o t a l k w her e t h e ot her s
cou l d hea r . Jer em y ha d a ssu r ed her he w ou l d n't m ent i o n i t t o
a ny one, b u t she cou l d n't b e su r e, a nd i f he h a d i t w a s go i n g t o b e a
d i sa p p oi nt m ent t o t hem t oo.
H e hu r r i ed her t hr ou gh t he cr ow d s, t a k i ng t he ca r r i er b a g i n o ne
ha n d a n d her a r m i n t he ot her . She u n d er st ood h i s con cer n, a nd
w hen t hey r ea ched t he t ow p a t h she l et hi m choose t he f i r st em p t y
sp ot on t he r i v er b a nk t o d u m p t he ca r r i er b a g a nd ha v e t hei r p i cni c.
'Wel l ?' he a sk ed , 'w h a t d i d he sa y ?' Cha r l ot t e op ened t he b a g
k eep i n g Geor gy t et her ed t o h er w i t h t h e l oop of t he l ea sh ov er her
w r i st , a l t hou g h Geor gy ( not one t o w a nd er ) ha d a l r ea d y col l a p sed
b esi d e her .
'H e sa i d no,' she sa i d , a nd Jer em y sm ot e hi m sel f on t he f or ehea d
w i t h t he f l a t of hi s ha n d a n d sw or e. Sh e k new i t w a s a st r u gg l e f or
hi m t o go o n i n a ca l m r ea so ni n g w a y , b eca u se w ha t he w a nt ed t o
d o w a s go on cu r si ng. B u t he sa i d q u i et l y , 'I k now I d on't seem t o h i t i t
of f t oo w el l w i t h h i m , b u t d i d y ou exp l a i n t ha t t h i s i s p u r el y a b u si ness
p r op osi t i on?'
'I t r i ed t o.' She p u l l ed b a ck t h e t a gs o n t he l a ger ca ns a nd o ne
f oa m ed ou t a l l ov er her ha nd s. She w a s p u zzl ed st i l l . 'I r ea l l y d on 't
u n d er st a nd i t m y sel f .' She op ened t he sa n d w i ch p a ck s a n d Jer em y
shook hi s hea d , a n d she b ega n t o p u l l a sa n d w i ch a p a r t , t ossi n g t he
p i eces t o t he d u ck s a n d sw a ns t h a t ca m e zoom i ng i n f r om a l l a l on g
t he r i v er b a nk .
Thi s m or n i n g she ha d k nock ed o n her f a t her 's st u d y d oor . Usu a l l y
she chose ev eni ngs t o ca t ch hi m i n a goo d m ood . She ha d h a d p l ent y
of exp er i ence i n ca j ol em ent , she ha d b een w r a p p i ng hi m r ou n d her
l i t t l e f i nger a l l her l i f e, b u t he ha d b een ou t f or t he l a st t w o ni ght s
a n d t hi s ev eni ng t hey h a d gu est s f or d i n ner . She' d t hou ght sh e' d a sk
ov er b r ea k f a st . Bu t he sk i p p ed b r ea k f a st a n d t ook cof f ee a nd t he
m a i l i nt o hi s st u d y , a n d a f t er gi v i n g hi m a f ew m i nu t es t o op en t he
l et t er s she f ol l ow ed .
H i s, 'Com e i n,' sou nd ed p r eoccu p i ed . Ch a r l ot t e a l w a y s t a p p ed , b u t
she a l w a y s op ened t he d oor b eca u se she k new he w ou l d nev er w a nt
t o k eep her ou t , a nd he sm i l ed a s soon a s he sa w her .
'I w a nt t o t a l k t o y ou ,' she' d sa i d . ' Pl ea se.' H e l ook ed d ow n a t hi s
m a i l a s she t ook a ch a i r a n d p l a ced i t f a ci ng hi m , a nd sa t w i t h her
chi n i n her h a nd s, el b ow s on t he d esk . Thi s p ose w a s a sm a l l j ok e
b et w een t hem . W hen she w a s a chi l d sh e ha d of t en sa t l i k e t ha t , chi n
cu p p ed , w hen she w a s t hou g ht f u l , a n d her f a t her ha d sa i d , 'Ther e's
m y l i t t l e sob er si d es.' N ow he sa i d , 'A r ea l hea r t - t o- hea r t , i s i t ?'
'In a w a y I su p p ose so. I w a nt t o m a k e a n i nv est m ent .' 'Yo u d o?'
She nev er h a d b ef or e. The onl y b u si ness she k new a ny t hi n g a b ou t
w a s t hei r ow n, a nd t ha t h a d b een eno u gh f or her . H er f a t her w a i t ed
a n d she w ent on, 'Th e L i t t l e Thea t r e i s ha v i n g a h a r d t i m e st a y i ng
sol v ent . They need a p a t r on.'
H i s f a ce h a r d ened sl i ght l y . ' My d ea r , w e'r e not l i v i ng i n t he
ei ght eent h cent u r y ,' he sa i d . So i t w a sn't goi n g t o b e t h a t ea sy .
'A l l r i g ht ,' she m a d e a f u n ny f a ce, 't ha t 's a n ol d - f a shi on ed w or d ,
b u t I d o w a nt u s t o p u t som e m oney i nt o i t .'
'A nd t hi s i s Jer em y Wy l d e's i d ea ?'
'In a w a y , I su p p ose. N ot ent i r el y .' Ev er y b od y a r ou nd her e k n ew
t ha t t he t hea t r e p l a y ed t o goo d hou ses w hi l e t her e w er e
hol i d a y m a k er s, b u t not m a ny t ou r i st s ca m e i n t he w i nt er a nd t her e
w er en't enou gh t hea t r e- l ov i ng l oca l s t o f i l l i t w eek a f t er w eek .
Inf l a t i on w a s sen d i n g exp enses sk y hi g h a n d t he b ox of f i ce r ecei p t s
cou l d n't cov er t hem .
A n a p p ea l h a d b een l a u nched , 'Fr i en d s of t he Li t t l e Thea t r e', b u t
i t ha d n't b r ou g ht i n enou g h, a n d l a st w eek w hi l e t hey w er e d i scu ssi n g
t hi s Jer em y ha d sa i d su d d enl y , ' You r f a t h er 's l oa d ed , i sn't he?'
It w a s d u r i n g t he a f t er noo n. Jer em y ha d d r i v en ov er t o Ch a r l ot t e's
hom e w her e she w a s w or k i n g on p end a nt d esi gns, si t t i ng a t t he l i t t l e
d a v enp or t d esk i n t he d r a w i n g r oom . ' W e get b y ,' she' d sa i d .
'H ow a b ou t a sk i ng hi m i f he' d co nsi d er b a i l i ng u s ou t ?'
She ha d b een d o u b t f u l a t f i r st . H er f a t her , w ho ha d a l w a y s
w el com ed her f r i en d s, h a d b een i nexp l i ca b l y d i st a nt w i t h Jer em y .
A l t hou gh w h en Ch a r l ot t e cha l l en ged h i m he ha d i nsi st ed she w a s
m i st a k en.
Bu t t he Li t t l e Thea t r e w a s a good ca u se a n d t he m or e she t hou ght
a b ou t i t t he m or e ea g er she w a s t o hel p . H er f a t her w a s si g ni ng a
cheq u e f or t w ent y - f i v e p ou n d s now a n d she sa i d , 'It 's a st a r t , b u t i t 's
t hou sa n d s t hey need .'
'N ot f r om u s,' he sa i d .
H e b ou ght p a i nt i n gs, p i eces of scu l p t u r e. N ot r ecent l y , b u t she
cou l d r em em b er h i m sp en d i n g w ha t seem ed t o b e v a st su m s, a nd
a ct i n g w a s a n a r t f or m . Ou r cu l t u r e w a s p oor er w i t h ev er y t hea t r e
t ha t cl osed . She sa i d , 'I su p p ose i t i s a l ot t o a sk , b u t ' Bu t he ha d
nev er d eni ed her a ny t hi n g b ef or e: cl ot hes, ca r s, hol i d a y s, a m or e t ha n
gener o u s a l l ow a nce.
'N o!' H e shook h i s hea d a s he sp ok e.
She ha d h a r d l y a ny ha r d ca sh, b u t of cou r se she d i d h a v e som e
b ea u t i f u l t hi n gs, a n d ev en i f her f a t her st a y ed a d a m a nt t her e w a s no
r ea son w hy she shou l d n't d o her ow n i nv est i ng. She a sk ed , ' W el l , ca n I
sel l som et hi ng?'
'Sel l w ha t ?'
'Som e of m y j ew el l er y , m a y b e.'
'I w ou l d n't hea r of i t .'
Ev en w hen she w a s a chi l d he h a d nev er l a i d d ow n t he l a w . H e
ha d a l w a y s exp l a i ned h i s or d er s a n d t hey ha d a l w a y s b een
r ea son a b l e a nd f a i r . H e h a d t o b e ca r r y i ng o n l i k e t hi s b eca u se h e
ha d t a k en t h i s d i sl i k e t o Jer em y , a nd t ha t w a s so ou t of ch a r a ct er ,
b eca u se he ha d a l w a y s b een a f f a b l e t o her b oy - f r i en d s. Sev er a l ha d
w a nt ed t o m a r r y her a n d he h a d a l w a y s sa i d t he choi ce w a s her s, h e
w ou l d b e ha p p y i f she w a s ha p p y . N o w she a sk ed hi m b l u nt l y , 'Do
y ou k now a ny t hi n g a b ou t Jer em y t ha t I d on't k now ?'
'N o.' H e l ook ed st r a i g ht a t her , a nd she b el i ev ed hi m .
'Bu t y ou d o n't l i k e hi m ?'
'I d on't d i sl i k e hi m , a l t hou g h I f ou nd h i m r a t her a b or i n g y ou n g
m a n.'
'Bor i n g? Jer em y ? You 'r e j ok i n g?
H e w a sn 't j ok i n g, a n d she st op p ed sm i l i n g a n d sa i d q u i et l y , 'Bu t i t 's
m i ne, m y j ew el l er y , I ca n d o w h a t I l i k e w i t h i t .'
'In t he l eg a l sense v er y l i t t l e i s y ou r s,' he sa i d .
The f a b u l ou s p i eces w er e f a m i l y hei r l oo m s, she w ou l d n't h a v e b een
sel l i ng t hem a ny w a y , a n d i t hu r t her t o b e r em i n d ed t h a t t he st ones
her m ot her h a d w or n, a n d t h a t she w or e now , d i d not b el on g t o her .
She sa i d b i t t er l y , 'I su p p ose I ow n m y l a st b i r t h d a y p r esent ?'
Tha t w a s t he a q u a m a r i ne r i ng. Th e d i a m ond ea r - st u d s ha d b een
a Chr i st m a s gi f t , a n d her f a t h er sa i d hea v i l y , 'I ca n't st op y ou sel l i n g
y ou r t r i nk et s a n d g i v i n g t he m oney t o a ny one y ou choose. Bu t i t
w ou l d d i sp l ea se m e, I'd b e v er y r el u ct a nt t o r ep l a ce t hem . In f a ct i f
y ou d i d t ha t , I'd t a k e st ep s t o see t ha t y ou got y ou r ha nd s on not hi n g
of r ea l v a l u e w hi l e I'm a l i v e.'
Cha r l ot t e ha d nev er seen hi m l i k e t hi s b ef or e i n a l l her l i f e. Sk i n
m ot t l ed a n d m ou t h gr i m w i t h a n ger . ' Wh i l e I'm a l i v e,' he h a d sa i d .
Tha t m ea nt , 'Unt i l I'm d ea d ,' a nd she r ea l i sed how m u ch g r ey t her e
w a s i n t he t hi ck l i ght - b r ow n h a i r . She h a d n't not i ced t ha t b ef or e. H e
ha d b een f i f t een y ea r s o l d er t h a n her m ot her , b u t w i t h hi s t a l l sl i m
f i gu r e a n d a l m ost u nl i ned f a ce h e ha d a l w a y s seem ed a y ou n g
f a t her . N ow she sa w hi s h a n d s sha k i n g a nd she t hou ght i n cr ed u l ou sl y ,
'H e's gr ow i ng ol d !'
Tha t f r i g ht ened her , t hr ow i n g h er i n t o conf u si o n. Losi ng her
t em p er w a s ea si er t ha n f a ci n g u p t o t h a t , a n d sh e b l a zed , 'Tha t 's a
p r et t y hi gh- ha n d ed a t t i t u d e t o t a k e! You t hi nk i t 's a co n- t r i ck , d o
y ou , t he L i t t l e Thea t r e? It 's b een t her e f or nea r l y sev ent y y ea r s, b u t
y ou st i l l t hi nk i t 's a f l y - b y - n i ght ? Or i s i t j u st Jer em y y ou d on 't t r u st ?'
'Pu t i t t hi s w a y ,' sa i d her f a t h er . 'I d o not f eel i n cl i ned t o i nv est
b ey ond t h i s a m ou nt ,' he t a p p ed t he ch eq u e f or t w ent y - f i v e p ou nd s
st i l l l y i ng o n hi s d esk , 'i n t ha t y ou ng m a n' s f u t u r e.'
'W ha t i f I d o?' H er i nd i gn a t i on m a d e h er el oq u ent . 'You sa y y ou
k now not hi ng a b ou t h i m t ha t I d on't k now , so y ou r a t t i t u d e h a s t o
b e sh eer p r ej u d i ce. I'd nev er ha v e exp ect ed y ou t o m a k e d eci si ons
w hen y ou 'v e no f a ct s t o go on. Int u i t i on, j u st on i t s ow n, ca n b e p r et t y
u nr el i a b l e, y ou k now , u nl ess y ou 'r e u si n g a cr y st a l b a l l .'
'I gr a nt y ou t h a t ,' sa i d her f a t her . 'Bu t w hy shou l d y ou r i nt u i t i o n b e
sou nd er t ha n m i ne? I d o ha v e y ea r s of exp er i en ce b ehi n d m e.' H e
t u r ned b a ck t o t he l et t er she h a d b een r ea d i ng w hen she ca m e i n
a n d t ol d her , 'Tel l y ou r f r i end t h a t y ou 'r e i n no p osi t i on t o sp o nsor
a ny b o d y a nd I'm not i n t he m a r k et .'
She d i d n't t el l Jer em y t hi s w or d f or w or d . She t r i ed t o m a k e i t l ess
p er sona l , b u t t he v er d i ct w a s t he sa m e. Du nscom b es w er e not
com i ng t o t he r escu e of t he L i t t l e Thea t r e.
She f el t now t h a t she h a d l et Jer em y d ow n a nd she w a s
d i sa p p oi nt ed on her ow n a ccou nt . It w ou l d ha v e b een f u n, get t i ng
i nv ol v ed w i t h t he t hea t r e, b u t i f she hel p ed h er f a t her w a s goi ng t o
t a k e i t b a d l y . For no r ea son a t a l l he d i d not l i k e Jer em y .
'You k now w ha t I t hi nk ?' sa i d Jer em y , sk i m m i ng a p i ece of a p p l e
a cr oss t he w a t er i nt o t he f l a p p i ng m el ee of d u ck s. 'I t hi nk y ou r o l d
m a n's j ea l ou s of m e.'
'Oh no!' Bu t she cou l d n 't hel p w on d er i n g, b eca u se Jer em y w a s t he
onl y m a n, b esi d es her f a t her , w ho ha d r ea l l y m a t t er ed t o her . She
ha d n't t ol d t hem t ha t a t hom e, b u t p er ha p s her m a n ner h a d show n
i t a nd p er ha p s h er f a t her w a s r esent i n g second p l a ce. A l l t he sa m e
she shook her h ea d em p ha t i ca l l y . 'You d on 't k now hi m . Th a t
w ou l d n't b e l i k e hi m .'
Bu t t hi s m or ni ng ha d n 't b een l i k e h i m ei t her . She ha d h a r d l y
r ecogn i sed t he f l u shed , a n gr y m a n, a n d she t u r ned t he r i ng on her
f i nger a n d sa i d w i t h a w r y l i t t l e l a u g h a s t hou g h i t w a s a j ok e,
'A l t hou g h h e d i d t hr ea t en t o d i si nh er i t m e i f I sol d a ny of m y st u f f
a n d p u t t he p r o ceed s i nt o t he t hea t r e.'
'You ' r e k i d d i ng!' Jer em y w a s shock ed . ' H e cou l d n 't d o t ha t . Cou l d
he?'
'H e d i d n 't a ct u a l l y p u t i t t ha t st r o ngl y .' She w i shed she h a d n't
m ent i oned i t now .
'Bu t he's goi ng t o t a k e som e get t i n g r ou nd ?' 'If y ou 'r e p l a n ni n g
st a y i ng a r ou nd m e,' she sa i d . 'Yes.' 'Oh, I a m .' H e l ea ned a cr oss a n d
k i ssed her , a n d t hen sm i l ed a t a cou p l e of w om en w ho ha d
r ecogn i sed hi m f r om l a st ni ght 's p l a y a n d w er e w a t chi ng w i t h
i nt er est . H e cou l d ch a r m a ny b o d y , Ch a r l ot t e t hou g ht . My f a t her 's
goi n g t o l i k e hi m b ef or e l ong, b eca u se I hop e he'l l b e a r ou nd f or t he
r est of m y l i f e.
They a t e t hei r p i cni c, w i t h no f u r t h er r ef er ence t o f i n a nci a l cr i ses,
a n d b y t he t i m e she w a s p a ck i n g u p t he l ef t ov er s she w a s f eel i ng
ha p p i er t ha n she ha d a l l d a y . It w a s a b or e t ha t she h a d t o b e hom e
f or d i n ner t oni g ht . She w ou l d ha v e l i k ed t o m eet Jer em y a f t er t he
ev eni n g p er f or m a nce, a n d ha v e su p p er w i t h h i m . Bu t t ha t w a s ou t
of t he q u est i on b eca u se t hey w er e exp ect i n g ol d f r i en d s, a n d a
b u si ness col l ea gu e, a n d w hen Jer em y a sk ed , 'N o ch a nce of y ou
get t i ng a w a y f or a n hou r or t w o t oni ght ?' she h a d t o sa y , 'N o cha nce
a t a l l , b u t I'l l t r y f or l u nch t om or r ow .'
'Su r e.' She w a s get t i ng i nt o her ca r a n d he l ea ned t hr ou g h t he
w i n d ow t o k i ss her a g a i n a n d sa i d su d d enl y , 'Don 't d o a ny t hi n g r a sh,
sw eet hea r t . N o sense r i l i ng y ou r f a t her .'
Tha t w a s consi d er a t e, a nd sensi b l e b eca u se sh e w a s su r e t hey
w ou l d w i n h i m r ou nd ev ent u a l l y , a n d t oni g ht , som e t i m e, sh e w ou l d
sa y sor r y f or l osi n g her t em p er t hi s m or n i ng. If her f a t her d i d n't w a nt
t o i nv est i n t he t h ea t r e he w a s ent i t l ed t o r ef u se. It w a s so m u ch m or e
i m p or t a nt t ha t he shou l d p u t a si d e hi s p r ej u d i ces a g a i nst Jer em y .
Tha t w a s w ha t sh e h a d t o w or k o n.
She t hou ght a b ou t i t o n t he w a y ho m e. She w ou l d ha v e t o
a r r a nge a f ew m or e ca su a l m eet i ngs. They ha d n't r ea l l y h a d a
cha nce t o get t o k now ea ch ot her y et . When t hey d i d of cou r se her
f a t her w ou l d l i k e hi m . Li f e ha d a l w a y s b een goo d t o Cha r l ot t e, b u t
l ov e r ea l l y w a s a m a ny sp l en d ou r ed t h i ng a n d i t w a s u nt h i nk a b l e
t ha t a ny t hi ng shou l d m a r t he h a p p i ness she a n d Jer em y w er e f i nd i n g
t oget her .
She sp ent w ha t w a s l ef t of t he a f t er n oon i n t he ga r d en. It w a s
m ost l y l a w ns- now , b eca u se t h e ga r d en i ng st a f f h a d d w i n d l ed ov er
t he y ea r s a n d w a s now d ow n t o ol d Tom a n d he h a d l u m b a go.
Cha r l ot t e l i k ed g a r d eni ng. She h a d gr een f i n ger s a n d t he st r en gt h t o
ha n d l e l a w nm ow er s a n d hed g ecu t t er s. She w eed ed f or a w h i l e, t hen
ca m e b a ck i nt o t he ho u se t o cha nge i nt o a b i k i ni a nd col l ect su n oi l ,
t ow el a n d a nov el , a n d su nb a t hed f or a n hou r or so.
The p a t i o w i t h i t s ci r cu l a r a r b o u r w a s ou t of si ght of t he m a i n
b u i l d i ng. Br i g ht f l ow er s f i l l ed o l d st one t r ou ghs a nd a p u r p l e w i st er i a
a n d r ed honey su ck l e r a m b l ed ov er t he t r el l i ses. In one cor ner of t he
f l a gst ones w a s a b i gger - t ha n- l i f esi ze ca r v i n g of a ho u n d ,
com m i ssi oned b y one of Cha r l ot t e's a ncest or s, a nd b esi d e hi m a
chea p m o d er n ga r d en or na m ent i n r ou g hca st of a p ek e.
Cha r l ot t e ha d b o u ght t h a t her sel f , of f a m a r k et st a l l w hen sh e w a s
sev en y ea r s ol d a n d h a d a n ea r l i er p ek e, one of t he f ea r l ess k i n d , a s
her p et . She h a d p l a ced i t p r ou d l y i n t he d r a w i n g r oom , on t he
sm oot h su r f a ce of a n exq u i si t e Regen cy t a b l e, a nd b een b ew i l d er ed
w hen A u nt Lu cy scr eeched a n d gr a b b ed i t , t hen w ent d ow n on her
k nees t o st a r t exa m i ni ng t he t a b l e f or scr a t ches.
It ha d b een exp l a i ned t o Cha r l ot t e t h a t t hi s, l i k e t he hou n d , w ho
ha d p r ob a b l y b een l o nel y f or a l on g t i m e, w a s a n ou t d oor d og; a nd
f ou r t een y ea r s l a t er he w a s st i l l her e, hi s b r i ght b r ow n - gl a ss m a r b l e
ey es st i l l st a r i ng.
Geor gy w a s i n t he sh a d ow of t h e a r b o u r , f l a t , w i t h f eet
ou t st r et ched , hi s st om a ch g et t i ng t he co ol b enef i t of t he st o ne f l oor ,
w hi l e Ch a r l ot t e l a y , gl ea m i ng gol d , so a k i n g u p t he su nshi ne. Sh e
r ol l ed ov er a f t er a w h i l e, u n hook i n g her b r a , a n d t he h ea t w a s
p l ea sa nt l y soot hi ng on her shou l d er b l a d es so t h a t she d r ow sed of f
a n d w ok e y a w ni ng.
It w a s t i m e t o go i n. Geor gy w a s snor i ng hi s sm a l l h ea d of f , a nd she
r ehook ed h er b r a a nd got u p r el u ct a nt l y . She l i k ed t he cou p l e w ho
w er e ea t i ng w i t h t hem t oni ght , b u t t hey w er e her f a t her 's f r i en d s a nd
gener a t i on a n d r a t her a n ea r nest p a i r . It w ou l d n't b e m u ch f u n, a n d
i f she ha d n't ha d t ha t scene t hi s m or ni n g she m i g ht ha v e a sk ed her
f a t her t o m a k e som e excu se f or her .
A s i t w a s she ha d b et t er b e t her e. A nd b et t er get her sel f d r essed .
Thi s w a s h a r d l y su i t a b l e get - u p f or ent er t a i ni ng t he Ru r a l Dea n a n d
hi s w i f e.
She w a l k ed i nt o t he hou se t hr ou gh t he l ong d r a w i ng - r oom
w i n d ow s t ha t op ened i nt o t he ga r d en, a nd a s she d i d t he p hon e on a
si d e t a b l e r a ng. She p i ck ed i t u p a n d a m om ent l a t er A u nt Lu cy
op ened t he ha l l d oor t o hea r Ch a r l ot t e sa y , 'Oh, I a m sor r y , Mr s
Rey nol d s.' The Rey nol d s w er e t he cou p l e t hey ha d b een exp ect i ng t o
d i n ner . A u nt Lu cy si ghed a n d st a y ed . 'Wh a t w r et ched l u ck ,' sa i d
Cha r l ot t e, 'i t m u st b e t er r i b l y p a i nf u l . Per ha p s next w eek ?'
When she p u t d ow n t he p hone A u nt L u cy a sk ed , 'N ot com i n g?'
'H e's t u r ned h i s a nk l e,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e, ' a n d i t 's p u f f i n g u p l i k e a
b a l l oon. I w on d er i f t hi s l et s m e of f t h e hook . I m ea n, t her e's on l y
som e ol d b u si n ess co d ger , su r el y m y f a t h er ca n ch a t hi m u p hi m sel f .'
Geor gy l et ou t a y el p a nd b eg a n t o b a ck , cr a b l i k e, f r om a w i n ged
a r m cha i r a t t he ot her end of t he r oom . A m a n got u p , Geor gy w ent
on y el p i ng, a nd Ch a r l ot t e r ecog ni sed t he f a ce t h a t h a d g l a r ed a t her
t hr ou gh t he w i nd ow w hen Kel l y h a d nea r l y l a nd ed o n hi s ca r .
H e w a s t a l l , w i t h d a r k h a i r , d a r k ey eb r ow s, a n d shock m a d e her
t em p or a r i l y sp eechl ess. H e sa i d , 'M i ss Du nscom b e, I p r esu m e?'
'Yes. You 'r e ?'
'The ol d b u si ness cod g er .' H i s sm i l e w a s ev er y t hi ng a sm i l e shou l d
b e, show i n g excel l ent t eet h, b u t her t ong u e w a s st i ck i n g t o t he r oof of
her m ou t h a nd her sp eech w a s j er k y .
'I'm sor r y a b ou t t h a t . Bu t t hen I w a s o nl y g u essi ng, a n d y ou a r e
r a t her ea r l y f or d i nner a t ei ght , a n d i f y ou 'd st ood u p a l i t t l e sooner '
The t ow el , d r a p ed a r ou n d h er shou l d er s, sl i t her ed a s she m ov ed , a nd
a s she j er k ed t o gr a b i t t he hook she ha d n 't q u i t e sl i p p ed i nt o p l a ce
on her b r a ga v e, a n d her b r a sl i d of f , l ea v i ng her t op l ess. It w a s l i k e a
scene f r om a Ca r r y On m ov i e. 'H el l 's b el l s!' she m u t t er ed , cl u t chi ng
ev er y t hi ng she cou l d a r ou nd her a s she g ot ou t of t he r oom .
In t he ha l l Geor gy b a r k ed f u r i ou sl y a t t he cl osed d oor a n d A u nt
Lu cy st ood t r y i n g t o l ook shock ed . 'I'm t ha n k f u l t he Rev er end w a sn't
her e,' sa i d A u nt L u cy .
Cha r l ot t e gr i n ned . 'It 's a l l t hi s oi l a l l ov er m eI'm sl i p p er y a s a n eel .
Good j ob t he b ot t om ha l f w a s secu r e. I' d b et t er get i nt o a b a t h.'
'You b et t er ha d ,' a gr eed A u nt Lu cy .
When she r ea ched h er b ed r oom Cha r l ot t e w ent t o t he w i nd ow .
The su n w a s set t i ng a nd t her e w er e cl ou d s i n t he sk y a n d t he
p er sp i r a t i o n on t he p a l m s of her h a n d s w a s col d . She ha d m ock ed a t
i nt u i t i o n t hi s m or ni n g. 'Unl ess y ou 'r e u si n g a cr y st a l b a l l ,' sh e h a d sa i d ,
w i t h a l l t he sa r ca sm she cou l d m u st er . Bu t t hi s u nea sy f eel i ng now ,
w a r n i n g her a ga i nst t he m a n d ow nst a i r s, w a s l i k e seco nd si ght . Ther e
ha d b een a n a u r a of m ena ce a b ou t hi m . A nd w ha t w a s a st r a n ger
d oi n g, si t t i n g a l l a l o ne i n t he d r a w i n g r o om a s t hou gh he h a d k now n
t hem a l l hi s l i f e, or a s t ho u gh t hi s w a s hi s ow n hom e?

CHAPTER TWO


Cha r l ot t e d r essed f or d i n ner i n a st r a n ge st a t e of m i nd . It w a s
u nu su a l f or her t o f eel a p p r ehensi v e a b ou t m eet i ng a ny on e, b u t she
ha d m a d e a n i d i ot of her sel f t w i ce t od a y w i t h t hi s m a n, a n d she
b l u shed a t t he m em or y .
She w i shed she cou l d l a u gh a b ou t i t . The f i r st t i m e, w i t h Kel l y , ha d
b een a b i t of cr i m i n a l negl i gen ce, b u t j u st now w a s f u nny i n a w a y .
She w a sn 't one of t he t op l ess b r i ga d e, b u t she ha d w a nd er ed a m o ng
t hem u nem b a r r a ssed o n t he b ea ches of St Tr op ez, w ea r i n g a st r i p of
b r a t h a t ha r d l y co u nt ed , a nd a ny w a y her b r ea st s w er e y ou ng a n d
f i r m . She t r i ed t o t el l her sel f w ha t ha d ha p p en ed h a d b een com i c,
b u t she w ou l d h a v e gi v en a l ot t o ha v e cl i p p ed t ha t cl a sp i nt o p l a ce
a n d a v oi d ed t h e w hol e i n ci d ent .
H er next a p p ea r a nce ha d b et t er b e ci r cu m sp ect , a n d she chose a
p l a i n w h i t e d r ess, sl eev el ess w i t h t hi n shou l d er st r a p s, a n d w or e i t w i t h
a r ou n d gol d sl a v e b a ng l e on h er u p p er a r m , a n d gol d sa nd a l s. She
b r u sh ed h er ha i r u nt i l i t sho ne, sw ep t i t si d ew a y s so t ha t onl y one ea r
w a s r ev ea l ed a n d w or e a si ngl e gol d p ea r l - sh a p ed d r op p er ea r r i n g.
She w i shed she w a s d r essi n g f or Jer em y . It w ou l d ha v e b een l ov el y
i f he ha d b een t he o ne d ow nst a i r s t on i g ht , w a i t i ng f or her , gi v en t he
r u n of t he hou se b y her f a t her l i k e t hi s st r a n ger . She d a b b ed p er f u m e
on p u l se sp ot s a n d w ent t o t h e w i n d ow a ga i n a nd l ook ed ou t a cr oss
t he ga r d ens. It w a s a hea v y ni g ht , v er y st i l l , t he f ew cl o u d s seem ed
m ot i onl ess a n d she t hou g ht , I w ou l d n 't b e su r p r i sed i f w e get t hu n d er .
She ha d a f eel i n g t h a t som et hi n g w a s a b ou t t o b r ea k a r o u n d her
a n d i t w a s p r ob a b l y a st or m .
'W ha t 's he d oi n g d ow nst a i r s a l l on h i s ow n?' she sa i d a l o u d ,
a d d r essi ng Geor gy a s he w a s t he onl y one t her e. H e l i f t ed hi s ea r s
a n d p u t hi s hea d on one si d e a n d a p p ea r ed t o consi d er t he q u est i o n,
a n d Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'L et 's go a n d a sk som eb od y , sh a l l w e?'
Most d a y s A u nt Lu cy h a d hel p a r ou nd t he hou se f r om M a u d i e, a
y ou ng m a r r i ed w om a n w ho w ent ho m e t o her f a m i l y . A u nt Lu cy
l i v ed h er e, of cou r se. Thi s ha d b een her hom e f or t he l a st f or t y y ea r s
a n d w hi l e t he Du n scom b es st a y ed so w ou l d sh e. She w a s i n t he
k i t chen now , p r ep a r i n g t he her b sa u ce f or t he r a i n b ow t r ou t , a nd a s
Cha r l ot t e d on ned a l on g b i b b ed a p r o n she sa i d , 'Sho u l d n't y ou b e
j oi ni ng t he com p a ny ?'
Cha r l ot t e shr u gged . H er f a t her l i k ed her a r ou nd w hen t hey
ent er t a i ned , b u t t oni ght she w a s l ess t ha n ent hu si a st i c. She a sk ed ,
'W ho i s he?'
'N a m e of L a u r enson.' A u nt L u cy a d d ed a p i nch m or e t a r r a go n.
'A nd ?' Ch a r l ot t e p r om p t ed .
'Tha t 's a l l I k now . You r f a t her sa y s "Th i s i s Mr L a u r enson ".'
'Wel l , he seem s t o b e m a k i ng hi m sel f a t hom e.' She w a s r esent f u l ,
a l t hou g h t hey ha d som et hi ng of a n op en hou se her e. Bot h she a n d
her f a t her h a d a w i d e so ci a l ci r cl e. Onl y her f a t her d i d n't seem t o b e
w el com i n g Jer em y a n d she w ou l d ha v e p r ef er r ed M r L a u r enson t o
ha v e st a y ed a w a y .
A u nt Lu cy t est ed t he sa u ce a g a i n b ef or e she enq u i r ed , 'W hy ?
Wh a t w a s he d o i n g?'
'Ju st si t t i ng, I su p p ose,' Ch a r l ot t e ha d t o a d m i t , a d d i n g, 'A nd
j u m p i n g ou t of t he sha d ow s. I f el t a r i ght f ool , I ca n t el l y ou .' A ga i n
hot col ou r f l a r ed i n her cheek s a n d A u n t Lu cy sa i d p hi l osop hi ca l l y , 'I
exp ect he's seen a na k ed w om a n b ef or e.'
'I w a sn't na k ed !' It w a s a ges si nce she cou l d r em em b er b l u sh i n g,
b u t now i t seem ed sh e cou l d n't st op .
'In m y d a y ,' m u sed A u nt Lu cy , 'i f a gi r l ha d ca r r i ed on l i k e t ha t
she' d nev er ha v e show n her f a ce a ga i n. B u t w e w or e r ea l
f ou nd a t i ons, not b i t s of r i b b o n. Mea su r ed f or t hem , w e w er e.'
A u nt Lu cy w a s st i l l m ea su r ed , her cor set s w er e l i t t l e m i r a cl es of
engi neer i n g, a n d Ch a r l ot t e st i f l ed a gi g gl e. By no st r et ch of
i m a gi na t i o n cou l d she v i su a l i se A u nt Lu cy 's b r a sl i p p i n g of f . 'I su p p ose
I'd b et t er go,' she sa i d .
The st a r t er s, m el o n, gr a p ef r u i t a n d gr a p e cock t a i l s, l ook ed coo l
a n d p r et t y , a n d t he t r ou t w a s l oca l , ser v ed w i t h t he her b sa u ce a nd
cu cu m b er . Th en t her e w a s A u nt L u cy 's sp eci a l t r ea cl e t a r t a nd
cr ea m , a n d cheese, of cou r se. It w ou l d b e a good m ea l . It a l w a y s w a s.
H er f a t her ou g ht t o b e sa t i sf i ed w i t h h i s w om enf ol k a n d hi s hom e a t
t he end of t h a t , a n d Cha r l ot t e w ond er ed i f t her e w a s hop e of a w or d
a l one w i t h hi m b ef or e t h ey a l l sa t d ow n. She w ou l d h a v e l i k ed t o p u t
t hi ngs r i ght . Bu t i f she got no ch a nce t o a p ol ogi se she w ou l d ha v e t o
set t l e f or a ct i ons sp ea k i n g l ou d er t h a n w or d s, a nd b ei ng v er y
conci l i a t or y a n d a s ni ce a s p i e ov er d i n ner .
Per h a p s she w ou l d i nv i t e Jer em y r ou n d f or a m ea l o n Su n d a y .
Fa ci ng hi m ov er a t a b l e her f a t her w o u l d ha v e t o t a l k a n d l i st en,
a n d Jer em y w a s a nxi ou s t o p l ea se a n d i t w a s a n i d ea . She sa i d
su d d en l y , 'A u nt Lu cy , w h a t d o y ou t h i nk of Jer em y ?'
'A ni ce enou gh y ou n g m a n, I'm su r e,' sa i d A u nt Lu cy ,
noncom m i t t a l l y .
'I t hi nk he's m or e t ha n t h a t ,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e.
'Then he p r o b a b l y i s.' A u nt L u cy w a sn't a r gu i ng.
'Bu t m y f a t her d oesn 't l i k e hi m , a n d I w a nt t hem t o g et on, so
w ha t d o y ou t hi nk I ou ght t o d o?' A u nt Lu cy 's a d v i ce ha d a l w a y s
b een so u n d a n d t hi s w a s a r ea l p r ob l em , b u t a l l sh e sa i d w a s, 'I t hi nk
y ou ou ght t o g et i n t her e a n d show Mr L a u r enson w ha t y ou l ook l i k e
w i t h y ou r cl ot hes o n.' She w a sn't t a k i ng Jer em y ser i ou sl y , nor
Cha r l ot t e, a n d Cha r l ot t e w ond er ed i f she st i l l t hou g ht of her a s a
chi l d . She sa i d q u i et l y , 'A u nt Lu cy , I a m t w ent y - one.' 'I k now .' A u nt
Lu cy d eca nt ed t he sa u ce f r om p a n t o t u r een. 'A nd I'm si xt y - on e
w ha t a r e w e t a l k i n g a b ou t ?' ' N ot hi ng,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e.
She w ent l ook i n g f or her f a t her a nd M r La u r enson. The d r a w i n g
r oom w a s em p t y . She w a l k ed d ow n t he l engt h of i t b eca u se t he m en
m i ght b e st r ol l i ng o n t he l a w ns, b u t t he ga r d en, seen f r om t he
w i n d ow s, seem ed d eser t ed . N ot hi ng h a d cha nged i n t hi s r oom si n ce
Cha r l ot t e w a s b or n, not ev en t he ca r p et s. Ev er y t hi n g h a d a ser ene a i r
of a gel ess el eg a n ce, b u t t oni g ht she f el t d i st u r b ed , d i sor i ent a t ed .
It ha d b een a n u p set t i n g d a y . Esp eci a l l y t hi s m or ni n g's scene w i t h
her f a t h er . She ha d t hou ght he m i ght sa y y es, b eca u se he w a s a
gener o u s m a n w ho d i d su p p or t goo d ca u ses. A t a ny r a t e she'd hop ed
f or a si zea b l e co nt r i b u t i on t o t he t hea t r e's f u n d s f r om h i m . She ha d
nev er t hou g ht he w o u l d t hr ea t en h er . Tha t t hey w ou l d en d
u p q u a r r el l i ng.
She w i shed t he Rey nol d s ha d b een com i ng t oni ght w i t h t hei r
f r i end l y f a m i l i a r f a ces, sa v i ng her f r om a n ev eni ng a l m ost a l o ne w i t h
a st r a ng er . Wi t h Geor gy t r ot t i ng a t her heel s she w ent i nt o t he sm a l l
p a r l ou r , t hen l ook ed i nt o t he d i ni ng r oo m , a n d f i na l l y t a p p ed o n t h e
st u d y d oor a n d w a l k ed i n t her e.
The m a n si t t i ng i n h er f a t her 's ch a i r b ehi n d her f a t her 's d esk w a s
La u r enson, a nd Geor gy , w ho h a d a m b l ed h a p p i l y i nt o t h e r oom ,
t ook one l ook a t hi m a n d d a r t ed o u t b et w een Ch a r l ot t e's f eet ,
send i n g h er of f b a l a nce. It w a s a w o nd er she d i d n't go f l a t o n her
f a ce. A s i t w a s she l u r ched f or w a r d a nd gr a b b ed t he d esk ed ge l i k e a
d r u nk need i ng su p p or t a v er y u n d i g ni f i ed ent r y . It seem ed she
cou l d n't get nea r t hi s m a n w i t hou t d oi ng som et hi ng r i d i cu l ou s.
'W her e's m y f a t her ?' she g a sp ed .
H e l ook ed a t hi s w a t ch. 'O n hi s w a y ho m e, I shou l d t hi nk . H e ha d
t o go b a ck t o t he of f i ce.'
Lea v i n g t hi s m a n b eh i n d a n d w i t ho u t m ent i oni ng i t t o Cha r l ot t e.
Bu t he su r el y ha d n't i nv i t ed Mr La u r enson t o si t d ow n a t hi s d esk a n d
go t hr ou gh hi s p a p er s, a n d sh e sa i d , 'D o y ou m i n d ? Som e of t hi s i s
r a t her co nf i d ent i a l .'
H e sm i l ed a t her . H e h a d a cu r v i n g sensu ou s m ou t h. 'N ot t hi s f i l e, I
t hi nk y ou 'l l f i n d .' H e cl osed t he b l u e ca r d b oa r d f ol d er a nd st ood u p ,
a n d of cou r se he w a s r em em b er i ng her st r i p - t ea se, a n d she
w ond er ed w het her she shou l d t r y t o m a k e a j ok e of i t . Bu t she
cou l d n't ha v e b een f u n ny t o sa v e her l i f e. A l l sh e cou l d get ou t w a s, 'If
y ou 'v e q u i t e f i ni shed !' sou n d i n g sna p p i sh.
'For now ,' he sa i d , a n d Cha r l ot t e cou l d n ' t b r i ng her sel f t o a sk w ha t
t ha t m ea nt . She l ed t h e w a y t ow a r d s t he d r a w i ng r oom w h i l e
Geor gy y el p ed i ncessa nt l y a t t he b ot t om of t he st a i r s. 'If y ou 'l l excu se
m e, I'l l p u t hi m som ew her e sa f e,' she sa i d . 'W her e he ca n 't see y ou .'
'W her e he ca n 't see m e?' One d a r k b r o w q u i r k ed , a nd she ca r r i ed
Geor gy t o A u nt Lu cy i n t he k i t chen. 'Keep hi m her e, w i l l y ou ? H e's
b ei n g a nu i sa n ce a s u su a l ,' a nd she h u r r i ed b a ck i nt o t he h a l l t o
exp l a i n, 'H e's sca r ed of st r a nger s. A nd i t ' s not t ha t he's ev er b een i l l -
t r ea t ed , i t 's j u st t ha t he w a s b or n w i t h t hi s ov er - d ev el op ed sense of
sel f - p r eser v a t i o n.'
'Ver y sensi b l e i n t hi s d a y a nd a ge,' sa i d La u r enson, w ho o b v i ou sl y
t hou ght t hi s w a s t he k i n d of d a f t d og she w ou l d h a v e. H e ha d
w a l k ed i nt o t he d r a w i ng r oom a nd st ood f a ci ng her , b u t i t t ook
q u i t e a n ef f or t f or her t o f a ce h i m .
'Do y ou t hi nk i t 's b est t o r u n?' she a sk ed . 'Th a t d ep en d s on t he
op p osi t i on.' 'Yes, i t w ou l d . Do si t d ow n. Do ha v e a d r i nk .' She h a d
p l a y ed host ess i n t h i s hou se a s l on g a s she cou l d r em em b er , b u t she
ha d nev er f el t or sou nd ed a s ga u che a s t hi s b ef or e. Som et hi ng a b ou t
hi m d r a i ned her conf i d ence a w a y . Per ha p s t he f a ct t ha t hi s ey es
w er e so d a r k a n d p i er ci ng, a s t hou g h t hey l ook ed r i g ht t hr ou g h her
a n d not hi ng a b o u t her cou l d ev er su r p r i se h i m . ' Mr La u r en son, i sn 't
i t ?' she sa i d . 'Sa u l La u r enso n.'
'I'm Cha r l ot t e Du nscom b e.' Whi ch he k new , of cou r se, a nd o n
w hi ch he m a d e no com m ent . H e w a s si t t i ng now , a n d v er y m u ch a t
ea se f r om hi s st a nce, v er y r el a xed . ' Wh i sk y ?' she su g gest ed . 'Tha nk
y ou .'
She w ent t o a si d e t a b l e a n d p i ck ed u p t he Geor g i a n d eca nt er
a n d her ha nd s w er e sh a k i ng so t ha t she sp i l t t he d r i nk , a l t hou gh t he
t u m b l er t op w a s su r el y w i d e enou g h. Sh e r ol l ed her ey es cei l i ngw a r d s
i n exa sp er a t i on. H e ga v e h er t he j i t t er s, si t t i ng t her e cont r i b u t i ng
not hi n g, a n d i t w a sn't a s t hou gh he w a s b a shf u l or ov er w hel m ed b y
her l ook s a s m or e t ha n one m a n ha d b een. On t he cont r a r y .
She ga v e hi m hi s d r i nk a nd sa t d ow n h er sel f , t h en f or w h a t
seem ed a n a g e she cou l d t hi nk of not hi n g t o sa y w or t h sa y i n g. Ther e
w a s a l w a y s t he w ea t her 'Isn't i t l ov el y ? A r en't w e ha v i ng a su p er
su m m er a f t er t ha t w et sp r i ng?' B u t t ha t sou nd ed a s b a na l a s
ev er y t hi ng el se t ha t ca m e i nt o her hea d , a l t hou g h she w ou l d n't h a v e
t hou ght t her e w a s a m a n a l i v e w ho co u l d ha v e r ed u ced her t o t hi s
st r a ng l i n g shy ness.
A t l a st she a sk ed , 'A r e y ou i n ou r l i ne of b u si ness?' 'In a w a y ,' he
sa i d , a n d not hi n g m or e, a nd Ch a r l o t t e t hou ght , H e's enj oy i n g
st r et chi n g ou t t he si l ences. A n d t hen, N o, he i sn 't , he's si m p l y b or ed .
H e d oesn't t hi nk I'm w or t h t a l k i ng t o, h e t hi nk s I'm a d u m b - b el l .
She w a s u sed t o m en go i n g m or e t ha n h a l f w a y t o m eet her ,
a l t hou g h she ha d coa xed r et i r i ng f ol k o u t of t hei r shel l s b ef or e. She
sw a l l ow ed . 'A r e y ou goi ng t o b e a r ou nd her e f or l on g?'
'Possi b l y .' H e d i d n 't sou n d p a r t i cu l a r l y b r u sq u e, a l t ho u gh he cou l d
ha r d l y h a v e b een m or e l a con i c.
'Tha t 's n i ce,' she sa i d , a n d t ho u ght , N ot her e, I hop e. N ot w her e
y ou a nd I a r e l i k el y t o m eet . 'Wher e d o y ou com e f r om ?' she a sk ed ,
a n d he sa i d , 'The Bl u e Boa r .'
Tha t w a s a l oca l hot el , he w a s m a k i n g a f ool of her , a nd she
w a nt ed t o sa y , 'Look , I d i d n 't i nv i t e y ou . It 's gi v i ng m e no p l ea su r e
si t t i ng her e t r y i ng t o ent er t a i n y ou . A nd a s y ou 'd ob v i ou sl y r a t her b e
a l one, good ni ght t o y ou .'
Wh a t she d i d sa y w a s, ' Wou l d y ou excu se m e, I w a nt t o ha v e a
w or d w i t h L u cy ?'
It w ou l d b e j u st b ef or e t h e cu r t a i n w a s d u e t o go u p i n t h e t hea t r e,
a n d she r a ng Jer em y . 'It 's Cha r l ot t e.'
'A ny t hi ng w r ong ?' H e p r esu m ed i t ha d t o b e a n em er gen cy , a n d i t
w a s i n a sm a l l w a y , a l t ho u gh she t r i ed t o l a u gh.
'I j u st need a conf i d ence b oost er . Ther e's t he m ost f r i ght f u l m a n
her e, m y f a t her 's a sk ed hi m t o d i n ner , a nd he m a k es m y t ongu e st i ck
t o t he r oof of m y m ou t h. Ev er y t hi ng I d o goes w r o ng. H e seem s t o b e
p a r a l y si n g m y cent r a l ner v ou s sy st em . Ther e a r e f ol k l i k e t h a t , a r en 't
t her e? A sor t of Dr a cu l a w i t hou t t he f a n gs.'
Jer em y l a u ghed . ' You ca n 't w i n 'em a l l .'
'I d on't w a nt t o w i n hi m !' she shr i ek ed . 'I j u st w a nt t o t a l k t o
som eb od y w ho t hi nk s I'm O.K. H e t hi nk s I'm a cr et i n.'
'You ' r e b ea u t i f u l a nd I l ov e y ou ,' sa i d Jer em y .
'Tha nk y ou , t ha nk y ou .' She w a s sm i l i n g now . Th i s ha d r ea l l y j u st
b een a n excu se t o t a l k t o Jer em y , b eca u se he w a s b ea u t i f u l a nd she
l ov ed hi m . 'Tha t shou l d get m e t hr ou gh t he ev eni ng,' she sa i d . ' Who i s
he?'
'I d on't k now r ea l l y . Som et hi ng t o d o w i t h b u si ness, o nl y m y f a t her
i sn't h er e a nd I'm st u ck w i t h hi m o n m y ow n f or now .' 'O l d cha p ?'
'Thi r t i es.'
'I t hi nk I'l l r i ng y ou l a t er ,' sa i d Jer em y . 'Ju st t o m a k e su r e t he f a n gs
ha v en 't d ev el op ed , b eca u se f r om w h a t I r em em b er of t he f i l m s
Dr a cu l a get s t he gi r l s.'
'N ot t hi s gi r l ,' she g u r gl ed . 'I ca n p r om i se y ou t ha t . I'm not t o hi s
t a st e.' 'I'l l st i l l r i ng.'
Tha t m i ght not b e a good i d ea t oni ght , not a f t er t hi s m or ni ng, not
u nt i l she ha d t a l k ed t o her f a t her . Bu t b y t he en d of d i n ner she co u l d
need a not her l i t t l e cha t w i t h Jer em y , so she sa i d , 'Bet t er i f I r i n g y ou .
Wh a t a r e y ou d oi ng a f t er t he show ?' ' Goi ng b a ck t o t he f l a t .'
She hea r d her f a t her ' s ca r a n d sa i d q u i ck l y , 'My f a t her 's hom e. I
w i l l r i ng y ou .'
'See y ou d o. I d on 't l i k e t he sou n d of Dr a cu l a .' ' You t hi nk I d o?' She
w a s st i l l sm i l i n g w hen she h u r r i ed ou t si d e. H er f a t her d i d n 't see her
r i ght a w a y . The t w o r et r i ev er s ha d d a sh ed ou t t o w el com e hi m , a n d
a l t hou g h he st op p ed t o p a t t hem , t her e w a s no exu b er a nce i n h i s
m ov em ent s. H e w a s a n a t hl et i c m a n. H e p l a y ed go l f , t en ni s, a n
occa si o na l ga m e of sq u a sh, b u t t oni ght he seem ed t o Cha r l ot t e t o b e
m ov i ng sl ow l y a s he ca m e a cr oss t he co u r t y a r d f r om t he g a r a ges.
She w ent t o m eet hi m f eel i ng g u i l t y . H e w a s t i r ed . H e ha d ha d a
l ong d a y . Cha r l ot t e sa i d , ' H el l o, l ov e,' a nd sl i p p ed her ha nd t hr ou g h
hi s a r m . 'A m I gl a d t o see y ou ?
A u nt Lu cy w i l l b e t oo, y ou k now how she i s a b ou t m ea l s get t i ng
sp oi l ed .'
'I'm not t ha t l a t e, su r el y .'
'You 'v e j u st m a d e i t .'
'You 'v e m et Sa u l ?'
'Er y es.' She w o u l d ha v e l i k ed t o get a f ew m or e d et a i l s a b ou t t he
m a n, b u t her f a t her w a s hu r r y i ng now , t el l i ng her , 'I'l l b e w i t h y ou i n
f i v e m i nu t es. You j u st k eep hi m ent er t a i ned .'
Br i ng on t he d a nci n g gi r l s, she t hou g h t . She sa i d , 'H e i sn 't ea sy
com p a ny .'
A t t he b ot t om of t he st a i r s her f a t her sa i d , 'Ju st t a l k t o hi m , t her e's
a good gi r l ,' a n d r eb el l i on st i r r ed i n her .
'I d on't t hi nk h e w a nt s t o t a l k t o m e. H e t hi nk s I'm r a t her st u p i d .'
'Onl y i n som e m a t t er s,' sa i d her f a t h er , a nd sm i l ed , p a t t i ng her
cheek , a n d she t hou ght , I'm f or gi v en f or t hi s m or n i n g, b u t he m ea nt
i t . N ot j u st a b o u t not hel p i n g t he t hea t r e b u t a b ou t Jer em y .
'A b ou t t hi s m or n i n g' she b ega n.
'Sor r y ,' he sa i d . 'The a nsw er 's t he sa m e.' H e d i d n't gi v e her t i m e t o
exp l a i n t h a t she h a d w a nt ed t o a p ol o gi se. She h a d ha r d l y exp ect ed
hi m t o cha nge hi s m i n d , j u st l i k e t h a t , b u t she w ou l d ha v e t o p r ov e
hi m w r on g.
H er hea r t t ol d h er t ha t Jer em y w a s t he m a n f or her , j u st a s su r el y
a s her ner v es j a ng l ed w hen she w a s nea r Sa u l La u r enso n. A s soon a s
she op ened t he d r a w i n g r oom d oor , a n d sa w hi m si t t i n g w her e she'd
l ef t hi m , she f el t t h a t t i ght en i n g i n her t h r oa t .
'You 'v e ha d y ou r w or d w i t h L u cy ?' H i s v oi ce w a s p l ea sa nt enou g h,
d eep a n d cr i sp ; a n d w ha t w i t h t he p h one ca l l a nd t a l k i ng t o her
f a t her she ha d b een a w a y q u i t e a t i m e. She w ou l d ha v e sm i l ed a t
a l m ost a ny ot her m a n a n d a sk ed , 'Di d y ou m i ss m e?' She sa i d t o Sa u l ,
'My f a t her 's h er e.' Then she sa t d ow n a nd w a i t ed t o see i f he w ou l d
sa y a ny t h i n g.
A t t hi s t i m e of ev eni ng t her e w a s h a r d l y a ny sou nd . It w a s t oo
ea r l y f or t he ni ght cr ea t u r es a n d t he d a y b i r d s h a d st op p ed
t w i t t er i ng. Ver y l i t t l e t r a f f i c ca m e d o w n t hi s r oa d , b u t Cha r l ot t e
hea r d t he gr a n d f a t her cl ock st r i k e i n t he h a l l , a n d a d oor sh u t
som ew her e.
It seem ed hou r s, si t t i ng t her e, a l t hou gh i t w a s i n f a ct r a t her l ess
t ha n t w o m i nu t es, b ef or e her ner v e cr a ck ed a n d she j u m p ed u p a n d
a sk ed , ' Wou l d y ou m i n d i f I t u r ned o n t he t el ev i si on? It 's one of m y
f a v ou r i t e p r ogr a m m es.' 'N ot a t a l l .'
It w ou l d gi v e her som et hi ng t o l i st en t o, a n d som et hi ng el se t o l ook
a t , b eca u se i t w a s h a r d t o si t a l one i n y o u r ow n d r a w i n g r oom w i t h a
st r a nge m a n w i t hou t l ook i n g a t hi m . H e w a s t a l l a nd l ea n, d a r k
cr escent - sha p ed ey eb r ow s, a q u i l i n e nose, sl i ght l y su nk en cheek s. If he
ha d b een w ea r i n g a b l a ck cl oa k , sca r l et - l i ned , ov er t ha t d a r k su i t , he
w ou l d ha v e m a d e a ch i l l i n gl y sa t u r ni ne Dr a cu l a . H e ha d t he m ou t h
f or i t t oo, st r ong a nd sensu a l , a nd t h a t w a s w hen she sw i t ched on t he
TV.
She f ou n d her sel f w i t h a choi ce b et w een f oot b a l l , a hea v i l y sl a nt ed
p ol i t i ca l p r o gr a m m e, a n d a n ol d West er n, a n d st a y ed w i t h t he
m ov i e. Gu ns w er e b l a zi ng a w a y w hen h er f a t her ca m e i nt o t he r oom
a n d a sk ed , 'Is a ny b o d y w a t ch i n g t hi s?
'I'm a Cl i nt Ea st w ood f a n,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e. 'I d i d n't k now t ha t ,' sa i d
her f a t her . H e t u r ned of f t he t el ev i si on, a p ol og i si ng f or d el a y i ng
d i n ner , a n d hop ed t h a t Cha r l ot t e ha d b een ent er t a i n i n g t he g u est .
'Yes i nd eed ,' sa i d Sa u l La u r enso n, a nd she t hou ght , A ci r cu s a ct
a n d a st r i p - t ea se, w ha t m or e cou l d y o u a sk ? Th i s w a s p a r t of her
d u t i es, p r ov i d i ng t he w om a nl y t ou ch i n h er f a t her 's hom e, a n d
u su a l l y sh e enj oy ed i t . B u t Sa u l La u r enson m a d e her f eel cl u m sy a n d
st u p i d , so t h a t she cou l d ha r d l y d i sh u p w i t hou t cl a t t er i ng sp oo ns a nd
she onl y j u st a v oi d ed sp i l l i n g her w i ne, f i n ger i ng t he st em of her gl a ss.
A u nt Lu cy a t e w i t h t hem i n t he ev en i n gs i f i t w a s o nl y Cha r l ot t e
a n d her f a t her , or i f t he g u est s w er e ol d f r i en d s. Bu t t oni g ht she ca m e
i n a nd l ef t t he f ood , a nd Geor gy ed g ed i n w i t h her , r ea l i sed t he
st r a nger w a s st i l l her e, y el p ed a n d sho t of f ; a nd f or t he f i r st t i m e
Cha r l ot t e f el t a r ea l a f f i ni t y w i t h hi m . Th a t w a s w ha t she w ou l d ha v e
l i k ed t o d oy el p a n d r u n.
It w a s a su l t r y ev eni n g. It w ou l d ha v e b een n i ce i f t hey cou l d h a v e
op ened t he w i n d ow s w i d e, b u t t ha t w ou l d h a v e b r o u ght t he m ot hs
f l u t t er i ng i n, a nd Sa u l L a u r enso n cer t a i n l y seem ed cool enou g h.
Cha r l ot t e ha d t o a d m i t t ha t h e w a s a st r i k i ng m a n, b u t j u st l ook i ng
a t hi m m a d e her f eel u ncom f or t a b l e.
She f ou n d i t a l m ost i m p ossi b l e t o j oi n i n t he conv er sa t i o n. H e a n d
her f a t her seem ed t o k now ea ch ot her w el l , a l t hou g h she ha d n ev er
hea r d of hi m b ef or e. It w a sn 't 'shop ' t a l k , i t w a s m ost l y a b ou t l oca l
p r op er t i es t ha t w er e f or sa l e. It seem ed t ha t La u r enso n w a s
consi d er i ng b u y i ng a ho u se r ou nd her e.
H er f a t her t r i ed t o d r a w her i nt o t he t a l k . 'You k now t he b l a ck -
a n d - w h i t e hou se d ow n b y t he r i v er i n Ti d d i n gt on,' h e' d sa y . 'Th a t 's
com i ng on t he m a r k et .' Bu t a p a r t f r om sa y i ng, 'I t hi nk I k now t he
one y ou m ea n. It seem s v er y a t t r a ct i v e,' she w a s st r u ck d u m b , a nd
she k new i t w a s b eca u se she w a s sca r ed of m a k i ng a f ool of her sel f
a ga i n i f she op ened her m ou t h.
H e w a s so m a d d eni ngl y su p er i or . Oh, he sou nd ed a m u si ng a n d
cha r m i ng, t her e w a s not hi ng p a t r o ni si n g a b ou t hi s m a nn er , b u t she
w ou l d ha v e st a k ed her l i f e t ha t h e w a s exp ect i n g her t o b eh a v e l i k e
a n i d i ot . H e w a i t ed f or her t o sp ea k , w h en h er f a t h er a d d r essed her ,
a n d t he w or d s d i ed o n h er l i p s. A l l t h r ou gh t he m ea l she of f er ed no
m or e t ha n a m u r m u r or a b r i ef sent en ce. She nev er sa i d a ny t hi n g
i nf or m a t i v e or f u n ny or ev en ha l f - w a y b r i ght .
A nd she k new t ha t her f a t her w a s d i sa p p oi nt ed i n her . H e t hou ght
she w a s su l k i ng. She nev er ha d su l k ed , b u t not hi ng h a d ev er b een
d en i ed her b ef or e, a n d she ha d a hea d a che b u i l d i n g u p . Tha t w a s
a not her r a r e occu r r ence f or her . It m u st b e som et hi n g t o d o w i t h t h e
t hu n d er i n t he a i r , b u t t he b a ck of her n eck w a s st i f f a n d t en d er a n d
sha r p l i t t l e d a r t s w er e st a b b i n g h er ey es. So t ha t f r om t i m e t o t i m e
she l ook ed a w a y f r om t he t a b l e, a n d t he t w o m en sea t ed t her e,
t r y i ng t o st i l l t he m ou nt i ng t em p o of p a i n.
It d i d n't h el p m u ch a nd , a s Lu cy b r o u gh t i n t he d esser t , Cha r l ot t e
sa i d , 'Wo u l d i t b e t er r i b l y r u d e i f I sa i d good n i ght t o y ou b ot h, b u t I
d o h a v e t hi s sp l i t t i ng hea d a ch e?' H er f a t her l ook ed su r p r i sed , he
p r ob a b l y d i d n 't b el i ev e her , a nd she m u t t er ed a p ol oget i ca l l y , 'It 's
t r u eI d o. I t hi nk t her e' s goi ng t o b e a st or m .'
Ou t si d e t he d i n i n g r oom A u nt Lu cy sa i d , ' You d o l ook a b i t
w a shed ou t ,' a n d Ch a r l ot t e f a n ned her sel f w i t h her ha nd .
'Tha t w a s o ne of t h e w or st m ea l s I h a v e ev er sa t t h r ou g h. Oh, not
y ou r cook i ng, l ov e, t he f ood w a s d el i ci ou s, b u t Mr Sa u l La u r en son
gi v es m e a cu t e i n d i gest i on!' 'Th a t 's a p i t y ,' sa i d A u nt Lu cy . 'Beca u se
he'l l b e sp o i l i ng y ou r b r ea k f a st a s w el l . H e's st a y i n g t he ni ght .'
'N ob o d y t ol d m e.' Bu t her f a t her ha d t ol d A u nt Lu cy a nd t her e
w a s a l w a y s a gu est r oom r ea d y , a n d a l t hou g h t he Bl u e Boa r w a s
onl y f i v e m i l es a w a y i t w a s n ev er w i se t o d r i v e a n d d r i nk . Bu t
Cha r l ot t e w a nt ed hi m ou t of t he hou se. She sa i d , 'W el l , I'l l h a v e m y
b r ea k f a st i n t he k i t chen. H a v e y ou got a ny a sp i r i ns?'
The a sp i r i ns st op p ed i t get t i ng w or se. She l a y on her b ed , f u l l y
d r essed w i t h her ey es cl osed , t r y i ng t o r el a x f or a w hi l e. She i m a gi ned
her sel f a t t he t hea t r e, w a t ch i n g Jer em y . She ha d seen sev er a l
r ehea r sa l s a nd she ha d a goo d m em or y , she cou l d r em em b er m ost of
t he scr i p t , so she w ent ov er Jer em y 's sp eeches i n her hea d , a n d t hen
she d a y d r ea m ed her sel f goi n g b a ck t o hi s f l a t w i t h hi m , w a l k i ng
ha n d i n ha nd t h r ou g h t he w a r m d a r k n i ght .
The f l a t w a s not h i n g sp eci a l . It w a s ov er a f i sh a nd ch i p shop a n d
he sh a r ed i t w i t h a not her a ct or , a n d o nce he h a d sa i d , ' Wou l d n 't i t b e
f a nt a st i c i f I cou l d b e com i ng hom e t o y ou a t ni ght s? If w e ha d a l i t t l e
p l a ce, t he t w o of u s.'
They ha d onl y b een t a l k i ng nonsense, b u t som et i m es si nce t hen
Cha r l ot t e h a d seen a p a r t m ent s or sm a l l hou ses a d v er t i sed , or p a ssed
For Sa l e not i ces, a nd t hou g ht , I w i sh I w a s t he k i nd of gi r l w ho co u l d
j u st m ov e i n l i k e t ha t a nd set u p hom e w i t h a m a n. Som e d a y she
m i ght , b u t r i ght now i t w a s a l l d r ea m i n g.
She g a v e Jer em y t i m e t o get b a ck t o t he f l a t , t hen she r a n g hi m
a n d he a n sw er ed a t on ce. 'A ny si g n of t h e f a ng s?' h e a sk ed .
'I'm t hi nk i ng of goi ng i n f or a b l ood cou nt i n t he m or ni n g. H e
d r a i ns m e.'
'You k now , I f i nd t ha t h a r d t o b el i ev e.'
Cha r l ot t e w a s a v i v i d p er so na l i t y , a n ext r ov er t . Sa u l La u r enson
w a s t he f i r st m a n she h a d m et w ho ha d gi v en her a n i nf er i or i t y
com p l ex, b u t now she sa i d w i st f u l l y , 'I w i sh y ou cou l d get ov er her e
f or a n ho u r or t w o. Bel i ev e i t or not , I'm i n u r gent need of su p p or t .'
If she d r ov e a w a y som eone i n t he hou se w ou l d p r ob a b l y hea r her
ca r , or she w o u l d ha v e go ne b ef or e now . 'I'm on m y w a y ,' sa i d
Jer em y , 'b u t how 's y ou r ol d m a n goi ng t o r ecei v e m e?'
'Don't com e t o t he hou se. Dr i v e d ow n t he t r a ck a n d p a r k on t he
v er ge a n d w a l k ov er t o t he p a t i o. I'l l b e w a i t i n g f or y ou .'
'On m y w a y ,' he sa i d a g a i n.
Cha r l ot t e l ef t Geor gy i n her b ed r oom , w her e he sl ep t on t he r u g
b esi d e her b ed . Sh e cou l d d o w i t hou t h i m p a ni ck i n g a t sh a d ow s i n
t he ga r d en, a n d she cr ep t d ow n t he b a ck st a i r s a nd o u t of t he hou se.
The ot her d o gs w er e i n t he k i t chen. So, p r ob a b l y , w a s A u nt Lu cy . Th e
m en w er e m ost l i k el y i n t he d r a w i n g r oom w her e her f a t her w ou l d
b e p u f f i ng a w a y on a ci ga r , a l t hou g h h i s ol d f r i en d a nd d o ct or ha d
w a r ned h i m t o cu t d ow n hi s sm ok i ng. 'If i t 's r ea ched t he st a ge w her e
a m a n ca n't en j oy a q u i et ci g a r ,' h er f a t her w ou l d sa y , 'w e'v e
r ea ch ed a p r et t y p a ss,' a n d Dr Bu ck st o n w ou l d si gh a nd sha k e hi s
hea d a s her f a t her cu t t he en d of f a not h er H a v a na .
Cha r l ot t e w ond er ed w ha t t hey w er e t a l k i ng a b ou t a nd hu r r i ed
u nt i l t he t r ees shi el d ed her f r om t he d r a w i ng r oom w i n d ow s, b eca u se
she w a s su d d en l y sca r ed t ha t Sa u l L a u r enso n m i ght b e st a n d i ng
w her e he co u l d see t he l a w ns, a n d p i ck ou t her w hi t e d r ess i n t he
m oonl i ght . She d i d n't f eel sa f e u nt i l she w a s w el l i nt o t he t r ees.
Then she sa t i n t he l i t t l e su m m er hou se, w a i t i n g f or Jer em y , a nd i t
w a s a l l v er y r om a nt i c. Thi s h a d p r ob a b l y ha p p ened t o ot her gi r l s i n
her f a m i l y , a n d t o gi r l s w ho ha d w or k ed i n t he ho u se i n t he ol d d a y s.
Som et i m es t he m oon m a d e ev er y t hi ng b r i g ht a s d a y , i ncl u d i ng t he
m a r b l e hou nd - d o g a n d t h e l u m p y l i t t l e concr et e p ek e. A t ot her t i m e
w hen cl ou d s h i d t he m oo n t he n i g ht w a s sha d ow ed a n d m y st er i ou s.
She hea r d t he sou n d of t he ca r engi ne a n d w ent t o m eet Jer em y
a cr oss t he f i el d , r u n ni ng b eca u se she r ea l l y d i d need hi s r ea ssu r a nce.
The f or ce of her gr eet i ng f l a t t er ed a nd su r p r i sed hi m . H e w r a p p ed hi s
a r m s a r ou n d her , a nd a sk ed , 'H ey , w ha t i s a l l t hi s? You 'r e r ea l l y
sha k en, a r en't y ou ?'
H e l ook ed v er y l i k e t he her o of a r om a nce, t a l l , a n d h a n d som e,
a n d she sa i d , 'I'm j u st so g l a d t o see y ou . I'm not sh a k en, I j u st ha d t o
get a w a y .'
They w a l k ed b a ck t o t he l i t t l e su m m er hou se, a r m s a r ou n d ea ch
ot her 's w a i st s, a nd Jer em y t ol d her how t he p er f or m a nce ha d go ne
t oni ght . The g i r l p l a y i n g Phoeb e h a d f l u f f ed her l i nes a ga i n, b u t he
ha d ca r r i ed o n, get t i ng r ou nd t h e i m p a sse, a n d Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'Oh,
y ou 'r e so cl ev er , y ou 'r e f a r a n d a w a y t he b est t hey 'v e got .'
H e a gr eed w i t h her . 'Bl ess y ou ,' he sa i d . ' Bu t w ha t a b o u t t hi s m a n,
w ha t 's he b een d oi ng t o m y gi r l ?'
'N ot hi ng a t a l l , b u t w hen he l ook s a t m e I w a nt t o d o a Geor gy
a n d r u n.'
Jer em y cu p p ed her f a ce w i t h h i s h a n d s, l ook i ng d ow n a t h er .
'You ' r e not u su a l l y so i m p r essi o na b l e. Yo u d on 't f a n cy hi m , d o y ou ?'
She g a v e a m u t ed shr i ek . 'N ev er i n a m i l l i on y ea r s!'
'Tha t 's a l l r i g ht , t hen. Oh God , y ou 'r e so b ea u t i f u l .' H i s v oi ce
t hr ob b ed , j u st l i k e i t d i d on t h e st a ge, a nd he st a r t ed k i ssi ng her . A s
hi s l i p s f ea t her ed a cr oss her ch eek b o nes, a n d she f el t her sel f m el t i ng
d el i r i ou sl y , she su d d enl y w on d er ed how Sa u l L a u r enso n w ou l d m a k e
l ov e.
She ha d no i d ea w her e t ha t t hou g ht ca m e f r om , b u t i t a ct ed l i k e
col d w a t er o n her em ot i on a l r esp o nses, so t ha t she k i ssed Jer em y
b a ck p r et t y b r i sk l y a n d t hen sa i d , 'I w a s t hi nk i ng i t m i ght not b e a
b a d i d ea i f y ou ca m e a l on g f or a m ea l . On Su n d a y p er h a p s, i f y ou 'v e
not hi n g el se on. I k now m y f a t her 's goi n g t o l i k e y ou once he get s t o
k now y ou a n d ov er A u nt Lu cy 's cook i ng he's u su a l l y i n a m el l ow
m ood .'
'Wel l , I'm p r ep a r ed t o p u t m y sel f ou t .' Jer em y gr i n ned , i n
d i sa r m i n gl y b oy i sh f a sh i on. 'It m a t t er s t o y ou , d oesn 't i t ?'
'H i m l i k i n g y ou ? Of cou r se i t d oes, I'd ha t e t o hu r t hi m .'
'Look , sw eet hea r t ,' he st r ok ed t he t u m b l i n g w a v es of her ha i r ,
'su p p ose w e d on 't w i n hi m r ou n d r i ch m en w i t h gor geou s d a u ght er s
ca n b e v er y p i ghea d ed a n d su p p ose w e d i d d eci d e t o g i v e m a r r i a ge
a t r y , how d o y ou t h i nk he' d r ea ct i n t he l ong r u n?'
Thi s w a s t he f i r st t i m e t hey h a d sp ok en of m a r r i a ge. It t hr i l l ed her ,
hea r i ng Jer em y sa y t he w or d , b u t a t t h e sa m e t i m e she d i d n 't t a k e
t he b l a t a nt hi nt b eca u se t hi s w a s a l l su p p osi ng. A nd t hey w ou l d w i n
her f a t her r ou n d , so t her e w a s no need t o r u sh i nt o a ny t hi ng. She
sa i d , 'Com e t o l u n ch o n Su nd a y a nd l et 's st a r t f r om t her e.'
'It 's a d a t e.' H e d r ew her cl ose a n d k i ssed her a g a i n, a nd sh e k i ssed
hi m t oo a n d t hou ght how m u ch she l ov ed h i m a n d how b ea u t i f u l i t
w a s ou t her e. Then she hea r d Tr i a b a r k i ng a nd com i n g cl oser a n d
st i f f ened i n Jer em y 's em b r a ce.
'The d ogs a r e ou t .'
'So?' h e sa i d . 'You d o m ea n y ou r ho u seho l d p et s, d on't y ou ?'
'Tr i a a n d W i l b u r . Bu t m y f a t her 's p r ob a b l y st r ol l i ng a r ou nd w i t h
t hem he of t en d oes. I d on't w a nt hi m f i nd i ng y ou h er e. I sa i d I ha d a
hea d a che a n d I w a s goi ng t o b ed .'
'H eck , no,' Jer em y a g r eed , a n d l ook ed a r ou nd f or som e
concea l m ent . The ob v i ou s t hi n g t o d o w a s t o hi d e b et w een t he t r ees,
b u t Cha r l ot t e a d d ed , 'I'd b et t er w a l k b a ck t o t he ho u se w i t h h i m .
The d ogs a r e goi ng t o m a k e f or m e, t hey 'l l f i n d m e, a n d I ca n a l w a y s
sa y I ca m e ou t f or a b r ea t h of a i r , b u t h e i sn't goi n g t o l ea v e m e her e
w i t hou t get t i ng su sp i ci ou s.'
'W ha t i f t he d ogs m a k e f or m e?'
The b a r k i n g w a s get t i ng nea r er a l l t he t i m e. She sa i d , 'Yo u ' d
b et t er go, I'l l see y ou l u ncht i m e t om or r ow . They w ou l d n 't h u r t y ou ,
t hey 'r e t w o ol d sof t i es, b u t i t m i ght b e a w k w a r d .'
'It w ou l d .' Jer em y w ent w i t ho u t k i ssi ng her goo d b y e, a l t hou gh he
d i d w hi sp er , 'I l ov e y ou ,' a s he h u r r i ed of f . Tha t w a s t he sensi b l e t h i n g
t o d o, i t w a s w h a t sh e h a d su ggest ed h er sel f , so i t w a s u nr ea so na b l e
of her t o f eel t h a t he cou l d ha r d l y h a v e m ov ed f a st er i f Tr i a a n d
Wi l b u r ha d b een a co u p l e of b l ood ho u n d s.
She st a y ed w her e she w a s u nt i l t he t w o r et r i ev er s ca m e w i t h
sw i shi ng t a i l s i nt o t he cl ea r i ng of t he p a t i o, t hen sh e w a l k ed ou t of
t he su m m er hou se t ow a r d s t hem a s t hey b ou nd ed u p . 'H el l o, y ou
t w o,' she sa i d .
Cl ou d s w er e p a r t l y ob scu r i ng t he m oon , b u t her f a t her w a s w i t h
t he d ogs. She cou l d n't h ea r hi m , b u t she cou l d see t h e sh a p e of a
m a n t hr ou gh t he t r ees, a n d su d d enl y i t w ent d a r k er st i l l a n d a l i t t l e
col d b r eeze t ou ched her , a nd she ca l l ed , ' Fa t her ?'
It ha d b een l ov el y d ow n h er e, a s sa f e a s t he hou se, a n d Tr i a a n d
Wi l b u r w er e snu f f l i ng ca r ef r ee, b u t a s Sa u l La u r enso n st ep p ed ou t
Cha r l ot t e's hea r t m i ssed a co u p l e of b ea t s. H e seem ed t o b e p a r t of
t he d a r k n ess, a n d h e m ov ed l i k e a p a nt her . H e w a s a l one, her f a t her
w a sn 't b ehi nd h i m , a n d her hea r t w a s m a k i ng u p f or l ost b ea t s a nd
goi n g so f a st a n d ha r d t h a t she cou l d f eel i t t hu m p i ng i n si d e her . She
t hou ght , I sha l l chok e. She t hou g ht , If he t ou ches m e I sha l l r u n
scr ea m i ng a l l t he w a y b a ck t o t he hou se.
'H ea d a che b et t er ?' he enq u i r ed .
'W ha t ?' She ha d b een i n t w o m i n d s w het her t o d o d ge p a st hi m
a n d m a k e a b r ea k f or i t w i t hou t sa y i n g a w or d . Tha t w a s how h e
p a ni ck ed her , a nd w h a t a f ool she w ou l d ha v e b een i f she ha d . 'M u ch
b et t er , t ha nk y ou ,' she sa i d , h er v oi ce cl i p p ed b u t cont r ol l ed .
The cl ou d f l oa t ed cl ea r a n d m oonl i ght st r ea m ed d ow n, a nd she
w a s consci ou s of her ow n d i shev el m ent . H er ha i r w a s f a l l i ng a l l ov er
t he p l a ce, f or o ne t hi ng, a n d one of her shou l d er st r a p s ha d sl i p p ed
a n d she w a s b r ea t hi ng f a st . The sou nd of a ca r engi ne st a r t i ng u p
w a s l ou d i n t he si l ence, a n d Sa u l La u r enson sa i d g r a v el y , 'Su r p r i si ng
w ha t t he ni g ht a i r ca n d o.'
H e k new she h a d n 't b een ou t her e a l one. H e t hou ght t ha t
hea d a che h a d b een a n excu se, w h i ch i t ha d , a l t hou gh i t ha d b een
r ea l enou g h a nd i f she d i d n 't get a w a y f r om hi m i t w ou l d b e b a ck i n
f u l l f or ce. She sa i d , 'Isn't i t ?' a n d ca l l ed t o t he d ogs a n d a l m ost r a n
b a ck t o t he hou se.
Wher e w a s her f a t her ? N ot onl y d i d Sa u l La u r enso n h a v e t he r u n
of t he hou se, he ha d t he r u n of t he ga r d ens t oo, i t seem ed , a nd he
ha d chosen j u st t ha t m om ent t o st r ol l i n t he d i r ect i o n of t he p a t i o
a n d m a k e her l ook a f ool f or t he t hi r d t i m e. H e cer t a i n l y h a d a
t a l ent f or b ei n g w her e she d i d n't w a nt h i m t o b e, a nd a s soon a s she
w ok e next m or ni ng she t hou ght , Tod a y I' m k eep i ng ou t of hi s w a y .
H e ha d st a y ed t he ni ght , b u t of cou r se he w ou l d b e l ea v i n g a f t er
b r ea k f a st , a nd w hen she got her f a t her a l o ne she w o u l d exp l a i n. It
ha d n ev er h a p p ened b ef or e, she a l w a y s got on w el l w i t h p eop l e, so
she cou l d su r el y sa y , 'Ju st t h i s on ce, j u st t hi s m a nI d o n't w a nt t o b e
a r ou n d i f he's com i ng her e a g a i n.'
She w a s u su a l l y d ow nst a i r s not m u ch a f t er A u nt Lu cy . A u nt Lu cy
w a s a na t u r a l l y ea r l y r i ser , w ho cou l d n 't b e p er su a d ed t o l i e i n. 'Best
t i m e of t he d a y ,' she' d sa y , b u st l i ng a r o u n d a t sev en o 'cl ock ; w h i ch
i nd eed i t p r ob a b l y i s i n t he su m m er , b u t ev en on d a r k w i nt er
m or ni n gs she w a s u p a nd a b ou t . To m a k e u p f or t hi s she t en d ed t o
nod i n f r ont of t he TV a f t er t en o'cl o ck a t ni g ht , b u t u nt i l t he t en
o'cl ock new s sh e w a s i n d ef a t i ga b l e.
Thi s m or n i n g Ch a r l ot t e w a i t ed u nt i l she hea r d a ca r l ea v e, b ef or e
she ca m e d ow n t he b a ck st a i r s i nt o t he k i t chen a nd a sk ed , 'Is t he
coa st cl ea r ?'
'If y ou m ea n Mr La u r enso n,' sa i d A u nt Lu cy , 't h a t w a s h i m j u st
now . You r f a t her ha sn't go ne y et , t hou g h. I t hi nk he's w a i t i n g f or y ou .
H e's si t t i n g a l on g t i m e ov er hi s b r ea k f a st , b u t he i sn 't ea t i n g m u ch.'
H er f a t her w a s st i l l a t t he t a b l e, w i t h a new sp a p er op en, a nd ha l f
a cu p of cof f ee a t hi s el b ow . The t oa st r a ck seem ed u nt ou ched a nd
he d i d n't u su a l l y l i nger ov er b r ea k f a st , so Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'Sor r y I'm
l a t e.'
'You m i ssed ou r gu est ,' sa i d h er f a t her r ep r oa chf u l l y .
'I k now .' Sh e p ou r ed her sel f cof f ee a n d w r i nk l ed her nose a nd t r i ed
t o m a k e hi m sm i l e. 'Bu t a f t er d i n ner I d i d n't m u ch f a n cy h a v i n g
b r ea k f a st w i t h hi m .'
'W ha t ev er got i nt o y ou l a st ni ght ?' H er f a t her w a sn't sm i l i ng, a n d
she sa t o n t he t a b l e's ed ge a n d t ook a g u l p of cof f ee b ef or e she t r i ed
t o exp l a i n.
'I d on't l i k e h i m . H e b ot her s m e. I seem t o b eha v e l i k e a n i d i ot
w hen he's a r ou nd . Di d he t el l y ou I j u m p ed t he hed ge w hen he w a s
d r i v i n g u p t he t r a ck a n d nea r l y l a n d ed o n hi s ca r ?'
'N o, h e d i d n't t el l m e.' She cou l d h a v e m a d e a f u n ny st or y of t ha t ,
a n d a f u nni er o ne a b ou t com i ng i n f r o m su n b a t hi ng a nd l osi ng her
b r a , a nd u su a l l y i t t ook ha r d l y a ny t hi n g t o m a k e her f a t her chu ck l e.
Bu t t hi s m or ni ng hi s f a ce w a s set i n hea v y l i nes, so t ha t she
i nst i n ct i v el y w ent t o sm oot h t he f r ow n f r om hi s f or ehea d .
'I d on't ha v e t o b e f r i end s w i t h hi m , d o I?' she w heed l ed , st r ok i ng
hi s b r ow . 'I d on 't ha v e t o see hi m . Su r el y t her e's no r ea so n I shou l d b e
a r ou n d i f he com es h er e a ga i n.'
'Si t d ow n,' sa i d her f a t h er . H e gest u r ed a t a cha i r , a nd Ch a r l ot t e
sa t d ow n a b r u p t l y b eca u se h er k nees st a r t ed t o gi v e w hen he w ent
on, 'A n d I'l l t el l y ou a v er y good r ea son w hy y ou a nd I w i l l b e seei n g a
v er y gr ea t d ea l of Sa u l L a u r enso n i n t he f u t u r e.'

