Part 14 (1/2)

And now shall I tell you something of my home?

' It was in Groningen, he told her, in the very heart of the city, and Alethea instantly conjured up a picture of a red brick town house with

square bay windows and ugly plaster work adding an unnecessary decoration.

”There's a garden,” went on Sarre, 'not a large one, though, and a shed

or two.

The housekeeper and Nanny you know about already, they're helped by

Juffrouw Bril who comes each mo ming and Nel, who lives in, lastly Al who turns his hand to anything.

Then the children, Sarel and Jacomina, they have their own rooms of

course and a playroom, but they eat their meals with me and we spend as much time together as I can manage.

Oh, and there is my dog.

Rough, the children's puppy, Nero, a couple of cats and a selection of mice, gerbils and Sard's white rat.

' Alethea shuddered inwardly at the idea of the rat but managed a cheerful: ”Quite a houseful!

' ”Yes.

I'm away from time to time--sometimes for several days.

I hope that you will be able to come with me occasionally.

' ”That will be nice.

Have you any family?

' ”My mother and father are in New Zealand, visiting my young sister.

She's married to a civil engineer who's on a job there for a year or

so.

' He added: ”T have a grandfather, too, a wonderful old man; he always says exactly what he thinks regardless of the circ.u.mstances.

And I have a brother, younger than I--Wien and, he's not married, he

lives in Groningen too, he has a big practice and we work closely together.

He is a leading osteopath; we find that we get splendid results.

I think you will like him.

' Alethea said soberly: ”T expect I shall.

I'm a little nervous of meeting Sarel and Jacomina.

' ”No need.

I'm sure they'll be delighted to have such a young and beautiful mother.

' ”Yes?

But I'm not their mother, Sarre.

' ”They have never known her,” his voice was harsh, 'they believe that

she died when they were babies.

When they are a little older I shall explain to them, but at present it would be cruel.

' Greatly daring, Alethea asked: ”Did you love her very much?

' He didn't answer her.

”Perhaps we should be getting back,” he said smoothly.

”Your grandmother said four o'clock, did she not?