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  These hill farmers — they certainly earn their living.’

  After her father had left the table, Sophie began collecting the dirty plates together.

  ‘I’ll do these,’ she offered, but Laura shook her head.

  ‘No, don’t bother. Mrs. Forrest can help me with them later.’ She looked across at her elder son. ‘You’re leaving now?’

  ‘In about five minutes, yes,’ agreed Robert, rising to his feet and leaving the room.

  After a minute Simon got up, too, and followed him and Sophie looked helplessly at her stepmother.

  ‘What should I do?’

  Laura shrugged. ‘Go with Robert, of course. You’ve said you will, haven’t you?’

  ‘Yes, but-‘

  ‘Just remember about Emma,’ Laura interrupted her, and picking up the two serving dishes she carried them out to the kitchen.

  After she had gone, Sophie stared broodingly down at the table. Now what had her stepmother meant by that? She pressed her lips together. Surely Robert wasn’t seriously involved with Emma Norton, was he?

  She left the table and walked across the room to gaze moodily out across the lawns at the back of the house. Simon had told her that Robert and Emma went around in a foursome with John Meredith and his girlfriend. Had he been trying to tell her that Robert was thinking of getting engaged, too? Was that the reason Robert had choked her off so cruelly when1 she had revealed her own foolish fantasies? Her throat felt tight. Robert couldn’t be thinking of marrying Emma Norton! She wasn’t his type at all!

  ‘Are you ready?’

  Robert’s cool question took her by surprise and she swung round almost guiltily to find him standing in the open doorway. He had shed the jacket of his suit and had it draped over one shoulder, his thumb hooked into its collar. The close-fitting trousers moulded his lean hips, the powerful muscles of his thighs firm against the fine cloth.

  He looked dark and disturbingly attractive, the sombreness of his expression adding to rather than detracting from her intensely.

  She looked down awkwardly at the long cotton skirt and close-fitting apricot jersey.

  Beside his casual elegance she felt uncomfortably aware of her own limitations, and with a sigh, she said: ‘Do I look all right?’

  Robert’s mouth turned down at the corners. ‘Of course.’

  Sophie sighed. ‘Are you sure? Where are we going? Ought I to wear something more formal?’

  ‘Come on, Sophie!’ Impatience coloured his tone now. ‘I don’t have all day.’

  ‘Well, perhaps you’d better go on your own, then!’ Sophie retorted, stung by his indifference.

  Robert came right into the room and put his fingers firmly round her wrist. ‘You look fine,’ he said forcefully. ‘I like the skirt. It suits you. Now, will you Sophie was smiling up at him when she became aware that Simon had come to stand in the doorway. His face was grim and he thrust his hands belligerently into his pockets.

  ‘You’re going, then?’ he said. It was more of a statement than a question.

  ‘Yes, we’re going,’ said Robert, retaining his hold on Sophie’s wrist. ‘If you have no objections, of course.’

  ‘I have plenty,’ retorted Simon, blocking the doorway. ‘Like just what kind of game do you think you’re playing?’

  ‘Oh, Simon, please…’

  Sophie felt terrible. This was twice in one day she, had been the bone of contention between Robert and another man. She had never dreamt that life could suddenly be so complicated.

  ‘Shift yourself, Simon.’ Robert’s tone was dangerously quiet.

  ‘And if I don’t?’ Simon was aggressive.

  ‘What on earth, is going on here?’ Laura’s light tones had never been so welcome to Sophie’s ears. His mother propelled Simon aside and said: ‘Are you leaving now, Robert? Remember the Pages are coming for dinner, won’t you? They haven’t seen Sophie since she came home.’

  There was a moment when Sophie thought that Robert was about to continue with the argument with his brother, and then his fingers on her wrist relaxed, and she felt the blood pouring back into her numbed hand.

  ‘We won’t be late,’ he promised evenly. ‘See you!’ And with Robert propelling Sophie before him they left the room.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  SOPHIE found her knees were trembling when she got into the car and was glad of the long skirt to hide them. She would never have believed that Simon— easy-going, amiable Simon—should behave so completely out of character. Robert—well, Robert was a different proposition. He had always been a little unpredictable, and she, perhaps more than anyone, should not be shocked at the strength of his ruthlessness.

