Twisted Strands by Margaret Dickinson Page A

Stephen in the face. She saw that his hands were clenched and he seemed to be having
difficulty in keeping them firmly by his side.
    ‘I don’t think that would be a very good idea,’ he said tightly. ‘I’m relieved you’re not hurt and I apologize that I was the cause of your horse being
startled. But now we’ll bid you good day.’
    ‘Not so fast,’ Stephen said through thin lips and he strode away towards Eveleen.
    ‘Damnation take the fellow!’ Richard muttered and hurried after him, Bridie running alongside to keep up.
    As they reached the motor, Bridie saw Stephen doff his hat, bow in an exaggerated manner and say with heavy sarcasm, ‘Well, well, well. Mrs Stokes. And how are you, my
dear?’
    Bridie glanced towards her aunt. Eveleen’s cheeks were flaming, but her eyes were so cold and hard that Bridie gasped aloud. Eveleen’s mouth was tight and she stared straight ahead,
not even glancing at the man standing beside the vehicle. When she spoke, the tone of her voice matched her expression. ‘I’m extremely well, thank you, Stephen.’
    Richard lifted Bridie into the back seat and then moved to the front of the motor to swing the starting handle. As the engine burst into life and Richard climbed into the driving seat, Stephen
moved back a pace and raised his hat once again, sarcasm in every movement.
    As they drove home, no-one spoke, but even at her young age, Bridie could feel the tension between the two adults in the front seats.
    ‘I’m just glad he wasn’t injured,’ Richard said. ‘Or we might have been facing a lawsuit.’
    Eveleen gave a very unladylike derisive snort and muttered, ‘Knowing him of old, you still might be.’
    ‘Oh, darling, please don’t let him upset you. Not now.’ They were standing alone together in the yard back at Pear Tree Farm. Richard put his arms around her. ‘It’s
all a long time ago and . . .’
    Eveleen was stiff, unyielding in his embrace. ‘Richard, he . . .’ Then suddenly the tension went out of her and she sagged against him. ‘Oh, I suppose you’re
right.’ She looked up at him and then, standing on tiptoe, kissed his cheek. ‘What would I do without you?’ she whispered.
    Watching the tender scene from the scullery window, Bridie felt very envious and, suddenly, so very lonely.
    ‘Where has the dratted child got to?’ Mary was angry.
    ‘Maybe she’s gone to round up the cows for evening milking,’ Josh said calmly.
    ‘And when did she ever do anything useful of her own accord?’ his wife snapped back.
    Eveleen and Richard were ready to leave, but Bridie was missing. No-one had seen her since their return to the farm after their drive.
    ‘She’ll be hiding in the woods again. Well, she can stay there all night as far as I’m concerned.’
    ‘Oh, Mam,’ Eveleen said at once. ‘You can’t do that. It might be April, but the nights are still cold.’
    ‘Your mam’s only threatening,’ Josh said. ‘She wouldn’t really want that.’
    ‘Wouldn’t I?’ Mary muttered morosely.
    Josh looked helplessly at Eveleen and Richard for a moment. A look that said: See what I mean?
    ‘Do you want us to stay and help look for her?’ Richard asked.
    ‘No, no,’ Josh tried to smile. ‘We’ll find her. If she doesn’t turn up soon, I’ll get young Micky to look for her.’ His smile broadened. ‘He seems
to know all her hiding places.’
    ‘It’s ages since I saw the Morton family,’ Eveleen said. ‘We really must come and spend a day here and visit them. Anyway, we must get back now.’ She kissed her
mother and Josh and then the four of them went out into the yard. Mary and Josh stood watching as Richard started the car and, with everyone waving, drove out of the yard and up the rough cart
track towards the lane.
    Above the noise, he shouted, ‘I don’t like leaving whilst Bridie’s missing. I hope she’s all right.’
    Eveleen tucked her arm through his. ‘Josh will find her,’ she said confidently and then,