However, moments later, help unexpectedly arrived. A black car pulled up alongside Lily and two policemen got out. The sergeant looked concerned as he weighed up the situation. ‘Can we be of assistance, Miss?’

Lily immediately recognized the handsome young officer who had intervened when she was being bothered at the bus stop after her first day at school. Suddenly embarrassed, she covered the scratch on her face with her hand and looked up into his blue eyes. ‘Oh, yes please. Thank you for stopping. I’ve had an accident.’

‘Are you hurt?’ he asked, studying her carefully. Nothing obvious, he thought.

‘Just shaken up, I think. I was forced off the road and finished up in the hedge.’

‘Forced off the road?’

‘Yes, a vehicle came straight at me and I had to swerve. I didn’t see the driver. It all happened so fast.’

Tom gave a knowing look to his partner, who nodded in acknowledgement. ‘We may know who it might be,’ he murmured, staring back up the road. ‘In the meantime, Doctor Davenport lives only a mile away. Let me take you there.’

Lily hesitated. ‘No – please, I’ll be fine.’

‘Just a wise precaution, Miss,’ said Tom firmly.

She looked at her wristwatch. ‘I have to get to school.’

‘School?’ The penny dropped and Tom smiled. ‘Of course – you must be the new teacher.’

‘Yes, that’s me,’ said Lily quietly, thinking that she must look a sorry state.

‘Well, I’m pleased to meet you. I’m Tom Feather and this is PC Dewhirst.’ Harry leaned against the car and nodded. He was enjoying observing a gentle side to his tough colleague that rarely surfaced.

‘And I’m Lily Briggs.’

Tom reached forward and took hold of Lily’s elbow gently. ‘May I?’

‘Of course,’ she said thankfully as he guided her on to the passenger seat.

‘The doctor is on our way,’ Tom assured her. ‘Better to be safe than sorry. Then I’ll drop you off at school if he says you’re fine.’

Lily breathed out slowly. It made sense to follow the advice.

‘Harry, put the basket and books on the back seat.’

PC Dewhirst gathered up Lily’s belongings. ‘What about the bicycle?’

‘I want you to take it to the hardware shop. Young Timothy Pratt will fix it.’

‘But it won’t fit on the back seat,’ said a bemused Harry.

‘You’re a big lad,’ replied Tom with a grin, ‘you can carry it.’ And he drove away smoothly, leaving the perplexed police constable by the roadside.

Tom cast an appreciative glance at Lily. ‘So you’re working with John Pruett – a good man.’

‘Yes, he’s been really supportive.’

‘I call in occasionally to speak to the children. Y’know, the usual stuff about Stranger Danger and not stealing birds’ eggs.’

‘That’s good,’ said Lily. She had relaxed at last. ‘Then I’ll be able to say thank you once again.’