‘Some other time then. Enjoy your trip. I’ll give you a ring when you get back.’
To Kate’s relief Richard stayed in the car when they reached the house. ‘I’ll wait until you’re safe inside,’ he said, smiling.
Kate smiled back warmly, grateful to him for making it clear he didn’t expect to be asked in. ‘Thanks again, Richard. Goodnight.’
Kate felt very thoughtful as she locked up. Richard’s request to see her again was rather worrying. She had no intention of seeing anyone on a regular basis right now, least of all a man she suspected of pining for his wife. Frowning abstractedly, she checked her messages and found a very short one from Jack.
‘I hope you enjoyed the play, Katie.’
She pressed the replay button, sure she must have missed something, but the electronic voice said, ‘End of message.’
Kate went to bed in pensive mood, wondering, not for the first time lately, whether she would have moved back here if she’d known about Jack’s divorce. But it was done now. Jo loved it here, and Kate had Anna and Ben for support if—if what? If friendship with Jack Logan proved to be the slightest threat to her life with Jo, she would simply dispense with it.
Kate left town at mid morning the following Saturday and after a leisurely drive arrived at her Cotswold hotel in time to settle in and cha
nge her clothes. She ordered a lavish tea for later then set off in good time to have a word with the head-mistress before collecting Jo at Manor House School, which was a typical Cotswold structure in honeyed stone with the steep-pitched roof and mullioned windows common to local architecture.
Kate was conducted straight to the headmistress’s office, and once the greetings were over Dr Knight gave her the information she was anxious to hear.
‘Joanna has done remarkably well since her return this term, Miss Durant. She is a mature child, and is coping bravely with her personal tragedy. There may well be tears when she’s alone, but I have emphasized that she can come to me, or to Miss Hayes, my deputy, at any time. And Matron keeps a close eye on her, of course.’
‘Thank you,’ said Kate gratefully. ‘It was very hard to part with her when I brought her back at the beginning of term. But during our weekly phone call she seems to be coping.’
‘She’s doing well, I assure you. And, in confidence,’ added Dr Knight, ‘Joanna told me she is very happy to be making her home with you, Miss Durant. She tells me you inherited a house.’
Kate gave a few details about it, then got up to leave. ‘Thank you for seeing me, Dr Knight.’
The headmistress smiled as she shook hands. ‘I’m always available if you have concerns. In the meantime, if you go down to the main hall and sign the book, Joanna will be there in a few minutes.’
Kate went downstairs to join a crowd of people on the same mission, and soon afterwards a bell rang and teachers ushered a stream of girls of various ages through the double doors.
Jo’s bright hair was easy to spot among the tide of grey tweed overcoats. She said a word to a teacher, then came hurrying through the crowd, and Kate hugged her close for an instant.
‘Love the pinstripes!’ Jo cast approving dark eyes over Kate’s trouser suit.
‘Must get some mileage out of my old work clothes. I’ve signed the book. Should I be checking you out with someone?’
‘I’ve already done that. Miss Hayes says I must be back by half past six.’
‘Let’s go, then.’ They made their way through the chattering meêlée of girls and parents and went out to the car. ‘I thought we’d have tea at my hotel,’ said Kate as they drove off. ‘Either in the lounge there, or you can sprawl on the bed in my room and watch television while you pig out on sandwiches and cake.’
‘Guess which I prefer!’ said Jo, with a giggle which did Kate’s heart good.
‘So how are you, Miss Niece?’ she asked bluntly.
Jo sobered. ‘I’m OK, sort of. I still have bad times, but not so often now.’
‘Are they at night?’
‘Sometimes. But the mornings are the worst when I wake up and realise I’ll never see Mum and Dad any more.’
Kate swallowed a lump in her throat, unable to speak for a moment.
‘I get over it by thinking of something else,’ went on Joanna. ‘You and the new house, Anna and Ben, even Josh and Leo, the terrible twins. Or I concentrate on a maths test or the prep I’ve got to get through later.’ She straightened in her seat. ‘Mummy wouldn’t want me to be crying all the time.’
Listening in awe, Kate had to remind herself that Jo was only thirteen. ‘You’re absolutely right, darling. So what social events are delighting you this term?’
‘There’s a disco next Saturday night. Just girls, though.’