Jim opened the door to her himself. I was beginning to think you'd been called out on some emergency,' he said.
' I'm—sorry if I'm late,' she said defensively.
He helped her off with her coat. Who said anything about being late ? As. a matter of fact, you're dead on time. It's the others who were early.'
She looked at him uncertainly. He seemed to be going out of his way to be pleasant. Had Alys been talking to him ? But of course she had. Sara wished she hadn't. The last thing she wanted was that he should be making such tremendous efforts to be nice to her just because somebody had been taking him to task. She became painfully aware of his scrutiny.
' You look wonderful,' he said, unexpectedly.
She coloured, unable to believe he was paying her a genuine compliment. She tried to think of a suitable reply, but couldn't even bring herself to say thank you '.
He folded his arms and smiled faintly. You know, you look exactly as you did the first evening of your arrival.'
Now she was sure he was being funny. ' That's bright of you, seeing that I'm wearing exactly the same dress and have even done my hair in the same way,' she retorted.
He drew in an audible breath and shrugged as if in despair of a very difficult person.
' Dinner's just about ready,' he said in a changed voice. ' If you'll join the others in the sitting-room for a few minutes, Bob will give you a drink.' He crossed the hall and opened a door from which there was a hum Df conversation. Here she is, folks. Give her a drink,
Will you, Bob ? ' He ushered her in, then left her, presumably to go to the kitchen to ask for dinner to be served
Everyone greeted her at once. Bob asked her what kind of aperitif she would like, then thrust a glass into her hands.
We were beginning to wonder what had happened to you,' Oliver said.
Jim was getting quite worried.'
Well, I did have evening surgery—and of course I had to get ready—
And a jolly good job you made of it, too,' responded Oliver. You look simply stunning.'
Really! Sara protested, laughing. She moved across the room to where Mrs Williams was seated. How's your sciatica, Mrs Williams ? '
Mrs Williams smiled. Past the worst, but still aching.'
I must fix up for you to have some physiotherapy at the hospital. What you need are some exercises to strengthen your spinal muscles.'
Mrs Ready was sitting next to the farmer's wife, and so Sara asked her about her so-called arthritis.
It's much better, Sara. I can scarcely believe it. You must have been right. It wasn't arthritis, after all. I do think it was clever of you.'
Sara laughed off the extravagant compliment All part of the service, ma'am.'
Jim came back to tell them that dinner was on the table. Come on, Sara,' Alys said. You're not in your consulting-room now.'
As she followed the others, Sara glanced around the room. It was surprisingly elegant for a bachelor's sitting-room. The walls were panelled in white and the palest of greens. Twin wall lights were on either side of the fireplace and on the opposite wall. The furniture was covered in Regency green and white striped satin, and
the furniture itself was also of a period design. It was a room in which to linger and to relax.
Jim had placed her on his right. It was a large dining-room with interesting paintings on the walls, a rich Persian carpet on the floor.
I like your house, Jim.'
She spoke almost involuntarily, and yet the words were no sooner spoken than she was wondering what his reaction would be, especially when he gave her a look of surprise. But he answered :
You do ? I'm glad. I rather lie it myself.'
Is the—choice of furniture and decor all your own ? ' she asked.
Some of it. Much of the furniture belonged to my parents. They—died in a plane crash over the Alps.'
I'm sorry,' she said swiftly. I had no idea.'
She realized with a pang how little she really knew about him. Why had no one told her about his parents ?
I suppose to some people, it seems a long time ago,' he said, as if in answer to her unspoken question. But to me it seems only yesterday since my mother was walking through the house, sitting at the table.'
It seemed incredible that he should be talking to her like this. It was as though he and she were the only two people in the room. On her left, Oliver was talking to Alys. On Jim's left and opposite her, Bob was talking to Anne Ready, and there was a general hubbub of friendly conversation as everyone settled down to the first course of the meal.
' How long, actually, Jim ? ' she asked in a low voice. He gave a faint smile. Ten years.'
Ten years. And the memory of his parents, especially his mother, was as fresh in his mind as if she had sat at table and walked through the house only yesterday. If Sara loved him before, she loved him doubly so at this moment. How blind she had been not to realize what a wonderful person he was. How stupid of her to have
She looked up to realize that everyone had finished the first course except herself.
' I'm sorry, I was wool-gathering, I'm afraid. It's— lovely soup. You must have an excellent housekeeper.'
Here, in his own home, Sara was seeing an entirely different side of Jim than she had hitherto. The gracious host, the man who had loved his mother more than average. She recalled what Uncle John had said about the endless—and unsuccessful—efforts of the ladies of the village to find a wife for Jim. Did he compare every woman he met with his mother ? It could well be.
As the evening wore on, she wished he were not such a good host. She had almost begun to think he was liking her a little, until it occurred to her that he was merely doing his duty. She, along with the others, was a guest in his house.
