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‘And I’m Taryn,’ she responded. ‘Has Luke—Mr Major—left any instructions? He showed me around yesterday, but apart from telling me which room he wanted for his study he said no more.’

‘I’ve a plan here.’ Andy pulled a piece of paper from his pocket. ‘The gaffer has made one or two suggestions, but he says you’re in charge of the whole operation.’

Taryn was amazed that Luke should give her so much responsibility. What did she know of his likes and dislikes, his tastes, his preferences? And how did he know he could rely on her? He knew she hadn’t done this type of work before. He really was a most trusting man.

‘See here,’ Andy stabbed at the paper with a grimy forefinger, indicating the south-western tower room, ‘This is to be the day lounge, because it gets the benefit of the sun for most of the day, and next to it ’

But Taryn was no longer listening. Her eyes had travelled across the page to the elevation of the first floor, and the room immediately above the day lounge. There was nothing extraordinary in what she saw, so why the sudden tightening in her throat?

Andy followed her gaze. ‘Yes,’ he said, ‘that’s Mrs Major’s room; he was most emphatic about that. Said it must be the best one. Mr Major’s next to it, here, and he wants an adjoining door putting in and a bathroom opposite. Everything else he said I could leave to you.’

‘I see.’ So Luke was married. Somehow she had imagined him to be single—like Mark—or as Mark had been, she quickly corrected herself. He too would be a married man by this time. She felt vaguely disappointed by her discovery, yet was at a loss to understand why, and something else puzzled her too—why separate rooms? Did he not share his wife’s bed? Was there disharmony between them? These were questions she could not answer. Another thought sud
denly struck her. ‘Has Luke any children?'

‘Why, no, lass,’ replied Andy. ‘What must you be thinking of?’

She felt even more disturbed by the strange look he gave her. ‘I just wondered,’ she said, ‘that’s all. If you’re ready we’ll make a start.’ She looked about her at the dingy walls covered in faded brown paper, falling from the corners as if pleading to be removed. The doors too were dark brown, flaking and dirty. It was a large, lofty hall, with stairs leading up from either side of a central fireplace. ‘I want this doing in light pastel shades,' she said. ‘I think perhaps pale gold walls to represent sunlight, with ivory paintwork. We’ll have a huge mirror on the wall above the fireplace to reflect the light from the window—and a crystal chandelier.’ She looked down at the floor. ‘It’s a shame to cover these boards. We’ll have them polished until you can see your face in them, with a Persian carpet in the middle. And plenty of flowers,' she continued, ‘I’ll do those myself. Oh, I can just imagine it! ’

Andy was watching her with admiration. ‘I can see why the gaffer said to leave everything to you. You certainly know what will suit the old place best.'

Taryn’s enthusiasm was building up. Already she was forgetting her antagonism towards Luke. She wished he was here to discuss her plans, to guide her when she hesitated> perhaps argue over her choice. And then there was the question of money. How much did he wish her to spend? Had she a free hand in ordering the furniture and carpets? It would cost a small fortune to create a home out of this empty shell
of a house.

She smiled at Andy. ‘It’s easy when you’re spending someone else’s money. Is Mr Major very wealthy?’

‘He’s better off than most,’ he replied, ‘though not as rich as some,’ which answer told her precisely nothing.

She tried again. ‘I believe he has his own business. Do you know what it is?’

‘Oh, yes,’ he nodded. ‘He owns a chain of hotels. Hence the “chopper” for getting from one to the other quickly.’

Horror crossed her face. ‘He’s not thinking of turning this place into a ’

Andy shook his head. ‘You need have no fears there. This is going to be his retreat. He has a flat in London and one in Edinburgh, but between you and me I think he’s feeling the strain and needs some quiet little backwater where he can forget all his worries.’

Taryn smiled. ‘I wouldn’t call this small, but it’s certainly quiet. How did he find it?’

‘He pored over lists and lists before he came across this one,’ he said. ‘He made up his mind on the spot— and I can’t say I blame him; it’s an ideal position to get away from the hustle and bustle of town life.’

As Andy appeared to be in an expansive mood, Taryn asked next, ‘Has Luke ever been to Italy?’

‘I expect so,’ confirmed the man. ‘He’s been nearly all over the world.’

‘I mean, has he ever spent any length of time there?’

Andy shrugged. ‘He could have done. He does sometimes disappear abroad for a month or two, but he doesn’t confide in me. Why do you ask?’

