The Sundered Path by B.B. Jones

Author:B.B. Jones [Jones, B.B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction
Publisher: B. B. Jones
Published: 2023-10-31T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

Sarah strolled back to the house along the gravel path flanked by the clipped yew hedges. The church clock struck nine. She’d been gone much longer than she had realised and needed to hurry back to the nursery to prepare Rosamund and Audrey for their papa’s return. After her talk with Walter, Sarah hoped she’d find her employer agreeable and in good humour and that she would be able to persuade him not to send the girls away to school.

She slipped into the house through the side door, her footsteps echoing on the polished wooden floor as she crossed the main entrance hall leading to the staircase.

‘Is that you, Sarah?’ a voice called out from down the corridor.

Recognising her friend’s voice, Sarah called out. ‘Yes, Kathleen, did you need me?’

‘I’m in the morning room, come and join me.’

On entering the sunny morning room, Sarah found her friend in her usual spot, sitting by the window, with Tiger, the cat, curled up and asleep on the seat opposite. Sarah picked up the cat and gently placed him on the mat. ‘Off you go,’ she instructed him.

‘He’ll be back, mark my words!’ Kathleen laughed.

Sarah chuckled. ‘Yes! I’m sure you’re right. However, we’ll have to do something to stop him from making himself at home here when Mr Wallis is back. In fact –’

‘In fact? In fact, what?’ Kathleen asked.

Sarah thought for a moment. She hadn’t decided whether to warn Kathleen of her conversation with Mrs Roseblade about Mrs Vince’s plans to reveal the girl's escapades while he was away.

‘I think I should prepare you.’ Sarah brushed off the cat’s hair from the cushion before plumping it up and sitting down. ‘I hear from Mrs Roseblade that Mrs Vince has told her to serve the girls lunch in the nursery today instead of them joining you and their papa in the dining room.’

‘Oh? Why?’ Kathleen enquired. ‘Are the girls not well?’ she asked, expressing concern. ‘Oh, dear! Just as dear William is returning.’

Sarah reached out and patted her friend’s hands. ‘No, it’s not that. They are both in fine form. There is no need for you to worry.’

‘Then why won’t they be joining us for lunch. I’m sure dear William is looking forward to seeing his daughters after all this time.’

Sarah had no choice but to relay her earlier conversation with Mrs Roseblade.

‘It’s bad enough that the girls might have their kittens taken away.’ Sarah concluded. ‘We can’t stand by and let him send them back to that school, can we?’ Sarah implored.

Kathleen got up, walked over to the sideboard and retrieved a letter. ‘No! And that’s why I wanted to talk to you – I may have the answer!’ she replied, waving the letter in front of Sarah.

‘Oh? What have you got there?’ Sarah asked with a puzzled frown.

Kathleen pulled the bell by the fireplace. ‘Let me ring the kitchen to tell them to serve coffee and I’ll tell you about it.’

‘Just a moment… the children…’ Sarah replied, getting up.

‘They’re fine. They are in the nursery doing a drawing for their papa with the new crayons I bought them yesterday.

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