Kingfisher Morning

'Don't make excuses for her,' he snapped. 'I fancy love was not the motive. Money came first. She was desperate, all right—desperate for money.'

'You're very cynical,' she said, half indulgently. 'I suppose it's only natural after such an experience.'

'And you?' he asked. 'Are you cynical about men after your experience of love?'

'Why should I

be? Guy was always straight with me. I fooled myself, I wasn't fooled by Guy. And believe me, he fell in love with Fanny at first sight—even though I was on the losing side I could see that.' She looked dubious. 'But it's true that I shall be extra cautious in future. I'm not going to be in any hurry to fall in love again. This mouse stays clear of traps in future.'

Ross laughed. 'What a funny little creature you are!'

'Why, thanks,' she said, offended. 'Glad I amuse you.'

This only made him laugh louder.

Emma felt, after this conversation, that she and Ross had achieved a new relationship, friendly and understanding, based on mutual trust. It was something of a shock, therefore, when very shortly after this she found herself once more at odds with him.

She took the children over to visit their mother in the hospital. Judith was looking much better, and her face lit up when she saw the three children coming towards her. When she had hugged each one, she looked at Emma with a smile. 'How can I thank you?'

'Nothing to thank me for,' said Emma casually.

'Ross has done nothing but sing your praises,' Judith added firmly. 'I don't know what we would have done without you.'

'Have you forgotten who got you into this mess?'

'That dog!' Judith capped with a twinkle.

Emma laughed. 'Well, yes, but I wasn't thinking fast enough.'

'All the same, I'm grateful,' Judith insisted. 'The children look marvellous.'

'Emma's a good cook,' said Robin in his cool little voice. 'Even Uncle Ross says so.'

Judith's eyes met Emma's. 'Even Uncle Ross!' Judith murmured in complete understanding. 'My word, that's praise indeed!'

Emma giggled.

'How is he bearing up under the strain of playing host to a horde of kids?' asked Judith.

'Bravely,' said Emma.

'Hmm…'

'Is it true we've got a grandfather?' Robin asked suddenly.

There was a taut silence. Judith looked at him, then at Emma, her face pale, her eyes enquiring.

Emma was not sure how to respond, but was saved the problem by Robin, who added, 'Tracy says we have. We saw him in a big car, he stared at us, but he didn't say anything. He's old and small…'

Suddenly there were bright tears in Judith's eyes, and she turned her head hurriedly aside. Emma was appalled. She looked out of the window for inspiration, saw an ice-cream van standing beside the back gate of the hospital. 'Goodness, look! An ice-cream van! When we leave, we'll stop and buy one, shall we? Oh, dear, here's Sister, coming to turn us out, I'm afraid. You must all kiss Mummy goodbye. She'll be coming home soon now, so it won't be for long.'

Judith hugged them all, under Sister's approving eye, and Emma gave her a quick, apologetic smile. Judith's eyes were still damp and she looked pale.

'Thanks,' she whispered again as Emma left.

That evening, when the children were safely tucked up, Emma looked across the sitting-room at Ross, nodding sleepily over the detective story he was reading.

After their chat recently, she felt less apprehensive about bringing up the subject, but it was still not an easy one for her to broach. She did not know all the circumstances, but she felt that someone ought to say something.