Part 42 (2/2)

she nearly fell off her branch when Sarre let out a bellow below her.

”What the h.e.l.l are you doing up there?

' he wanted to know, and she was so surprised to hear the rage in his

voice that she didn't answer for a few seconds.

”Neptune's up here I've got him safe, but I'm not sure how to get down.

' She heard what sounded like a rumbling laugh.

”Just stay where you are,” commanded Sarre.

”I'm coming up.

' He was obviously better at climbing than she was.

He was there, close beside her, within seconds, and while she was still

wondering what they would do next he had scooped Neptune up and tucked him inside his jacket.

”Now come down,” he told her.

”You can't fall, I'm right behind you and you'd have to knock me over first.

Let go of that branch, you can't take it with you.

Now catch hold of that stump and let yourself slide.

' If Alethea hadn't been so breathless with fright she would have

rounded on him; ordering her about in such a callous fas.h.i.+on when she was petrified!

She set her teeth and did as she was told.

After what seemed aeons of time Sarre said: ”Here's the ladder, stretch out your left foot.

' She slid it cautiously downwards and felt the rung beneath her

shoe.

Which was all very well, but that foot was stretched to its utmost and the rest of her was sprawled on the tree trunk.

”You can't fall,” said Sarre's patient voice,

”I've both feet on the ladder and my arms are stretched on either side of you.

' He sounded amused.

”Have you got your eyes closed?

' ”No, but I wish I had.

' She lowered herself a few inches and felt Sarre right behind her, he

felt a bit like a tree trunk himself and she suddenly didn't mind any more, and when he said abruptly: ”Jump now,” she did so, landing neatly in his arms.

He didn't let her go at once, and she stayed squashed up against him, listening to the steady thud of his heart and Neptune's urgent mewing.

She could have stayed there for ever, rain and all, but after a few moments Sarre let her go and hurried her in through the kitchen door to be met by Mrs McCrea and Nanny.

He handed the kitten to Nanny with directions to dry and feed him and then turned to look at Alethea.

”All right,” she said crossly,

”T know I look quite awful.

' Sarre laughed, ”T think you look rather nice,” and kissed her wet face.

”Run along and get into a hot bath and then come and have tea in the study.

I've some work to do, but I can drink my tea at the same time.

' Normally she would have stayed in the bath for hours, now she was in and out again in minutes, deciding what to wear.

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