She was just hanging up the last of the prints when there was a rap on the door. ‘You can come in,’ she called.
Pete tumbled into the room, and gave her a big hug. ‘It’s lovely to have you home.’
‘It’s good to be here.’ She put the main light back on.
Immediately Pete was examining the rows of pictures. He whistled softly. ‘Wow, these are wonderful.’ He pointed out several photos. ‘You must let the paper have those. Andrew Stevenson will be ecstatic.’ He perched on the stool, his eyes fixed on the prints. ‘How many more have you got?’
‘About ten rolls,’ she told him.
‘Then I think you ought to put on an exhibition. People will flock to see what’s really happening in Berlin.’
The idea came as a complete surprise to her. Put on an exhibition?’
‘Do it, Kate.’ Pete was now pacing the small room in excitement. ‘We’ll all help.’
‘Oh, I don’t know.’ She was very doubtful; only famous people had exhibitions.
Just then Terry came in and Pete grabbed him. ‘Come and look at these. Kate’s got loads more and I’m trying to convince her to put on an exhibition.’
‘Hello, Kate.’ Terry grinned at her.
‘Hello, Terry, great to have you here with us.’ Kate gave him an impish smile. Any chance of persuading you to stay permanently?’
‘I’ll think about it. I must admit that I’m enjoying the work. It’s a relief not to have Andrew Stevenson yelling for me all the time. Now let’s see what you’ve got here.’ Terry studied the prints for quite a while, working his way slowly along the line, then he turned to Kate, his expression serious. ‘These are some of the most moving photographs I have ever seen. An exhibition will help to highlight the plight of the German people.’
Now that was something she dearly wanted to do. ‘Well – ’
Pete didn’t give her a chance to say anything else. ‘I’ll find you a gallery and make all the arrangements. You just concentrate on making large prints of them and we’ll choose the best to show.’ He was halfway through the door when he glanced back. ‘Ask Andrew Stevenson if we can use those he’s already bought from you. Tell him we’ll give the paper plenty of publicity.’ Then he disappeared.
Kate raised her eyebrows. ‘Looks as if that’s settled, then.’
‘He’s right,’ Terry said, ‘and you found yourself a gem when you plucked that young man out of the newsroom. It’s hard to believe it’s the same person.’
‘I know. He deserves it, though, he’s very talented.’ The prints were now dry, and she selected half a dozen of the best to take to the newspaper.
‘Make Andrew pay a lot of money for those,’ Terry advised. ‘No one else will have anything of such emotional quality. That man was crazy to let you go.’
She was heartened that Terry thought so highly of her work, because he was an experienced and expert photographer himself. ‘I’m glad now that he did, because it’s opened up new possibilities for me. Working as a freelance is more exciting and profitable.’
‘Hello, Kate,’ Mike called as she came into the newsroom later that afternoon.
She waved. It was strange. She felt more at home here now than she had ever done when she was an employee. The disappointment had been awful when she’d had to leave this job; now she could see that it had all been for the best. As much as she’d wanted to work here, it hadn’t been right for her.
‘What have you got for me?’ Andrew Stevenson came out of his office to meet her when she stopped to speak to Mike.
He took the envelope from her and marched back into his office. She followed and watched him spread the prints across his desk and lean over to study them.
‘Good,’ he told her. ‘I’ll take them all. Jon’s report arrived today and he mentioned that you had these.’ The Chief gave her a quick, calculating glance. ‘Would you like to come to work for me again?’
‘No, thanks.’
‘I promise not to shout at you,’ he persisted, his mouth twisting in a wry smile.
That made her laugh. She couldn’t help liking him, now that she knew why he’d been so against her at the start. ‘You know you couldn’t keep a promise like that.’
‘No, you’re right. So what are you going to do now? I hope you’re not thinking of stealing more of my staff?’
That was a mild rebuke from such a volatile man, she thought. Being careful to keep off the subject of Terry, she explained about the exhibition, and asked if she could use the photographs he had bought from her.
