Part 14 (2/2)

Would you be ready to leave directly after tea?

' So she was to marry him, thought Alethea, but she wasn't going to be

allowed to share his life, not that part of it, at any rate.

She didn't mind, she decided, his past was his own concern and indeed she wasn't interested in it.

Now if it had been Nick.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her companion's voice, wanting to know

if she would prefer to fly over to Holland or go by sea.

She wrenched her thoughts back to the present.

”Oh, I don't think I mind, I've never flown; if Granny and I have gone

away on holiday we've always gone somewhere like Scotland or Wales or

the West Country.

' ”Then we'll fly, it's very quick and I'll arrange for Al to fetch us from Schipol.

' ”Al?

' ”T told you about him.

He's my manservant; he--er--joined us ten years ago and is a devoted

friend as well as a splendid worker.

' ”Oh--what does he do, exactly?

' Sarre laughed.

”Everything and anything that he wants to do.

And when I'm away he keeps an eye on the children, manages the

finances, mends fuses, baths the dogs, takes the children out for the day if they're free.

I should be lost without him.

' ”You have a lot of people in your house, Sarre.

' Alethea spoke doubtfully and wished she knew more about her companion.

”It must seem so, but if you count them up, they're mostly children and animals.

' Which was true enough, she supposed.

Mrs Thomas was awake and waiting for them.

”A pleasant walk, my dears?

' she wanted to know, and beamed at them, looking as near smug as an

elderly lady of her sort could.

It was Sarre who answered her.

”Very pleasant,” he agreed.

”The country around here is delightful.

Mrs Thomas, Alethea has agreed to marry me.

I hope that you are pleased.

' ”I'm delighted.

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