The Clouded Land by Mary Mackie

Author:Mary Mackie
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Canelo Digital Publishing Ltd
Published: 2021-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

* * *

Saffron remained adamant in her decision to go back to Lynn, despite well-meant advice to the contrary. More harsh words were said, I gathered, as a result of which Grandmother summoned me to her private sitting room. She paced restlessly, a thin figure in black, her shoulders slightly bent with age but still imperious, as she instructed me to go with my aunt and spend a few days with her before returning to London.

‘We must not allow this to develop into a family rift. Saffron is an excessively stubborn woman. But Eddy is my grandson. I will not be cut off from my own flesh and blood.’ She seemed oblivious to the irony in her own words – she hadn’t cared about being ‘cut off from me for years, and she’d never even seen my half-brothers. But of course we didn’t count – we were not Rhys-Thomases. As for Saffron being stubborn…’

‘I think she just needs time,’ I said.

‘Of course she does. We all do! But we should share our grief. I’m relying on you to sow the seeds. Eddy belongs here, at Denes Hill. Make her see that.’

Fortunately she was moving away from me and didn’t see my face. Did she expect Saffron and Eddy to move to Denes Hill? Saffron would never agree to that.

‘And find some way of softening her attitude to Oliver,’ came the next order. ‘I realize her accusations were a result of overwrought emotion, but it makes things difficult.’ The sharp blue eyes spitted me. ‘Well? You can do that, can’t you? Speak up for Oliver? Vicky certainly appears to believe you’re willing to do so.’

I felt as if someone had rammed me in the stomach with an oar. My face was suddenly burning, my throat all but closed. ‘I don’t know what Vicky told you, but…’

‘My dear child,’ Grandmother replied with a glance that managed both to reprove and to condescend, ‘she told me nothing I wasn’t already aware of. Now run along and pack.’

What, exactly, did she mean by that enigmatic answer?

With Saffron, amnesty came less easily. She didn’t want to hear Oliver’s name, or anything about Denes Hill. Back at Hawthorn House she summoned her own friends around her. And all she talked about was Harry. I was not sorry when duty obliged me to return to London and final cramming before the second-year exams.

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