Follow a Stranger

Sophia smiled, with sudden real warmth, and spoke in

reply, in her own language.

Kate flushed. “I’m afraid that’s almost the whole of my

Greek vocabulary!”

Sophia laughed. “You will learn more, yes?”

“I hope I shall,” said Kate. “I would like to be able to

speak Greek. I only speak French, and a little German.”

“I speak fluent English,” Sophia said proudly. “Marc

taught me to speak it! I was his nurse. He learnt at school,

and I learn from him.”

Kate stared in amazement. “His nurse? But you can’t be

old enough!” Then she flushed. “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t

mean to be rude.”

Sophia was not at all cross, though. She beamed, “Why

rude? It is very big compliment. I was fourteen when I first

come to work for the family. Marc was little baby, just

born. I help the nurse, then nurse leave when Marc is two,

and I carry on.” She looked wistful. “He was very pretty

baby. When he was eight, he went away to school. I stayed

on as maid.” She counted on her fingers, muttering under

her breath. “You guess? I am forty-five now.”

“You don’t look it,” Kate said sincerely. “Your

complexion is so good!”

Sophia smiled, very pleased, and after another moment

or two went off, leaving Kate to change for dinner. She

slipped into her new dressing-gown and lay down on the

bed for a while. The flight had been more tiring than she

had expected. Half an hour later she got up and put on a

turquoise dress which she had bought in Greyford. Then

she went downstairs and found Peter and Marc in a wood-