He considered this for a moment. I shall expect the relevant editions of the Explorer to be on display as well. In a prominent position.’
‘We’ll be happy to do that.’
‘Then I agree.’
That was easy, she thought, wondering why she’d ever found him intimidating. ‘So how much are you going to pay me for my work?’ She sat down, expecting this to take some time, but the figure he immediately gave made her gasp in amazement.
He actually laughed. ‘That took your breath away, didn’t it?’
She was speechless and merely nodded.
‘Our sales have shot up and it’s a lot to do with your photographs and Devlin’s reports. You were a good team.’
‘Yes,’ she agreed, ‘but I think he was glad to get rid of me.’
‘I expect he felt responsible for you, and you being there would have restricted his movements a bit. He likes to get right in amongst the action.’
‘I’m sure he does.’ She stood up. ‘When will I receive your cheque?’
‘Within the next four days.’ He gave one of his rare smiles. ‘I shall expect an invitation to the show.’
‘You’re first on my list.’ She stifled a yawn, suddenly feeling tired after her travelling.
‘Oh, by the way, Robert Sinclair wants to interview you.’
Now why didn’t that surprise her? ‘I’ll send him an invite as well.’ She left, and once in her car headed for Roehampton.
Kate was delighted to find James with her parents, as they were about to sit down for a late dinner. They were all pleased to see her, and she didn’t miss the look of relief on their faces.
‘Are you staying for dinner?’ her mother asked.
‘I’d love to, thanks.’ She didn’t hesitate, because she knew her mother always cooked more than enough for second helpings if wanted. Her father often joked that it was a hangover from her childhood, when there had never been enough to feed the Webster family.
It was lovely sitting around the large kitchen table with her family. They wanted to hear all about her time in Berlin, what it was really like to be there. It was a relief to talk about it with those who knew and understood her. It had been a very upsetting time, and she didn’t have to hide her feelings from her family. Afterwards she told them about the exhibition.
‘That’s a marvellous idea.’ Her brother was obviously pleased. ‘Where are you going to hold it?’
‘We don’t know yet. Pete’s going to try to find somewhere.’
‘What about using the foyer of Grant Phillips?’ her father suggested. ‘If we cleared it out, there would be plenty of room.’
‘Wow, that would be perfect.’ Kate could just imagine her pictures there. The lighting was very good. She glanced at James, who was nodding his head in agreement.
‘You let me know when you’re ready to put on the show, and I’ll have the place set up for you.’
‘That’s wonderful, James.’ She yawned and stood up, now that the meal was over. ‘Do you mind if I leave now? It’s been a long day.’
‘It sounds like it. It’s wonderful to have you home again, sweetheart,’ said her father, obviously happy to see her so enthusiastic about something again.
Kate promised to come and spend more time with her parents as soon as she could. She hugged them all and went out to her car. As she drove towards Kensington, her mind was already planning the exhibition. When Pete had suggested it, she hadn’t been enthusi
astic; now she was. It would be great fun to organize, and people would be able to come in off the street and see graphic pictures of the outrage in Berlin.
After parking the car, she went up to her flat, cleaned her teeth and fell into bed, her case still unpacked. She was asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.
‘That was more like my sister,’ James said later that evening, as he sat in the sitting room with his parents.
‘It certainly was.’ Bill savoured his nightly glass of brandy. ‘I was afraid that the trouble in Berlin might have made her withdraw into herself, but it seems as if quite the opposite has happened.’
‘Perhaps she’s fallen in love at last.’ James grinned at the thought.
Bill glanced at Rose. ‘Do you think she might have?’
‘You men,’ Rose scolded. ‘Why are you so eager to see Kate tied down with a husband and family? At the moment I don’t think that’s what she wants.’
‘I would like to see her settled and happy, that’s all,’ Bill protested.
‘I expect she will be one day, in her own time.’ Rose’s expression softened as she considered her husband. He worried so much about Kate, and since the kidnapping his concern for her happiness had grown. ‘Our daughter is a giver, Bill, always has been, but she’s taken some hard knocks and must have time and space to recover.’