  Robert swung the powerful car out of the drive and accelerated through the village, turning in the opposite direction from that which she and Simon had followed to Hereford. Once the environs of the village had fallen behind them, he reached for a pack of cigarettes and put one between his teeth, lighting it from the switch on the dash. Only then did she notice that his hands were not entirely steady, and the knowledge was reassuring. She didn’t like to think of the brothers quarrelling over her.

  The car windows were open and a breeze blowing through was very welcome.

  Sophie lay back in her seat and tried to relax, raising one hand to lift the weight of her hair from her neck. Ahead the road shimmered with heat, and she sighed. She was with Robert, they had the whole afternoon ahead of them. Why shouldn’t she be content? Why did she feel so distraite?

  Her movements attracted Robert’s attention, and he glanced down at her briefly.

  Then returning his attention to the road, he said: ‘What’s with you and Simon? What has he been telling you about me?’

  Sophie was shocked. ‘I don’t think he’s told me anything about you,’ she answered, wriggling into a more upright position inside the safety belt.

  ‘No?’ Robert sounded sceptical. ‘Then what has he told you about himself?’

  Sophie stared at him for a moment and then meeting his grey eyes looked away.

  ‘What could he tell me?’

  Robert shook his head, dragging viciously at his cigarette. ‘He’s not your keeper, is he?’

  ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’ she asked indignantly.

  ‘I don’t like the way he behaves towards you. As though he was personally responsible for your welfare.’

  ‘You gave a pretty good imitation of that yourself this morning,’ Sophie retorted coldly. ‘You’re not my keeper either.’

  There was an uneasy silence for a few- minutes and she saw his irritation manifest itself in the way he squashed out the half-smoked cigarette. He lit another almost absently, and then said grimly: ‘I don’t want you getting emotionally involved with Simon!’

  Sophie was astonished at his audacity. ‘I don’t think it’s any of your business!’ she declared tremulously.

  Robert slanted her a sidelong glance. ‘I shall make it so.’

  Sophie drew a trembling breath. ‘And I suppose that applies to John Meredith, too?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Of course.’ Sophie mimicked his tone. ‘And, of course, you will let me know when you find someone suitable for me to get emotionally involved with, won’t you?’ she taunted him scornfully.

  ‘I’ve told you—you’re too young to get involved with anyone,’ he snapped. ‘Oh, for God’s sake, Sophie, you can’t think of having—well, having a relationship with Simon!’

  ‘Did I say that I did?’

  His jaw tautened. ‘No. But I know how Simon feels about you.’

  ‘Ought you to be telling me that?’ she flared.

  ‘Why not? He’s already told you himself, hasn’t he?’

  ‘How do you know?’

  Robert braked violently as the road wound treacherously back on itself. ‘Because he told me,’ he retorted angrily.

  ‘I see.’ Sophie looked down at her hands. ‘Well, whatever I decide to do, you’re not involved, are you? You have—Emma, have
n’t you?’

  Robert’s face was savage. ‘Who told you that?’

  Sophie registered his fury and then returned her attention to hands that were trembling again. ‘Does it matter? It’s true, isn’t it? You’re thinking of getting engaged to her, aren’t you?’

  ‘Thinking of — getting engaged – ‘ Robert repeated her words incomprehensively, and then gathered his thoughts. ‘I’d rather not discuss that right now, if you don’t mind.’

  ‘Oh, no.’ Sophie looked up at him contemptuously. ‘I’m not permitted to question you, is that it? You want it all your own way, Robert.’ She hid the pain he had inflicted by not denying her words in anger. ‘Well, I shall do whatever I like, do you understand? And if—if your friend John Meredith asks me to go out with him again, I shall go!’

  The silence between them stretched for miles, and Sophie rested her head back wearily. Why had she agreed to come out with him? She should have known better.

  It seemed it was impossible now for them to be together without spending the whole time deliberately hurting one another. At least, he hurt her. She wasn’t so sure of her own success.