CHAPTER THREE


When her f a t her sa i d , 'Mo ney ,' Ch a r l ot t e w a sn't su r p r i sed . She ha d
k now n t h a t Sa u l La u r enso n's p r esence her e ha d som et hi ng t o d o
w i t h t he b u si ness, b u t w hen her f a t her w ent on, 'The Li t t l e Thea t r e
i sn't t he onl y p l a ce f eel i n g t he p i nch t hese d a y s,' she excl a i m ed
i ncr ed u l ou sl y , ' N ot u s?'
'W hy not u s? We'r e i n a l u xu r y t r a d e a n d l u xu r i es a r e get t i n g hi t .'
Col i n Du n scom b e's v oi ce w a s hea v i l y i r oni c. 'Th er e's no d i v i ne
i nt er v ent i on f or j ew el l er s.'
Cha r l ot t e k new not hi ng a b ou t t he f i n a nci a l si d e of Du nscom b es,
b u t she t ook p r osp er i t y f or g r a nt ed . Thei r l i f e- st y l e h a d a l w a y s b een
l u xu r i ou s a n d t her e h a d b een no si gn t ha t i t w a s a b ou t t o ch a nge.
Bu t she k new i n her b on es t ha t Sa u l La u r enson w a s no or d i n a r y m a n,
no or d i n a r y v i si t or . When he w a s nea r sh e f el t t hr ea t ened . She a sk ed
now , 'H ow d oes h e com e i nt o i t ?'
'H e's a r i ch m a n,' sa i d her f a t her . 'A nd a v er y a st u t e one. We need
hi s b a ck i ng, m y l ov e, I d on't w a nt y ou a n t a goni si n g hi m .'
She ha d n 't b een t he a nt a gon i ser . She w a s t he one w ho ha d t o get
ou t of t he r oom b eca u se he w a s gi v i ng her a hea d a che. She a sk ed ,
'H ow l o ng h a v e y ou k now n hi m ?' ' Som e t i m e.' 'B u t not a s a p er son a l
f r i end . N ot cl ose. H e's nev er b een her e.'
'N o, b u t now he's i nt er est ed i n t he b u si ness a nd he's co nsi d er i ng
b u y i n g a hou se i n t h e Cot sw ol d s.'
The Cot sw ol d s cov er ed a w i d e a r ea . H e m i ght l i v e m i l es a w a y ,
t hei r p a t hs m i ght nev er cr oss. Bu t i f he b eca m e i nv ol v ed i n
Du nscom b es i t cou l d b e a d i f f er ent m a t t er ; a nd i f he w a s hou se-
hu nt i ng her e i t l ook ed a s t hou gh he i nt end ed k eep i ng a n ey e on a ny
i nv est m ent .
'Is he m a r r i ed ?' She h a d n't a sk ed b ef or e, a l t hou gh i t w a s a
q u est i on t h a t u su a l l y ca m e u p soo n a f t er m eet i ng a ny one, w het her
y ou w er e i nt er est ed i n t he r ep l y or not .
She co u l d i m a gi ne hi m w i t h a hi g h f a shi on w i f e, som eb od y v er y
el ega nt . N o, she t hou ght a t once, I ca n't . Wi t h gi r l - f r i en d s, b u t not a
w i f e. I d on't b el i ev e he's a m a n w ho w ou l d com m i t hi m sel f t o one
w om a n.
'H e i sn't m a r r i ed ,' sa i d her f a t her .
'I d on't k now w hy I a sk ed y ou t ha t . I r ea l l y d o n't w a nt t o k now
a ny t hi ng a b o u t hi m .' She j u m p ed f r om her p er ch o n t he t a b l e's ed ge
a n d b ega n t o p a ce a r ou nd t he r oom , ner v ou s a s a ca t i n st r a n ge
su r r ou n d i ngs. 'I nev er m et a ny b od y b ef or e t ha t I d i sl i k ed so m u ch,
a n d now y ou t el l m e I'v e got t o m a k e u p t o hi m . You k now , I d o n't
t hi nk I ca n d o t h a t . I f eel so ed gy w hen I'm nea r hi m t ha t I k now i f I
op en m y m ou t h I sha l l sa y som et hi n g i d i ot i c.
'If y ou w a nt hi m t o i nv est i n t he b u si ness a n d he w a nt s t o t ha t 's
sp l en d i d , I su p p ose, b u t I d on't r ea l l y w a nt t o see hi m a ga i n. I d on't
su p p ose I m a d e m u ch of a n i m p r essi o n on hi m l a st n i ght , b u t he
m a d e a b i g i m p r essi on on m e. Ju st si t t i ng a t t he sa m e t a b l e- w i t h
hi m g a v e m e a hea d a chel i k e t hu n d er i n t he a i r , y ou k now , b ef or e
a st or m .'
'Don't ov er - d r a m a t i se.' H er f a t her sou nd ed w ea r y a n d she w a s
p i l i ng on t h e a go ny . 'Yo u 'r e get t i ng b a d ha b i t s f r om y ou r t hea t r i ca l
f r i end s. A l l I'm a sk i ng y ou t o d o i s b eha v e i n a ci v i l i sed f a shi o n. You
w er e su l k i n g l i k e a ch i l d l a st n i ght . I'v e nev er k now n - y ou ca r r y o n
l i k e t ha t b ef or e.'
H e w a s sho ck ed a nd d i sa p p oi nt ed i n her , a nd she h a d b een
chi l d i sh. She a sk ed , i n a r u sh of cont r i t i on, 'W ha t d o y ou w a nt m e t o
d o?'
'Ther e a r e sev er a l p r op er t i es Sa u l 's l ook i ng ov er t od a y , I sa i d y ou 'd
go w i t h h i m .'
'Me?' she sq u ea k ed . ' W hy m e?'
'Beca u se y ou 'v e l i v ed i n t he Cot sw ol d s a l l y ou r l i f e.' H e g a v e a
sm a l l w r y sm i l e. 'Beca u se I t hou g ht y ou 'd enj oy i t .'
Cha r l ot t e d i d enj oy l ook i n g r ou n d hou ses. She ha d hel p ed sev er a l
of her f r i en d s w hen t hey w er e ho u se- h u nt i n g, a nd she w ou l d h a v e
b een d el i g ht ed t o go a l o ng w i t h a ny o ne el se. Bu t t he t hou ght of
sp end i n g m ost of t he d a y w i t h Sa u l L a u r enson w a s a d a u nt i n g one.
'I d on't ' she b eg a n t o p r ot est , t hen her consci en ce t ook ov er . It
w a s no b i g t h i n g. If t he r ecessi on w a s b egi n ni ng t o b i t e she m u st hel p
i n ev er y w a y she cou l d . She sa i d , 'A l l r i g ht , i f I go a l o ng w ha t d o y ou
w a nt m e t o d o?'
'Gi v e y ou r op i ni on i f y ou 'r e a sk ed f or i t .' H e d r a i ned t he cof f ee i n
hi s cu p , a l t hou g h i t l ook ed col d , got u p a nd sa i d , 'I'l l see y ou l a t er .
H e's a t t he B l u e Boa r i n Chi p p i n g Q u ea nt on, he's exp ect i n g y ou
a b ou t h a l f p a st ni ne.'
Cha r l ot t e cou l d n't see Sa u l L a u r enson a sk i ng f or her op i ni o n. H er
f a t her m u st h a v e v ol u nt eer ed h er com p a ny , b eca u se she w a s su r e i t
w a sn 't La u r enso n's i d ea , a n d a l t hou g h she st i l l h a d t h r ee- q u a r t er s of
a n hou r t o k i l l she ha d no a p p et i t e f or b r ea k f a st .
She w a l k ed Geor gy r ou n d t he g a r d en, t hen l ef t h i m i n t he ca r e of
A u nt Lu cy . 'I'm goi ng hou se- hu nt i n g ,' she exp l a i ned , 'w i t h Mr
La u r enson, w ho's d eci d ed he'd l i k e t o l i v e a r ou nd her e, a n d he sca r es
m e, so he'd p r ob a b l y gi v e Geor gy conv u l si on s b ef or e w e w er e
t hr ou gh.'
'Sca r es y ou ?' A u nt Lu cy w a s i n t he d r a w i ng r oom , d u st i ng a p l u m p
w hi t e p or cel a i n Cu p i d . ' W hy shou l d he sca r e y ou ?'
'I d on't k now ,' Cha r l ot t e a d m i t t ed a s A u nt Lu cy r ep l a ced t he
Cu p i d o n t he shel f of a cor ner cu p b o a r d . 'Excep t t ha t m y f a t her sa y s
w e cou l d u se hi s b a ck i ng i n t he b u si ness, a n d t h a t sca r es m e b eca u se I
t hi nk he m i g ht t a k e ov er .'
'You r f a t h er k now s w ha t he's d o i n g,' sa i d A u nt Lu cy . 'Don 't y ou
f r et .' She w ent on w i t h her d u st i ng a nd Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'Of cou r se he
d oes.' B u t she w a s conv i nced t h a t Sa u l L a u r enson w a s a r u t hl ess
m a n, a nd t he p r osp ect of get t i ng i nt o hi s d eb t sca r ed her si ck
The Bl u e Boa r H ot el , w hi ch ha d o nce b een a sm a l l m a nor hou se,
w a s on t he ou t sk i r t s of t ow n. The coa t of a r m s of t he d ef u nct f a m i l y ,
p a i nt ed i n b ol d b r i g ht col ou r s a b ov e t h e gr ea t st one f i r ep l a ce i n t he
m a i n ha l l , sp or t ed a b l u e b oa r . Cha r l ot t e ga v e her n a m e a nd Sa u l
La u r enson 's t o t he cl er k a t t he r ecep t i o n d esk a nd got a n a d m i r i n g
sm i l e i n r et u r n.
Som e m en ha d a l l t he l u ck , t he cl er k d eci d ed . N ot onl y w a s Mr
La u r enson ob v i o u sl y r ol l i ng i n m oney he' d b ook ed i nt o t he b est
su i t e i n t he hot el b u t he ha d t h i s f a nt a st i c b i r d a f t er h i m . Cl a ss she
w a s t oo, a ny on e cou l d see t ha t .
'A sk her t o com e u p ,' sa i d Sa u l La u r enson w hen he w a s i nf or m ed
t ha t M i ss Du nscom b e h a d a r r i v ed , a n d t he cl er k p a ssed o n t he
m essa ge w i t h i nst r u ct i ons how t o r ea ch t he m a st er - su i t e.
Cha r l ot t e w ou l d h a v e l ov ed t o sa y , 'Tel l hi m t o com e d ow n,' a n d
sea t her sel f i n on e of t he l ea t her a r m ch a i r s a nd l et Sa u l La u r enson d o
t he r u nn i n g. Bu t she w a sn't t o a nt a go ni se hi m , so she sm i l ed a nd sa i d ,
'Tha nk y ou ,' a n d t ook t he st a i r s r a t her t ha n t h e l i t t l e gi l t b i r d ca ge of
a l i f t . Wi t h her l u ck , w hen he w a s a r o u n d , t he l i f t w ou l d p r ob a b l y
ha v e st u ck b et w een f l oor s, a n d he w o u l d ha v e w a t ched her b ei ng
ha u l ed o u t l i k e a sa ck of p ot a t oes.
H e a n sw er ed t he d oor w hen she t a p p ed on i t . To d a y he w or e a n
op en- neck ed b ei ge shi r t a n d a b ei ge j a ck et of t hi n su p p l e ch a m oi s.
Ca su a l d r ess, w i t h d a r k b r ow n sl a ck s, b u t he l ook ed no m or e
a p p r oa cha b l e t ha n he h a d i n l a st ni gh t 's f or m a l su i t . H i s sm i l e w a s
not hi n g l i k e t he cl er k 's b r i g ht - ey ed a d m i r i n g g r i n, a l t hou g h a f t er he
ha d sa i d , ' Goo d m or ni ng,' he d i d a d d , 'Th i s i s v er y ci v i l of y ou .'
Cha r l ot t e shr u gged , 'Look i ng a t hou ses i s no t r ou b l e,' a s she
st ep p ed i nt o a si t t i ng r oom , a t t r a ct i v el y f u r ni shed , p er i o d p i eces
com b i ned w i t h com f or t a b l e cha i r s a nd a TV set concea l ed i n a cor ner
cu p b o a r d . Som e p a p er s o n a r ou nd i n l a i d t a b l e l ook ed l i k e est a t e
a gent s' ci r cu l a r s.
'Per ha p s y ou ' d l i k e t o gl a nce a t t hose,' he su ggest ed a s he w ent
t hr ou gh a not her d oor , l ea v i ng i t op en.
She r a i sed h er v oi ce t o a sk , 'W ha t d o y ou w a nt m e t o t el l y ou ? If
t hey 'r e i n r esi d ent i a l a r ea s or i f a r i v er 's l i k el y t o r i se? I m ea n, y ou ca n
see t hose k i nd of t hi ngs f or y ou r sel f , ca n't y ou ?'
'M a y b e, b u t l oca l k now l ed ge ca n b e v er y u sef u l i n p r op er t y
b u y i n g.'
When she d i d n 't see hi m she f ou nd i t ea si er t o t a l k t o hi m . 'Why d o
y ou w a nt t o l i v e r ou nd her e?' she a sk ed .
'Bea u t i f u l cou nt r y si d e, d on 't y ou a gr ee?'
Of cou r se she a gr eed , b u t her f a t her t ho u ght t h a t t he b u si n ess a n d
t he d eci si o n t o b u y a hou se w ent t oget h er , a nd she p i ck ed u p t he t op
sheet of p a p er a n d w h i st l ed a t t he p r i ce a n d sa i d , 'It 's a l ot t o b e
sp end i n g t o p u t a r oof ov er y ou r hea d .' H e'd get su p er l u xu r y f or t hi s
k i n d of m oney , a n d she t hou ght of Jer em y 's l i t t l e f l a t , ha l f a f l a t a s he
w a s sh a r i ng, a n d i t d i d n't seem f a i r .
'Is t ha t how y ou w ou l d d escr i b e a hom e? You r ow n, f or i nst a nce?'
Sa u l La u r enson w a s b a ck i n t he r oom , a b r i ef ca se u n d er hi s a r m .
Cha r l ot t e d i d n't l ook a t hi m a ga i n a f t er a f i r st q u i ck gl a n ce, b u t he
w ent on l ook i n g a t her a nd h er sm a l l Geor gi a n hom e w a s i n t he
u p p er i ncom e b r a ck et a n d she ha d no ca l l t o b e sn i d e a b ou t w ha t he
w a s p r ep a r ed t o p a y .
'Ta l k i n g of m oney ,' he sa i d , 'I p r esu m e y ou r f a t her 's m ent i oned ou r
b u si ness d i scu ssi o ns?'
She nod d ed , a l t hou g h a l l she k new w a s t ha t Sa u l La u r en son w a s
r i ch a n d a st u t e a n d Du nscom b es ha d n eed of hi m . She sa i d sl ow l y ,
'We'v e a l w a y s b een a f a m i l y b u si n ess. I shou l d ha t e t o see a n ou t si d er
j oi n u s.'
'Tod a y ' s econom i c cl i m a t e m a k es st r a n ge b ed f el l ow s.' Bef or e she
cou l d st op her sel f she h a d sp a t ou t , 'I hop e y ou d on't i m a g i ne y ou 'r e
sp ea k i ng l i t er a l l y ,' a nd cou l d h a v e b i t t en her t on gu e, b eca u se of
cou r se he l a u gh ed a nd sa i d , ' N ot hi ng w a s f u r t her f r om m y m i nd .
Sha l l w e go?'
H i s ca r w a s d r a w n u p i n f r ont of t he hot el , her s w a s i n t he p a r k i n g
a r ea b ehi n d , a n d a s t h ey w a l k ed t hr o u gh t he m a i n ent r a nce she
a sk ed , ' Whose ca r a r e w e t a k i ng ? I k n ow a l l t he shor t cu t s. Sha l l I
d r i v e?'
H e d ecl i ned p r om p t l y , 'N o, t ha nk y ou , y ou m i ght d r i v e l i k e y ou
r i d e.' H e op ened t he p a ssen ger d oor f or her a nd she m u t t er ed , 'I'm a s
good a r i d er a s y ou ' r e l i k el y t o com e a cr oss, m a t ey .' She h a d n't
exp ect ed hi m t o hea r , h e w a s w a l k i n g a r ou n d t o get i nt o t he d r i v i n g
sea t , b u t a s he set t l ed hi m sel f i n he sa i d , 'I'm su r e y ou a r e, b u t y ou d o
ha v e t hi s l i t t l e ha b i t of not l ook i ng w her e y ou 'r e goi n g. Fa st en y ou r
sea t - b el t .'
She h a d b een a b ou t t o d o j u st t ha t , b u t her f i n ger s st i f f ened a nd
she sa t b a ck , a n nou nci ng, 'I p r ef er t o f eel f r ee.' N o w a y w ou l d she d o
w ha t h e t ol d her . H e d i d n't a r g u e. Sh e d i d n't t h i nk he d i d m u ch
a r gu i n g. She cou l d i m a g i ne h i m gi v i n g or d er s i n cr i sp i n ci si v e t ones:
Do t hi s. Do t ha t . Thi s i s how t he si t u a t i on w i l l b e h a n d l ed . A nd sh e
r em em b er ed hi m si t t i ng a t her f a t her 's d esk i n her f a t her 's st u d y , a n d
she v i su a l i sed h i m i n her f a t h er 's of f i ce a t Du nscom b e's, a nd t hou g ht ,
oh l or d , I hop e I'm not p sy chi c. I hop e i t cou l d nev er com e t r u e.
She sa i d su d d enl y , 'I d on't ha v e a ny t h i n g t o d o w i t h t he f i na nci a l
si d e of t he b u si ness. I'm a d esi gner .'
'Of cou r se y ou a r e,' he sa i d . H e d i d n't b el i ev e she w or k ed , b u t
she d i d ha v e t a l ent ev en i f he r eck on ed she w a s of no v a l u e t o t he
f i r m . Oh, sh e w i sh ed t hey d i d n't need h i m , a n d t on i g ht she m u st a sk
her f a t her exa ct l y w h a t t he p osi t i on w a s a nd how Sa u l La u r en son
w a s l i k el y t o f ea t u r e i n her f u t u r e.
The ca r w a s com i ng t o t he t r a f f i c l i g ht s a n d t he t hea t r e. She h a d
t ol d Jer em y she w ou l d see hi m t od a y , he w ou l d b e exp ect i n g her
a r ou n d l u ncht i m e. N ow she m i g ht no t m a k e i t , a nd she si g hed ,
t a k i ng a d v a nt a ge of t h e r ed si gn a l t o l ook u p a n d d ow n t h e
p a v em ent , check i n g p a sser s- b y . Thi s w a s w her e he w or k ed , he m i ght
b e com i n g or go i n g.
Bu t he w a sn 't , a n d Sa u l La u r en son w a s w a t chi ng her , so she sa i d ,
'It 's a t hea t r e,' w hi ch w a s ob v i ou s.
'So I see,' he sa i d , a n d a s t he l i g ht s ch a nged a n d t he ca r m ov ed ,
'Do y ou a ct ?'
'It i sn't a n a m a t eu r t hea t r e, i t 's a v er y g ood p r of essi ona l one. They
p u t on som e m a r v el l ou s show s. Whi l e y ou 'r e her e y ou shou l d go a nd
see one of t hem .'
Then she sp ot t ed Jer em y 's f l a t m a t e com i ng ou t of t he sm a l l
su p er m a r k et , w i t h b ot h a r m s a r ou nd a l oa d ed ca r r i er b a g, a n d
b ega n t o w i nd d ow n t he w i n d ow . 'Ca n 't y ou st op ?' she a sk ed , a nd
y el l ed , 'Pet er !'
'N ot her e I ca n 't .' Ther e w a sn't a n i n ch of p a r k i n g sp a ce a n d t he
t r a f f i c w a s m ov i n g i n a st ea d y st r ea m .
'Pet er !' she b el l ow ed , get t i n g her hea d t hr ou gh t he w i nd ow a nd
a t t r a ct i n g t he a t t ent i on of t he cr ow d s b u t not of t he p or t l y b ea r d ed
a ct or a m b l i n g a l on g w i t h hi s g r ocer i es.
'A p i t y y ou 'r e not on t he st a ge,' r em a r k ed Sa u l La u r enso n, 'y ou 'd
ha v e no t r ou b l e m a k i ng t hem hea r u p i n t he g a l l er y . Is y ou r f r i end
d ea f ?'
'Seem s l i k e i t . D a m n!' Sh e cou l d h a v e gi v en Pet er a m essa g e a n d
Jer em y w ou l d n 't ha v e hu ng a r ou nd w a i t i ng f or her t o t u r n u p . She
f l op p ed b a ck i n her sea t w i t h a n exa sp er a t ed gr u nt , a n d Sa u l
La u r enson t u r ned l ef t d ow n a si d e st r eet , d r ew u p a n d sa i d , 'If y ou
d on't m i nd r u n ni ng a f t er hi m now 's y ou r cha nce.'
'Tha nk s.' She w a s ou t of t he ca r , d od gi ng p ed est r i a ns, ha r i n g d ow n
t he m a i n r o a d u nt i l she cou l d r ea ch o u t a n d gr a b Pet er 's a r m . ' Pet er ,
hi ! Gi v e Jer em y a m essa ge f or m e, w i l l y ou ?' She ga sp ed f or a f ew
secon d s, get t i ng her b r ea t h. 'Tel l hi m I ca n't m a k e l u nch b u t I'l l r i ng
hi m t hi s ev en i n g, w ou l d y ou d o t ha t ?'
'For y ou , m y b ea u t y , a ny t hi n g.' Pet er St u b b s l eer ed a t her a n d she
sa i d , 'You a r e ni ce. I'v e got t o f l y . I j u st hop p ed ou t of a ca r r o u n d t he
cor ner .'
Sa u l , d ou b l e- p a r k ed , w a s t a l k i n g t o a p ol i cem a n, a nd Cha r l ot t e
t hou ght , Th a t 's d one i t , I'v e got hi m b o ok ed ! Then sh e r ea l i sed f r om
t he p ol i cem a n's gest u r es t ha t Sa u l w a s b ei ng gi v en d i r ect i o ns, a n d a s
she w a l k ed u p Sa u l sa i d , 'Let m e see i f I'v e got i t . Fi r st l ef t , second
r i ght , st r a i ght o n t i l l I com e t o t he P u b l i c Li b r a r y a nd t h en '
Cha r l ot t e w ent on w a l k i n g. The ca r p a ssed her b ef or e t he f i r st
t u r ni ng a n d she hu r r i ed a f t er i t . H e w a s w a i t i ng o u t si d e t he L i b r a r y ,
a n d a s she r a n u p he op ened t he d oo r a n d she got i n ga sp i n g, 'I
t hou ght he w a s b ook i n g y ou .'
'It w a s a nea r t hi ng. Di d y ou ca t ch u p w i t h Pet er ?'
'Yes, t h a nk y ou .'
'A l l sa t i sf a ct or y now ?'
'Tha nk y ou , y es.'
'It d i d n't t a k e l o ng.'
'Ju st a s w el l ,' she sa i d . If he ha d t o d r i v e of f a nd l ea v e her she
w ou l d n't h a v e m i nd ed , a n d she w a s su r e he w ou l d n 't . She d i d n't l i k e
hi s gr i n a n d she sa i d t a r t l y , 'H e d i d n 't hea r m e ca l l a f t er hi m , y ou
k now . H e w a sn 't a v oi d i ng m e.'
'W ha t m a n w ou l d ?' he m u r m u r ed , a nd she k new he w a s send i ng
her u p a n d sh e d i d n't a p p r eci a t e hi s sense of hu m ou r .
'A ny w a y ,' she m u t t er ed , 'I onl y w a nt ed hi m t o gi v e som eb o d y a
m essa ge. I ha d a d a t e f or l u nch t h a t I ca n't k eep now I d on 't ha v e a
ca r , a nd I p r ob a b l y w o n't b e a b l e t o get a t a xi , a n d I ca n 't b e su r e of
get t i ng b a ck her e b y one o 'cl ock .'
'I a p ol ogi se,' he sa i d gr a v el y . 'You shou l d ha v e exp l a i ned t ha t t hi s
w a s i nt er f er i n g w i t h y ou r p l a ns.'
'It d oesn't m a t t er .' She w a s her e a nd she ha d t o b e ci v i l . ' Wel l ,' she
w ent on, 'i t 's a ni ce d a y f or hou se- hu nt i n g.' Th a t w a s p r et t y t r i t e, b u t
he a gr eed , 'It 's a n i ce d a y f or a l m ost a ny t hi ng,' a nd Cha r l ot t e
t hou ght , so w ho ca r es i f he t h i nk s I'm d u m b ? It w a s b et t er t ha n b ei n g
t ongu et i ed l i k e l a st ni g ht . She a sk ed , ' W her e a r e w e go i n g f i r st ?'
The a d d r ess w a s a b o u t f i v e m i l es a w a y . Tw o hou ses w er e b ei ng
b u i l t i n w ha t ha d b een a m ea d ow . Behi nd t hem r ose gr een d a p p l ed
hi l l s w her e sheep gr a zed , a n d i t w a s a l t oget her a p l ea sa nt p a st or a l
set t i ng.
One hou se w a s a l m ost com p l et ed , t he ot her w a s i n a n ea r l i er st a ge
of const r u ct i on w i t h b u i l d er s st i l l a t w or k . A s t hei r ca r d r ew u p a m a n
ca m e t o m eet t hem , b ea m i ng f r om ea r t o ea r . ' Mr
La u r enson? Goo d m or ni ng.' H e g a v e Ch a r l ot t e t he l ook she exp ect ed ,
t r i b u t e t o her b ea u t y , b u t r esp ect f u l b eca u se she w a s w i t h t he m a n
w ho ha d com e t o i nsp ect t hi s v er y p r i cey p r op er t y .
The est a t e a gent b eg a n hi s sp i el a t on ce, p oi nt i ng o u t t he op en
v i ew s, t he w ea t her ed t i l es a nd b r i ck s, t he genu i ne ol d oa k d oor . It
w a s a new hou se f a shi on ed f r om m a t er i a l s ca n ni b a l i sed f r om
d em ol i t i ons. Wh en t he chu r ned - u p r o ck - h a r d ea r t h a r o u n d ha d
b een cu l t i v a t ed i nt o a g a r d en t hese h ou ses w er e goi ng t o l ook a s
t hou gh t hey ha d b een her e f or a ny t hi ng u p t o a hu n d r ed y ea r s.
Insi d e t he st a i r ca se w a s of f u m ed oa k a n d t he h a l l w a s f l a gst oned .
'Per ha p s t he l a d y w ou l d l i k e t o see t h e k i t chens,' t he est a t e a gent
su ggest ed . 'A p a r t f r om t he ov er hea d b ea m s t hey a r e, of cou r se,
com p l et el y m od er n.'
Cha r l ot t e d i d n't w a nt t o b e t a k en i nt o w ha t m i ght b ecom e Sa u l
La u r enson 's k i t ch en b y a m a n w ho t ho u ght she m i ght b e d oi ng t he
cook i ng t her e. 'The l a d y ,' sh e sa i d , 'w ou l d l i k e t o w a nd er a r ou n d i f
she m a y .' A l o ne, she w ou l d enj oy t h i s. It w a s a ch a r m i n g ho u se, a b i t
of a chea t , b u t w h a t d i d t ha t m a t t er w h en t he ol d m a t er i a l s w er e so
b ea u t i f u l ? These d oor s a n d st a i r ca se cou l d h a v e end ed u p on a
d em ol i t i on b onf i r e. A l i t t l e w hi l e a go t hey w ou l d h a v e d one, b u t now
nost a l g i a w a s com i ng i nt o i t s ow n a nd m ost of t he p eop l e she k new
w ou l d b e h a p p y l i v i ng her e.
Sa u l w ent of f w i t h t he est a t e a gent a n d she w a n d er ed i nt o
a not her r oom , p l a y i ng her g a m e of p r et en d i ng t h a t sh e w a s
shop p i n g f or a hom e f or h er sel f a n d Jer em y . Thi s w ou l d b e w on d er f u l ,
nea r enou gh t o t he t hea t r e a nd D u nscom b es, not t oo f a r f r om her
f a t her . If onl y a cou p l e of nou g ht s w er e k nock ed of f t he p r i ce t hi s
w ou l d b e p er f ect .
She w ent p ok i ng a r ou n d i n cu p b oa r d s, p a ssi ng t he m en f r om t i m e
t o t i m e b u t d oi ng her b est t o d od ge t hem , end i ng i n a b ed r oom a t
t he b a ck t h a t w ou l d l ook ov er t he ga r d en a nd t he hi l l s. Roses w ou l d
gr ow w el l , f oxgl ov es, p op p i es, w i l d f l ow er s. She w ou l d l i k e t o m a k e a
ga r d en f r om t he b a r e ea r t h. She w ou l d l i k e t o m a k e a hom e.
A w a l nu t t r ee gr ew a t t h e f a r l i m i t s of t he ' ga r d en' a nd she w ou l d
p u t a b en ch u n d er t ha t w her e t h ey cou l d si t on w a r m ev en i n gs, l i k e
t oni ght w ou l d b e, a n d she cou l d l i st en t o Jer em y l ea r ni n g hi s l i nes,
r ea d ou t ot her p a r t s a n d hel p , hi m . Th en t hey w ou l d com e u p her e
t oget her . She cl osed her ey es, ha n d s cl a sp ed t oget her , a n d t hou ght , I
l ov e y ou , m y l ov e; I w i sh y ou w er e w i t h m e now .
She w a s so d eep i n her d r ea m i n g t ha t she d i d n 't hea r t he
f oot st ep s, b u t she f el t t he t ou ch o n her shou l d er a n d her hea r t l ea p t
i nt o her m ou t h. For a w i l d m om ent she ha l f exp ect ed t o see Jer em y ,
b u t i t w a s Sa u l , of cou r se, a nd shock j er k ed her a g a i nst hi m , co l ou r
d r a i ni ng f r om her f a ce a s she g a sp ed , 'O h, l or d y , y ou f r i ght ened m e! I
d i d n't hea r y ou com i n g, I w a s m i l es a w a y .'
She w i shed she w a s, i nst ea d of b ei n g h el d b et w een hi s st ea d y i ng
ha n d s. Fi nd i ng her sel f so cl ose t o h i m , w i t h hi s ha n d s on her , w a s l i k e
b ei n g t or n o u t of Jer em y 's a r m s, a l l her senses r a n a m ok . She d i d n't
k now how she w a s f eel i n g or w ha t she w a s sa y i ng. She l ea ned b a ck
a ga i nst t he w i n d ow f r a m e a n d b eg a n t o b a b b l e, 'I d i d n 't hea r y ou , I
w a s p l a nn i n g a g a r d en ou t t her e a nd I got a b i t i nv ol v ed . My hea d 's
sw i m m i ng.'
'Do y ou get m a ny hea d a ches?'
'It i sn't a chi ng, i t 's sw i m m i n gI nev er g et hea d a ches.' Excep t l a st
ni g ht . 'Excep t l a st ni ght ,' she cor r ect ed her sel f . 'A nd i t 's hot i n her e
a n d I ca m e ou t w i t hou t b r ea k f a st .'
She w a s get t i n g h er sel f t oget her f a i r l y f a st now t ha t he h a d
st op p ed hol d i n g her . H e ha d st r a nge ey es, d a r k enou g h f or Dr a cu l a .
It w a s a l l of a p i ece, hi s f a ce. Som e m en ha d t hi ck f i er ce ey eb r ow s
a n d w ea k m ou t hs, or l ov el y m ou t hs a nd shi f t y ey es. Bu t t her e w a sn't
a w ea k f ea t u r e i n Sa u l L a u r enso n's f a ce. The l i nes, of l a u g ht er a nd
t hou ght , w er e d eep , a n d t he m ou t h w a s ha r d . Bu t i t w a sn 't a t hi n-
l i p p ed m ou t h, she ha d not i ced t h a t b ef o r e.
They w er e a l one, she not i ced t ha t now , a n d a sk ed , 'W her e's t he
m a n w ho 's d oi ng t he sel l i ng?'
'Go ne b a ck t o h i s of f i ce.'
'W ha t ' She ha d t o st op t o m oi st en her d r y l i p s.
'W ha t d o y ou t hi nk of i t ?'
'I'd l i k e t o see ot her s,' he sa i d , a n d she w ent on ch a t t er i ng, 'N ew
hou ses f eel em p t y , d on 't t hey ?' Of co u r se t hey d i d w hen t hey w er e
em p t y . 'St r a nge,' she a d d ed . ' Echo i n g. You ha v e t o p u t y ou r ow n
i m p r i nt on t h em .'
She h a d i m a gi n ed her sel f d ow n t her e i n t he ga r d en, a nd i n t hi s
r oom , w i t h Jer em y , b u t now she cou l d n' t see Jer em y f or Sa u l . For a
d i sl oy a l m om ent she f el t t ha t he m i ght d om i na t e Jer em y , ev en i f
Jer em y w a s a n a ct or , t r a i n ed f or a n d l ov i ng t he sp ot l i ght .
'W her e now ?' she a sk ed .
'Ther e's a f l a t i n St r a t f or d .' Si x m i l es a w a y . 'A nd t hen w e'l l l ook
a r ou n d f or l u n ch. If y ou sk i p p ed b r ea k f a st , a nd I'v e r u i ned y ou r d a t e,
t he l ea st I ca n d o i s f eed y ou .'
Cha r l ot t e st a r t ed t o sa y , ' Wel l , t h a nk s, b u t I'm not r ea l l y hu ngr y ,'
w hen her t u m m y ga v e a hol l ow r u m b l e a n d she gr i nned i nst ea d a nd
sa i d , 'I t hi nk I'm get t i ng a m essa g e.'
The m en on t he sca f f ol d i ng next d oor got a b et t er l ook a t her t h i s
t i m e, a nd set u p a chor u s of w ol f w h i st l es. She l a u ghed a n d a s she
cl i m b ed i nt o t he ca r ca l l ed a cr oss, 'I t hi nk y ou 'r e b u i l d i n g t w o su p er
hou ses.'
'You ' r e a p r et t y su p er b u i l d y ou r sel f !' on e shou t ed b a ck , a n d Sa u l
cl osed her d oor a nd got i nt o t he d r i v i n g sea t a nd sh e w on d er ed i f h i s
si l en ce m ea nt d i sa p p r ov a l or si m p l y l a ck of i nt er est .
The f l a t w a s a p ent hou se ov er l ook i n g t he r i v er , v er y l u xu r i ou s i n
ev er y w a y , f u r n i shed b y t he p r esent occu p a nt s, w ho w er e a b r oa d so
t ha t a ga i n t hey w er e co nd u ct ed a r ou nd b y a n est a t e a gent , a nd
a ga i n Cha r l ot t e r em ov ed her sel f f r om t he m en a nd d i d her ow n
r a m b l i ng a n d d r ea m i ng. She cou l d i m a g i ne Jer em y her e a l l r i ght , b u t
t he t r ou b l e w a s t ha t Sa u l w a s her e. H i s v oi ce seem ed t o ca r r y , no
m a t t er how ha r d she t r i ed not t o l i st en, a nd w hen she cou l d n't see
hi m she cou l d f eel hi m l i k e v i b r a t i ons i n t he a i r . H e w a s t oo p ow er f u l
a p er son a l i t y b y ha l f .
She ca m e d ow nst a i r s a nd st ood b y t h e ca r a n d w a t ched t he r i v er
u nt i l he j oi ned her . ' Get t i ng b or ed ?' he a sk ed .
'N o, i t 's a h i g hl y d esi r a b l e r esi d ence. I'd l i k e i t . I'd l i k e t he l a st one
t oo.'
'You p l a nni ng on l ea v i ng hom e?'
She sa i d , 'N o, b u t not hi ng st a y s t he sa m e f or ev er .' N ot h i n g st a y ed
t he sa m e f r om d a y t o d a y . The d a y b ef or e y est er d a y she ha d b een
ha p p y a n d secu r e, t hen ca m e t he r ow w i t h her f a t her a n d she ha d
l ea r ned t h a t t he b u si ness w a s i n t r ou b l e a n d Sa u l La u r enson h a d ca st
hi s sh a d ow ov er her l i f e. She a d d ed w i t h f er v ou r , 'Mor e's t he p i t y .'
'Cha nges ca n b e f or t h e b et t er .'
'Pr om i ses, p r om i ses,' she sa i d f l i p p a nt l y a nd ga i l y , a nd he sa t b a ck
i n t he d r i v i n g sea t , a nd l ook ed a t her w i t h ey es a s b l a ck a s p i t ch, a nd
sa i d sof t l y , 'Bu t I'm not p r om i si ng y ou a n y t hi ng,' a n d a co l d shi v er r a n
d ow n her sp i ne a n d she t ho u g ht , It 's t r u e a l l r i g ht , I a m sca r ed of
hi m
They w ent i nt o a hot el , or d er ed f ood , a t e. The d i ni ng r oom w a s
f u l l a n d Ch a r l ot t e cha t t er ed a ni m a t ed l y , t r y i ng t o ent er t a i n. She f el t
she w a s cu t t i ng no i ce w i t h Sa u l , b u t t h en she d i d n't l i k e hi m ei t her ,
so i t ev ened ou t , a nd her r ef l ect i on i n a m i r r or o n t he w a l l show ed
her a r a d i a nt l y p r et t y gi r l , a n d she d r a nk t w o gl a sses of sp a r k l i ng
w i ne a nd t ook com f or t i n t he f a ct t ha t t her e w a s onl y one m or e
hou se t o see. Then she cou l d go hom e a n d p ho ne Jer em y .
'I ha v e t o m a k e a p hone ca l l ,' sa i d Sa u l , check i ng hi s w a t ch. ' Wi l l
y ou excu se m e?'
Ind ef i n i t el y , Cha r l ot t e t hou g ht , d o n't y ou hu r r y b a ck f or m e. 'Of
cou r se,' she sa i d , a n d w a t ched hi m go t hr ou gh t he d oor a n d a t e a
l i t t l e m or e of her r u m b a b a , t hen d eci d ed t hi s w ou l d b e a n
op p or t u ne t i m e t o sl i p t o t he l oo. The t oi l et s w er e j u st b ey on d t he
p hones. Sa u l h a d hi s b a ck t o her , t hey w er e t he sem i - op en b oot hs,
a n d she cou l d hea r w ha t he w a s sa y i n g.
H e w a s t el l i n g som eone a b ou t t he p r op er t i es t hey ha d v i ew ed t hi s
m or ni n g, a n d h a v i ng p a ssed hi m a n d r ou n d ed t he cor ner she
cou l d n't r esi st l i n ger i ng. H e m i ght m ent i on Du nscom b es, a nd she w a s
d y i n g t o k now w ha t w a s goi ng on t her e, so she st ood a s nea r a s she
cou l d r em a i ni ng h i d d en, st r a i ni ng t o hea r , hop i ng t ha t nob o d y w ou l d
com e a l on g a nd ca t ch her ea v esd r op p i n g.
H e sa i d a f ew m or e w or d s a b ou t t he p ent hou se f l a t , a b o u t t he
l ea se, t hen h e l a u g hed . 'Oh, she's b ea u t i f u l a l l r i ght ,' he sa i d , 'a nd
d u m b a s t h ey com e. She m u st ha v e a n I.Q. i n si n gl e f i gu r es,' a nd she
chok ed .
H e w a s t a l k i ng a b ou t her . Som eb o d y w a s l a u ghi ng w i t h hi m ,
w i t hou t a d ou b t , a n d she nea r l y m a r ched r i ght b a ck a nd st op p ed
t hem l a u g hi ng. Sh e d i d t a k e a st ep b ef or e she check ed her sel f . She
shou l d n 't ha v e hea r d t ha t , Sa u l ha d n a m ed no na m es, w h a t cou l d
she sa y ? H e m i ght go on l a u ghi ng, he m i ght t hi nk t hi s w a s h i l a r i ou s.
She d i v ed i nt o t he L a d i es' a nd gl a r ed a t her r ef l ect i o n w h i ch ha d
t u r ned v er y w hi t e. Du m b a s t hey com e I.Q. i n si ngl e f i gu r es I cou l d
m u r d er h i m , she t hou g ht , w ho t he hel l i s he t el l i ng t ha t t o? She w a s
sha k i ng w i t h r a ge so t ha t a w om a n, em er gi ng f r om t he l oo, enq u i r ed
a nxi ou sl y i f she w a s a l l r i ght .
'Yes, t h a nk y ou ,' Cha r l ot t e m a n a ged t o cr oa k .
'It 's t he hea t ,' sa i d t he w om a n. 'I ca n 't st a nd i t m y sel f . Why d o n't
y ou si t d ow n?'
Cha r l ot t e sa t d ow n. Wh a t cheek , she k ep t t hi nk i ng,
w ha t f l a m i ng cheek ! Who d oes he t hi n k he i s, Ma st er m i n d ? ' Wou l d
y ou l i k e a n a sp i r i n?' t he w om a n of f er ed , d i gg i n g i nt o her h a n d b a g
a n d com i n g u p w i t h a st r i p of t a b l et s. She t or e of f a cou p l e a nd
Cha r l ot t e t ha nk ed h er , a l t hou g h i t w a sn't a sp i r i ns she need ed . N ow
she co u l d h a v e u sed a cy a ni d e p i l l , she cou l d h a v e d r op p ed t ha t i n
Sa u l La u r enso n's cof f ee.
She t ook a l ong d eep b r ea t h t o st op t he sha k i n g, a n d ca m e ou t of
t he La d i es' st i l l gl i t t er i ng w i t h f u r y . She'd show hi m ! Wh a t w a s h i s I.Q.,
she' d l i k e t o k now ?
H e w a s no l onger a t t he p hone b u t b a ck a t t he t a b l e, a n d she
t ook her p l a ce op p osi t e a n d sm i l ed a t h i m w i t h t i ght l i p s. Ri ght , she
t hou ght , l et 's h a v e som e i nt el l i gent con v er sa t i on; a nd she l a u nched
i nt o a d i sser t a t i on on p a r t y p ol i t i cs. It w a sn 't one of her f a v ou r i t e
su b j ect s, b u t l oca l p r o b l em s a n d l oca l p ol i t i cs a l w a y s got a n a i r i n g i n
t he l oca l p a p er s, a nd she h a d a r et ent i v e m em or y .
Sa u l l i st ened , a sk i ng t he occa si ona l q u est i on t ha t sh e ei t her
a nsw er ed or sk i r t ed , a nd t hen she w ent on t o na t i o na l a nd
i nt er n a t i on a l new s, q u ot i n g sh a m el essl y f r om a r t i cl es she h a d r ea d ,
l ook i ng a nd so u n d i ng ea r n est a n d er u d i t e.
She g a v e q u i t e a p er f or m a nce, u nt i l a si p of t he sp a r k l i n g r ose
w i ne w ent d ow n t he w r o ng w a y a n d st a r t ed her chok i ng. W hen she
ha d f i ni shed sp l u t t er i n g she l ook ed a cr oss a t Sa u l , t hr ou gh st r ea m i ng
ey es, a n d he w a s gr i nni ng.
'It d oesn't t a k e m u ch t o a m u se y ou , d oes i t ?' she sna p p ed .
'Sor r y ,' hi s l i p s w er e st i l l t w i t ch i n g, ' b u t I'l l u p g r a d e y ou i nt o t w o
f i gu r es, p ossi b l y ev en t hr ee.'
'W ha t ?'
'You r I.Q.'
She nea r l y chok ed a g a i n. Inst ea d she gu l p ed a n d gl a r ed , ' You
k new I hea r d t ha t !' H e m u st ha v e seen her p a ss a n d gu essed she
w ou l d st op j u st r ou n d t he cor ner a n d ea v esd r op . H e ha d b een
l ea d i n g her on.
'H a v en 't y ou hea r d t ha t l i st ener s n ev er hea r a ny good of
t hem sel v es?' he sa i d , ey es g l i nt i n g w i t h a m u sem ent , a n d Cha r l ot t e
w ou l d ha v e l ov ed t o em p t y t he d r egs of t he w i ne b ot t l e ov er hi s
hea d .
'Don't p u t m e d ow n, d a m n y ou !' she gr i t t ed , cl enchi n g her ha nd s
on t he t a b l e so t ha t her k n u ck l es sho ne, a n d he shook a r ep r ov i ng l y
hea d .
'Tem p er , t em p er .' It w a s a l ong t i m e si n ce her t em p er ha d f l a r ed
l i k e t hi s a n d she u ncl enched her f i ng er s a n d t r i ed t o sm i l e. She
m a na ged a h a l f - hea r t ed gr i n, 'A t a ny r a t e, y ou sa i d I w a s b ea u t i f u l .'
'Ver y b ea u t i f u l . You m u st get t ol d t h a t of t en.'
'Som et i m es.' It w ou l d ha v e b een hy p ocr i sy t o p r et end she w a sn't
u sed t o f l a t t er y , b u t Sa u l L a u r enson w a s no m or e m ov ed b y her f a ce
t ha n b y t he a q u a m a r i ne r i ng on h er f i n ger . They w er e b ot h
b ea u t i f u l , b u t not r a r e enou gh i n hi s w o r l d t o i m p r ess hi m . She sa i d ,
'I'm not so d u m b , y ou k now .'
'I nev er t hou ght y ou w er e.'
The a d m i ssi on m a d e her sm i l e na t u r a l l y . 'A l l r i g ht ,' she sa i d , 'I
shou l d n 't h a v e hu ng a r o u n d l i st eni ng. I d on 't m a k e a ha b i t of
ea v esd r op p i ng, I p r om i se y ou , b u t I a m cu r i ou s t o hea r j u st w ha t
y ou 'r e p l a n ni ng f or t he f a m i l y f i r m .'
'A sk y ou r f a t her .'
'Oh, I w i l l ,' she sa i d , 'I w i l l .' She m i g ht ha v e t r i ed t o get a l i t t l e
i nf or m a t i on f r om Sa u l a l t ho u gh she w a s p r et t y su r e he consi d er ed
t he su b j ect cl osed b u t j u st t hen she hea r d her n a m e ca l l ed .
Jo- A nn M a r l ey ha d k now n Ch a r l ot t e ev er si n ce t hey w er e chi l d r en.
She h a d b l o nd e b u b b l e cu r l s, a v er y p r et t y f a ce a n d a hu ngr y ey e f or
t he m en. It w a s Cha r l ot t e's escor t , r a t her t ha n Ch a r l ot t e her sel f , w ho
b r ou g ht Jo- A n n ov er . She w a s l u n chi ng w i t h a co u p l e of a u nt s, a n d
b or ed w i t h t hem , w hen she sp ot t ed Ch a r l ot t e, a n d t hen Sa u l . 'B a ck
i n a m i n u t e,' she t ol d t he a u nt s. 'Ch a r l ot t e!' she ca l l ed , a nd her
b r i l l i a nt sm i l e st a r t ed w i t h Ch a r l ot t e b u t q u i ck l y sw i t ch ed t o Sa u l ,
a l t hou g h sh e w a s sp ea k i ng t o Ch a r l ot t e.
'H el l o, st r a n ger ,' she g u r g l ed . 'A ges si nce I'v e seen y ou .'
N ot r ea l l y , t hou g ht Cha r l ot t e. N ot m or e t ha n a f ew w eek s. She
sa i d , 'H el l o, t hi s i s Sa u l L a u r enso n; Sa u l , Jo- A nn M a r l ey .'
'We w ent t o school t oget her ,' Jo - A n n g u r gl ed .
'Cha r l ot t e w a s t he cl ev er one. She st i l l i s, i sn 't she? I'm st u ck w i t h
t w o ol d a u nt s a n d her e she i s w i t h y et a not her f el l er . By t he w a y ,
w ha t a r e y ou d oi ng a f t er l u nch?'
She w a s a sk i n g Cha r l ot t e, b u t she m ea nt Sa u l , w ho w a s si t t i ng
b a ck a n d l ook i n g, Cha r l ot t e ha d t o a d m i t , t he m ost i m p r essi v e m a n
i n t h e r oom f or a ny b od y 's m oney . ' Look i ng a t a hou se,' sa i d
Cha r l ot t e.
'Oho?' Jo- A nn 's v oi ce r ose. ' You m ea n ?' She w a g gl ed h er f i nger ,
l i nk i n g t hem , a n d Ch a r l ot t e sa i d r a gg ed l y , 'N ot f or u s, f or hea v en 's
sa k e,' a n d t hen b i t her l i p a nd f el t her sel f f l u shi ng.
Sa u l sa i d , 'For m e. Ch a r l ot t e i s g i v i n g m e t he b enef i t of a l i t t l e
f r i end l y a d v i ce.'
'Tha t 's ni ce,' sa i d Jo- A n n. 'You 'r e com i ng t o l i v e d ow n her e?'
'Pr o b a b l y .'
'Ver y ni ce,' sa i d Jo- A n n, a n d t u r ned t o Cha r l ot t e t o a sk , 'H ow 's
Jer em y t hese d a y s?'
'Oh, j u st f i ne,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e.
'You ' r e st i l l seei ng hi m ?'
'Of cou r se.'
'I w ond er ed i f y ou ' d sp l i t .'
'N o d a nger ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e, r esi st i n g t h e t em p t a t i on t o sa y , 'A nd
no b u si ness of y ou r s i f w e h a d .'
'Wel l , good b y e f or now , t hen,' sa i d Jo- A nn. 'See y ou a ga i n som e
t i m e.' She sm i l ed a t Sa u l , a n d m a n a ged t o m a k e t ha t sou n d f u l l of
p r om i se, a n d Sa u l sa i d , 'I hop e so.'
When Jo- A n n w a s sa f el y b a ck a t her t a b l e he a sk ed , 'Do y ou ha v e
m a ny f r i en d s l i k e h er ?'
'N ot m a ny .' Jo- A nn ha d nev er r ea l l y b een a f r i end , m or e of a r i v a l
ev en a t school . It w ou l d ha v e b oost ed h er ego t o t a k e a m a n a w a y
f r om Cha r l ot t e, a nd i f Ch a r l ot t e ha d ha d a ny d esi gns on Sa u l her sel f
she w ou l d h a v e b een k eep i n g a n ey e on Jo- A n n. She sa i d t a r t l y , 'I'm
p r et t y su r e y ou 'l l get a n i nv i t a t i on t o a d i nn er p a r t y i n t he next w eek
or t w o.'
'Sha l l I?' sa i d Sa u l , w i t h t he u n i nt er est of a m a n w ho need nev er
sp end a n ev eni ng a l o ne. Then he gr i nned . ' Wel l , i t 's ni ce t o k now t ha t
som e of t he na t i v es a r e f r i en d l y .'
'I'm su r e w e a l l a r e,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e, b u t she k new t h a t he f el t t he
host i l i t y t oo. Ev en w hen t hey w er e sm i l i ng a t ea ch ot her i t w a s j u st
b el ow t he su r f a ce. Jo- A n n w a s a m a n- ea t er , b u t sh e w ou l d f i nd t h i s
one t oo t ou gh t o ha nd l e, a n d Ch a r l ot t e w ou l d f eel a l m ost sor r y f or
her i f she t r i ed .
She w a s st i l l a t her t a b l e w hen t h ey l ef t t he d i n i n g r oom , a n d sh e
w a v ed v i v a ci ou sl y a t t hem , a n d t he t w o a u nt s i n t hei r su m m er st r a w
ha t s cr a ned t hei r neck s t o see
Sa u l d i d n't t el l Cha r l ot t e t o p u t on her sea t - b el t t hi s t i m e, a nd
ha v i n g m a d e a n i ssu e of r ef u sa l she cou l d n't v er y w el l cha nge h er
m i nd . They w ent a cr oss co u nt r y t o t he l a st hou se, sa v i ng sev er a l m i l es
b y cu t t i n g t hr o u g h t he l a nes. Cha r l ot t e d i r ect ed , t he w i ne m a k i ng
her f eel r el a xed ev en w i t h Sa u l b esi d e h er . She w a t ch ed hi s h a n d s o n
t he w heel a nd t hou g ht , H e d r i v es l i k e a n exp er t . I w on d er i f he ca n
ha n d l e a hor se. I w ond er how he w ou l d ha n d l e a w om a n.
N ot , of cou r se, t ha t she w a s i nt er est ed i n hi s sensu a l exp er t i se, b u t
seei n g Jo- A nn ogl i n g h i m ha d m a d e her r ea l i se t h a t t o som e w om en
he m i g ht seem a d i st u r b i ng l y sexy m a n. 'It 's hot i n her e,' she sa i d ,
r u n ni ng a f i nger r ou n d t h e n eck of h er shi r t . 'Ca n I t u r n u p t he co l d
a i r ?'
The w i nd ow s w er e op en b u t she w a s ho t , a n d t he su n w a s b r i ght
on t he w i n d scr een so t ha t she h a r d l y sa w t he ot her ca r . It ca m e
st r a i ght a cr oss t he cr ossr oa d s, a l t hou g h t hi s w a s t h e m a j or r o a d , a n d
Sa u l h a d t o sl a m on hi s b r a k es t o a v oi d p l ou ghi ng i nt o i t . A t t he
sa m e t i m e he f l u n g a n a r m a cr oss Cha r l ot t e or she w ou l d h a v e gone
hea d f i r st t hr ou g h t he w i nd scr een. 'A s i t w a s, she hi t t he gl a ss w i t h her
f or ehea d w i t h a f or ce t ha t k nock ed her u nco nsci o u s.
The t er r or onl y l a st ed a m om ent b ef or e t he i m p a ct , b u t i t w a s
l ong enou gh f or her t o t a st e d ea t h, a n d her m ou t h seem ed f u l l of
b i t t er a ci d w hen she op ened h er ey es a n d Sa u l 's f a ce sw a m ov er her .
H e h a d a n a r m a r ou nd her . Behi n d h i m , t hr ou g h t he op en w i n d ow ,
w a s a r ed f a ce w i t h shock ed b u l g i n g ey es, t op p ed b y a check ed ca p .
'It 's a l l r i ght ,' sa i d Sa u l , a n d m i r a cu l ou sl y i t w a s. H er ea r s w er e
r i ng i n g l i k e a p ea l of d i scor d a nt b el l s, a n d her hea d f el t nu m b , a s
t hou gh i t w a s st u f f ed w i t h cot t on w oo l . Bu t she k new how na r r ow
her esca p e h a d b een a n d t ha t he ha d sa v ed her f r om b ei ng sl a shed
t o r i b b on s.
The hea d a che w ou l d com e l a t er , b u t r i ght now a l l t h a t m a t t er ed
w a s t h a t she w a s a l i v e, she w a s a l l r i g ht , she w a s so l u ck y . She t r i ed t o
l i f t her hea d , b u t ev er y t hi n g w ent sp i nn i ng a nd she hea r d Sa u l sa y ,
'We'r e get t i ng y ou t o hosp i t a l '
'Yes, I r em em b er ,' she sa i d , som e f i f t een m i nu t es l a t er . 'A ca r ca m e
ou t a nd w e ha d t o b r a k e. I su p p ose t he d r i v er - w a s t he m a n i n t he
f l a t ca p . H e's a m en a ce on t he r oa d .'
'The r oa d s a r e f u l l of m ena ces,' si g hed t he em er gen cy d oct or , w ho
sa w t he r esu l t s of m a ny of t hem . A nu r si ng Si st er check ed Ch a r l ot t e's
b l ood p r essu r e a n d p u l se r a t e. The d oct or ha d exa m i n ed her ey es'
r ea ct i on t o l i g ht , a n d now he w a nt ed t o k now w het her t h er e w a s
a ny l oss of m em or y l ea d i n g u p t o her sl a m m i ng her hea d a g a i nst t he
w i n d scr een. Th er e w a sn 't , a nd t h a t seem ed t o b e a goo d si gn, b u t
ev en a f t er t he X- r a y s ha d show n no f r a ct u r e i t w a s no gu a r a nt ee
a ga i nst b r u i si n g of t he b r a i n.
A ct u a l l y she w a sn 't t ol d t ha t . Sa u l w a s. The Si st er w a s r ep ea t i ng
t he d oct or 's i nst r u ct i ons, t h a t Cha r l ot t e ha d ha d a n a st y t hu m p a n d
shou l d go t o b ed f or t w ent y - f ou r hou r s, a n d m u st n 't t a k e a ny t hi ng
st r onger t h a n a cou p l e of P a r a cet em ol s b eca u se i f t he hea d a che got
r ea l l y b a d t hey w o u l d w a nt t o k now . Th e d oct or w a s t a l k i n g t o Sa u l ,
a n d Cha r l ot t e w a s l i st eni ng t o w ha t he ha d t o sa y , a l t ho u gh she w a s
nod d i ng a t t he Si st er .
In t he ca r she sa i d , 'Br u i si ng of t he b r a i n sou nd s t er r i b l e. Wh a t el se
d i d he sa y t ha t I cou l d n 't hea r ?'
'Thi ngs t o w a t ch ou t f or ,' sa i d Sa u l .
'Su ch a s?'
'Sev er e v om i t i ng. D i sor i ent a t i on.'
'Fa nt a st i c,' she sa i d . 'I'l l l ook f or w a r d t o t ha t .' A b u m p of si zea b l e
p r op or t i ons t hr ob b ed o n t he h a i r l i ne of h er f or ehea d a nd she w a nt ed
t o get hom e t o A u nt Lu cy . It w a s a l o n g t i m e si n ce she h a d r u n t o
A u nt Lu cy w i t h a cu t k nee or a b ee st i ng, b u t r i ght now i t seem ed
l i k e y est er d a y a n d sh e f el t l i k e a sm a l l g i r l a ga i n w i t h a t ea r - st a i ned
f a ce.
In f a ct her cheek s w er e d r y a nd she p u t on a b r a v e f a ce, a n d w hen
t he ca r d r ew u p a t hom e she op ened t h e ca r d oor a n d w a v ed a cr oss
a t ol d Tom , w ho w a s w eed i n g, w i t h a l ong - ha nd l ed hoe b eca u se he
cou l d n't m a na g e t he b end i n g a ny m o r e. Bu t su d d enl y sh e w a sn't
su r e t ha t her l egs w o u l d su p p or t her . N o w she w a s hom e a n d sa f e t he
shock w a s t el l i n g, a n d she b i t her l i p a n d a sk ed Sa u l , ' Wou l d y ou
f et ch A u nt Lu cy , p l ea se? I'm not d i sor i en t a t i ng, I'm j u st f eel i n g sl i ght l y
t he w or se f or w ea r .'
'Su r e,' he sa i d . H e w ent i nt o t he ho u se a n d Ch a r l ot t e sa t w a i t i ng.
When he ca m e ou t he w a s a l on e, a nd he w ent a cr oss t o Tom a n d
sp ok e t o hi m , t hen ca m e t o Cha r l ot t e a nd sa i d , 'M i ss Snow e's not i n
a t t he m om ent .'
'W her e i s she?'
'Go ne i nt o St r a t f or d .' A nd i t w a sn't M a u d i e's d a y , so t her e w a s
nob od y a t hom e, a nd she w ou l d h a v e t o get her sel f t o b ed , so she
ha d b et t er get o n her f eet . 'Com e o n,' sa i d Sa u l .
'I ca n w a l k .' Bu t t he hea d a che w a s st a r t i ng. She p r a y ed , p l ea se
God , d on 't l et i t get t oo b a d , a n d Sa u l sa i d , 'Ta k e i t ea sy , t hey sa i d ,'
a n d p i ck ed her u p a s t hou gh she w a s st i l l a ch i l d .
She d i d n 't w a nt t ha t . She w ou l d n't ha v e m i nd ed a hel p i n g ha nd ,
b u t she d i d n't w a nt hol d i ng so t ha t her cheek w a s p r essed a g a i nst hi s
chest a n d her a r m s w er e r ou n d hi s neck . Tha t seem ed t he onl y p l a ce
f or her a r m s t o go, a n d she d i d n't h a v e t he st r engt h t o a r gu e or
st r u ggl e, a l t ho u gh w hen h e st a r t ed t o ca r r y her u p st a i r s she d i d sa y , 'I
cou l d l i e d ow n on t he sof a .'
'N ot f or t he next t w ent y - f ou r hou r s,' h e sa i d . ' You ' l l b e b et t er i n
b ed . W hi ch i s y ou r r oom ?'
'Secon d f l oor .' She r ea ched t o t u r n t he k nob , b a b b l i n g, 'I'l l w ea r a
sea t - b el t a f t er t hi s. I d on't f eel b a d a t a l l r ea l l y , b u t I t hi nk I'l l ha v e
t hose t w o hea d a che p i l l s i f y ou ' d j u st get t hem f or m e f r om t he
b a t hr oom cu p b oa r d . I'l l j u st k i ck m y shoes of f a nd '
'You ' l l j u st shu t u p ,' he sa i d . H e set her d ow n o n t he ed ge of t h e
b ed , sea t ed , a n d t ook of f h er sa n d a l s, a n d she t hou ght i t w ou l d ha v e
b een ni ce i f he ha d r u b b ed her b a r e f eet f or a w hi l e b eca u se her t oes
w er e t w i t chi n g w i t h ner v es. Bu t w hen she r ea l i sed he w a s u n d oi n g
t he l i t t l e b u t t ons of her sh i r t she st i f f en ed , p r ot est i ng, 'I ca n m a na ge.'
'Goo d ,' he gr i n ned , a n d som ehow i t w a s a ni ce gr i n t h a t t ook t he
t ensi on o u t of her . 'B u t r em em b er t her e i sn 't m u ch of y ou t h a t I
ha v en 't seen.'
'Ther e's eno u gh,' she hea r d her sel f gi g gl e w ea k l y .
'Then I'l l f i nd y ou r p i l l s.'
Wh i l e he w a s gone Cha r l ot t e got ou t of her cl ot hes a n d i nt o a
ni g ht d r ess a nd cr a w l ed b et w een t he sheet s. She w ou l d t a k e t he p i l l s
a n d r est a n d k now soon enou gh i f t her e w a s a ny d a m a ge d one. A t
t he m om ent she co u l d n't b e su r e she w a s a l l r i ght , t he b u m p w a s
t hr ob b i ng a w a y .
She m i ght f eel b et t er a f t er r est i ng or she m i ght f eel w or se, a n d sh e
w i shed A u nt L u cy w er e her e t o si t b y her b ed .
Sa u l b r ou g ht t he p i l l s a n d w a t er a nd she sw a l l ow ed , t hen l a y b a ck
on t he p i l l ow , a n d he l ea n ed ov er her a n d f or a m om ent she t hou g ht
he w a s go i n g t o k i ss her . Th a t w ou l d ha v e b een com f or t i ng. W hen he
d i d n't she f a l t er ed , ' W ha t i s i t ?'
'N ot a t hi n g,' h e sa i d . ' You 'r e f i ne.' 'Then w hy w er e y ou l ook i ng a t
m e l i k e t ha t ?' ' Wou l d y ou b el i ev e t o check i f y ou r p u p i l s m a t ch? They
d o, b ot h t he sa m e si ze, a nd t ha t m ea ns y ou 'r e f i ne.'
She l ook ed u p i nt o hi s ey es a n d f el t hi s b r ea t h o n her p a r t ed l i p s
l i k e t he l i g ht est of k i sses, a nd sa i d , ' W i l l y ou st a y u nt i l som eb od y
com es?'
'Of cou r se,' h e sa i d , a n d Cha r l ot t e cl osed her ey es a n d l et her sel f
d r i f t i nt o sl eep , a nd she w a sn't a f r a i d a ny m or e b eca u se Sa u l w a s
st a y i ng w i t h her a nd w i t h h i m she w a s sa f e.

