Sheila filled her mouth to give herself time before she answered. Somewhere near enough for meetings, but indefinite enough to put off the day of his finding out exactly who she was as long as possible.

“A cottage, a new one, just outside Worsingfold.”

“Worsingfold! My word! It’s a small world. I’m going there. Staying with my half-brother. I expect . . .”

She broke in quickly.

“We hardly know anybody. We didn’t want to, really. We just wanted time to get strong again.”

He watched her admiringly. Plucky little thing! Buried in a cottage, no wonder nobody had told her how lovely she was. He was glad she was making a good tea. Not much money perhaps, though it seemed a pretty smart rig-out she had on. She still looked a bit frail. He hoped she would not have too tough a time.

“If you live near Worsingfold I can give you a lift.” She smiled at him gratefully.

“How kind you are,” she sighed. “Honestly, I didn’t know anybody could be so kind. I wish I could think of something I could do for you.”

Nice little thing though she was, he wished she would hurry up. He gave a friendly nod.

“You get on with your tea.” He got up. “I’m going to find the waitress and pay her. I’ll be back in a few minutes and I expect to find every plate empty.”

Sheila peered out of the window to be sure he had gone. Then she quickly shovelled the last of the bread and margarine and all the cake under one of the basket chairs. She let out a deep breath. “Gosh!” she said out loud, “am I full!” Then she got out her mirror and touched up her face. While she was working she was thinking hard. She had not made much progress, but she had awakened his interest. What came next? In the car going home she must charm him. Be very feminine. Make herself so attractive that when Barbara saw him she had got a tremendous lot to live up to. When Richard came back she looked up at him with obvious adoration.

“You can’t think what an exciting day this is for me. It’s so wonderful to be looked after. I shall remember you all my life.”

Section 19