  At last, when she was wondering whether he was considering turning back and abandoning the outing, he said heavily: ‘Look, we’ve got the afternoon ahead of us.

  Shall we try and behave like civilised human beings and be polite to one another for a change? I don’t think I can stand much more of this!’

  Sophie looked at him with feigned indifference, while the words she spoke tore at her emotions. ‘Wouldn’t you rather go back?’

  Robert looked at her then, and taking one hand from the wheel allowed his fingers to close over her knee through the thin material of her skirt. ‘No,’ he said steadily. ‘I don’t want to go back.’

  ‘Oh, Robert !’

  Sophie felt near to tears and she put her hand over his until his fingers moved and twined themselves with hers. He didn’t look at her again, but he drove the rest of the journey one-handed.

  Gloucester, like Hereford, attracted tourists, all, eager to explore the ancient aspects of the city. Gabled and timbered houses, and some of the old inns preserved the atmosphere of Elizabethan England, while the basically Norman cathedral reflected every style of Gothic architecture. Sophie had spent many happy hours in the cathedral, exploring the chapels and cloisters, examining the shrines of famous people buried there.

  Robert parked the car in the multi-storey park near the cathedral and when they emerged into the sunshine again, he said: ‘I have to visit the company office in Henry Street, Sophie. It wouldn’t be much fun for you. Could you entertain yourself for about an hour and then we’ll go and have afternoon tea, if you like.’

  Sophie could hardly hide her disappointment. Since leaving the car, Robert had made no attempt to touch her, and now it seemed he was to abandon her. ‘All right,’ she agreed without enthusiasm, and he put out a hand and touched her cheek.

  ‘Stop looking like that,’ he commanded, almost impatiently. ‘There’s a very good second-hand bookshop near the cathedral. I guarantee if you make your way there, I’ll be back before you miss me.’

  Sophie’s mouth lifted slightly at the corners. ‘Want to bet?’

  Robert looked as though he was about to say something more and then abruptly he turned away. ‘Okay,’ he said briskly. ‘I’ll see you in Rhymers at half past four. Be good!’

  And with a slight nod of his head he strode away.

  As it happened, Sophie bumped into one of her old school friends in Rhymers. Sally Vincent lived in Gloucester, but she had left school the previous Christmas and the two girls had lost touch with one another.

  ‘I say, this is marvellous!’ she exclaimed, cornering the younger girl between the bookshelves. ‘We must exchange addresses, Sophie. I’ve been meaning to give you a ring ever since I left, but you know how it is…’

  ‘Yes,’ Sophie smiled. ‘I-‘

  ‘Well, I’ve been abroad, actually. Mummy has a distant cousin who married an Austrian businessman, and I’ve been staying with them. It was terrific. Have you ever been to Austria?’

  ‘No, but-‘

  ‘The seasons run into one another, you know. Winter sports, skiing, that sort of thing, and then it’s so deliciously hot in the summer! You’ve finished school now, haven’t you, Sophie? Have you decided what you’re going to do?’

  Sophie did manage to get a word in here and there. She found Sally’s apparently unending fund of gossip a relief after the tension earlier, and by the time Robert returned they had exchanged addresses and telephone numbers, and Sally had decreed that Sophie simply must attend one of their barbecue parties soon. Robert came, shouldering his way through the book addicts thronging the shelves of the busy shop, and frowned when he saw that Sophie was no longer alone. Sally, on the other hand, stared admiringly at her friend’s escort, and nudging Sophie said: ‘Aren’t you going to introduce me, poppet?’

  Sophie performed the introductions reluctantly. Sally was a very attractive girl and a shaft of pure jealousy tore through her when Sally realised exactly what their relationship was. A gleam of speculation came into her eyes and she chatted to Robert wittily, using all her undoubted charm. Robert’s frown disappeared, and he seemed relaxed and amiable. But Sophie felt completely superfluous from the moment he appeared.

  ‘I say,’ Sally exclaimed at last, ‘why don’t you and your — er — stepbrother come back to my house for dinner this evening, Sophie? There’s only Mummy and Daddy and me for once, and I’m sure my father would welcome some intelligent conversation. My escorts tend to be either completely servile or boringly left-wing.