CHAPTER FOUR


Cha r l ot t e w ok e a t A u nt Lu cy 's t ou ch a nd b l i n k ed a t t he f ea r i n
her b i g m oon f a ce. 'O h, m y p oor l a m b ,' A u nt L u cy w a s w hi sp er i n g.
'W ha t h a p p ened t o y ou ?'
Then Cha r l ot t e r em em b er ed , a nd t ou ched t he b u m p o n her
f or ehea d a n d w i n ced . H er hea d w a s a chi ng, b u t not u n b ea r a b l y ,
a n d she w a s f eel i ng si ck b u t not t o t he st a ge of sev er e v om i t i ng.
Wh a t w a s t he ot h er t hi ng? D i sor i ent a t i o n. Wel l , t h e r oom seem ed t o
b e st ea d y eno u gh, a n d so d i d d ea r ol d A u nt Lu cy , w ho w a s su ch a
p i ct u r e of m i ser y t ha t Cha r l ot t e sa i d q u i ck l y , ' N ot hi n g t o w ha t co u l d
ha v e h a p p en ed I w a s v er y l u ck y .'
'I w ou l d n't ca l l t h i s b ei ng l u ck y !' Rea ssu r ed , A u nt L u cy w a s t u r ni ng
q u er u l ou s. ' N ot a scr a t ch on Mr La u r enson, I not i ce. It 's onl y y ou w ho
nea r l y goes t hr ou gh t h e w i nd scr een.'
She sou nd ed i n a m ood t o a ccu se Sa u l of r eck l ess d r i v i ng a t l ea st ,
a n d Ch a r l ot t e sa i d , 'If i t ha d n 't b een f or Sa u l I w ou l d h a v e go ne
t hr ou gh t he w i n d ow . I w a sn't w ea r i n g a sea t - b el t a n d he hel d m e
b a ck , a n d t he a cci d ent w a sn't hi s f a u l t , b eca u se t hi s i d i ot cu t st r a i g ht
ou t i n f r ont of u s.'
'Oh,' sa i d A u nt Lu cy . ' Wel l , i n t ha t ca se I'm sor r y I w a s sha r p w i t h
hi m .'
She w a s st i l l w ea r i n g h er co a t a nd ha t a n d she m u st h a v e j u st
r et u r ned f r om her shop p i ng. A s soon a s Sa u l b r ok e t he new s t h a t
Cha r l ot t e w a s i n b ed , a s t he r esu l t of a ca r a cci d ent , A u nt Lu cy w o u l d
b e u p her e a s f a st a s her b u l k w o u l d l et her . Ch a r l ot t e w on d er ed
w ha t sh e h a d sa i d t o Sa u l , w ho ha d su r el y h a d eno u gh t r ou b l e f or
one a f t er noon. N ot , she t hou g ht , t ha t Sa u l w ou l d b e cu t t o t he q u i ck
b y A u nt Lu cy .
She w a s f eel i ng b et t er . H er f a ce h a d b een w i p ed cl ea n a t t he
hosp i t a l , b u t A u nt Lu cy , w i t h a n i nb or n i nst i n ct f or co d d l i ng, sa i d , 'I'l l
j u st sp on ge y ou r h a nd s a n d f a ce,' a n d b r ou g ht a b a si n a n d a cl ot h
a n d gent l y d a b b ed a w a y , f i ni sh i n g w i t h a n ea u - d e- col o gne so a k ed
ha n d k er chi ef t u ck ed u n d er Ch a r l ot t e's p i l l ow . ' N ow ,' sh e sa i d , ' d o y ou
f a ncy a cu p of t ea ?'
Tha t w a s w el com e. Cha r l ot t e sa t u p a nd si p p ed , a n d exp l a i ned
t ha t she d i d n 't need a ny f ood b eca u se she ha d ha d a n ou t si ze l u nch.
It w a s nea r l y f i v e o'cl ock now , a n d she m u st ha v e sl ep t f or a good
t w o hou r s, a l t hou gh she w o u l d n't ha v e p u t i t t ha t l ong. Geor gy ha d
com e i nt o t he r oom som e t i m e a nd w a s cu r l ed o n hi s r u g - v i ew i ng
A u nt Lu cy 's com i ngs a n d goi ngs w i t h so m e su r p r i se, a nd a f t er her cu p
of t ea Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'I sho u l d t hi nk I cou l d g et u p .'
'N ot t i l l t he d oct or 's seen y ou ,' sa i d A u nt Lu cy f i r m l y .
'I'v e seen a d oct or . I w ent t o t he hosp i t a l a n d i t 's o nl y a l i t t l e
b u m p .'
A u nt Lu cy w h i p p ed u p a si l v er - b a ck ed m i r r or f r om t he d r essi ng
t a b l e a nd h a n d ed i t ov er w i t hou t a w or d , a n d Cha r l ot t e ga sp ed a t
her r ef l ect i o n. Thi s w a s no l i t t l e b u m p . Thi s w a s a gr ea t shi ni ng
sw el l i ng, w i t h t he d a r k b egi nn i n gs of a n u gl y b r u i se. Th e sk i n w a s
u nb r ok en, b u t i t w a s v i si b l e p r oof of t he f or ce w i t h w hi ch she h a d hi t
t ha t w i n d scr een, a n d i t si l en ced her a b ou t j u m p i ng ou t of b ed .
'Mr La u r enso n p honed D r Bu ck st o n,' A u nt Lu cy f u ssed a r ou n d ,
sm oot hi ng t he cou nt er p a ne. ' H e w a s o u t , b u t h e'l l b e a l o ng, a nd
w ha t y ou r f a t her 's go i n g t o sa y a b ou t t hi s I d o not k now .'
'W a r n hi m i t l ook s w or se t h a n i t i s,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. 'I m u st ha v e a
t hi ck sk u l l , b eca u se I ha d a n X- r a y a nd t her e's not hi ng cr a ck ed .' A u nt
Lu cy t u t t ed , w i t h h er su ch- go i n gs- o n exp r essi on. ' W ha t d i d y ou sa y t o
Sa u l ?' Ch a r l ot t e enq u i r ed .
'I a sk ed hi m w h a t he' d b een d oi ng t o y ou .'
'Tr ea t i ng m e v er y gent l y , a ct u a l l y , a l l t hi ngs consi d er i n g,' sa i d
Cha r l ot t e w r y l y .
When A u nt Lu cy h a d l ef t her she l a y t hi nk i ng how st r a nge i t w a s
t ha t Sa u l shou l d seem p r ot ect i v e a nd k i nd w hen she w a s h u r t a n d
v u l ner a b l e, a nd y et w hen she w a s st r o ng a nd sou n d i n m i n d a n d
b od y he seem ed a l m ost w hol l y t hr ea t en i ng. Of cou r se i t w ou l d t a k e
a ca l l o u s m a n not t o b e concer ned w hen hi s p a ssen ger t ook a
nosed i v e a t t he w i n d scr een, b u t t he m em or y of hi s t ou ch l i nger ed o n
her sk i n. Sh e r eca l l ed hi s f i n ger s u n d oi ng t he b u t t ons of her shi r t , a nd
she w a s b r ea t hi n g f a st , a n d she w o nd er ed how i t w ou l d ha v e b een i f
he h a d k i ssed her , i f hi s ha nd ha d cov er ed a b r ea st .
Geor gy 's hu ge ey es w er e f i xed on h er a nd she sa i d , 'Ca n't y ou
f i gu r e ou t w ha t 's go i n g on? W el l , n ei t her ca n I, so m a y b e t hi s i s t he
b egi nn i n g of t h a t d i sor i ent a t i on.' She l a u g hed a t her sel f t hen a n d
t hou ght , So he's sexy , a nd he ca r r i ed m e u p her e a nd p r a ct i ca l l y p u t
m e t o b ed , a n d I'm onl y h u m a n. It w ou l d n't b e h a r d t o f a ncy hi m ,
b u t t ha t d oesn't m ea n t o sa y I l i k e hi m . Jer em y i s t he m a n I l i k e, t he
m a n I l ov e a nd t r u st . N ext t i m e a ny one l ook ed i n she w ou l d a sk f or a
p hone, b eca u se she m u st r i ng Jer em y a nd t el l hi m w h a t ha d
ha p p ened t o her .
She w ok e t o a y el p f r om Geor gy a s Dr Bu ck st on a d v a n ced o n t he
b ed . The d oct or w a s a n o l d f a m i l y f r i end , b u t t ha t d i d n't st op Geor gy
f r om b a ck i n g u n d er t he d r essi ng t a b l e a n d goi ng on y a p p i n g u nt i l
her f a t her d r a g ged h i m ou t a nd h a n d ed hi m ov er t o A u nt Lu cy . 'A n d
w ha t h a v e y ou b een u p t o, y ou n g Ch a r l ot t e?' a sk ed Dr B u ck st on.
H er f a t her l ook ed w or r i ed ; she a l w a y s seem ed t o b e w or r y i ng hi m
l a t el y . 'It cou l d ha v e b een w or se,' she sa i d , 'I d on't k now how w e
m i ssed cr a shi ng i nt o t ha t ot her ca r .' She r em em b er ed Sa u l sw er v i ng
t o a v oi d Kel l y a nd sa i d , ' H e's get t i ng a l ot of p r a ct i ce d od gi n g t hi ngs
t hese d a y s,' t hen gr i m a ced w hen t he t w o m en l ook ed p u zzl ed . 'Sor r y ,
j u st a l i t t l e p r i v a t e j ok e.'
Dr Bu ck st on check ed her p u l se a nd b l ood p r essu r e a g a i n, shone a
t or ch i nt o her ey es, a nd f i n a l l y sm i l ed , a gr eei n g t ha t i t cou l d ha v e
b een w or se. She m u st st a y w her e she w a s u nt i l t om or r ow ev eni ng,
b u t she w a s a v er y f or t u na t e y ou ng l a d y , esca p i n g w i t h a b u m p a nd
a b r u i se.
H e d i d n 't sa y , 'Inst ea d of a l a cer a t ed f a ce a nd p ossi b l y a cu t
t hr oa t ,' b u t t ha t w a s w ha t he w a s t hi n k i ng, a nd so w a s her f a t her .
H er f a t her w a s l ook i ng ha gg a r d , a n d Cha r l ot t e r ea ched a cr oss
i m p u l si v el y t o t a k e hi s ha nd a n d sa y t o t he d oct or , 'Whi l e y ou 'r e
her e, t hi s i s t he one y ou shou l d b e exa m i ni ng. H e' s b egi n ni n g t o l ook
v er y t i r ed . Ca n 't y ou gi v e h i m a t on i c?'
'H e k now s t he t oni c I r ecom m en d .' W i l l i a m Bu ck st on l ook ed ov er
hi s sp ect a cl es a t hi s f r i en d . ' Mor e l ei su r e a nd l ess w or k .'
H er f a t her h a d nev er b een a d y n a m i c b u si ness m a n, t hei r s w a sn't
t ha t k i nd of b u si ness, b u t i f t he d oct or t hou ght he ha d t oo m u ch o n
hi s sho u l d er s Ch a r l ot t e cou l d t a k e on m or e r esp onsi b i l i t y f or t he d a y -
t o- d a y r u n ni ng of Du nscom b es. She sa i d , ' Ma y b e i t 's t i m e w e m a d e i t
Du nscom b e a nd D a u g ht er ,' a n d her f a t her chu ck l ed a nd she
t hou ght , H e's l i k e A u nt L u cy , he st i l l t hi n k s I'm a chi l d .
'Don't w or r y ,' he sa i d , 'I'm hop i ng t o t a k e t hi ng s ea si er b ef or e l on g.'
'Wel l , i t ca n't b e t oo soon,' sa i d Dr Bu ck st on. 'A n d how a b o u t a
r ou n d of gol f n ext w eek ?'
It ha d t o b e a good i d ea t ha t she sho u l d l i e her e, a s t w o d o ct or s
ha d g i v en t he or d er s, b u t h a v i ng sl ep t m ost of t he a f t er noon a nd i nt o
ea r l y ev eni ng Ch a r l ot t e l a y w a k ef u l a nd b or ed f r om a b o u t ei ght
o'cl ock . She h a d sp ok en t o Jer em y ea r l i er .
'H el l o, l ov e,' he'd sa i d , 'I got y ou r m essa ge. A r e y ou com i ng r ou nd
l a t er ?'
'N ot t od a y ,' she sa i d . 'I w a s i n a nea r - m i ss ca r a cci d ent a nd now
I'm l y i ng i n b ed , nu r si ng a b u m p on m y f or ehea d , a n d t hey w on't l et
m e get u p t i l l t om or r ow m or ni ng.'
Jer em y 's concer n w a s gr a t i f y i ng. She cou l d f eel i t com i ng ov er t he
p hone i n com f or t i ng w a v es, l a p p i n g her i n l ov e. H e w a s a p p a l l ed t o
t hi nk t ha t Ch a r l ot t e h a d b een cl ose t o a r ea l ca t a st r op h e. Wa s she
su r e she w a s a l l r i ght ? D i d i t hu r t st i l l ? H o w ha d i t h a p p ened ?
She t ol d h i m how i t ha d ha p p ened , w i t h Sa u l L a u r enson a t t he
w heel , a nd Jer em y excl a i m ed , 'I'l l k i l l hi m r i sk i ng y ou r neck ! H e
shou l d h a v e seen t he ot her ca r .'
'Ther e w er e hi gh hed ges,' sh e exp l a i ned , b u t t ha t w a sn't good
enou g h f or Jer em y .
'Ther e w er e cr ossr o a d s, w er en 't t her e? H e shou l d ha v e sl ow ed
d ow n.'
'If y ou sl ow ed d ow n a t ev er y hi d d en g a t e Or r oa d goi ng a l on g t he
l a nes w hen y ou ' d got r i g ht of w a y ,' Cha r l ot t e p oi nt ed ou t , 'y ou ' d
nev er get a ny w her e.'
'W ha t w er e y ou d oi ng i n hi s ca r a ny w a y ?'
'H e's l ook i ng a t hou ses r ou n d her e. My f a t her l i ned m e u p t o go
w i t h hi m .'
'W hy ?'
'I l i k e l ook i n g a t hou ses, u su a l l y , a nd I'm l oca l , of cou r se.' She
b ega n t o sm i l e. 'You w ou l d n 't b e j ea l o u s, w ou l d y ou ?'
'N ot so l on g a s y ou st i l l t hi nk he l ook s l i k e Dr a cu l a ,' sa i d Jer em y .
'Oh, he d oes.' Dr a cu l a ca r r y i ng her u p st a i r s, l ea n i n g ov er her a s she
l a y on t he b ed , d y na m i c a n d d a r k a nd v er y sexy . She w a s gl a d t h a t
Jer em y cou l d n't r ea d her t hou g ht s, a n d she sa i d , 'I w i sh y ou cou l d
com e ov er . You ca n't , t hou gh, m y f a t her 's i n no m ood f or l et t i ng y ou
i nt o m y b ed r oom . I'l l b e u p t om or r ow , I'l l see y ou t he n ext d a y .'
'A nd i t i s on l y a b r u i se y ou 'v e got , a nd no com p l i ca t i ons a nd
not hi n g el se?'
'Wou l d I l i e t o y ou ?' She l a u ghed , cr a d l i ng t he r ecei v er . 'Rea l l y ,
t ha t 's a l l .'
'Tha t 's a cl ev er gi r l .' Jer em y b r ea t h ed d eep . 'Bl ood y m a d d r i v er s,
not k now i n g w ha t t hey 'r e d oi ng h a l f t he t i m e!' She su p p osed he
m ea nt Sa u l , a s w el l a s t h e m a n i n t he f l a t ca p , a nd she t hou ght , H e
k now s w ha t he's d o i n g. H e w a s nev er ou t of cont r ol of t ha t ca r , he
w a s a l w a y s i n co nt r ol of ev er y t hi ng.
She sa i d , ' Good b y e f or now . Gi v e t h e a u d i ence som et hi ng t o
r em em b er a n d I w i sh I cou l d b e w a t chi ng y ou f r om t he w i ngs.'
H er f a t her ha d b r o u ght i n a p or t a b l e TV a n d Cha r l ot t e w a t ched
t ha t f or a w hi l e. She w a s i nt o a p l a y t h a t p r om i sed t o b e ent er t a i n i n g
w hen A u nt Lu cy ca m e b a ck a g a i n w i t h t he p hone a n d a nno u n ced ,
'It 's t ha t Jo- A nn M a r l ey .' A u nt Lu cy h a d nev er ha d m u ch r oom f or Jo-
A nn si nce Cha r l ot t e's si xt h b i r t h d a y p a r t y w hen Jo- A nn h a d a sk ed
her , ' W hy d oes Cha r l ot t e ca l l y ou A u nt Lu cy ? Yo u 'r e not her a u nt i e,
a r e y ou . Yo u 'r e o nl y a ser v a nt , a r en 't y ou ?'
She ha d t ol d Jo- A nn t h a t Cha r l ot t e w a s r est i ng, a nd w hy , a n d Jo-
A nn h a d so u n d ed v er y shock ed a n d a sk ed i f i t w ou l d b e p ossi b l e t o
ha v e a w or d w i t h her , so A u nt L u cy h a d r el ent ed a nd b r ou ght u p
t he p hone.
'W hy , hel l o,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e, w i t h no i l l u si ons a t a l l a s t o w hy Jo- A nn
w a s r i ngi ng. She w a nt ed t h e l ow d ow n o n Sa u l , a nd a l t ho u gh she w a s
sor r y a b ou t Cha r l ot t e's cr a ck on t he hea d , a s soo n a s Cha r l ot t e ha d
sa i d she' d l i v e Jo- A n n a sk ed , ' Wa s Sa u l w i t h y ou ?'
'Yes.'
'H e's a l l r i ght , i s h e?' N ow t h a t w ou l d h a v e b een a t r a ged y ,
t hou ght Cha r l ot t e. Gi r l s Jo- A n n cou l d d o w i t hou t , b u t she w ou l d
ha v e su f f er ed a t t he l oss of a n el i gi b l e m a n.
She sa i d , 'N ot a m a r k on hi m . A t l ea st , none he show ed m e.'
'Goo d ,' sa i d Jo- A nn. 'I sa y , w ho i s he?' ' A f r i end of m y f a t her 's.' 'N ot
y ou r s?'
'N ot p a r t i cu l a r l y .' Mor e l i k e a n enem y . A l l t he w a r n i n g si g na l s i n
her b l oo d w er e r i n gi n g f or hi m , a n d she f r ow ned a n d w ent t o r u b her
f or ehea d a nd t ou ched t he b r u i se a nd co w er ed .
Jo- A nn a sk ed , 'Is he m a r r i ed ?'
'N o,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. She a d d ed sa r ca st i ca l l y , 'N ot m a r r i ed a n d r i ch
a n d p r o b a b l y com i ng t o l i v e r ou nd her e, so i sn't t ha t exci t i ng?' Bu t
Jo- A nn w a s t hi ck - sk i nn ed a s t hey com e a nd a gr eed ent hu si a st i ca l l y ,
t hen w ent on, 'Is he a t y ou r p l a ce now ?'
Cha r l ot t e ha d a sk ed her f a t her t ha t , a n d b een t ol d t h a t Sa u l h a d
gone b a ck t o hi s hot el , a nd now she sa i d , 'N o, he's st a y i n g a t t he Bl u e
Boa r .'
'Wel l , hu r r y u p a nd get w el l ,' sa i d Jo- A nn, a n d r a n g of f , ha r d l y
gi v i n g Cha r l ot t e t i m e t o sa y good b y e.
Cha r l ot t e b a nged d ow n t he p ho ne a n d l et ou t her b r ea t h i n a
l ong exa sp er a t ed g a sp , t hen sa gged , d ef l a t ed , a ga i nst t he p i l l ow s. Jo-
A nn w o u l d p hone hi m a l l r i ght a n d m a y b e he shou l d b e w a r n ed ,
a n d Ch a r l ot t e t hr ew b a ck t he sheet s, on her w a y t o l ook u p t he
nu m b er of t he B l u e Boa r i n t he d i r ect or y d ow nst a i r s.
Then sh e check ed her sel f . She w a sn't r esp onsi b l e f or w ha t Jo- A nn
d i d , a nd i f ev er a m a n cou l d l ook a f t er h i m sel f Sa u l L a u r enson cou l d .
Besi d es she w a s st i l l f eel i n g gr oggy . She l a y d ow n a ga i n a nd t r i ed t o
w a t ch t he p l a y , b u t f r om t hen on i t seem ed t o get si l l i er , u nt i l t he
w hol e t hi ng w a s b o gged d ow n i n t a l k - t a l k - t a l k a n d sh e t u r ned i t of f .
She cou l d n 't r el a x. Ev en h er f a v ou r i t e b ook s, t ha t she k ep t i n a
b ook ca se i n her r oom , f a i l ed t o soot he her , a n d w hen A u nt Lu cy
l ook ed i n she k ep t her t a l k i ng u nt i l A u nt Lu cy p r ot est ed , 'Yo u 'r e
su p p osed t o b e r est i n g, not cha t t er i ng ni net een t o t he d ozen.'
'I'm not t i r ed . I'm get t i n g u p i n t he m or ni ng.'
'A r e y ou , m y l a d y ? We' l l see a b ou t t ha t . A ny how , w ha t 's
ha p p eni ng t om or r ow t ha t m a k es i t so i m p or t a nt f or y ou t o b e u p
a n d a b ou t ?'
'N ot hi ng t ha t I k now of ,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e. Bu t t hi ngs w er e
ha p p eni ng, a l l co nnect ed w i t h Sa u l L a u r enson, a nd i t w ou l d b e
st u p i d t o st a y i n b ed w hen, a f t er a ni g ht 's sl eep , she w ou l d b e
p er f ect l y f i ne.
She cou l d h a v e sl ep t b et t er . A u nt Lu cy b r ou g ht her a not her
cou p l e of p i l l s w i t h a gl a ss of hot m i l k b ef or e she set t l ed d ow n, b u t
she d i d a l ot of d r ea m i n g a nd t ossi n g t ha t n i g ht . They w er e d r ea m s
she cou l d n't r em em b er , b u t she w ok e f r om t hem sev er a l t i m es a n d
l a y st a r i ng i nt o t he d a r k ness a nd she cou l d n't get t he d a r k f a ce of
Sa u l La u r enso n ou t of her m i n d
'Cu p of t ea ?' sa i d A u nt Lu cy , a nd Cha r l ot t e op ened her ey es a nd
sa t u p a n d sm i l ed . H er hea d a ch e w a s now no m or e t ha n a ni ggl e,
a n d t her e w er e no ot her a ches a nd p a i ns. 'N o d a m a ge,' she sa i d , w i t h
hea r t f el t r el i ef b eca u se u nt i l now sh e h a d n 't b een q u i t e su r e t h a t her
i nj u r i es w er e su p er f i ci a l .
'Tha t 's a b ea u t i f u l b r u i se,' com m ent ed A u nt Lu cy .
'I'l l com b a f r i nge ov er i t . Wh a t 's t he t i m e?'
'Sev en o' cl ock . You d r i nk y ou r t ea a n d g o b a ck t o sl eep .'
'Yes, I w i l l .' Cha r l ot t e cou l d d o t ha t t od a y , w i t hou t f eel i ng gu i l t y
a b ou t A u nt L u cy b ei n g u p a n d a b ou t . Tod a y she w a s co nv a l escent ,
u nt i l a f t er n i ne o' cl ock a ny w a y , w hen her f a t her shou l d ha v e l ef t t he
hou se a n d she w o u l d onl y ha v e A u nt Lu cy t o cont end w i t h.
H er f a t her ca m e i nt o her r oom a r o u nd ei g ht o'cl ock , d r essi n g
gow n ov er p y j a m a s a nd gr ey - f a ced a s t hou gh he h a d n't sl ep t t oo
w el l , a nd Cha r l ot t e ga v e hi m a sp eci a l l y b r i g ht a nd r ea ssu r i n g sm i l e.
'Lu cy sa y s y ou 'r e f eel i n g b et t er .' H e st ood b esi d e her b ed , f r ow ni ng
a t t he p u r p l e sw el l i n g on her f or eh ea d .
'I'm f eel i n g f i ne.' She sq u i nt ed a t t he b u m p , w hi ch w a s b i g enou gh
t o see w i t h her ey es cr ossed . 'Bet t er ou t t ha n i n.' She st a r t ed t o l a u g h,
t hen sob er ed . 'Sa u l hel d m e b a ck , y ou k now . H e t hr ew a n a r m a cr oss
m e w hi l e he w a s b r a k i ng. If he h a d n't ' She b i t her l i p a n d w i shed
she ha d not b r ou ght u p w h a t w ou l d ha v e ha p p ened i f Sa u l 's r ef l exes
ha d b een sl ow er . She sa i d w r y l y , 'I d on' t k now a b ou t m y l i f e, b u t I
gu ess I ow e hi m m y f a ce.'
'Don't f or get t ha t ,' her f a t her sa i d . 'A n d y ou st a y w her e y ou a r e
u nt i l I get b a ck t hi s ev eni ng, t hen y ou ca n com e d ow nst a i r s.' H e
k i ssed her cheek a n d t ol d her , 'I l ov e y ou .'
It w a s a l ong t i m e si n ce he h a d t ol d her t ha t , a n d she su p p osed i t
w a s b eca u se of t he a cci d ent , b eca u se he m i g ht ha v e l ost her .
'W ha t ev er h a p p ens,' h e sa i d , 'r em em b er I l ov e y ou .'
So he w a s sp ea k i ng f or t he f u t u r e. Bu t w hi l e she w a s a sk i ng, ' W ha t
d o y ou m ea n ?' he w a s w a l k i ng a w a y , a nd w hen he l ook ed i n a ga i n
he w a s d r essed f or w or k a n d j u st of f .
'A nd t hi s i s w her e I exp ect t o f i n d y ou w hen I com e b a ck ,' he t ol d
her . 'Do n't get b ei ng t oo cl ev er .'
'I'm not f eel i n g t oo cl ev er ,' she h a d t o a d m i t . Ev en a sl i g ht
hea d a che w a s a h a nd i ca p . She w ou l d n eed a l l her w i t s t o d ea l w i t h
w ha t ev er w a s goi ng on a r o u n d her e, b u t b y ev en i n g she w ou l d b e
b a ck i n f i ght i ng f or m .
She h a d no d ou b t t her e w a s a f i ght l oom i ng. She ha d nev er ha d t o
f i ght a ny one b ef or e, l et a l one a m a n l i k e Sa u l La u r enson. You o nl y
ha d t o l ook a t h i m t o k now he w a s a w i n ner w ho d i d n't b el i ev e i n
r u l es, so she w a s f or ea r m ed t her e; b u t h e cou l d ha v e a su r p r i se. She
l ook ed sof t a nd sw eet a n d p a m p er ed , b u t she w a s a l m ost su r e she
ha d a cor e of t ou ghness. 'W a i t f or i t ,' she t ol d her sel f , t el l i n g hi m
a l t hou g h he cou l d n 't hea r her , ' b eca u se I d on't t r u st y ou a n d I d on't
f a ncy b ei n g a l oser ei t her .'
The hea d a che got b et t er . By t he t i m e t he r oses a r r i v ed i t h a d
gone, a nd Ch a r l ot t e, w ho ha d r ea d t he new sp a p er s f r om b eg i n ni ng
t o end a n d ea t en a sm a l l t u na sa l a d f or her l u nch, w a s b or ed .
A u nt Lu cy b r ou ght u p t he b ou q u et , d a r k r ed a nd f r a gr a nt , a n d
Cha r l ot t e b ou nced u p i n b ed w i t h d el i ght . 'Oh, how gor geou s, a r e
t hey f or m e?'
'N ob o d y sen d s m e r oses,' sa i d A u nt Lu cy .
'W ho a r e t hey f r om ?'
A u nt Lu cy p u t t hem o n t he b ed a n d Ch a r l ot t e r ea d t he l i t t l e ca r d ,
'For a cl ev er gi r l , l ov e, J.' Th a t w a s t ho u g ht f u l of Jer em y . Sh e h a d t ol d
hi m not t o com e, b u t t hi s w a s a l ov el y i d ea , a n d sh e b r u shed one of
t he v el v et y p et a l s w i t h her l i p s. 'Do y ou w a nt t hem u p her e?' a sk ed
A u nt Lu cy .
Cha r l ot t e w a sn't st a y i ng u p her e. She w a s goi ng d ow nst a i r s a n d
she w a nt ed her r oses w i t h her . She got ou t of b ed , her r oses i n her
a r m s. 'A n d w her e d o y ou t h i nk y ou 'r e goi ng?' A u nt Lu cy d em a n d ed .
'To p u t t hem i n w a t er . Then I'm get t i n g u p .' Sh e w heed l ed , 'Oh,
com e on, I ca n't l i e i n b ed a ny l o nger . I'l l com e d ow n a nd si t on t he
sof a . I'm not goi n g t o ha v e a r el a p se no w , a m I?'
'The d o ct or sa i d y ou w er e t o st a y i n b ed t i l l t ea t i m e. So d i d y ou r
f a t her .'
'We w on't t el l t hem ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e.
A u nt Lu cy hesi t a t ed , b u t , a p a r t f r om t he b r u i se, Cha r l ot t e l ook ed
her u su a l hea l t hy sel f , a n d t he st a i r s w er e st eep a n d L u cy Snow e f el t
she cou l d w a t ch ov er her j u st a s w el l i n t he d r a w i ng r oom . 'A l l r i g ht ,'
she sa i d gr u d gi ng l y . ' Gi v e t hem her e.'
Cha r l ot t e p u t on a r ed v el v et r ob e t ha t m a t ched t he r oses, t i ed
w i t h a b r o a d gi r d l e t ha t em p h a si sed her sl en d er w a i st . She w on d er ed
i f Jer em y m i ght t u r n u p . If he d i d t hey m i ght not l et hi m com e
u p st a i r s t o see h er , b u t t hey cou l d h a r d l y k eep hi m ou t of t he
d r a w i n g r oom a n d t he r o b e w a s a com p l em ent t o t he r oses.
They l ook ed v er y ef f ect i v e i n a b i g w hi t e b ow l o n a l ow t a b l e, a n d
Cha r l ot t e, si t t i n g on her heel s, f i d d l ed a r ou n d u nt i l t hey w er e
a r r a nged t o her sa t i sf a ct i o n.
The p ho ne r a n g a cou p l e of t i m es. She h a d hea r d i t r i ngi ng ea r l i er
w hi l e she w a s i n b ed , w h en A u nt L u cy o r M a u d i e ha d a nsw er ed . The
new s of her esca p a d e w a s goi ng t h e r ou nd s a nd f r i end s w er e
p honi ng. Dow n her e she a nsw er ed , a n d t ol d a cou p l e of f r i en d s t ha t
t he m a n i n t he ca r w i t h her w a s a b u si ness col l ea gu e of her f a t her 's.
N ot hi n g t o d o w i t h her . H e m i ght b e b u y i ng a ho u se a n d she w a s j u st
l ook i ng w i t h hi m . She d i d n 't w a nt a ny of t hem l i nk i n g her w i t h Sa u l
La u r enson, b eca u se no w a y w er e she a n d he l i k el y t o get t oget her .
A t hi r d ca l l w a s Jo- A n n Ma r l ey , a n d Ch a r l ot t e w i sh ed she ha d n't
t a k en t h a t , b eca u se she d i d n't h a v e m u ch t o sa y t o Jo- A n n.
Yes, t ha nk y ou , she sa i d , she w a s m u ch b et t er t od a y . It ha d r ea l l y
b een next t o not hi n g a ny w a y , b u t i t w a s ni ce of Jo- A n n t o b e a sk i ng.
Onl y t ha t w a sn't w hy Jo- A nn w a s ca l l i ng, so Cha r l ot t e w a i t ed a n d
a f t er a m om ent or t w o Jo- A nn sa i d , ' By t he w a y , I sa w Sa u l l a st
ni g ht .'
'Di d y ou ?'
Jo- A nn w a s get t i ng conf i d ent i a l . H er v oi ce sou n d ed a s t hou g h she
w a s sm i l i n g a sm u g l i t t l e sm i l e. ' Wel l , I r a ng h i m w el l , y ou 'd sa i d he
w a sn 't a p a r t i cu l a r f r i en d , a n d a ny w a y , i t 's y ou a n d Jer em y Wy l d e,
i sn't i t ? or of cou r se I w ou l d n't ha v e.' The heck y ou w ou l d n't ! t hou ght
Cha r l ot t e. 'H e a sk ed m e t o ha v e d i n ner w i t h hi m ,' sa i d Jo- A nn.
'Qu i ck w or k ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. She w a s su r p r i sed . She w ou l d n 't ha v e
t hou ght Jo- A n n w a s Sa u l La u r en son's t y p e, a l t hou gh of cou r se she
w a s a v er y p r et t y gi r l a n d good ness k no w s she w a s a v a i l a b l e. 'H a v e
a ni ce t i m e?' she a sk ed , a n d Jo- A nn gu r g l ed , ' You ca n sa y t ha t a g a i n!
I r ea l l y d i d .' She so u n d ed a s i f she w a s h u ggi ng her sel f . 'H e's f a nt a st i c,
a n d so h a n d som e.'
'Do y ou t hi nk so?' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e. 'I t hi nk he l ook s l i k e Dr a cu l a ,'
a n d Jo- A nn w ent i nt o sq u ea l s of l a u ght er , ' Wel l , he ca n t a k e a b i t e
ou t of m e a ny t i m e!'
'H a h a ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. 'Oh, hel l o, how ni ce t o see y ou . Sor r y , Jo -
A nn, I'l l ha v e t o r i ng of f , I'v e got a v i si t or .' Ther e w a s nob o d y i n t he
r oom b u t t he d ogs, a n d t her e w a s nob od y com i ng, b u t she cou l d n't
st a nd Jo- A nn a m om ent l onger . The g i r l w a s a . f ool , f l i r t i ng w i t h a ny
m a n i n si ght . Ch a r l ot t e cou l d j u st i m a g i ne her , si m p er i ng a cr oss t h e
d i n ner t a b l e a t Sa u l ; a n d i f sh e k new Jo- A nn t he ev eni ng' s
ent er t a i nm ent w ou l d n 't en d w i t h d i n ner .
Per h a p s t hey a t e i n hi s su i t e. Cha r l ot t e cou l d i m a gi ne t h a t scene:
t he r ou n d t a b l e, p er h a p s ca n d l el i g ht , a nd t w o ch a i r s d r a w n u p ; t h e
ha l f - op en d oor i nt o t he ot her r oom , w hi ch w ou l d b e i n sh a d ow y
d a r k ness. A n d she w a s f i l l ed w i t h a v i o l ent i m p a t i ence, f r u st r a t i o n,
a ng er a l m ost . A n em ot i on t h a t she cou l d n 't gi v e a na m e b u t t ha t
cou l d not p ossi b l y b e j ea l ou sy .
H er hea d w a s st a r t i n g t o t hr ob a g a i n, w a r n i n g her t ha t sh e m u st
t a k e t hi n gs ca l m l y , t ha t b u m p w a s a w ea k sp ot f or a w h i l e; so she l a y
d ow n on t he b i g sof t - cu shi o ned Chest er f i el d , a nd cl osed her ey es a n d
w a i t ed f or t he t h r ob b i n g t o su b si d e.
She hea r d t he d oor b el l r i ng a n d t he d o gs r u shed ou t of t he r oom ,
Geor gy w el l b ehi nd Wi l b u r a n d Tr i a . Then t her e w a s b a r k i ng a nd
som eb od y b ei ng l et i n, a nd she t hou g h t , i t 's goi ng t o b e Jer em y , so
she st a y ed w her e she w a s, l y i n g b a ck a n d d oi n g her b est t o l ook p a l e
a n d i nt er est i n g.
Bu t i t w a s Sa u l , a n d sh e w a sn't su r p r i sed . Da y a n d ni g ht l a t el y she
nev er seem ed t o b e f r ee of hi m . She sa t u p a nd he a sk ed , 'H ow a r e
y ou f eel i n g?'
'Oh, 'she shr u g ged , ' a l l r i ght . N o d el a y ed a ct i on w i t h y ou ?' ' N ot hi ng
ha p p ened t o m e y est er d a y .' Ch a r l ot t e sa i d t a r t l y , b ef or e she cou l d
st op her sel f , 'I w ou l d n 't sa y t h a t .' Sh e h a d n't m ea nt t o sa y a ny t hi ng
a n d she b a b b l ed o n, 'It w a s a p r et t y nea r t hi n g, i t cou l d ha v e sha k en
a ny b o d y . You m i g ht ha v e f el t som e sor t of shock l a t er .' Bu t he ha d
ner v es of st eel , she w a s su r e of i t , so she st op p ed p r et en d i ng she ha d
b een r ef er r i ng t o t he a cci d ent a n d a sk ed , ' Wa s i t a p l ea sa nt ev en i n g
w i t h Jo- A n n?'
'Ver y .'
'She p ho ned m e t w i ceo nce t o f i nd ou t w her e y ou w er e a n d once
t o t el l m e she'd seen y ou .' N ow she w a s sou n d i ng a m u sed , a sk i ng,
'W ha t d i d she sa y ? "H el l o a n d a r e y ou a t a l oose en d t oni ght ?" or
"H ow a b ou t a d r i nk t o cel eb r a t e y ou r esca p e? You m u st b e a
f a nt a st i c d r i v er ."' She d r a w l ed t he 'f a nt a st i c' i n a w a y t h a t Jo- A n n
ha d , a nd he l a u g hed .
'You ' r e not t oo f a r of f , b u t i t st a r t ed w i t h a n of f er t o hel p m e f i n d
a hou se. She t el l s m e she w a s i n r ea l est a t e f or a w hi l e.'
'She w a s i n a n est a t e of f i ce,' Ch a r l ot t e r eca l l ed . ' For a f ew w eek s a
f ew y ea r s a go.' Jo- A nn ha d gon e f r om j ob t o j ob w hen she f i r st l ef t
school , her l ook s a nd conf i d ence i m p r essi n g t he i nt er v i ew er s a nd
op eni ng t he d oor s. Bu t a s j ob s b eca m e sca r ce t h a t st op p ed , a n d now
she w a s a st u d ent a ga i n, t a k i ng a n a r t cou r se a nd a l w a y s on t he
w a t ch f or a m a n. Jo- A nn i nt en d ed t o m a r r y w el l , a n d a l t ho u gh
Cha r l ot t e d i d not i m a gi ne f or a m om en t t ha t Sa u l L a u r enso n w ou l d
get t ha t i nv ol v ed she w i shed she cou l d w a r n hi m . She sa i d sl ow l y ,
'She' s v er y a t t r a ct i v e, b u t she's not one of m y b est f r i end s.'
'Tha t 's f u n ny .' Sa u l h a d sea t ed hi m sel f a nd w a s scr a t chi ng t he t op
of Geor gy 's hea d . Geor gy w a s v er y st i l l . 'Beca u se she sa i d y ou w er e
her v er y d ea r est f r i end .' Som et hi ng u np l ea sa nt w a s com i ng,
Cha r l ot t e k new , b ef or e h e a d d ed gr a v el y , 'Mi nd y ou , she d i d sa y
y ou 'd nev er d o ne a d a y 's w or k i n y ou r l i f e a n d m en m a d e su ch f ool s
of t hem sel v es ov er y ou .'
Cha r l ot t e b ega n t o sp l u t t er f u r i ou sl y , t hen sh e b ega n t o l a u g h
b eca u se, com i n g f r om Jo- A nn, t h a t w a s f u nny . Ch a r l ot t e w or k ed a
d a r n si ght ha r d er t ha n she d i d a n d som e m en ha d b eh a v ed
r i d i cu l ou sl y ov er Ch a r l ot t e, b u t sh e h a d nev er exp l oi t ed t hem , w h i l e
Jo- A nn w ou l d ha v e t a k en t hei r l a st p en ny b ef or e sh e w a v ed
good b y e.
'The ner v e of t he gi r l !' Ch a r l ot t e gr i n ned . 'A n d a l l I w a s goi ng t o d o
w a s w a r n y ou t ha t she's a cow .' Th en i t st r u ck h er t ha t he m i ght
i m a gi ne she w a s t r y i ng t o p u t hi m of f Jo- A nn b eca u se she w a s
i nt er est ed i n hi m her sel f , p l a y i ng a n i d ent i ca l ga m e t o Jo- A nn, i n
shor t , a n d she sa i d h a st i l y , 'Th er e a r e so m e su p er gi r l s r ou n d her e t ha t
I cou l d i nt r od u ce y ou t o.'
'N o, t ha nk s.' H e w a s si t t i ng b y t he b o w l of r oses a n d he l ea ned
a cr oss t o r ea d t he ca r d . 'For a cl ev er gi r l .' H i s d a r k b r ow s r ose. 'Is t ha t
y ou ?'
'Yes.'
'You d i d not h i n g cl ev er . A l l y ou d i d w a s nea r l y get y ou r sel f k i l l ed .'
She k new t ha t . A ny how , t hose w or d s d i d n 't m a t t er . 'Lov e, J,' w a s
w ha t m a t t er ed , r ed r oses f or l ov e. If Jer em y ha d b een her e now he
w ou l d b e si t t i ng b esi d e her , com f or t i n g h er . She w on d er ed i f Sa u l ha d
p u t hi s a r m s a r o u n d Jo- A nn l a st ni g ht , a n d f el t su d d enl y em p t y a n d
l onel y . She sa i d st i f f l y , 'I ha v e t o t ha nk y ou i f y ou ha d n 't hel d m e
b a ck I w ou l d h a v e b een b a d l y cu t , p er h a p s w or se. A ct u a l l y I a m i nt o
t he ha b i t of w ea r i ng a sea t - b el t , b u t w h en y ou or d er ed m e t o p u t i t
on t ha t p u t m y b a ck u p . I h a t e b ei ng b o ssed a b ou t .'
H e sa i d q u i et l y , 'Th a t 's a not her ha b i t y ou m i ght ha v e t o get i nt o,'
a n d she w on d er ed i f she h a d hea r d a r i g ht . If she ha d she k n ew w ho
t he b oss w ou l d b e, a nd i t w a s ha r d t o l ook u nf l i nch i n gl y a t hi m a nd
a sk , ' Wou l d y ou ca r e t o exp l a i n t h a t ?'
'You r f a t her shou l d b e her e a ny m i n u t e.' H e sm i l ed w i t h u nsm i l i ng
ey es. 'P er h a p s i t 's t i m e w e ha d a get - t oget her of t he i nt er est ed
p a r t i es.' .
Cha r l ot t e w a s su p p osed t o b e u p st a i r s st i l l , i n b ed . When her f a t her
a r r i v ed he w ou l d n 't exp ect t o f i nd her h er e, b u t not hi ng cou l d ha v e
d r a gged her a w a y now . 'H i gh t i m e,' sh e sa i d , ' i f y ou ha v e p l a ns t ha t
i ncl u d e gi v i ng m e y ou r or d er s. B u t u nt i l m y f a t her get s her e w ou l d
y ou m i nd w a i t i ng i n a not her r oom ? I st i l l ha v e a hea d a che.' Sa u l sa i d ,
'Of cou r se,' a n d t h a t p er ha p s she shou l d ca r r y on r est i n g, b u t she
r et or t ed , 'Som e hop e, a f t er w h a t y ou 'v e j u st sa i d !' She w a nt ed hi m t o
go q u i ck l y b ef or e she st a r t ed t o p a n i c a n d b om b a r d hi m w i t h
q u est i ons, b u t a s he r ea ched t he d oor sh e a sk ed , 'Is a ny t hi n g I m i ght
ha v e t o sa y l i k el y t o m a k e a ny d i f f er ence?'
'N o,' h e sa i d , a n d sh e k new t ha t ev er y t hi ng w a s si gned a n d sea l ed .
H e st ood i n t he d oor w a y , hea d t u r ned , l ook i n g a t her f or w ha t
seem ed a v er y l o ng t i m e, a nd her t on gu e st u ck t o t he r oof of her
m ou t h so t ha t she cou l d n 't sp ea k u nt i l he h a d cl osed t he d oor a f t er
hi m , t hen t he w or d s ca m e ou t i n a w hi sp er : ' Wh a t d o y ou w a nt
f r om m e?' Du nscom b es w a s t he f a m i l y f i r m a nd of cou r se w ha t
ha p p ened t o i t m a t t er ed t o her , a n d w ou l d m a t t er t o ev er y b od y
w or k i ng t her e. Bu t j u st now , w hen Sa u l La u r enson l ook ed a t h er , i t
ha d seem ed m or e p er son a l t h a n t h a t . So m et hi ng b et w een t he t w o of
t hem , som et hi ng he w a nt ed f r om her . She f el t a s t r a p p ed a s t hou gh
he h a d ca u ght her w r i st i n h i s st r ong f i n ger s a nd p u l l ed her t ow a r d s
hi m , a nd she p i ck ed u p Geor gy a n d hu g ged hi m , b u r y i ng her f a ce i n
t he w a r m t a l cu m - scent ed f u r . ' W hy d i d y ou si t t her e a nd l et hi m
st r ok e y ou ?' she d em a nd ed . ' Pa r a l y sed w i t h f r i ght , p r ob a b l y , a nd
w el l y ou m i g ht b e!'
H er r ob e w a s onl y secu r ed b y t he b el t . If i t f el l op en her o nl y
cov er i ng w ou l d b e a t h i n n i g ht d r ess, a n d she w on d er ed w het her she
shou l d go u p t o her r oom a nd d r ess. Bu t i f her f a t her w a s d u e a ny
m i nu t e she w ou l d l i k e t o get t ha t 'get - t oget her of t he i nt er est ed
p a r t i es' ov er f i r st . She m i ght b e need i ng t o t a k e a w a l k a f t er t ha t , i f
i t w a s onl y d ow n t o t he b ot t om of t he ga r d en t o si t i n t he cool a i r of
t he p a t i o. She w o u l d r i ng Jer em y a n d a sk hi m t o m eet h er . She m i ght
b e need i ng Jer em y .
She t ook one of t he shor t er - st em m ed r oses f r om t he b ow l , t hen
op ened d r a w er s i n a b l a ck eb o ny Chi n ese b u r ea u u nt i l she f ou n d a
sa f et y p i n, a n d p i n ned t he r ose a t her t h r oa t f a st eni ng t he r o b e. Tha t
cov er ed her secu r el y . She w a s a nxi ou s t o b e cov er ed .
She t r i ed t o get Jer em y , b u t t her e w a s no a nsw er , ei t her f r om hi s
f l a t or t he t hea t r e. She w a s st i l l l i st eni ng t o t he r i ng i n g, i n w ha t m u st
b e a n em p t y t hea t r e, w hen she hea r d h er f a t her 's ca r a n d p u t d ow n
t he r ecei v er . She w i shed som eb od y ha d a nsw er ed , i t w ou l d ha v e
m a d e her f eel l ess a l o ne. She w a s sa f e a t hom e, w i t h A u nt Lu cy
w i t hi n ea r shot a n d her f a t her com i ng i nt o t he hou se, b u t a s she st ood
t her e she f el t a t er r i f y i n g i sol a t i on.
H er f a t her a nd Sa u l L a u r enson ca m e i n t o t he r oom t oget her . H er
f a t her w a s sha k i n g hi s h ea d a t her , goi ng on a b ou t her get t i ng u p
b ef or e she sho u l d h a v e d o ne, excl a i m i n g a t t h e b l u e- b l a ck col ou r of
her b r u i sed f or ehea d . Bu t she cou l d n't t a k e her ey es of f Sa u l
La u r enson.
'Si t d ow n,' or d er ed her f a t her . ' You k now y ou sho u l d st i l l b e
r est i ng.'
She sa t a n d so d i d he, b u t Sa u l w a l k ed t ow a r d s t he f i r ep l a ce a nd
st ood t her e, f a ci ng t hem a s t hou g h he w a s host her e, a nd Cha r l ot t e
sa i d , 'I'm a l l r i g ht . A l l I w a nt t o k now i sw ha t 's goi n g on?'
'You m ea n a b o u t t he b u si ness?' H er f a t her sp ok e v er y sl ow l y a nd
d el i b er a t el y , b u t her w or d s ca m e i n a r u sh b eca u se t he t i m e f or
hed gi n g w a s ov er .
'Yes, t h a t i s w ha t I m ea n. If w e d o st i l l ha v e a b u si ness. I su p p ose
Du nscom b es h a sn 't b ecom e L a u r ensons?'
'N ot q u i t e,' sa i d her f a t her r u ef u l l y , 'b u t p er ha p s i t shou l d , b eca u se
i t 's a l o ng t i m e si nce Du nscom b es m a d e a hea l t hy p r of i t .'
H e ha d nev er t ol d her t ha t u nt i l y est er d a y , a n d she sa i d now ,
'Wel l , w ho d oes m a k e a hea l t hy p r of i t t hese d a y s?'
'I d o,' sa i d Sa u l .
'A nd w h a t d o y ou d o f or i t ?' She r esent ed hi s su ccess w h en her
f a t her ha d t he l ook of a b ea t en m a n. 'W ho a r e y ou a ny w a y ?' she
d em a n d ed ha r shl y , a nd her f a t h er m a d e a p r ot est i ng gest u r e,
hu sh i n g her , t el l i ng her , 'A m ong ot her t hi ngs Sa u l ow ns shop s a nd
d ep a r t m ent st or es, her e a n d a b r oa d . H e ha s t he sel l i n g ou t l et s, t h e
exp or t m a r k et s.'
'Wel l , w el l ,' she d r a w l ed , ' a r ea l - l i f e t y coon! A n d w h a t a r e y ou r
p l a ns f or u s?' She k new t ha t t i m es w er e cha ngi ng, b u t i n d i v i d u a l l y
cr a f t ed i t em s cou l d n't b e t u r ned ou t i n v a st q u a nt i t i es b y t hei r sm a l l
st a f f , so w ha t w a s t he u se of t a l k i ng a b ou t d ep a r t m ent st or es a nd
exp or t s?
H er f a t her w a s t a l k i ng a b ou t r eor ga ni sa t i on now a nd she a sk ed ,
'Mu st w e?'
'The a l t er na t i v e i s t o cl ose d ow n,' he sa i d si m p l y , a nd she w ent
col d .
'Tha t b a d ?'
H e no d d ed , a nd Cha r l ot t e cou l d n 't b el i ev e t ha t she ha d n't k now n.
Bu t t her e ha d b een no r ed u nd a n ci es, n ot hi ng t o show t hey w er e no
l onger a f l ou r i shi ng f i r m . 'So w h a t 's go i n g t o ha p p en?' she a sk ed , a n d
she l ook ed a t Sa u l a nd t hou ght , It w a s r i ght , w h a t I f ea r ed , he's t he
t a k eov er m a n.
H er f a t her sa i d , 'N o one w i l l l ose t hei r j ob , t ha t 's p a r t of t he
a gr eem ent .'
'H ow a b ou t y ou ?' D u nscom b es h a d b een hi s l i f e. H e ha d m a na ged
t he b u si ness a s w el l a s ow ni ng i t .
'I sha l l ca r r y on,' he sa i d , ' b u t w i t hou t t h e r esp onsi b i l i t y , a n d I ca n
d o w i t hou t t ha t .'
Ta k i n g or d er s, i n shor t . Wor k i ng f or Sa u l La u r enson. She a sk ed ,
'A nd w ha t a b ou t m e?'
Sa u l sp ok e f or t he f i r st t i m e i n a l on g t i m e. A l l t he w hi l e he ha d
b een w a t ch i n g t hem , a nd w hen she sp ok e she cl u t ched her r ob e
t i ght er a r ou nd her , a l m ost cr u shi ng t he r ose b ef or e she r ea l i sed w ha t
she w a s d o i n g. 'I w a s i m p r essed b y som e of y ou r d esi gns,' he t ol d her .
'I'm su r e w e ca n k eep y ou occu p i ed .'
'Tha t i s k i n d of y ou . Sha l l I need t he w or k ?' She m a d e h er sel f sm i l e,
a n d her f a t her sa i d , 'Yo u 'v e a l w a y s enj oy ed i t , ha v en't y ou ? A l w a y s
ha d a f l a i r .'
'Yes,' she a g r eed , 'I en j oy i t .' H e h a d n't sa i d she need not w or k f or
t he new m a n a gem ent , a nd she w a nt ed t o a sk , ' Wh a t k i nd of d ea l i s
t hi s? H ow m u ch i s he p a y i ng a nd w h a t 's l ef t ?' b u t she f el t a s t hou g h
t he gr ou nd w a s sh i f t i ng b enea t h her f eet .
H er f a t her l ook ed gr ey , h i s f a ce a nd hi s ha i r . She w a nt ed t o k neel
b esi d e hi m a nd p u t her a r m s a r ou n d hi m a nd t el l h i m i t w a s goi ng t o
b e a l l r i ght , b u t she co u l d d o none of t h a t i n f r ont of Sa u l L a u r enson.
She sa i d , ' Wel l , i t 's a sho ck . A b om b shel l . I j u st d i d n't ha v e a cl u e
t ha t a l l t hi s w a s goi ng on a nd I t hi nk I'v e hea r d a s m u ch a s I ca n t a k e
i n f or a w hi l e. I'l l go u p t o m y r oom now , I t hi nk , a nd I'l l see y ou l a t er .'
She sm i l ed a g a i n, st r et chi ng her l i p s, a n d st oop ed t o p i ck u p Geor gy ,
hol d i ng hi m so t i g ht l y t ha t h e w r i g gl ed .
Up st a i r s she w a i t ed f or her f a t her t o com e. She ha d d r essed ,
p u t t i ng on t he f i r st t hi ng t ha t she t ook ou t of t he w a r d r ob e. It w a s a
l i ght w ei ght l i nen d r ess, b u t i f i t ha d b een t hi ck w ool she w ou l d st i l l
ha v e got i nt o i t , b eca u se her m i nd w a sn ' t on w ha t sh e w a s d oi ng.
Geor gy sensed t r ou b l e a nd w a t ched her w i t h t he w hi t es of hi s ey es
show i n g a nd hi s ea r s t w i t chi ng. When her f a t her ca m e i nt o t he r oom
she r a n a cr oss t o hi m , a n d he p u t h i s a r m s a r ou n d h er a nd sa i d , 'It 's
goi n g t o b e a l l r i ght .'
Tha t w a s w ha t she h a d b een goi ng t o t el l hi m , she f el t he w a s
m or e i n need of com f or t t ha n she w a s, a nd she sa i d now , 'Yes, of
cou r se, I k now t ha t , b u t t el l m ed oes he ow n t he b u si ness? Do w e
ha v e a ny sa y i n a ny t hi ng a ny m or e?'
'Si t d ow n.' She sa t on t he ed ge of t he b ed a n d her f a t her cr ossed t o
t he w i n d ow , t a l k i ng w i t h hi s b a ck t o her a s t hou g h he co u l d n't f a ce
her . ' You k now , d on't y ou , t ha t y ou m a t t er m or e t o m e t ha n
a ny t hi ng el se i n t he w or l d ?'
'Yes, of cou r se. So d o y ou t o m e, a n d i f y ou 'v e ha d t o sel l o u t I
u n d er st a nd t ha t . I onl y w i sh y ou 'd t ol d m e sooner so t ha t I cou l d
ha v e hel p ed . Do ne som et hi ng, m a y b e.'
'Ther e's som et hi n g y ou ca n d o,' he t ol d her , a nd sh e ha d a l m ost
r ea ch ed h i m , t o k i ss hi m a nd p r om i se hi m a ny t hi n g, w hen he sa i d t he
w or d s t ha t st op p ed her d ea d . 'You ca n m a r r y Sa u l .'

