Full Tide by Celine Conway Read Free Book Online Page A

sacrificing love which asked nothing in return but his satisfaction and happiness. In her simplicity she did not know what a whale of a job it was to achieve happiness.
    Jeremy was well aware that he would never be the model son his ageing parents deserved but he also knew that they would feel pleased and fulfilled if he took up the technical post in Durban. What a break it would be if he could wake up one morning secure in the knowledge that there was nothing else he’d rather do. But what a hope!
    Fortunately, Lisa showed up just then, smiling in the way she always did as she came to the table, and exuding the clean, ordinary scent of lavender bath cubes.
    Jeremy seated her. “You’re always behind time. I began to think you weren’t coming.”
    “ Nancy grazed her wrist and she does love bandages—big professional ones.” She cast a swift glance at the round table before starting on the grapefruit which the waiter had put before her. “I hear they’re filling the swimming pool today. Can’t you feel a new softness in the air, Jeremy? It’s Sunday, too. Had you forgotten?”
    “It won’t make much difference at sea. I used to loathe the English Sunday, particularly in the winter. I mostly spent them in a boarding house parlor among damp green plush and a bevy of china dogs. The landlady’s daughter used to eat peppermint creams with her young man.”
    She laughed. “Poor Jeremy. It must feel really grand to be going home.”
    “Home is a long way off yet. I’d rather be making a lasting impression on you.”
    “It’s far too early in the day for compliments,” she protested.
    “It’s never too early for facts,” he stated moodily.
    “You are down.” She tasted the coffee he had poured. “I haven’t seen you like this before.”
    “I haven’t been like it for a long time—not since I flopped in my first exam. Lisa, I’m a heel.”
    For a second she stared at him, startled. Then the smile came back. “You mean what Nancy calls a cad. I haven’t noticed it but have it your own way. I always think it’s best when you’re low to admit the worst. Then what comes after is a gradual rebuilding of one’s natural pride. You’ll improve presently. I’m taking you to church.”
    “Good Lord!” he exclaimed in some alarm. Then: “Well, I believe I might even go with you ill hadn’t made a promise which will keep me occupied elsewhere most of the morning.” Hastily he tacked on, “That sports committee chap, you know.”
    Lisa hadn’t much appetite, either, but she wasn’t unhappy. Nor was she deeply concerned about Jeremy. He mostly seemed able to get the best from life, and a little dejection, whatever the cause, could do him no harm. She finished her coffee.
    “I’m going to the library for a book. See you at lunch, Jeremy.”
    And she was gone, leaving him uncertain and quite a bit angry. He had waited for her knowing she had the power to say the words which would put him right with his conscience, and within the space of a few minutes she had breezed in and out uncaring that he had a problem. “ Hell!” he said aloud, to the waiter’s astonishment.
    Lisa, of course, was totally unaware that Jeremy was sunk in a man-size dilemma. She had seen merely a little grumpiness allied with an incongruous hang-dog look. Even had she known that his trouble was indecision as to how far along the gilded path he should go with Astra, Lisa would have forborne to offer advice. Jeremy was twenty- f ive and far more experienced in the ways of the world than she. Besides, it was a matter she could not take very seriously. Jeremy was an engineer, not a young man of the chorus.
    Upon the advice of the chief deck steward, she ch ose a new historical novel for herself and a tale about ponies for. Nancy, who had been hanging around the locked book- c ases till Lisa should come and work the adult magic which opened all doors .
    Nancy liked to select her own read ing matter, and was rebellious at Lisa’s