No More Secrets

‘My hair’s long because it’s cheaper to wear it that way than keep getting it cut, but I can’t leave it hanging about in working hours. And the clothes are part of the job. I do a lot of kneeling and carrying books about, so my working clothes tend to be serviceable.’

Cassie nodded, looked at Kate contemplatively for a time, then reached for the book beside Kate’s plate. ‘Right. I’ll sign this on one condition. Will you come to lunch on Sunday? Just a family roast; nothing formal. Please say yes.’

Kate said yes very promptly, then bit her lip at the thought of Cassie’s husband.

‘Now you’re trying to think of some forgotten appointment so you can back out,’ said Cassie percipiently.

‘No. I’d love to come.’ Kate rose. ‘Sorry to dash off but I’m due back.’

‘I’ll just hang on here for a few minutes. My husband’s collecting me.’ Cassie grinned. ‘I can’t get behind a driving wheel very comfortably these days. About one on Sunday, then.’

‘It’s very kind of you,’ said Kate with sincerity. ‘Perhaps you might spare a minute to talk about your work. I’d love to hear how you construct those complex plots of yours. Today all I’ve done is talk about me.’

‘I enjoyed it,’ said Cassie firmly, and handed over a card. ‘That’s my business card, but my home address is on it. We’ll look forward to seeing you—Angus adores having guests.’

Kate hurried back to the bookshop, deep in thought. She very much doubted that Ben Fletcher would be equally delighted to welcome her to lunch. But she would go because she really liked Cassie. Besides, Sundays tended to drag unless the weather was fine and she could go out walking. An invitation to lunch wasn’t to be sneezed at.

It was almost seven that evening before Kate locked up the shop. As she checked everything was secure, and took a last look at the ‘Book of the Month’ display in the window, a figure appeared beside her, reflected in the glass, and Kate swung round in surprise. ‘Mr Beaumont!’

‘No. That’s my father. I’m Dan.’ He grinned at her, the black eye giving him a disreputable air that was at odds with his designer tailoring. As the wind blew along the street he drew the collar of his dark overcoat up and took her arm. ‘I thought I’d walk you home, not only to collect my car, but also to cast myself at your mercy again.’

Since Kate was holding his spectacular flowers in the crook of her free arm it seemed rude to refuse. ‘What’s your problem this time?’

‘The same one. After all the drama last night I forgot my grandmother’s glasses. For pity’s sake find them for me so I can send them off at first light, or she’ll cut me out of her will!’

‘I doubt it,’ said Kate, shaking her head. ‘But please hurry—I’m cold and hungry and I’ve got a lot of work to do.’

‘Tonight?’ he said, crestfallen. ‘I was hoping you’d have dinner with me.’

‘Sorry. Exams looming.’

‘What are you studying?’

Kate explained. ‘Which doesn’t give me much time,’ she concluded. ‘When I took my English degree I was younger—and I wasn’t working. This time it’s more of a struggle. But I’ll get there.’

Dan expressed his admiration in extravagant terms. When they arrived at the Lodge he unlocked the door for her, switched on the light and stood leaning in the doorway of the sitting room while Kate ran the spectacle case to earth.

‘Eureka!’ she said, finding it behind a pile of books on one of the tables. ‘So your finances are safe after all.’

‘I was joking about the will,’ he said stiffly.

‘Of course.’ Kate smiled. ‘And now I must put these gorgeous flowers in water. Thank you again. I hope the eye mends soon.’

‘Let’s talk about dinner again. Surely you don’t work every night?’

‘No. Two nights I go to classes, one night I go to the cinema, and the others I either study or read, or even watch television.’

‘Dinner on Saturday, then,’ he said firmly.

Why not? thought Kate. ‘All right, I will. Thank you,’ she said, and ushered him to the door.

‘I’ll pick you up here. About eight.’ Dan looked around him. ‘And by the way, leave a light on in the day to come home to, Kate. My grandmother’s security needs scrutiny. I’ll talk to the old man.’ He leaned down suddenly and kissed her cheek. ‘Goodnight, Kate.’

Kate closed the door on him and went upstairs with her flowers, oddly pleased with life and better disposed towards her homework than usual. Which, she admitted to herself, was due more to Cassie’s invitation than Dan Beaumont’s. She finished sooner than expected, ate a virtuously meagre supper to offset the indulgences of lunch, and was about to run her bath when the phone rang.

‘Miss Harker?’

‘Yes.’

‘Ben Fletcher. I gather Cassie’s bidden you to family lunch on Sunday. I’ll pick you up just before one.’

‘Please don’t trouble yourself—I can walk.’

‘It’s a fair hike if it’s raining. I’ll give you a lift.’

‘How kind,’ said Kate coolly.

‘Not in the least. And have no fear — I’ll be the perfect gentleman. I saw Dan Beaumont’s black eye, remember. It filled me with respect.’

‘A pity it doesn’t extend in other directions,’ said Kate impulsively, and could have bitten her tongue.

There was a pause. ‘I haven’t a clue what you mean,’ said Ben Fletcher rather grimly. ‘I’ll pick you up on Sunday.’

CHAPTER THREE

DURING the week Kate tried hard to think of some excuse to avoid lunch with the Fletchers, but in the end couldn’t bring herself to lie to Cassie. At least she had Saturday night to look forward to first. Dan Beaumont was irritatingly sure of himself, but he came with impeccable references, since Mrs Beaumont was his grandmother. However, the moment she got home on Friday evening Dan rang her, his voice almost unrecognisable.

‘I hoped this blasted flu would clear up,’ he croaked, ‘but it obviously won’t before tomorrow night. I’m an aching, coughing misery. Sorry, Kate. Can we get together next week instead?’

‘Of course,’ Kate assured him. ‘Get well soon.’

‘You needn’t sound quite so cheerful,’ he complained, wheezing. ‘I hoped you’d be devastated with disappointment.’

‘Oh, I am, I am. I’ll curl up with a good book instead.’

‘That makes two of us,’ said Dan bitterly, then went into a paroxysm of coughing before he gasped goodbye.

The extra Saturday staff made it an easier day for Kate, and she arrived home to find the lights blazing downstairs and Mrs Beaumont back in residence, waiting to buttonhole her about Dan’s nocturnal intrusion.

‘Idiot boy,’ she said severely, her smile belying the words. ‘Just like Dan to forget I share the house now. He should have come in during the day, not crept in at night, scaring you to death. Splendid black eye you gave him,’ she added with satisfaction. ‘Served him right.’

‘I thought I’d killed him,’ said Kate, grimacing.

‘No fear. His skull’s too thick,’ said Mrs Beaumont, then spoiled it by saying, ‘Lovable rascal, though, young Dan.’

‘A very poorly one at the moment.’

‘Yes. I gather he’d coaxed you to spend the evening with him. But he’s caught this bug that’s going round. He’s gone home to mother for some tender loving care.’