Return to Lanmore by Sheila Douglas

Author:Sheila Douglas
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2013-11-26T16:00:00+00:00

They left London at ten o'clock, after a leisurely breakfast Andrew seemed to have recovered his usual good humour and was delighted to discover several acquaintances among the senior residents. Even the R.S.O., under whom Nell and Belinda had suffered, turned out to be an old friend of his.

'Good thing Ted's away for the weekend,' Belinda murmured under cover of the general chat, 'Though he's bound to hear about it.'

'I don't see why he should if you don't tell him.'

'Be your age, Nell! This place thrives on gossip.'

'Very true,' thought Nell. 'And perhaps all for the best.' It might discourage Ted, put him off visiting her. Such a pity they couldn't have remained what they had been through five years of medical school, good friends and nothing more.

Nell had a hard job dragging Andrew away from Q.C.H. Happily reminiscing about his own triumphs on the rugby field, he would have been quite content to stay for lunch. 'But I told my aunt I'd be back by midday.' Nell had telephoned early that morning in case they were worrying about her, and Elizabeth had said coolly that she would appreciate Nell's return because she wanted to go out after lunch. By common consent they never left the Colonel alone in die house.

'Does it matter when you're back?' Andrew asked offhandedly, and Nell told him that it did. 'Proper little killjoy, aren't you?' he grumbled, but good-naturedly today, because he had after all enjoyed himself, though perhaps not in the way that he had intended.

They reached Lanmore at half past twelve and were at the Manor two minutes later. They swung on to the forecourt to the noise of flying gravel, for Andrew was inclined to brake at the last possible moment. Nell saw Philip's Aston Martin parked beside her aunt's car, and as she climbed out of the red two-seater he came out of the front door accompanied by Elizabeth.

Elizabeth was immaculate as always, hair smooth and neatly coiled, elegantly dressed and smartly shod. She looked as if she had just returned from church and so did Philip. They made Nell feel self-conscious in the duffle coat and thick boots she had donned this morning for the return journey. She had a sudden absurd desire that Philip could have seen her last night in her borrowed finery, was annoyed at her own foolishness and rushed into speech as a result.

'Hallo, you two. We're back at last!' She ran a hand over her windblown curls, wishing she had the sort of hair that would look good in a chignon, as her aunt's did.

Elizabeth took in her niece's untidy appearance with one of those smiles that only just moved her lips, and turned to share an amused glance with Philip.

'Hope you weren't worried last night,' Nell rushed on. 'I'd have rung if it hadn't been so late when we decided to stay.'

They were all looking at her and Nell realised that she was talking too much. She swallowed and there was a little silence, broken by her aunt.

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