Follow a Stranger

“You should have bought a larger size,” said her mother.

“They only had it in one size and it was too gorgeous to

resist.”

“It cost a bomb, too,” Sam said. “Which reminds me—lend

me a quid, Kate. I want to take Karen to the pictures.”

Kate groaned, but produced the money. “I thought girls

went dutch these days.”

“Not Karen,” he said proudly. “Half the male population of

Greyford is trying to date her. I wouldn’t dare suggest we go

dutch.”

When he had vanished to change into even sloppier jeans,

his mother laughed. “Karen isn’t a girl—she’s a prize. Sam is

delighted to be dating her.”

“I can’t think why,” said Kate. “She’s the most boring girl I

ever met.”

“But she looks like a beauty queen,” said Mrs. Caulfield

with amusement, “and all the other boys are crazy about

her.”

The doorbell rang and Kate jumped up. “That will be

Peter—I’ll go.”

She opened the door and a tall, bearded young man

wandered in, smiling vaguely at her. “Hi!”

She sighed and reached up to kiss him. “Hello, darling.

Had an interesting day?”

He looked almost lively. “Yes—guess what was brought in?

Another urn fragment from the Roman fort at Lower

Greyford. And it fits perfectly! The urn is really taking shape

now. Another few pieces and I’ll have a complete second-

century urn.”

“How fascinating, darling. Like a jigsaw puzzle,” she said,