'dedicated to mizZ04,  bein' my lil'sis here.' such a clever and kind.

Chapter Four:

'Sunday?' 

she blushed again. how eager she sounded! it was entirely because of the child, she told herself. sunday was scarcely the day on which to start work, but Simon welcomed the idea ane there followed rather one-sided discussion on salary, holidays and other matters which he settled in his usual businesslike way. then he told her a liitle his difficulties during the past year and before many minutes had elapsed she realized that her first reading of his character had been completely wrong.

Simon did not that Lindy had ever been naughty and undisciplined; he merely said that, in the begginning, he had little time to spend with her. the state kept him so busy. Recently, however, it had dawned on him that not only did his niece fear him, but she was actually growing to hate him, and he decided to try and spend more time with her in an effort to gain her confidence and affection.

'I made the time to drive her to school and bring her back myself, she goes to school in ambleside an Thomas had previously done it. Whenever she had to go anywhere i took her myself, and i always made an effort to spend an hour with her before she went to bed. Not that it  did much good,' he went on bitterly.

'In fact, it was most exhausting for us both.'

He didn't enter into details indeed, to do so was quite unnecessary, for Claire was not without imagination. Simon continued by saying that recently he had scarcely anytime at all to spend with Lindy and ended by expressing on distinctly grudging note his relief at having found someone whom Lindy really liked. then, apperently considering he had said enough, he fell silent, glancing now and then at the door as if impatient for his housekeeper's return.

Entering with the tray Miss Dawson asked Claire, in her usual effusive tones, if she feeling better, and then told Simon that he really must sent her home in the car, for the the poor child could not possibly ride her bicycle.

Simon Smiled and said he wouldn't think of allowing Claire to ride her bicycle; in any case, unless he were very much mistaken, it indeed a few minor repairs. this satisfied Tilda, who, after advising Claire to go straight to bed when she reached home, left the room again.

Simon poured tea, handed a cup to Claire and offered her a paper-thin bread with lashings of fresh butter. she sipped her tea, watching him as he drew one curtain across the window, and then gave an inward little gasp of surprise as the reason for his action dawned upon her. 

'How thoughtful! most men wouldn't even noticed that the sun was causing her discomfort! Yes, she had grossly misjuged him. the knowlegde gave her an odd sense of satisfaction, but it puzzled her too. for if he were not the monster she was branded him, why Lindy so afraid of him? her Uncle loved her and wanted her to love him, so what was wrong? Claire wondered, her brow creasing perplexity.

When she again looked at Simon he was staring pensively into the fire as though he, too, were striving to discover the reason for his failure.

Forgetful now of any animosity she had felt towards him, Claire realized that everything had been againts him from the start.in making the child behave, he had lost her trust and affection even before he had gained it. his methods had been faulty; he had gone the wrong way about correcting her, but by now Claire realized that he was a man who could not tolerate opposition, that if he were not obeyed on the instant, he was liable to make things extremely uncomfortable for whoever happened to be involved. 

On that first day Linday asked if her Uncle had shouted at Claire, so he obviously shouted at his niece, without, in all probability, meaning a word he said. but could a young child understand that, especially one who had been so petted and pampered by an an adoring mother? it must have been a terrible shock to her when, coming out of hospital and expecting the love and sympathy of her mother, she had found herself under the stern and disciplinary influence of her Uncle.

And it must had been a shock for himto discover what sort of child his niece was. Neverthelesshe should have tried to understand her better, to show little mro kindness instead of losing his temper and her up to her room. for he had certainly done that, and if he had understood the first thing about chlidren he would have known that even half an hour could seem an eternity to a young child, specially a chlid as lonely and unhappy as his niece.

Claire's musings wre interrupted by the opening of the door; she turned her head to watch the entrance of the fattest, most ugly little pug dog she had ever seen. he waddled over to a white lambskin rug and sat down. Lindy followed. hesitating by the door. then, her eyes lighting up, she speed across the room and dropped on to the rug at Claire's feet. 

'Miss Harris,' she breathed, almost rapturously. 'How did you get here? I've wanted to see you so badly-------- oh, your head, have you hurt it?'

Claire told her what had happened, assuring her that she had nothing more serious than a tiny cut. 

'Are you quite certain?' Lindy asked anxiously. you look very poorly.'

'I'm quite sure i don't,' claire laughed. 'I felt a little poorly at first, but i'm alright now.'

