A Time of Peace (16 page)

‘I agree. This has taken a terrible toll on both of them.' He kissed her on the cheek. ‘You sure you're okay?'

‘I'm such a coward, James.' The words came out in a whisper and she dipped her head in shame, not able to look at him.

‘Don't think that,' he said, a deep frown on his face. ‘You come to me if you need anything.'

‘I will.' She got in the car, started the engine and set off towards Wandsworth.

Jon watched the tall elegant woman walk in and, as cries of delight came from Eddie, saw her lift up the boy and spin around on her high heels. The sight was stunning: bright red suit, short skirt and long shapely legs. Her hair shone black against the scarlet. She was unmistakably Rose Freeman's daughter.

Eddie had his arms around her neck and the rest of the boys gathered round.

‘You said you were coming two days ago,' Tom said, accusingly. ‘Ed thought you'd forgotten about him.'

‘I wouldn't do that.' She smiled at Eddie and put him down. ‘I couldn't get here.'

‘Were you sick?' Eddie asked.

She stooped down in front of him. ‘Yes, but I'm all right now.'

Mrs Green was all smiles. ‘Jon, this is Kate.'

‘I'm pleased to meet you,' she said in a distracted way.

As he shook hands with her, he looked into her eyes for the first time and was shocked. They were just like her mother's, so dark they were almost black, but there the similarity ended. This woman's eyes looked empty, the only emotion showing a deep simmering anger. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen, but there was something wrong with her.

‘Mr Devlin, I have a car full of parcels and could use some help bringing them in.'

With a slight inclination of his head he followed her out. When they staggered back, loaded with brightly wrapped parcels, the boys went wild and wanted to open them right away.

‘No,' Mrs Green told them firmly. ‘Put them round the tree for us to open after lunch.'

‘Where are the twins?' Kate asked, looking around the room.

‘We've got the most amazing news. They've been taken home for Christmas by a very nice couple who are thinking of adopting them. They can't have children of their own and are happy to have them both. I would have been very upset if they'd been split up.'

‘That's wonderful, Mrs Green. I hope everything works out.' Kate nodded approval.

‘I believe it will. They're a well-off couple and fell in love with the twins as soon as they saw them.'

‘It's quieter without them,' Tom said, pulling a face. ‘They couldn't half grizzle!'

Eddie scrambled to his feet as soon as all the packages were in place and tore up the stairs, returning out of breath with the picture he'd painted for Kate. He smiled shyly and handed it to her. ‘I drawed this for you.'

Jon watched carefully to see what her reaction would be. The boy had put a lot of love into that picture.

She studied the painting for some time, then gathered Eddie into her arms for a hug. ‘Thank you, Eddie, it's beautiful and the best present I've ever had.'

Her voice was husky and, when she looked up, Jon was sure he saw tears welling up in her eyes. Then the emotion vanished, and he thought he must have been mistaken.

She stayed for about two hours and then left, promising to come again in two days' time. He went with her to the car. After putting the drawing carefully on the back seat, she shook hands with him again, and then drove off.

He wandered back indoors, where the boys were all
excited about her visit, and shook his head in bewilderment. He was sure she'd been touched by Eddie's gift, and she did seem to care for the boys – but there was a detached look about her, as if she were walking in a dream. No, it wasn't that. There had been a tortured look in those lustrous dark eyes.

Kate breathed a sigh of relief as she drove to Pete's house. She'd been in danger of unravelling when Eddie had given her his painting, and it had taken a supreme effort not to collapse on the floor and cry her eyes out. It had been a struggle when she'd seen how Eddie had depicted her as an angel with jet-black hair and wings, but she wouldn't break down in front of strangers. Jon Devlin was a severe-looking man and not at all how she'd imagined him. She'd only ever seen black and white pictures of him and his colouring had come as a shock: his hair was the colour of wet sand and he had the greenest eyes she'd ever seen.

As soon as she pulled up outside Pete's small terraced house, he rushed out to greet her. ‘Kate! I'm so happy to see you. The police wouldn't let me come up to the room when they found you. Only close family were allowed, but I was right there all the time. Are you okay? Shouldn't you still be in hospital?'

