Part 24 (1/2)

”Yes, or rather, Uncle David. Aer Lingus has a flight out early this evening, but he doesn't think Auntie Daisy will make the airport in time. So he's arranged for your mother to be flown over by private plane.

Uncle David's going to phone Edwina right now to let her know Auntie Daisy's virtually on . her way.

Your mother's packing. She'll call before she leaves the flat.”

”That's a relief. Did you speak to Uncle Randolph?”

”No, he was out. But Vivienne told me Sally's due back in Middleham shortly. It's been raining in the

Lake District, so she packed her painting gear and is driving home. I told Vivienne to have her call here the minute she arrives.”

”Was she curious?”

”Not really. I said you wanted to speak to Sally, and got off the phone quickly.”

”I dread having to tell her about this-” Paula murmured, her face grim, her eyes reflecting her deep

concern.”Yes, it's going to be awful for her, but she'll have to be told. In person, I think, don't you?””Absolutely. Well, let's not waste, time. We'd better get on, Emily.””What shall I do next?””Could you bring the babies into the house, please? You can park the pram in here for a while. I must call those other editors.”

”Yes, do it, and I'll be back in a jiffy.”

Paula reached Pete Smythe, editor of the Yorks.h.i.+re Evening Standard, at his home in Knaresborough. She repeated the story she had told Sam Fellowes. After sympathizing with her about the accident, Pete concurred with her decision and gave her no arguments.

”I wouldn't have run anything anyway, Paula,” Pete told her, ”I know how Mrs. Harte feels. She'd skin me alive if a single line appeared about any of you, regardless of the circ.u.mstances.'

”Sam Fellowes was a bit difficult,” Paula volunteered. ”I hope I'm not going to meet any similar resistance from our other editors.”

”You won't. Sam's a special case. Not the easiest person to deal with. If you want, I'll make the calls to our Doncaster, Sheffield, Bradford, and Darlington papers.”

”Oh, would you, Pete? That'd be marvelous. I really appreciate your help. Thanks a lot.”

The phone shrilled the moment Paula put it down. It was her mother.

”h.e.l.lo, darling,” Daisy said with her usual calm control. ”I'm about to leave. I'm taking a cab to the airport so that your father can be here at the flat, just in case you need him. He spoke to Edwina a few minutes ago. She's relieved I'm on my way. He said she sounded less agitated. The police have left. Anthony's with her. They're waiting for your call.”

”I know. I'll ring them when we hang up. Thanks for going over to Ireland, Mother. You're the only one who can handle this. Edwina does trust you, and you'll deal with everyone diplomatically, which is more than she could manage.”

”Heavens, Paula, I don't mind. We are a family and we must stick together. But what an appalling situation! I can't understand the police over there ... it seems very straightforward to me. Your father agrees. Anyway, talking about it endlessly won't solve a thing. I must rush. Good-bye, dear.”

”Bye, Mummy, and have a safe journey. We'll speak tomorrow.”

Emily was pus.h.i.+ng the pram down the two low steps into the conservatory when Paula glanced up from her pad. ”I'm going to make a fast call to Henry, and then I'll talk to Ireland.” As she dialed Henry's number, Paula quickly gave Emily details about her conversations with Pete Smythe and her mother.

It was Henry Rossiter's housekeeper who answered at his Gloucesters.h.i.+re house. .Paula spoke to her briefly, replaced the receiver, said to Emily, ”I just missed him. He's driving back to London. Apparently he should be arriving around eight-thirty. Do you think I should call Gran's solicitors or wait to speak to Henry?”

”I'm not sure . . . What do you think Grandy.would do?” She answered herself instantly. ”She'd talk to Henry first.”

”That's my feeling,” Paula agreed, her hand resting on the telephone. She took a deep breath, preparing herself to make the call to Edwina at Clonloughlin. After picking up the receiver, she instantly put it back in the cradle, swung around. ”Sally may be in touch any minute. You'll have to talk to her, Emily, so let's decide what you'll say.”

The two young women stared at each other worriedly for the longest moment.

Finally Paula said, ”It seems to me that the wisest thing would be to tell her that I have a problem, that I want to see her, talk to her, and will she please drive over immediately.”

”She'H want to know what s wrong on the phone!” Emily cried, her eyes flaring. ”I know I said we should tell her face to face, but now I'm wondering what explanation to give.”

”You'll manage. Wriggle out of it, don't say anything concrete. You're very good at being evasive, Emily.” ”I am?” Emily gave Paula a doubtful stare. ”If you say so.” She shrugged, then ran over to the pram, where Tessa was wailing.

Paula sprang up and followed her cousin. ”They're probably both damp and need changing. Let's take them upstairs anyway, and maybe you could then start preparing their bottles.”

”Nora would be off today, wouldn't she?” Emily moaned.

”It's always the way,” Paula murmured, rocking her baby daughter in her arms, making soft, hus.h.i.+ng sounds.

”Dower House Clonloughlin,” a quiet male voice announced when Paula got through to Ireland fifteen minutes later.

She gave her name, asked to speak to the Earl, and a split second later Anthony was on the line. ”Paula . . . h.e.l.lo. Thanks for everything, for taking charge the way you have. I'm very grateful. My mother was panicked earlier, quite at her wits' end, and she fell apart when the police came back.”

”I realize that, and it was nothing, really. I'm glad to help in any way I can. How are you feeling?” ”Fine. Very fine,” he a.s.serted. ”I'm holding up pretty well under the circ.u.mstances. This is extremely unpleasant, of course, but I know it's going to be all right.”

”Yes,” Paula said, thinking he did not sound fine. Not in the least. His voice was weary, drained. Hoping she sounded more positive than she felt, she added, ”Everything will be over and done with in the next

twenty-four hours. You'll see.

Try not to worry in the meantime. I'd like to know what's been happening, but first I must tell you that Emily spoke to Sally a few minutes ago. She's coming over here. She thinks J have some sort of crisis.

We thought it was wiser not to tell her about this on the telephone.”