‘I once saw someone who looked like him.’ Taryn tried to keep her voice casual, not wishing him to know the effect Luke Major had on her.

‘Ah—it’s said everyone has a double, though I suppose it’s possible you could have seen the gaffer. Have you asked him?’

Taryn shook her head. ‘Not yet.’

‘Then I should. He’ll soon tell you if it was him.’ They moved then to the next room and in the excitement of creating beauty out of the grime and squalor of Dale End Taryn forgot for a while her disquieted thoughts. She even forgot about lunch, and it was after five before she returned to her aunt’s cottage, tired, hungry, more than a little dirty, yet for the first time in months genuinely happy.

Gammy took one look at the girl’s face and smiled, a quietly satisfied smile, though wisely she said nothing. ‘I’ve run your bath,’ she said. ‘I saw you coming. Go and have a nice long soak while I get your tea.’

It was much later in the evening before Taryn told her aunt that Luke was married.

Gammy’s head shot up and she looked at Taryn sharply. ‘Are you sure? He said nothing to me, and we had quite a long chat the other day.’

‘Positive. Andy showed me a plan of the house. Luke had marked on it exactly which room he wanted for his wife.’

Great-aunt Margaret passed a hand across her brow. ‘I can’t believe it. There must be some mistake.’

Taryn was forced to smile. ‘You mean you don t want to believe it. You’re cherishing the idea that Luke and I will get together one day. Sorry to disappoint you, dear aunt, but that s the way it goes.'

Two cars drew up outside Honeysuckle Cottage the next morning. This was such an uncommon occurrence that both Taryn and her aunt rushed outside to see what was happening.

‘Miss Penreath?’ One of the drivers got out and looked questioningly at the two women.

‘I’m Miss Penreath,’ replied Taryn.

‘The car you hired,’ he said smartly. ‘You should find it satisfactory.’

‘But I didn’t—I haven’t hired a car.’

He pulled a slip of paper from his pocket. ‘Miss Penreath, Honeysuckle Cottage, Ferndale. One car for an unlimited period—it’s all here. Good day, ma’am.’ Taryn stared as he climbed into the other car. ‘Er— thank you,’ she called lamely after them as they disappeared in a cloud of dust. ‘What do you make of this?’ she asked, turning to her aunt.

‘Beats me,’ shrugged the other woman.

At that moment a motor-cycle came over the brow of the hill and squealed to a halt beside them. ‘Telegram for Miss Penreath.’

Taryn’s eyebrows slid up in astonishment. What on earth was going on? She tore open the envelope and read,
trust car has arrived, forgot you will
NEED SOMETHING TO GET ABOUT WHEN ORDERING THE FURNITURE, ETC. HOPE ALL IS GOING WELL. REGARDS, LUKE MAJOR.

Wordlessly she passed it to Gammy, who smiled. ‘How thoughtful,’ and to the boy who stood waiting, 'There's no reply.’

‘How did he know I could drive?’ asked Taryn.

‘I should imagine that in his world all women drive and naturally he assumed you did too. This gesture makes me like him even more.’

‘You liked him right from the beginning, didn’t you, Gammy? At least it’s solved my question as to whether he was leaving me to order the furnishings,’ and, suddenly excited, ‘Shall we go into Exeter today? There used to be a marvellous antique shop that has just the sort of thing I’m looking for.’

‘I'm sorry.’ Gammy looked disappointed. ‘I’ve promised to bake some cakes for the school fete. Take Janice, she'll enjoy the change. She was only moaning the other day that she never gets out nowadays. Once the baby’s born she’ll have plenty to do, it’s the waiting that gets her down.’

Taryn laughed. ‘You too. You can’t wait to be a great-grandmother, but it's a good idea all the same. I'll go and ask her.’

Janice was of the same age as Taryn. They had been to school together, shared each other’s secrets, and until Taryn’s disastrous affair had kept nothing back. But since returning to the valley Taryn had felt disinclined to talk and had not seen so much of Janice. Newly married herself, her cousin had been too engrossed with her new husband to seek out Taryn. but it would be nice to spend a few hours with her again.

As Gammy had foretold, Janice was delighted at the prospect of a day spent shopping and before long they were on their way.

‘What’s he like, this new boss of yours?’ Janice asked, trying to settle her unaccustomed bulk into the limited space of the car. Her pregnancy suited her. Once a thin pale girl, she now looked the picture of health. Her skin glowed and her eyes sparkled and her short dark hair was in tip-top condition. Not as tall as Taryn, she was now pleasantly rounded, but instead of bewailing the loss of her figure she was contented and happy and looked forward to the day when she became a mother.

