Echoes of the Dance by Marcia Willett Read Free Book Online Page A

hadn’t thought about her own problems – or Paul – for almost an hour.
    â€˜Sorry,’ Roly was saying. ‘Actually, I didn’t say that you would have Floss. Only that you would understand how she was feeling.’
    Kate put her hand on his arm.
    â€˜Don’t apologize, for heaven’s sake. Good grief, Roly, after all the support you’ve given me, do you think I’m likely to misunderstand you? You’ve only ever tried to help me. I can’t believe I’m being so stupid. It’s just so strange to be alone again after thirteen years. And you know how much I miss the dogs.’
    â€˜That’s why I wondered about Floss.’ Roly nearly covered Kate’s hand with his own but couldn’t quite manage it. ‘She seems almost perfect for you.’
    Kate turned away to look at Floss, who had gone back to sit on her bed, watching and waiting patiently.
    â€˜She’s been well looked after,’ she said, assessing her with a professional eye. ‘How old is she? Seven? Eight?’
    â€˜She’s not quite seven. Her owner was elderly so she’s very quiet and obedient. She’s been very well trained. You can see that she’s not used to dashing about but she’s certainly enjoying her walks.’
    She glanced at him, amused. ‘You sound very attached to her already. Are you tempted?’
    â€˜A bit. I still think she might be just what you need.’
    Kate sighed with frustration. ‘I just wish I knew. I’m afraid to make a commitment, you see, and then find I’m moving house.’
    He looked at her. ‘I expect Floss would be very happy with you even in a tiny cottage and in a tiny car. Well, not too tiny.’
    Kate burst out laughing at herself. ‘I’m just a crazy woman,’ she said. ‘There are so many memories, you see, even with the old car. I feel once I make that move I’m cutting myself off from the past and everything I had and loved.’ Her face grew sombre. ‘But when it gets dark and I’m sitting there alone with all that big empty house around me . . .’
    He put his hand out to her and she took it, holding it tightly, not looking at him.
    â€˜I’m fine,’ she said, almost crossly, daring him to speak. ‘Absolutely fine.’
    They watched in silence as Daisy appeared in the yard and Floss went out to meet her, tail wagging.
    â€˜She’s a sweetie, isn’t she?’ Kate gave his hand a little squeeze and let it go.
    â€˜Which one? Daisy or Floss?’ asked Roly lightly, putting his hands into his pockets.
    Kate chuckled reflectively. ‘Both of them,’ she said at last. ‘To be truthful, I’d like to take them both home with me.’

CHAPTER SEVEN
    As she drove back to Tavistock later that afternoon, hurrying along the narrow lanes and through the pretty village of Altarnun, Kate cursed quietly to herself. It had been unfair to announce in front of a third person that she’d arranged to have the house valued. Roly had suggested that she should give herself plenty of time before she made a major change and she’d known that Daisy’s presence would prevent another circular discussion in which Roly made sensible suggestions and she was left trying to decide why she couldn’t act on them. She’d long ago realized that it was childish to involve other people – however dear, however wise – in her problems. If they gave advice that she couldn’t follow she felt guilty and they became irritated. Not that Roly gave advice in that sense: he was far too tactful. All he’d done was to try to double-guess her own needs and guide her into some path that would be the right one for her. Now she felt that she’d cheated in some way: telling him that she’d finally reached the decision in front of a stranger had made it impossible for him to react openly.
    She reminded herself that having the house