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Kent, in a big house near the village of Hethersage.

      ‘Apart from the fact that Mr Rampling can be ‘uncooperative’, I must say that it sounds like a good bet. The salary she mentioned is generous in the extreme, and you’d have your own self-contained accommodation. Interested?’

      Without hesitation, Madeleine said, ‘Very.’

      ‘Then perhaps you should give her a ring? If you can find a pen and paper, here’s the number…’

      When Madeleine rang the number Eve had given her, a woman’s pleasant voice repeated the number, then added, ‘Harriet Rampling speaking.’

      ‘Mrs Rampling, it’s Madeleine Knight.’

      ‘Oh, Miss Knight…How good of you to ring me so promptly. I gather from Miss Collins that you’re still in the States?’

      ‘That’s right.’

      ‘If the salary I suggested is acceptable, would you be willing to come to us on your return? For a trial period at least?’

      ‘Yes, certainly,’ Madeleine answered eagerly.

      ‘Oh, that is good news!’

      ‘I understand you live in Kent, near Hethersage?’

      ‘Yes, we’ve been living there since my husband came out of hospital. Normally we live in London, but we’re having our house at Regent’s Park extensively altered, to make life easier for George. Until it’s finished, which looks like being several more weeks, our son suggested we stay with him at Hethersage Hall.

      ‘It is a good-sized place and we have our own ground-floor accommodation. There’s also a comfortable self-contained flat we hoped might be suitable for you. It’s not huge, but it does have a reasonable living room, a bedroom, a kitchen and an outside stairway which gives some degree of privacy.’

      Then a shade anxiously, ‘I think you’ll like it.’

      ‘I’m sure I will,’ Madeleine concluded.

      She heard a distinct sigh of relief before Mrs Rampling went on, ‘You can either eat with us or do your own thing, whichever suits you. I gather you’re returning to England quite soon?’

      ‘I’m leaving Boston tonight. I should be arriving in London tomorrow morning.’

      ‘Do you have any immediate plans? Anyone you want to spend Christmas with before you come to us?’

      While Madeleine knew that Eve would make her welcome, she also knew there was very little room in the small flat. And now Dave had moved in, and Noel was sleeping there, it would be quite impossible.

      Added to that, Eve and Dave and Noel and Zoe made a foursome. She would be the odd one out. It wasn’t a situation she fancied. ‘No, not really.’

      ‘You have no family?’

      ‘No. My mother died just over a year ago, and my father’s in California. I shall probably book into a hotel until after the holiday.’

      ‘Perhaps you want to stay in London…?’

      ‘Not particularly,’ Madeleine added.

      ‘Then wouldn’t it make more sense to come straight to the hall?’

      Tempted, Madeleine hesitated. The thought of spending the holiday alone in a hotel wasn’t particularly appealing, and, now that she’d splurged on a first-class ticket, money was even tighter than she had anticipated.

      ‘Well, I…I wouldn’t want to intrude on your family over Christmas.’

      ‘My dear, of course you wouldn’t be intruding…Though, as a matter of fact, George and I are flying up to Scotland first thing tomorrow morning. We’re staying with our son and daughter over Christmas and the New Year.’ Her excitement evident, she added, ‘They have a brand-new baby boy, and both George and I are looking forward immensely to seeing our latest grandson.’

      Then, getting back to practicalities, ‘Our being away from the hall will give you breathing space, and also a good chance to settle into your flat. What do you say?’

      It would be ideal in some ways, Madeleine thought, though it would leave her with Mrs Rampling’s other son and his family. Unless they too were going away?

      But even if they weren’t, she needn’t feel she was intruding. The flat was self-contained, so she could keep herself to herself.

      ‘In that case I’ll be happy to, if you’re sure that arrangement suits you, and your son won’t mind?’

      ‘Quite sure. That’s all settled, then.

      ‘Mary Boyce, the housekeeper, will have everything ready for you, and if you can tell me your flight number and what time you’re due to land, we’ll send Jack, Mary’s husband, to pick you up.’

      ‘Thank you.’ Madeleine gave her the information.

      Sounding warm and friendly, Mrs Rampling added, ‘Do make yourself at home. Though it will be January before we actually meet, I’m looking forward to it. Have a good flight.’

      ‘Goodbye, and thank you again.’

      Relieved and excited, Madeleine quickly called Eve to give her the good news and thank her.

      ‘What are friends for?’ she asked. Then, with more than a hint of uncertainty, ‘But are you sure you want to give this a shot? After all, you don’t really know what you’ll be letting yourself in for.’

      ‘Hey, everything’s arranged. Don’t try and talk me out of it now. It’s much too late.’

      Then curiously, ‘You seemed to be all in favour earlier. Why have you changed your mind?’

      ‘At the time I was quite convinced it was in your best interests, but now I…I can’t help having second thoughts.’

      ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure everything will be fine.’

      Still sounding anxious, unlike herself, Eve said, ‘I just hope everything turns out all right. But if it doesn’t work, you can always come to us, you know. We’ll manage somehow.’

      ‘Thanks,’ Madeleine said gratefully.

      ‘Now, don’t forget, if you’re not happy with the situation, let me know straight away.’

      Chapter Five

      AFTER a technical fault that made the big jet almost two hours late getting airborne, the flight was smooth and uneventful.

      Madeleine could never sleep on planes, and after so many disturbed nights she was feeling shattered by the time they landed.

      The formalities over, she changed her dollars into pounds and, bearing in mind the warnings she had received, slipped half the money into her handbag and the other half into her flight bag.

      Both bags on her shoulder, she was heading for the exit when a uniformed chauffeur approached her and queried, ‘Miss Knight?’

      Wondering how he had managed to pick her out of such a crowd, she answered, ‘Yes, that’s right.’

      ‘Mrs Rampling asked me to meet you.’

      ‘I’m sorry you’ve had to wait so long.’

      ‘That’s all right, miss,’ he said politely. ‘When I discovered the flight was running late I used the time to get some breakfast. Now, if you’ll come with me, miss, the car’s waiting outside.’

      She willingly surrendered the unwieldy baggage trolley and followed his short, thick-set figure out to a sleek grey limousine.

      It was a bitterly cold, curiously still day, with a sky that gleamed grey and pearly, as iridescent as the inside of a mussel shell.

      After the warmth of the terminal, Madeleine found herself starting to

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