Part 29 (2/2)

' He sent the car tearing down the M2.

”We'll go and see my solicitor as soon as possible I've made a new will, of course.

' ”Sarre.

' ”It's customary,” he pointed out laconically.

”It will be explained to you in good time.

I've money of my own as well as an income from my work quite a lot of

money.

You'll have an allowance, naturally, and I think I can promise that you can have anything within reason.

' ”Are you rich?

' asked Alethea.

”Well, yes, I'm afraid I am.

It seemed best not to mention it until after we were married.

' She could hear the laugh in his voice as he spoke.

”Very rich?

' ”Very.

' She sat silent for all of a minute.

”If I'd known that I'm not sure if I would have married you.

' ”That's why I waited until we were married before telling you.

' He was looking straight ahead and she stared at his profile, its chin

very firm, his mouth too.

As she looked it curved into a smile.

”Forgiven?

' he wanted to know.

He couldn't see her smile, but she did.

”Yes, of course.

Actually, I expect I'll like it very much I mean, to have money to

spend.

' She settled back in her seat; she felt more at ease with him now that she knew. Money wasn't all that important to her, but it would be nice to have enough of it; besides, Sarre seemed to take it for granted and she supposed that in time she would too.

The crossing was smooth; it seemed no time at all before they were making their way out of Ca lais towards Ostend and then on towards Antwerp.

They stopped in Bruges where they had dinner at the Portinari Hotel, not lingering over it, and then sped on.

From Antwerp the road was fast; it seemed no time at all before they were sweeping around Utrecht and taking the road to As sen and Groningen.

They had driven a hundred and ninety miles from Bruges, more or less, in under three hours and they were welcomed by the carillons ringing out eleven o'clock.

There were lights streaming from the downstairs windows and as they drew up before the door, it was flung open and Al stood waiting to usher them in.

Alethea, with Sarre's hand on her arm, stood uncertainly on the cobbled pavement.

She seemed to have come a very long way in a very short time, but then of course she wasn't used to fast driving or the effortless manner in which Sarre conjured up meals in hotels, instant attention when he wanted it, as well as apparently having a route so imprinted on his brain that he didn't falter once the whole way.

”Welcome home,” said Sarre, and walked her up the steps.

And indeed it was a welcome home: behind Al, Mrs McCrea, Nanny, Nel and even Juffrouw Bril were grouped, and in front of them the two children in their dressing gowns but nonetheless wide awake.

The hall was filled with flowers; cream roses and carnations, lilies of the valley, orange blossom and stephanotis--the flowers which had made up her little bouquet.

She stood there for a few seconds, taking it all in while Sarre said something quietly to Al, who disappeared briefly and then reappeared with that selfsame bouquet.

She took it with a little gasp of surprise and looked enquiringly at Sarre.

”T had an arrangement with Granny,” he told her blandly.

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