He stooped again and began dragging the carpet over the brass. ‘That won’t stop me trying, old girl,’ he said cheerfully. ‘Not now I’ve got my teeth into it.’
She stared down for one last time as he pulled the rug across the cold haughty face of the woman on the floor and she shuddered. ‘It would be wonderful if you could find a way to end all the unhappiness.’
‘We’ll find a way, Joss. You’ll see.’ He reached out for her hand. ‘Come on, let’s go back to the house.’ Did she realise, he wondered, just how beautiful she was looking – more so every time he came to visit the house – every time he set eyes on her.
23
Alice was alone in the study reading one of the pile of copies of Good Housekeeping which she had brought for Joss and Lyn. She looked up as Joss walked in and put it down with a smile. ‘Hello, love. How are you? I’ve seen hardly anything of you, you’ve been so busy.’
Joss sat down near her and reaching forward took Alice’s hand. ‘I’m sorry. What with the christening and everything. How are you, Mum?’
‘I’m fine. Just fine. Still a bit tired, but better every day for knowing there’s nothing terribly wrong with my insides.’ Alice scanned Joss’s face carefully. ‘Don’t do too much, Joss. Let Lyn help you as much as she can, won’t you.’
Joss gave a wry smile. ‘I think Lyn feels she’s doing enough already.’
‘Rubbish.’ Alice sounded suddenly brisk. ‘That young lady has more energy than she knows what to do with. And she’s worried about you, Joss. You’ve not long ago had a frightening birth and on top of that there’s this big house to look after.’ She stared round the room with pursed lips. ‘I can see it’s a joy for you, but it’s a big responsibility as well. You let Lyn help. And your Dad and I will too, if you’ll let us. You’ve only got to ask. Joe,’ she took a deep breath. ‘Joe feels you might be a bit reluctant to have us here, dear, seeing as it’s your real mum’s house, but I told him you would never, never feel such a thing. I’m right, aren’t I?’
Joss slipped to her knees beside the sofa and put her arms round Alice. ‘How could he even think such a thing? You’ve been more to me than real parents ever could, you know that. You always used to tell me I was special because I was the chosen baby. I really believed it.’ And Lyn, who had once heard her father say it to Joss when no one knew she was there, had never forgotten or forgiven the fact that she was not chosen. She just arrived. She hoped Alice and Joe would never find out that little source of some of Lyn’s bitterness.
‘Right, dear.’ Alice pushed her away gently and edged herself forward so she could climb off the sofa. ‘Now that’s settled, let’s go and find the others. I let Elizabeth and Geoffrey take that baby out in its pram, and I reckon it’s time this set of grandparents had a go, don’t you?’ She chuckled. ‘So, where’s little Tom got to?’
Joss shrugged. ‘There are so many people looking after him I’ve lost track. He’s having the time of his life with so much attention.’
‘Yes, well. Don’t let him get spoiled.’ Alice pursed her lips as she opened the door. ‘And Joss, remember what I said. Rest. You’re looking peaky.’
Mat was standing in the great hall looking up at the picture over the fireplace. He grinned at Alice and then caught Joss’s hand. ‘A word before you rush off, sister-in-law.’
She looked up at him in surprise. ‘I am popular today.’
‘Popular, and as your mother said, peaky. Luke’s worried about you, you know, Joss.’
Joss shook her head. ‘Why on earth is everyone so concerned suddenly?’
Mat looked down at her, his dark eyes, so like his brother’s, deeply troubled. ‘David Tregarron has no business worrying you about the house. Luke says he’s winding you up, frightening you deliberately.’
‘That’s not true!’ Joss was indignant.
‘Luke thinks it is. Being Luke he’s not about to say anything, Joss. At least not to you. He knows you value David’s friendship, and he knows you’d resent him interfering.’ He paused. ‘David’s in love with you, isn’t he?’
‘That’s none of your business, Mat.’
‘Oh, I think it is. Be careful. Don’t hurt Luke.’
‘Mat – ’
‘No, Joss. Let big brother speak.’ Mat gave his slow, intimate smile. ‘He’s worried sick and not just about David. He says you’re hearing voices, seeing things, scaring yourself witless, and all that is not good, especially when you have a new baby in the house. Thinking there is some kind of a threat to the baby is crazy, Joss. You must get that idea right out of your head. You do see that, don’t you?’
Joss was silent for a moment. ‘I appreciate your talking to me, Mat,’ she said at last, firmly. ‘But there is nothing wrong with me. You must tell Luke I’m OK. I’m not imagining things, and I’m not letting David wind me up. I promise.’ She glanced at Mat and smiled. ‘And Luke knows that whatever he feels for me, I’m not in love with him. I promise.’
‘You’ve no business complaining to Mat about me!’ Joss cornered Luke alone in the coach house. ‘All you are doing is worrying him and your parents absolutely unnecessarily. What on earth were you telling him, anyway?’
‘Only that I was worried about you. And I did not complain to him. He had no business speaking to you.’ Luke looked at her wearily. ‘Joss, I don’t think you realise how much strain you are under.’
‘I realise perfectly well, thank you. And there is nothing wrong about it. I gave birth only a couple of weeks ago! Ned cries a lot. I am feeding him myself. I am missing a lot of sleep. What is so odd about me feeling strained?’