Coffee was served in the elegant sitting-room. While they had been at dinner the housekeeper had set out coffee cups on a side table along with a silver urn, a small light burning underneath. Jim asked Alys to serve it, but she had no sooner begun than she called out:
' Sara, come and take over here, will you ? '
Sara went across the room reluctantly. What was Alys trying to do to her ? Surely she must realize what it would be like for Sara to act as hostess for Jim ?
' I shan't be a minute,' Alys whispered. But I must just pop upstairs.'
' All right, Alys. But please hurry.'
Oliver looked at her curiously as she handed him his coffee.
' You look quite the part,' he said.
There was only Alys, Jim and Sara! herself left to serve. Alys was still upstairs. Her minute ' was rat her
a long one, Sara thought. Jim went over to her as she was pouring out these last three.
' Thanks, Sara,' he said quietly. ' You performed that little duty charmingly.'
Had he said anything like this to her some weeks ago, she would have sworn it was loaded with sarcasm. She looked at him, but he seemed quite sincere. On his best behaviour as a host ?
It was thrust upon me,' she said. For some reason, Alys deserted her post.'
He turned away with his cup as Alys returned. Sara had the feeling that she had said the wrong thing, but she was all confused by his changed attitude. She handed Alys her coffee, and took her own across to where Oliver was sitting.
You look very beautiful tonight,' he told her.
She smiled. Compliments are literally flying around, even from our host. Most unusual, so far as I'm concerned.'
Oliver sipped his coffee thoughtfully for a moment. ' You and Jim started off on the wrong foot, didn't you ? You reacted pretty strongly one to the other right from the beginning.'
Yes, that's right, we did,' she answered in a small voice. Uncle John thought we were—sort of having fun. And I'm afraid we played up to him.'
Oliver gave a brief laugh. ' I doubt if you deceived Dr Henderson for a moment. He's a discerning old. fellow.'
Sara was wondering just exactly what he was driving at by this when Alys called Oliver over to show him something
she had found in one of Jim's books.
' Excuse me, Sara,' he murmured, and left his seat.
Jim strolled over to her. Would you like to see the rest of the house, Sara ? '
Why, yes, I'd love to.'
There's not a great deal more to see, actually,' he
said, out in the hall, ' but I'd like to show you round, all the same. Let's start at the top and work down, shall we ? '
He preceded her up the stairs. On the first floor there was a landing big enough to hold a double bed and a suite of furniture.
My father loved to have space to move around, as he called it. And at one time we were a fairly large family. I was the youngest.'
' Where are the rest of your family, then ? '
Oh, scattered around the country. My elder brother --the eldest of the family, that is—died shortly after Mother and Father had their accident. It's odd, a family is complete for years, then suddenly, it seems, first one, then the other is taken away. I have only one brother now, and two sisters. Numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, of course, but none of them in the county.' He led her up another short flight of stairs and pushed open a large room with a sloping ceiling. ' This is the old playroom I suppose I really ought to clear a few things out, but somehow, I haven't the heart.'
Sara had never seen anything like it. A table-tennis table stood in the centre. At one end was a movie screen —obviously home-made, a. dartboard, a table covered -with stains of every conceivable hue, ink, paint of different colours. There was a record player, an old violin, a guitar
' It must have been pretty wonderful to belong to a family like this,' she said.
He laughed. It had its points.' After another glance around himself, he shut the door and crossed the landing. One of these rooms was mine for a good number of years. It was great fun being next to the playroom.'
As they went from room to room, she treasured each and every impression for the future.
You must have been an exceptionally happy family,' she said.
` I like to think so. My mother was a very exceptional woman, very beautiful and very talented in every way.'
On the first landing there were three large rooms. One was furnished, but too tidy to be in use. The other, obviously his, had various items of masculine clothing strewn around.
This used to be my parents' room,' he told her. I moved in because it has such a wonderful view of the forest. And this,' he said opening the door to the third room, ' is, as you can see, the music room, but precious little music comes from it these days.'
At one end of the room was a grand piano, covered at present with a dust sheet, and filling the rest of the space were various chairs and a long settee.
My mother played, of course, and my youngest sister. Do you play ? '
I used to, years ago. But I haven't played for years.' Play something now,' he urged.
She hesitated. She was never a brilliant pianist and she couldn't bear the thought of being compared unfavourably with his mother.
I couldn't. My fingers would be all thumbs.'
Try —please. There's plenty of music in the cabinet.'
He crossed the room and opened several drawers of an elegant music cabinet. She followed him. It looked a beautiful piano, and she was tempted. He threw back the dust sheet and opened the lid.
' I have it tuned at intervals.'
She sat down and played a chord or two, then very carefully she found the notes of a little serenade she used to play from memory. Jim had strolled over to the window and softly drawn the curtains, and presently, becoming aware that he was watching her, she let her hands fall and closed the lid again.
Oh, don't stop '
But she stood up. I think we should be getting back to the others.'
He came towards her. That was beautiful, Sara. I wish ' Suddenly his hands were gripping her shoulders, and the next moment his lips were on hers in a kiss she would never forget.
