“I should jolly well think so!” Again he patted her thigh, but this time his hand remained. He gazed closely into her face while his fingers contracted. She was about to draw sharply away when she saw in his eyes genuine interest and surprise.
“I say...” He withdrew his hand and stared at where it had been. “You’ve got some muscle, haven’t you?”
Miss Teatime straightened her skirt. “I do try and keep in trim, as a matter of fact. Just a few toning up exercises.”
His air of bright purpose returned. “Did you write that letter?”
Opening her bag and holding it so that the map she had bought that morning stayed out of sight, she took out an envelope and handed it to him.
“The cheque is there as well,” she said. “I have made it out to the daughter just in case there is some difficulty in Mr Cambridge’s dealing with it in hospital.”
He nodded. “Very sensible.”
The envelope was unsealed. He drew out the letter and began to read.
Dear Evelyn [Miss Teatime had written],
This is to introduce my good friend, Commander John Trelawney, who has kindly agreed to act on my behalf in the matter of the boat. He will hand you my cheque, which, as you will see, is for five hundred pounds (I wish you would let me make it a sum nearer the true value of the Lucy, or even half of it, but it seems that you and your father have made up your minds). Please give Commander Trelawney the receipt, and also the boat’s manual and the other documents—of which you will know more than I—and take him to the mooring. He is going to sail the Lucy here himself (a task for which I could scarcely have chosen anyone better qualified than a one-time Naval officer!) and he will wish, of course, to satisfy himself that she is in good condition for the voyage. I think there is nothing much to add, except perhaps the telephone number of my hotel (Flaxborough 2130), in case you wish to ring me about any details I have forgotten to mention. I do hope and pray that the money, ridiculously inadequate as of course it is, will be of some immediate use in easing your troubles.
Yours sincerely,
Lucilla.
Trelawney looked up. “I should say she is very lucky to have such a good friend,” he said solemnly.
“Just as
He put an arm round her shoulder and squeezed in a comradely fashion.
“Now how do I find this good lady?”
“Do you know Twickenham?”
“Only as a rugger ground, I’m afraid. I used to go down for the navy matches whenever I happened to be ashore.”
“I do not think that would be very near where the Cambridges live. Their address is on the envelope, by the way. It is a rather nice old house in a place called The Turnills. Number eight. It is not so much a street as a sort of close, with the river at the lower end. Ask anyone for the old part of Twickenham and you should have no difficulty in finding it.”
“Is there a station handy?”
“Your best plan probably will be to go to Richmond Station and cross the river. It is a pleasant walk and not very far.”
“Fine.” He put the letter in his pocket.
“When do you intend to go?”
“Tomorrow morning. There’s a London train just before ten o’clock.”
“I shall see you off,” announced Miss Teatime, with an air of sudden decision.
“Oh, you don’t need to trail round specially for me.”
“But I shall, Jack. I know you are going up by train, but I cannot help thinking of you as embarking on a voyage. After all, it will be a voyage back—a real one. Are you not afraid of storms?”
Trelawney could not help laughing. For a moment, Miss Teatime looked abashed, then she joined in his amusement.
“You must think of me waiting here like Madame Butterfly,” she said. “I wonder if there is a hill top from which I can watch out for you.”
“O-o-one fine da-a-ay!” sang the commander, not to be outdone in drollery.
Miss Teatime sighed. “It all seems like a dream,” she murmured.
“Yes, doesn’t it...”
“It sleeps four, you know. She does, rather.”
“She?”
“The Lucy. And there is the loveliest little kitchen.”
“Galley, my dear.”
“Of course. Galley. You will not believe this, but I am really a very good sailor.”
“I do believe you.”
“Do you think we shall be able to sail in her all the year round?”
