Love or Duty Read Online Free PDF Page A

It was quite gratifying to meet someone who seemed to have the same problem – not like Andrew Tate who had made her feel even more nervous with his self-confident manner.
    In an effort to put Keith at his ease, she devoted more attention to him than she would otherwise have done and she sensed Dora’s approval. She looked away from his intense gaze. She didn’t want him getting the wrong idea.
    She stood up and began to stack the used tea things on the trolley. As she pushed it along the wide passage towards the kitchen she wondered what being the wife of a vicar would be like. She pictured herself living in the vast gloomy vicarage, hosting meetings of the Mothers’ Union and the Young Wives’ Group, her whole life devoted to the service of others – not unlike her life now, she thought.
    She gave herself a mental shake. What was she thinking of? Dora would be pleased of course, but Louise dreamed of a different life, away from the little seaside town where she’d been born and brought up.
    Besides, she was quite sure her liking for Keith Willis was nothing like the feelings her friend Peggy had for her fiancé, a dashing naval lieutenant who had swept her off her feet last summer. Surely there was someone like that for her somewhere in the world – if she ever got the chance to meet him. She refused to think about Andrew Tate, telling herself her feelings for him had been brought about by loneliness. Besides, if he had the slightest interest in her, he would surely have made some excuse to return to Holton before now.
    With a little laugh at her foolish thoughts she returned to the drawing room in time to hear Mother’s horrified gasp.
    ‘A
missionary
. You can’t be serious, Mr Willis. But why on earth should you feel compelled to go to darkest Africa when we have such need of you here?’
    ‘I feel God is calling me to do this work, Mrs Charlton.’ Keith leaned forward earnestly, his eyes shining with fervour.
    Behind her mother’s back, Sarah raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes dramatically. Louise couldn’t help smiling at her foolish thoughts of a moment ago. It seemed she had got it all wrong.

Chapter Three
     
     
    I t wasn’t often that the Charltons entertained. Although Dora loved to dress up and show off, there were very few people in Holton Regis who lived up to her ideas of suitable guests. But since Sarah’s singing success she had grasped every opportunity to boast about her talented daughter. The dinner party had been planned ever since Sarah’s BBC broadcast.
    How Louise wished the whole thing was over. Cookie had planned a delicious meal – lamb cooked to perfection with minted baby new potatoes and fresh peas and beans from the garden. The problem was Polly, who although usually cheerful and willing, was thrown into confusion at the thought of serving so many extra people using the best silver and china.
    Louise was terrified that she’d spill soup in the vicar’s lap or drop the coffee tray. She tried to reassure the terrified maid and would have offered to help were she not aware what Dora’s reaction would be.
    She desperately wanted this evening to be perfect for she had just heard that another guest was to join them.
    ‘Dr Tate has his nephew staying with him so I’ve invited him too,’ Dora announced. ‘It’s short notice but I’m sure Cook and Polly will manage. I could hardly say no, could I?’
    ‘It’s only one extra, Mother,’ Louise said.
    ‘Yes, but that girl gets in such a state. She can’t remember the simplest instruction. And Cook isn’t used to dealing with so many guests.’ She sighed impatiently.
    Louise didn’t reply. It seemed that Dora was the one getting in a state. There would only be nine – ten with Andrew Tate.
    Dora’s mood changed and she smiled. ‘Perhaps Sarah will sing for us afterwards.’ She shooed Louise away. ‘Well, run along then and tell Cook to do some extra potatoes. And Polly will have to re-lay the table.’
    The