‘I'm fine, Pete; I've come to thank you. James told me it was you who told him I was missing, and you wouldn't leave until you knew I was safe.'

‘I was so worried,' he admitted.

Kate reached into the car for the last present and handed it to him. ‘Happy Christmas, Pete.'

He smiled. ‘It will be, now that you're safe. I've got
something for you indoors. Will you come in and meet my family?'

‘I'd love to.'

Pete's parents welcomed her with warm smiles, ushering her into the front room. The furniture had seen better days, but it was spotlessly clean and comfortable.

‘Do sit down, my dear,' Mrs Sheldon urged. ‘We were all that pleased to know you were safe. Would you like a cup of tea?'

‘No, thank you, Mrs Sheldon.' Kate sat in one of the imitation leather armchairs, suddenly feeling very drained.

Pete's father was obviously not in good health, moving slowly as if in some discomfort. He was beaming with pleasure, though. ‘It's lovely to meet you at last, and know you're safe. Our Pete's been worried sick about you.'

Kate looked at Pete with affection. ‘I know, and my family have been so grateful for his help and support. This kidnapping has been very hard on them.'

Pete's four young brothers and sisters watched her with interest as they talked, and Kate forced herself to join in the conversation. She had been too stubborn to realize just how tiring this morning would be, and she was beginning to feel quite unwell.

It was an hour before she could politely leave. There was the party to get through. And for her parents' sake, she must shine tonight!

‘Happy New Year, Pete.' Kate walked into the back room of the shop, glad to be at work and occupied. ‘Sorry I'm late. I popped in at Wilkins House and had breakfast with them.'

‘You don't have to apologize to me,' he laughed. ‘You're the boss. You can come and go as you please.'

A plan had been forming in Kate's mind all over the Christmas holiday, and she'd decided to put it into action without delay. She would talk to her parents tonight. Her view of life had changed dramatically during her captivity. Her dreams of working abroad had vanished, but she would root out cruelty and injustice in her own country and expose it. Everyone had been telling her how brave she'd been. She knew that wasn't true. She'd been terrified, and, apart from that one effort with the camera, she'd just sat there and done nothing. She should have tried harder to escape! It was no good berating herself. Her nature had always been to wait and see how things turned out. If she had done something silly in panic, then she might not be here today talking to Pete. It was during the dark lonely hours she'd realized just how much he meant to her. He was more than her assistant – he was a loved and respected friend. It had worried her that if she had died he could have been left with nothing, and that wasn't fair, after all the hard work he'd put into the shop. She was determined to put that right.

‘I think 1961 is going to be a good year for us.' Pete's eyes shone with excitement. ‘The phone hasn't stopped ringing this morning. I've taken bookings for three weddings and two portraits and it's only eleven o'clock.'

‘Wonderful.' Kate put the kettle on to make tea. ‘We must get you an assistant. I'll be off chasing stories a lot of the time.'

‘I know that's what you want to do, so I've already put an advert in two local papers,' he told her. ‘And they should be out today.'

She studied him carefully as he put out biscuits for their elevenses. There wasn't a trace of the timid boy who had started working with her last year.

‘Did you have a good Christmas?' she asked.

He looked up. ‘Oh, yes, and my mum and dad haven't stopped talking about your visit.'

The bell on the shop door jangled and Kate went out to see who was there, fighting down the panic she was feeling in case another Derek Howard came in the door. A girl of around Pete's age was standing by the counter and clutching a newspaper.

‘Can I help you?' Kate asked.

‘Er … I've come about the job.' She looked uncertain. ‘But I don't suppose you want a girl.'

‘What's your name?' Kate rather liked the look of her. Petite was the right way to describe her. She had short light brown hair, and lovely clear blue eyes. Her smile was hesitant but engaging.

‘I'm Susan Richards. I'm very interested in photography, but I'm afraid I haven't had any experience.'

‘That isn't important; we'd be willing to teach you.
Come and have a cup of tea, meet my partner and tell us about yourself.'

Half an hour later Susan Richards left, and Kate asked Pete, ‘What did you think of her?'

‘She seems a nice girl and very keen.'

‘You don't have to take the first one,' she told him. ‘I expect there will be others applying.'