CHAPTER FIVE


'W ha t ?' excl a i m ed Cha r l ot t e. ' Wh a t ?' H er f a t her d i d n 't r ep ea t hi s
w or d s, he k new she ha d hea r d hi m . H e d i d n't t u r n ei t her a nd sh e
st ood l ook i n g a t hi s b a ck a s he st a r ed u nseei ngl y o u t of t he w i nd ow .
The st oop ed shou l d er s d i d n 't l ook l i k e her f a t her , w ho h a d a l w a y s
b een st r a i ght a n d u p r i g ht a nd st r ong. Then he sa i d , ' We'r e i n a b a d
w a y . If Sa u l ha d n 't t a k en ov er t he b u si ness I d on't k now w ha t w e
shou l d h a v e d on e.'
'I'v e nev er hea r d of hi m .' H e ow ned Du nscom b es a n d u nt i l t h r ee
d a y s a go she ha d nev er hea r d hi s na m e.
'H e l ef t En gl a n d f i f t een y ea r s a go. H e u sed t o ha v e a st a l l o n
Wi ck ha m m a r k et .' Th a t w a s one of t he sm a l l er l oca l m a r k et s, a n d
Cha r l ot t e sa i d , ' Sm a l l b eg i n ni ngs. Or d i d he h a v e shop s t her e t oo?'
'Ju st t he one st a l l sel l i ng sa d d l er y , t ha t sor t of t hi ng. H e w a s
sev ent een. Tw o y ea r s l a t er h e h a d st a l l s i n ha l f a d o zen m a r k et s.
Then he w ent t o A u st r a l i a .'
'A nd he's com e b a ck a m i l l i o na i r e?'
'A t l ea st .'
'H e d i d w el l .'
'Yes.' Col i n Du nscom b e st r a i g ht ened a n d hi s v oi ce st r en gt hened ,
a n d she k new t ha t he w a s p u l l i ng h i m sel f t oget her b ef or e he t u r ned
t o f a ce her . 'H e h a sn 't cha nged m u ch. I k new hi m a t once w hen I sa w
hi m a g a i n.'
'Di d he a l w a y s l ook l i k e Dr a cu l a ?' Ch a r l ot t e a sk ed i d i ot i ca l l y , a n d
her f a t her st a r ed a t her , p u zzl ed , t hen sm i l ed .
'H e a l w a y s ha d a l ea n a n d hu ng r y l ook . H e a l w a y s st ood ou t a s
som eone w ho w ou l d ou t p a ce t he r est . I m et hi m i n A nt w er p i n
Feb r u a r y .' A nt w er p w a s t he d i a m ond cent r e w her e h er f a t her , a s a
m a nu f a ct u r i ng j ew el l er , w ent t o b u y u ncu t st ones. 'We nea r l y p a ssed
ea ch ot her j u st ou t si d e t he Ru b en s ho u se. H e a sk ed m e t o ha v e
d i n ner w i t h h i m t ha t ni g ht a n d w e t a l k ed . H e w a s t her e b eca u se he
ow ned t he hot el w e w er e ea t i ng i n, a n d I w a s t her e b eca u se i t w a s
t he t i m e of y ea r I a l w a y s w ent t o A nt w er p . I w a sn't b u y i n g a ny t hi n g.
I w a s w ond er i ng w h er e I cou l d st a r t l ook i ng f or a b u y er f or
Du nscom b es.'
'You sho u l d ha v e t ol d m e.' H e h a d b r ou ght her b a ck a p r esent . H e
ha d nev er sa i d a ny t hi ng a b ou t b u si ness w or r i es, a nd now he a sk ed ,
'W ha t good w ou l d i t ha v e d o ne? I d i d n't w a nt y ou w or r y i ng. Sa u l
w a s t he f i r st m a n I t ol d .' ' You ca n t r u st hi m ?'
'Oh y es.' H e sou n d ed co nf i d ent , a n d i t w a s t oo l a t e f or her t o p oi nt
ou t t ha t sel f - m a d e m i l l i on a i r es u su a l l y w or k ed f or t hei r ow n i nt er est s.
Ri ght now she d i d n't ca r e m u ch a b ou t t ha t . Wha t d i d m a k e her
hea r t a che w a s t he f a ct t h a t her f a t her ha d n 't co nf i d ed i n her , t ha t
he h a d k ep t a l l t hi s t o hi m sel f u nt i l he m et a m a n he ha d n 't seen i n
f i f t een y ea r s. Wher e w er e hi s f r i en d s? H e ha d so m a ny f r i en d s. Som e,
l i k e a ccou nt a nt s a nd b a nk m a na g er s, w er e t her e t o a d v i se on
b u si ness m a t t er s. Why cou l d n 't he ha v e t u r ned t o som eone cl ose a t
ha n d r a t her t h a n a st r a nger , m et b y ch a nce i n a f or ei g n l a n d ?
'You ' l l b e a l l r i ght now ,' h e sa i d , a nd he w a s sm i l i n g. 'It 's a l l w or k i n g
ou t v er y w el l .' 'Is i t ?'
'Sa u l t hi nk s i t 's t i m e he set t l ed d ow n, t ha t he's b een a b a chel or
l ong enou g h.' H e sa i d t hi s w i t h a t w i nk l e i n hi s ey e, a s t hou gh i t w a s
som et hi ng Ch a r l ot t e shou l d f i n d i nt er est i ng. 'I show ed hi m y ou r
p hot ogr a p h. H e sa i d y ou w er e v er y b ea u t i f u l , t ha t I m u st b e v er y
p r ou d of y ou . I t hi nk he w a s ha l f i n l ov e w i t h y ou b ef or e he ev en sa w
y ou .'
'Oh no,' sh e sa i d , she b el i ev ed her f a t her ha d show n Sa u l
La u r enson her p hot ogr a p h, p r ob a b l y t ha t f i r st ev eni ng w hen t hey
w er e d i ni ng t oget her a n d h e w a s p ou r i ng ou t t he t r ou b l es he ha d
k ep t t o hi m sel f t i l l t hen. A n d she w a s p hot ogeni c a nd Sa u l h a d sa i d
w ha t a ny m a n w ou l d sa y t o a p r ou d f a t her , b u t ev en i f h e h a d
a d m i r ed h er p hot ogr a p h he ha d n 't b een i m p r essed a f t er he set ey es
on her . A s f or f a l l i n g i n l ov e, w i t h a p h ot ogr a p h or a w om a n, w h a t
her f a t her m ea nt b y t ha t a nd w h a t Sa u l L a u r enson w ou l d m ea n
w er e p ol es a p a r t .
H e m u st b e t hi r t y - f ou r now . Per h a p s h e d i d f eel i t w a s t i m e h e
w a s l ook i n g a r o u n d f or a w i f e. H e cou l d a f f or d t o b u y t he b est , a n d
her st om a ch cl enched w i t h na u sea . It w a s l i k e a sl a v e a u ct i o n, a
ca t t l e m a r k et . Wa s t ha t w hy her f a t her ha d b een so p r ej u d i ced
a ga i nst Jer em y , b eca u se he w a s ho p i ng she w ou l d l a n d Sa u l
La u r enson, m i l l i o na i r e a t l ea st ? H a d Sa u l com e her e t o l ook her
ov er ?
She f el t a chi l l i n her b o nes a n d sa i d , 'I h op e y ou d i d n't t el l hi m I'm
l ook i ng f or a h u sb a n d ?'
'Of cou r se not !'
Oh, Jer em y , she t hou ght , Jer em y ; a nd her v oi ce ca u ght i n her
t hr oa t . 'Beca u se w hen I d o I w on 't b e a f t er a t y coon w ho's d eci d ed t o
go shop p i n g f or a w i f e. Th a t sor t w ou l d b e t r a d i ng y ou i n f or a l a t er
m od el i n a f ew y ea r s' t i m e.'
H er f a t her w i nced , a n d she k new t ha t he h a d hop ed she w ou l d
f a l l i n l ov e a n d t ha t Sa u l La u r enso n w ou l d l ov e her . To her f a t her sh e
w a s t he p er f ect w i f e f or t he m a n w ho ha d ev er y t hi ng el se, a nd she
gr i n ned w r y l y , 'I'm not t h a t gr ea t a b a r ga i n, y ou k now , he m u st
k now l ot s of b et t er - l ook i ng gi r l s, a nd b et w een t he t w o of u s he's not
v er y t a k en w i t h m e.'
Sa u l La u r en son d i d n 't w a nt her a ny m or e t ha n she w a nt ed hi m ,
b u t her f a t her w a s d i st r essed enou gh w i t hou t ha v i ng t o f a ce a not her
scene, a n d sh e sa i d , 'For get i t . Ma y b e I'l l go f or a r i d e.'
'You w on't . You 'r e su p p osed t o b e r est i ng f or t w ent y - f ou r hou r s.
You cou l d ha v e co ncu ssi on.'
She ha d f or got t en t ha t . H er hea d w a s w hi r l i ng, b u t w el l i t m i ght .
She sa i d , 'A l l r i g ht , I'l l l i e d ow n a nd t r y t o t hi nk of som e new d esi gns
f or j u nk j ew el l er y t ha t Sa u l La u r enso n ca n f l ood t he m a r k et w i t h.'
'You d o t h a t ,' sa i d her f a t her . H i s sm i l e w a s a n o b v i ou s ef f or t a nd
she w i shed she cou l d h a v e cheer ed hi m u p , b u t hi s f or l or n hop e t ha t
she m i g ht b ecom e t he r i ch Mr s L a u r enson w a s t he m ost sh a m i n g
t hi ng she ha d ev er en cou nt er ed .
She shr i v el l ed a t t he t hou ght t ha t t he m en m i ght ha v e d i scu ssed
her b et w een t hem . She d i d n 't su p p ose f or a m om ent t h a t h er f a t h er
w ou l d ha v e i ssu ed a n i nv i t a t i o n, 'Com e a n d see Cha r l ot t e, a n d see i f
y ou f a ncy m a r r y i n g her ,' b u t he h a d sho w n Sa u l her p hot ogr a p h, a nd
he w ou l d ha v e su n g her p r a i ses, a n d he' d i n si st ed o n her d i ni ng w i t h
t hem a n d goi ng hou se- hu nt i n g w i t h Sa u l y est er d a y .
A l l t ha t m u st h a v e l ook ed a s i f she w a s on of f er , a nd she cr i nged
w i t h em b a r r a ssm ent , cu r l ed u p on t he b ed . Then su d d enl y she j a ck -
k ni f ed u p , r em em b er i n g her sel f , h a l f na k ed , com i n g i n f r om
su nb a t hi ng. H ow a p p a l l i ng i f he i m a gi ned she ha d d o ne t ha t a s a
t u r n- on! H e cou l d n 't , no Bu t she f el t a s chea p ened a s t hou gh she
ha d b een ca u g ht schem i ng a w a y l i k el i k e Jo- A n n.
If Jo- A nn hea r d t ha t Sa u l w a s a m i l l i o n a i r e a nd w i f e- h u nt i ng she
w ou l d b e l a y i n g si ege t o t he Bl u e Boa r . Ma y b e Cha r l ot t e w ou l d t el l
her , a nd t el l Sa u l she h a d t ol d her , t h en he'd k now f or su r e t h a t
Cha r l ot t e d i d n't con si d er her sel f a ca nd i d a t e.
If he w a s shop p i ng f or a w i f e w h a t a col d - b l ood ed a r r a ngem ent
t ha t w ou l d b e. Lov e w ou l d n't ent er i nt o i t . Sex, of cou r se, he
p r ob a b l y w a nt ed sons. P a ssi on m a y b e, b u t no cl oseness t h a t w a sn't
p hy si ca l , a n d she h a d t o see Jer em y t oni g ht , she j u st ha d t o. The
cr u shed r ose she ha d w or n o n her v el v et r ob e w a s l y i n g on t he
d r essi ng t a b l e, a nd she t ook i t i nt o t he b a t hr oom a n d f i l l ed a t u m b l er
w i t h w a t er a n d p u t t he r ose i n v er y g ent l y .
H er ca r w a s d ow nst a i r s i n t he ga r a ge, col l ect ed f r om t he Bl u e
Boa r , b u t p er h a p s sh e shou l d n't d r i v e j u st y et . She m i ght p ho ne
Jer em y a n d a sk hi m t o com e her e, or she m i ght ca l l a t a xi t o t a k e her
t o t he t hea t r e.
She w a nt ed t o g et a w a y f or a f ew hou r s. Ev er y t hi n g her e seem ed
t o ha v e gone cr a zy . It w a s a m a d hou se i n w h i ch she d i d n't k now
w hi ch w a y t o t u r n, b u t i f sh e cou l d b e q u i et f or a w h i l e w i t h Jer em y
she m i ght get b a ck her sa ni t y .
She p ho ned f or a t a xi , t o b e a t t he end of t he r oa d i n f i f t een
m i nu t es. Then she r a ng t he t hea t r e a nd l ef t a m essa ge t el l i n g Jer em y
she w ou l d see hi m a t hi s f l a t . The st a t e she l ook ed , w i t h t hi s gr ea t
b r u i se on her f or ehea d , a n d t h e w a y she f el t , she cou l d n't f a ce t h e
r est of t he ca st a nd st a f f a t t he Li t t l e Th ea t r e.
She com b ed her ha i r t o hi d e a s m u ch d a m a ge a s p ossi b l e, p u t o n
som e l i p gl oss, p i ck ed u p her ha n d b a g a n d t r i ed t o sl i p ou t of t he
hou se. If her f a t her or A u nt Lu cy ca u g ht her she w ou l d t el l t hem
w her e she w a s goi ng, b u t no b od y w a s goi n g t o st op her . Ju st one
m or e ha ssl e a n d she w ou l d r u n scr ea m i n g i nt o t he ni ght .
The d r a w i ng r oom d oor w a s op en a n d Sa u l w a s si t t i ng t her e.
Pr ob a b l y her f a t her w a s t oo, a nd she d i d n 't w a nt t o t a l k t o ei t her of
t hem . She w a nt ed t o w a l k q u i et l y ou t of t he hou se a nd q u i ck l y
a l on g t he l a ne. Tha t w a s w hy she ha d n 't l et t he t a xi com e her e,
b eca u se sh e w a nt ed t o get a w a y w i t h no b od y k now i n g.
Bu t she st ood st i l l , cl u t chi ng her h a n d b a g t o her a s t hou gh i t w a s
k eep i n g her a f l o a t i n d eep w a t er , a n d t hei r g a ze l ock ed . Then she
t ook t w o st ep s a nd st ood i n t he d oor w a y gl a r i ng a t hi m . 'W ha t 's o n
y ou r m i nd ?' he a sk ed .
H er f a t her w a sn 't her e, a n d t her e w a s so m u ch on her m i nd t h a t
her hea d w a s b u r st i n g a n d t he a i r seem ed cha r ged l i k e el ect r i ci t y .
'W hy d i d he t el l y ou t he b u si ness w a s i n t r ou b l e?' she d em a n d ed . 'H e
ha d n't seen y ou i n f i f t een y ea r s. W hy y ou ?'
Sa u l seem ed t o co nsi d er hi s a nsw er . 'Per ha p s b eca u se I w a s a r ou n d
w hen he r ea ched t he st a ge of not b ei n g a b l e t o k eep i t t o hi m sel f
a ny l o nger , a n d o nce he st a r t ed i t seem ed p ossi b l e t ha t w e m i ght
com e t o som e a r r a n gem ent .'
The d a r k ey es b or ed i nt o her sk u l l , a n d she cou l d i m a g i ne how
Sa u l La u r enso n w ou l d l ea r n a l l he w a nt ed t o k now , d r a w i n g ou t t he
conf i d ences. H er f a t her h a d sa i d t ha t , so f a r a s a p p ea r a nces w ent , he
ha d h a r d l y cha ng ed si nce he r a n hi s st a l l on t he Thu r sd a y m a r k et .
'H e r eco gn i sed y ou a f t er a l l t hose y ea r s,' she sa i d . 'H e sa i d y ou a l w a y s
ha d a l ea n a nd hu ngr y l ook .' 'D i d he?'
'You k now t he q u ot a t i o n?'
'I'v e seen t he p l a y .' H e so u n d ed a m u sed , a nd of cou r se he k new
Sha k esp ea r e's Ju l i u s Ca esa r . H e m i g ht h a v e f i ni shed h i s school i n g a t
si xt een, b u t he ha d a cq u i r ed m u ch m or e t ha n m on ey si n ce t hen.
'The l ea n a nd hu ngr y m a n's d a gger en d ed i n Ca esa r 's b a ck ,' she
sa i d . 'Yo u w ou l d n 't b e st a b b i n g m y f a t her i n t he b a ck ?'
H e w ou l d b e u nl i k el y t o a d m i t i t i f he w a s, b u t h e l ook ed st r a i g ht
a t her . 'I'v e b een hu ngr y i n m y t i m e, i t 's som et hi ng t ha t p u t s a n ed ge
on y ou r d ea l i n gs, b u t I p r ef er t o get w h a t I w a nt b y f a i r m ea ns.'
Cha r l ot t e's t hr o a t w a s so d r y t ha t her v oi ce r a sp ed . 'A n d i f f a i r
m ea ns d on't w or k how d o y ou go a b ou t get t i ng w ha t y ou w a nt ?'
H e sm i l ed , ey es hood ed ,. 'You k now , i n t he l a st t en y ea r s, I ca n 't
r eca l l one si n gl e t hi ng I w a nt ed t h a t I d i d n't get ,' a nd she b a ck ed
a w a y , sha k i n g her hea d a s t hou g h he ha d sa i d , 'Com e her e,' a n d sa i d
hu r r i ed l y , 'I'm goi n g t o see a f r i en d .'
Sa u l d i d n't sa y a ny t hi ng, b u t she a l m ost r a n f r om t he hou se, a nd
r ea ch i n g t he en d of t he r o a d a s t he t a xi ca m e i nt o si g ht hop p ed i n a s
i t sl ow ed d ow n.
'In a hu r r y , a r en't w e?' sa i d t he t a xi d r i v er . H e ow ned t he l oca l
ga r a ge, a st ock y j ov i a l m a n. 'Ru n ni ng a w a y f r om hom e?'
'I'm l a t e f or a d a t e,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e.
'We ca n't h a v e t ha t . Chi p p i n g Qu ea nt on , i sn't i t ?'
'Ou t si d e t he f i sh a n d chi p shop i n t he H i g h St r eet .'
Bob Rea d i n g h a d k now n Ch a r l ot t e a l l her l i f e, a nd he chu ck l ed
now , 'Is t ha t t he b est he ca n d o f or you , f i sh a nd chi p s?' Then he
t u r ned ser i ou s. 'H ea r y ou 'v e h a d a b i t of a n u p set . A l l r i ght , a r e y ou ?'
H e w a s t a l k i ng a b ou t y est er d a y 's a cci d ent , b u t Ch a r l ot t e a l m ost
b u r st i nt o hy st er i ca l l a u ght er . H er l i f e h a d b een t u r n ed u p si d e d ow n
a n d i nsi d e o u t , y ou cou l d n't get a m u ch b i gger u p set t h a n t ha t , a n d
i n t he b a ck sea t she p r essed her cl en ched f i st t o her l i p s f or a m om ent
b ef or e she sa i d , st ea d i l y enou g h, ,'I w a s sha k en, t ha t 's a l l .'
She w a s sha k i ng i nsi d e now , f or ot her r ea sons. She l ea ned b a ck ,
f a ce t u r ned t ow a r d s t he p a ssi ng cou nt r y si d e, t hou g ht s r u sh i n g
t hr ou gh h er hea d My f a t her ha s a l w a y s b el i ev ed I'm sp eci a l , b u t
Sa u l La u r enson d oesn't . H e m a y b e l oo k i ng f or a w i f e, b u t he i sn 't
goi n g t o choose m e, a nd i f b y som e cr a zy q u i r k he d i d I cou l d sa y no.
I w ou l d sa y t h a t I l ov ed Jer em y . N o, no, no, I w ou l d sa y
She d i d l ov e Jer em y . Lov e m a d e y ou h a p p y a n d k ep t y ou sa f e.
Sa u l La u r enson w a s d a r k ness a nd d a n g er . H e w a s som eon e she h a d
t o f i ght ev er y i nch of t he w a y , not gi v i ng a st ep , b eca u se i f he got t oo
cl ose Go d o nl y k new w h a t m i ght h a p p en t o her .
They ca m e t o t he t ow n a nd p a ssed Du nscom b es, i t s w i n d ow s
a l i g ht a nd g l i t t er i n g b ehi nd t he p r ot ect i v e gr i l l es, a n d Ch a r l ot t e
l ook ed a t t he na m e a b ov e, i n gol d on b l a ck , a nd t hou ght , Tha t m a y
b e cha nged . She w ou l d b e sa d i f i t w er e, b u t i t w a s no l onger t he
b u si ness sh e w a s f ea r f u l f or . Tr a d e w a s b r i sk a t t he f i sh a nd chi p shop .
The d oor a t t he si d e, w i t h t w o b el l s, w a s cl osed , b u t t hey ha d a k ey
f or t he f l a t a t t he shop a nd Cha r l ot t e w ent i nsi d e, sk i r t i ng t he q u eu e
a n d w a i t i n g t o ca t ch t he ey e of som eone b ehi n d t he cou nt er .
She w a s sp ot t ed b y a cou p l e i n t he q u eu e f i r st . Yo u n g m en, i n
j ea ns a n d T- shi r t s t h a t r ea d 'I'm You r s', a n d 'You ng Fa r m er s Do It
Bet t er ', w ho ey ed her u p a n d d ow n a n d p r onou n ced , 'Ta st y .'
Then t he m a n ser v i ng sa w her , a n d Cha r l ot t e si gn a l l ed , 'Cou l d I
ha v e t he k ey t o t he f l a t ?'
'Com e t hr ou g h.' H e l i f t ed t he f l a p of t h e cou nt er . 'The w i f e's i n.' H e
k new t ha t Ch a r l ot t e w a s Jer em y Wy l d e' s gi r l , a n d she w ent t hr ou g h
t he d oor i nt o a l i v i n g r oom , w her e a b oy w a s d oi n g hom ew or k on
t he t a b l e a n d a w om a n w a s sew i n g a nd w a t chi ng t el ev i si on.
Ther e w a s a sl i g ht f l u r r y w hi l e Mr s Sosk i ns f i shed i n t he si d eb oa r d
d r a w er f or t he k ey . She t hou g ht Cha r l ot t e a n d Jer em y m a d e a l ov el y
p a i r , b u t t hi s w a s t he f i r st t i m e t ha t Cha r l ot t e ha d a r r i v ed t o b e l et
i nt o t he f l a t t o w a i t f or Jer em y , a n d Mr s Sosk i n s w a s i nt r i g u ed . Then
she sp ot t ed t he b r u i se u n d er t he f r i n g e a n d a not her f i v e m i n u t es
p a ssed w hi l e Cha r l ot t e exp l a i ned how t h a t ha d com e a b ou t .
Ten- y ea r - ol d St ep hen w a s i m p r essed b y t he b r u i se. H i s ey es
gl ea m ed . 'Cor , y ou m u st ha v e go ne a sm a ck er i nt o t ha t w i n d scr een!
You cou l d h a v e cu t y ou r hea d of f !' 'H e w a t ches t oo m u ch t el l y ,' sa i d
hi s m ot her com p l a cent l y . 'Su r e y ou w on ' t ha v e a cu p of t ea ? They 'r e
not u su a l l y b a ck m u ch b ef or e ha l f p a st t en.'
Of cou r se Pet er l i v ed her e t oo, he w ou l d p r ob a b l y b e w i t h Jer em y ,
so t her e w ou l d b e t h i n gs Ch a r l ot t e cou l d n 't sa y u nt i l she ha d Jer em y
t o her sel f , m a y b e o n t he w a y hom e.
She sa i d , 'Th a nk y ou , b u t I'l l go u p a n d w a i t f or t hem i f I m a y .' The
Sosk i ns ow ned t he f l a t , b u t t he a ct or s p a i d t he r ent , a nd Ch a r l ot t e
Du nscom b e w a s a hi ghl y r esp ect a b l e y o u ng l a d y . Mr s Sosk i ns sa i d of
cou r se she cou l d a n d ha n d ed ov er t he k ey , a nd l et Cha r l ot t e i nt o t he
ha l l f r om w hi ch t he st a i r s l ed t o t he f i r st f l oor f l a t , sw i t chi ng on t he
l i ght f or h er .
Cha r l ot t e ha d nev er op ened t hi s d oor b ef or e. It t ook her a
m om ent t o get t he k na ck of t he l ock , w hi l e Mr s Sosk i ns w a i t ed b el ow
u nt i l t he d oor sw u n g op en. Then M r s Sosk i ns t u r ned of f t he l i g ht a nd
t he ha l l w ent d a r k a nd Cha r l ot t e st ep p ed i nt o t he sha d ow y r oom .
She ha d b een her e of t en enou gh f or t he sha d ow s t o seem f a m i l i a r ,
a n d she w i shed i t w a s her k ey a nd she cou l d st a y . H er hom e d i d n't
f eel sa f e a ny l on ger , w h i l e Sa u l La u r enso n w a s t her e. She w ou l d h a v e
l i k ed som ew her e l i k e t hi s f or a h i d i ng p l a ce.
The r oom w a s m ed i u m si zed , f u r n i shed com f or t a b l y , l i t b y t he
l i ght ed st r eet , a nd Ch a r l ot t e set t l ed her sel f i n a ch a i r b y t he w i nd ow .
Ther e w er e p l ent y of p eop l e a b ou t . She w a t ched , w i t h a n el b ow on
t he si l l a n d her ch i n cu p p ed i n her h a n d , a n d i t w a s l i k e a st r eet scene
i n a p l a y . Bef or e l on g Jer em y w ou l d co m e d ow n t he r oa d f r om t he
d i r ect i o n of t he t hea t r e a nd she w ou l d ha v e t o exp l a i n w ha t h a d
b een u r gent eno u gh t o b r i ng her her e t oni g ht .
If t he t w o m en r et u r ned t oget h er sh e w ou l d sa y sh e' d got b or ed ,
l y i ng r est i ng w hen t her e w a s not h i n g w r ong w i t h her , a nd t he r oses
w er e l ov el y a nd she'd t hou g ht she w o u l d j u st p op ov er a n d sa y t ha nk
y ou . La t er she w ou l d t el l Jer em y a b ou t Sa u l L a u r enson, t h a t she
d i d n't t r u st hi m or l i k e h i m a n d t ha t she ha d su d d enl y h a d t o get
a w a y f r om hi m .
She g a sp ed a nd l ea ned f or w a r d , her f or ehea d t ou ch ed t he gl a ss of
t he w i n d ow a nd she m u t t er ed , 'Ou ch!' Ther e w a s a t a l l m a n i n t he
d oor w a y of t he shop op p osi t e, a nd f or a m om ent she t hou ght he w a s
l ook i ng u p a t t hi s w i nd ow a nd t ha t h e w a s Sa u l . Then she sa w he
w a s one of a gr o u p of y ou ng f ol k , l a r k i ng a b ou t , a n d y ou w ou l d
ha v e t o b e b l i nd a s a b a t t o i m a g i ne a r esem b l a nce b et w een hi m
a n d Sa u l La u r enson. Ther e w a s not hi ng w r ong w i t h Ch a r l ot t e's ey es,
b u t ev en w hen she cl osed t hem Sa u l La u r enso n's f a ce seem ed et ched
on her l i d s l i k e a m i r r or i m a ge.
She t hou g ht , I'm get t i ng a p er secu t i o n m a n i a , i m a gi ni ng h i m
com i ng a f t er m e; she p u l l ed t he cu r t a i ns a n d sw i t ched on t he l i g ht
a n d w ent i nt o t he k i t chenet t e t o see w ha t she cou l d f i n d i n t he
f r i d ge. She w a sn't hu ng r y , a l t ho u gh she ha d n't ea t en m u ch t od a y , i t
w a s j u st som et hi ng t o d o. Bu t she hel p ed her sel f t o a sl i ce of p or k p i e
a n d a gl a ss of w hi t e w i ne f r om a n op ened b ot t l e.
The f l a t w a s r a t her st u f f y , t he w i ne w a s cool a nd r ef r esh i n g a n d
m or e p a l a t a b l e t h a n t he p i e, w hi ch t a st ed st a l e. A f t er a m ou t hf u l of
p i e she d r op p ed i t i nt o t he w a st e b i n a nd t ook t he w i ne b a ck i nt o
t he l i v i ng r oom w her e a t a p e- r ecor d er , w i t h a scr i p t a nd p ho ne
b esi d e i t , st ood on a l ow t a b l e.
Jer em y a nd Pet er som et i m es l ea r ned t h ei r l i nes b y sp ea k i n g t hem
i nt o t he r ecor d er a nd l i st eni ng t o t he p l a y b a ck . Thi s w a s a n ew p l a y .
Cha r l ot t e r ea d a l i t t l e, t hen t u r ned on t he r ecor d er a n d l i st ened t o
t he r ea d i n gs. Pet er h a d a goo d st r on g v oi ce, he w a s a good a ct or ,
b u t she t hou g ht t ha t Jer em y sou nd ed i nf i n i t el y m or e d r a m a t i c. H i s
v oi ce ha d a l l sor t s of t hr i l l i n g nu a nces, a nd i t w a s p l ea sa nt si t t i ng
her e, si p p i n g her w i n e a nd l i st en i n g.
Pet er w a s sp ea k i ng w hen she hea r d a w hi r r i n g- cl i ck i n g sou n d ,
f ol l ow ed b y Jer em y 's v oi ce i n t he b a ck gr ou n d sa y i ng, 'H el l o, l ov e, I
got y ou r m essa ge, a r e y ou com i ng r ou nd l a t er ?' a nd r ea l i sed t h a t t hi s
m u st ha v e b een w hen he p ho ned her y est er d a y .
She l i st ened t o hi s com m ent s, r em em b er i ng her ow n 'I'l l k i l l hi m !'
Jer em y w a s sa y i n g, ' r i sk i n g y ou r neck . H e shou l d ha v e seen t h e
ot her ca r .' Then she' d t a l k ed a b ou t t he hi gh hed ges a n d t he ot her
d r i v er com i ng ou t on t o t he m a i n r o a d 'W ha t w er e y ou d oi ng i n h i s
ca r a ny w a y ?' A n d she ha d exp l a i n ed a nd t ea sed , 'You w ou l d n't b e
j ea l ou s?' ' N ot so l on g a s y ou st i l l t h i nk he l ook s l i k e Dr a cu l a ,' sa i d
Jer em y .
Of cou r se t a p e- r ecor d er s w er e a l l ov er t he p l a ce t hese d a y s, b u t
t hi s w a s a l i t t l e sp ook y , hea r i ng a f ew m om ent s she ha d t hou ght
gone f or ev er b ei n g r e- ena ct ed . She hea r d t he cl i ck a s t he p ho ne w a s
p u t d ow n a n d Pet er a sk ed , ' Wha t w a s a l l t ha t a b ou t ?'
'Cha r l ot t e w a s i n a ca r cr a sh.' N o m i st a k i ng t he concer n i n Jer em y 's
v oi ce, nor t he shock i n Pet er 's, 'My God !'
'She' s a l l r i ght .'
'Tha nk Go d f or t h a t ,' sa i d P et er f er v ent l y . 'So w ha t w a s t h a t a b ou t
Dr a cu l a ?'
'The m a n w ho w a s w i t h her ,' sa i d Jer em y .
'A nd w ha t w a s she d oi ng i n hi s ca r ?'
'H e's l ook i n g f or a hou se, go i n g r ou nd p r op er t y .'
'A nd she w a s l ook i ng w i t h h i m ?' A b a nt er i n g not e h a d cr ep t i nt o
Pet er 's v oi ce. 'I'd w a t ch ou t f or h i m i f I w er e y ou . Ther e a r en't m a ny
gi r l s l i k e Ch a r l ot t e a r ou n d , l ov el y a nd l oa d ed , a nd y ou a l w a y s d i d
ha v e exp ensi v e t a st es.'
Jer em y sa i d , 'Too t r u e,' a n d Cha r l ot t e t hou ght , I'm not l oa d ed a ny
m or e. N ot t ha t i t w ou l d m a k e a ny d i f f er ence t o t he w a y Jer em y f el t
a b ou t her , b u t i t w ou l d m a k e a w or l d of d i f f er ence t o her l i f e, a nd
she sw i t ched of f t he r ecor d er a n d w on d er ed w h a t t om or r ow w ou l d
b r i n g. She hop ed she w a s a su r v i v or , b u t t he u nk now n q u a nt i t y w a s
Sa u l La u r enso n a n d how f a r hi s i nf l u en ce w ou l d sha p e her f u t u r e.
She j u m p ed u p a n d p ou r ed her sel f a n ot her gl a ss of w i ne, t hen
p a ced t he r oom a n d l o nged f or Jer em y . Bu t w hen t he p hone r a ng
she hesi t a t ed , t hen r ea ched v er y sl ow l y f or t he r ecei v er . It w a s
Jer em y , t o sa y he w ou l d b e w i t h her w i t hi n m i n u t es a nd w a s she a l l
r i ght ?
'I a m now ,' she sa i d . When t he p hone r a ng she h a d t hou ght , Sa u l !
a l t hou g h t her e w a s no w a y i t cou l d ha v e b een. She w ent on w a l k i ng,
u p a nd d ow n, h er ner v es a j a ngl e. Ther e w a s a b i g ol d f r a m ed m i r r or
on one w a l l , t h a t ha d o nce hu ng i n a shop a n d h a d a n
a d v er t i sem ent f or Monk ey Br a n d Soa p et ched o n i t . Sh e gl a n ced a t
her r ef l ect i on a s she p a ssed , a n d t hen ov er her shou l d er , st i l l a t t he
m i r r or i m a g e, a s t hou gh som eb od y co u l d h a v e b een f ol l ow i ng cl ose
b ehi nd .
Of cou r se nob o d y w a s, sh e w a s q u i t e a l one, b u t sh e w a s st i l l v er y
sha k en. Ther e h a d b een t oo m a ny sho ck s, one o n t op of t he ot her ,
a n d w hen she hea r d t he f oot st ep s on t he st a i r s she op ened t he d oor
a n d ca l l ed , 'Jer em y , i s t ha t y ou ?'
She cou l d see h i m a s she ca l l ed , b u t she need ed t h e r ea ssu r a nce of
hi s v oi ce, a n d w hen h e r ea ched her h e excl a i m ed , 'H ey , d a r l i ng, y ou
l ook t er r i b l e!' She f el t p a l e a n d her f or eh ea d w a s t hr o b b i ng. H i s st a ge
m a k e- u p h a d b een hu r r i ed l y a n d sk et chi l y r em ov ed , t her e w er e st i l l
t r a ces of t he l i nes t ha t ha d b een d r a w n t o m a k e t he f a ce of t he
cha r a ct er he w a s p l a y i ng, a nd a ny ot her t i m e she w ou l d ha v e sm i l ed
a t t ha t , t ea sed hi m f or b ei n g i n su ch a h u r r y t o com e t o her . Bu t now
she w a s on t he ed ge of t ea r s, she cou l d ea si l y h a v e f a l l en so b b i ng i nt o
hi s a r m s, a n d a s he l ed her b a ck i nt o t h e r oom a nd sea t ed her a ga i n
on t he sof a she sa i d sh a k i l y , 'The r oses w er e l ov el y , j u st l ov el y , a nd I
ha d t o see y ou .'
'Tha t b r u i se!' H e l i f t ed her ha i r v er y gen t l y f r om her f or ehea d a n d
she w a s t r em b l i ng. ' My p oor d a r l i n g,' h e sa i d , 'y ou cou l d h a v e b een
k i l l ed ! I'v e t hou ght of not hi n g el se si nce y ou p ho ned . I need a
b r a nd y .' H e p ou r ed t w o l a r ge m ea su r es a n d a s Cha r l ot t e si p p ed her s
i t st ea d i ed her , t h a t a n d h a v i n g Jer em y b esi d e her , h i s a r m a r o u n d
her , k i ssi ng her t end er l y .
'W her e's Pet er ?' she a sk ed a f t er a f ew m i nu t es.
'Go ne t o som e p a r t y .' H e sm i l ed hi s f l a shi ng a ct or 's sm i l e. ' Wo n't b e
b a ck t i l l l a t e.'
Tha t w a s t a ct f u l of Pet er . L a t e cou l d m ea n b r ea k f a st - t i m e, a nd
she b r ea t hed i n t he sm el l of col d cr ea m a n d gr ea sep a i nt a nd t h e
t oni c Jer em y u sed on hi s ha i r , t hen she t hou ght how m u ch she l ov ed
hi m a nd m u r m u r ed , 'I w i sh I cou l d st a y h er e.'
'W hy not ?' H e p r ob a b l y t hou ght she h a d com e t o st a y . She ha d
nev er com e so l a t er b ef or e, a n d i t w a s t em p t i ng, b u t she h a d t o sa y ,
'N o, I'v e got t o go b a ck .' H er v oi ce ca m e ou t hu sk y a n d he l ook ed
cl osel y a t h er a nd sa i d , ' You sou n d a l m ost f r i ght ened .'
'Do I?' She sm i l ed a s t hou gh t h a t w a s nonsense, b u t a m om ent
a f t er w a r d s sh e a d m i t t ed , ' Per ha p s I a m . Dr a cu l a 's a t hom e.' She w a s
m a k i ng a j ok e of i t , a nd Jer em y sa i d , 'Tel l m e a b ou t Dr a cu l a .'
She cl osed her ey es, t h en t ook a d eep b r ea t h a nd b ega n, 'H e's a
l oca l b oy m a d e good . Ver y good . Fr o m a st a l l on t he m a r k et t o
b ei n g a t l ea st a m i l l i on a i r e. H e's t hi r t y - f ou r a n d he's a b a chel or a n d
he t ol d m y f a t her he's t i r ed of b ei ng a b a chel or , a n d m y f a t her
t hi nk s'
'N ot y ou ?' Jer em y i nt er r u p t ed h a r shl y . 'Yo u r f a t her i sn 't
m a t chm a k i ng w i t h y ou ?'
'My f a t her t hi nk s i t w ou l d b e n i ce.'
'A nd w ha t d o y ou t hi nk ?' Jer em y 's f a ce w a s nea r h er s, she k new
t ha t , she cou l d f eel i t , b u t sh e cou l d n't o p en her ey es b eca u se her l i d s
ha d b ecom e v er y hea v y . 'I t hi nk i t ' s i m p o ssi b l e,' she sa i d .
'Wel l , I'm cer t a i nl y g l a d t o hea r t ha t .' Bu t u nl ess she op ened her
ey es, w hi ch she m a na ged t o d o a t l a st , a n d st a r ed a t Jer em y , she
k ep t seei n g Sa u l .
'Bu t ,' she sa i d , ' he h a s t he p ow er .'
'W ha t p ow er ?'
'Li k e Dr a cu l a . The ey es!' She d r a w l ed t ha t , a n d m a d e her v oi ce
sou nd l i k e t he ol d r et a i ner 's w a r n i n g i n a hor r or f i l m . 'Wo u l d y ou b e
cl osi n g t he w i nd ow a nd ha ngi ng u p som e ga r l i c, b eca u se I ha v e t hi s
not i on t h a t he cou l d com e f l y i n g i n?'
'Da r l i n g,' sa i d Jer em y , 'y ou ' r e t i p sy .'
'Onl y a v er y l i t t l e.' She w a s k eep i ng u p her sp i r i t s b eca u se she w a s
a f r a i d of t he t hi ngs t h a t w er e ha p p eni ng t o her . She m u st d o
som et hi ng p osi t i v e, a sser t her sel f , a n d sh e l ook ed i nt o Jer em y 's l on g -
l a shed ey es a n d a sk ed , 'Do y ou w a nt t o m a r r y m e?'
H e sa i d , a l m ost a t once, 'You k now I d o,' a n d she b eg a n t o sm i l e.
'N ow t ha t m a k es m e f eel v er y good , v er y w a r m a n d h a p p y
i nst ea d of col d a n d shi v er y .' She sl i d her a r m s r ou n d hi s neck a n d hi s
a r m w ent r ou nd her w a i st . 'Ca n I st a y ?' she a sk ed .
'You cer t a i nl y ca n!' H i s l i p s m u zzl ed h er neck , t i ck l i ng, a n d she
b ega n t o g i gg l e, t hen sa t b a ck a l i t t l e.
'I'd b et t er p hone A u nt Lu cy a nd t el l her I'm a l l r i ght . She cou l d b e
send i n g ou t sea r ch p a r t i es.' She st r et ched f or t he p hone a n d d i a l l ed
ca r ef u l l y ,- one ha n d hol d i ng o n t o Jer em y .
H er f a t her a nsw er ed . A u nt Lu cy w ou l d p r ob a b l y b e i n b ed , i t w a s
her b ed t i m e, b u t Cha r l ot t e w ou l d h a v e p r ef er r ed t o sp ea k t o her .
H er f a t her 's v oi ce t hr ew her a l i t t l e. In her ha zy st a t e she ha d b een a l l
set t o r ea ssu r e A u nt Lu cy t h a t she w a s st a y i ng w i t h f r i end s, a n d w a s
p er f ect l y a l l r i ght , a n d w ou l d b e hom e i n t he m or ni n g. Bu t her f a t h er
a l m ost shou t ed , 'Cha r l ot t e, w her e t he d ev i l a r e y ou ?'
H e ha d no r i g ht t o shou t a t her . H e ha d nev er shou t ed or l ost hi s
t em p er b ef or e Sa u l L a u r enson ca m e. Sh e a sk ed , 'Is Sa u l st i l l t her e?'
'Yes.'
Tha t set t l ed i t . She w a s not goi n g b a ck t oni ght . Sa u l L a u r enso n
m u st b e l i st en i n g t o her f a t her sho u t i ng a t her a s t hou g h she w a s a
na u ght y chi l d . Sh e sa i d , l ou d a n d cl ea r , a nd hop ed Sa u l w a s nea r
enou g h t o hea r t ha t t oo, 'I a m w i t h a f r i end . W i t h Jer em y Wy l d e.
A nd I cou l d b e st a y i n g f or q u i t e a w hi l e, b eca u se w e'r e get t i n g
m a r r i ed . A n d y ou ca n t el l Mr L a u r enson t ha t , i n ca se he ha s t he
i m p r essi on t h a t I'm p a r t of a b u si n ess d ea l .'
She p u t d ow n t he p hon e a nd Jer em y sa i d , ' You r f a t her ?'
'Mm m .'
'H ow d o y ou t h i nk he's goi ng t o t a k e t h a t ?'
Su d d en l y she w a s a l m ost sob er . She sa i d , 'Bet t er i n t he m or ni ng
t ha n he w i l l t oni ght . I d on 't t hi nk I shou l d h a v e t ol d h i m t oni g ht , not
l i k e t ha t .'
The p hone r a ng a nd t he sou nd st a b b ed t hr ou gh her hea d . 'I ca n't ,'
she sa i d , a nd Jer em y a nsw er ed , w i t h a l a co ni c, ' Yea h,' a n d , 'O.K.
Pet er ,' h e exp l a i ned , ha ngi ng u p . 'The f l a t 's a l l ou r s. H e's d ossi n g
d ow n w her e t he p a r t y i s.'
Cha r l ot t e gu l p ed , 'A r e y ou exp ect i n g a n y m or e ca l l s?'
'N o.'
'Then w ou l d y ou m i n d l ea v i ng t he r ecei v er of f ?'
H e l i f t ed i t f r om i t s cr a d l e a nd l a i d i t on t he scr i p t of t he new p l a y .
H i s a d d r ess a n d nu m b er w er e i n t he b ook a t hom e a nd she d i d n't
w a nt t o t a l k t o her f a t her a ga i n t oni g h t . N or t o A u nt Lu cy . N or t o
a ny one. The l i t t l e st r en gt h she h a d l ef t w a s d r a i n i n g ou t of her a s t he
eu p hor i a of t he a l co hol w ent col d . She sa i d , 'I'l l ha v e t o l i e d ow n, a nd
I'l l ha v e t o go t o sl eep .' H er sm i l e w a s w ob b l y . 'I f eel a s t hou gh I'v e
b een i n a hea d - on col l i si on!'
Jer em y cou l d n 't ha v e b een ni cer . H e ga v e her hi s ow n b ed . H e sa i d
he' d t a k e Pet er 's. Cha r l ot t e sl i p p ed of f her shoes a n d d r ess a n d sl i d
b et w een t he sheet s, a nd b y now her hea d a che w a s r a gi ng a n d h er
st om a ch w a s chu r ni ng, a nd she w a s f eel i n g t oo r ot t en t o ca r e w ha t
ha p p ened t om or r ow
A not her r i ngi ng w ok e her , b u t i t w a sn 't t he t el ep ho ne a nd she
hea r d Jer em y , i n t h e d a r k ness, a sk i ng w ho t he hel l t hi s w a s a t t hi s
t i m e. H e t u r ned o n a l i g ht a n d w ent ou t of t he b ed r oom i nt o t he
l i v i ng r oom , shr u ggi ng hi s na k ed shou l d er s i nt o a d r essi n g gow n.
Cha r l ot t e sa t u p , h a r d l y b r ea t hi ng, st r a i n i n g t o hea r a s Jer em y
t hr ew op en t he w i nd ow a n d ca l l ed d ow n, 'W ha t d o y ou w a nt ? W ho
i s i t ?' She hea r d t he a nsw er . 'I'v e co m e f or Cha r l ot t e,' a n d she
cr oa k ed , 'It 's Sa u l !'
Jer em y ga sp ed , ' You r f a t her w ou l d n't send h i m t o f et ch , you ,
w ou l d he?'
'N o,' she sa i d . B u t he h a d .
'Wel l , he ha s,' sa i d Jer em y . 'I'l l ha v e t o l et hi m i n, he' l l b e w a k i ng
ha l f t he st r eet , he's p r o b a b l y w ok en t he Sosk i ns a l r ea d y .'
For a m om ent Cha r l ot t e w a s p a r a l y sed , t hen f u r i ou s, b eca u se t hi s
w a s i nt ol er a b l e. She got ou t of b ed , st a n d i ng st i l l f i ght i ng n a u sea ,
t hen l ook i n g a r ou n d f or her d r ess. Sa u l ca m e i nt o t he l i v i ng r oom
a hea d of Jer em y , he m u st ha v e w a l k ed p a st hi m i n t he ha l l or on t h e
st a i r s. H e seem ed t o t ow er ov er Jer em y , a l t hou g h i n f a ct t hey w er e
a b ou t t he sa m e hei g ht . Jer em y w a s b l u st er i ng, ' Wh a t t he hel l i s t h i s?'
b u t Sa u l t ook no not i ce of hi m . H e l ook ed a t Ch a r l ot t e, st a n d i ng j u st
i nsi d e t he d oor w a y of t he b ed r oom , a n d sa i d , ' Get d r essed .'
'You ca n 't com e b a r gi ng i n her e!' Jer em y ' s v oi ce w a s shr i l l .
Cha r l ot t e p u l l ed her d r ess ov er her h ea d a nd ca m e i nt o t he l i v i ng
r oom w her e her shoes l a y b esi d e t he sof a , a n d a l l t he t i m e she w a s
gr ow i n g col d er , i ci l y sob er , f i l l ed w i t h t h e conv i ct i o n t ha t som et hi ng
w a s t er r i b l y w r on g. Jer em y w a s st i l l t a l k i ng, sh e w a sn 't l i st eni ng t o
Jer em y . She sl i p p ed i nt o her shoes a nd f a ced Sa u l a nd a sk ed , ' Wh a t 's
ha p p ened ?'
'You r f a t her 's ha d a hea r t a t t a ck .'
'I d on't b el i ev e y ou .' Th a t w a s a st u p i d t hi n g t o sa y . N ob o d y w ou l d
t el l y ou a t hi ng l i k e t ha t u n l ess i t w a s t r u e. She t u r ned b l i n d l y t o p i ck
u p her ha n d b a g a nd Jer em y sa i d , 'I'l l t a k e y ou ,' b u t she shook her
hea d . 'N o, y ou m u st n't com e.'
H e k i ssed her col d cheek a nd she f el t Sa u l gr i p her a r m , p u l l i ng her
a w a y . 'Ri ng m e,' sa i d Jer em y , a n d she nod d ed a n d t hou g ht , Why ?
y ou ca n 't hel p .
She st u m b l ed on t he st a i r s. She m i ght ha v e f a l l en, b u t Sa u l hel d
her st i l l , op en i n g t he ca r d oor a n d l et t i ng her sl u m p i nt o t he
p a ssen ger sea t . It w a s l i k e hi t t i ng t he w i nd scr een h a d b een, a
nu m b i ng, p a r a l y si ng b l ow . A s he got i nt o hi s sea t , b ehi n d t he w heel ,
she w hi sp er ed , 'Is i t t r u e?' a n d he l o ok ed a t her , w i t ho u t a ny
exp r essi o n a t a l l , - b u t h i s v oi ce w a s b r u t a l .
'Ther e's no ot her r ea so n w hy I shou l d b e get t i n g y ou o u t of y ou r
l ov er 's b ed i n t he m i d d l e of t he n i ght .'
She w a sn't sl eep i n g w i t h Jer em y , b u t i t d i d n 't m a t t er . .She
sw a l l ow ed , t r i ed t o sp ea k a n d cou l d n't , a nd t r i ed a g a i n, 'H ow b a d ?'
'Ba d enou gh.'
Thi s seem ed l i k e a ghost t ow n, w i t h not a sou l i n si g ht , ev er y t hi ng
col d a nd l onel y . Sh e cou l d n 't l ook a t Sa u l , a n d ea ch w or d ca m e
sep a r a t el y , ea ch need i ng a n ef f or t . 'Ished ea d ?'
'If he w er e,' sa i d Sa u l , 't her e' d b e no p oi n t i n m y f et chi n g y ou .'
Tha t w a s som et hi ng. H e w a s a l i v e, a nd w hi l e t her e w a s l i f e She
w hi sp er ed , 'P l ea se g et m e t o hi m .' Then she sa t hu d d l ed , shi v er i ng,
a n d a f t er a f ew m om ent s she m a na ged t o a sk , ' When d i d i t ha p p en?'
'Ju st a f t er y ou r p hone ca l l . W hen y ou t ol d hi m y ou w er en 't com i ng
b a ck hom e, t ha t y ou w er e m a r r y i n g y ou r a ct or .'
She h a d k now n t h a t w ou l d shock her f a t her , b u t she h a d nev er
r ea l i sed t h a t a sho ck m i ght d o hi m p hy si ca l ha r m a n d she p r ot est ed
w i l d l y , 'Bu t he's n ev er i l l . H e p l a y s gol f , sq u a sh.'
'I d ou b t i f he's p l a y ed m u ch sq u a sh l a t el y ,' sa i d Sa u l . 'Di d n 't y ou
k now t ha t ei t h er , t ha t h i s hea r t w a s w ea k ?'
She k new t ha t Dr Bu ck st on w a s a l w a y s u r gi ng h i m t o t a k e t hi ngs
ea si er , b u t she t ho u ght he g a v e t ha t a d v i ce t o a l l hi s m i d d l e- a ged
p a t i ent s i n t hese ha r a ssi ng t i m es. Sh e a sk ed , ' H ow l on g ha v e y ou
k now n?'
'Si n ce w e m et i n A nt w er p .'
'H e t ol d y ou .' She co u l d f eel t ea r s b u r ni n g b ehi n d her ey es, b u t she
w ou l d d o no w eep i ng i n f r ont of t hi s m a n a n d her v oi ce w a s r ou g h
w i t h u nshed t ea r s. 'H e t ol d y ou a b ou t t he b u si n ess, h e t ol d y ou he
ha d hea r t t r ou b l e. M a y b e t h a t w a s w h y he d i d n't n eed t o t el l m e
a ny t hi ng, b eca u se he'd f ou n d som eo ne el se t o co nf i d e i n.' Wha t ha d
ha p p ened t oni g ht w a s her f a u l t , b eca u se she ha d n 't k now n.
'Som eb od y shou l d ha v e t ol d m e,' she w a nt ed t o scr ea m , b u t i t
sou nd ed l i k e a w hi m p er .
Sa u l sa i d , ' You shou l d h a v e k now n.'
'H ow ?' In t he l a st f ew d a y s she ha d r ea l i sed t ha t her f a t her w a s
l ook i ng ol d er , b u t u nt i l t h en she w a s su r e t her e ha d b een no si g ns.
'By t hi nk i n g of som eb od y el se f or a cha ng e b esi d es y ou r sel f ,' he
sa i d sa v a gel y . 'The m a n's b een i n hel l . Go d , y ou m a k e m e si ck !'
Cha r l ot t e d i d n't ca r e w h a t he sa i d t o her . A m a n w ho w ou l d t a l k
t hi s w a y t o a gi r l w hose f a t her m i ght b e d y i ng h a d no p i t y , a nd she
l ook ed a t t he ha r d l i nes of h i s p r of i l e a nd ha t ed hi m . She w ou l d n't
ha v e r u n t o Jer em y t oni ght i f t hi s i nt r u d er h a d n't b een i n her hom e.
She w ou l d n 't ha v e sa i d she w a s m a r r y i n g Jer em y i f her f a t her ha d n't
t hou ght Sa u l m i ght w a nt t o m a r r y her . She t hou ght , i f m y f a t her d i es
I'l l nev er ha v e t o l ook a t y ou a ga i n; t hen she t u r ned a w a y a nd sa i d
no m or e, a nd p r a y ed a n d p r a y ed .
She shou l d h a v e r ea l i sed her f a t her w o u l d b e i n hosp i t a l , w her e
t he b est ca r e a n d t r ea t m ent cou l d b e p r ov i d ed , b u t she ha d
exp ect ed t o b e t a k en hom e. It w a sn't t h e hosp i t a l Sa u l h a d b r ou g ht
her t o a f t er t he a cci d ent . She h a d n ev er b een i nsi d e a hosp i t a l i n her
l i f e t i l l t hen, a n d now i t w a s t w i ce w i t hi n hou r s. H er f a t her w a s i n
t her e, a nd she ha d h el p ed t o p u t h i m t her e, a nd i f she w a s gi v en t he
cha nce she w ou l d t a k e ca r e of hi m .
She op ened her d oor , a s t hey d r ew u p i n t he ca r p a r k , r u nn i n g
a hea d of Sa u l i nt o t he hosp i t a l . A u nt Lu cy sa t i n t he f oy er , Dr
Bu ck st on b esi d e her . H er ey el i d s w er e sw ol l en w i t h t ea r s a n d
Cha r l ot t e t ook hol d of her ha n d s, gr i p p i ng t hem t i ght l y , b ef or e she
t u r ned t o t he d oct or . H e sa i d t h e b l essed w or d s, 'H e shou l d p u l l
t hr ou gh t hi s t i m e,' a n d t ha t w a s a p r a y er a nsw er ed . 'Bu t he's a si ck
m a n.'
The t ea r s on A u nt Lu cy 's f a ce w er e r el i ef a nd g r i ef . She w a s
cl i n gi ng t o Ch a r l ot t e, a nd Cha r l ot t e f el t her chi l d hoo d sl i p p i n g a w a y
a n d k new t h a t sh e h a d t o b e t he com f or t er . ' We ca n nu r se hi m , ca n't
w e?' she sa i d . ' We st i l l ha v e hi m . W e'l l m a k e hi m f ol l ow d oct or 's
or d er s.' She f or ced her sel f t o sou n d ca l m a nd st ea d y , h er ey es
m eet i ng t he d oct or 's. 'W hy d i d n't y ou t el l m e he h a d a w ea k hea r t ?'
'I d i d n't k now ,' A u nt Lu cy w ep t .
'N ob o d y k new ,' sa i d t he d oct or . 'H e d i d n 't w a nt y ou w or r y i ng,
Cha r l ot t e. I t hi nk he's a l w a y s b een ov er - p r ot ect i v e a b ou t y ou
b eca u se y ou l ook l i k e y ou r m ot her a n d she w a s d el i ca t e. H e a l w a y s
ha d t o t a k e ca r e of her , a n d ev en t h en h e l ost her .'
Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'I'm not d el i ca t e. Ca n I see hi m ?'
'H e's b een a sk i ng f or y ou . Ju st l ook i n on hi m a n d r ea ssu r e h i m a n d
t hen w e'd b et t er t a k e t hi s l a d y hom e.' H e p a t t ed A u nt Lu cy 's ha nd ,
a n d she sa t hu d d l ed i n her sea t , a h a n d k er chi ef t o her ey es, w hi l e he
l ed t he w a y d ow n a cor r i d or . Sa u l w a s w a l k i n g w i t h t hem a nd
Cha r l ot t e sa i d sha r p l y , ' Why a r e y ou com i ng?'
'It 's a l l r i ght ,' sa i d t h e d oct or . ' You r f a t her w a nt s t o see Mr
La u r enson a s w el l .'
H er f a t her 's b ed w a s nea r t he d oor ; t her e w er e ot her b ed s. Li t t l e
r ou n d d i scs w er e a t t a ched t o hi s chest a n d w i r ed t o a m a chi ne b esi d e
a sm a l l scr een, a n d Ch a r l ot t e w a nt ed t o f l i n g her a r m s a r ou nd hi m ,
t o gi v e h i m her y ou t h a n d her st r engt h. She ha t ed her sel f f or ha v i ng
hu r t hi m i n a ny w a y , a n d w hen he sa w her a nd sm i l ed f a i nt l y she
sm i l ed b a ck a l t ho u gh t he u nshed t ea r s w er e b l i n d i ng her .
'It 'l l b e a l l r i g ht ,' he w hi sp er ed .
'I k now ,' she sa i d . ' You ' l l b e hom e soon. O h, y ou f r i g ht ened u s!'
'Sor r y a b ou t t ha t .' H i s ga ze m ov ed t o Sa u l , st a n d i ng j u st b ehi nd
her . 'I ca n't r em em b er m u ch a b ou t i t , b u t I'm gl a d y ou w er en't a l o ne,
I'm gl a d Sa u l w a s w i t h y ou .'
H e t hou g ht t hey ha d b een a t hom e t og et her w hen he w a s st r u ck
d ow n, so he d i d n't r eca l l t he p ho ne ca l l , a nd t h a t w a s t o t he good .
She st oop ed a n d k i ssed hi s cheek a n d sa i d . ' You m u st sl eep now .'
'A nd y ou m u st a l l go hom e. You ' l l t a k e ca r e of her , w on 't y ou ?'
A ga i n hi s ey es m et Sa u l 's, a n d he sa i d , 'O f cou r se.'
'St a y w i t h t hem ,' sa i d Col i n Du nscom b e w ea k l y . 'They 'l l n eed a
m a n a b ou t t he ho u se.'
A s soon a s she got hom e Cha r l ot t e p u t A u nt Lu cy t o b ed , d osi ng
her w i t h t he t r a nq u i l l i ser s t ha t Dr B u ck st on h a d p r ov i d ed . She
p r ot est ed t ha t sh e h a d nev er t a k en a sl eep i ng p i l l i n h er l i f e, b u t
Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'To ni ght w e d o. Get y ou r s d ow n now .'
A u nt Lu cy sw a l l ow ed her t w o p i l l s w i t h t he ha l f gl a ss of m i l k t ha t
Cha r l ot t e w a s hol d i n g ou t t o her , t hen Cha r l ot t e t ook her u p st a i r s,
seei n g her i nt o her b ed r oom a nd k i ssi ng her goo d ni ght .
Sa u l h a d b r ou ght t hem hom e. H e w a s st i l l d ow nst a i r s i n t he
k i t chen, a nd he w a s p r ob a b l y goi ng t o sl eep i n t he gu est r oom ,
b eca u se she cou l d ha r d l y su g gest he w ent b a ck t o hi s hot el a t t hi s
hou r .
She p i ck ed u p t he t i ny p a ck et of p i l l s f r om t he k i t chen t a b l e a nd
p u t t hem on t he d r esser shel f , a nd h e a sk ed , 'A r en't y ou t a k i n g
y ou r s?'
'N o.' W a k i ng or sl eep i n g she need ed t o k eep h er w i t s a b o u t her .
H e ha d b oi l ed a k et t l e a n d w a s st i r r i ng a cu p of i nst a nt cof f ee.
'Cof f ee?' he a sk ed .
'N o, t ha nk y ou .' She hop ed she w o u l d sl eep , b u t she k new she
w ou l d n't i f she d r a nk a ny cof f ee. Sa u l w a s m a k i n g hi m sel f a t hom e,
t he m a n a b ou t t he hou se. She sa i d , ' P l ea se d o n't co nsi d er y ou r sel f
b ou n d b y t ha t r i d i cu l ou s p r om i se t o m y f a t her a b ou t t a k i ng ca r e of
m e. I ca n l ook a f t er m y sel f .'
'I'm su r e,' he sa i d , a n d w ent o n st i r r i ng t he b l a ck cof f ee, a sk i n g
conv er sa t i on a l l y , 'By t he w a y , w ha t 's w r ong w i t h t he m a n y ou 'r e
m a r r y i ng?'
She sa i d col d l y , 'A b sol u t el y not h i n g.'
'Wel l , t he new s hi t y ou r f a t h er h a r d .' H e d i d n't need t o r em i n d h er
of t ha t , a n d her r esent m ent a g a i n st hi m r ose d a nger o u sl y , m a k i ng
her r eck l ess, so t ha t w hen he a sk ed , ' W h y d i d y ou b r ea k i t t o hi m l i k e
t ha t ?' she sa i d , 'To show hi m t ha t I'v e m a d e m y ow n choi ce. H e
seem ed t o t hi nk I m i g ht b e i n t he r u n ni n g w i t h y ou .'
H e echoed , 'In t he r u nn i n g?'
'A s y ou 'v e d eci d ed i t 's t i m e y ou set t l ed d ow n. A s y ou 'r e w i f e-
hu nt i ng. My f a t her , y ou see, h a s t hi s f u nny i d ea t h a t I'm i r r esi st i b l e.'
She w a nt ed hi m t o sn eer a t t h a t so t ha t she cou l d h i t b a ck . She
w a nt ed a cha nce t o t el l hi m her op i n i o n of hi m , b u t he sa i d shor t l y ,
'Tha t i sn't hi s on l y m i st a k e. Th e l a st t h i n g I w a nt i s a w i f e.'
'Oh!' She t u r ned sca r l et . Sa u l m u st ha v e sa i d som et hi n g. Per h a p s i t
w a s t o d o w i t h b u y i ng a hou se r ou nd h er e, a hom e, a nd her f a t her ,
d esp er a t e t o f i nd her a p r ot ect or , h a d d eci d ed a w i f e w ent w i t h a
hom e.
'I shou l d n't m ent i on Jer em y Wy l d e t o hi m a ga i n f or a w hi l e i f I
w er e y ou ,' sa i d Sa u l , a n d Cha r l ot t e k new t ha t she m u st not . Pa r t of
t he nu r si ng a n d ca r e f or her f a t her w ou l d b e t o k eep hi m q u i et a n d
cont ent , a nd hi s m i n d w ou l d on l y b e ea sy i f he b el i ev ed t ha t she a n d
Sa u l La u r enso n w er e gr ow i ng cl oser .
She l ook ed a t Sa u l w i t h a m i xt u r e of a p p ea l a n d hor r or , a n d he
shr u g ged a s t hou gh he r ea d her m i n d , a n d sa i d , 'If i t w i l l k eep hi m
ha p p y ov er t he next f ew w eek s I'l l p r et end w e'r e get t i ng on l i k e a
hou se on f i r e.'
H i s sm i l e w a s sa r d o ni c b eca u se he k n ew t ha t not hi ng w a s l ess
l i k el y . 'B u t i f y ou ' d p r ef er a r u nn i n g b a t t l e,' h e a d d ed , 't ha t ' s a l l r i ght
b y m e.'
'N o. N o, he w a nt s u s t o b ef r i en d s.' H e w a nt ed t hem t o b e
m a r r i ed l ov er s, a n d she sh i v er ed , a n d Sa u l d r a nk sev er a l gu l p s of
cof f ee, t hen p u t d ow n t h e cu p a nd a sk ed , ' Ma y I u se t he r oom I ha d
on Mo nd a y ?'
'Yes.'
H e p a ssed her , goi ng t o t he d oor , a n d st ood l ook i n g d ow n a t h er ,
a n d she t r i ed t o st a r e b a ck a t hi m w i t hou t f l i n chi ng, w i l l i ng hi m t o
go, t o j u st get ou t . Sa u l sm i l ed a ga i n, a sl ow sm i l e. ' N ot t o w or r y ,' he
sa i d , 'I d on 't t hi nk y ou 'r e i r r esi st i b l e a ny m or e t ha n I t hi nk y ou need
l ook i ng a f t er . I t hi nk t h a t t he on l y sof t t hi ng a b o u t y ou i s y ou r sk i n.'
H e r a n a f i nger t i p d ow n her cheek a n d Cha r l ot t e t u r ned t o st one,
col d t o t he b one. Bu t a f t er he ha d cl osed t he d oor b ehi nd hi m her
cheek b eg a n t o b u r n, a n d she r u b b ed ha r d b u t sh e cou l d n't r u b
a w a y t he m em or y of hi s t ou ch. N ot ev en w hen her cheek w a s
p r essed a g a i n st t he p i l l ow a nd she w a s t r y i ng t o sl eep .