CHAPTER X
' Oh! '
Sara wrenched herself free, and in a blind panic ran down the stairs. What had possessed him to do such a thing she did not know. All she knew was that she must get away from him.. Oliver was in the hall.
Good heavens, Sara, what on earth's the matter ? ' he asked.
'Nothing, I—Oh, Oliver, I can't stay here any longer. I must go. I must ! '
She knew that at any moment she would. give way altogether. Jim had behaved as all men do at times. He had given way to an impulse, that was all, full of nostalgic thoughts of his mother, aware perhaps of the loneliness of bachelordom and caught up by a sentimental melody.
Oliver put his hand on. her shoulder. Get your coat and go and sit in my car. You can collect your own later. I've got something to show you. I was going to, anyway. Go along. I'll give your excuses to the others—and to Jim. I'll tell him you've got a headache or something.'
Thankfully, Sara collected her things. Her handbag she had left in the sitting-room, but she managed to creep in and out again without anyone breaking off from their conversation. She went out of the house and sat in the passenger seat of Oliver's car, her eyes now filled with tears. She ought to be glad that Jim had kissed her, she told herself. And yet how could she, knowing it had not been out of love for her ? Sobs which she tried to smother threatened to choke her. How was she going to stand this until Uncle John was better ? She had been an idiot, of course, to allow herself to be alone with him. She must never, never let such a thing happen again.
Alone in the darkness of the car she wept for the hopelessness of her love. She did not hear the front door of the house open and close again, and so Oliver opening the door of the car took her by surprise. It was too late to hide her handkerchief or to wipe away her remaining tears. And Oliver chose not to ignore either.
What's this, Sara ? Real tears ? '
He felt her sodden handkerchief and put his fingers gently on her wet lashes.
He started the car. Right, that settles it,' he said quietly, as he set the car moving.
Settles what, Oliver ? It's—all right. It's just that he took me unawares, that's all.'
' He kissed you, I suppose ? '
Yes.'
' And why should that upset you, feeling about him the way you do ? ' She didn't answer. She couldn't. Oliver flicked her a glance. I suppose it never occurred to you that he did it because he wanted to ? '
Sara said nothing. She didn't want to talk about it. If Oliver did not understand, how could she ever make him ?
' I'm—sorry, Oliver,' she said after a minute or two. ' I shan't blame you in the least if you want to change your mind about marrying me. It was—unfortunate, that's all. I shall take good care never to go to his house again or let myself be alone with him for more than a second, if I can possibly help it. And as soon as I can I simply must get away.'
Oliver made no comment, and for a little while both were silent. How long did it take to be completely cured of a love like this ? Did Oliver love her sufficiently to be patient and not to be resentful or suspicious ? These were the thoughts running through Sara's mind, and she was having serious doubts about the wisdom of what they proposed doing. What Oliver was thinking as he drove along she had no idea, and did not like to ask.
Where are we going ? ' she asked suddenly.
' You'll see.'
They were driving through the Chase, but that told her nothing. There were so many roads running through the forest.
' Sit back and close your eyes. You'll get an even bigger surprise then,' Oliver said.
Was he taking her to the place where he lived ? she wondered. But feeling suddenly drained and weary, she did as he suggested and closed her eyes. Lulled by the gentle movement of the car and the bum of the engine, she was on the verge of sleep when she was jerked to wakefulness by a series of bumps.
Good heavens, Oliver, where '
Nearly there,' he told her.
She opened her eyes and looked about her, puzzled. She thought she recognized the area now, but co
uldn't quite believe it.
' Oliver, surely this is where the Forestry Commission cottage is ? '
' That's right, and we've arrived.'
He swung the car round, bringing the cottage in full view of the headlights.
But why, Oliver ? What a crazy thing to do. We can't
He switched off the engine and the headlights, then picked up his large torch and went round to open the car door for her.
' Be careful now. Take your time.'
Have you got the key ? ' she asked.
Yes, I've got the key. Watch where you're walking.'
He led her to the front door, lighting the way.
' I still think it's crazy,' she protested. ' The place will be cold and dark—unless, of course, you've brought a candle with you. Even so '
' It might be a little cold, but we'll soon remedy that,' he answered, inserting the key in the lock. ' Now let me go first and light the way for you.'
He stepped inside, shining his torch for her to follow him, then closed the door and took her arm, leading her into the living-room of the place. Surely they could have gone somewhere better than this to talk, she thought. This was a most peculiar thing for him to do. There would be nowhere to sit, no light, no heat. She was at a loss to understand what had made him do such a thing.
But when they reached the living-room she felt a soft rug beneath her feet and caught a glimpse of some furniture.
Oliver, what on earth— ' she began.
He thrust the torch into her hands. Hold this, will you, Sara, while I light the lamp ? '
He pulled some matches out of his pocket and pulling the glass chimney carefully from a lamp on a table, he put a light to the wick.
' There !
Sara looked around In the soft glow of the lamp— a lovely thing in brass and china—she could see a long studio couch, two armchairs and various little tables. On the floor was a red carpet, while on the hearth was a beautiful white
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