Isobel Chace by A Man of Kent

Author:A Man of Kent [HR-1773] (v0.9) (epub)
Language: eng
Format: epub

CHAPTER SEVEN

SARAH stepped out of the train and began to walk along the length of platform towards the barrier. What on earth was she going to do with herself all day? She had never much cared for Sundays in London. She remembered them from her childhood as being endless, boring days, when her stepmother had spent most of the time resting in bed and her father had gone out on his own, visiting friends. Later, when she had grown up, she had found work out of London and had spent most of her Sundays by the seaside, or walking in the countryside that surrounds most of the big cities in the Midlands and the North of England.

The West Indian ticket collector took her ticket with a languid air and a faint smile. Sarah smiled back at him and then froze, for, over his shoulder, she caught a glimpse of Alec Farne.

“What are you doing here?” she asked him.

“Meeting you. What else?”

She regarded him suspiciously. “How did you know what time I was coming? I didn’t tell anyone the time of the train.”

He grinned amiably, taking her overnight bag from her. “Madge told me—only last night, unfortunately, or I would have seen to it that I was free to entertain you. As it is, I have rather a busy day ahead of me. You don’t mind, do you?”

Considering the terms on which they had parted, Sarah thought it was nice of him to ask.

“Of course not!” she said. “You didn’t have to meet me, you know. I quite understand that you have other fish to fry!”

“I wish I thought you minded!” he grunted. “No, that isn’t quite true. But I wish we could be friends, Sarah.”

“Why not?” She thought she had never liked him so well. “As long as there are no strings on either side.”

He looked abashed. “To be honest, I’ve never felt as comfortable with any girl as I feel with you. Could it be because we’re not at all in love with one another?”

Her laughter took the last awkwardness out of their meeting. “I think it might be,” she said demurely. “Oh, Alec, I’m so glad! I was rather dreading seeing you again—”

“Soft-hearted?”

“More likely soft-headed ! I hate quarrelling with anyone!”

“You’re a quaint little thing,” he said. “Most of us enjoy a good quarrel. It sharpens up one’s wits. Your stepmother is one of the best quarrellers in the business !”

“Oh, surely not!” Sarah protested.

“She has that reputation,” Alec said with a touch of grimness. “I’ve never worked with her myself, so I can’t say. I’m not sure I want to,” he added thoughtfully.

“You won’t get the opportunity!” Sarah exclaimed. “Madge is very much sought after!”

“Do I detect a touch of sour grapes?”

“Oh no!” Sarah’s smile transformed her face as she thought of Robert. “I have better things to do with my time! No, I mean it. Mother is at the top and she’s been there ever since I can remember. She doesn’t have to look for people to work with her! She never has!”

“Very loyal!” Alec said dryly.

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