CHAPTER SIX


A u nt Lu cy w a s st i l l sl eep i n g sou n d l y w hen Cha r l ot t e l ook ed i nt o
her b ed r oom j u st a f t er sev en o'cl ock next m or ni ng. The d r u g w a s st i l l
w or k i ng, a n d she need ed a l l t he r est she cou l d get , so Cha r l ot t e
cl osed t he d oor sof t l y a nd cr ep t a w a y . She her sel f ha d h a r d l y sl ep t a t
a l l , a nd her one t hou ght now w a s t o p h one t he hosp i t a l f or t he l a t est
b u l l et i n o n her f a t her .
If t he p hone h a d r u n g i n t he ni g ht sh e t hou ght h er ow n hea r t
w ou l d ha v e st op p ed b ef or e she cou l d a nsw er i t , b u t t her e h a d b een
no ca l l s, so her f a t her w a s st i l l hol d i ng hi s ow n, a nd she w ent
d ow nst a i r s t o t he ha l l p hone. She w a s ca r r y i ng Geor gy a n d w hen she
p u t hi m d ow n he t r ot t ed of f t ow a r d s t he k i t chen a nd t he b a r k i n g
r et r i ev er s. By t hi s t i m e, on a n or d i n a r y d a y , A u nt Lu cy w ou l d ha v e
b een b u st l i ng a r ou n d i n t he k i t chen. The hou se w a s st r a n gel y st i l l t hi s
m or ni n g.
A s Cha r l ot t e p i ck ed u p t he p ho ne Sa u l sa i d , 'I ha v e r u n g. H e ha d
a f a i r l y good n i g ht .' Tha t co u l d m ea n a ny t hi n g, a nd she w ou l d r i ng
her sel f i n a f ew m i n u t es a nd see i f she cou l d get m or e i nf or m a t i on.
Sa u l w a s sh a v ed a n d d r essed , she w a s st i l l i n her d r essi ng gow n
her sel f , a n d she sa i d , ' You g et u p ea r l y .'
'I d on't need m u ch sl eep .' H e ha d com e ou t of her f a t her ' s of f i ce,
b u t she d i d n't ca r e a b ou t t ha t , a l l she w a nt ed t o k now w a s, 'Is he
goi n g t o l i v e?'
'I'm no d oct or .'
'N o, of cou r se y ou ' r e not , how w ou l d y ou k now ? I j u st w a nt
som eb od y t o t el l m e he i s.' She ha d t o k eep her sel f - co nt r ol , t her e
w er e t hi ng s t o b e d one, so she a sk ed , ' Wou l d y ou m i n d i f w e t a l k ed
b u si ness?'
Tha t m u st sou n d co l d - b l oo d ed , b u t u nl ess she st a r t ed t hi nk i ng
a b ou t som et hi n g el se she cou l d go t o p i eces. 'N ot a t a l l ,' h e sa i d , a n d
she w ent a hea d of hi m i nt o t he k i t chen , f i l l ed t he k et t l e a n d l i t t he
ga s, ha r d l y consci ou s of w ha t her ha nd s w er e d oi n g, a ny m or e t ha n
she w a s of t he d ogs l ea p i n g a r o u n d her .
'I w ou l d l i k e y ou t o exp l a i n,' she sa i d i n a hi g h l i ght v oi ce, 'how t he
f i r m m a na ged t o get t o t he ed ge of b a nk r u p t cy w hen ev er y t hi ng
l ook s a l l r i g ht ?'
Sa u l ha d sea t ed hi m sel f a t t he t a b l e. It w a s q u i t e a d om est i c scene,
he r ea d y t o l ea v e f or t he of f i ce, she st i l l i n h er d r essi n g gow n, a s
t hou gh t hey h a d sha r ed t he sa m e b ed a nd w ou l d now b e si t t i ng
d ow n t og et her t o b r ea k f a st . It w a s a l l u nr ea l . Ch a r l ot t e t hou g ht
w i l d l y , p er ha p s i t i s a ni g ht m a r e a n d i f I p u t m y ha nd i n t h a t f l a m e
m y sk i n w on 't b u r n.
Behi n d her he sa i d , 'The b u si ness ha s b een l osi n g m oney f or y ea r s
a n d y ou r f a t her h a d t o cu t i nt o ca p i t a l . Then, w hen t he ca p i t a l ha d
gone, a nd h e l ea r ned t ha t he ha d a hea r t cond i t i on, he b eg a n
sp ecu l a t i n g, sh a r es a n d hor ses. H e w a nt ed t o p r ov i d e f or y ou , t o
l ea v e y ou com f or t a b l y of f .' H e d i d n't t hi nk she w a s w or t h su ch a
sa cr i f i ce, a nd nei t h er d i d she, a n d i f she h a d k now n w ha t w a s
ha p p eni ng she w ou l d h a v e st op p ed i t .
She d i d n't l ook a t Sa u l . Sh e st ood w i t h her b a ck t o t he t a b l e,
w a i t i n g f or t he k et t l e t o b oi l , a r m s f ol d ed a n d f i nger s gr i p p i ng. 'H e
w a sn 't l u ck y ?' she sa i d .
'You co u l d sa y t h a t . N ot i n hi s i nv est m en t s nor hi s d a u g ht er .'
'So y ou b ou g ht u s ou t ? A nd a s w e w er e on t he r ock s I'm su r e y ou
got u s chea p . Do w e ha v e a ny m oney ?'
'I d ou b t i t . Ther e w er e d eb t s t o b e m et .'
'Wel l , w el l .' So t hey w er e b r ok e, b u t i t ha r d l y seem ed t o m a t t er .
The k et t l e scr ea m ed a nd she w ent t h r ou gh t he m ot i ons of m a k i n g
t ea , sl ow l y , a s t ho u gh t hi s w a s a d em o nst r a t i on, a n d b ehi n d her Sa u l
sa i d , 'Do y ou u n d er st a nd w ha t I'm t el l i ng y ou ?'
She f et ched m i l k f r om t he f r i d ge, a nd p ou r ed i t i nt o t w o of t he
t hr ee cu p s t ha t A u nt Lu cy ha d p u t her e l a st ni ght w hen she l a i d t he
t a b l e f or b r ea k f a st . Th a t w ou l d b e b ef or e Cha r l ot t e's f a t her
col l a p sed . 'Oh God ,' p r a y ed Cha r l ot t e, 'l et m y f a t her com e hom e.'
She sa i d , 'Su r e I u nd er st a n d , b u t hea r i n g w e'r e p oor seem s m u ch
l ess i m p or t a nt t ha n w h et her m y f a t h er w i l l com e hom e a ga i n. I
su p p ose' t h e t hou ght st r u ck h er a s sh e w a s p ou r i ng t he t ea a n d
su d d en l y her h a n d w a s u nst ea d y , 'I su p p ose w e d o ha v e a hom e? I
m ea n, w a s t hi s p a r t of hi s ca p i t a l ?'
'The ho u se a n d gr ou n d s a r e m or t ga ged t o t he hi l t ,' sa i d Sa u l .
Cha r l ot t e p u t d ow n t he t ea p ot q u i ck l y . A gr ea t w ei ght seem ed t o
ha v e d escend ed o n h er . She k new no w how h er f a t her h a d f el t ,
st a nd i n g a t her b ed r oom w i n d ow l a st ni ght , shou l d er s a nd hea d
b ow ed . She a sk ed , 'To y ou ?'
'N o.'
'Tha t m ea ns w e' l l h a v e t o get ou t , b eca u se w e ca n't m eet b i g
m or t ga ge r ep a y m ent s. We p r o b a b l y cou l d n't m a n a ge t h e u p k eep
a ny w a y r a t es, el ect r i ci t y .' H er ha i r f el t hea v y a s a hel m et a nd she
p u shed i t b a ck f r om her f or ehea d a n d w i nced . She ha d t ho u ght she
w a s l u ck y not goi n g t hr ou g h t he w i nd scr een, a nd she w a s, b u t m or e
b a d l u ck w a s w a i t i ng f or her t ha n she w ou l d ha v e b el i ev ed p ossi b l e.
If t hey ha d no hom e, no m oney , w her e w a s she go i n g t o t a k e her
f a t her ?
She sa i d , 'The f u r n i t u r e?' She l ook ed t h r ou gh t h e d oor l ea d i ng i nt o
t he ha l l a nd t he ot her r oom s. 'Does t ha t st i l l b el o ng t o u s? N ot h i n g's
gone. You ca n 't t a k e ou t a m or t - g a ge o n f u r n i t u r e, ca n y ou ?'
'N o,' h e sa i d , 'b u t '
'Bu t som eone cou l d b u y i t a n d not h a v e t a k en i t a w a y y et ?'
'Yes.'
'You ?' H e nod d ed . 'H ow w a s t ha t d one?'
'A v a l u er , a n a gr eed p r i ce.'
H er f a t her ha d b een sel l i n g ev er y t hi ng f or her sa k e. Ga m b l i ng t o
m a k e her f u t u r e secu r e a n d l osi ng ev er y t hi ng. H e h a d b een su ch a
f ool , a nd a l l b eca u se he l ov ed her . She sa i d sha k i l y , 'I su p p ose t he
f i na l g a m b l e w a s m e, t ha t I' d f i nd m y sel f a r i ch hu sb a nd . N o w o nd er
he cou l d n 't ha v e m e f a l l i n g i n l ov e w i t h a ha r d - u p a ct or !' She t hr ew
b a ck her hea d a n d a l m ost l a u g hed , a n d w on d er ed i f she w a s goi n g
ou t of her m i nd . 'If he'd t ol d m e soo n er t ha t I shou l d b e f or t u ne-
hu nt i ng I m i g ht ha v e m a n a ged i t , y ou k now , b eca u se I'm a good -
l ook er . N ot m u ch el se. The p a ck a g i n g' s good , b u t y ou w er e r i ght
a b ou t t he I.Q. a n d y ou w er e r i ght t ha t I shou l d ha v e k now n t ha t he
w a s a i l i ng a n d so w a s t he b u si ness. Onl y I d i d n 't . A n d now w e'v e got
not hi n g, or next t o not hi ng. You ha v en' t b ou ght t he l ot , ha v e y ou ?
Ther e m u st b e a f ew p i eces l ef t . Wou l d y ou ca r e t o w a l k r ou nd w i t h
m e a n d t el l m e w h a t b el ong s t o y ou so, t ha t '
The p ho ne b ega n t o r i ng, si l enci ng her a s t hou gh a h a nd ha d b een
cl a p p ed ov er her m ou t h. W hen she f ou nd h er v oi ce a g a i n t her e w a s
no hy st er i a i n i t . It w a s a l m ost a w hi sp er , 'Pl ea se, w ou l d y ou a nsw er
t ha t ?'
She f ol l ow ed Sa u l i nt o t he ha l l . H e g a v e t he nu m b er a n d t hen
hel d ou t t he p ho ne t o her a n d sa i d , 'Jer em y Wy l d e.'
'Oh, d a r l i n g!' She a l m ost f el l o n i t . 'Oh, I t hou ght y ou w er e t he
hosp i t a l . H e's i l l , he's v er y i l l , b u t t hey sa i d he ha d a f a i r l y goo d n i ght .'
Jer em y sa i d how sor r y h e w a s, a nd w a s t her e a ny t hi ng he co u l d d o,
a n d she w a nt ed t o t el l h i m a b ou t D u n scom b es a nd t he hou se a n d
t ha t she d i d n't k now w hi ch w a y t o t u r n, b u t Sa u l L a u r enson w a s
l i st eni ng, so she sa i d , 'I'l l r i n g y ou l a t er .'
'I l ov e y ou ,' sa i d Jer em y .
'Oh, I l ov e y ou ,' she t ol d hi m , 'a n d I'l l r i n g y ou b a ck .' Sh e p u t d ow n
t he p hone a n d l ook ed a t Sa u l a n d sa i d , 'I'm sor r y I st a r t ed r a nt i n g
j u st now . I d o r ea l i se i t 's goi ng t o b e t ou gh, b u t I'l l cop e som ehow so
l ong a s he' s go i n g t o b e a l l r i g ht .' She b ega n t o p l a n. 'I m u st f i nd ou t
exa ct l y w h a t t he ov er hea d s a r e a n d t hen I'l l g et or ga ni sed . We cou l d
d o b ed - a nd - b r ea k f a st , p er ha p s ev eni ng m ea l s t oo, A u nt L u cy a n d I.
She's a su p er b cook a nd I'm a good one. I'l l sp r ea d ou t w ha t 's l ef t of
t he f u r ni t u r e a nd go r ou nd t he a u ct i ons.'
She h a d t o k eep t el l i ng her sel f t h a t her f a t her w ou l d l i v e a nd she
w ou l d w or k a n d i t w a s goi ng t o b e a l l r i ght . ' W ha t d i d y ou b u y ?' sh e
a sk ed . ' Wh a t i s l ef t ?'
Sa u l sa i d , 'I'v e a p r op osi t i on y ou m i g ht consi d er ,' a n d she st i f f ened .
'I l i k e t hi s hou se,' he sa i d . 'I' d consi d er p a y i n g of f t he m or t ga ge, a n d
t a k i ng o n t he r u n ni ng exp enses. I shou l d w a nt t o choose m y r oom s,
b u t I w ou l d n 't b e u si ng t hem f or m or e t ha n a f ew w eek s i n t he y ea r .
You a n d y ou r f a m i l y cou l d go o n l i v i n g h er e a nd t he hou se cou l d st a y
t he w a y i t i s.'
Onl y y est er d a y she h a d r u n f r om t he h ou se b eca u se he w a s i n i t ,
a n d now he w a s su ggest i ng t h a t he sh ou l d b u y i t a nd t hey shou l d
b ecom e hi s l o d ger s or hi s g u est s, a n d sh e w a s so d esp er a t e t ha t she
w a s gr a t ef u l . H er f a t her cou l d com e b a ck her e, a n d she cou l d d ea l
w i t h t he p r ob l em s b ef or e her ca l m l y , w i t h t he b i ggest p r ob l em of a l l
sol v ed . She sa i d hu sk i l y , 'Tha t sou n d s w o nd er f u l . It 's v er y k i nd of y ou .
If m y f a t her ca n get w el l a ny w her e i t w o u l d b e h er e.'
'It i sn't k i n d ness,' he sa i d , a n d sh e t hou ght , N o, i t w ou l d n't b e, so
w ha t w ou l d y ou w a nt i n p a y m ent ?
H e w ent b a ck t o t he k i t chen, a t a l l a t h l et i c m a n w a l k i ng t h r ou g h
w ha t w a s soo n t o b e hi s ow n p r op er t y . So l ong a s he d oesn't co nsi d er I
a m , t hou ght Cha r l ot t e. To k eep her f a m i l y u n d er t hi s r oof she w ou l d
p a y a l m ost a ny p r i ce, b u t a l l she. ha d t o p a y w i t h w a s her sel f . A f ew
d a y s a go she cou l d nev er h a v e env i sa g ed a si t u a t i on l i k e t hi s, b u t
now a s she f ol l ow ed h i m she t hou ght , I'v e no r i ght t o p r i d e. W hen he
t el l s m e hi s p r i ce, i f t ha t 's w ha t he w a nt s, I'l l gr i t m y t eet h a nd p a y .
She sa t d ow n a t t he k i t chen t a b l e, p u l l ed a cu p of t ea t ow a r d s her
a n d sa i d , ' Wel l , I'm g l a d y ou l i k e t he ho u se.'
'I a l w a y s d i d ,' he sa i d . 'I ca m e u p her e once i n t he ol d d a y s. You r
f a t her b ou g ht som e sa d d l es f r om m e a nd I b r ou g ht t hem u p . I
a l w a y s r em em b er ed t h e hou se.' H e gr i n ned , 'I w a s l i v i ng i n a v a n a t
t he t i m e,' a nd Cha r l ot t e w ond er ed i f he ha d r esent ed a n d env i ed her
f a t her .
When t he t w o m en m et a g a i n y ea r s l a t er , a nd Sa u l L a u r enson
l ea r ned t ha t Col i n Du nscom b e w a s f a ci ng r u i n, t he cha nge i n t hei r
f or t u nes m i ght h a v e gr a t i f i ed hi m . H e cou l d b e get t i n g a k i ck ou t of
ow ni n g t he b u si ness, a n d now t he ho u se. Ther e w a sn't m u ch l ef t
a r ou n d her e t h a t he d i d n't ow n, a nd she sa i d , 'If y ou l et u s go on
l i v i ng her e, how m u chI m ea n, w h a t w ou l d y ou ?'
She f l ou n d er ed , a n d he l ook ed st r a i ght i nt o her ey es a nd i t w a s a s
t hou gh he t ook p ossessi on of her w i t ho u t t ou chi ng. 'W e'l l d i scu ss i t
l a t er ,' he sa i d , a n d Ch a r l ot t e st u m b l ed t o her f eet , r ea chi ng f or t he
t ea p ot , p ou r i ng a not her cu p a n d m u t t er i n g a b ou t t a k i ng i t u p t o
A u nt Lu cy .
A u nt Lu cy w ok e sl u gg i shl y . She b l i nk ed a t Cha r l ot t e, t hen
r em em b er ed , a n d h er f a ce p u ck er ed a s she st r u g gl ed t o si t u p . 'H e
ha d a goo d ni g ht ,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e. 'I'm g oi ng t o see hi m t hi s m or ni ng.'
She ha d j u st p honed t he hosp i t a l a ga i n a nd t hey h a d t ol d her h i s
cond i t i on w a s sa t i sf a ct or y . She w ou l d n' t r ea l l y k now u nt i l she sa w
hi m , b u t she w a s p u t t i ng o n a show o f conf i d ence f or A u nt Lu cy 's
sa k e.
A u nt Lu cy l ook ed ol d er t oo t hi s m or ni n g. H er r ou nd f a ce seem ed
t o ha v e ca v ed i n, a n d t her e w er e sha d ow s r ou n d her ey es a s she
l ook ed r ep r o a chf u l l y a t Cha r l ot t e. 'You shou l d n 't ha v e gone of f l i k e
t ha t . H e w a s w or r i ed a b ou t y ou , w ha t w i t h t he a cci d ent .' Cha r l ot t e's
p a l l or , a nd t he b r u i se st i l l sca r r i n g her f or ehea d , b r ou g ht a gent l er
not e t o A u nt Lu cy 's v oi ce. ' You shou l d h a v e b een r est i ng, not g a d d i ng
a b ou t . H e w a s a sk i n g f or y ou i n t he a m b u l a nce.'
Cha r l ot t e sa i d m i ser a b l y , 'I w ent t o sa y t ha n k y ou f or t he r oses.'
'Yes,' sa i d A u nt Lu cy , 'w el l , t ha t ca n 't b e hel p ed now , ca n i t ? B u t
w ha t w e shou l d h a v e d one i f Mr L a u r enson h a d n't b een t her e'
Wor d s f a i l ed her . 'A nd a t t he hosp i t a l ,' she sa i d , 'w hen he st a r t ed
a sk i n g f or y ou a ga i n, Mr L a u r enson sa i d he'd com e b a ck her e a n d
f et ch y ou .'
She t hou ght Cha r l ot t e w a s hom e b y t hen, t h a t she w ou l d ha v e
sl i p p ed i n a nd gone u p t o her r oom , not r ea l i si n g t he hou se w a s
em p t y . She d i d n't k now a b ou t t he p h one ca l l . Ther e w a s a gr ea t
d ea l m or e she d i d n 't k now , a n d t hi s w a s no t i m e t o t el l her .
Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'Sa u l 's st a y i ng o n her e,' a n d A u nt L u cy sm i l ed f or
t he f i r st t i m e a n d b ega n t o d r i nk her t ea .
I w ond er i f I cou l d m od el , Cha r l ot t e t hou ght a s she d r essed . She
ha d a l w a y s b een t ol d she cou l d . When she h a d m od el l ed Du nscom b e
j ew el l er y t he a d v er t i sem ent s h a d b een p r od u ced b y a n a g ency w ho
ha d sa i d t hey cou l d get her ot her w or k ,- b u t ev en i f t ha t w a s a
genu i ne of f er p r of essi on a l m od el l i ng w a s f i er cel y com p et i t i v e. Ev en i f
she w a s l u ck y she w ou l d ha v e t o b e m ob i l e a n d a v a i l a b l e, a nd i t
m i ght b e m ont hs b ef or e she cou l d l ea v e her f a t her , j u st l i k e t ha t .
So she w ou l d ha v e t o f i nd w or k l oca l l y , a nd sh e ha d no d ou b t t ha t
she cou l d b eca u se she w a s p r ep a r ed t o t u r n h er h a n d t o a ny t hi ng
l ega l . She w ou l d ha v e t o a sk a r ou nd . She ha d f r i en d s w ho ow ned
shop s, hot el s, g a r d en cent r es, a r i d i n g school . M a y b e Jer em y cou l d
su ggest som et hi ng; she h a d t o t el l hi m w ha t w a s ha p p eni ng her e.
She d i a l l ed hi s nu m b er on t he ha l l p h one a n d h e a nsw er ed a t
once. 'I w a s j u st goi ng t o r i n g y ou ,' he sa i d . 'Wo u l d y ou l i k e m e t o
com e ov er ? I d on't l i k e t o t hi nk of y ou b ei ng o n y ou r ow n.'
She w ou l d ha v e l i k ed t h a t , b u t she sa i d , 'I'm goi ng t o t he hosp i t a l
a t t en a n d t hen I d on't k now w ha t I'l l b e d oi n g. It seem s m y f a t her 's
sol d ou t .'
Jer em y w a s p u zzl ed . ' You m ea n t he shop , t he w or k s?'
'Yes.'
'Bu t y ou d i d n't k now a ny t hi ng a b ou t t h a t , d i d y ou ?'
'N ob o d y d i d .' She cou l d n't hel p sou n d i n g b i t t er . 'Excep t Sa u l
La u r enson, a nd som e l a w y er s, I su p p ose.'
Jer em y sa i d , 'W el l , ob v i ou sl y i t w a s get t i ng t oo m u ch f or hi m . Thi s
hea r t a t t a ck p r ov es i t w a s t i m e he r et i r ed .'
'It w a sn't b y choi ce. We'v e gone b r ok e, b u st . Ev en t he hou se i s
m or t ga ged .'
'You ' r e j ok i ng!'
Cha r l ot t e shook her hea d a s t hou gh he cou l d see her , a nd hea r d
t he st a i r s cr ea k i ng u n d er A u nt Lu cy 's w ei ght , a n d sa i d , 'It 's no j ok e
a n d I need a j ob .'
'I ca n't b el i ev e i t !' Jer em y sou n d ed a s i f h e w a s ga sp i n g f or a i r , a n d
Cha r l ot t e hea r d her sel f sa y , q u i t e l i g ht l y , 'Wel l , t ha t 's t he w a y of i t . I
ha v e t o go now , l ov e,' a n d she r a ng of f a n d w a i t ed f or A u nt Lu cy t o
r ea ch t he b ot t om of t he st a i r s.
A u nt Lu cy f l u ng her sel f i nt o t he h ou sehol d chor es, cook i n g
b r ea k f a st a l t hou g h Cha r l ot t e p r ot est ed t ha t she cou l d n't p ossi b l y
f a ce b a con a n d eg gs. ' Mr La u r enson w i l l ,' sa i d A u nt Lu cy . 'A m a n
need s a p r op er m ea l t o st a r t t he d a y . You r f a t her l i k es h i s b r ea k f a st .'
She p l a ced f ou r sl i ces of b a con i n t he p a n a nd Ch a r l ot t e w ent ou t t o
t he st a b l es, b ef or e t he a r om a of f r y i n g cou l d r ea ch her a n d her
q u ea sy st om a ch, a n d sa d d l ed Kel l y .
A s she g a l l op ed she w o nd er ed i f Kel l y st i l l b el o nged t o her . If Sa u l
ha d com e u p her e sel l i ng sa d d l es p r esu m a b l y he a p p r eci a t ed good
hor sef l esh w hen he sa w i t . If he ha d b een i n t he m a r k et f or a nt i q u e
f u r ni t u r e her f a t h er m i g ht ha v e p u t a p r i ce on Kel l y t oo.
Wel l , t ha t w a s one sa l e t ha t w ou l d n't go t hr ou gh. She w a s k eep i n g
Kel l y , i f she ha d t o a sk M a r y f r om t he r i d i n g school t o gi v e hi m
st a b l i ng. She w ent f a st ov er t he f i el d s, her ha i r b l ow i n g a cr oss her
f a ce, i nt o h er ey es. H er ey es w er e st i ng i n g, t ea r s f i l l i n g t hem , a nd she
l et her sel f w eep u nt i l she t u r ned f or ho m e. Then t her e w er e no m or e
t ea r s a nd t hose she ha d w ep t d r i ed on h er cheek s.
Ma u d i e a nd Tom h a d a r r i v ed b y t he t i m e she got b a ck . N ei t her
ha d hea r d t he a m b u l a nce i n t he ni ght a n d t h ey w er e b ot h i n t h e
k i t chen, gr og gy w i t h shock . 'W ho' d h a v e t hou ght i t ?' ol d Tom , b i t i n g
on hi s em p t y p i p e, w a s sa y i n g d ol or ou sl y . 'Who 'd h a v e t hou ght i t ?
N ea r l y t w ent y y ea r s I cou l d gi v e hi m .'
Ma u d i e w a s r eca l l i n g a n u ncl e of her s, w ho h a d l ook ed t he p i ct u r e
of hea l t h a nd d r op p ed d ea d , a n d A u n t Lu cy sa i d sh a r p l y , ' H e i sn't
d ea d , he's go i n g t o b e a l l r i ght .'
'Of cou r se he i s,' sa i d M a u d i e. 'M i n d y o u , he' l l nev er b e t he sa m e
a ga i n.' Then t h ey sa w Cha r l ot t e a n d b ega n t o t el l her a b ou t t he
w ond er s of m od er n m ed i ci ne a nd t h a t her f a t her w o u l d b e hom e i n
no t i m e.
Sa u l w ent w i t h her t o t he hosp i t a l . She w ou l d r a t her ha v e go ne
a l one, b u t hi s ca r w a s ou t si d e t he d oor a n d her s w a s i n t he ga r a ge,
a n d he sa i d , 'Sha l l w e go?' j u st a s she w a s a b ou t t o sa y she w a s of f .
They d i d no t a l k i ng o n t he w a y , b u t w hen Ch a r l ot t e g a v e her
na m e a n d t he nu r se a t t he d esk sa i d t ha t t he d oct or w ou l d l i k e a
w or d w i t h her she t u r ned t o Sa u l a l a r m . It ha d t o b e b a d new s, t her e
ha d b een not hi ng el se. She m i g ht h a v e a sk ed i f she co u l d go i n t o see
her f a t her a l one, b u t she w a s gl a d en ou gh t o ha v e Sa u l w i t h h er
w hen she w ent i nt o t he l i t t l e of f i ce.
Behi n d a d esk a b esp ect a cl ed t hi n- f a ced m a n g a v e t hem a
p r of essi ona l sm i l e a nd i n d i ca t ed ch a i r s a n d sa i d , ' N ow , M i ss
Du nscom b e, y ou d o u nd er st a n d t ha t y ou r f a t her i s a si ck m a n.' Get
on w i t h i t , t hou ght Cha r l ot t e. Tel l m e w ha t y ou ha v e t o t el l m e. 'Bu t
so f a r hi s p r ogr ess h a s b een st ea d y ,' t he d oct or w ent on, a nd she
r ea l i sed t ha t she w a s st i l l st a n d i ng a n d cl u t chi ng Sa u l 's a r m , so she l et
go a n d sa t d ow n.
'Dr Bu ck st on sa y s t ha t y ou ca n p r ov i d e f a ci l i t i es f or hom e nu r si n g,'
sa i d t he d oct or . 'Tha t w ou l d m ea n a t r a i n ed nu r se i n r esi d en ce a t
f i r st .'
Sa u l sa i d , ' Yes.'
'W hen?' a sk ed Cha r l ot t e.
'H e'l l b e i n her e f or a t l ea st a w eek , nea r er t en d a y s I shou l d sa y ,
a n d t ha t of cou r se i s p r esu m i n g t ha t p r o gr ess i s m a i nt a i ned .'
Thi s w a sn't b a d new s. M a y b e t he w or st w a s ov er a nd she cou l d
st a r t hop i ng. She l i st ened i nt ent l y t o ev er y w or d no w or r i es, no
u p set s, f a m i l i a r su r r o u n d i ngs
'Yes,' she sa i d , 'y es. Ma y w e see hi m ?'
It w a s 'w e' now . Sa u l La u r enso n w a s goi n g t o h el p her get her
f a t her hom e, a nd he h a d sa i d ' Yes' t o t h e t r a i ned nu r se, so she co u l d
set her f a t her 's m i n d a t r est a b ou t t he ho u se.
It w a s a b r i ef st a y . To Cha r l ot t e he l ook ed a l m ost a s i l l a s he ha d
l a st n i ght , b u t w hen he sa w Sa u l w a s w i t h her he sm i l ed , a nd
Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'Sa u l 's t ol d m e a b ou t ev er y t hi ng. H e w a nt s t o t a k e
ov er t he hou se. H e w a nt s' she sw a l l o w ed , 'he w a nt s u s a l l t o l i v e
t her e.'
When she got ou t si d e she sa i d , ' Per h a p s I shou l d ha v e p u t t ha t
d i f f er ent l y , a b ou t u s a l l l i v i ng t oget h er .'
Sa u l gr i nn ed . ' Wa i t u nt i l he g et s st r on ger , t hen y ou ca n r em i n d
hi m t ha t y ou 'r e m a r r y i ng y ou r a ct or a nd y ou ca n t el l h i m t ha t I'm
not a m a r r y i ng m a n.'
She w on d er ed how l on g i t w ou l d b e b ef or e her f a t her w a s st r ong
enou g h t o hea r t hese t hi ngs, t hen she t hou ght how p l ea sed A u nt
Lu cy w ou l d b e t o k now he w a s com i ng h om e, a n d she a sk ed , 'Do y ou
ha v e a f a m i l y ? P a r ent s?'
'N o,' h e sa i d . 'Sh a l l I t a k e y ou b a ck t o t he hou se?'
'Pl ea se. A r e y ou com i n g b a ck ?'
'I'm goi ng t o Du nscom b es, t o p u t t he st a f f i n t he p i ct u r e.'
'N ob o d y 's d one t ha t .' N ob o d y ha d or she w ou l d ha v e k now n. It
ha d a l l b een h u sh- hu sh, a n d i t w a s goi n g t o com e a s a shock t o t he
m en a nd w om en w ho w or k ed t her e.
'You r f a t her a n d I w er e goi ng t o exp l a i n t he cha ng es t oget her ,'
sa i d Sa u l .
'The t a k eov er , y ou m ea n.'
'Yes.'
'Then y ou 'd b et t er t a k e m e a l on g, h a d n 't y ou ? The l a st of t he
Du nscom b es.'
She w a s goi n g t o ha t e t h i s, b u t her f a t h er w a s com i n g hom e, t he
w or st ha d n 't ha p p ened , a n d now she cou l d f a ce a ny t hi ng. A l so she
w a nt ed t o hea r w ha t Sa u l ha d t o sa y , w ha t he p r op osed d o i n g w i t h
t he b u si ness she h a d t hou ght w a s sa f e a s t he Ba nk of En gl a nd b u t
w hi ch ha d b een r u nni ng a t a l oss f or y ea r s.
When t hey t u r ned i nt o Du nscom b es' ca r p a r k a l i t t l e cr ow d
su r r ou n d ed t hem a s Ch a r l ot t e w a s r eco gni sed . The w or k s a nd of f i ce
st a f f ha d d o ne ho w or k t hi s m or ni ng. Si nce t he new s r ea ched t hem
t ha t CD. ha d go ne d ow n w i t h a hea r t a t t a ck i n t he ni g ht , a n d t ha t
Du nscom b es cou l d b e cl osi n g, t he em p l oy ees ha d b een m a k i n g
p hone ca l l st o t he hou se, t o t he hosp i t a l , t o t he f i r m 's sol i ci t or s.
A sol i ci t or w a s her e now , co nf i r m i ng t ha t a ch a n ge i n
m a na gem ent w a s i m m i nent b u t t ha t he cou l d m a k e no f u r t her
com m ent a t t he m om ent . H e h a d a n a p p oi nt m ent t o b e h er e a n d he
w a s w a i t i ng i n t he of f i ce.
It ha d a l l b een a nxi o u s sp ecu l a t i on, a n d a s Cha r l ot t e got ou t of t he
ca r a d ozen m en, m ost of t hem i n w or k i ng ov er a l l s, a n d t w o gi r l s,
d escend ed o n her . A l l of t hem w a nt i ng t o k now how w a s her f a t her ,
a n d w h a t w a s ha p p eni ng?
She k new ev er y o ne of t hem a s w el l a s she k new her ow n f a m i l y .
The y ou n gest m a n w a s Ben j y , w ho h a d com e her e f r om school si x
y ea r s a go a n d ha d a l w a y s ha d a cr u sh on her . H e w a s a p a t t er n
m a k er a n d h a d w or k ed w i t h her o n her d esi g ns. Th e ol d est w a s Ja n,
Pol i sh, t hi ck - set , w i t h b i g ha n d s t ha t cu t a n d p ol i sh ed t he p r eci ou s
st ones w i t h m et i cu l ou s f i nesse. 'You co u l d t r u st Ja n w i t h a n em er a l d ,'
Cha r l ot t e's f a t h er h a d sa i d . A sof t st one, a n ea sy st o ne t o sp oi l , a nd
f or som e r ea son t h a t r a n t hr o u gh her hea d now , w h i l e she w o nd er ed
how she w a s goi n g t o t el l t hem t h a t p er ha p s t hey shou l d not h a v e
t r u st ed her f a t her .
She sa i d , ' H e's v er y i l l . I d o n't t hi nk he' l l b e w or k i ng a ga i n f or a
l ong t i m e. Thi s i s Mr La u r enso n, he'sw el l , he's t a k i n g ov er .'
A hu sh f el l . Ch a r l ot t e hop ed t h a t Sa u l w ou l d d o t he exp l a i n i n g,
a n d he sa i d , 'If y ou 'd com e w i t h m e,' a nd l ed t he w a y f r om t he ca r
p a r k t hr ou gh t he b a ck ent r a n ce i nt o t he sa l on. They a l l t r oop ed a f t er
hi m , a nd a s he hea d ed f or Col i n Du n scom b e's of f i ce a t t he f r o nt of
t he shop he sa i d t o t he seni or sa l esm a n , 'A s soon a s y ou 'r e t hr ou gh
w i t h t hese t w o l a d i es,' t w o w om en w er e w a nd er i n g a r ou nd , p eer i ng
i nt o t he ca ses, 'p er ha p s y ou a nd y ou r st a f f w ou l d p u t u p t he Cl osed
si gn a nd j oi n u s.'
The of f i ce w a s a goo d - si zed r oom , l u sh w i t h r ed f l o ck w a l l p a p er ,
r ed Wi l t on ca r p et a nd cr y st a l ch a n d el i er . The d esk , cha i r s a nd
ca b i net s w er e i n Sher a t on st y l e, a n d on t he d esk w er e t w o st u d i o
p or t r a i t s, one of Cha r l ot t e, m e ot her of her m ot her , a l t ho u gh
st r a nger s a l w a y s t ook t hem f or si st er s, p er ha p s t w i ns, b ot h w ea r i ng
t he sa m e gol d - f i l i gr ee- a n d - a q u a m a r i ne col l a r a nd ea r r i ngs.
Tw o m en w er e a l r ea d y i n t he r oom : Mr H a d en, t he f i r m 's l a w y er ,
sob er l y cl a d a nd gr a v e enou gh f or a f u ner a l , a nd a y ou n ger ,
sm a r t er - l ook i ng m a n. The y ou nger m a n ha d b een si t t i ng i n Col i n
Du nscom b e's ch a i r a n d he j u m p ed u p w hen Sa u l w a l k ed i n. Sa u l
w a v ed hi m b a ck a ga i n, a nd r em a i ned st a n d i ng a s t he r oom f i l l ed
w i t h a su b d u ed a nd a p p r ehensi v e a u d i ence.
They w er e a l l l ook i n g a nxi ou sl y a t ea ch ot h er , a t Sa u l , a t
Cha r l ot t e; a n d w hen t he sa l es st a f f j oi ned t hem ev en t he m u r m u r i ng
st op p ed a nd y ou cou l d h a v e hea r d a p i n d r op .
Cha r l ot t e st ood b y t he d oor , her b a ck t o t he w a l l , a nd she
t hou ght , Sa u l 's t he o nl y r el a xed o ne her e. Ev en t he m a n w ho w a s
si t t i ng i n h er f a t her 's cha i r , b eca u se Sa u l ha d sa i d t h a t w a s a l l r i g ht ,
w a s t u r ni n g a p en ov er a n d ov er b et w een hi s- f i n ger s. Bu t Sa u l sa t
on t he ed ge of t he d esk , a s ca su a l l y a s t h ou gh he w a s ch a t t i ng w i t h a
f r i end , a n d w h en he sp ok e hi s v oi ce w a s q u i et a nd r ea ssu r i n g. Bu t
ca r r y i ng. N ob o d y w a s goi ng t o m i ss a w or d , a n d Cha r l ot t e w ond er ed
i f t ha t ca m e f r om a d d r essi n g b o a r d a n d sh a r ehol d er s' m eet i n gs, or
w het her i t w ent r i ght b a ck t o w hen he ha d a st a l l o n t he m a r k et ,
a n d b i t her l i p b eca u se he w a s t a l k i n g a b ou t l a st n i ght a nd her
f a t her , a nd she h a d t o st op her l i p s t r em b l i ng.
'Col i n Du nscom b e w a s goi ng t o b r i ng m e a l ong t o i nt r od u ce m e t o
y ou a l l ,' Sa u l w a s sa y i ng, 'b u t i t w i l l b e som e t i m e b ef or e he's w el l
enou g h, so I ha v e t o i nt r o d u ce m y sel f .'
'A r e y ou t a k i ng ov er t he b u si ness?' Th a t w a s Mr Pend l et on, t he
seni or sa l esm a n, w ho k new t her e w a s n o hop e of a not her j ob a t hi s
a ge i f D u nscom b es cl osed d ow n.
When Sa u l sa i d h e w a s Mr Pend l et on, a t l ea st , w a s gl a d t o hea r i t .
'You ' r e not f r om r ou n d her e, a r e y ou ?' a sk ed t he a ccou nt s cl er k ,
a n d w hen Sa u l sm i l ed a t her she ga v e a d el i ght ed l i t t l e g i g gl e.
'I w a s,' he t ol d her , ' u nt i l f i f t een y ea r s a go. I u sed t o ha v e st a l l s o n
som e of t he m a r k et s, St r a t f or d , Mor et on, sel l i ng sa d d l er y a n d t a ck .'
Sev er a l of t hem r em em b er ed hi m t hen a n d Ch a r l ot t e t hou ght , It 's
t u r ni ng i nt o a r eu ni on. 'Fi f t een y ea r s a go,' he sa i d , 'I w ent t o
A u st r a l i a . Si x m ont hs a go I m et Mr Du nscom b e a nd h e t ol d m e he
w a s sel l i n g ou t .'
H e ha d n't t ol d hi s st a f f . Ther e w a s r esent m ent a b ou t t h a t ,
m u t t er i ng, b u t Sa u l sa i d , 'You m u st h a v e k now n or d er s h a v en't b een
com i ng i n, a n d t her e'v e b een m or e how - m u cher s t ha n b u y er s i n t he
sa l on,' a nd t hen he h a d t hem no d d i n g.
Ei t her he k new t he j ew el l er y t r a d e or he ha d d one hi s hom ew or k .
H i s t a l k w a s p r of essi o na l l y k now l ed gea b l e, d ea l i ng w i t h p r ob l em s
a n d p r osp ect s. H e p r a i sed t he w or k t hey d i d her e. Ther e w ou l d
a l w a y s b e r oom f or su p er b cr a f t sm a nsh i p . Of cou r se t hey w er e p r ou d
of t hei r sa l on, w i t h ev er y good r ea son, a nd t her e w a s no r ea so n w hy
i t shou l d n 't cont i nu e a s a show p l a ce.
Bu t he p r op osed b r i n gi ng t he m a nu f a ct u r i ng si d e u p t o d a t e, so
t ha t p r od u ct i on w a s i n cr ea sed , som et i m es u si n g sem i - p r eci ou s or
m a n- m a d e st ones i nst ea d of gem s, m a k i ng p r i ces com p et i t i v e f or a
m u ch w i d er m a r k et . H e ha d i nt er est s i n st or es a n d shop s w h er e t he
good s cou l d go on d i sp l a y i n h a l f a d o zen cou nt r i es.
Cha r l ot t e w a t ched , f eel i n g l i k e a n ou t si d er . H e w a s m or e t h a n
i m p r essi v e, he ha d t he ch a r i sm a a n d co nf i d ence of a m a n w ho h a d
nev er f a i l ed . H e w a s sel l i ng hi m sel f t o hi s st a f f , w ho h a d no choi ce
a b ou t a ccep t i ng hi m b eca u se w het her t hey l i k ed i t or not he w a s t h e
b oss now , b u t he w o u l d h a v e t hem ea t i ng o u t of hi s h a n d b ef or e
l ong. She cou l d u n d er st a n d how r ea ssu r i n g i t m u st b e t o h a v e
som eone l i k e Sa u l L a u r enson t el l i n g y ou y ou w er e on t o a w i n ner ,
a f t er y ou ha d sp ent m ost of t he m or ni n g f a ci n g t he p r osp ect of
u nem p l oy m ent .
She d ou b t ed i f her f a t her ha d gener a t ed m u ch ent hu si a sm i n hi s
st a f f l a t el y , a n d he h a d nev er b een a Sa u l L a u r enson. Sa u l w a s t he
new b r eed , t he h a r d m en w ho w er e t h e na t u r a l i nher i t or s. H e w a s
t el l i n g t hem t ha t a ny one w ho w a nt ed t o l ea v e t he f i r m w ou l d get
gener o u s r ed u nd a n cy p a y m ent s, a n d she w a s su r e t ha t ev en Ja n
w ho w a s p a st t he na t i o na l r et i r em ent a ge a l t ho u gh h i s ha nd s w er e
st i l l r ock - st ea d y w ou l d st a y on. Sa u l d i d n't a ct u a l l y sa y , 'A r e y ou
w i t h m e?' b u t i f he ha d she w ou l d ha v e exp ect ed t hem a l l t o chor u s,
'Yes!'
H er v oi ce m i ght ha v e b een t he onl y 'N o,' a n d she ha d l ess choi ce
t ha n a ny of t hem .
The m a n si t t i ng i n her f a t her 's cha i r w a s Roger Fa i r l ey . Sa u l
i nt r od u ced hi m a s, ' My m a na g er ,' w h i ch m ea nt he w a s goi ng t o b e
t hei r m a n a ger , a nd a sk ed i f t her e w er e a ny q u est i o ns, a ny p r ob l em s.
You m u st b e j ok i ng, t hou ght Cha r l ot t e. H a v e I got p r ob l em s?
Wou l d i t b e i n or d er f or m e t o a sk , 'Is M r La u r enson exp ect i ng m e t o
sl eep w i t h hi m i n p a y m ent f or k eep i n g t he ol d hom e goi ng?' H er
m u scl es l ock ed a n d a ga i n ca m e t ha t f eel i n g of b ei n g t r a p p ed a n d
she h a d t o get ou t of her e.
A s she sl i p p ed t hr ou g h t he d oor f r om t he of f i ce i nt o t he sa l o n onl y
Sa u l sa w her go. Ev er y one el se w a s ei t her l ook i n g a t h i m , or a t Roger
Fa i r l ey w ho, i n a nsw er t o a q u est i o n, h a d op ened a p or t f ol i o a nd w a s
t el l i n g t hem a b ou t Sa u l 's su ccessf u l b u si n ess v ent u r es.
If she w ent a cr oss t o t he t hea t r e she m i ght ca t ch Jer em y , a n d a s
she ca m e ou t of t he ca r p a r k i nt o t he r oa d she a l m ost col l i d ed w i t h
one of hi s col l ea gu es, a n a ct r ess a b ou t t h e sa m e a ge a s her sel f , ca l l ed
Lesl ey Col t a n. She h a d st r a i ght sm oot h- f a l l i ng b r i ght r ed ha i r , a nd a
com p l exi on so p a l e t h a t she l ook ed si ck l y . Jer em y u sed t o m a k e f u n
of her b eca u se m or e t ha n once she h a d f l u f f ed h er l i nes, a nd she
a l m ost st a m m er ed now , 'I sa y , I'm so sor r y , I m ea n a b ou t y ou r f a t her .
Jer em y t ol d m e. Isn't i t a w f u l ? H ow i s he?'
'H e'l l b e a l l r i g ht ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. Ea ch t i m e she t ol d a ny o ne t ha t
she w a s t el l i ng her sel f ; a n d si l ent l y , ea ch t i m e, she a d d ed , ' Pl ea se
God .'
'A nd i s i t t r u e a b ou t t he shop ?' Lesl ey 's p a l e gr ey ey es w er e f i xed
on her a n d Ch a r l ot t e sa i d , 'The b u si n ess ha s b een sol d .' Ther e w a s no
p oi nt d od gi n g t he f a ct s a n d she a d d ed , 'N ot t ha t m y f a t her ha d
m u ch cho i ce. It w ou l d ha v e cl osed d ow n i f he h a d n't sol d i t .'
'I a m sor r y ,' sa i d Lesl ey , gi v i ng Ch a r l o t t e a sa d l i t t l e sm i l e. 'It 's
f u nny , i sn 't i t ? We t hou g ht y ou w er e r i ch, y ou k now , go i n g t o hel p t he
t hea t r e a nd ev er y t hi ng.'
'I d on't k now a b ou t r i ch,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e w r y l y , 'b u t I d i d n't k now
w ha t t he r ecessi on h a d d o ne t o t he f ir m . Thi s ha s b een t he ey e-
op ener of t he w eek .'
'A nd y ou w er e i n a ca r a cci d ent , w er en't y ou ?' Lesl ey l ook ed f or
t he b r u i se u nd er t he f r i nge, so Jer em y m u st ha v e d escr i b ed t h a t a s
w el l , a n d Ch a r l ot t e w a s a w a r e of som eone l oom i n g b ehi n d her . A s
Lesl ey 's ga ze sw i t ched u p w a r d s sh e t u r ned , a l m ost i nt o Sa u l 's a r m s.
H e'd nev er f ol l ow ed her ou t . Wel l , he m u st ha v e d o ne, b u t i t cou l d
onl y h a v e b een b eca u se he w a s t hr ou g h i n t her e. 'Rea d y t o go?' he
a sk ed .
She hesi t a t ed , a n d t ook t he l i ne of l ea st r esi st a nce. 'I su p p ose so.
H a v e y ou f i n i shed ?'
'Roger 's d ea l i ng w i t h t he q u est i ons.' H e l ed her a w a y f r om Lesl ey
a n d sh e j er k ed her a r m a w a y f r om h i m , m u t t er i ng, 'I d o k now w her e
t he ca r i s.' Then she sa i d , ' Sor r y ,' b eca u se i f her f a t her w a s goi ng t o
b el i ev e t hey w er e goo d f r i end s she m u st n't shy a t a t ou ch; a n d i t she
cou l d n't b ea r Sa u l t o t ou ch her how cou l d she co nt em p l a t e l et t i n g
hi m m a k e l ov e t o her , i f t h a t w a s hi s p r i ce? She w a s f a r f r om su r e
t ha t she cou l d , b u t she w ou l d cr oss t ha t b r i d ge w heni f she ca m e t o
i t .
A s t hey p a ssed D u nscom b es, st i l l w i t h t he 'Cl osed ' si gn u p , she
a sk ed , ' Wi l l i t b e m a k i n g m oney now ?'
'Of cou r se.'
H e w a s so su r e of h i m sel f , so a r r og a nt , a nd she a sk ed , ' Does i t f eel
good , com i ng b a ck a n d t a k i ng ov er ? W hen y ou w ent a w a y d i d y ou
t hi nk y ou m i ght d o t h i s som e d a y ?'
H e sm i l ed , a t h i s ow n t ho u ght s. 'N ow y o u m ent i on i t , m a y b e I d i d .'
'You sa i d y ou d o n't h a v e a ny f a m i l y a r e y ou r p a r ent s d ea d ?'
'My m ot her d i ed w hen I w a s si xt een.'
'A nd y ou r f a t her ?'
'I ca n't r em em b er a ny one ev er m ent i oni n g m y f a t her . A s m y
m ot her w a s Ir i sh t i nk er st ock i t 's p ossi b l e he w a s t oo.'
Cha r l ot t e sa i d , w i t h a f l a sh of m i schi ef , 'I su p p ose he d i d n't com e
f r om Tr a nsy l v a n i a ?'
'W ha t ?'
'H e w a sn't a cou nt w i t h v er y l on g t eet h?'
For a m om ent he m u st ha v e t hou ght she w a s r a v i ng, t hen he
b u r st ou t l a u ghi ng a n d l eer ed a t her . ' W ha t gr ea t b i g ey es y ou ha v e,
sw eet hea r t , a nd w ha t a b ea u t i f u l w hi t e neck !'
She g i g gl ed , t hen h a d t o b i t e h er l i p or t he gi gg l es m i g ht h a v e got
ou t of ha nd . H y st er i a h a d b een j u st b en ea t h t he su r f a ce a l l m or ni ng.
A f t er t ha t she m a d e a n ef f or t t o t a l k r a t i ona l l y . Sh e con gr a t u l a t ed
Sa u l o n hi s h a n d l i ng of t he m eet i ng j u st now . 'A l t hou g h I su p p ose y ou
w er e b ou nd t o b e a su ccess,' she co u l d n't hel p a d d i ng. 'You 'd com e t o
sa v e t hei r j ob s, so of cou r se t hey w er e g l a d t o see y ou , esp eci a l l y a s
y ou 'r e nea r l y l o ca l a nd t hey 'l l t r u st a l oca l l a d .'
Tha t w a s r i d i cu l ou s. H e w a s a m a n of t h e w or l d , b u t h e h a d com e
b a ck t o b u y a hom e her e, so he m u st f eel hi s r oot s w er e i n t hi s p l a ce.
She a sk ed , 'W her e d o y ou l i v e? Do y ou h a v e ot her hom es?'
'A p a r t m ent s,' he t ol d her , ' i n v a r i ou s hot el s, a st u d f a r m i n
A u st r a l i a .' A l l st a f f ed , of cou r se, a s t hi s hou se w ou l d b e, w i t h A u nt
Lu cy a n d h er sel f r u n ni ng i t , cook i ng, cl ea ni ng. Su r el y t ha t shou l d b e
r et u r n enou gh f or t he p r i v i l ege of l i v i n g t her e. H e ha d t ol d her she
w ou l d ha v e t o get i nt o t he ha b i t of t a k i ng or d er s, a n d sh e ob ser v ed
d r i l y , 'You 'v e com e a l o ng w a y f r om l i v i n g i n a v a n.'
'Tha t w a s a l on g t i m e a go. Long enou g h f or a ny one's l i f e- st y l e t o
cha nge.'
'Mi ne ch a n ged ov er ni ght ,' she sa i d . 'A n d a l l I w a nt f r om t he f u t u r e
i s t o b e m a r r i ed t o Jer em y a n d ha v e chi l d r ent w o, m a y b e t hr ee.'
Tha t w a sn't a l l she w a nt ed , b u t i t w a s a secu r e d om est i c p i ct u r e a nd
i t seem ed a d ef ense a g a i nst Sa u l , w ho d r a w l ed , ' See y ou d on 't r u i n
t hem l i k e y ou r f a t her d i d y ou .'
Tha t w a s u nf a i r , b l a m i ng her a g a i n. 'B eca u se y ou d i d n't h a v e a
ha p p y chi l d hoo d y ou r sel f ,' she sa i d hot l y , 'd on 't b egr u d ge m e m i ne.
It 's not m y f a u l t t ha t y ou r m ot her d i d n 't k now w ho y ou r f a t her w a s.'
They w er e d r a w i ng u p ou t si d e t he Bl u e Boa r . 'Yo u 'r e r i ght ,' he
sa i d . 'A n d i f t he ch i l d r en t a k e a f t er y ou t hey 'l l b e b ea u t i f u l .' H i s
r ev er sa l d i sa r m ed her a nd she sa i d , 'I'm sor r y . I k now y ou t hi nk I'v e
b een sp oi l ed r ot t en, b u t I'm not r ea l l y u sel ess.'
'I'm su r e y ou 'r e not ,' he sa i d , a nd she w a t ched hi m go i nsi d e t he
hot el . H e w ou l d b e set t l i n g u p i n t her e, m ov i ng i nt o her hom e,
b eca u se he ha d p r om i sed her f a t her he w ou l d a n d b eca u se he w a s
b u y i n g t he hou se. A m a n ca m e ou t w i t h hi m , ca r r y i ng t w o su i t ca ses,
p r a ct i ca l l y b ow i ng h i m b a ck i nt o t he ca r . A s t hey d r ov e a w a y
Cha r l ot t e sa i d cy ni ca l l y , ' You ha v en't b o u ght t he hot el ?' H e gr i n ned ,
a n d she sa i d , 'Ju st a good t i p p er ?'
'N ob o d y ca r r i es t he b a gs f or not hi ng,' he sa i d , a n d she hea r d
her sel f a sk , 'A ny m essa g e f r om Jo- A nn?' a n d b l i nk ed i n su r p r i se,
b eca u se sh e h a d n't r ea l i sed sh e w a s t h i n k i ng a b o u t Jo- A n n.
'Yes,' he sa i d , a nd t u r ned o n t he r a d i o; a l t hou gh i f t ha t w a s t o cl ose
t he su b j ect he n eed not ha v e b ot her ed , b eca u se she w a sn 't goi n g t o
a sk a ny m or e q u est i ons.
Tom w a s w or k i ng i n t he g a r d en, t r i m m i ng t he ed ges of t he f r ont
l a w n, a n d w a i t i n g f or t hem . H e ca m e t o m eet t he ca r a s t hey t u r ned ,
a n d Cha r l ot t e w ou n d d ow n her w i nd o w a nd sa i d , ' H e' l l b e ou t i n
a b ou t t en d a y s. Then w e ca n ha v e h i m h om e.'
Tom nod d ed , p l ea sed , a n d a s t h ey d r ov e r ou n d t o t he b a ck of t he
hou se, t he cou r t y a r d a n d t he ga r a ges, Sa u l a sk ed , 'You 'v e got
a not her ga r d ener b esi d es hi m ?'
'Me,' she sa i d . H e gl a n ced d ow n a t her ha n d s, w i t h t he
a q u a m a r i ne r i n g a n d t he p ol i shed n a i l s, a n d she sa i d , 'In gl ov es. A n d
t ha t 's som et hi ng el se I cou l d d o f or a l i v i ng. I'v e got t he t ool s, I t hi nk
t hey d i d n't go w i t h t he f u r n i t u r e, d i d t hey ? I cou l d k eep w i l d g a r d ens
d ow n. Tha t I'v e ha d p r a ct i ce i n.'
The sou n d of a v a cu u m cl ea ner m et t hem . Ma u d i e w a s d oi ng t he
hou sew or k . They w er e a l l t r y i n g t o ca r r y on a s u su a l , a l t ho u gh A u nt
Lu cy , i n t he k i t ch en, w a s l ook i ng hot a n d f l u st er ed . She sa i d f i r st ,
'H ow i s he?' a n d , w hen t hey t ol d h er , ' You 'v e b een su ch a t i m e I w a s
b egi nn i n g t o w ond er .' A nd t hen, 'The d r a t t ed p hone's nev er st op p ed
r i ng i n g. You ' d no sooner go ne t h a n i t st a r t ed . A sk i n g m e i f t h e
b u si ness w a s cl osi n g d ow n. I t ol d t hem p r et t y sha r p i sh I d i d n 't k now ,
b u t i f i t w a s i t w ou l d n 't b e b ef or e t i m e, seei n g t he st a t e i t 's b r ou ght
Mr Col i n t o.'
'Sa u l 's t a k i ng ov er ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. 'We w ent t her e, a f t er w e l ef t
t he hosp i t a l . H e's p u t a new m a n a ger i n. Ther e a r e go i n g t o b e
cha nges.'
'Oh, a r e t her e? Ch a n ges?' A u nt Lu cy sou nd ed a s t hou gh she
su sp ect ed Sa u l L a u r enso n of ha r a ssi n g Col i n Du nscom b e i nt o t ha t
hosp i t a l b ed . 'Bi t su d d en, a l l t h i s, i sn't i t ?' she sa i d .
'N ot r ea l l y ,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e, b u t A u nt Lu cy w ent on gl a r i ng a t Sa u l .
H er w or l d , l i k e Ch a r l ot t e's, ha d col l a p sed si nce t ha t m a n ca m e i nt o
t hi s hou se, a n d sh e w a s r em em b er i n g no w t ha t Ch a r l ot t e h a d sa i d a t
t he st a r t t ha t she d i d n 't t r u st hi m .
'You ng m a n,' A u nt Lu cy b ega n b el l i ger ent l y , 'I d o n't k now w ha t
y ou r ga m e i s, b u t ' Cha r l ot t e sa i d q u i ck l y , 'I'l l t el l y ou a l l a b ou t i t .
Ju st si t d ow n. W e'l l b ot h si t d ow n a nd I'l l exp l a i n.'
The p hone r a n g a g a i n a nd Sa u l w ent ou t of t he k i t chen, cl osi ng
t he d oor b eh i n d hi m , a nd Ch a r l ot t e r ea ched a cr oss t he k i t chen t a b l e
f or A u nt Lu cy 's ha nd s a n d hel d t hem t i ght l y , a n d sa i d , 'Do n't b l a m e
Sa u l .'
'If I k new w ha t w a s goi ng o n' sa i d A u nt Lu cy , a nd t her e w a s no
ea sy w a y t o t el l her . Ch a r l ot t e sp ok e of f a l l i ng p r of i t s, of i nv est m ent s
t ha t ha d n 't y i el d ed d i v i d en d s. She d i d n 't m ent i on t he hor ses t h a t ha d
l i m p ed hom e, b u t she em p ha si sed her f a t her 's st r u ggl e t o p r ov i d e f or
her a n d A u nt Lu cy a nd how t he st r a i n ha d f i n a l l y b r ok en hi m .
Du nscom b es w a s l u ck y t h a t Sa u l L a u r enson ha d b een p r ep a r ed t o
t a k e ov er , b u t t her e w a sn 't a ny m oney l ef t .
She sa i d , 'It 's goi ng t o b e a l l r i ght ,' a nd f el t t hi s w a s b ecom i ng a
r ep ea t i n g r ef r a i n. 'I'l l get w or k , w e sh a l l m a na ge.'
'We co u l d d o som et hi n g w i t h t hi s p l a ce.' A u nt Lu cy w a s l ess
sha t t er ed a t l osi n g her secu r i t y t ha n Cha r l ot t e ha d f ea r ed , b u t of
cou r se she h a d n't h ea r d i t a l l . Ch a r l ot t e t ol d her , 'H e m or t g a ged t he
hou se, he sol d m ost of t he f u r ni t u r e,' a n d w ent on v er y f a st , 'Bu t Sa u l
w a s l ook i ng f or a ho u se r ou nd her e a n d he' s goi ng t o b u y t hi s o ne;
a n d he's t he o ne w ho b ou g ht t he f u r n i t u r e, a nd he sa y s i t ca n st a y
t he w a y i t i s. H e'l l b e r esp onsi b l e f or t h e u p k eep , a n d w e ca n b r i n g
m y f a t her b a ck her e, a n d w e ca n a l l st a y on. H e'l l w a nt t o choose hi s
r oom s, b u t he'l l on l y b e l i v i n g her e f or a f ew w eek s i n t he y ea r .'
Tha t t ook a w hi l e t o si nk i n. A u nt Lu cy t hou ght a b o u t t ha t , t hen
she sa i d , 'A n d w e l ook a f t er t he p l a ce f or hi m ?'
'Yes.'
'It 's a b i g p l a ce t o b e k eep i ng o n f or a f ew w eek s i n t he y ea r .'
'It 's ha r d l y a st a t el y hom e,' Cha r l ot t e p r ot est ed . 'It 's j u st a ni ce l i t t l e
Geor g i a n, a nd he's got t he m oney .'
'Eno u g h t o b u y a ny t hi n g he f a nci es, I d a r esa y ?' q u er i ed A u nt Lu cy ,
su d d en l y t i ght - l i p p ed .
'Pr o b a b l y .'
She ea sed her b u l k ou t of t he cha i r , st a nd i ng a n d gl a r i n g a t
Cha r l ot t e a cr oss t he t a b l e, a n nou nci ng, 'I w a sn't b or n y est er d a y . I
k now w hy Mr La u r enso n w a nt s m e a r ou nd her ef or t he cook i ng
a n d t he cl ea n i n g. It 's w ha t he's got i n m i nd f or y ou t h a t b ot her s m e.
You r f a t h er w o n't b e m u ch p r ot ect i on t o y ou f or a w hi l e, b u t Mr
La u r enson need n 't t hi nk he's m ov i ng i n h er e a nd '
Wh i l e sh e w a s g r op i n g f or t he w or d s Cha r l ot t e su ggest ed ,
'Exer ci si ng t h e d r o i t d u sei g neu r ?'
'W ha t ?' sna p p ed A u nt Lu cy .
'She w a s p oor b u t she w a s ho nest ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e, a n d A u nt Lu cy
sna p p ed , 'Yo u ca n l a u gh, b u t y ou go r i g ht a l ong t o hi m now a n d y ou
sa y y ou 'l l exp ect t o b e t r ea t ed w i t h r esp ect . Li k e a l a d y . A n d i f t her e's
a ny q u est i on of a ny t hi ng el se w e'r e get t i ng ou t of her e. I'v e got a b i t
p u t b y m e, w e'l l m a n a ge.'
A u nt Lu cy 's sa v i ngs w ou l d n't go f a r i n t od a y 's w or l d , b u t Ch a r l ot t e
ha d n't t he hea r t t o t el l her so. If her f a t her h a d n't b een i l l she m i g ht
ha v e a gr eed t o l ea v e t he ho u se a n d l oo k f or a cot t a g e, b u t hi s onl y
hop e w a s a n u nt r ou b l ed co nv a l escen ce. H e cou l d n't f a ce u p h ea v a l s.
She sa i d , 'Ver y w el l , I'l l go a nd t a l k t o Sa u l .' She gr i nned . 'A n d I'l l t el l
hi m t ha t Jer em y w i l l k i l l hi m i f he l a y s a f i nger on m e!' She h a d t o p u t
A u nt Lu cy 's m i n d a t r est o n t hi s. Th i s w a s Ch a r l ot t e's p er son a l
p r ob l em a nd she w ou l d d ea l w i t h i t her sel f .
'Don't t a l k so sof t ,' sa i d A u nt L u cy , i n no w a y r ea ssu r ed . 'H a l f a
d ozen Jer em y Wy l d es w ou l d n 't st op Sa u l La u r enson f r om cr ossi ng t he
st r eet , l et a l one f r om a ny t hi ng he' d set hi s m i nd o n.'
Cha r l ot t e w a nt ed t o p r ot est a b ou t t ha t . A u nt Lu cy ha r d l y k new
Jer em y . N or , f or t ha t m a t t er , d i d sh e k now Sa u l , b u t she m i ght b e
r i ght a b ou t one of Sa u l 's m ot i v es i n b u y i n g t hi s hou se. Ch a r l ot t e
d i d n't f l a t t er her sel f t ha t she w a s hi s m a i n r ea son. H e l i k ed t he hou se
a n d he cou l d a f f or d i t . It m i ght a m u se hi m t o b e m a st er her e, w her e
he h a d d el i v er ed good s f r om hi s m a r k et st a l l .
Bu t a l t hou gh t her e w a s a nt a goni sm b et w een hi m a n d Cha r l ot t e
t her e w a s a l so a p hy si ca l a t t r a ct i o n. She cou l d b e p a r t of t he b a r g a i n,
a n d i f she w a s i t m u st b e k ep t f r om A u nt Lu cy , w ho w ou l d consi d er i t
a shock i ng a nd t er r i b l e p r i ce. A u nt Lu cy d i d n't u nd er st a n d how
t hi ngs ha d cha nged si nce she w a s a gi r l n ea r l y h a l f a cent u r y a go.
A l l t he sa m e, Cha r l ot t e w ent ou t of t he k i t chen t o l ook f or Sa u l
w i t h a d r y m ou t h a nd p a ni c f l u t t er i ng i n si d e her .
H e w a s st i l l o n t he t el ep ho ne i n t he ha l l , f i n i sh i n g a ca l l . H e p u t
d ow n t he p ho ne a s Cha r l ot t e a p p r o a ched a nd sa i d , 'Yo u 'l l b e
w a nt i ng t hi s.' A sheet of p a p er b y t he p hone w a s cov er ed w i t h
j ot t i ngs, n a m es, n u m b er s, t he o d d m essa ge, i n A u nt Lu cy 's a nd
Ma u d i e's w r i t i ng. Cha r l ot t e not i ced t h a t Jer em y ha d ca l l ed , a n d a s
soon a s she ha d t a l k ed w i t h Sa u l she w ou l d si t d ow n a n d ca l l b a ck
t he ca l l er s.
She sa i d , 'Cou l d y ou sp a r e m e a m i nu t e? Ther e's som et hi n g I w a nt
t o d i scu ss w i t h y ou .'
'Of cou r se.'
Then t he noi se of M a u d i e's v a cu u m - cl ea ner a t t he t op of t he st a i r s
st op p ed , w hi ch m ea nt Ma u d i e w a s p r o b a b l y l i st eni ng, a n d Ch a r l ot t e
w ent a cr oss t he ha l l i nt o t he d r a w i ng r o om w i t h Geor gy a t her heel s.
A s Sa u l f ol l ow ed her i nt o t he r oom she sa i d , 'A u nt Lu cy ' s u p set . It 's a l l
b een su ch a shock t o her . Tha t 's w hy she sou nd ed a s t hou gh she w a s
a b ou t t o l a y a b ou t w i t h her r o l l i ng p i n j u st now .'
H e gr i nned , 'For get i t , i t w a s q u i t e a n ov el t y b ei ng a d d r essed a s
"y ou ng m a n ".' H e w a s st i l l a y ou n g m a n, b u t she k new w ha t h e
m ea nt . She sa i d , 'I'v e exp l a i ned t o her a b ou t t he b u si ness a n d t ha t i t
i sn't y ou r f a u l t m y f a t her 's w her e he i s.'
It w a s st r a n ge i n t h i s r oom , k now i ng t h a t t he hou se b el o nged t o
som eb od y el se a n d not k now i ng how m u ch of t he f u r ni t u r e d i d . She
cou l d n't b e st i l l . She w ent t o t he w i n d ow , t hen a cr oss t o t he f i r ep l a ce,
she w a l k ed a s she t a l k ed , w hi l e Geor gy t hr ea d ed b et w een her f eet ,
ca t chi ng her r est l essness.
'I'v e got som e j ew el l er y of m y ow n,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. 'I sh a l l sel l t ha t
a n d t ha t shou l d p a y f or t he nu r se f or a w hi l e. I ca n f i n d ot her t hi ngs
t o sel l , I'm su r e I ca n, t o p a y her a s l ong a s w e need her a n d t o t i d e u s
ov er ! A nd I'm su r e I ca n f i nd w or k . I d o ha v e f r i en d s. Som eb od y w i l l
f i nd m e som et hi ng.'
'Mo d el l i n g, p er ha p s,' sa i d Sa u l . H e w a s st a nd i n g t oo. H e ha d gone
t o t he w i nd ow a nd st a y ed t her e, hi s b r o a d shou l d er s si l hou et t ed , t he
sl a nt i ng l i g ht ca st i ng sha d ow s o n hi s f a ce.
'I'm not goi ng t o t a k e t he w or l d of m od el l i ng b y st or m ov er ni ght ,'
she sa i d . 'I'v e onl y b een a n a m a t eu r . If I ha d t i m e a nd t he m oney
d i d n't m a t t er I m i ght t r y m y l u ck , b u t I need t o st a r t ea r ni ng a l i v i ng
r i ght a w a y .'
'Ver y p r a ct i ca l .' She w a sn 't su r e w het her he w a s a m u sed or
a p p r ov i ng.
'W hi ch b r i n gs u s,' she w ent on, 't o t he ho u se.'
It b r ou ght her t o t he st a ge w her e she cou l d n't l ook a t hi m . She
ha d a r r i v ed a t a gl a ss- f r ont ed cor ner cu p b oa r d , a nd she b eg a n
r ea r r a ng i n g t he cont ent s, m ov i ng t he l i t t l e p or cel a i n ob j ect s a r ou nd ,
w i t h her b a ck t o hi m . 'If y ou 'r e p a y i n g o f f t he m or t ga ge, a nd p a y i ng
t he u p k eep , a nd l et t i ng u s l i v e her e, w e'd sor t of b ecom e y ou r st a f f ,
w ou l d n't w e?'
'Sor t of ,' he a gr eed .
'Wel l , A u nt Lu cy i s a v er y exp er i en ced hou sek eep er a n d cook , so
y ou 'd get a b a r g a i n t her e. Bu t y ou 'd ha r d l y need t w o cook s, so how
d o y ou su g gest I p a y f or m y l od gi ng s?'
'Be m y g u est ,' he sa i d . Bu t t h er e cou l d b e st r i n gs t o t h a t . She co u l d
b e so b ehol d en t o hi m t ha t she w ou l d b e ha r d p r essed t o r ef u se hi m
a ny t hi ng, a n d she t ook a d eep b r ea t h a nd sa i d b l u nt l y , 'If w e'r e l i v i ng
her e, a nd y ou 'r e p a y i ng, i t w on't b e l on g b ef or e t hey 'l l b e sa y i n g I'm
y ou r m i st r ess.'
H er f a ce w a s f l a m i ng, b eca u se t h a t w a s how f ol k w ou l d i nt er p r et
t he si t u a t i on, a nd w hen Sa u l a sk ed , ' Wou l d t ha t w or r y y ou ?' she
cou l d n't a nsw er a t o nce. Bei n g hi s m i st r ess w ou l d d o m or e t ha n w or r y
her , i t w ou l d f r i ght en her t o d ea t h. Sh e w a s l ess sop hi st i ca t ed t ha n
she l ook ed . ' Wh a t f ol k sa y ,' he a d d ed .
'Oh, t ha t ! N o.'
'Then w h a t 's t he p r o b l em ?'
Cha r l ot t e cl osed t he ca b i net d oor a nd t u r ned t o f a ce hi m . 'I d o d o
q u i t e a l ot of ho u sew or k , a n d t he ga r d eni n g, I'd l i k e t o ca r r y o n w i t h
t ha t .'
'Sp l end i d ,' he sa i d , a n d she ha d m i sj u d ged hi m a nd so h a d A u nt
Lu cy , he d i d n 't hop e he w a s b u y i ng Cha r l ot t e w i t h t he p r op er t y .
Tha t , w a s a t r em end ou s r el i ef , of cou r se. She l a u g hed a t her sel f a n d
sa i d g a i l y , 'A ny how , w i t h A u nt Lu cy a s a cha p er one i t h a s t o b e a
r esp ect a b l e set - u p .'
'She' s a b i g l a d y .' H i s ey es g l ea m ed w i ck ed l y . 'It w ou l d b e a b r a v e
m a n w ho t r i ed t o sed u ce y ou w i t h h er a nd her r o l l i ng p i n a r o u n d .' H e
w a s l a u ghi ng w i t h her , a nd i t w a s a l l sh e cou l d d o not t o f l i ng her sel f
i nt o hi s a r m s b eca u se she w a sn't r el i ev ed a t a l l t ha t he d i d n't w a nt
her . Beca u se, su d d enl y a n d sh a t t er i ng l y , she w a s r ea l i si n g how m u ch
she w a nt ed hi m .

