‘I’m back,’ she said, in response to the barked ‘Logan’ in her ear.
‘Thank God for that; I was worried. It’s a hell of a night.’
‘Tell me about it. Freezing fog added to driving sleet for the last few miles.’
‘Do you have the right kind of phone in your car?’
‘No.’
‘Then get one, Kate. It’s only common sense when you’re driving long distances alone.’
‘Yes, Dad.’
‘I’m not your father!’
‘True. You’re my friend.’
He breathed in audibly. ‘How was your day? Did your niece have a good time?’
‘I think so. She certainly ate well. Jo must have a fantastic metabolism; she’s as slender as a reed.’
‘Takes after her aunt. By the way,
did you manage to avoid your dinner partner today?’
‘I forgot all about him when I took Jo back to school. I was too busy being bright and cheerful to give him a thought.’
‘Good.’
‘Why good, Jack?’
‘Save your thoughts for me, Kate. I’ll be in touch before Saturday. Sleep well.’
Kate woke next morning to the discovery that she’d slept very well indeed. During the week she had spent restless nights, worrying over what she would find when she saw Jo again. But reassurance over Joanna had combined with a tiring journey home and the gratifying chat with Jack to give Kate her best night’s sleep for quite a while.
When the Suttons decided to send Joanna away to school Kate had been against the idea, convinced that the child would be miserable away from her family at the tender age of eight. But Jo had taken to boarding school life like a duck to water. And when Elizabeth and Robert were so cruelly removed from her young life the security of the familiar school background was a contributing factor in helping Jo to cope with her loss. And she still has me, thought Kate, as she wrote to Jo to tell her how much she’d enjoyed their weekend together. She made no mention of the extra care she’d taken on the drive back to ensure the safety of one of the few relatives Joanna Sutton had left in the world.
CHAPTER SIX
THE prospect of dinner at Mill House added a tinge of excitement to a week that was busier than usual. After Kate’s weekend away she was obliged to labour hard and long to finish the dining room in the time left over from the work that brought in the money. She even refused an invitation to supper with Anna and Ben mid week, too tired by evening for anything more strenuous than a bath and an early night.
‘I’ll be seeing you on Saturday, anyway,’ she said, when Anna objected.
‘I was hoping you’d come shopping with me on Friday first, Kate. I need something new for Saturday.’
‘You’ve got loads of clothes.’
‘I can’t get into the formal stuff. My waistline’s expanding by the day. Lord knows what I’ll be like by the time Junior actually arrives.’
In the end Kate agreed to an hour’s shopping before the afternoon painting session. ‘But one hour only,’ she warned.
The hour expanded into an entire afternoon with a tea break incorporated into it, rather than afterwards in Park Crescent, due to Anna’s aversion to paint smells.
‘Can’t cope in my condition,’ said Anna, eyeing her reflection in a changing room. ‘What do you think? The silk tunic and skirt, or the dress I tried on first.’
‘That shade of blue looks great on you,’ said Kate, and grinned. ‘But so does the black dress. Buy both. Ben won’t mind.’
Anna took the advice she wanted to hear, but no amount of coaxing persuaded Kate to buy something.