'I wanted to tell you i'm sorry---------' Lindy whispered in her ear, then cast a quick glance over her shoulder. 'I've been very wicked and that's why i couldn't find you again.' her eyes were suddenly misty, and a small, quivering hand found Claire's. how desperately unhappy the child looked; Claire felt a tug at her heart-strings, but it was immediately replaced by an access of pleasurable anticipation. she would make this child happy, bring these two together. and she'd make a start right away.

'Not wicked, darling,' she said quitely. 'Only very silly. you should have told your Uncle all about it in the first place. go and tell him now to please me, Lindy.'

'No, no!' Lindy whispered fearfully. he'll be so cross; he'll shout at me------and he might even shoot Desmond.' she pointed to the indolent creature on the rug. 'He's beautiful; i couldn't bear it if he were killed. 

'Is that what you're afraid of?'  Having learnt a little more about simon, Claire could not now believe he would destroy the dog that Lindy's Mother had given her, only a few months before she died. 

'I don't like Uncle Simon to shout at me. it makes me remember i'm a nuisance, and he never really wanted to have me------

'You mustn't talk like that, Lindy,' Claire interrupted, sure that simon could hear. be a good little girl and do as i say.' 

'No, Desmond......'

'Please, Lindy,' Claire urged firmly. 'If i tell your Uncle the truth he'll give you a nice surprise.' 

'A surprise? what sort of surprise?'

'You'll know when you've told him the truth.' her glanced travelled to simon, who was looking puzzled. then, his eyes meeting Claire', he looked away, and his brow darkened heavily at the sight of the dog.

'But---------'

'I shall be very disappointed if you don't. you have nothing to be afraid of. i promise that you'll have a lovely surprise----at least, i think you'll like it.'

Lindy stared intently at her, seeking reassurance. 

'He won't shoot Desmond?' she quiried cautiously. 

''No, Lindy, he won't.'

'I believe you, Miss Harris,' she said wonderingly. 'I don't think he will.'

Simon had clearly tired of these whisperings, and Claire gave Lindy a persuasive little push. after another moment's of hesitation she moved towards him and stood with her hands clapsed tightly in front of her, staring at him as he sat in the chair, waiting for her to speak.

her voice, as she poured out her confession, was resolute, and although there was a faintly apprehensive manner about the child, her previous fear seemed to have disappeared. Claire caught her breath sharply, for the child's expression changed in the silent moments which followed. a plea, not for leniency, but for understanding, had entered those lovely blue eyes. Surely, Claire thought, Simon Condliffe would not ignore it.

'I promised you would give Lindy a surprise if she told you the truth,' said Claire a little huskily. 'If she's been worrying for two whole weeks, surely that's punishment enough.'

'Yes----' Simon pushed his fingers through his hair, then, 'Yes,' he said again, more firmly. 'Lindy, you must never be afraid to tell the truth; always remember that.'

Unconsciously he slipped an arm around her waist, and Claire bit her lip as she saw the child stiffen and Simon quickly withdraw his arm again; his tones wre curt as he told her of the 'surprise' Lindy stared at him unbelievingly for a long moment, then turned dazed eyes to Claire.

'Is it true, Miss Harris? is it really true?'

'Yes, Lindy. i'm coming to look after you.'

'When-----oh, when are you coming?' she breathed ecstatically. 'Will ti be soon?----tomorrow?'

'Not quite so soon as that, dear. in three days' time-----on sunday.'

Lindy was in a state of suppressed excitement for the next few mintues, plying Claire with questions and thanking her over again for coming to look after her. but the thought of thanking her uncle never crossed her mind until Claire put in a gentle reminder. Simon received her thanks with marked indifference. he seemed bitterly aware that she had made them solely ton please Claire.

'Go and see Tilda about your tea, Lindy; he said curtly. 'And don't forget the dog.'

'No, Uncle Simon.' she picked it up. 'He didn't annoy you, did he? she enquired with the artlessness of extreme youth, 

'I did as you told me and gave him less to eat and more exercise---------'

'Yes---Yes, very sensible of you!' he replied briskly.

'Now take him away, there's a good girl.' Claire glanced at Simon oddly as his niece left the room. his lips wre actually quivering with amusement. but after a moment he was serious again. 

'I don't know how you managed it, Miss Harris. It's the very first time that Lindy has come to me unafraid, and i suppose i must thank you------------' he stopped, rather shamefacedly. 'that wasn't very gracious. i do thank you, most sincerely, and think you'll make my niece very happy.'

'You're very kind to say so, Mr Condliffe. i shall certainly try my best.'

'I'm sure of that.' he paused, and then, 'may i ask your age?'

'Twenty-two,' she told him, a soft flush rising; Simon made no comment though he did raise his brows in surprise.