CHAPTER SEVEN


It w a s com f or t Cha r l ot t e need ed , of cou r se. Rea ssu r a nce. Wi t h
ev er y t hi ng d i si nt egr a t i n g a r o u n d her Sa u l seem ed r ock - l i k e. She
w a nt ed hi m t o t el l her i t w a s goi n g t o b e a l l r i ght , a n d i nd eed he
cou l d ha r d l y b e d oi ng m or e t h a n t a k i n g ov er t he b u si ness a n d t he
hou se. In hi s ow n i nt er est s, of cou r se, b u t t he f r i nge b enef i t s w ou l d
r ea ch Cha r l ot t e a n d her f a m i l y .
You on l y h a d t o l ook a t hi m t o f eel t h a t i f he w a s o n y ou r si d e
m ost of y ou r p r ob l em s w ou l d b e sol v ed , a n d she w a s l ook i ng a t hi m .
A t t he sp r i ngi n g t hi ck ness of t he d a r k ha i r , t he b l a ck - l a shed ey es
u n d er t he h ea v y b r ow s. She k new f r om t he w a y he m ov ed t h a t he
ha d t he b o d y of a n a t hl et e, a nd sh e l ook ed a t t he m ou t h, t ha t cou l d
b e h u m or ou s a n d cr u el ; her ow n l i p s p a r t ed a s t hou g h u n d er a ha r d
a n d d em a n d i ng k i ss, a nd i t w a s m or e t h a n com f or t t ha t she cr a v ed .
A r a gi n g hu nger ha d sei zed her t o b e i n Sa u l 's a r m s. Fi ght i ng or
l ov i ng, b u t hel d a g a i nst hi m . She w a nt ed t he t ou ch of hi s f l esh a nd
ha i r , a nd t he t a st e of hi m on her l i p s, a n d h er v oi ce r ose shr i l l y . 'I ha v e
t o p hone Jer em y .' She m a d e a d a r t f or t he d oor f ol l ow ed , i n a r u sh,
b y Geor gy .
She r a n g t he f l a t a n d Jer em y a nsw er ed a n d sh e b ega n t o cha t t er .
She t ol d hi m t ha t her f a t her w ou l d b e h om e w i t hi n a f or t ni ght , t ha t
t her e w a s a n ew m a n a ger i n Du nscom b es, t ha t she ha d b u m p ed i nt o
Lesl ey Col t a n i n t ow n.
'Lesl ey t ol d m e,' sa i d Jer em y . 'A n d she sa i d t ha t som eb od y , w ho
ha d t o b e Dr a cu l a , t ook y ou a w a y . H e d oes a l ot of t ha t , d oesn't h e?'
'We ca m e b a ck h er e,' Cha r l ot t e exp l a i ned . 'Ther e's a l ot t o b e
d onea l l sor t s of a r r a ngem ent s.'
Jer em y w a s a l l sy m p a t hy a ga i n. 'Ther e m u st b e. Di d y ou sa y y ou
w er e l osi ng t he hou se t oo?'
'Yes a nd no. It w on't b el ong t o u s a ny m or e, b u t w e ca n st a y on
her e.' She co u l d see d i f f i cu l t i es a hea d t her e, b u t f or t he t i m e b ei ng
t hey w ou l d ha v e t o st a y on.
'H ow r ot t en f or y ou !' Jer em y si ghed f or her a nd she co u l d n't a gr ee
m or e, a l t hou gh i t w a sn 't t he end of t he w or l d . 'If t her e's a ny t hi n g I
ca n d oa ny t h i n g,' he sa i d , a nd she g l a nced u p a t Sa u l , w ho w a s
t a p p i n g hi s w a t ch a nd l ook i n g i m p a t i ent .
She sa i d , 'I ha v e t o go.'
'I l ov e y ou ,' sa i d Jer em y . They u su a l l y f i ni shed p hon e ca l l s t ha t w a y ,
a n d m eet i n gs u su a l l y .
'A nd I l ov e y ou ,' she echoed , a nd of cou r se she d i d , a l t hou g h
Jer em y ha d nev er st i r r ed a ny t hi ng i n h er l i k e t hose ch u r n i n g em ot i ons
j u st now . Tha t w a s t he d i f f er ence b et w een l ov e a n d l u st . Lu st w a s a
m a d ness t ha t h i t y ou l i k e a h u r r i ca ne, a gu a r a nt eed w r eck er .
'A nd w ha t w a s t he u r gency a b ou t t ha t ?' Sa u l d em a n d ed a s she
p u t d ow n t he p ho ne. She sa i d , 'Sor r y , b u t su d d enl y I t hou ght I m i ght
not ca t ch hi m i f I l ef t i t a ny l on ger . I d on ' t su p p ose y ou 'd u n d er st a n d .'
'Tr u e l ov e?' H i s gr i n w a s d ev i l i sh. 'Too r i g ht I w ou l d n 't . I m u st t a k e
a f t er m y m ot her , ha l f t he t i m e I ca n't r em em b er t hei r na m es.' Tha t
w a s t he m ost ca l l o u s, ch a u v i ni st i c t h i n g Cha r l ot t e ha d ev er hea r d .
'Goi ng t o st i ck w i t h y ou , i s he,' he a sk ed , ' now y ou ' r e no l o nger t he
w el l - h eel ed Mi ss Du nscom b e?'
She w ou l d h a v e hi t hi m i f she ha d h a d a ny t hi ng i n her ha n d ha r d
enou g h t o k nock hi m ov er , b u t he w ou l d p r ob a b l y r et u r n a sl a p
a cr oss t he f a ce, so she gr i t t ed her t eet h a n d sa i d sw eet l y , 'Wel l , i n
y ou r ca se I ca n u n d er st a nd t h a t i t 's t he m oney t hey 'r e a f t er .'
H e l a u g hed . 'N ot ent i r el y .' Sh eer a ni m a l m a gnet i sm em a n a t ed
f r om hi m l i k e a n a u r a , b u t she w ou l d nev er show t ha t she w a s
su scep t i b l e t o i t a n d she sa i d col d l y , 'Jer em y w ou l d l ov e m e i f I d i d n 't
ha v e a p en ny .'
'W hi ch y ou d o n't .'
'So a l l r i ght , I k now !' H e d i d n 't ha v e t o b e so b oor i sh. So she ha d
shot ou t of t he r oom , w her e she w a s h a v i ng a d i scu ssi on w i t h hi m , t o
r i ng Jer em y a n d t a l k a b ou t not hi ng i n p a r t i cu l a r . Bu t t ha t ha d o nl y
t a k en a co u p l e of m i nu t es. H e d i d n 't ha v e t o i nsu l t her b y su g gest i ng
t ha t Jer em y onl y ca r ed a b o u t m oney . 'You d on 't ha v e t o k eep
r em i nd i n g m e,' she sna p p ed . 'I d o k now I'm b r ok e. A n d I k now t ha t i f
w e st a y u nd er y ou r r oof I'l l ow e y ou b u t j u st d on 't exp ect p a y m ent
i n k i n d !'
The f r i nge of ha i r she w a s st i l l w ea r i n g ov er her f or ehea d w a s
get t i ng i n her ey es a nd sh e t ossed her hea d a nd gl a r ed a t hi m a n d he
d r a w l ed , 'Yo u r f a t her i sn 't t he o nl y o n e w i t h i nf l a t ed i d ea s a b ou t
y ou r sex r a t i ng. You 'r e not goi n g t o b e r a p ed a t l ea st not b y m e.'
She b r ea t h ed d eep , g et t i ng enou gh b r ea t h t o sh r i ek a t hi m , a n d
t he m i d d l e b u t t on her b l ou se p op p ed op en a n d he l a u gh ed ,
'A l t hou g h i f y ou go a r ou n d l ook i n g l i k e t ha t I w ond er y ou 'v e a v oi d ed
i t so f a r .'
A u nt Lu cy ca m e i nt o t he ha l l a n d st op p ed d ea d , seei n g Ch a r l ot t e,
d i shev el l ed a n d i nd i g na nt , t hen ca m e r u shi ng u p d em a nd i n g, 'W ha t
ha v e y ou b een d oi n g t o her ?'
'Tha t 's w ha t y ou a sk ed m e a co u p l e of d a y s a go,' sa i d Sa u l
w ea r i l y , 'a nd t h e a nsw er 's st i l l t he sa m e, not a b l ood y t hi ng.'
'We'v e b een a r gu i ng,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e. 'I shou l d n't b e m a k i ng p hone
ca l l s w hi l e he's t a l k i n g t o m e.'
A u nt Lu cy ha d t hou g ht he w a s p r op osi t i oni ng her a t l ea st . Thi s
exp l a na t i o n f or Cha r l ot t e's f l u shed f a ce nonp l u ssed her , a nd t her e
w a s t he b l ou se. Sh e sa i d sh a r p l y , 'You 'v e got a b u t t on u n d one, I t ol d
y ou t ha t b l ou se w a s t oo t i g ht .'
'It w a sn't t i l l i t shr a nk i n t he w a sh,' Ch a r l ot t e m u t t er ed , 'a n d i t
w on't b e now w hen I get t i m e t o p u t a not her st i t ch i n t he
b u t t onhol e.'
'Do y ou t hi n k w e m i g ht get d ow n t o b u si ness?' sa i d Sa u l .
'Oh, I a m so sor r y ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. 'H er e I go a ga i n, na t t er i ng on.
Ju st w ha t b u si ness d i d y ou h a v e i n m i nd ?'
'Tu r n i n g y ou r a sset s i nt o ca p i t a l ,' he sa i d . 'A n d I'm r ef er r i ng t o t he
f u r ni t u r e.'
H er d ef i a nce d r a i ned a w a y , b eca u se t hi s w a s a b i t t er b u si ness.
Sa u l La u r enso n p u t a ha n d on t he ha l l t a b l e, a p r et t y l i t t l e Geor gi a n
p i ece t ha t he cou l d h a v e sm a shed w i t h a cl enched f i st , a n d sa i d , 'For
i nst a nce, t hi s i s m i ne. You 'd b et t er see t he b i l l s of sa l e, t hen y ou 'l l
k now w ha t t o get v a l u ed . If you w i sh t o sel l a ny of t he r em a i ni ng
i t em s p er ha p s y ou 'd gi v e m e f i r st r ef u sa l .'
Then t he hou se cou l d st a y a s i t w a s, l o ok i ng t he sa m e b u t nev er
t he sa m e a ga i n. Ch a r l ot t e ha d t o gu l p a w a y t he l u m p i n her t hr o a t
b ef or e she cou l d sa y , 'Th a t cou l d b e v er y conv eni ent .' A u nt Lu cy w a s
r u b b i n g t he t a b l e's ed ge, w her e Sa u l ha d f i nger p r i nt ed t he p a t i n a of
t he r osew ood , w i t h h er a p r on, a n d Cha r l ot t e k new t h a t she w a s
b egi nn i n g t o r ea l i se w h a t a l l t hi s m ea nt . She l ov ed ev en t he f u r ni t u r e
her e. She h a d sp ent m ost of her l i f e ca r i ng f or i t , a s w el l a s f or t he
p eop l e w ho l i v ed i n t he hou se.
'W hi ch r oom s d o y ou w a nt ?' Cha r l ot t e a sk ed . They h a d t o get a l l
t hi s set t l ed , a n d Sa u l a nsw er ed p r om p t l y , 'I'l l k eep t he b ed r oom I'm
u si n g, a nd I sha l l need a n of f i ce. You r f a t her w on't b e u si ng hi s f or a
w hi l e'i f ev er 'so I'l l st a y w i t h t ha t , a n d p er h a p s w e cou l d sha r e t he
d i n i n g a n d d r a w i ng r oom s.'
Tha t shou l d b e b ea r a b l e f or a f ew w eek s i n t he y ea r , a n d t he r est
of t he t i m e w ou l d b e l i k e ol d t i m es. Excep t t ha t Sa u l La u r enson
w ou l d h a v e t he r i ght , a t a ny t i m e of t he d a y or ni ght , t o m a r ch i n
a n d st a r t or d er i n g t hem a l l a r ou nd . Cha r l ot t e sa i d q u i et l y , 'Th a t
sou nd s r ea so na b l e,' a n d A u nt Lu cy sa i d , ' Mr Col i n w i l l ha v e t o h a v e a
r oom d ow nst a i r s,' a s t hou g h t hey h a d f or got t en t ha t .
'The ga r d en r oom .' Cha r l ot t e ha d a l r ea d y d eci d ed t h a t w ou l d b e
p er f ect . It w a s on t he gr ou n d f l oor , ov er l ook i ng t he g a r d en a nd
a d j a cent t o t he cl oa k r oom . They cou l d t u r n i t i nt o a cosy b ed - si t t er
u nt i l her f a t h er w a s f i t t o cl i m b t h e st a i r s a g a i n t o hi s ol d b ed r oom . 'Is
t her e a ny t hi ng el se?' She l ook ed a t Sa u l , w ho a sk ed , ' Ma y I b or r ow
y ou r hor se?'
'To r i d e?' Of cou r se t o r i d e, he w a sn 't l i k el y t o b e set t i ng Kel l y t o
w or k . She sa i d , 'Of cou r se,' b ef or e h e cou l d a nsw er , a d d i n g, 'Do n't
r i d e hi m h a r d , he's got a sof t m ou t h.'
If Kel l y w a s i l l - t r ea t ed she cou l d n't end u r e t ha t , b u t Sa u l 's sm i l e
w a s q u i t e d i f f er ent t hi s t i m e. 'I w on't j u m p hi m ov er a ny hed g es
w i t hou t check i n g t ha t t he r oa d 's cl ea r .' Cha r l ot t e sm i l ed f a i nt l y i n
r esp onse, sor r y she ha d sa i d t ha t b eca u se she w a s su r e he w ou l d
nev er i l l - t r ea t a n a n i m a l . H u m a ns m a y b e. Geor gy h a r d l y seem ed t o
m i nd h i m a r ou nd a t a l l , b u t A u nt Lu cy w a s l ook i ng a p p r eh ensi v e,
a n d Cha r l ot t e k new t ha t seei ng Sa u l l a y a ha n d on t he h a l l t a b l e
ha d m a d e t hei r si t u a t i on m or e r ea l t o her t h a n Cha r l ot t e t r y i ng t o
exp l a i n i t i n t he k i t chen j u st now .
'I'm exp ect i ng Ro ger Fa i r l ey som e t i m e t hi s a f t er noon,' sa i d Sa u l . 'If
he shou l d t u r n u p b ef or e I'm b a ck w ou l d y ou a sk h i m t o w a i t ?'
'Yessi r ,' cr a ck ed Cha r l ot t e, a n d he gr i nn ed t he n i ce gr i n a ga i n, a n d
sa i d , 'A n d f a st en t h a t b u t t on b ef or e he g et s her e. H e's a m a r r i ed m a n
w i t h t w o chi l d r en, y ou w ou l d n't w a nt t o u p set t ha t .'
She b u t t oned u p h a st i l y . 'I t hi n k I'l l cha n ge,' sh e sa i d .
'You ca n 't t r u st a ny t h i n g t hese d a y s. H a n d w a sh, i t sa i d , a n d see
w ha t h a p p ens!'
H e l a u ghed a nd w ent ou t l a u g hi ng a n d A u nt Lu cy si g hed , 'I d o n't
k now w h a t t o m a k e of hi m , I ca n 't m a k e hi m ou t .'
'I d on't su p p ose t her e a r e m a ny w ho ca n,' m u r m u r ed Cha r l ot t e.
'A nd w ho's Ro ger Fa i r l ey ?'
'The new m a n a ger a t Du nscom b es.' A u n t Lu cy ga v e a l i t t l e w a i l of
p r ot est a nd w ent b a ck i nt o t he k i t chen sha k i ng her h ea d .
Roger Fa i r l ey shou l d k now Sa u l La u r enson b et t er t ha n m ost , a nd
i f Cha r l ot t e got t he ch a nce she w ou l d h a v e a t a l k w i t h hi m w h i l e he
w a s w a i t i ng f or Sa u l . She cha nged i nt o a hi gh- neck ed shi r t , w i t h
secu r e b u t t ons a n d a t h i n v el v et - st r i n g b ow , a n d b r u shed her h a i r
i nt o d eep shi ni ng w a v es, f a st eni ng i t b a ck . She w a s not ou t t o l ook
sed u ct i v e, j u st nea t a n d t i d y a nd a t t r a ct i v e, so t ha t Roger Fa i r l ey
w ou l d si t a n d t a l k , r el a xed a nd com m u n i ca t i v e.
Ma u d i e ha d b een cl ea n i n g t he b a t h w hen Ch a r l ot t e p a ssed t he
op en d oor of t he b a t hr oom , a nd f r om her exp r essi o n w h en she
l ook ed u p Ch a r l ot t e k new t ha t she ha d hea r d t he scene d ow n i n t he
ha l l . Ch a r l ot t e ga v e a w r y ou t si zed shr u g a nd M a u d i e ga v e a
sy m p a t het i c gr i m a ce. M a u d i e w a s sy m p a t het i c, she l i k ed t he
Du nscom b es, f a t her a nd d a u ght er , no si d e on ei t her of t hem . Bu t she
ha d b een f a sci n a t ed t o h ea r t h a t t he t a l l d a r k su p er - l ook i ng m a n
ow ned nea r l y ev er y t hi ng, a nd hi m t el l i ng Cha r l ot t e t h a t her y ou ng
m a n w ou l d n't b e w a nt i ng her now a n d t a l k i ng of r a p e!
Ter r i b l e, i t w a s! Ma u d i e cou l d n 't w a i t t o f i ni sh her chor es so t ha t
she cou l d t el l her f r i en d s a n d nei g hb ou r s a l l a b ou t i t .
Cha r l ot t e p hon ed b a ck som e of t he f r i end s w ho h a d r u n g w h i l e
she w a s o u t , a n d a t e a h a m sa nd w i ch t ha t A u nt L u cy t hr u st o n her ,
a n d w hen she h ea r d t he ca r d r a w u p sh e op ened t he f r ont d oor a n d
sm i l ed a t Roger Fa i r l ey .
H e ha d b r o u ght h i s b r i ef ca se w i t h hi m . H e. l ook ed t he k i n d of
y ou ng m a n w ho r a r el y m a d e a m ov e w i t hou t a b r i ef ca se, d a p p er
a n d sha r p . She t ol d hi m t ha t Sa u l w ou l d b e b a ck a ny t i m e; a nd she
w a s a f r a i d he w ou l d , b ef or e she h a d ha d a cha nce t o get Mr Fa i r l ey
t a l k i n g. She l ed t h e w a y i nt o t he d r a w i n g r oom a n d of f er ed a d r i nk ,
a n d M r Fa i r l ey sa i d t ha t cof f ee w ou l d b e m i ght y w el com e.
Ov er cof f ee Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'I'm gl a d t h e cha nge of m a na gem ent
w ent of f so sm oot hl y t hi s m or ni ng. It w a s a n or d ea l f or a l l of t hem
b eca u se nob o d y h a d a ny i d ea w ha t t o exp ect .' She enq u i r ed how t he
r est of t he d a y ha d gon e, a n d l i st ened t o t he p l a ns w i t h genu i ne
i nt er est , b eca u se a l t hou gh she a nd her f a t h er ha d d one w i t h
Du nscom b es she st i l l ca r ed a b ou t i t s f u t u r e.
Then she b r o u ght i n Sa u l 's n a m e. 'Sa u l ' s good a t t he sw eet - t a l k ,
i sn't h e? H e w a s v er y i m p r essi v e t hi s m or ni n g.' She h a d m ea nt t o
sou nd q u i t e a d m i r i n g, b u t p er ha p s she d i d n 't , b eca u se Roger Fa i r l ey 's
b l u e ey es n a r r ow ed , a l t ho u gh he a gr eed w i t h her .
'Yes, m a ' a m , he ca n b e v er y i m p r essi v e w i t h t he sw eet - t a l k .' Then
he a d d ed , 'B u t i f he ha d n 't ca r r i ed t hem w i t h hi m a t t ha t l i t t l e get -
t oget her t hey ' d h a v e seen how t ou g h h e ca n b e.' H e hel p ed hi m sel f
t o a not her sp oonf u l of su g a r , a nd st i r r ed hi s cof f ee sl ow l y , a n d
Cha r l ot t e w on d er ed i f he w a s w a r n i n g her a nd sa i d b l u nt l y , 'Yo u
d on't l i k e h i m ?'
H e w a sn't goi ng t o a d m i t d i sl i k i ng h i s em p l oy er , b u t she t hou ght
she h a d t he p i ct u r e u nt i l hi s f a ce l i t w i t h a n a l m ost b oy i sh ent hu si a sm
a n d h e sa i d , 'Of co u r se I l i k e hi m . H e w o u l d n't ha v e got w her e he i s i f
he h a d n't b een t ou gher t ha n hel l , b u t h e's t he b est of b osses a n d t he
b est of f r i en d s.'
'A nd t he w or st of enem i es?' A m a n w ho ha d f or ged a hea d a s Sa u l
La u r enson ha d m u st h a v e m a d e en em i es, a n d m u st h a v e m a d e
shor t w or k of t hem t oo, a nd Ro ger Fa i r l ey a d m i t t ed i t . 'I r eck o n so.'
'H ow d i d he g et w her e he i s?' a sk ed Ch a r l ot t e. 'A l l I k now i s t ha t
he w ent t o A u st r a l i a f i f t een y ea r s a go. I d i d n 't k now hi m t hen, b u t I
k now t ha t 's how i t w a s. A n d t hen he t u r ns u p a s a t y coon. Do t el l m e
w ha t h a p p en ed i n t he m ea nt i m e.'
She set t l ed her sel f i n her ch a i r , l ook i n g b r i ght - ey ed a s a ch i l d
w a i t i n g f or a b ed t i m e st or y . Of cou r se Roger Fa i r l ey w a sn 't goi ng t o
t el l her a ny t hi ng co nf i d ent i a l , b u t he w a s w i l l i n g eno u gh t o t a l k ;
a l t hou g h he m i g ht h a v e w on d er ed w h y she h a d n't a sk ed Sa u l . Or
her f a t her , w ho m u st ha v e k now n a l l t hi s.
H e b eg a n, ' Wel l , he h a d l u ck f r om t he b egi nn i n g. H e b ou ght t hi s
sp r ea d i n t he A u st r a l i a n ou t b a ck , sm a l l b y t he st a n d a r d s o u t t her e,
a b ou t ei g ht hu n d r ed sq u a r e m i l es, a ca t t l e st a t i on on t he r ou t e i nt o
Qu eensl a n d . H e w a s m a k i ng a good t hi ng of i t t oo, b u t t hen a
m i ni n g p r osp ect or f ou nd b a u xi t e on hi s l a n d .' She l ook ed b l a nk a n d
he exp l a i ned , 'The or e t ha t m a k es a l u m i ni u m . It w a s a r i ch d ep osi t ,
m i l l i ons of t ons. It got hi m a sea t on t he b oa r d of A r r a s A l l oy s w her e
t he b i g, m oney i s, a n d f r om t hen on ev er y t hi ng el se t h a t he t ou ched
p r osp er ed .'
'I w ond er w hy ,' she m u r m u r ed . Som e m en w er e b or n l u ck y , b u t
y ou d i d w on d er w ha t k i nd of chem i st r y m a d e t he w i n ner s.
Roger Fa i r l ey gr i n ned .
'H e's a h u m a n d y na m on ev er t i r ed , a n d t hey d on't com e a ny
sm a r t er . A nd he' s a f r a i d of not hi ng. Yo u r S.A .S. h a v e got a m ot t o
t ha t cou l d ha v e b een w r i t t en f or hi m , "W ho Da r es Wi ns". I'v e b een
w or k i ng f or hi m f or j u st ov er f iv e y ea r s now a n d I'v e seen hi m t a k e
r i sk s a n d m a k e d eci si ons, w i t hou t hesi t a t i ng, t ha t ot her m en w ou l d
ha v e w or r i ed a b ou t f or m ont hs. A n d I'v e nev er k now n h i m m a k e t he
w r ong m ov e.'
Ob v i ou sl y Roger Fa i r l ey a d m i r ed Sa u l La u r enson, a nd w hi l e he
w a s i n f u l l f l ood Ch a r l ot t e sl i p p ed i n a p er sona l q u est i on. 'H e's nev er
m a r r i ed ?'
'N o. A l w a y s cr ow d s of t hem a r ou n d , b u t he sa y s he's nev er m et a
gi r l he's sca r ed of l osi ng.' She cou l d b el i ev e t ha t . She a sk ed , 'A r e y ou
b r i n gi ng y ou r w i f e a nd chi l d r en ov er ?' H e w a s, a s soo n a s p ossi b l e,
a n d she sa i d t ha t w hen t he Fa i r l ey f a m i l y a r r i v ed she w ou l d l ov e t o
m eet t hem , so he p r od u ced a w a d of sn a p shot s f r om hi s w a l l et .
Cha r l ot t e cou l d n't r esi st sna p shot s. Sh e j oi ned h i m on t he sof a a n d
he show ed her hi s chi l d r en, 'Ka y a nd Ri chi e, d r essi n g t he t r ee l a st
Chr i st m a s,' a nd P a m el a , hi s l ov el y w i l l ow y b l ond e w i f e. H e w a s
p r ou d of t hem , a nd Cha r l ot t e t ook sna p a f t er sna p f r om hi m , w hi l e
he t ol d her w her e ea ch w a s t a k en, a n d w h a t w a s goi ng o n a t t he
t i m e, u nt i l she b eg a n t o f eel t h a t she k new q u i t e a l ot a b o u t t he
Fa i r l ey s.
She w ou l d h a v e l ov ed a p eep a t a ny p h ot ogr a p hs i n Sa u l ' s w a l l et ,
b u t she cou l d n 't see t ha t com i ng a b o u t , a n d she d ou b t ed i f he
ca r r i ed a ny . If he m i ssed no one he w a sn 't goi ng t o b ot her w i t h
p hot ogr a p hs.
H e w a l k ed i n on t hem w h i l e Roger w a s t el l i n g Cha r l ot t e a b ou t a
b a r b ecu e p a r t y , a nd show i n g her Ri ch i e i n st r i p ed a p r o n a nd cook 's
ha t . It w a s t he l a st sn a p shot , a nd she ha nd ed t hem b a ck w i t h a sm i l e
a n d a 'Th a nk y ou ,' a nd a sk ed Sa u l i f he ha d en j oy ed hi s r i d e.
'Ver y m u ch,' h e sa i d .
She cou l d i m a gi ne h i m on t ha t ca t t l e st a t i on w hen he f i r st l ef t
En gl a nd . H e ha d ch a n ged i nt o a n o p en- neck ed shi r t a n d cor d
t r ou ser s, a n d she cou l d i m a gi ne hi m l ook i ng m u ch t he sa m e a s he d i d
now , r i d i ng f or m i l es t hr o u gh t he scr u b l a n d s of t he v a st a nd l onel y
ou t b a ck . Then r e- t u r ni ng t o w ha t k i n d of hom e? A nd w ho w ou l d b e
w a i t i n g t her e? She h a d nev er b een so cu r i ou s a b ou t a ny ot her m a n,
b u t t hen hi s w a s a n excep t i o na l sor t of l if e a nd he w a s a l t oget her a n
excep t i on a l cha r a ct er .
She got t o her f eet . 'I'l l go a n d see t o Kel l y .'
'I'v e r u b b ed h i m d ow n,' sa i d Sa u l . ' You 'v e got a goo d hor se t h er e.'
'N ot f or sa l e,' she sa i d q u i ck l y .
'I shou l d hop e not ,' he sa i d . Roger Fa i r l ey w a s p u t t i ng hi s w a l l et
b a ck i nt o hi s j a ck et p ock et , a n d p i ck i ng u p hi s b r i ef ca se, a nd t he t w o
m en w ent of f i nt o t he of f i ce.
The n ext t en d a y s w er e cent r ed on t he hosp i t a l w her e her f a t her
w a s r ecov er i n g f r om hi s hea r t a t t a ck . Sh e v i si t ed t w i ce d a i l y , w i t h t he
b est m ed i ci ne she co u l d of f er , co nst a nt r ea ssu r a n ce t h a t ev er y t hi n g
w a s i n ha nd a t hom e. A t f i r st i t w a s j u st a ca se of si t t i n g b esi d e hi m ,
so t ha t w hen he op ened h i s ey es she w a s t her e. Bu t soon he w a nt ed
new s a n d t hen she t ol d hi m sni p p et s of gossi p a nd p a ssed on
m essa ges f r om f r i en d s, a nd i f Sa u l w a s w i t h her t h a t a l w a y s cheer ed
hi m . H e w a s m or e t ha n co nt ent t o a ccep t Sa u l 's of f er of i n d ef i ni t e
hosp i t a l i t y i n w ha t ha d b een t he f a m i l y hom e, r ea d y t o l et hi m b u y
a ny of t he co nt ent s he f a n ci ed .
On a v er a ge Sa u l w ent a l o ng w i t h her one v i si t i n t hr ee d a y s. The
r est of t he t i m e he w a s o u t of t he hou se, p er ha p s on b u si n ess, p er ha p s
soci a l l y . H e ha d b r ea k f a st i n t he b r ea k f a st r oom , a p a r t f r om t ha t he
a t e ou t , a n d Ch a r l ot t e a sk ed no q u est i o ns b eca u se i t w a s no ne of her
b u si ness. B u t seei ng hi m a l w a y s d i d h er f a t her good . H e w a s st i l l
nou r i shi ng t h e cr a zy not i on t ha t Sa u l w a s goi ng t o l ook a f t er
Cha r l ot t e f or t he r est of her l i f e, a n d h e w ou l d ha v e t o b e st r on ger
b ef or e he cou l d a ccep t t ha t t he onl y o ne l ook i ng ou t f or Cha r l ot t e
w a s Cha r l ot t e.
The n u r ses k new her b y now . Col i n D u nscom b e, w i t h hi s ha nd som e
l ook s a nd hi s gent l em a nl y a i r , w a s o ne o f t hei r f a v ou r i t e p a t i ent s, b u t
w hen Sa u l a r r i v ed w i t h Cha r l ot t e ev en t he st a r chi est of t hem t u r ned
gi r l i sh a n d gi ggl y . The ot her m en i n t he w a r d l ook ed f or w a r d t o
seei n g Cha r l ot t e, a n d Sa u l u su a l l y w a l k ed i n w i t h a h a n d u nd er h er
el b ow .
In t he b egi nn i n g Cha r l ot t e ha d f ou nd her sel f ed g i n g a w a y f r om hi s
t ou ch, b u t she soon got ov er t ha t , a n d i t w a s no a ct t ha t sh e w a s
gr a t ef u l t o hi m . H e w a s k eep i n g a r oof ov er t hei r hea d s, a n d seei n g
t hem b ot h t oget her w a s hel p i n g her f a t her on h i s r oa d t o r ecov er y .
Bu t t he cl oseness w a s p l a y - a ct i n g, a n d o n t he w a y hom e, a f ew d a y s
b ef or e he w a s d u e f or d i scha r ge, she sa i d , 'I hop e w e'r e not ov er d oi ng
i t . H e's go i n g t o b e l et d ow n i f he t hi nk s t hi s i s t he f u t u r e set t l ed .'
'The i m m ed i a t e f u t u r e i s,' sa i d Sa u l . 'In a m ont h or t w o he'l l b e u p
t o f a ci ng f a ct s. In t he m ea nt i m e l et hi m b el i ev e w h a t he w a nt s t o
b el i ev e.'
'Yesw el l , t ha nk s, I'm gr a t ef u l .' Sh e b i t h er l i p a n d hop ed Sa u l w a s
r i ght , a s u su a l . 'B u t I t hi nk he's b l ot t ed Jer em y ou t . H e nev er
m ent i ons hi m a t a l l . I d on 't t hi nk he r em em b er s I sa i d I w a s goi ng t o
m a r r y hi m .'
'Does Jer em y ?' sa i d Sa u l , a n d she hu nched d ow n i n her sea t ,
t u r ni ng a w a y f r om hi m .
'Oh y es,' she sa i d . 'N o secon d t hou ght s a b ou t t ha t . Tha t 's w ha t w e
t a l k a b ou t a l l t he t i m e.'
She w a sn't seei ng Jer em y so m u ch t hese d a y s, she w a sn 't seei n g
m u ch of a ny b o d y excep t her f a t her , b u t t hey d i d m eet occa si o na l l y
i n t he a f t er noons, a n d a f t er she h a d v i si t ed t he hosp i t a l a nd he w a s
t hr ou gh w i t h t he ev eni ng p er f or m a nce he som et i m es d r ov e ov er . H e
d i d n't com e t o t he hou se. Cha r l ot t e d i d n 't w a nt hi m b u m p i ng i nt o
Sa u l , nor i nt o A u nt Lu cy , so he w ou l d p a r k i n t he l a n e a n d w a l k
a cr oss t he f i el d s t o t he p a t i o, a nd sh e w ou l d st r ol l d ow n t her e,
som et i m es w i t h Tr i a a nd Wi l b u r . She d i d n't t a k e Geor gy t o m eet
Jer em y b eca u se Geor gy st i l l y a p p ed w h en Jer em y a p p ea r ed . Bu t i t
w a s w a r m su m m er w ea t her , a n d w i t h Jer em y 's a r m s a r ou nd h er f or
a l i t t l e w h i l e she cou l d f eel a l m ost ca r ef r ee a g a i n.
A s soon a s t hey sa i d good b y e, a nd she w a l k ed b a ck t o t he hou se,
her t r ou b l es ca m e t o m eet her . Thi s w a s l i m b o - t i m e. She co u l d n't
r ea l l y get d ow n t o a ny t hi ng u nt i l her f a t her ca m e ou t of hosp i t a l .
Then she cou l d st a r t w or k , a n d b egi n l i v i ng a nor m a l i f a l t er ed l i f e.
A nd i t w ou l d a l l b e ea si er w hen Sa u l ha d l ef t .
Sha r i n g t he hou se w i t h hi m w a s a p er p et u a l t r i a l . The t oget her ness
t hey a ssu m ed f or her f a t her 's b enef i t d i d n 't op er a t e ou t si d e t he
hosp i t a l . Ther e ha d n't b een a ny m or e b i g cl a shes, b u t Cha r l ot t e
a l w a y s f el t on ed ge w hen Sa u l w a s i n t he sa m e r oom , a l t hou gh he
a l w a y s k ep t hi s d i st a nce.
She k new t ha t t he n ei g hb ou r s w er e t a l k i ng. Som e of t hem a sk ed
her ou t r i ght w ha t t h e si t u a t i on w a s, a n d she t ol d t hem . Most of t he
f i na nci a l d et a i l s w er e com m on k now l ed ge a ny w a y . It w a s w ha t w a s
goi n g on b et w een Sa u l La u r enso n a nd Ch a r l ot t e t ha t i nt r i g u ed
t hem , a n d t he a nsw er t o t h a t w a s, ' N ot hi ng.'
Yes, h e ow ned t he f i r m a nd he w a s b u y i ng t he hou se, a nd y es,
Cha r l ot t e a nd her f a t her a nd A u nt L u cy w ou l d st i l l b e l i v i ng her e, so
he w ou l d b e t hei r l a n d l or d . It w a s a si m p l e st r a i ght f or w a r d b u si ness
a r r a ngem ent . A u nt Lu cy secon d ed t ha t q u i t e f i er cel y , m or e
concer ned f or Cha r l ot t e's r ep u t a t i o n t ha n Cha r l ot t e w a s her sel f .
Sa u l w a s ou t m ost ev en i n gs, b u t som et i m es he ca m e i nt o t he
d r a w i n g r oom w her e Cha r l ot t e a n d A u nt Lu cy w er e si t t i n g. A u nt
Lu cy w a s st i l l w a t ch i n g hi s ev er y m ov e, p r esu m a b l y i n ca se he
p ou nced on Cha r l ot t e; a n d t ha t em b a r r a ssed Ch a r l ot t e a s m u ch a s i t
ob v i ou sl y a m u sed Sa u l . Bu t he cou l d m a k e t hem b ot h l a u g h a nd he
cou l d k eep t hem b ot h l i st en i n g. They go t t he new s f r om Du nscom b es
f r om hi m . Cha r l ot t e ha d n 't b een b a ck t her e a g a i n, a l t hou g h m ost
d a y s som e m em b er of t he st a l l p ho ned t o a sk how h er f a t her w a s.
Sa u l t ol d t hem , 'Roger 's b een a p p r oa ched b y Benj y H a l e, w ho
w ond er s i f y ou 'r e goi n g t o ca r r y o n d esi gni ng. H e sa y s som e of y ou r
p a t t er ns w er e b est - sel l er s.'
'In a sm a l l w a y ,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e. 'Bu t Benj y w a s a f a n of m i ne.'
'Roger w o nd er ed w hy h e t u r ned t he co l ou r of b eet r oot ev er y t i m e
he sa i d y ou r na m e,' sa i d Sa u l . 'A r e y ou st i l l d esi g ni ng?'
'N o.' The b r ea k h a d b een m a d e f or h er , she co u l d n't go b a ck .
'A ny w a y ,' she sa i d , 'I'v e got a not her j ob l i ned u p .' Sa u l d i d n 't a r gu e,
so he cou l d n't ha v e t hou g ht m u ch of her t a l ent s a s a d esi g ner , a nd
she p i ck ed u p t he b ook b esi d e her a n d b ega n t o r ea d a n d hop ed i t
w ou l d l ook a s t hou gh she w a s cl osi ng t he su b j ect .
A u nt Lu cy ha d b een w a t chi ng a q u i z on t el ev i si on. She w ent on
w a t chi ng i t a n d Sa u l op ened t he Fi n a nci a l Ti m es w hi l e Ch a r l ot t e
r ea d d ogg ed l y o n. Poem sshe l ov ed p o et r y . Usu a l l y t he m u si c of t he
w or d s i n her m i n d r el a xed h er , b u t w h en Sa u l w a s nea r t her e w a s
a l w a y s t h i s t ensi o n i n h er sp i ne m a k i ng h er concent r a t i o n w a v er .
'I w ond er b y m y t r ot h w ha t t hou a n d I d i d t i l l w e l ov ed ' she
r ea d , a nd a l t hou gh she k new t he l i nes b y hea r t t on i g ht t hei r
m ea ni ng seem ed f r esh a nd new . She t h ou ght , l ov i n g som eone cou l d
b ecom e t he m ea ni ng of y ou r l i f e, t h e r ea son f or b ei ng so t h a t
ev er y t hi ng el se t ha t ha p p ened t o y ou w a s a sp i n - of f .
'W ha t 's t h e b ook ?' Sa u l a sk ed , a n d sh e f r ow ned .
'Poet r y .'
'N o need t o sou nd so d ef ensi v e.' She b et he t hou g ht p oet r y w a s a
w a st e of t i m e, she b et he d i d n't sp en d m u ch t i m e r ea d i ng i t , a n d she
nod d ed t ow a r d s hi s p a p er .
'H ow a r e t he st ock s a nd sha r es?'
'Doi n g n i cel y , t h a nk y ou .'
'Bu t of cou r se. Do y ou b el i ev e i n t he l a w of a v er a ges?' H e w a i t ed ,
one ey eb r ow r a i sed , a n d she w ent on, ' Beca u se goi ng b y t ha t y ou 'r e
goi n g t o st a r t l osi ng b ef or e l on g. N o b od y w i ns f or ev er . Doesn't t ha t
f r i ght en y ou ?'
'You k now ,' he sa i d gr a v el y , 'i t k eep s m e a w a k e a t ni ght s.' N o, i t
d i d n't . H e nev er co nsi d er ed i t . H e b el i ev ed h e sh a p ed h i s ow n d est i ny ,
a n d Ch a r l ot t e t hou ght h e d i d t oo a nd she r esent ed w h a t seem ed t o
b e hi s ef f or t l ess su ccess.
I d o not ha v e a ni ce na t u r e, she t hou gh t , b eca u se I w ou l d d ea r l y
l ov e t o see y ou f a l l of f y ou r hi g h hor se, a nd a f ew cr a ck s a p p ea r i ng i n
t ha t sel f - su f f i ci en cy t ha t Roger Fa i r l ey a d m i r es so m u ch.
'I'm goi ng t o m a k e m y sel f a cu p of coco a ,' A u nt Lu cy a nno u n ced .
'Ca n I get ei t her of y ou a d r i nk ?'
Sa u l p o u r ed hi m sel f a w hi sk y , Ch a r l ot t e sa i d she w ou l d set t l e f or
cocoa , a n d a s A u nt Lu cy w ent t o p r ep a r e i t Sa u l l ook ed u p f r om hi s
gl a ss a n d a sk ed , ' Wh a t i s t hi s j ob y ou 'v e f ou nd y ou r sel f ?'
'It 's i n a gi f t shop .' Ch a r l ot t e ha d nev er w or k ed i n a shop , b u t
Moni q u e Mor r i s, t he ow ner , w a s a f r i en d w ho k new t ha t Cha r l ot t e
cou l d b e r el i ed o n t o l ook st u n ni n g a nd w a s a l i k ea b l e g i r l . Whet her
she w ou l d st a y sm i l i n g, i f her f eet hu r t a n d cu st om er s t u r n ed
a w k w a r d , r em a i ned t o b e seen; b u t Mo ni q u e w a s r ea d y t o t a k e her
on a t r i a l m o nt h, st a r t i ng w henev er she chose. The sa l a r y w a sn 't hi gh,
b u t i t w a s t he b est of f er Cha r l ot t e ha d h a d .
A not her f r i en d , w ho r a n a r i d i ng school , w ou l d h a v e w el com ed h er
d ow n a t t he st a b l es b u t cou l d n 't a f f or d a not her w a g e, a nd t ha t w a s
t he gener a l si t u a t i on. 'A n d I'm w or k i ng i n a b a r on Sa t u r d a y n i g ht s,'
she a d d ed . 'A t t he St a ge Door i n Chi p p i n g Qu ea nt on.'
'I hop e y ou ca n st a nd t he p a ce,' h e d r a w l ed , a n d she sa i d b r i ef l y ,
'I'l l h a v e t o. Som eb od y 's got t o b r i n g ho m e t he b a co n.'
In f a ct she w a s l ook i n g f or w a r d t o st a r t i ng b ot h j ob s. It w ou l d b e
m oney com i ng i n a n d i t w ou l d l ea v e her no t i m e t o b r ood . W i t h t he
nu r se a nd A u nt L u cy l ook i ng a f t er her f a t her ev er y t hi ng ou ght t o
w or k ou t . She w a s d et er m i ned on on e t hi ng. She w a sn't l i m p i n g
hom e b ea t en no m a t t er w ha t ha p p ened , h a v i ng Sa u l La u r enso n
t el l i n g her a g a i n t ha t she w a s sp oi l ed a n d gu t l ess.
'You ' l l b e a b l e t o k eep a n ey e o n y ou r f i a nc,' he sa i d , si p p i n g t h e
w hi sk y a s t hou gh he w a s sa v ou r i ng i t . The St a ge Door w a s t he p u b
t ha t t he t hea t r e cr ow d u sed , v er y nea r t he t hea t r e, a nd of cou r se she
w ou l d b e seei ng Jer em y t her e on Sa t u r d a y ev eni ngs; he h a d p u t i n a
w or d f or her , hel p i n g her t o get t he j ob . She sa i d col d l y , 'I d o n't need
t o k eep a n ey e o n hi m . We t r u st ea ch ot her , w e'r e enou gh f or ea ch
ot her . I su p p ose y ou 'r e st i l l seei ng m y ol d p a l Jo - A n n?' Jo- A n n p honed
t hr ou gh h er e, l ea v i ng m essa ges f or Sa u l , b u t Cha r l ot t e w ou l d n 't ha v e
b r ou g ht i t u p i f he h a d n't m a d e t ha t cr a ck a b o u t Jer em y .
She w ent on, 'N ow t her e i s a gi r l a m a n w ou l d ha v e t o k eep a n
ey e on, she's a l w a y s p l a y ed t he f i el d . St i l l , a s y ou ha v e t oo t ha t
m a k es y ou a p a i r , d oesn't i t ? A n d a s y ou 'r e so f i l t hy r i ch y ou 'v e got t o
b e t he on e she's b een l ook i n g f or si n ce sh e w a s si xt een.'
She w a s su r p r i sed a t her ow n b i t chi ness, b eca u se she w a sn 't j ok i ng.
She w a s a n gr y , a l t hou gh sh e l a u ghed . Sa u l m u st ha v e t ou ched a r a w
ner v e, sa y i n g t ha t a b ou t Jer em y , a nd she w ent t o hel p A u nt Lu cy
b oi l t he m i l k f or t he coco a , a nd d r a nk her s i n t he k i t chen.
The d a y her f a t h er w a s d u e ou t of hosp i t a l t he w ea t her b r ok e. It
d i d n't r ea l l y m a t t er , he w a sn't goi n g t o b e ou t i n i t , b u t i t w ou l d ha v e
b een p l ea sa nt i f he cou l d h a v e com e hom e i n su nshi n e. They ha d
b r ou g ht a si n gl e b ed d ow n i nt o t he ga r d en r oom , w h i ch w a s a ct u a l l y
a p a r l ou r , p a r t of t he hou se, not a n a n nexe, a nd ev er y t hi n g w a s
com f or t a b l e a nd w el com i ng.
N u r se Bet t y Sm i t h, w ho ha d l ook ed i n t he p r ev i ou s d a y , h a d
d ecl a r ed her sel f m or e t h a n sa t i sf i ed ; a nd w i t h her ow n b ed r oom
u p st a i r s, l i nk ed t o a n a l a r m b u zzer b esi d e her p a t i ent 's b ed .
N u r se Bet t y w a s a sm a l l b i r d - l i k e w o m a n, r ecom m en d ed b y Dr
Bu ck st on, a n d Cha r l ot t e ha d v ent u r ed , hesi t a nt l y , 'H e's q u i t e a b i g
m a n a n d he m a y n eed l i f t i n g. A r e y o u I m ea n, y ou ca n't w ei gh
m or e t ha n ei ght st one y ou r sel f .'
'Ei ght si x,' N u r se Bet t y ha d chi r p ed . ' A nd m y l a st p a t i ent w a s
f ou r t een st one.' H er ey es f el l on A u n t Lu cy , a n d Ch a r l ot t e's l i p s
t w i t ched b eca u se N u r se Bet t y l ook ed r ea d y t o p r ov e her p ow er s of
l ev er a ge b y hoi st i ng A u nt Lu cy of f t he gr ou nd .
For t u na t el y she d i d n't , a n d t hey l a t er t ook a gl a ss of sher r y
t oget her a n d A u nt Lu cy d ecl a r ed t ha t she seem ed a ni ce sensi b l e
b od y .
N ext m or ni ng t he nu r se w ent w i t h Ch a r l ot t e a nd Sa u l t o b r i ng
Col i n Du n scom b e hom e. H e w a l k ed f r om t he ca r l ea n i n g on
Cha r l ot t e's a r m . She ha d t a k en a l on g a w heel cha i r i n t he b oot of t he
ca r , b u t he w a v ed t ha t a w a y a n d m a d e a sl ow a n d st ea d y p r og r ess
t o t he end of t he ha l l a n d t he r oom t ha t w a s w a i t i ng f or hi m .
Cha r l ot t e w a s h a p p y . The w or r i es w er e st i l l w a i t i ng, b u t her f a t her
w a s b a ck a n d i t w a s a s t hou gh t h e su n w a s shi ni ng f or t he f i r st t i m e
i n d a y s. In f a ct i t w a s r a i ni ng f or t he f i r st t i m e i n d a y s, b u t she w ent
si ng i n g a b ou t t he ho u se, her sp i r i t s b u oy a nt .
Jer em y r a ng a n d she t ol d hi m t he j o u r ney f r om t he hosp i t a l h a d
b een f i ne. 'H e ha s t o r est , of cou r se, t ha t 's t he t hi ng , a n d N u r se Bet t y 's
on gu a r d a nd I k eep p u t t i ng m y hea d i n a nd gi v i ng hi m a gr i n, a nd
he's gr i nn i n g b a ck , a n d i t 's go i n g t o b e a l l r i g ht , i t r ea l l y i s.' She g a v e
a b i g h a p p y si gh. ' Sha l l I see y ou t oni ght ?'
'Su r e,' sa i d Jer em y , 'i f y ou w a nt t o.'
'Oh, I w a nt !'
H e l a u gh ed , 'Ri g ht , t hen. Sa m e p l a ce, sa m e t i m e?'
'The p a t i o? A n d w hy not ?'
'I l ov e y ou ,' he sa i d , a n d she ca r ol l ed , 'A n d I l ov e y ou .'
Pu t t i n g d ow n t he p ho ne, she r a n u p t h e st a i r s. Geor gy ha d b een
f a st ened i n her b ed r oom , t o k eep hi m f r om com i ng a cr oss N u r se
Bet t y Sm i t h a nd ha v i ng a ca ni ne ner v ou s b r ea k d ow n, b u t now
p er ha p s he cou l d b e t r a n sf er r ed t o t he k i t chen. A t t he t op of t he
st a i r s Ch a r l ot t e col l i d ed w i t h Sa u l a n d b ea m ed o n hi m a n d sa i d , 'Isn 't
i t a b ea u t i f u l d a y ?' H e l ook ed a t a w i nd ow on w h i ch t he r a i n w a s
p a t t er i ng a n d she gr i nned , ' Wel l , t he g a r d ens need i t . A ny how , i t i sn 't
goi n g t o l a st . We' l l h a v e t he su n sh i n i n g a ga i n i n no t i m e.'
'N o, w e w o n't ,' he sa i d , 'w e'r e i n f or a st or m .' Li t er a l l y sp ea k i ng he
w a s p r ob a b l y r i g ht b eca u se, i n sp i t e of t he r a i n, t he a i r w a s hea v y .
Bu t Cha r l ot t e f el t su d d enl y a p p r ehen si v e, a s t hou gh hi s w or d s ha d a
d ou b l e m ea ni ng, ca r r y i ng a t hr ea t . She shr u gged a n d w ent on her
w a y i nt o t he b ed r oom t o f et ch Geor gy , b u t she h a d st op p ed si ng i n g
Cha r l ot t e sp ent t he ev eni ng w i t h her f a t her . N u r se Bet t y sp ent i t
w i t h A u nt Lu cy , a n d Cha r l ot t e a n d her f a t her ha d t hei r m ea l a l one.
A u nt Lu cy p r od u ced a d a i nt y t r a y a nd , a l t ho u gh he h a d l i t t l e
a p p et i t e, Col i n Du nscom b e em p t i ed t he b ow l of so u p a n d sa i d how
good i t w a s t o b e b a ck t o hom e cook i ng.
Cha r l ot t e w a sn 't hu n gr y ei t her . H er f a t her w a s hom e a g a i n a nd
t ha t w a s w o nd er f u l , b u t she w a s w o n d er i ng now how l o ng she co u l d
k eep u p t he p r et ence t ha t she a n d Sa u l ha d a sp eci a l u n d er st a nd i n g,
or i n d eed a ny u n d er st a nd i n g a t a l l . It w a s one t hi ng t o w a l k a r m i n
a r m i nt o a hosp i t a l w a r d , a n d a v er y d i f f er ent m a t t er p r et en d i ng,
f r om m or ni ng t i l l n i g ht , t ha t t hey w er e cl ose, w h en t he d i st a nce
b et w een t hem w a s w i d e a n d u nb r i d gea b l e.
Sa u l w a sn 't her e now . H e H a d go ne of f i n hi s ca r l a t e i n t he
a f t er noon, a n d w hen her f a t her a sk ed w her e h e w a s Cha r l ot t e ha d
r ep l i ed a u t om a t i ca l l y , 'I w ou l d n 't k n ow ,' t hen sm i l ed a n d sa i d ,
'Bu si ness, p r ob a b l y .'
Pr ob a b l y of f t o m eet Jo- A n n, she t hou ght . Or som eb o d y el se, I
w ou l d n't k now ; a n d she p r om i sed her sel f t ha t v er y soo n she w a s
goi n g t o t el l her f a t her t he t r u t h.
They l i st ened t o h i s f a v ou r i t e m u si c, p l a y i n g q u i et l y . Th e nu r se
hel p ed hi m i nt o b ed j u st a f t er ei ght o'cl ock b u t sa i d i t w a s a l l r i ght ,
Cha r l ot t e cou l d st a y u nt i l he w a s r ea d y t o go t o sl eep . So she cu r l ed
u p i n a n a r m cha i r a nd t o a b a ck gr o u n d of m u t ed Br a hm s t hey
som et i m es t a l k ed , som et i m es w er e si l ent . N ot hi n g w a s sa i d t ha t
m i ght ha v e d i st u r b ed hi m , sh e w a t ched t ha t , i t w a s a l l soot hi n g st u f f .
She cl osed her ey es a n d hea r d her sel f si gh sof t l y , a n d w on d er ed
how l ong i t w ou l d b e b ef or e she w o u l d d a r e t o sa y Jer em y 's n a m e,
a n d w hy she shou l d f eel so a l one w h en she w ou l d b e r u nn i n g t o m eet
hi m i n a f ew ho u r s' t i m e.
Jer em y w ou l d n't l et her d ow n, he d i d l ov e her . It w a s Sa u l 's
cy ni ci sm t ha t som et i m es p u t d ou b t s i nt o her m i n d . Sa u l d i d n't b el i ev e
i n l ov e. Sa u l d i d n't b el i ev e i n a ny t hi n g, excep t t a k i ng w ha t y ou
w a nt ed a nd p a y i n g f or i t , a nd w o u l d n' t t ha t b e l ov el y f or Jo- A n n,
w ho ha d a l w a y s b el i ev ed i n set t l i ng f or t he hi ghest b i d d er ?
'H el l o,' sa i d her f a t her , a s Sa u l w a l k ed i n, a n d Cha r l ot t e's hea r t
j er k ed w i t h a r ea l p hy si ca l p a i n f or a m om ent . Sexu a l el ect r i ci t y ,
t ha t 's w h a t i t w a s. H e ga v e h er p i ns a nd need l es, a nd she u nco i l ed
f r om t he cha i r a nd sa t b ol t u p r i g ht .
H e sm i l ed a t her f a t her , t hen a t her . 'H el l o, d a r l i n g,' he sa i d t o her ,
a n d st r ok ed her ha i r l i ght l y . It w a s a ca su a l g est u r e, b u t i t ca r r i ed a
su ggest i o n of i nt i m a cy t ha t she r esent ed , a l t hou gh i t w a s f or her
f a t her 's b enef i t . She w a nt ed t o a sk , 'Di d y ou a n d w hoev er sh e w a s
d eci d e on a n ea r l y n i g ht ?' Inst ea d she t r i ed t o sm i l e, a nd f ou nd she
w a s sm oot hi ng her h a i r d ow n w i t h b o t h ha n d s a s t hou g h he ha d
t ou sl ed i t i nt o w i l d d i sor d er .
A f t er Sa u l ca m e her f a t her b r i g ht ened u p . The m en t a l k ed f or a
w hi l e a b ou t Du nscom b es' f u t u r e, w h i l e Cha r l ot t e w a t ched cl osel y f or
a ny si gn of d i st r ess, b u t Col i n Du nscom b e seem ed t o b e f i n d i ng t h i s
r ea ssu r i n g. A n d t he hou se si t u a t i on, t ha t w a s goi ng t hr ou g h t he
l a w y er s. A nd t he f u r ni t u r e, Ch a r l ot t e w ou l d get i n a v a l u er . H e
ha d n't d i scu ssed a ny of t hi s w i t h Cha r l ot t e si nce he ca m e hom e, b u t
now she sa i d q u i et l y , 'Oh y es, I'l l b e d oi n g t ha t .'
She h a d b een shock ed w h en Sa u l p r o d u ced t he b i l l s of sa l e a f ew
d a y s a go t o r ea l i se how m u ch ha d a l r ea d y cha nged ha nd s, on t he
v a l u a t i o n of hi s a d v i ser . She w ou l d b e ch oosi ng t he exp er t w ho ca m e
a l on g next t i m e.
'A not her t h i n g I'v e b een w on d er i ng,' sa i d Col i n Du nscom b e. 'The
nu r se, how i s her sa l a r y b ei n g p a i d ?' H e w a s a sk i ng Sa u l , a n d
Cha r l ot t e sa i d a b r u p t l y , 'I sol d m y p ea r l s.' They ha d b een a n
ei ght eent h b i r t h d a y p r esent a nd she h a d t a k en t hem t o a r et a i l
j ew el l er f r i end w ho h a d gi v en her a gen er ou s p r i ce, b u t a sha d ow f el l
on her f a t h er 's f a ce, so she sa i d , ' Ma y b e I'l l b u y t hem b a ck som e t i m e.
If not , so w ha t , y ou ca n't ea t a st r i ng of p ea r l s.' Th en she t ook a d eep
b r ea t h. 'Do w e st i l l ha v e t he ot her j ew el l er y ? The f a m i l y hei r l oom s?
Mot her 's a q u a m a r i ne col l a r ?'
Ev er si n ce she k new t hey w er e b a nk r u p t she h a d b een a f r a i d t o
a sk t ha t b eca u se, of a l l t hei r p ossessi o ns, she w ou l d ha v e l i k ed t o
k eep som e of t he j ew el l er y t ha t her m ot her a nd g r a nd m ot her a nd
gr ea t - gr a nd m ot her ha d w or n. H er f a t h er shook h i s hea d , a n d w hen
she l ook ed a t Sa u l he shook h i s hea d t oo, d i scl a i m i ng i nv ol v em ent , so
she sa i d i n a nel y , 'A h w el l , ea sy com e, ea sy go.'
A l i t t l e l a t er she l ef t t he m en. It w a s com i ng u p t o A u nt Lu cy 's
b ed t i m e a n d Cha r l ot t e sa t cha t t i ng t o N u r se Bet t y u nt i l i t w a s t i m e
f or t he nu r se t o set t l e h er p a t i ent f or t he ni g ht .
Then Ch a r l ot t e w ent u p t o her ow n r oo m . El ev en o'cl ock w a s t he
t i m e t ha t Jer em y ca m e. Tha t a l l ow ed f or l a st - m i nu t e d el a y s a f t er t he
ev eni n g p er f or m a nce f i ni shed , a nd ga v e hi m t i m e t o d r i v e f r om
Chi p p i ng Q u ea nt on. H e h a d n't p hon ed , so he w a s com i n g, a l t hou g h
i t w a s a w r et ched n i ght .
Ther e w a s a l w a y s t he su m m er ho u se t o p r ov i d e a l i t t l e shel t er f r om
t he r a i n, b u t si t t i ng her e, w a t chi ng t h e m i nu t es t i ck b y , m eet i ng
Jer em y i n secr et l i k e t h i s su d d enl y seem ed r i d i cu l ou s. H er f a t her
w a sn 't goi ng t o b e w a n d er i ng a r ou n d , so t oni ght she w a s b r i ng i n g
Jer em y i nt o t he ho u se. N ot u p st a i r s, sh e d i d n't w a nt t o gi v e A u nt
Lu cy p a l p i t a t i on s, b u t i nt o t he d r a w i ng r oom .
Consi d er i n g she ha d b een so f u l l of sw eet ness t hi s m or n i n g her
m ood now w a s su r p r i si ngl y a gg r essi v e. She h a r d l y r eco gni sed her sel f
t hese d a y s, b u t i f Sa u l w a s d ow nst a i r s sh e w ou l d sa y , 'Ju st of f t o m eet
m y l ov er . Don't l ock u p , I'm b r i ngi ng h i m b a ck .' The o nl y w a y she
cou l d ha v e d escr i b ed her m ood w a s 'sp oi l i n g f or a f i ght ', a n d t ha t
w a sn 't l i k e her a t a l l .
She w a s q u i t e d i sa p p oi nt ed t o f i n d t he gr ou n d f l oor i n d a r k n ess,
a n d w hen she st ep p ed ou t si d e she hesi t a t ed a b ou t goi ng b a ck i nt o
t he hou se t o f i nd a t or ch b eca u se i t w a s p i t ch b l a ck ou t her e. Inst ea d
she st ood f or a m i nu t e, w a i t i n g f or her ey es t o a ccl i m a t i se.
It w a s r a i ni ng t oo, a f ew hea v y d r op s t h a t cou l d b e t he en d or t he
b egi nn i n g of a d ow np ou r , b u t t he cool a i r w a s w el com e, a n d t he r a i n
on her f a ce w a s r ef r eshi n g. She w a l k ed sl ow l y a t f i r st a cr oss t h e l a w ns,
b u t a s soo n a s she co u l d see w h er e she w a s goi ng t h e t r ees t ook sha p e
a n d she q u i ck ened her st ep so t ha t she w a s a l m ost r u nn i n g w hen she
r ea ch ed t he p a t i o.
Jer em y w a s w a i t i ng. A t a l l d a r k sha d ow , ou t her e i n t he r a i n, not
ev en i n t he shel t er , a nd Cha r l ot t e r a n f u l l t i l t i nt o hi s a r m s. 'O h, b l ess
y ou ,' she w hi sp er ed , ey es cl osed , f a ce p r essed a g a i nst hi m , 'I d o n't
k now w h a t I'd ha v e d one i f y ou ha d n' t com e. Oh, l ov e, d o I need
y ou ? Oh, i t 's b een' H e st op p ed her m ou t h w i t h a k i ss a nd a l l her
f r u st r a t i on a nd a n ger m el t ed , a n d i t w a s su ch b l i ss t ha t she co u l d
ha v e st ood l i k e t h i s f or ev er . Bu t w hen t he k i ss d eep ened her senses
q u i ck en ed . Jer em y h a d nev er k i ssed her t hi s w a y b ef or e, sen d i ng su ch
sensa t i o ns t hr ou gh ev er y ner v e t h a t her w hol e b od y cl a m ou r ed ,
k i ssi n g her a s t hou gh h e w ou l d k i ss t he l i f e ou t of h er . She w a s on f i r e,
a n d her f i nger s t i g ht ened i n hi s h a i r , cl i n gi n g t o hi m , w r a p p i ng hi m i n
her f l a m e.
The h a i r w a s w r on g. Th e w r o ng t ext u r e. Jer em y 's h a i r w a s f i ne a nd
si l k y , a nd t hi s w a s not Jer em y , a n d she j er k ed b a ck a n d y el p ed , 'Let
go of m e!'
It w a s Sa u l , of cou r se. She ha d t a k en i t f or gr a nt ed he w a s Jer em y ,
t hi s p l a ce a n d t h i s t i m e. She ha d n 't st op p ed t o check , she ha d j u st r u n
t o hi m . She shr i ek ed , 'I t hou ght y ou w er e Jer em y ! H e shou l d ha v e
b een her e. W ha t a r e y ou d oi ng her e?'
Ra i n w a s p ou r i n g d ow n. Th e hea v ens m u st ha v e op ened i n t he
l a st cou p l e of m i n u t es, b u t she ha d n 't no t i ced t i l l now t ha t w a t er w a s
st r ea m i ng ov er her l i k e a w a t er f a l l . She gu l p ed a n d g a sp ed , 'Yo u h a d
no r i g ht t o d o t ha t !'
'W hen a w om a n t hr ow s her sel f a t m e I r eck on t h a t gi v es m e t he
r i ght ,' a nd she k new he w a s l a u g hi ng a l t hou gh she co u l d h a r d l y see
hi m f or r a ge a nd r a i n.
'I t hou ght y ou w er e Jer em y .' H e m u st k now t ha t . H e m u st ha v e
b een st r ol l i ng o u t her e, she su p p osed , a n d t he f i l t hy w ea t h er h a d
st op p ed Jer em y com i n g, b u t Sa u l k new she w ou l d nev er h a v e f l u n g
her sel f i nt o hi s a r m s.
H e d r a w l ed , 'In no w a y a m I Jer em y , b u t i f y ou 'r e t ha t d esp er a t e I
cou l d a ct a s st a n d - i n.' The t er r i f y i ng t h i ng w a s t h a t Jer em y 's k i sses
ha d nev er got t o her l i k e t ha t k i ss, a n d she sp a t , ' You 'r e r ev ol t i n g!'
'A nd I t hou ght I w a s b ei n g ob l i gi ng.'
H e l a u g hed t hen a nd she b a ck ed a w a y , nea r l y st u m b l i ng ov er t he
st one hou nd , m a k i ng a d a sh f or t h e hou se. In h er b ed r oom she
st r i p p ed of f her w et cl ot hes a n d r u b b ed her ha i r f u r i ou sl y , b esi d e
her sel f w i t h r i ght eou s a nger . A n d sca r ed si ck , b eca u se she h a d h a d
t he na r r ow est of esca p es. She cou l d so ea si l y ha v e l et hi m m a k e l ov e
t o her , r i ght ou t t her e i n t he r a i n on t he p a t i o. Onl y a ha i r 's b r ea d t h
ha d sa v ed her , a n d now her sel f - d i sgu st w a s t or t u r i n g her , so t h a t she
cr ep t d ow nst a i r s a nd p ou r ed her sel f a v er y st i f f w hi sk y , a nd got i t
d ow n, cou g hi ng a n d chok i ng, a nd l et i t b l ot ou t ev er y t hi n g a n d d r u g
her t o sl eep
She w ok e w i t h t h e su ggest i o n of a t hi ck hea d , b u t b y d a y l i g ht t he
conf u si o n of t he ni g ht seem ed l ess t r a u m a t i c. Th a t 's w ha t i t h a d
b een, a co nf u si o n, a m i x- u p . A gen u i ne m i st a k e on h er p a r t ,
a l t hou g h Sa u l h a d b een r ea d y enou g h t o t a k e a d v a nt a ge of i t , a n d
she w ou l d b e i ce col d w hen she sa w hi m a ga i n. H e w ou l d nev er get
nea r enou g h t o t ou ch her a ga i n, b eca u se he w a s su ch a n exp er t l ov er
t ha t he w a s l et h a l . A l l t ha t p r a ct i ce w i t h a l l t hose g i r l s w hose na m es
he cou l d n't r em em b er , a n d he w a sn't a d d i n g h er t o t hei r nu m b er ;.
She w a s d ow nst a i r s ea r l y , b u t Sa u l h a d a l r ea d y l ef t t he ho u se, a n d
she sp ent t he m or ni n g hel p i ng h er f a t h er a nsw er p er so na l m a i l t ha t
ha d b een a r r i v i n g f or hi m . A f t er l u nch she w ent a l on g t o t he shop ,
w her e she w ou l d b e st a r t i n g w or k next w eek , a n d check ed t ha t t he
of f er st i l l st ood . Then, on i m p u l se, she d eci d ed t o ca l l on Jer em y .
A s t he w ea t her w or sened he h a d p r o b a b l y d eci d ed a ga i nst a n
op en- a i r r en d ezv ou s l a st ni ght , a nd w ho cou l d b l a m e hi m ? Or
som et hi ng ha d t u r ned u p , som et hi n g co nnect ed w i t h w or k , p r ob a b l y .
She w ou l d ha v e p ho ned h i m l a t er i n t he d a y b u t , w i t h a n ho u r or
t w o t o sp a r e, she p a r k ed a s nea r a s she cou l d t o h i s f l a t .
The d oor op eni ng on t he r oa d w a s a j a r a n d she w ent u p t he st a i r s.
She t a p p ed on t he f l a t d oor a nd i t sw u ng i nw a r d s a nd she ca l l ed ,
'A ny b o d y i n?' a s she w a l k ed i n.
The l i v i ng r oom w a s em p t y . 'H el l o!' she ca l l ed , a n d f r om t he
b ed r oom ca m e t he so u n d of a scu f f l e, a nd gi ggl es. P et er m u st h a v e
som eb od y i n t her e. She h a d p i ck ed t he w r ong t i m e t o com e ca l l i ng,
so she cr oa k ed , 'Sor r y ,' a n d t u r ned t o cr eep a w a y .
'Go o n, a nsw er her !' t he gi r l 's v oi ce w a s sh r i l l . 'If y ou d on 't op en t h a t
d oor I w i l l !' a n d Cha r l ot t e f r oze, st a r i n g a t t he d oor , a nd t hen i t
op ened a nd Jer em y st ood t her e, b a r el eg ged i n a d r essi ng gow n.
Behi n d h i m w a s a f l a sh of b r i ght r ed h a i r a n d a p a st y - p a l e f a ce.
Lesl ey ! Lesl ey a n d Jer em y ! H i s m ou t h op en ed a nd cl osed a n d
Cha r l ot t e hea r d her sel f sa y , 'I k now , y ou 'r e r ehea r si n g h er l i nes w i t h
her .' She a d d r essed her sel f t o Lesl ey . ' H e t ol d m e how y ou 'r e a l w a y s
f or get t i ng y ou r l i nesw el l , t h i s sho u l d b e q u i t e a p er f or m a nce.'
Then, som ehow , she got ou t of t he r oom a n d d ow n t he st a i r s a n d
a l on g t he st r eet t o w her e her ca r w a s p a r k ed . She sa t i n t he ca r f or a
l i t t l e w hi l e, w a i t i ng f or d el a y ed shock t o st r i k e a n d her ha nd s t o st a r t
sha k i ng. Bu t i t d i d n't . It w ou l d , of cou r se, b u t now she st i l l f el t
st r a ngel y ca l m .
Sa u l w a s r i ght a g a i n. Sa u l ; w ho nev er m a d e a m i st a k e, h a d sa i d
t ha t w i t h a l l t h e m oney gone Jer em y cou l d st op l ov i n g her ; b u t Sa u l
w a sn 't goi ng t o k now t h a t f or su r e. She w a s goi ng t o h a n g on t o t he
f ew t a t t er s of p r i d e she ha d l ef t .
The hea r t a che of l osi n g Jer em y w ou l d com e, a n d i t w ou l d h u r t
d r ea d f u l l y , b u t her i m m ed i a t e concer n j u st now w a s a d esp er a t e
d et er m i n a t i on t o st op Sa u l k now i n g or gu essi n g w h a t she h a d j u st
seen.

