(10/13) Friends at Thrush Green (29 page)

'Dorothy will cope,' said Isobel. 'You see, things will be easier than you imagine. I'm sure that the future will be much as you both planned it when you went to Barton-on-Sea.'

Dorothy returned, farewells were said, and the ladies set off homeward.

Agnes dozed part of the way, and woke with a start to find that they were within a few miles of home. Her fears came flocking back like menacing birds. How would Dorothy react to this return to familiar things? Would she be able to keep up this brave front of calm? Would she be able to face Teddy and Eileen in their new role of those about to be married?

These thoughts, as well as the hope that their house would be free from flood, fire and burglars, kept Agnes in a state of severe agitation.

Dorothy turned the car into their lane. They passed Teddy's house and Eileen's opposite it. All was calm and deserted.

'Two weddings at Thrush Green,' said Dorothy, 'and another to look forward to here.'

And Agnes saw, to her intense relief, that her friend was smiling.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Miss Read is actually Mrs. Dora Saint, whose novels draw on her own memories of living and teaching in a small English village. She first began writing after the Second World War, mainly light essays about school and country matters, for several journals. Her first book,
Village School,
was published in England by Michael Joseph and then in the United States by Houghton Mifflin Company in 1955. She has since delighted millions of readers with both the Fairacre series and her equally well loved series about the Cotswold village of Thrush Green. Miss Read and her husband, a retired schoolmaster, have one daughter and enjoy a quiet life near Newbury, Berkshire.