'Shall i go now?'

'You feel well enough?'

she nodded, 'Yes, thank you. i felt rather dizzy at first, but i'm alright now.'

'Quite sure? you wouldn't care to wait a little while longer?'

Claire shooked her head. 

'My landlady will be wondering what has happened to me.'

'Ah, yes. i understand from Mr, Green that you're in rooms with Mrs. Hardman. does that mean you have no parents?'

'My mother died when i was quite small, and my father died some moths ago.'

His brow had darkened again. he was angry, she she knew, because she ahad allowed him to make mistake and so be the cause of her losing her job. he felt guilty, and hated it. changing the subject, he said he would get Thomas  to have a look at the bicycle and do anything that was considered necessary. just  as Claire was about to leave Tilda came into the hall, again deploring the fact that she hadn't sent the things by car.

'You look so pale, so very pale. you will go to bed, won't you dear?'

Claire nodded. by this time she hjad discovered that she possessed quite a few bruises in addition to the cut on her head; yet inspite of her aches and pains she tained a' straight face, however, for Miss Dawson's concern was undoubtedly geniune, even if she did have most affected way of showing it. if one were ill, and feeling very sorry for oneself, it would be heavenly to have Tilda for a nurse, she thought, listening to Simon's deep, indulgent voice telling her that everything was fixed and that Claire would be coming in on sunday.

The old lady nodded and expressed her approval, evencing no surprise whatsoever; it was Clear that she already been informed of Simon's intentions.

'It will make such a difference to Lindy--------' She stopped short as a tall, fair girl in immaculate  tweeds came across the hall. ''Why, Miss Ursula, i thought you weren't coming back until tomorrow.'

'Ursula!' Undisguesed pleasure crossed Simom's face. 'When did you get back? there's nothing wrong?' his pleasure became mingled with anxiety as he regarded her through critical eyes. 

'No, i'd rather had enough, that's all. the weather wasn't too good. it's much too early to take a holiday, i really don't know why i went.

here eyes were on Claire; her gaze, unlike Simon's, was interested and observant. Ursula noticed  all that his cursory glance had missed; the gleaming fair hair framing a small, oval face; the brown eyes, large and soft, under ached brows; the flawless peach-tinted skin and the full, rather childish lips which looked as though they could quiver with pain as easily as with laughter. Ursula turned a glance of puzzled enquiry in Simon's directions. he introduced them, told Ursula what happened, and added. 

'Miss Harris is coming to take charge of Lindy. i did mention her to you a couple of weeks ago. you do remember?'

'You talked of someone from the riding school. but i understood you to say afterwards that she wasn't suitable?'

Simon's eyes suddenly glinted like specks of frost. 

'It was all a mistake,' he rutrned brusquely. ' i have now engaged Miss Harris, and she's moving in on sunday.'

'I see.....' Ursula's eyes narrowed as she examined Calire again. 'We've met before, Miss Harris. can you tell me where?'

'I' m just trying to think.' Claire smiled and wrinkled her brow. 'I suppose it must have been in Nottingham.' is that where you came from?'

Claire nodded, her brow still creased in puzzlement.

'I'm afraid i can't recall--------'

'I have it! Ursula interrupted swiftly.' 'You were Sarah Dowling's party a few months ago.' the mascaraed lids came down. Claire felt a strange tingling along her spine. she thoroughly disliked this girl! 'You were there with your fiance, he is a parson, isn't he?'

The malicious undertone was almost imperceptible, but Claire detected it and, raising her head, met the cold deliberate gaze of her new employer.

'So you're to be married.' his tone were frigid. 

'You didn't tell me your stay here would be only temporary. i think, under the circumstances----' 

'I am not, and never been, engaged to be married,' Claire interrupted. 'Miss Corwell is mistaken. the gentlemen in question is merely a very good friend of mine.'

'I'm sorry; but i did think Sarah said you were engaged.' Sarah could have said no such thing. yet why should this girl suggest it?

it seemed quite absurd but Claire could not rid herself of the idea that Ursula had deliberately gone out of her way to convince Simon that this new employee had a boy-friend.

Simon's cordial manner of the past few minutes had vanished, and when he spoke his voice had resumed its cold and hard inflection.

'You're quite sure? there's no question of your accepting this post as a temporary measure?'

'As far as i'm concerned, Mr. Condliffe, the post is permanent.'

her eyes met Ursula's, and a strange sense of impending danger quivered through her.

'would they ever cross words? Claire wondered. if so, Ursula would be the one to remain unscathed. Claire was fully convinced of that, and once again that little tremor of fear passed through her.

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