CHAPTER EIGHT


The p hone w a s r i ngi ng w h en Cha r l ot t e w a l k ed i nt o t he ha l l a nd a s
she p i ck ed i t u p Jer em y sa i d , 'H el l o? Cha r l ot t e?'
'N i ce t i m i ng,' sh e sa i d .
'Look , p l ea se, l et m e exp l a i n.'
'I w i sh I cou l d .' She cou l d n 't b ea r t he so u n d of hi s v oi ce, a n d she
w ent on t a l k i n g ov er i t . 'I'm su r e i t w ou l d b e f a sci na t i ng, b u t I r ea l l y
a m p r essed f or t i m e a n d I r ea l l y d o n't ca r e.'
Then she p u t d ow n t he p hone a nd l ook ed a t her ha nd , r est i ng on
i t , a nd t h e sha k i n g w a s st a r t i ng. Exp l a i n, he'd sa i d ! H ow cou l d he
exp l a i n w ha t she' d j u st seen? A nger w a s m a k i ng her sh a k e, a l t hou gh
p er ha p s she w a s b ei ng a hy p ocr i t e b eca u se l a st n i ght she ha d b een i n
Sa u l 's a r m s. Bu t t ha t w a s d i f f er ent , t ha t w a s a m i st a k e. A s soon a s
Sa u l ha d k i ssed her she ha d k now n a nd she ha d st op p ed i t r i ght
a w a y . Wel l , a l m ost r i g ht a w a y .
Ev en t he m em or y m a d e her hea r t l u r ch, a nd she m u st n 't t hi nk
a b ou t Sa u l . N or a b ou t Jer em y . She m u st get b u sy a nd k eep b u sy .
She l ook ed i n on her f a t her , w ho w a s r est i ng, w i t h N u r se Bet t y si t t i ng
b y t he w i n d ow k n i t t i ng a n em er a l d gr een sw ea t er . Th en she w ent
i nt o t he k i t chen w h er e A u nt Lu cy w a s cl ea ni ng t he si l v er , a nd ha d
ev er y t hi ng sp r ea d o u t on a new sp a p er on t he k i t chen t a b l e. 'A l l
r i ght , w a s i t ?' A u nt Lu cy enq u i r ed .
She w a s r ef er r i n g t o Ch a r l ot t e's j ob . ' I st a r t on Mon d a y ,' sa i d
Cha r l ot t e. Th a t w a s a l l r i ght , a l t hou gh v er y l i t t l e el se w a s. If A u nt
Lu cy k new w ha t h a d j u st ha p p ened sh e w ou l d b e a p p a l l ed , a nd of
cou r se she w a sn't goi ng t o k now .
- 'O ne t hi ng I m ea nt t o d o a n d d i d n 't ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e, 'w a s go i nt o
Pu g h's a nd a sk i f som eone w o u l d com e ou t a n d v a l u e ou r f u r n i t u r e.
Wh a t t her e i s l ef t of i t .'
A u nt Lu cy h a d b een p ol i shi n g t he si l v er t ea p ot . 'We' r e not l et t i n g
t hi s go,' she a n nou nced , cl u t chi ng i t . 'I ha v en 't cl ea ned t h i s ev er y
w eek f or t he l a st f or t y y ea r s t o ha nd i t ov er t o som eb od y el se. Mr
La u r enson w i l l b e ow ni ng u s l ock , st ock a nd b a r r el a t t h i s r a t e.'
Cha r l ot t e t r i ed t o gr i n, 'Bu t not b od y a n d sou l ,' a nd A u nt Lu cy
snor t ed , 'I shou l d n 't t hi nk he's m u ch b ot her ed ' a b ou t sou l s, b u t I'v e
b een t h i nk i n g a b ou t b ed r oom s. Wh er e y ou r s i s. A nd I t hi nk y ou a nd
m e cou l d d o w i t h ch a n gi ng ov er .'
Cha r l ot t e's r oom w a s next t o t he gu est r oom t ha t ha d now b ecom e
Sa u l 's, w hi l e A u nt Lu cy sl ep t d ow n t he o t her en d of t he p a ssa ge, a n d
Cha r l ot t e b ega n t o l a u g h. ' You d o n't r ea l l y i m a gi n e he'l l com e
m a r chi ng i nt o m y r oom one ni ght ?' A u nt Lu cy 's l i p s p u r sed a n d
Cha r l ot t e chor t l ed , 'If he d i d I'd g i v e a l ot t o see hi s f a ce i f y ou sa t u p !'
'I'm not l a u ghi ng,' sa i d A u nt Lu cy , a n d she w a s r i g ht , i t w a sn't a
l a u ghi ng m a t t er , b eca u se a ni g ht m i g ht com e w hen Sa u l co u l d n 't
sl eep , a nd i f Ch a r l ot t e shou l d w a k e a n d f i nd h i m nea r she m i g ht not
ha v e t he st r engt h t o sen d hi m a w a y . Bu t she cou l d l ock her d oor ,
a n d w ou l d , a l t hou gh she w a s not ch a ng i n g r oom s b eca u se t ha t
w ou l d b e a d m i t t i n g she w a s sca r ed t o sl eep nea r hi m .
She h a d t o r ea ssu r e A u nt L u cy w i t h m or e t ha n t he p r om i se of a
l ock ed d oor , so she sa i d , 'I'l l t el l y ou som et hi ng, l ov e. Sa u l La u r enson
d oesn 't need t o p u t h i m sel f ou t t o get a l l t he w om en he w a nt s, so he
i sn't go i n g t o w a st e hi s t i m e t r y i n g t o na b m e. If I get m y sel f i nv ol v ed
w i t h hi m i t w i l l b e m y ow n f a u l t , a n d I'v e t r ou b l e enou gh on m y
ha n d s.'
She l ook ed d ow n a t her ha n d s, on w hi ch t he a q u a m a r i ne
sp a r k l ed , a nd w hi l e A u nt Lu cy m u t t er ed she cha nged he su b j ect . 'I
m i ght a s w el l sel l t hi s t oo.'
'You r r i ng?' A u nt Lu cy w a s shock ed . 'O h no, t ha t w ou l d sp oi l t he
set t he col l a r a nd t he ea r r i n gs. Yo u r f a t her got y ou t ha t t o m a t ch.'
'They 'v e go ne,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. 'A l l t he ol d j ew el l er y 's go ne,' a nd f or
t he m om ent t he f i ght w ent ou t of Lu cy Snow e. She sl u m p ed i n her
cha i r , a nd her ha nd s, b l a ck w i t h m et a l p ol i sh, l a y hea v y on t he t a b l e.
'H e shou l d n't ha v e d one t ha t .' She k ep t sha k i n g her h ea d . 'H e
shou l d n 't ha v e got r i d of t ha t , he shou l d ha v e k ep t t he col l a r f or y ou .
H a s Mr L a u r enson got t ha t a s w el l ?'
'Sa u l d i d n't b u y t hem ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. ' I d on't k now w her e t hey
w ent , a nd i t 's no u se f r et t i ng.'
'Men!' L u cy Snow e p u l l ed her sel f t oget her , p i ck i ng u p t he p ol i shi ng
d u st er a g a i n a nd a t t a ck i n g t he t ea p ot . ' When Mr Col i n 's b a ck on hi s
f eet I sha l l h a v e som et hi n g t o sa y t o hi m !'
Cha r l ot t e ch u ck l ed , ' W a t ch y ou d on 't gi v e hi m a r el a p se!'
'A f i ne b i r t hd a y y ou 'r e goi ng t o ha v e t hi s y ea r !' The a q u a m a r i ne
r i ng ha d b een a b i r t hd a y p r esent . Cha r l ot t e's next b i r t hd a y w a s l ess
t ha n t w o w eek s a w a y , a n d i t w ou l d b e v er y d i f f er ent f r om t he
cel eb r a t i ons of p r ev i o u s y ea r s.
'W i t h l u ck ,' she sa i d , 'w e'l l h a v e a f ew t hi n gs st r a i ght ened o u t b y
t hen,' a nd she w ent i nt o t h e h a l l t o r i ng Bened i ct Pu g h, d ea l er i n f i ne
a r t s a n d a nt i q u es.
Mr P u gh 's shop w a s a f ew d oor s f r om Du nscom b es i n Chi p p i n g
Qu ea nt on h i g h st r eet , a nd w hen Cha r l ot t e exp l a i ned he sa i d he
w ou l d com e ou t h i m sel f , a n d a t once. When he a r r i v ed he hel d her
ha n d l on ger t ha n necessa r y , t el l i ng her how sor r y he w a s a b ou t
ev er y t hi ng. She ext r i ca t ed her sel f w i t h a sm i l e. Sh e d i d n't w a nt t o
of f end hi m , b u t she f el t he ha d d o ne enou g h p a t t i n g, a nd she t ook
hi m i nt o t he d r a w i ng r oom a n d p r od u ced Sa u l 's b i l l s of sa l e a n d
a sk ed i f he t hou ght t hese p r i ces ha d b een r ea so na b l e.
Mr Pu g h check ed p i eces a n d p r i ces a n d a nnou nced , ' N ot ov er -
gener o u s, b u t f a i r enou gh.' So h er f a t her ha d n't b een chea t ed . Excep t
b y hi m sel f , of cou r se, a s hi s ow n w or st en em y .
'You ' r e w a nt i ng t o sel l som e of y ou r o t her t hi n gs?' The d ea l er 's
a cq u i si t i v e gl a nce w a s d a r t i ng a r ou nd t he r oom , a nd Ch a r l ot t e sa i d ,
'I j u st w a nt t hem v a l u ed , I w a nt y ou t o p u t a p r i ce on t hem . I d o
ha v e a b u y er w ho's g et t i ng f i r st r ef u sa l .'
'A d ea l er ?'
'A f r i en d .'
Li k e ev er y ot her l oca l b u si nessm a n Bened i ct Pu gh k new a b ou t
Sa u l La u r enso n. ' Yes, of cou r se,' he sa i d .
'A ny t hi ng h e d oesn't t a k e,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e, 'w e'l l p r ob a b l y ha v e t o
sel l a ny w a y , so i f y ou 'r e i nt er est ed
Tha t p u t Mr P u g h i n som et hi ng of a sp ot . If som eb od y el se w a s
b u y i n g he w a nt ed Ch a r l ot t e t o get t he b est m a r k et p r i ce, b eca u se he
a l w a y s h a d ha d a sof t sp ot f or her . Bu t i f he w a s b u y i ng h i m sel f he
ha d t o m a k e a p r of i t . In t he en d he v a l u ed a t t he p r i ce he w ou l d
ha v e a sk ed . If he w a s of f er ed seco nd r ef u sa l he w o u l d exp l a i n t h a t ,
or su g gest p u t t i ng t he i t em s i nt o hi s shop a nd t a k i ng a com m i ssi on on
a sa l e. H e w a s su r e t ha t he a n d Cha r l ot t e Du nscom b e cou l d com e t o
som e a r r a ngem ent .
H e enj oy ed goi n g r ou n d t he hou se w i t h her , t he scent of her ha i r i n
hi s nost r i l s, b r u shi ng a g a i nst her m or e or l ess b y a cci d ent f r om t i m e t o
t i m e. They end ed i n t he d r a w i n g r oom a ga i n, a n d Bened i ct t or e t he
p a ges f r om h i s not eb ook a n d ha nd ed t hem ov er , a n d Cha r l ot t e
t ha nk ed h i m a nd a sk ed w h a t she ow ed hi m .
'Tha t 's w ha t f r i en d s a r e f or ,' he sa i d . 'It 's b een m y p l ea su r e.'
She p r ot est ed p r et t i l y , 'Bu t y ou 'r e t he exp er t a n d y ou 'v e com e ou t
her e a n d d one a l l t hi s v a l u a t i on.' H e w a s of cou r se ent i t l ed t o a f ee,
b u t she ha d hop ed he m i g ht w a i v e i t , b eca u se ev er y p enny cou nt ed
w i t h her t hese d a y s.
'I w on't hea r of i t ,' he a ssu r ed her .
'Tha t i s k i n d of y ou .'
'Thi nk not hi ng of i t .' H e w a s sq u eezi ng her ha n d a ga i n. 'A nd i f
t her e's a ny t hi ng el se I ca n d o'
'Su ch a s w h a t ?' a sk ed Sa u l . 'It 's t he f u r ni t u r e t ha t 's on of f er , not t he
gi r l .'
H e w a s i n t ha t b l essed h i gh - b a ck ed a r m cha i r a ga i n, a n d Bened i ct
d r op p ed her h a n d l i k e a hot coa l . She sa i d , 'I d o a p ol og i se, Ben ed i ct ,
a n d I'm v er y gr a t ef u l t o y ou ,' a nd w en t t o t he f r ont d oor w i t h hi m
a n d t ha nk ed hi m a g a i n a nd sa i d she w ou l d b e i n t ou ch.
'I hop e y ou w i l l ,' sa i d Bened i ct , 'a ny t i m e.' Bu t he l ook ed d ow n t he
ha l l b ef or e he sa i d i t , a s t ho u g h check i ng t h a t Sa u l ha d n't f ol l ow ed
t hem ou t , a nd Ch a r l ot t e k new t h a t i f Sa u l h a d a p p ea r ed Bened i ct
w ou l d ha v e m a d e h i s goo d b y e v er y cr i sp a n d b u si nessl i k e.
She w ent b a ck i nt o t he d r a w i ng r oom , d em a n d i ng, ' Wh a t w a s
t ha t a l l a b o u t ? Di d y ou ha v e t o b e so b oor i sh? H e w a s d oi ng m e a
f a v ou r , v a l u i ng t he f u r n i t u r e f or not h i n g.'
'For not hi ng?' Sa u l 's t one w a s d er i si v e. 'You ca n't b e so na i v e t ha t
y ou d on 't k now t he b a r ga i n he h a d i n m i nd .'
Bened i ct Pu gh w a s ov er w ei g ht f or hi s hei ght a nd b a l d i n g, b u t hi s
a d m i r a t i on h a d b een a l i t t l e b a l m t o her p r i d e, r ea ssu r i ng her t ha t
w hen she w a l k ed d ow n t he st r eet m en' s ey es f ol l ow ed her . Bu t t he
m em or y of Jer em y st a nd i ng i n t he d oor w a y of t he b ed r oom , a nd
b ehi nd hi m t he sw i r l of Lesl ey 's r ed h a i r , k ep t com i ng b a ck a n d she
sa i d sa v a gel y , 'Of cou r se I k now he f a n ci es m e. I'm b r ok e, b u t I st i l l
get w hi st l ed a t .'
She t hr u st Ben ed i ct 's l i st a t Sa u l . Thi s w a s t he r est of t he goo d
p i eces. Som e t i m e t hey w ou l d ha v e t o f u r ni sh a sm a l l hom e of t hei r
ow n, b u t she w a s on l y k eep i ng t h e b a si cs f or t ha t . Sh e sa i d , 'H e's a
f r i end , b u t I'm su r e he h a sn 't l et t ha t i nf l u ence t he p r i ces.'
Sa u l t ot t ed u p t he f i gu r es i n h i s hea d , r u n ni n g hi s f i n ger d ow n t he
p a ges, a nd she k new he w o u l d r ea ch t he r i ght a nsw er a s su r e a s a
ca l cu l a t or . Then he t ook ou t a cheq u eb o ok a n d w r ot e a cheq u e.
Cha r l ot t e f el t hol l ow . It w a s d o ne so q u i ck l y , l i k e set t l i ng a gr ocer y
a ccou nt , a n d t ha t one si g na t u r e m ea n t t ha t f r om now o n a l m ost
ev er y t hi ng her e b el o nged t o Sa u l . Roger Fa i r l ey h a d sa i d he m a d e
q u i ck d eci si o ns, so she a sk ed , 'Don 't y ou w a nt t o check f or
w ood w or m or a ny t hi ng ?'
'Bou n d t o b e som e,' he sa i d , 'b u t not hi ng ' s f a l l i ng a p a r t .'
Excep t m e, she t hou g ht . She p u t a h a n d ov er her m ou t h, l ook i n g
a t t he cheq u e: d a t e, f i gu r e, si g na t u r e, of cou r se i t w a s a l l cor r ect . She
op ened t he l i t t l e w a l nu t d a v enp or t , w hi ch Bened i ct ha d v a l u ed a t
t w o hu n d r ed a nd f i f t y p ou n d s, t hen a sk ed , ' Ma y I?'
'Of cou r se,' sa i d Sa u l , a n d sh e p u t t he cheq u e i n t h e t op d r a w er .
She need ed t o d o som et hi ng ener g et i c. If she st ood a r ou n d , st a r i n g
a b ou t her , she w a s goi ng t o b u r st i n t o t ea r s. Wha t a d a y ! she
t hou ght . I l ose t he m a n w ho sa i d he l ov ed m e a n d a l l t he t hi ngs I'v e
l i v ed w i t h a l l m y l i f e. She w ent b u t i nt o t he g a r d en t o f i nd som et hi n g
t o d o t ha t w ou l d exh a u st h er , t he l a w n s need ed m ow i ng f or a st a r t .
Yest er d a y 's r a i n a nd t od a y 's d ew y - d a m p a t m osp her e ha d r ev i v ed
t hem r em a r k a b l y .
Ol d Tom w a s p u t t i ng a w a y h i s t ool s i n one of t he ou t hou ses. 'I'v e
com e f or t he m ow er ,' she sa i d , a nd he w a r ned her , 'Don 't get
ov er d oi ng i t ,' a s he d i d ev er y t i m e Ch a r l ot t e p i t ched i nt o t he hea v i er
w or k . 'Mr Pu gh 's b een ca l l i n g, t hen,' sa i d Tom . 'Wh a t w a s he
w a nt i ng?'
A ccor d i ng t o Sa u l , m e, t hou g ht Cha r l ot t e, a nd t he su i ci d a l w a y I
f eel r i g ht now i f h e' d a sk ed m e ou t t oni g ht I'd h a v e a ccep t ed . She
sa i d , 'H e ca m e t o v a l u e som e of t he f u r n i t u r e. Mr La u r enson's b u y i n g
i t . You k now he's b u y i ng t he hou se.' Ev er y b od y k new t ha t Sa u l w a s
b u y i n g t he hou se, a nd Tom nod d ed , t a k i ng hi s p i p e ou t of hi s p ock et .
H a l f t he t i m e t her e w a s no t ob a cco i n i t , he d i d n't l i ght i t now , j u st
cl a m p ed i t b et w een h i s t eet h.
'I r em em b er hi m com i ng u p her e,' he sa i d , 'b ef or e he w ent of f t o
A u st r a l i a .' A u nt Lu cy d i d n 't , b u t t he sa d d l es w o u l d p r ob a b l y b e
d el i v er ed t o t he st a b l es. 'I ca n see i t a s p l a i n a s y est er d a y ,' o l d Tom
w ent on. ' H e w a s w a l k i n g u p a n d d ow n, l ook i ng u p a t t he ho u se,
a n d I w ond er ed w h a t he w a s u p t oI t hou ght he w a s a gy p p oa n d
I shou t ed a cr oss w ha t d i d h e w a nt , a n d he gr i nn ed a n d sa i d , "Thi s'l l
d o." I d i d n 't k now w h a t he w a s t a l k i n g a b o u t , b u t t he w a y t hi n gs
ha v e t u r ned ou t i t m a k es y ou w ond er w het her he' d got t hi s p l a ce
m a r k ed .'
'W i t h hi s l u ck ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e b i t t er l y , 'i f he ha d , m y f a t her m i ght
a s w el l ha v e ha nd ed i t ov er t o hi m t her e a n d t hen.'
The m ow er , a p u l l - st a r t er , p r ov ed sl u g gi sh, m a k i ng her hot a n d
cr oss b ef or e she b ega n. It w a s nea r i n g t he en d of su m m er a nd t he
m ow er need ed ser v i ci n g. She w ou l d ha v e t o get i t t o t he ga r a ge a nd
she w ou l d h a n d t he b i l l t o Sa u l , b eca u se su r el y t ha t ca m e u n d er
ov er hea d s. It w a s a f a i r l y hea v y m a chi n e, ca p a b l e of p u l l i n g her i nt o
hed ges or ov er f l ow er b ed s u nl ess she k ep t her m i nd o n t he j ob a n d
t u r ned d ow n t he t hr ot t l e i n t i m e f or t u r ni n g, a nd ev en t hen i t of t en
w hi r l ed h er r ou nd so t h a t i t w a s a l l she cou l d d o t o st a y on h er f eet .
She d i d n't w a nt t o g i v e Sa u l t he b i l l . Sh e d i d n 't w a nt hi m p a y i n g
f or a ny t hi n g a r ou nd her e, b u t she cou l d n 't a n d her f a t her cou l d n't ,
a n d i t w a s a r i d i cu l ou s q u i b b l e w h en h e ha d j u st b o u g ht t he p l a ce
l ock , st ock a nd b a r r el .
She co u l d i m a gi n e t he t a l l gi p sy - l i k e b o y Tom sa w i n t he o l d d a y s
w a l k i ng u p a n d d ow n b y t he st a b l es, l oo k i ng u p a t t he ho u se, m a y b e
com p a r i n g i t w i t h t he v a n he w a s l i v i n g i n a t t he t i m e. H e ha d t ol d
her w hen h e f i r st ca m e b a ck her e t h a t f or t he l a st t en y ea r s h e
cou l d n't r eca l l a si ngl e t hi n g he ha d w a nt ed t ha t he ha d n 't got ; a n d
now he ha d t he hou se, a nd of cou r se t he b u si ness, a nd she w a s
a l m ost su r e he w ou l d n 't m i nd h a v i ng her , b u t not enou g h t o p u t
hi m sel f ou t t o get her .
If she r a n i nt o hi s a r m s, l i k e l a st ni g ht , he'd t a k e her f a st enou g h,
b u t t ha t w a s n ev er goi ng t o h a p p en. N ot hi n g goo d cou l d com e of
t ha t , b eca u se i t w ou l d m ea n no m or e t o hi m t ha n a cq u i r i ng a not her
p i ece of f u r ni t u r e. Less p r ob a b l y , t he f u r n i t u r e w ou l d k eep i t s v a l u e.
She t u r ned u p t he t h r ot t l e of t he l a w n m ow er a n d r o a r ed u p a n d
d ow n t he l a w n a cou p l e of t i m es, p a ssi ng Geor gy w ho w a s l y i ng on
t he gr a ss u nd er t he w a l nu t t r ee a n d w a r ni ng hi m , 'You 'l l get
r heu m a t i sm i n y ou r t u r n l y i n g t her e.' P a ssi n g t he t r ee f or t he t hi r d
t i m e t he m ow er sp l u t t er ed a n d st op p ed a nd Cha r l ot t e sw or e a n d
b ega n t he cor d - j er k i ng r ou t i ne a l l ov er a ga i n. She got a cl i ck b u t no
f ol l ow i ng w h i r r , a nd she p u l l ed a n d p a n t ed t o no a v a i l u nt i l she w a s
gi b b er i ng w i t h f r u st r a t i o n. 'You gr ea t u gl y u sel ess t hi ngshi f t , ca n 't
y ou ?'
'Ta l k i n g t o m e?' sa i d Sa u l .
She h a d n't not i ced hi m com i n g a cr oss t he gr a ss. She sa t d ow n,
cr oss- l egged , b esi d e Geor gy , a n d f a st ened her h a i r a g a i n i n t he w i d e
t or t oi seshel l sl i d e t h a t hel d i t b a ck f r om her f a ce. Tend r i l s of h a i r w er e
st i ck i n g t o her cheek s a n d f or ehea d , m a k i ng her sk i n t i ck l e.
'I nev er t hou ght I shou l d see y ou sw ea t i n g.' Sa u l sa t d ow n t oo a n d
gr i n ned , a nd she gl a r ed .
'I of t en d o, w hen I m ow t he l a w ns. Wh a t d i d y ou exp ect m e t o d o?
Gl ow , l i k e a Vi ct or i a n l a d y ?'
'Di d Vi ct or i a n l a d i es m ow l a w ns?'
'Shou l d n't t hi nk so, i n t hose cr i nol i nes. Bu t t ha t w a s t h e sa y i ng,
w a sn 't i t ? "H or ses sw ea t , gent l em en f eel t he hea t , a n d l a d i es g l ow ".'
H e ga v e her a l eer of m ock a d m i r a t i on. 'It m u st b e a f i ne t hi ng t o
ha v e h a d t h a t gr a n d ed u ca t i on.'
Cha r l ot t e ha d gone t o a goo d school , b u t she ha d no d o u b t t ha t
Sa u l 's m i n d w a s m or e cu l t u r ed t h a n her s, a n d so f a r a s b r a i n p ow er
w ent she w a sn 't com p et i ng. 'A nd y ou w er e u su a l l y t op of t he cl a ss,
a ccor d i ng t o y ou r ol d schoo l f r i end ,' he r em i nd ed her .
Tha t ha d t o b e Jo- A nn, a n d Cha r l ot t e k new exa ct l y how she
w ou l d ha v e sa i d i t , b eca u se Jo - A n n co nsi d er ed i nt el l i gence i n a gi r l
w a s not sexy . Low cu nn i n g w a s a l l r i ght , Jo- A nn h a d p l ent y of t ha t ,
a n d Cha r l ot t e w a s su r e t hey d i d n't w a st e m u ch t i m e t a l k i n g a b ou t
her , a n d j u st st op p ed her sel f f r om sna p p i ng, 'Jo - A n n nev er ca m e t op
i n a ny t hi ngb u t t hen she a l w a y s ha d ot her t hi ngs o n w h a t p a sses f or
her m i n d .'
She w a s shock ed a t t he ca t t i n ess Jo- A n n w a s ca u si ng i n her t hese
d a y s. Jo - A n n h a d nev er b een o ne of Ch a r l ot t e's f a v ou r i t e p eop l e, b u t
now t he v er y m ent i on of her na m e i r r i t a t ed her l i k e p r i ck l y h ea t .
Geor gy ha d r ol l ed ov er on t o hi s b a ck a nd Sa u l w a s scr a t ch i n g h i s
st om a ch a nd Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'I ca n 't m a k e u p m y m i n d i f he's
p a r a l y sed w i t h t er r or , or w het her y ou 'v e d one t he i m p ossi b l e a n d he
r ea l l y i sn't sca r ed .'
Sa u l l a u ghed a n d w ent o n t i ck l i ng Geor gy f or a f ew m i nu t es, t hen
he got u p a n d st a r t ed t he m ow er . Cha r l ot t e cl a p p ed her ha nd s,
gi v i n g hi m a r ou n d of a p p l a u se a l t hou gh she w ou l d ha v e p r ef er r ed
hi m t o ha v e f ou nd i t j u st a l i t t l e ha r d er t o get t he engi ne t i ck i n g
ov er . 'You ' d f l ood ed t he ca r b u r et t or ,' h e t ol d her .
'H ow ca r el ess of m e. Know a l ot a b ou t t h e m a chi ner y , d o y ou ?'
'I'v e t i nk er ed w i t h som e i n m y t i m e.' H e t ook of f hi s j a ck et a nd
d r op p ed i t on t he gr a ss. Un d er i t h e w o r e a gr ey si l k shi r t . H e set of f
w i t h t he l a w nm ow er a nd Cha r l ot t e ca l l ed a f t er hi m , 'Ja ck of a l l
t r a d es?'
'A nd m a st er of non e,' he co u nt er ed cheer f u l l y , a n d he co u l d a f f or d
t o b e cheer f u l b eca u se t ha t d i d n't a p p l y t o hi m . A l l hi s t a l ent s, so f a r
a s Cha r l ot t e cou l d see, ha d p a i d of f , a nd h e w a s ha n d l i ng t he
l a w nm ow er v er y com p et ent l y t oo. Com i ng b a ck , h e sl ow ed d ow n
w hen h e r ea ched her a nd sa i d , 'I f i n d t ha t exp er i ence i s r a r el y
w a st ed ,' a n d l ea ned ov er a s t hou g h he w a s goi n g t o k i ss her b u t she
sw a y ed b a ck a g a i nst t he t r ee. H e k ep t t he engi ne r u n ni ng. 'You r
f a t her cou l d b e w a t chi ng u s. Do n't y ou w a nt hi m t o t hi nk w e'r e v er y
good f r i end s?'
'I'm not su r e t h a t I d o,' she sa i d . 'A nd h a v e y ou st op p ed t o consi d er
t ha t A u nt Lu cy a l so cou l d b e w a t ch i n g?'
'If she i s,' sa i d Sa u l , 'I'm d r i nk i n g no ne of her coco a t oni g ht .'
'You nev er d o.'
'I'm no f ool .' H e t ou ched t he t hr ot t l e a nd m ov ed of f a ga i n. 'She
cou l d st i l l ha v e som e of t hose sl eep i n g p i l l s.'
Cha r l ot t e got a f i t of gi ggl es a t t he t ho u ght of A u nt Lu cy d op i ng
Sa u l i nt o sou n d sl u m b er a t ni ght s. She sa t chu ck l i n g, w a t ch i n g hi m ,
a n d w hen t he chu ck l es su b si d ed she w a s st i l l sm i l i ng i nsi d e a s t he
p ea ce of t he ev eni ng st ol e ov er her . Ev en t he hu m of t he l a w nm ow er
seem ed soot hi ng. She p u l l ed Sa u l 's j a ck et a r ou n d h er shou l d er s. She
w a sn 't col d , b u t i t w ou l d b e t he ea si est t hi ng t o ca t ch a chi l l , si t t i n g
her e a f t er get t i n g so ov er hea t ed . A ny h ow i t f el t good , l i k e a l i g ht
a r m a r ou nd her .
Rook s w er e w heel i ng ov er t he t a l l t r ees, b l a ck a g a i nst t he p ea r l -
gr ey sk y , a n d she w a t ched t he m a n a n d t he m ov em ent of hi s m u scl es
r i p p l i ng u n d er t he t hi n si l k of h i s shi r t . Th e m ow er d i d n't t a k e h i m of f
hi s f eet w hen he t u r ned i t a r ou n d , i t w ou l d n't ha v e d a r ed , a n d she
sm i l ed w hen he l ook ed a cr oss a t her a n d he sm i l ed , b u t nei t h er
sp ok e, ev en w hen he p a ssed cl ose b y , a nd t he si l ence w a s st r a ngel y
hea l i n g. H er f i nger s cl osed o n Sa u l 's j a ck et , hol d i n g i t a r ou nd her , a n d
she f el t cont ent m ent gr ow i n g a nd t he m i ser y of t he d a y r eced i n g
u nt i l , f or t he m om ent , she w a s st r o ng a n d h a p p y a g a i n.
H e f i ni shed t he l a w nsa n d a v er y p r of essi ona l j ob i t w a sa n d
ca m e a cr oss t o h er , a nd she got u p a nd ha nd ed h i m hi s co a t . A s she
d i d h i s w a l l et f el l ou t a n d sh e t hou ght , I cou l d ha v e ha d a q u i ck p eep
a t t ha t w hi l e y ou w er e d ow n t he f a r end ; a n d t hen, My st a r s, w ha t
a m I com i ng t o?
She a sk ed , 'Do y ou ca r r y p hot ogr a p hs?'
'N o,' h e sa i d . 'W hy ?'
'Roger Fa i r l ey show ed m e hi s f a m i l y .'
'Wel l , I'm sor r y I ca n 't . N o f a m i l y a n d no p hot os.'
H e w a sn't sw ea t i ng f r om t h e exer ci se, hi s sk i n l ook ed cool ; a n d she
w ond er ed i f i t f el t cool a n d w a nt ed t o t ou ch i t , a l o ng t he h a r d l i nes
of t he cheek b ones. ' Wh er e d oes t hi s go ?' a sk ed Sa u l , h a n d o n t he
m ow er , a nd she sa i d , 'I'l l show y ou .' When i t w a s st a ck ed i n t he
ou t hou se she sa i d , 'I'm goi ng t o ch eck t ha t Kel l y 's a l l r i g ht f or t he
ni g ht .'
Ther e w er e t h r ee st a l l s i n t he st a b l es. L ong a go t her e ha d b een
t hr ee hor ses, a n d a gov er ness ca r t , b u t t ha t w a s b ef or e t he a ge of t he
ca r . Cha r l ot t e r em em b er ed her f a t her r i d i ng t o hou nd s, b u t a f t er
Pr i nce ha d d i ed som e t i m e a go t he o nl y hor se i n t he st a b l es h a d b een
her s. Kel l y a m b l ed a r o u n d a f i el d a l l d a y , u nl ess Cha r l ot t e w a s r i d i ng
hi m , a nd she w a s goi ng t o h a v e l ess t i m e f or t ha t i n t he f u t u r e.
The w a r m sm el l of ha y f i l l ed t he a i r a n d Kel l y nu zzl ed her shou l d er
a n d she sa i d , 'I w a s t hi nk i ng of l et t i ng hi m go t o t he r i d i n g school f or
exer ci se. M a r y Whi t ehea d w ho r u ns i t i s a f r i end of m i ne, she' d o nl y
l et exp er i enced r i d er s nea r hi m .'
'I'l l exer ci se hi m w hi l e I'm her e,' sa i d Sa u l .
'A l l r i ght .' H e r a n a h a n d d ow n t he h or se's gl ea m i n g n eck a nd
Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'It 's a cr a zy l i f e i sn't i t ? I w ond er i f w e'v e st i l l got y ou r
sa d d l es.'
'One of t hem .' H e l ook ed u p t o w her e t he t a ck w a s ha ngi ng o n
t he w a l l a nd she sa i d , 'Tom r em em b er s y ou b r i ngi ng t hem . H e sa y s
y ou w er e l ook i n g a t t he hou se, a n d w hen he a sk ed y ou w h a t y ou
w a nt ed y ou sa i d , "Th i s'l l d o." H e sa y s i t m a k es h i m w on d er i f y ou 'd
a l w a y s p l a nned t o com e b a ck h er e a n d m ov e i n.'
Sa u l gr i nned , ' N ot p a r t i cu l a r l y . I cou l d ha v e sa i d t he sa m e a b o u t
Bu ck i n gh a m P a l a ce.'
She m a d e a sm a l l g r i m a ce. 'I hop e not , a s y ou a l w a y s get w ha t
y ou w a nt .' She w a nt ed hi m t o hol d a n d k i ss her t he w a y he ha d on
t he p a t i o, a nd t he l o ngi ng f or hi m w a s so st r ong i n h er t ha t she f el t he
m u st sense i t . It ha d t o b e l i k e a p er f u m e or a cr y . She l ook ed a t h i m
a n d w i l l ed hi m t o l ook b a ck w i t h som e of her ow n d esp er a t i o n, t hen
she w ou l d b e i n hi s a r m s. She cr o a k ed , ' H ow d oes i t f eel t o a l w a y s b e
a w i nner ?'
'If y ou r ea l l y w a nt t o k now , b l oo d y h a r d w or k ,' he sa i d cr i sp l y . 'I
w a sn 't b or n w i t h a si l v er sp oon. I'm ea r ni ng w h a t I'v e got a nd I'd
b et t er get b a ck t o ea r ni ng i t .'
'Tha nk s f or m ow i n g t he l a w ns,' she sa i d .
'A p l ea su r e.'
H e w ent o u t of t he st a b l es a nd she cl osed her ey es a n d gr i p p ed her
f ol d ed a r m s u nt i l her f i n ger t i p s a ched . She shou l d n't ha v e sa i d t h a t .
She shou l d n't h a v e sa i d a ny t hi ng a n d t hen he w ou l d h a v e r ea ched
f or her , she w a s su r e of i t . It w a s t a ct l ess t o k eep on ha r p i n g a b ou t a l l
hi s a ch i ev em ent s b ei n g l u ck . H e w ou l d ha v e m a d e i t i f t hey ha d n 't
f ou nd b a u xi t e on hi s l a n d , w or k i ng t he w a y he d i d . N o w ond er he
w a s b egi nn i n g t o get i r r i t a t ed , a nd i t w a s p osi t i v el y t he l a st t i m e sh e
w ou l d m ent i on l u ck .
She sp ent w ha t w a s l ef t of t he ev eni ng sor t i ng ou t h er w a r d r o b e.
H er l i f e- st y l e ha d ch a n ged d r a st i ca l l y , she w ou l d h a v e l i t t l e u se now
f or t he hi gh f a shi o n cl ot hes w i t h t he cou t u r e n a m es, so she w a s t a k i n g
t hem a l on g t o one of t he nea r l y - n ew sh op s a n d hop i n g t o t u r n t hem
i nt o ca sh. H er f a t h er w a s a sl eep , a n d A u nt Lu cy a nd N u r se Bet t y ha d
gone t o t hei r ow n b ed r oom s, w hen Cha r l ot t e got i nt o t he b a t hr oom .
She w a sh ed her ha i r a nd show er ed , a n d ca m e ou t i nt o t he p a ssa ge
a s Sa u l w a s w a l k i n g d ow n, t ow a r d s t he b a t hr oom a n d her . H e
gr i n ned a t h er , ' We'l l ha v e t o st op m eet i ng l i k e t hi s.'
She l a u ghed , b u t she w a s v er y consci ou s of hi s nea r ness. Thi s w a s
t he secon d na k ed m a n i n a d r essi n g gow n she ha d encou nt er ed
t od a y . Jer em y 's l egs w er e w h i t er a n d t hi nner . Sa u l 's w er e t a n ned a nd
t a u t l y m u scl ed l i k e t he r est of hi s b od y w ou l d b e, a n d f r om l ook i ng
d ow n a t h i s l egs she l ook ed b a ck d ow n t he cor r i d or , b eca u se she
cou l d n't q u i t e m a k e her sel f st a r e d i r ect l y a t hi m .
H e l ook ed d ow n t he cor r i d or t oo. 'Is M i ss Snow e l u r k i ng?'
Cha r l ot t e gu r gl ed , 'She's r a t her t oo w i d e t o m a k e a su ccessf u l
l u r k er , b u t she's i n t w o m i n d s w het her t o m ov e m e t o t he end of t he
p a ssa ge, a nd i f t her e's t oo m u ch cha t t i n g u p i n b a t hr ob es she w i l l .'
H e r oa r ed w i t h l a u ght er a n d she l a u ghed t oo, a n d Geor gy a t
Cha r l ot t e's h eel s cont r i b u t ed a f ew y a p s, a nd A u nt Lu cy 's d oor
op ened a n d her hea d p op p ed ou t . A t w hi ch Geor gy y a p p ed a g a i n
a n d t he d oor op p osi t e op ened a n d N u r se Bet t y 's hea d a p p ea r ed .
'My God ,' excl a i m ed Sa u l , 't he hou se i s a l i v e w i t h ch a p er on es!' H e
b ow ed t o t hem , ' Good ni ght , l a d i es,' a n d b ot h hea d s shot b a ck .
Cha r l ot t e w ent on her w a y sm i l i ng. Wh en she cl osed her b ed r oom
d oor a f t er her sh e hesi t a t ed . Sh e ha d n ev er l ock ed t he d oor i n t h i s
hou se i n a l l her l i f e, b u t ea r l i er t od a y she h a d t ho u ght i t m i ght b e
w i se. The k ey w a s st i f f w hen she t r i ed t o t u r n i t . It m i ght st i ck , t he
l ock sho u l d b e oi l ed a nd she w ou l d d o t ha t t om or r ow . She d eci d ed
not t o b ot her t oni ght b eca u se Sa u l w a sn't com i n g i n her e, of cou r se
he w a sn't .
She sa t u p i n b ed , i n t he d a r k ness, a n d t hou ght of Jer em y . She
shou l d h a v e p r essed o ne of t he r ed r oses he' d sent h er a f t er t he ca r
a cci d ent , a m em ent o of a d ea d l ov e, b u t t he p et a l s ha d f a l l en a nd
t he f l ow er s h a d gon e. She w on d er ed w ha t sh e w ou l d sa y i f he
p honed a ga i n a n d a gent l e m el a nchol y set t l ed on her , i n a si l en ce
b r ok en onl y b y Geor gy 's snor es, u nt i l she h ea r d f oot st ep s com i ng
d ow n t he p a ssa ge a nd t he f l oor b oa r d t ha t cr ea k ed ou t si d e Sa u l 's
d oor , a nd v er y sof t l y t he sou nd of h i s d oo r cl osi ng.
Su d d en l y she w a s p i er ced w i t h l o nel i ness. Oh, Jer em y , she t hou ght .
A l l y ou sa i d , a l l I t hou ght w e m ea nt t o ea ch ot her . The t ea r s ca m e
t hen, a n d she l et t hem f l ow i n t he d a r k ness b eca u se t her e w a s
nob od y nea r her t o k now or t o ca r e.

