Unknown by Unknown

sleep before lunch.’ She passed a weary hand across her forehead. 'I feel so tired all of a sudden. It must be because I’m not used to visitors.’
     
    Laura spent the next hour walking in the grounds, kicking her feet through the drifts of leaves that had now fallen. She was puzzled by the expression she had seen on Helen’s face, convinced that tiredness had been an excuse to get rid of her. There was something she still did not know, and the more she thought about it the more puzzled she became. She was not surprised, therefore, when Mrs. Jennings told her later that Helen had refused lunch and did not want to be disturbed for the rest of the day.
    Contrary to her previous decision not to leave the house when she should be working, Laura decided to take the Mini into Shrewsbury and do some shopping. It would take her mind off Helen and she could buy some wool to knit herself a thick sweater for the winter. The weather was already getting too cold to venture out of doors after dinner and it would help fill in the long evenings.
    It did not take her long to finish her shopping and afterwards she went into the same little restaurant where she had eaten with Brad—was it really only a little over a week ago? It seemed as though she had been living at Leastone Hall for much longer.
    As she sipped her coffee, savouring the strong, aromatic flavour, Brad’s familiar voice reached her ears. At first she thought she must be mistaken. He wasn't due back until this evening. It was probably someone else with a similar inflection. Then she saw him—giving an order in his deep, authoritative tones to a blushing waitress.
    Almost as though he was aware of her eyes on him he looked up, smiling as he recognised his secretary, beckoning her to join him.
    ‘We seem to make a habit of meeting here,' he said, as she placed her coffee cup on the table. ‘I see you've been doing some shopping.’
    ‘Y-yes.' Laura felt embarrassed at being caught out by her employer when she should have been working. 'I'd finished your typing and I wanted a few things, so I thought I’d—I’m sorry if—'
    ‘There’s no need to apologise.’ He looked kindly at her, ‘I’m not complaining. Your time’s your own when I’m not there. I know you wouldn’t play truant if there was work to be done. Would you care to join me for a meal?’
    Relieved by his attitude, Laura smiled, unaware of the attractive picture she made. The cool wind had brought a healthy glow to her cheeks and her beautiful green eyes sparkled as she replied, ‘Thank you—no, I haven’t long eaten. But do carry on. I shall be going in a minute.’
    ‘Oh no, you won’t,’ he said firmly. ‘You can stay here, then we’ll drive home together. I could do with your company right now. It’s been a tiring week.’
    ‘But the Mini—it’s in the car park.’
    ‘Then it can stay there. I’ll send Jarvis for it tomorrow.’
    The waitress brought Brad’s meal and they were silent for a while as he hungrily did justice to the gammon and pineapple.
    He then ordered another coffee for Laura and one for himself. Laura wondered whether now was the time to speak to him about Helen, while he was in such a good humour. Before she could speak, however, he started telling her about the talks he had given that week. He had never discussed his work with her before and she found it very interesting. His voice seemed to hypnotise her and she sat as if in a trance, even after he had finished.
    Suddenly he nudged her arm. ‘Come back, Laura. It’s time to go.’ He gathered up her parcels and she hurried by his side to the Jaguar which was parked a few yards away.
    They drove in silence for a few minutes, then when they were out of the busy streets Laura gathered up her courage to say, ‘Why haven’t you told me about Helen? I would have gone to see her before if I’d known how much she craved company.'
    Laura sensed his sudden withdrawal and clenched her fists tightly as she waited