‘Sure to be.' Pete chewed his lip. ‘Do you think she'd do the job okay?'

‘Yes, I do, but it's your decision.'

‘Mine?' He looked startled.

‘Yep.' Kate grinned. ‘I've just promoted you again. You're now in charge of the hiring and firing of staff.'

‘The last time you promoted me you gave me a rise,' he said, chortling. ‘Does this mean I'll get another one?'

‘You've just had one,' she teased, ‘but I'll think about it later.'

Pete tipped his head back and roared. ‘Fair enough, boss.'

‘Now, what about this girl?' Kate said.

‘I think we'll give it a couple of days and see who else applies, but she's definitely at the top of the list.'

‘Very sensible.' She picked up her camera and headed for the door, stopped and looked over her shoulder. ‘Can you drive?'

He shook his head.

‘Right. Apply for your provisional licence and I'll find someone to teach you. Then we'll see about buying you your own car.'

‘Really?' Pete squeaked. ‘That'll be great!'

Kate packed up early from work and found her parents
in the sitting room, both reading by a blazing fire. They looked much better and she was glad she'd been able to convince them that she was all right after the abduction. Only James knew what a difficult time she was having coming to terms with it – but it was early days yet. No doubt the memory would fade in time. The nights were the worst. Often she was afraid to fall asleep in case the nightmares came. And they did.

Her father looked up and smiled. ‘Had a good day?'

‘Yes. We're taking on someone else to help with the shop and the bookings have been pouring in today.'

‘I knew you'd make a go of it.' Her father didn't try to hide his pride in her achievement.

‘Well, most of it is due to Pete. He's turning out to be an astute businessman. And that's what I'd like to talk to both of you about. I want to do something special for him, so I'm going to give him a 40 per cent share in the business.'

‘That's very generous, and I do approve,' her father said, ‘but wouldn't 25 per cent be enough?'

‘No.' Kate was adamant. ‘Pete would have been left with nothing if things hadn't worked out so well before Christmas. I know that isn't going to happen again,' she added quickly, ‘but I want to give him security. He deserves it.'

Bill's face clouded at the mention of Derek Howard. ‘You're right of course, and it's your decision.'

‘I think it's a fitting way to thank him for his prompt action in going to James when you didn't come back,' Rose said. ‘If the business thrives he'll be set up for life.'

‘That's what I want, Mum. Would you draft out an agreement for me and I'll take it to a solicitor tomorrow?
Now I must get ready to go out. Beth has somehow managed to get more tickets to see the Shadows. They're at Hammersmith again.'

The cinema being used for the concert was packed with loud teenagers, and when the performance began the noise was even worse. Kate watched Beth's animated face and felt like crying. That animal Derek Howard had done something to her inside. She should be on her feet shouting and cheering like everyone else …

‘Aren't they great!' Beth sat down as the group left the stage, then she took Kate's hand. ‘Are you all right?'

‘I'm fine and really enjoying it. I'm just not as noisy as you,' she teased, as her earlier gloom vanished when Beth punched her arm playfully. ‘It's the interval, so let's see if we can fight our way towards the ice-cream.'

‘Good idea.' Beth started to carve her way through the jostling crowd.

Kate laughed; her friend might be small, but that didn't stop her pushing and shoving.

They bought the ice-cream and returned to their seats.

Beth looked anxiously at Kate. ‘Are you really all right? I thought a noisy night out would do you good.'

‘I'm struggling, Beth,' Kate admitted. ‘I keep waking up in the night drenched in sweat and crying out in panic. Mum and Dad are always beside the bed, trying to calm me. I'm putting them through hell and I'm so ashamed of myself.'

‘You mustn't feel like that.' Beth gave her arm a friendly squeeze. ‘They love you and understand. You'll get over it in time.'

‘Of course I shall.' Kate smiled. That was enough
gloomy talk; they were here to enjoy themselves. Beth had gone to a lot of trouble to arrange this night out for her, and she damned well wasn't going to spoil it! Normally she hated noise, but now she welcomed it.