‘We don’t have to worry about her, Dad.’ James poured another small measure of brandy into his father’s glass. ‘I’m sure she’s back to normal now.’
Bill swirled the golden liquid around in the glass, then the deep frown smoothed out. Rose gave an inward sigh of relief. His angina attacks were becoming more frequent, and he’d had to slow down quite a lot. She knew that inactivity frustrated him, but she didn’t want too much stress in his life. A ripple of fear went through her – she couldn’t imagine life without him.
‘I think Dad might have something, though, Mum. I’ve noticed that Jon Devlin’s name comes up quite a lot in the conversation.’
Rose was sceptical. He was a fine man, but when she had seen Jon and Kate together there had been an unmistakable tension in the air. They weren’t easy in each other’s company. Stranger things had happened, of course. Look at her and Bill. But she’d always thought that perhaps Jacques might be the one … Look at her! Now she was getting as bad as the men! She shook herself.
Bill’s voice interrupted Rose’s train of thought. ‘She mentioned someone else.’
‘Yes, Gerhard,’ James said. ‘Now, she does seem to like him.’
‘Will you two leave the girl alone?’ Rose laughed. ‘Kate’s a grown woman, and she’ll make her own decisions.’
‘Quite right, Mum.’ James got to his feet. ‘You and Dad have brought us up to think for ourselves, and I’ve no right to interfere in Kate’s life. Trouble is, I keep thinking of her as a little girl – loving, sensitive and damned stubborn.’
Bill chuckled. ‘She was a handful, wasn’t she? I remember your telling me how stubborn she’d been when you’d tried to persuade her to go to Wales in the war. She flatly refused until George bribed her with a puppy, a cat and two donkeys, no less.’
Rose rolled her eyes as she remembered the incident. ‘She seethes and rages deep inside, whereas I used to shout and fight anyone who got in my way.’
‘I wish she’d do the same. At least then we’d know what she was thinking and feeling.’ Bill sighed and shook his head. ‘I’m turning into an interfering old man.’
‘Never!’ Rose said in mock horror.
James headed for the door, laughing.
When their son had gone, Rose and Bill made their way upstairs.
‘I think I’ll pop along to the office tomorrow and see what needs doing with the foyer for the exhibition. Good idea, isn’t it, Rosie?’
‘Very,’ she agreed.
Rose didn’t sleep until she heard Bill’s steady breathing, then she allowed herself to drift off, her mind still working. She’d had doubts about whether Kate was going to be strong enough to cope with the hard times in life. Her daughter had proved her wrong.
31
After a good night’s sleep, Kate was eager to get going the next day. There was a lot to do today, and by seven thirty she was on her way to Wilkins House to have breakfast with the boys.
She was nearly knocked flying when Eddie threw himself at her with a squeal of delight.
‘You’re home! You’re home!’
She stooped down and hugged him, as the other boys crowded round, asking where she’d been.
Eddie swung on Kate’s hand. ‘While you was away, your mum and dad took me to the big park and we had tea there – real cream cakes.’ He sighed blissfully. ‘I was sorry you wasn’t there too, but it was luverly.’
‘My goodness.’ Kate smiled down at his upturned animated face. ‘You did have a good time, didn’t you?’
‘Breakfast is ready, boys.’ Mrs Green arrived and smiled at Kate. ‘Are you going to join us?’
‘Yes, please.’
Once the meal was over, they went back into the big room and everyone talked at the top of their voices. Kate settled back to listen to each one tell of the things they’d done.
Suddenly Eddie jumped up. ‘I nearly forget, I bought you a present.’ He shot out of the room as fast as his little legs would carry him, thundering up the stairs.
There was much thumping and crashing coming from the room above them and Tom giggled. ‘He’s hidden it so we couldn’t get at it. I expect he’s forgotten where he put it.’
There was silence for a moment, then he was running down the stairs. Eddie burst into the room breathless but triumphant. He held his present out to her. ‘I bought that in the park tea place for you.’