Taryn realised there was no point in avoiding the issue. ‘I expect you’ve heard by now that he looks like Mark? Honestly, Janice, it’s the most weird thing that’s ever happened to me.’

‘I think it’s exciting. Everyone’s talking about it.’

'I might have known,’ replied Taryn. ‘I’ve been too busy to become involved myself, but I guessed it wouldn’t be long before they all knew.’

‘Well, come on then, what’s he like, this hero of yours?’

Taryn threw her cousin a disdainful look. ‘Very kind, very charming and very handsome. But I don’t like him.’

‘Why on earth not?’ queried Janice, wide-eyed.

‘For the very reason I gave earlier—because he reminds me of Mark.’ She kept her eyes on the road ahead, shimmering in the heat of the day.

'I don’t understand you, Taryn. Just because one man jilted you there’s no reason to dislike another. Give him a chance.’

Taryn sniffed. ‘You’re as bad as Gammy! If either of you had met Mark you’d appreciate the way I feel.’

‘How about this rumour I’ve heard that he could be suffering from loss of memory?’ persisted Janice.

‘Another of Gammy’s theories. You know what she’s like. If you believe everything you hear you’re a fool. The truth of the matter is Gammy’s trying to make this rubbish about the rainbow come true.’

‘You mean you actually saw
the
rainbow—the one we always looked for when we were children? And then you met Mr Major?’ Janice sounded awed. ‘No wonder Gammy’s ’

‘Don’t say you believe it too,' scoffed Taryn. ‘For Pete’s sake, have a bit of sense.’

‘We believed it when we were young,' protested Janice, ‘so why not now? After all, both our parents saw it
and
met their husbands shortly afterwards.'

‘But
you
didn’t, and no one’s going to make me believe that Luke’s the man for me. He’s my boss— full stop. Besides which,’ she paused to get the full effect from her words, ‘he’s already married.’

Janice’s reaction was much the same as Gammy’s. Her mouth fell open and she stared at Taryn. ‘No! That’s one piece of news that’s escaped the village grapevine.' And then on a more sympathetic note,

‘Poor you. So there’ll be no chance of ’

‘There never was,' interrupted Taryn firmly.

Janice grimaced. ‘What’s she like, this wife of Luke’s?’

‘No idea. It would be better if I had, then I would know what sort of furniture to choose for
her
bedroom.’

Janice’s brows rose. They have separate rooms?’ and as Taryn nodded, ‘How strange—even so, if I were moving into a new house I would want to supervise the furnishing of my own room at least.’

‘Me too, but that’s the way it is, so I shall just have to do the best I can.’

Taryn drove on in silence for the next few miles, temporarily regretting living in such a close-knit community. Nothing was sacred, no business too private not to be shared with the neighbours. But as they neared Exeter her spirits rose. It should be fun seeking out the appropriate furniture to suit Dale End.

The antique shop was still there; overflowing with chairs and tables, pictures and lamps, brass, copper, china and glass. Taryn was soon lost in a world of her own, only occasionally remembering Janice and throwing her the odd remark. ‘Look at this blue and gilt china clock—oh, I must have that, and this French mirror—it’s just what I need for the hall. Oh, and look at that Boulle table—isn’t it beautiful?’

It was lunch time before she finished browsing. Janice sat in a cane chair near the door, completely exhausted. ‘I’m sorry,' exclaimed Taryn, suddenly noticing her cousin’s pale face. ‘I’d forgotten you tire easily these days. Shall we have lunch, and then if you feel up to it I’d like to look in that new shop that’s opened round the corner. There’s a super four-poster bed in the window which would be perfect for Mrs Major’s room.’

‘You’re taking a gamble there. What if she doesn’t like it? Why don’t you ask Mr Major what he thinks?’

‘Mm, I suppose I could, but it is my job, so if she disapproves of my choice that’s her bad luck.’

‘You sound as though you don’t like her very much. It’s not like you to talk like that about anyone.’

Taryn smiled ruefully, but not for anything would she admit that the thought of Luke’s wife was disturbing. This was a feeling even she herself could not understand.

When they arrived back at Ferndale Taryn was surprised to see a white Volvo outside her aunt’s cottage. Visitors were rare in this secluded village and she wondered who it could be. She dropped off an inquisitive Janice and pulled up behind the expensive-looking car.