Always And Forever by Betty Neels Read Free Book Online

had got to her feet. She couldn’t think of anything to say that wouldn’t need a long explanation, so she held out a hand for Josh to shake, picked up Oscar’s basket and Cyril’s lead and walked obediently out into the street and got into the back of the car while Aunt Thisbe settled herself beside Josh.
    It was dark now, and the road was almost empty of traffic.There was nothing to see from the car’s window but Amabel remembered Bolton Percy was where her aunt lived, a medieval village some fifteen miles from York and tucked away from the main roads. It must be ten years since she was last here, she reflected; she had been sixteen and her father had died a few months earlier…
    The village, when they reached it, was in darkness, but her aunt’s house, standing a little apart from the row of brick and plaster cottages near the church, welcomed them with lighted windows.
    Josh got out and helped her with the animals and she followed him up the path to the front door, which Great-Aunt Thisbe had opened.
    â€˜Welcome to my home, child,’ she said. ‘And yours for as long as you need it.’

CHAPTER THREE
    T HE next hour or two were a blur to Amabel; her coat was taken from her and she was sat in a chair in Aunt Thisbe’s kitchen, bidden to sit there, drink the tea she was given and say nothing—something she was only too glad to do while Josh and her aunt dealt with Cyril and Oscar. In fact, quite worn out, she dozed off, to wake and find Oscar curled up on her lap, washing himself, and Cyril’s head pressed against her knee.
    Great-Aunt Thisbe spoke before she could utter a word.
    â€˜Stay there for a few minutes. Your room’s ready, but you must have something to eat first.’
    â€˜Aunt Thisbe—’ began Amabel.
    â€˜Later, child. Supper and a good night’s sleep first. Do you want your mother to know you are here?’
    â€˜No, no. I’ll explain…’
    â€˜Tomorrow.’ Great-Aunt Thisbe, still wearing her hat, put a bowl of fragrant stew into Amabel’s hands. ‘Now eat your supper.’
    Presently Amabel was ushered upstairs to a small room with a sloping ceiling and a lattice window. She didn’t remember getting undressed, nor did she feel surprised tofind both Oscar and Cyril with her. It had been a day like no other and she was beyond surprise or questioning; it seemed quite right that Cyril and Oscar should share her bed. They were still all together, she thought with satisfaction. It was like waking up after a particularly nasty nightmare.
    When she woke in the morning she lay for a moment, staring up at the unfamiliar ceiling, but in seconds memory came flooding back and she sat up in bed, hampered by Cyril’s weight on her feet and Oscar curled up near him. In the light of early morning yesterday’s journey was something unbelievably foolhardy—and she would have to explain to Great-Aunt Thisbe.
    The sooner the better.
    She got up, went quietly to the bathroom, dressed and the three of them crept downstairs.
    The house wasn’t large, but it was solidly built, and had been added to over the years, and its small garden had a high stone wall. Amabel opened the stout door and went outside. Oscar and Cyril, old and wise enough to know what was wanted of them, followed her cautiously.
    It was a fine morning but there was a nip in the air, and the three of them went back indoors just as Great-Aunt Thisbe came into the kitchen.
    Her good morning was brisk and kind. ‘You slept well? Good. Now, my dear, there’s porridge on the Aga; I dare say these two will eat it. Josh will bring suitable food when he comes presently. And you and I will have a cup of tea before I get our breakfast.
    â€˜I must explain…’
    â€˜Of course. But over a cup of tea.’
    So presently Amabel sat opposite her aunt at the kitchen table, drank her tea and gave her a carefully accurateaccount of her journey.