‘Is that for me?’ She looked suitably impressed and took the bright pink gobstopper from him, giving him a kiss on the cheek. ‘I am a lucky girl. Thank you, I love those.’
‘I knew you would.’ His smile couldn’t get any wider.
‘Time for your swim.’ Mrs Green began herding the children out through the door.
Eddie looked downcast, although a visit to the baths was a great treat. ‘You’ve only just come and now I’ve got to go.’
‘I’ll come back this evening to read you a story before you go to sleep.’
‘Oh, yes, please!’ His face was wreathed in smiles again. ‘I haven’t seen you for such a long time, and James gave us some new storybooks.’
She watched him run to catch up with the others. It sounded as if her brother were taking an interest in the boys, and that made her very happy.
‘A couple of weeks seems an age to them.’ Mrs Green sat beside her.
‘I expect it does.’ Kate put the gobstopper in her bag. ‘Is there anything you need, Mrs Green?’
‘No, thank you, my dear, Mr Devlin sees we have a few luxuries, and your mother keeps an eye on us.’ She patted Kate’s hand. ‘We have much to be thankful for.’
Kate glanced at her watch and surged to her feet, knowing that she had much to be grateful for as well. It had been a dreadful year, but she was through it now, thank goodness. Her heart went out to all those poor souls in Berlin; what anguish they were facing! ‘I must be going, Mrs Green. I’ll come back before the boys go to bed.’
Pete was in the shop when Kate arrived, and she told him about the offer of using the foyer of Grant Phillips for the exhibition.
‘That’s wonderful! I noticed how nice it was when we went there with Robert Sinclair. If I remember rightly, it’s large with plenty of wall space.’ He flicked through the appointments book. ‘I haven’t got anything lined up for a couple of hours, so shall we have a look at it now?’
Leaving Susan in charge, they headed for Knightsbridge and Grant Phillips. When they entered the foyer. Kate was delighted to find her father and James already discussing the proposed exhibition.
‘Ah,’ James said, ‘I thought it wouldn’t be long before you two tumbled through the door.’
‘This is very goo
d of you.’ Pete shook hands with the men, and then spun around, examining the area. ‘This will be great! The lighting’s good, and look at the lovely plain walls. We’ll be able to get fifty or sixty people at a time in here.’
‘Fifty!’ Kate exclaimed. ‘We’ll never get that many turning up.’
‘ ’Course we will,’ Pete said with his usual optimism.
‘We can move the reception desk,’ James told him. ‘Where would you like it?’
Pete paced around making a rough map on a piece of paper he’d pulled out of his pocket. ‘Over by the far wall, I think. Would you mind if we used it for drinks and snacks?’
Kate watched them as they worked, and slipped her arm through her father’s, smiling up at him. ‘I think it will be best if I leave everything to them and just do as I’m told. Pete is a marvellous organizer, so I expect he’s already got it planned in his mind.’
‘Hmm, let them get all the mundane arrangements out of the way, and that will leave you free to deal with the artistic side of things.’
Kate chewed her lip. ‘Do you think anyone will come, Dad?’
‘Of course they will,’ he declared. ‘They’ll be flocking in.’
She sincerely hoped he was right. She still had her doubts that people would bother to come to see the work of an unknown photographer. But everyone else was enthusiastic about it, so it was worth a try.
‘Kate,’ James said, striding over, ‘are you going to sell the pictures?’
‘Oh, no.’ She was shocked at the idea. ‘They’re not the kind of pictures someone would want in their homes.’
‘Well, why don’t you use the alcove just inside the door for some of your other works and put those up for sale?’
Pete rushed over to inspect the area and came back nodding vigorously. ‘We could do that, Kate. It won’t interfere with the main exhibition on Berlin.’
She considered this for a moment and decided that it would be an opportunity for Pete and Terry to show some of their work. ‘All right, but only if you and Terry contribute.’
‘This is your exhibition,’ Pete protested.
‘I won’t agree unless you both put some of your best pictures up for sale.’
A Time of Peace Page 28