was a flurry of pink blossom on the almond trees in the next
garden.
She looked out for a long time, her face absorbed. It was all
very real, very beautiful, very reassuring.
Of course I love Peter, she thought, with a surge of relief.
She thought of him with warmth. He was a darling—absent-
minded, thoughtless, vague—but basically kind and generous
if only one could penetrate the mists of antiquity which filled
his brain. He might not be dynamic or dangerously
attractive, but he was real. She knew him, understood him
and cared about him.
She swung on her heel and walked out of the room,
mentally snapping her fingers at Marc Lillitos.
CHAPTER THREE
As the plane landed on the small airfield at Kianthos Kate
peered nervously out of the window, wondering if Marc
were waiting for them, but there was no sign of him as
they climbed down into clear, cool sunlight.
She and Pallas had gone shopping together a few days
before they were due to leave, and had returned laden
with bags and parcels. Kate had felt guilty, squandering
money on clothes for herself, but her mother had firmly
insisted that she renew her wardrobe. “Think of yourself
for once,” she smiled, patting Kate’s cheek. “You’ve done
so much for us all since you started work. I don’t know
what I would have done without you. But it’s time you had
some really nice clothes.”
Kate had suggested she made what she needed, as she
normally did, but Mrs. Caulfield had shaken her head.
“No, dear. You may never have the chance of a holiday