Two weeks into the New Year and Jon was feeling restless and couldn't work out why. Would he ever settle down, he wondered. He'd thought that he would by marrying Jane, but when it came to it he'd realized that the wanderlust in him was too strong. It would take something, or someone, special to keep him at home. That proved he couldn't have loved Jane enough. He'd had a talk today with Andrew Stevenson, and with the continued unrest in Algeria they'd decided that he should go out there next month. It looked as if General de Gaulle hadn't been able to resolve the conflict, as the country tried to decide whether to secede from France or to remain integrated. It should be a lively assignment.

He picked up the photograph Eddie had given him for Christmas. Kate Freeman had caught the boy as he'd laughed up at her, and it was an excellent picture. Ed had asked for a photograph of him, so he'd promised to have one taken before he left for Algeria.

He replaced the picture on his bedside table. Might as well have Kate Freeman take the photo, as that would please Eddie even more. Mrs Green had told him where the shop was, so he grabbed his coat and hurried out, closing the door of his flat with a thud. It wouldn't shut if you didn't give it a real tug.

A bus to Kensington arrived just as he reached the stop and he jumped on. There was something troubling him about that beautiful woman, yet he couldn't for the
life of him decide what it was. She appeared to have everything in the world going for her, but …

He paid his fare and stared out of the window. Perhaps seeing her one more time would solve the mystery of Kate Freeman.

There was a young girl in the shop, and she gave him a welcoming smile. ‘Good afternoon, sir.'

‘I'd like a portrait of myself. Could it be done today? Right now if possible?'

‘I'll find out. I only started here this week and I don't know how things work yet. Excuse me, sir.' She disappeared into the back of the shop.

He walked around looking at the many photographs lining the walls. They really were excellent. He'd heard the story about Andrew Stevenson's treatment of her – the man had been a fool to lose her.

‘I can do the portrait for you now, sir.'

Jon turned from gazing at a stunning photo of trees with the sun filtering through the branches with misty fingers. The young man standing beside him was tall and had a bright smile on his face.

‘Thank you,' he said. ‘Is Kate Freeman around?'

‘She isn't here at the moment. My name's Pete and I do most of the studio work, but if you'd rather have Miss Freeman take the pictures, then I'll make an appointment for you.'

‘No, that isn't necessary. Did you take any of these?' Jon swept his hand around the room.

‘Most of them are Miss Freeman's work, but four are mine. The one you were looking at for instance.'

‘Really.' Jon regarded him with renewed interest. ‘I think it's stunning.'

Pete smiled, a touch of shyness surfacing at the compliment. ‘Thank you, I've had an excellent teacher in Miss Freeman, and I was lucky with the light.'

They were about to go to the studio when the shop door opened and Kate came in, followed by five others.

Rose smiled when she saw him. ‘Hello, Jon, let me introduce you to everyone. This is my husband, Bill, my son, James, my sister Annie and her husband, Reid.'

‘You'd better put the kettle on, Susan,' Pete said.

‘Don't bother with that,' Bill said, as he and James held up bottles of champagne. ‘We're going to have a celebration.'

Pete was wide-eyed with amusement. Then his expression turned to astonishment as a taxi drew up and his parents got out and came into the shop. He rushed forward to greet them. ‘What are you doing here?'

‘Mr Freeman sent a taxi for us,' his father told him.

Pete spun round and looked at Kate. ‘What's going on?'

‘You'll see in a moment. Susan, there's a box of glasses in my car, would you get them for me, please?'

Jon watched the proceedings with something akin to pain. What must it feel like to belong to a close-knit family like this? The security and outpouring of love was something he had never known – would never know, and the loneliness of his life hit him with force. He didn't belong here!

‘I can see you're busy,' he told Pete. ‘I'll come another time.'

‘No.' Rose touched his arm. ‘Stay and enjoy this moment with us.'

‘I'll take your photos now,' Pete told him.

‘I'm sure Mr Devlin won't mind waiting a while.' Kate stood next to Pete and smiled at his parents. ‘Thank you for coming, Mr and Mrs Sheldon; we wanted you to be here.'

The couple looked rather overwhelmed, and Jon knew exactly how they felt. He could handle riots, strife, war and flying bullets, but finding himself in the middle of the Freeman family was something quite out of his experience.

The young girl came back with the glasses. James lined them up on the counter, popped the champagne corks and filled the glasses. Then Bill and Reid passed them around.