A Loving Family by Dilly Court Page A

retires next year. You have a bright future ahead of you so don’t ruin your chances because of a childhood friendship. Do you understand what I’m saying?’
    â€˜Yes, my lady.’
    â€˜You may go.’
    Stella bobbed a curtsey and hurried from the morning parlour only to bump into Tommy, who had been waiting outside the door. She attempted to sidestep him but he barred her way. ‘I’m sorry I got you into trouble,’ he said in a low voice. ‘I lost my temper, but I was cross and hungry. You know what I’m like when I haven’t eaten.’
    She kept her eyes downcast. ‘Please let me pass, sir.’
    â€˜I want us to be friends again. I’m going to die of boredom stuck here in the wilds of Essex for the rest of the term.’
    Stella shook her head. ‘I have work to do, sir.’
    He placed his finger beneath her chin and forced her head up so that their eyes met. ‘I am truly sorry. Meet me in the folly by the lake as we used to do when we were children. I need someone my own age to talk to. Please, Stella, don’t desert me now when I need you most.’
    She twisted free from him and was about to answer when Lady Langhorne’s aggrieved tones broke the momentary silence. ‘Tommy, is that you? I hope you’re not keeping Stella from her duties.’
    He gripped Stella’s hand. ‘I need you to be my friend again. You must meet me in the folly so that we can talk.’ He released her and opened the door. ‘Sorry, Mama. I was just apologising to Stella for my behaviour. It was very wrong of me.’ He went into the room and closed the door behind him.
    The wild March wind was playing with the squally shower that had started to fall from a leaden sky just as Stella left the house and was about to make her way across the soggy lawn. She wrapped her shawl around her head and broke into a run, heading in the direction of the ornamental lake. She could only hope that the gardeners were sheltering in the potting sheds or the greenhouses situated at the rear of the house and no one would spot her. She knew she was taking a chance but she needed to talk some sense into Tommy, which was impossible to accomplish in whispered conversations indoors. As she drew nearer she could see him pacing up and down inside the folly, which was designed like a Roman temple. In the summer Lady Langhorne liked to entertain guests to afternoon tea within its elegant walls, but she rarely ventured into the grounds in bad weather. They should be safe from prying eyes.
    Tommy’s expression was not welcoming. ‘I’ve been waiting for ages.’
    â€˜I couldn’t get away any sooner.’ Stella shook off her damp shawl, holding her side as she struggled to catch her breath. ‘Why did you want to see me, Tommy? You know that your mother has made me promise not to have anything to do with you.’
    â€˜You’re my only friend in this godforsaken place. I don’t want to lose you.’
    â€˜You were going to have me sacked.’
    â€˜I didn’t mean it. You know what a devil of a temper I have when roused.’
    â€˜I do, and I’ve always told you that it would get you into trouble one day.’
    He slipped his arms around her waist, looking into her eyes with a persuasive smile. ‘But you love me, don’t you? You always have.’
    She could smell brandy on his breath and she realised that he’d been drinking heavily. She shook her head. ‘I like you, Tommy. That’s all it ever was.’
    â€˜No. Don’t say that. You have a special place in your heart for me, don’t you?’
    â€˜Yes, of course, but . . .’
    He drew her closer. ‘You could be my girl, Stella. No one need ever know. My room is at the back of the house. You could come to me at night when everyone else is asleep.’
    She tried to push him away but his grip tightened. ‘Stop it, Tommy. Don’t do