CHAPTER NINE


H er f a t her w a s st i l l sl eep i ng o n Mo nd a y m or ni ng w hen Ch a r l ot t e
l ef t f or w or k . Sa u l w a s i n t h e k i t chen, d r i nk i ng cof f ee a nd r ea d i ng t h e
hea d l i nes, a n d Ch a r l ot t e w ho h a d com e d ow n ea r l i er a n d t a k en a
cu p of cof f ee u p t o her b ed r oom sa i d t o A u nt Lu cy , 'I'm of f now .'
'You ou ght t o ha v e got u p i n t i m e f or a cook ed b r ea k f a st ,' A u nt
Lu cy scol d ed .
'N o t i m e t hi s m or n i n g. Wi sh m e l u ck .'
'A l l t he l u ck i n t he w or l d ,' sa i d Sa u l , ' b u t r em em b er '
Cha r l ot t e p u l l ed a f a ce. 'I k now , l u ck i s a m a t t er of b l ood y ha r d
w or k ,' a nd Lu cy Snow e's f a ce r egi st er ed st r ong d i sa p p r ov a l .
'Sor r y ,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e, 'I seem t o b e p i ck i ng u p b a d ha b i t s f r om
som ew her e.'
'Or f r om som eb od y .' Lu cy Snow e gl a r ed a t Sa u l , w ho w ent on
r ea d i n g hi s p a p er .
Cha r l ot t e w a s w a i t i n g ou t si d e t he Gi f t Box w hen Mon i q u e Mor r i s
a r r i v ed t o op en t he shop , ga v e her a cheer f u l sm i l e a n d sa i d , 'I'v e got
a hu nch y ou 'r e goi ng t o m a k e a su p er sa l esw om a n.'
'I d o hop e so,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e. She h a d w or n D u nscom b e j ew el l er y
t ha t h a d b een f or sa l e, b u t t her e h a d b een no ef f or t i n t h a t . Ser v i ng
cu st om er s i n t he Gi f t Box cou l d b e a t ou gher t a sk .
The ot her a ssi st a nt w a l k ed i n w h i l e Mo ni q u e w a s goi n g t hr o u gh
her m a i l a n d Ch a r l ot t e w a s l ook i ng a r o u n d a n d t r y i n g t o m em or i se
t he m er cha nd i se. Moni q u e w a s a Ju n oesq u e y ou ng w om a n, i n a
f l ow i ng r ed In d i a n cot t on ca f t a n a nd j a ngl i n g b a n gl es a n d ea r r i ngs.
Tessa A d a m s w a s nea t er , i n n a v y sk i r t a nd p ow d er b l u e b l ou se, a n d
her gr eet i ng f or Cha r l ot t e w a s a n of f ha n d , 'Oh, hel l o.'
Tessa w a s Ben j y H a r t 's gi r l - f r i en d a n d she ha d a l w a y s r esent ed
Cha r l ot t e Du nscom b e. A l t hou g h t hi s w a s a com ed ow n i f y ou l i k e, t he
Du nscom b es l osi ng ev er y t hi ng l i k e t h i s, a l t ho u gh ev en i n j ea ns
Cha r l ot t e m a n a ged t o l ook l i k e a f i l m st a r .
It w a s t ha t h a i r , Tessa d eci d ed , a nd she sa i d , 'I a l w a y s w o n d er ed , i s
y ou r ha i r r ea l ? I m ea n, d o y ou w ea r a p i ece?'
Cha r l ot t e t u g ged a t t h e r oot s a n d sa i d r u ef u l l y , 'It 's r ea l a l l r i g ht . I
w ond er i f I cou l d cu t i t of f a n d f l o g i t .' 'A r e y ou t ha t ha r d u p ?'
'Oh y es,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e, a n d Tessa sa w t he sha d ow s u nd er her ey es
a s t hou gh she ha d n 't b een sl eep i ng, a nd f el t a g l i m m er i n g of
sy m p a t hy .
Tr a d e w a s b r i sk . The Gi f t Box w a s ha v i n g a t en p er cent r ed u ct i o n
sa l e a s t he sea so n w a s a l m ost ov er . Bu t w i t h t he su nshi ne b a ck t he
t ow n w a s st i l l cr ow d ed , a n d a co nt i n u a l p r ocessi on of t ou r i st s a m b l ed
t hr ou gh t he shop .
Moni q u e w a t ched Cha r l ot t e a n d w a s i m p r essed , b eca u se not hi n g
seem ed t oo m u ch t r ou b l e f or her , a n d t he cu st om er s l i k ed t h a t . She
ha d a sm i l e f or ev er y b od y , a nd a s t he m or ni n g w or e on ev en Tessa
w a s t a l k i n g t o her . Wh en Mo ni q u e ha d f i r st m ent i on ed t ha t
Cha r l ot t e w a s com i n g t o w or k her e Tessa ha d sa i d , 'I ca n't st a n d her ,'
b u t b y l u ncht i m e Tessa w a s a d m i t t i ng, t o her sel f , t ha t w hen y ou got
t o k now her p er ha p s Cha r l ot t e Du nscom b e w a sn't so b a d a f t er a l l .
Sa u l w a l k ed i nt o t he shop j u st b ef or e one o'cl ock . Tessa w a s nea r
Cha r l ot t e, a n d a s Cha r l ot t e ga v e a l i t t l e ga sp of su r p r i se Tessa
op ened her ey es w i d e a nd a sk ed , ' Who 's he?'
'Sa u l La u r enso n,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. H e ha d n 't seen her y et . H e w a s
l ook i ng a r ou n d , b u t she w a s p a r t l y ob scu r ed b y a t r el l i s p a r t i t i o n.
Tessa ha d hea r d a b o u t Sa u l La u r enson f r om Benj y , a n d
ev er y b od y k new he w a s b u y i ng t he D u nscom b e hou se a n d st a y i ng
t her e. Tessa gi gg l ed sof t l y , 'N ow I k now w hy y ou l ook a s t hou gh y ou
ha v en 't b een sl eep i n g,' a n d t he w o m a n w ho w a s b u y i ng t h e
p hot ogr a p h f r a m e t ha t Ch a r l ot t e w a s w r a p p i ng u p gog gl ed .
'If I ha v en't ,' m u t t er ed Ch a r l ot t e, ' i t 's no t hi ng t o d o w i t h hi m .' Bu t
she hu r r i ed a cr oss w i t h her hea r t p ou nd i ng b eca u se t he l a st t i m e Sa u l
ha d com e l ook i n g f or her h e ha d b r ou ght b a d new s. She a sk ed 'Is
a ny t hi ng t he m a t t er ?' a nd w a s r el i ev ed w hen he sm i l ed .
'I'v e com e t o t a k e y ou t o l u nch,' he sa i d , 'u n l ess y ou 'v e m a d e ot her
a r r a ngem ent s.'
H er l u nch hou r w a s on e t i l l t w o, a l t hou gh she ha d n't m ent i o ned
t ha t t o hi m , a n d she sa i d , 'Th a nk s, I' d l i k e t h a t .' She l ook ed a t
Moni q u e f or p er m i ssi on a n d Mon i q u e sa i d , 'Of cou r se,' v er y gr a ci ou sl y
a n d g a v e Cha r l ot t e a w i nk a nd a gr i n a s t hey w a l k ed ou t .
'Bu sy m or ni ng?' Sa u l a sk ed , a s t hey w ent a l on g w i t h t h e cr ow d s.
'Ver y b u sy . Wo u l d n 't y ou k now I'd st a r t on Sa l es w eek ?'
'The g l ow su i t s y ou .'
'You m ea n I'm sw ea t i n g?' Sh e d a b b ed her w a r m ch eek s w i t h t he
b a ck of her ha n d . They w er e nea r i ng t he t hea t r e a nd she a sk ed ,
'W her e sha l l w e ea t ?'
'I t hou ght her e,' he sa i d . ' Wh er e y ou ' l l b e w or k i ng o n Sa t u r d a y
ni g ht s,' a nd he w a s gu i d i ng her t hr o u gh t he sw i ng d oor s of t he St a ge
Door b ef or e she cou l d p r ot est , a l t hou g h t hi s w a s t he l a st p l a ce she
w ou l d h a v e chosen. Ev en i f Jer em y w a s not her e som e of hi s
col l ea gu es w ou l d b e, a n d she m a d e f or a w ood en b ench i n t he
sha d ow s w her e she hop ed she co u l d p a ss u n not i ced .
Sa u l a cq u i r ed a m enu w h i ch she k new b y hea r t . 'The p a t e, p l ea se,'
she sa i d , 'a nd h a l f of l a ger .' The p l a ce w a s a l m ost f u l l of st r a n ger s, b u t
she cou l d see Pet er p r op p i ng u p t he b a r w i t h t h e el ect r i ci a n a n d
a ssi st a nt p r od u cer of t he Li t t l e Thea t r e, a n d she k ep t her hea d d ow n
a n d t u r ned a w a y . Thr ou g h t he w i n d o w , si t t i ng a t a t a b l e i n t he
ga r d en, she g l i m p sed Lesl ey a n d t hou ght , I ca n 't w or k her e. She
w ou l d h a v e t o gi v e t he l a nd l or d som e excu se b eca u se she cou l d n't
st a nd b eh i n d t h a t b a r ch a t t i ng w i t h Jer em y 's f r i end s.
When Sa u l ca m e b a ck , w i t h her p a t e a n d ha l f a n d a p l ou g hm a n's
a n d a p i nt f or h i m sel f , she t ol d h i m a b ou t her m or ni ng, m i m i ck i n g
t he cu st om er s, m a k i ng hi m sm i l e. H e sa t on t he a r m of t he b ench,
a n d t he cr ow d s seem ed t o f a d e a w a y l ea v i ng her a nd Sa u l a l l a l o ne.
'W ha t h a v e y ou b een d oi n g t hi s m or ni ng ?' she a sk ed hi m .
'Book i ng f l i g ht s,' he sa i d .
'For y ou ?' H e no d d ed , a n d ev er y t hi n g seem ed t o go q u i et . ' When?'
she a sk ed .
'A w eek t od a y .'
'W her e a r e y ou go i n g?'
'Ca n a d a .'
'H ow l o ng f or ?' H er v oi ce w a s so b r ea t hl ess t h a t i t m i ght h a v e
sou nd ed ea ger , b eca u se he t ol d her , 'You ' l l ha v e y ou r hom e t o
y ou r sel f f or q u i t e a w hi l e.'
'Tha t shou l d p l ea se A u nt Lu cy .' Cha r l ot t e m a d e her sel f sm i l e, a n d
a sk ed h i m a b ou t hi s Ca na d i a n i nt er est s. She l i st ened , b u t t he g a i et y
ha d gone ou t of her a nd t he ou t si d e w or l d w a s r u shi n g i n u nt i l t he
noi se a n d cr u sh i n h er e w er e b ecom i ng a l m ost u nb ea r a b l e.
'I'l l h a v e t o b e goi n g,' she sa i d , a s t h e t hea t r e cr ow d t r oop ed
t hr ou gh f r om t he ga r d en, Jer em y a m ong t hem . H e sp ot t ed her a s she
sa w hi m a n d t ook a st ep t ow a r d s her , t hen not i ced Sa u l a n d
shr u g ged a n d w ent ou t of t he p u b . She ga v e hi m a f ew m i nu t es t o
get a w a y a n d t hen st ood u p . 'Ba ck t o w or k ,' she sa i d . 'Th a nk y ou , I
enj oy ed t ha t .'
A l l b u t t he l a st t en m i n u t es! If Sa u l h a d n 't b een w i t h her Jer em y
w ou l d h a v e sp ok en t o her a nd p er h a p s t hey cou l d ha v e end ed u p
f r i end s a g a i n. O nl y f r i en d s, b eca u se she w ou l d n ev er a ga i n t r u st hi m ,
b u t of cou r se she h a d m i ssed hi m .
She w ou l d m i ss Sa u l t oo. A w eek t od a y a nd Sa u l w ou l d b e go ne
a n d her hom e w ou l d b e her ow n a g a i n. Bu t he w o u l d l ea v e a v oi d .
She w a s a st on i shed t o f i nd t ha t , t r y a s she m i ght , she si m p l y cou l d not
i m a gi ne t he hou se w i t hou t hi m .

In a f ew d a y s Cha r l ot t e ha d set t l ed i nt o t he r ou t i ne of w or k . H er
f a t her 's i m p r ov em ent w a s st ea d y a n d l i f e w a s not t oo b a d a t a l l . She
w a s enj oy i ng her j ob . She b r o u g ht sa nd w i ches f or l u nch a n d a t e t hem
i n t he of f i ce, t ha t w a y t her e w a s no r i sk of b u m p i ng i nt o Jer em y . Sa u l
d i d n't com e t o t a k e her t o l u nch a g a i n, b u t Tessa a sk ed i f she w ou l d
l i k e t o ea t w i t h her a n d Ben j y .
'Benj y ' s a l w a y s ha d a cr u sh on y ou , y ou k now ,' Tessa conf i d ed . 'I
u sed t o b e r ea l l y j ea l o u s of y ou , I su p p ose I st i l l a m a b i t , b u t y ou 'v e
got Mr La u r enso n, ha v en't y ou , so y ou w ou l d n't b e b ot her i n g a b ou t
Benj y .'
'N ob o d y 's got Mr La u r enso n,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e, 'b u t I'v e b r o u ght a
p a ck ed l u nch. A not her t i m e, m a y b e?'
Jo- A nn p r ob a b l y t ho u ght she h a d Sa u l , a l t hou gh Ch a r l ot t e cou l d
ha v e t ol d her t ha t w ou l d n't l a st . H e w a s ou t m ost ni ght s, he nev er
su ggest ed Ch a r l ot t e goi ng w i t h hi m , a n d f r om t he l ook s of i t he w a s
seei n g Jo- A n n, b eca u se w h en she ca m e i nt o t he Gi f t Box on Fr i d a y
m or ni n g she ha d t h a t si ck eni ng si m p er on her f a ce. She a f f ect ed
su r p r i se, g a sp i ng w h en sh e sa w Cha r l ot t e hel p i n g a cu st om er ,
'You ' r e nev er w or k i n g her e! Wel l , I k now Sa u l 's t a k en ov er y ou r
f a t her 's b u si ness, b u t I d i d n 't r ea l i se y ou w er e a ct u a l l y goi ng ou t t o
w or k .'
Of cou r se she d i d . She h a d onl y com e i n t o p u t on a n a ct , a n d
Cha r l ot t e sa i d , ' W a sn 't I l u ck y ? Job s d on 't gr ow on t r ees t h ese d a y s.'
'You ' l l nev er st i ck i t ,' sa i d Jo- A nn.
'W a t ch m e,' sa i d Ch a r l ot t e, p u t t i n g t he p u r ch a se i nt o a b a g,
r i ng i n g u p t he sa l e a nd t h a nk i n g t he cu st om er . 'N ow , w ha t ca n I d o
f or y ou ?'
Jo- A nn b o u ght a sca r f i n a sw i r l of col ou r s, one of w hi ch w a s b l u e,
a n d hol d i ng i t u p t o her f a ce she sa i d , ' Bl u e t o m a t ch m y ey es. Sa u l
sa y s I ha v e t he l ov el i est ey es he's ev er seen.'
Cha r l ot t e sa i d not hi ng. Tessa a nd Mo ni q u e w er e occu p i ed a nd Jo-
A nn ha d Ch a r l ot t e cor ner ed , w hi ch w a s ob v i ou sl y her , o b j ect i v e,
b eca u se sh e w a s a l m ost w hi sp er i ng, 'Fol k a r e sa y i n g y ou a n d Sa u l a r e
ha v i n g a n a f f a i r b eca u se y ou 'r e l i v i ng i n t he sa m e hou se.'
'Ru b b i sh!' sa i d Cha r l ot t e cr i sp l y .
She a nd Sa u l sp a r r ed w i t h w or d s ea ch t i m e t hey m et , m ost l y
cheer f u l l y , som et i m es ed gi l y , b u t she sa w l i t t l e of hi m ; a nd she k ep t
t el l i n g her sel f t ha t she cou l d n 't w a i t f or next Mond a y . Then t he hou se
w ou l d b e em p t y of t ha t el ect r i ci t y he gener a t ed . A s m u ch t h u n d er a s
l i ght ni ng r ea l l y , m a k i n g her get u p i n t he n i ght a n d op en w i n d ow s
b eca u se he w a s cr ow d i ng i n on her d r ea m s.
'I k now t h a t .' Jo- A nn sou nd ed so sm u g t ha t Ch a r l ot t e cou l d ha v e
hi t her . ' Wel l , I w ou l d k now , w o u l d n 't I? You d on't get ou t m u ch si nce
y ou r f a t her ca m e hom e f r om hosp i t a l , d o y ou ?'
Sa u l h a d p r ob a b l y t ol d her , a l t hou g h i t cou l d h a v e com e t h r ou g h
som eb od y el se, t ha t Cha r l ot t e w ent hom e f r om w or k a nd w a l k ed
t he d ogs a nd r o d e her hor se a n d w o r k ed i n t he hou se a nd t h e
ga r d en. She t u r ned d ow n i nv i t a t i o ns b eca u se sh e d i d n 't w a nt t o go
ou t . She j u st w a nt ed t o get goo d a nd t i r ed b ef or e she f el l i nt o b ed ,
b eca u se i t w a s a t b ed t i m e t ha t she got t he m i ser i es. She w a s st i l l hu r t
b y t he ea sy w a y Jer em y ha d gi v en u p . H e ha d n't ev en t r i ed t o p hone
her a ga i n.
'My f a t her ha sn't b een b a ck a w eek ,' sh e sa i d , a nd Jo - A n n a sk ed
a b r u p t l y , ' Wha t a r e y ou d oi n g t om or r ow ni g ht ?'
Cha r l ot t e shou l d ha v e b een w or k i ng a t t he St a ge Door , b u t she
ha d p honed t he l a n d l or d on Mon d a y ni g ht a n d sa i d sh e w a s v er y
sor r y b u t she cou l d n 't t a k e t he j o b a f t er a l l . N ow she m u r m u r ed ,
'N ot hi ng r ea l l y ,' w i t hou t st op p i n g t o t hi nk , a n d Jo- A n n sa i d , 'Com e
r ou n d f or a d r i nk , a b o u t ei ght o' cl ock . Ju st f or a cha t , j u st t he t w o of
u s.'
Ther e i s not h i n g I w ou l d l i k e l ess, t hou g ht Cha r l ot t e, t ha n a cosy
l i t t l e ch a t w i t h y ou , sw a p p i ng conf i d ences. She sa i d , 'Tha nk s, I'l l t r y ,'
a n d Jo- A n n sa i d , 'Th a t 's a d a t e, I'm r el y i ng on y ou ,' a n d p a i d f or her
sca r f a n d w ent of f sm i l i n g a s t hou g h she h a d t he b a r ga i n of a
l i f et i m e.
It w a s a d a t e t ha t Cha r l ot t e ha d no i nt ent i on of k eep i n g. She w a s
d og t i r ed w hen sh e got hom e f r om w or k next d a y , a nd w hen she
p honed Jo - A nn h er excu se w a s genu i n e. 'I'v e j u st got i n a nd I'm
a b sol u t el y sh a t t er ed . Cou l d w e m a k e i t a not her ni ght ?' B u t Jo- A n ne
w a i l ed , 'You p r om i sed ! I'v e cook ed a f l a n a n d Ma r y 's com i ng.' Ma r y
w a s a n ol d f r i en d of Cha r l ot t e's, a n ho u r or t w o w i t h her she w ou l d n't
m i nd , so she sa i d , ' Wel l , a l l r i g ht . Wi l l y o u l et m e p u t m y f eet u p , a nd
ca n I com e j u st a s I a m ?'
'Of cou r se y ou ca n,' cooed Jo- A n n. 'Com e i n a ny ol d t hi ng.'
So Cha r l ot t e st a y ed i n her j ea ns, cha ngi ng a l i m p w hi t e shi r t f or a
f r esh one, a n d j u st b ef or e ei g ht o'cl ock she d r ew u p , i n her l i t t l e r ed
ca r , ou t si d e Jo- A nn 's f a m i l y hom e, a n a r ch i t ect - d esi g ned m od er n
b u n ga l ow .
Ther e w er e p l ent y of ca r s p a r k ed a l o ng t he r oa d , b u t none i n Jo-
A nn's d r i v e. Cha r l ot t e r a ng t he b el l a n d Jo- A nn a nsw er ed , w ea r i n g a
gol d ha r eem su i t t h a t m a d e Cha r l ot t e w hi st l e, 'Tha t 's a k nock - ou t ! I
f eel l i k e a r a gb a g b esi d e t h a t .'
'Ju st a l i t t l e t hi ng I p i ck ed u p i n t he sa l es,' sa i d Jo- A n n
noncha l a nt l y . 'Lov el y t o see y ou . Ma r y 's i n t her e.'
She p oi nt ed t ow a r d s a cl osed d oor . The ha l l w a s em p t y a n d
ev er y t hi ng w a s v er y q u i et . Ch a r l ot t e m ov ed a hea d , i ncr ea si n gl y
a p p r ehensi v e t h a t sh e h a d b een m a no eu v r ed i nt o som e schem e of
Jo- A nn 's. So m u ch so t ha t she st op p ed i n f r ont of t he d oor , r el u ct a nt
t o op en i t , u nt i l Jo- A n n t r i p p ed f or w a r d a n d f l u ng t he d oor w i d e.
The r oom w a s f u l l of p eop l e, a n d t he m om ent t hey sa w Cha r l ot t e
t hey st a r t ed t o si ng, ' H a p p y b i r t h d a y t o y ou ,' a t t he t op of t hei r
v oi ces.
'Su r p r i se, su r p r i se!' t r i l l ed Jo- A n n. 'Su r p r i se p a r t y .' She t h r ew her
a r m s a r ou n d Ch a r l ot t e a nd k i ssed her , a n d t hese w er e f r i en d s w ho
ha d com e t o Cha r l ot t e's b i r t hd a y p a r t i es i n p a st y ea r s. She w a s
su r r ou n d ed b y t hem , ov er w hel m ed b y t hei r k i n d n ess, a s on e a f t er t h e
ot her w i shed her h a p p y b i r t h d a y .
She w i shed she ha d d r essed u p . She w i sh ed she h a d ha d a n i nk l i n g
t ha t t hi s w a s goi ng o n. They w er e sor r y f or her t hi s y ea r , a nd t h i s w a s
a ch a r i t y a s w el l a s a k i n d n ess. Ther e w a s a b u f f et f i l l i ng a l on g t a b l e,
b ot t l es i n a cor ner b a r .
'We a l l ch i p p ed i n,' sa i d Jo- A n n. 'They a l l b r ou ght b ot t l es a n d t he
gi r l s d i d t he f oo d , b u t I w a s t he one w h o t hou ght a b ou t i t . Wa sn't I?'
She a p p ea l ed t o Ma r y Wh i t ehea d , t he g i r l w ho r a n t he r i d i ng schoo l ,
w ho sa i d , ' Yes, y ou w er e,' a s t hou g h sh e w a s st i l l su r p r i sed a b ou t t h a t ,
a n d l ook ed a t Ch a r l ot t e a n d a d d ed , 'It w a s Jo- A n n's i d ea .'
N ot w ha t Ma r y w ou l d h a v e exp ect ed f r om Jo- A nn, a n d not w h a t
Cha r l ot t e w ou l d h a v e exp ect ed ei t her . Cha r l ot t e sa i d hu sk i l y , 'H ow
k i n d of y ou a l l ! I d on't k now w h a t t o sa y .'
She d i d n't u n d er st a nd Jo- A n n's p a r t i n t hi s. Ri ght f r om school d a y s
a ny t hi ng t h a t Jo- A n n d i d u su a l l y ha d a sel f i sh m ot i v e, a n d t hr ow i n g
a p a r t y f or Cha r l ot t e seem ed v er y ou t of cha r a ct er . Ev en i f t he gu est s
w er e p r ov i d i ng t h e f ood a n d d r i nk .
'A l l m y i d ea ,' Jo - A n n r ep ea t ed , a n d t hi s t i m e i t w a s Sa u l she w a s
sm i l i n g a t . H e st ood , a p a r t f r om t he cr u sh, b y t he w a l l , a nd a l i t t l e
shock r a n t hr ou gh Ch a r l ot t e a s i t a l w a y s d i d w hen she sa w h i m
u nexp ect ed l y , l i k e t ou chi n g a l i v e w i r e.
Jo- A nn l ef t her t hen, t o cr oss t o Sa u l , a nd Ch a r l ot t e w ond er ed i f
t hi s w a s i nt en d ed t o show hi m w ha t a ca r i n g, f r i en d l y p er son Jo- A n n
w a s. W ha t ev er her r ea so n her e w a s a p a r t y , a nd her e w er e
Cha r l ot t e's f r i en d s, so Cha r l ot t e sa i d , 'I t hi nk y ou 'r e l ov el y , a l l of y ou .
If I'd k now n I'd ha v e d r essed u p .'
Ev er y b od y el se ha d . Ev en M a r y , r a r el y seen ou t of j od hp u r s, w a s
w ea r i ng a p r et t y f l or a l d r ess, a nd ha d her shor t st r a i ght u su a l l y
t ou sl ed h a i r i n a sl eek ca p .
'A s i t i s,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e, 't he l ea st I ca n d o i s l et m y ha i r d ow n.' She
w a s w ea r i ng a b a n d ea u . She t u gged i t of f a nd shook her hea d a n d
her h a i r f el l l oose a n d sw i r l i n g, t hen so m eb od y ga v e her a gl a ss of
p u nch, a n d i t w ou l d ha v e b een r a nk i n gr a t i t u d e not t o enj oy h er sel f
a f t er t he t r ou b l e t hey 'd t a k en.
A r ecor d p l a y er w a s p r ov i d i ng m u si c a nd Cha r l ot t e d a n ced , a n d
cha t t ed a n d j ok ed a n d f l i r t ed , a n d t h a nk ed ev er y b o d y ov er a n d
ov er a ga i n. M a r y h a d m a d e a hu ge q u i che f or t he b u f f et , a nd a s she
cu t Cha r l ot t e a sl i ce she sa i d , ' Wel l , w e t hou ght y ou cou l d d o w i t h
som et hi ng t o cheer y ou u p , a n d w hen Jo - A nn r a ng m e a n d sa i d how
a b ou t a p a r t y a nd w e r em em b er ed i t w a s y ou r b i r t hd a y '
'Tha nk s.' Ch a r l ot t e t ook t he p l a t e a nd scoop ed f r om v a r i ou s si d e
d i shes.
'Bu t i f y ou a sk m e,' sa i d Ma r y , 'I t hi nk sh e w a nt ed t o show of f .'
'Show of f w ha t ?'
'Wel l , ev er y b od y 's b een w o nd er i n g i f t her e's a ny t hi ng goi ng on
b et w een y ou a n d Sa u l La u r enson, a l t h ou gh Jo- A n n sa y s he's b een
d a t i ng her .'
'Tha t d oesn 't su r p r i se m e,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e t a r t l y .
'I t hi nk she's ou t t o show ev er y b od y t h a t she' s got hi m ,' sa i d M a r y .
'They 'v e nev er m ov ed a w a y f r om ea ch ot her . She's a l l ov er hi m , a nd
she's nev er st op p ed sm i r k i n g.'
Cha r l ot t e h a d n't sp ok en t o Sa u l y et . Sh e ha d h ea r d h i s d r a w l i n g
v oi ce t hr ou gh t he b a b b l e of v oi ces, b u t he ha d n 't com e ov er t o her
a n d she ha d n't com e u p a ga i nst hi m . Sh e w ou l d sooner or l a t er . If she
l ook ed a r ou n d she w ou l d f i n d h i m . Th e cr ow d w ou l d h a v e t o b e
d ense t h a t he d i d n't st a nd ou t i n. She t r i ed t he q u i che a nd sa i d , 'Th i s
i s d el i ci ou s. A ny how , h e's l ea v i n g f or Ca n a d a on Mon d a y , a n d he t ol d
m e t ha t ha l f t he t i m e he ca n't ev en r em em b er t he n a m es of t he gi r l s
he' d ha d , so I shou l d n't t hi nk Jo- A nn 's got m u ch t o gr i n a b ou t .'
Ma r y gr i nned , ' W ha t a r ot t en t hi ng t o sa y ! Bu t he i s d i shy , i sn't he?'
Cha r l ot t e shr u gged i nd i f f er en ce, t hen she l ook ed a cr oss i n t he
d i r ect i o n M a r y w a s l ook i ng, a t Sa u l a nd Jo- A nn, a nd t he f ood i n her
m ou t h t u r ned t o a shes.
They w er e st a n d i ng, t a l k i n g w i t h ot her s, a nd Jo- A n n's h a n d w a s
t hr ou gh Sa u l 's a r m . Th a t w a s a l l , b u t sea r i n g a nger r i p p ed Cha r l ot t e.
Seei n g Jo- A n n's f i nger s o n t he st u f f of Sa u l 's coa t hu r t m or e t ha n
f i nd i n g Jer em y a nd Lesl ey n a k ed t oget her . She cou l d h a v e r u shed
t hr ou gh t he gu est s a n d p hy si ca l l y t or n t hem a p a r t , a n d she t u r ned
a w a y , got her sel f a not her gl a ss of p u nch a n d d r a nk i t q u i ck l y ,
t hi nk i ng, I m u st n't l ook a g a i n. So l o ng a s I d on't see t hem I w on't d o
a ny t hi ng u nf or g i v a b l e.
Ma r y ha d f ol l ow ed her a nd w a s l ook i n g a t her a n xi ou sl y , a sk i n g,
'A r e y ou a l l r i ght ?'
'Su r e,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e. 'Bu t I w i sh I'd k n ow n t hi s w a s w a i t i ng. It 's
b een a b i t ov er w hel m i ng.'
'Too m u ch of a su r p r i se?'
'A l ov el y su r p r i se,' sa i d Cha r l ot t e, t hen sm i l ed a t t he m a n nea r est
a n d sa i d , 'Sh a l l w e d a nce?' b eca u se t ha t w ou l d p a ss t he t i m e a n d
hel p get her t hr ou gh t h e l ov el y su r p r i se t ha t h a d t u r ned i nt o a
ni g ht m a r e.
For t he next t w o hou r s she ha r d l y st op p ed d a nci n g. A ny one seei n g
her w ou l d ha v e t hou ght she w a s ha v i ng a hi g h ol d t i m e, a n d she w a s
a l i t t l e hi gh, b u t she k new t ha t a s soon a s sh e st op p ed w hi r l i ng a nd
sm i l i n g she w a s go i n g t o si nk i nt o d eep d ep r essi on.
Sa u l d i d n 't a sk her t o d a nce; he d i d n't com e nea r her . W hen she
sa w h i m d a n ci n g w i t h Jo- A nn she w a s sw a y i ng i n t he a r m s of a
y ou ng m a n w ho w a s hop i n g t h i s w a s h i s l u ck y ni ght , a n d she l ea ned
t o w hi sp er i n her p a r t ner 's ea r , ' Wou l d y ou d o m e a f a v ou r ? Cou l d
y ou gi v e m e a l i f t hom e w i t ho u t b r ea k i n g u p t he p a r t y ? I ha d a l o ng
ha r d d a y a t w or k a n d I'm d ea d o n m y f eet , onl y I'v e d r u nk r a t her a
l ot of p u nch a nd I'm sca r ed t o d r i v e.'
Thi s conv i nced h i m hi s l u ck w a s i n. B u t he w a s w r o ng, b eca u se a l l
Cha r l ot t e w a nt ed w a s a l i f t , a nd w hen t hey r ea ched her hom e she
t ha nk ed hi m a n d j u m p ed ou t of t he ca r , a n d v a ni shed r ou nd t he
si d e of t he hou se b ef or e he w a s ov er t he shock of not b ei n g i nv i t ed i n.
The ho u se w a s i n d a r k ness, excep t f or a l i ght i n N u r se Bet t y 's r oom ,
a n d Cha r l ot t e k ep t on w a l k i ng. She h a d n't t he st r engt h t o sa d d l e
Kel l y , b u t sh e k new she co u l d n't sl eep , so she w ent d ow n t o t he p a t i o
a n d a cr oss t he f i el d , t hr o u gh t he g a t e ov er t he t r a ck , t hen cl i m b ed
u p t he hi l l t o t he v er y t op . A nd sa t d o w n a t l a st , u n d er t he b i g ol d
chest nu t t r ee w her e she h a d t et her ed Kel l y t ha t m or ni ng, l on g, l o ng
a go i t seem ed , a f t er her f i r st m eet i ng w i t h Sa u l .
Wh i l e she w a s w a l k i ng she w a s occu p i ed . The m oon w a s b r i ght b u t
t he t u r f w a s u nev en, she h a d t o w a t ch a s she st ep p ed a n d she
w a l k ed f a st , a l m ost a s t hou gh t h i s w a s a r a ce. Bu t a t t he t op of t he
hi l l , w hen she sa t d ow n, k nees hu nched so t ha t her ch i n r est ed on
t hem a n d ha nd s cl a sp ed r ou n d her a nk l es, t he t hou g ht s ca m e
r u shi ng i nt o her hea d .
Tha t h a d b een a hel l i sh p a r t y . Excep t f or t he n i g ht w hen she
w a i t ed a t t he hosp i t a l , t o hea r i f h er f a t her w ou l d l i v e or d i e, she
cou l d n't r eca l l a n i g ht t ha t ca m e nea r i t f or p a i n. The p a i n w a s w i t h
her st i l l , r a w a n d a ch i n g, a nd not hi ng l i k e t he j ea l ou sy sh e h a d f el t f or
Jer em y .
For Jer em y she h a d f el t nei t her j ea l ou sy nor l ov e, j u st h u r t p r i d e
a n d m a k eb el i ev e. Jer em y w a s som et hi n g ou t of o ne of t he p l a y s he
p l a y ed i n, b u t t he a go ny of w a t chi n g Sa u l w i t h Jo- A n n ha d b een r ea l
a n d p r i m i t i v e. She cou l d ha v e k i l l ed t hem . She cou l d h a v e p i ck ed u p
one of t he b u f f et k ni v es a nd st u ck i t i nt o t he p a i r of t hem .
If Jo- A nn h a d or ga ni sed t h a t p a r t y t o show ev er y b od y t h a t she
ha d Sa u l La u r enso n, a nd Cha r l ot t e h a d n't , she h a d show n t hem
not hi n g of t he k i nd , b eca u se Sa u l w a s go i ng i n t w o d a y s' t i m e a n d he
ca r r i ed no p hot ogr a p hs b eca u se t her e w a s nev er a gi r l he hop ed t o
r em em b er . Bu t Jo- A n n ha d show n Cha r l ot t e, a l l r i ght , w ha t he
m ea nt t o Cha r l ot t e.
Cha r l ot t e ha d k now n t hey w er e a l m ost cer t a i nl y ha v i ng a n a f f a i r ,
b u t seei ng t hem t ou ch ha d b r ou g ht t he t er r i f y i ng r ea l i sa t i o n t h a t she
her sel f l ov ed Sa u l , hop el essl y a n d com p l et el y . She h a d r ecog ni sed hi m
t ha t ni g ht on t he p a t i o, t he m om ent he t ou ched her , b ef or e he k i ssed
her . She k new h i m , a n d i t w a s hi s a r m s she ha d w a nt ed a r ou nd h er .
A nd t he m i ser y ev er y ni g ht ha d not hi n g t o d o w i t h Jer em y . It w a s
b eca u se Sa u l a l w a y s w a l k ed p a st her d o or .
The d a y a f t er t om or r ow he w ou l d b e gone. For q u i t e a w hi l e, he' d
sa i d , a nd she'd t hou g ht t ha t she cou l d n ' t i m a gi ne t he hou se w i t ho u t
hi m . Bu t i t w a sn't j u st t he hou se. It w a s her l i f e sh e cou l d n't i m a g i ne
w i t hou t Sa u l , a n d she st a r ed u p a t t h e m oon, b i g a nd r o u n d a nd
y el l ow a s a r u na w a y b a l l oon, a n d f el t l i k e t he on l y l i v i n g sou l i n a
w or l d of em p t i ness.
She ha d n 't a cl u e w h a t she cou l d d o. Sh e ha d n't t i m e t o d o m u ch,
a n d ev en i f she h a d how cou l d she ev en st a r t ? She cou l d n't sa y , 'I l ov e
y ou ,' b eca u se t h a t w a sn't a w or d i n hi s v oca b u l a r y , a nd she h a d b een
sa y i n g i t t o Jer em y onl y l a st w eek . 'I l ov e y ou ,' i nst ea d of goo d b y e o n
t he t el ep hone, a n d t ha t w a s a l l i t ha d m ea nt t hen, j u st , 'Cheer i o.'
N ow i t m ea nt t ha t she w a nt ed t o f ol l ow Sa u l t o t he en d s of t he
ea r t h, t ha t she w o u l d nev er w a nt a not her m a n. Tha t she a ch ed f or
hi m a nd w o u l d d i e f or hi m .
She sa t f or a l o ng t i m e. She co u l d h a v e st a y ed t her e a l l n i ght , b u t
i t w ou l d n 't b e a ny ea si er i n t he m or n i n g , a nd a t l a st she got st i f f l y t o
her f eet a n d b ega n t o w a l k b a ck . Sa u l m i ght not b e hom e. H e m i g ht
ha v e st a y ed a t Jo- A nn 's. A n d i f he w a s a t hom e, a n d st i l l u p , w ha t
cou l d she sa y t o hi m ?
She w ou l d g et a n i g ht 's sl eep , w ha t w a s l ef t of i t , a nd t om or r ow
she w ou l d sa y , 'Thi s i s y ou r l a st d a y . Let 's sp en d y ou r l a st d a y her e
t oget her ,' a n d she w ou l d t r y t o m a k e hi m r em em b er her . H e d i d n't
ca r r y p hot ogr a p hs, b u t som ehow she w ou l d st r i v e t o f i x her i m a ge i n
hi s m i nd b eca u se i t m a t t er ed so d esp er a t el y t ha t he shou l d not f or get
her .
She w a s i n p i eces, a s sh a k en u p a s t hou gh she h a d b een ca u g ht i n
a hu r r i ca ne a n d t ossed t o t he f ou r w i nd s. She w ou l d cr a w l i nt o b ed ,
Geor gy w o u l d b e gl a d t o see her , a n d l i e t her e u nt i l m or ni n g, a n d
p er ha p s b y m or ni ng she w ou l d b e w ho l e.
She ha d a f r ont d oor k ey on her k ey r i ng i n t he p ock et of her
j ea ns, a nd she l et her sel f i n v er y q u i et l y . Ev en so t he d o gs b eg a n
b a r k i ng i n t he k i t chen. Geor gy 's y a p w a s not a m on g t hem , so ei t her
he w a s l y i n g l ow or A u nt L u cy h a d p u t hi m i n Ch a r l ot t e's r oom
b ef or e she w ent t o b ed her sel f .
The p a r t y a t Jo - A n n's shou l d b e ov er b y now , u nl ess i t w a s l a st i ng
a l l ni ght . A nd Cha r l ot t e hop ed i t w a s l a st i n g b eca u se, i f ev er y one
st a r t ed l ea v i ng, she cou l d n't see Jo- A n n n egl ect i ng t o of f er Sa u l a b ed
f or t he ni g ht .
She t hou ght , I'l l go r ou nd i n t he m or ni ng. I l ef t m y ca r t her e. If Sa u l
i sn't b a ck f or b r ea k f a st I'l l b e a t Jo- A n n's a n d I'l l g et hi m a w a y . I'l l
t hi nk u p som et hi n g t o d o w i t h t he hou se, t he b u si nesssom et hi ng.
Bu t w hen he st r ol l ed ou t of t he d r a w i ng r oom i nt o t he h a l l her w i t s
d eser t ed her . It w a s l i ght a s d a y i n her e, t he f u l l m oon st r ea m i n g i n.
She cou l d see hi m cl ea r a s cl ea r , a nd t h e si ght of h i m sent her m i n d
r eel i ng.
'W her e ha v e y ou b een?' he a sk ed a nd sh e st a r t ed t o ch a t t er .
'Wou l d y ou b el i ev e, si t t i ng o n t op of a hi l l l ook i n g a t t he ha r v est
m oon? Or i s i t t he h u nt er s' m oon? W hi ch com es f i r st , ha r v est or
hu nt er ? A s a cou nt r y gi r l I shou l d su r el y k now . Lov el y p a r t y , w a sn't
i t ?'
She w a s b a ck i ng t ow a r d s t he st a i r s, she w a s goi ng t o r u n u p st a i r s
b eca u se she co u l d n't f a ce hi m t oni g ht . Ev er y t hi ng h a d b een t oo
m u ch. Ton i ght she w ou l d j u st m a k e a f ool of her sel f .
H e sa i d , 'Ch a r l ot t e,' h a r shl y , a n d she f r oze. H e l ook ed gr i m a s
d ea t h, a n d she r em em b er ed t ha t ot her t i m e a nd w hi sp er ed , ' Wh a t 's
ha p p ened ?'
H e w a l k ed b a ck i nt o t he d r a w i n g r oom . The d ogs ha d st op p ed
b a r k i ng, r ecog ni si n g her st ep a nd her v o i ce. Sh e f ol l ow ed h i m , a nd i n
her e i t w a s a l l gr ey a nd si l v er . 'W ha t ' s t he m a t t er ?' she w a s st i l l
w hi sp er i ng, a n d w hen Sa u l cl osed t he d oor she sa t d ow n on t he b i g
sof a b eca u se her l egs g a v e w a y .
H e sa i d , a n d hi s v oi ce w a s st i l l h a r sh, 'I'l l t el l y ou w h a t 's t h e m a t t er .
I'm i n l ov e w i t h y ou a n d i t 's k i l l i ng m e.'
She ha r d l y k new hi s f a ce. She ha d nev er seen h i m a ny t hi n g b u t
conf i d ent a nd i n cont r ol . Th i s w a s a not h er m a n, a n d she hel d ou t her
a r m s a nd sa i d , 'Com e her e,' a n d he ca m e, k neel i n g b esi d e her , a nd
she cr a d l ed hi s hea d a ga i nst her b r ea st . ' Oh, m y l ov e,' she w hi sp er ed ,
'm y l ov e.'
H e r a i sed hi s f a ce, hi s l i p s t w i st ed i n w ha t cou l d ha v e p a ssed f or a
sm i l e. 'The d i f f i cu l t y i s,' he sa i d , 't h a t I m ea n i t . A n d a s y ou k eep
r em i nd i n g m e, i t 's t i m e m y l u ck r a n ou t . Most t hi ngs ha v e b een a
ga m e u p t o now , a nd I'v e nev er b een sca r ed of l osi n g b eca u se
not hi n g m a t t er ed t h a t m u ch. Th e f i r st t hi n g i n m y l i f e t ha t r ea l l y
m a t t er ed i s get t i ng y ou t o m a r r y m e.'
She chok ed , 'M a r r y y ou ? Yo u sa i d y ou d i d n 't w a nt a w i f e.'
'I d i d n 't .' H e got u p f r om k n eel i ng b esi d e her t o si t t i ng b esi d e her ,'
a l m ost gl a r i n g a t her . 'If I ha d n't m et y ou I nev er w ou l d ha v e
m a r r i ed . Bu t I w a nt y ou w ea r i n g m y r i n g, a n d a ny chi l d r en y ou h a v e
I w a nt t o b e m i ne.'
She sa i d , 'Oh!' a n d t hen, 'Do n't t el l m e i t w a s t he p hot ogr a p h m y
f a t her show ed y ou .'
'It ha d not hi ng t o d o w i t h y ou r p hot ogr a p h. I t ook y ou r
p hot ogr a p h f r om t he of f i ce a t t he shop a n d t ha t goes w her ev er I go,
b u t w hen w e w er e l ook i ng a r o u n d t hose hou ses a nd I ca m e u p i nt o
t ha t b ed r oom , a nd y ou w er e st a nd i ng t her e a nd I st a r t l ed y ou a nd
y ou st u m b l ed a g a i nst m eI d on't k now ,' he gest u r ed hel p l essl y , 'I
su d d en l y w i shed w e'd b een l ook i ng a r o u n d t oget her . Ju st t he t w o of
u s, l ook i n g f or a hom e. Tha t h a d nev er ha p p ened t o m e b ef or e. A n d
soon a f t er w a r d s t he ca r sm a sh, a n d I cou l d ha v e l ost y ou b ef or e w e'd
ev en ha d t i m e t o get t o k now ea ch ot h er .'
Cha r l ot t e ha r d l y m ov ed . She l i st ened a n d t hou g ht , Yes, y es
H e sa i d hu sk i l y , 'I cou l d h a v e t or n t hose r oses he sent y ou t o p i eces.
I cou l d h a v e k i l l ed hi m w hen y ou w er e i n h i s b ed . A nd ev er y t i m e
y ou sp ok e t o hi m on t he p hone y ou sa i d , "I l ov e y ou ," a n d God , how I
ha t ed hi m !'
'I w a sn't sl eep i n g w i t h Jer em y t ha t ni g ht ,' she sa i d . 'A nd w ha t t her e
w a s b et w een u s i s ov er .'
'Yes.'
'Di d y ou see h i m i n t h e St a g e Door ?'
'I sa w he sa w u s i n t he St a ge Door ,' sa i d Sa u l w i t h a cer t a i n
sa t i sf a ct i on, 'w hi ch w a s w hy w e w er e i n t he St a ge Door . To m a k e
su r e he got t he m essa ge. The n i g ht I w a s w a i t i ng f or y ou o n t he p a t i o
I'd w a r ned hi m t ha t i f he d i d n't k eep a w a y f r om y ou I'd f i ni sh h i m .'
'You d i d n 't ! You cou l d n 't ,' she sa i d , a n d she k new t ha t he cou l d ,
j u st a s Jer em y ha d d eci d ed he co u l d n't a f f or d t o t a ng l e w i t h Sa u l .
'I'm not a na t u r a l l y j ea l ou s m a n,' sa i d Sa u l ha st i l y , 'so d on 't l et t ha t
w or r y y ou . If y ou m a r r i ed m e I'd t r u st y ou . It 's t he not b ei n g su r e
t ha t 's hel l , a n d not k now i n g w ha t t o d o a b ou t i t b eca u se t hi s cou l d
b e w hen m y l u ck r u ns ou t . Jea l ou sy ca n cu t y ou a p a r t . Wa t chi ng y ou
d a nci ng t on i ght , t hen goi n g of f w i t h som e m a n. I'v e b een si t t i ng her e
f or hou r s, w a i t i ng f or y ou t o com e b a ck .'
'W ha t a b ou t Jo - A n n?' she a sk ed . 'Yo u 'v e b een go i n g a r o u n d w i t h
her , h a v en't y ou ?'
'Wou l d y ou ca r e?' H e sou n d ed su r p r i sed a n d hop ef u l . 'A s a m a t t er
of f a ct I ha v en't , a l t hou g h I'v e b u m p ed i nt o her m or e t ha n once. A n d
she a sk ed m e t o t hi s su r p r i se b i r t h d a y t oni g ht .' H e st a r t ed t o st a nd
u p . 'I'v e a p r esent f or y ou ,' a n d she ca u g ht hi s h a nd .
'I d o k now w h a t j ea l ou sy i s,' she t ol d h i m . 'It 's seei ng Jo- A n n
ha n gi ng on t o y ou a nd not b ei n g a b l e t o w a l k ov er a nd sm i l e
b eca u se y ou 'd r a t her h a v e m y ha nd on. y ou r a r m .' H er f i ng er s
t i ght ened a nd Sa u l sa t d ow n a g a i n, cu p p i ng h er f a ce i n h i s ha nd s
a n d st a r i ng i nt o her ey es a s t hou gh he w ou l d r ea d her sou l , t hen he
sa i d hu sk i l y , 'I'm b u r ni ng u p f or y ou .'
'I k now som et hi ng a b ou t t ha t t oo,' she sa i d . 'I nev er l ock ed m y
d oor . We cou l d h a v e p u t sl eep i n g p i l l s i n A u nt Lu cy 's coco a , a ny how
she's a sou nd sl eep er u nt i l sev en o' cl ock i n t he m or n i n g.'
H e sm i l ed , hi s ey es a s d a r k a s t he d a r k est ni ght , a n d Cha r l ot t e sa i d
t r em u l ou sl y , 'I'm not j ok i ng, r ea l l y . I d i d n' t k now w ha t t o d o b eca u se I
d o l ov e y ou . N ot l i k e Jer em y . N ot hi ng l i k e t ha t . N ot h i n g l i k e
a ny t hi ng t h a t ev er ha p p ened t o m e b ef or e.'
H e m ov ed a w a y f r om her , b u t on l y f or a m om ent , a nd p u t a f l a t
j ew el ca se on her l a p , a n d b ef or e she o p ened i t she k new i t w a s t he
a q u a m a r i ne col l a r . H er t hr o a t w a s so ch ok ed u p t ha t sh e cou l d o nl y
m a k e l i t t l e cr i es of gr a t i t u d e, a nd Sa u l cl osed t he ca se a g a i n a n d p u t
i t d ow n on t he ca r p et . Then he sa t b esi d e her a nd t ook her i n h i s
a r m s, p r essi ng her b a ck i nt o t he sof t cu sh i ons of t he l o ng sof a .
A s he b ega n t o ca r ess her , a nd d esi r e r o se i n her , t he w or d s ca m e.
'Oh, I w a nt y ou t o l ov e m e. I d i d n't k n ow w ha t I w a s goi ng t o d o
w hen y ou w ent a w a y . I w a s a l o ne o n t op of t ha t hi l l w a t chi ng t he
m oon a nd w o nd er i n g how I cou l d m a k e y ou r em em b er m e
b eca u se'
H i s m ou t h ca m e d ow n o n h er s, t hen h e r a i sed hi s hea d w i t h a
l a u gh t h a t w a s h a l f a gr o a n. 'For Go d 's sa k e, hol d y ou r t on gu e a nd
l et m e l ov e.'
'John Don ne,' she cr i ed .
'Cl ev er gi r l !'
'Oh y es.' She w a s st a r v i ng f or hi m , her h ea r t w a s b ea t i ng so ha r d
t ha t i t sou n d ed l i k e d r u m s i n her ea r s. 'I m u st b e cl ev er t o ha v e got
y ou .'
'H u sh,' he sa i d , ' hu sh,' a n d f or a l on g t i m e t hei r t oget her ness w a s
d eep a nd t en d er a nd sa v a gel y su b l i m el y p a ssi on a t e, w i t h no need a t
a l l of w or d s.