Part 43 (2/2)

”You didn't come and share my tea,” he observed mildly.

”No.

You had Anna to share it instead.

' His face took on the bland expression which she recognised covered

any feelings he didn't want to show.

”So I did.

There was tea enough for three, though.

' ”Two's company, three's none,” she reminded him flippantly.

”In that case Anna is the third.

' Alethea had missed her own tea and strong feelings were bubbling over

inside her.

She said snappily: ”No, she's not.

I am.

' She added: ”After all, that's what I expected.

' She watched his face change.

The blandness was still there, but his eyes glittered with what she

felt sure was rage.

”Are we quarrelling?

' he asked her in a voice so cold she could hear the ice tinkling.

”Why not?

' she asked a little shrilly.

”At least you might notice me.

' She raced to the door.

”I'm not hungry, I think I'll go to bed.

' By the time she had torn off her clothes and had another bath, she

was famished as well as frightened at what she had said.

She had been stupid shouting like that; now Sarre wouldn't be just

casually friendly, he'd begin not to like her.

She cried herself to sleep worrying about it.

He had gone when she got down to breakfast in the morning.

Only the children were still at table.

They wished her good morning and looked at her wan face with some

curiosity.

They looked doubtful too, and she couldn't think why and really, she

thought wearily, it didn't matter; they had made up their minds not to like her and they showed no signs of changing them.

She drank her coffee, saw them off to school and went into the

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