An Introduction to the Pink Collection Read Online Free PDF Page B

an unmarried woman, were to share the house alone with an unmarried man. Especially such a young and attractive man as he was. But delicacy prevented her from referring to the matter, except obliquely.
    Luckily he understood. “Certainly,” he said hastily.
    â€œIt’s strange,” she mused. “When I left the house this morning I thought I’d be back in an hour. Now it feels like another world.”
    He nodded. He’d had that feeling a good deal himself recently.
    â€œSo I’ll stay tonight in the vicarage,” Rena said, “and return here very early tomorrow, to make your morning tea.”
    He carried the wood upstairs and helped her lay the fire.
    â€œI’ll light it myself when I come to bed,” he said. “Now I’ll escort you home.”
    She laughed. “In this tiny village. I’ve walked about in the dark for years.”
    â€œPart of the way then.”
    He took her to the duck pond, from where they could see the church spire, bleak against the night sky.
    â€œThe moonlight will show me the rest of the way,” she said. “Good night.”
    â€œIn that case I’ll take myself to the local hostelry and get to know some of my neighbours. Good night.”
    He strode off in the opposite direction and Rena headed around the pond, to the church and through the cemetery. As soon as the vicarage came in sight she stopped.
    There were lights in the house.
    She began to run, and as she neared she saw a wagon and trunks being unloaded and taken in through the front door. She ran faster, reaching the door out of breath.
    â€œAnd who, may I ask, are you?” An extremely refined sounding woman appeared in the hall and challenged her.
    â€œI might ask the same of you,” Rena said. “What are you doing in my home?”
    â€œYour home? Our home I think. My brother, the Reverend Steven Daykers, is the new vicar of this parish and this is, I believe, the vicarage?”
    â€œYes, of course it is, but nobody told me you were coming.”
    The woman sniffed. “Is there any reason why you should be informed?”
    â€œWell – my name is Rena Colwell. My father was the vicar here until he died in January.”
    â€œThen what are you doing here now?”
    â€œI had nowhere else to go. Of course I knew I should have to leave when the new vicar arrived, but I thought I’d be given some warning.”
    â€œIt seems to me that you’ve had quite enough time.”
    They were interrupted by a shout up above.
    â€œMa, look at these old clothes we’ve found.”
    Two girls of about fifteen were standing at the top of the stairs, waving a couple of old fashioned dresses. Rena stiffened as she recognised her mother’s clothes.
    â€œThey were in the wardrobe of our room,” one of the girl’s called. “Aren’t they funny? There are a lot of other things there too – ”
    â€œThey’ll be mine,” Rena said, tight-lipped. “That is my room.”
    â€œNot any more,” said the woman. “Please remove your things at once.”
    Rena ran up the stairs and found her room a scene of devastation. Her drawers had been pulled out and upended on the floor. Her small personal possessions were strewn everywhere. The two girls ran after her into the room, staring at her rudely.
    â€œThis is ours now. You shouldn’t be here.”
    â€œThen I will pack my things and go,” she said, tight lipped, trying desperately to remember Christian charity. “Please leave while I do so.”
    Instead of leaving they giggled. One of them picked up a picture of Rena’s mother that she kept by the bed.
    â€œWhat a frowsty old thing.” But her smile faded as she saw Rena’s face. “Oh, who cares anyway?”
    She tossed the photograph on the bed and the two of them flounced out.
    Scarcely able to control her temper Rena began to pack up her things, moving like a