Part 8 (2/2)

The old ladies were grateful.

With strict instructions about breakfast she was allowed to go downstairs again, lay the table and put on the porridge.

She was hungry by now and the packet of Rice Cris pies she found in a cupboard was welcome; she sat on the kitchen table, eating them, her head, just for the moment, happily free of unhappy thoughts.

”Now that's what I like to see,” said Mr van Diederijk cheerfully from the window behind her, 'a strong young woman working in the kitchen.

' She turned to look at him, surprised at the little rush of pleasure she felt at the sight of him.

She answered him through a mouthful of crispiesT very much doubt if you ever bother to go to the kitchen, whether there's a strong young woman there or not.

' She frowned a little; such a description made her feel large and muscley. ”Oh, but I do--1 have a housekeeper, a Scots woman who bakes Dun dee cakes for me.

I'm partial to a nice Dun dee cake.

May I come in?

' And when she nodded he lifted a long leg over the sill and slid

neatly into the room.

He was looking very trendy, she considered.

Not young any more but distinguished, and his clothes were just

right.

He put out a hand and she shook some Rice Cris pies into it.

”You pay your visits very early,” she observed.

”T came over on the Harwich ferry, it got in just after six.

' He glanced at his watch.

”It's almost eight o'clock.

Have you had breakfast?

' ”Not yet.

Would you like some?

My grandmother and Mrs Bustle will be down very soon, I'm waiting for

them.

' She got down off the table.

”How did you know I was here, or did you just happen to be pa.s.sing?

' He looked vague.

”Oh, someone or other told me where you lived and I thought that if I

called about breakfast time.

' Alethea laughed and at the same time felt vaguely peeved that he

hadn't come specially to see her, only on the off chance of getting breakfast.

She thrust the thought aside as absurd; now if it had been Nick.

”Don't look so sad.

' Mr van Diederijk's voice was kind.

”I'm not young Penrose, but at least I provide you with company.

' She lifted startled eyes to his.

”However did you know that I was thinking that?

' ”Logic.

' He wandered over to the open door.

”What a charming garden.

Why are all the curtains hanging on the line and not at the windows?

' Alethea explained, and halfway through Mrs Bustle came in, was introduced, declared herself pleased to meet their visitor, enquired if he liked two eggs with his bacon or three and ordered them with brisk kindness out other kitchen.

”The sitting room's got the sun,” she pointed out, 'though it looks a

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