  He usually avoids them, as you can imagine.’ She laughed into Robert’s eyes. ‘Do say you’ll come.’

  ‘I’m afraid we can’t,’ replied Robert apologetically, before Sophie could say anything.

  ‘Our parents are expecting guests this evening, and we’ve promised to be back.’

  ‘Oh, that’s a pity!’ Sally looked disappointed. Then she brightened. ‘Still, I’ve got Sophie’s phone number. Perhaps some other time.’

  ‘Perhaps so.’ Robert was non-committal, much to Sophie’s relief.

  ‘Well, anyway,’ went on Sally undaunted, ‘it’s been so nice seeing you again, Sophie.

  We mustn’t lose touch.’

  ‘No.’ Sophie was less enthusiastic now.

  ‘I’m afraid we must be going,’ said Robert, putting a hand beneath Sophie’s elbow, his touch sending ripples of anticipation up her arm.

  ‘Oh, must you?’ Sally sighed. ‘Well, never mind. I’ll give you a ring soon, Sophie. I’m looking forward to talking over more old times.’ But her eyes lingered on Robert and Sophie wondered rather cynically whether she would have remained as enthusiastic if Robert hadn’t appeared on the scene.

  Farewells were made and Sophie and Robert threaded their way outside again. Once there, Robert expelled his breath noisily, and said: ‘It was damned oppressive in there, wasn’t it?’ He had put on his jacket to visit his office and now he ran one finger round the inside of his shirt collar. ‘How did you stand it for almost an hour I’

  ‘Oh, I—Sally was talking.’ Sophie made a vague gesture. ‘I didn’t notice.’

  ‘Sally does a lot of talking, doesn’t she?’ he commented dryly, beginning to walk towards the main street.

  Sophie glanced up at him. ‘Do you think so?’

  ‘Well, don’t you? Or didn’t you notice that either?’

  Sophie shrugged. ‘I suppose so. She’s a very vivacious person.’

  ‘You think?’

  ‘Of course.’

  Robert raised his eyes heavenward. ‘All right, if you say so.’

  ‘I should have thought you’d have appreciated that.’

  ‘Why?’ Robert uttered an amused snort. ‘Because she made a play for me?’ He shook his head at her shocked face. ‘Stop being so prickly! If you like her, okay. I can’t be expected to like everybody.’

  Sophie�
�s lips quivered. ‘I thought you did.’

  ‘What? Like everybody—or just her?’

  ‘Just – her.’

  He found her hand then, linking his fingers with hers as Simon had done but with infinitely more pressure. ‘Oh, Sophie,’ he said resignedly, ‘I know a hundred girls exactly like her. The London office is full of them. She’s no novelty, believe me!’

  And Sophie did. She looked up at him with her heart in her eyes and with a muttered oath, he said: ‘Let’s have some tea, eh?’ and quickened his step.

  But by this time all the restaurants and cafeterias were overflowing with customers and after twenty minutes Robert looked at his watch and said: ‘Look, this is hopeless. How about buying some cans of beer or Coke and a couple of sandwiches and driving somewhere out of town to eat them?’

  ‘Mmm, super!’ exclaimed Sophie eagerly, and leaving her Robert entered the nearest bakery.

  He emerged carrying two bags and four cans, and Sophie relieved him of two of the cans before making their way back to the car-park.

  It was good to get out of town and Robert seemed in no hurry to get back. They found a place to park the car on the roadside and then left it to scramble down a bank to where a narrow stream meandered its way towards the River Severn. Robert had shed his jacket again, and his tie, and dropping his burden he stretched out lazily on the lush green grass.

  ‘This is better than some stuffy café,’ he murmured contentedly. ‘It’s years since I had a picnic’

  Sophie was opening the two paper bags. Inside one were half a dozen bread rolls filled with an assortment of things like chicken, ham, egg, cheese and tomato, while the other contained two sticky cream cakes. She smiled, recognising her own particular favourite. She wouldn’t have expected him to remember.