Chapters (57)
- Cover
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Prologue
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-one
- Twenty-two
- Twenty-three
- Twenty-four
- Twenty-five
- Twenty-six
- Twenty-seven
- Twenty-eight
- Twenty-nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-one
- Thirty-two
- Thirty-three
- Thirty-four
- Thirty-five
- Thirty-six
- Thirty-seven
- Thirty-eight
- Thirty-nine
- Forty
- Forty-one
- Forty-two
- Forty-three
- Forty-four
- Forty-five
- AUTHOR’S NOTE
- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
- POPULAR BOOKS FROM THE ERA
- When We Meet Again
- A Conversation with Caroline Beecham about When We Meet Again
- Discussion Guide
- ABOUT THE AUTHOR
- What’s next onyour reading list?
He’d developed a strong desire to protect George and his company. It wasn’t about the business or the new titles anymore; it was about them—about George and Alice, and Ursula, Tommy and Emily, all the staff in fact—only Theo hadn’t seen that before. He was certain that Walter wouldn’t have him back, not just for his daughter’s sake, but because he was sure that Walter blamed him for not selling when he’d first suggested it. But Theo hadn’t considered that when George learned he’d known about Walter’s betrayal, he wouldn’t want him around either.
“It’s so strange that she would disappear now,” George said, “just when we’re so close to getting it printed. All the publicity has been booked.”
Theo knew he was referring to the campaign to capture public attention for the Adoption of Children Act on its passing through Parliament.
“After all she’s fought for,” said George, looking even more anguished. “What do you propose we do, Theo? We all agree she’s been hiding something.”
“You’ve got enough to deal with—let me handle it.”
Theo knew that George was still in shock; once the reality of Rupert’s death sank in, he wouldn’t be able to function. It had been the same for him with Howie.
The telephone on George’s desk rang, but he made no effort to answer it.
After several rings, Theo asked, “Do you want me to get it?”
“Yes. Thank you.”
Ursula was waiting in the Friend at Hand, the pub they’d gone to on his first day in London. Two tumblers of whisky sat on the table in front of her, and she pushed one toward him as he sank down.
“I’m sorry for the cloak-and-dagger,” she said, “but I’m not sure if George is ready for what I’m about to tell you, especially now.”
Theo’s heart was racing; he’d run the short distance to the pub, convinced that Ursula knew where Alice was, and the fact she’d had to keep it a secret didn’t bode well.
“Where is she?” he asked. “What’s happened?”
“She’s all right, but I’m worried, Theo.” Her eyes narrowed. “I know she was going to ask for your help before you left, so I’m asking you for it now.”
He knew he’d been wrong to leave without speaking to Alice, he just hadn’t known how wrong. “Tell me.”
Ursula took a deep breath and looked squarely at him. “You know about her cousin’s baby, the one she went to look after?”
“Yes.”