Part 37 (2/2)

' She thanked him again and then said, because there was a look on his face she didn't quite understand: ”T bought chocolates for the children, but I saw a game of Monopoly, do you suppose they'd like that?

' They bought that too, and more sweets for Mrs McCrea, who had a sweet tooth, and cigars for Al, who rather fancied the best brands.

”T'll collect the children's present as we go,” Sarre told her, and would say no more than that.

Alethea ate her lunch alone, for Sarre was due at the hospital at one o'clock and intended to eat there, but he was back after an hour or two and they were ready to leave by mid-aftemoon.

She got into the Jaguar after a last look at the quiet water; it had been a lovely few days.

True, she hadn't seen very much of Sarre, but when they had been together, she had loved every second of it.

They didn't speak much as he drove through the city, but as he stopped before the hospital he leaned over to open her door.

”T should like you to come in with me,” he told her.

The hospital was impressive inside as well as out.

They crossed the crowded entrance hall, making their way through the visitors waiting for admission to the wards, and took a lift to the third floor.

It was quiet here, a quietness explained by Sarre.

”The administrative block,” he told her.

”The various meeting rooms are here as well as the offices.

' He opened a door and ushered her in to a large apartment, furnished with a long table and chairs, and half filled with people.

”Some of my colleagues wished to meet you,” said Sarre, and she began a round of handshaking and trivial conversation, interrupted at last by Sarre declaring that if they were to reach home that evening, they would have to leave, so Alethea went round shaking hands once more and only as they reached the door saw that he had a basket with a lid in one hand.

Sarre saw her looking at it.

”The children's present,” he told her blandly as they got into the lift.

It wasn't until they were in the car that he opened the lid and lifted out a very small Siamese kitten.

It curled up at once on Alethea's lap and she stroked it gently with a finger tip.

”It's adorable.

Will Nero mind?

' ”T don't imagine so, he'll have something to play with.

They've been asking for a kitten, it's about the only animal they

haven't got.

' The journey back was far too quick for Alethea.

In no time at all they were on the outskirts ofGroningenand she began

to worry about the children and Nanny.

Supposing they didn't like the presents she had brought them?

Supposing Nanny refused the big box of sweets she had brought back for

her?

”Why are you so nervous?

' Sarre's voice sounded searching.

The?

Nervous?

I expect I'm excited,” she answered brightly.

”It was a lovely few days, Sarre, thank you for taking me.

' They had stopped before the house and he turned to her, about to

speak, but the door opened and the children spilled out on to the

pavement, laughing and calling to them.

Alethea wondered what he had been going to say while she waited quietly until their first raptures over the kitten had died away.

In the hall they stood for a few minutes while Mrs McCrea bustled up to greet them and AI went to fetch the luggage.

”What shall we call him?

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