Follow a Stranger

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