‘But where can she be? Oh God, she must have lost her way crossing the fields, or … or …’ Unable to finish such an impossible thought, Caroline pointed out the way Grace had taken across the fields. ‘It’ll be dark in a few hours. We have to look for her.’
‘And we shall. First, hop into the trailer, and we’ll take these two back to the shop to get warm and dry,’ Joe told her. ‘Once they’re safe, I’ll bring men and dogs back to search for Grace.’
‘I want to help,’ Caroline pleaded.
‘No, you should stay with Tilly and Mrs Dymock at the shop,’ Joe said stubbornly, helping her climb into the trailer. ‘No point you getting cold and wet too. Don’t fret now … We’ll find Grace.’
Caroline felt sick with fear. She wanted to go with him, convinced they wouldn’t find Grace without her help. Yet she was so terrified of stumbling across Grace’s lifeless body, drowned in the icy waters, it was almost a relief to accept his decision and wait with the others at the shop. Besides, Tilly needed her support. The poor girl looked quite exhausted.
Back at the village shop, Caroline saw Tilly and Mrs Dymock comfortably installed in the upstairs flat. Looking rather woebegone, they sat huddled together on the sofa in front of a two-bar heater, wrapped in blankets and warming themselves with hot cocoa prepared by Margaret. Caroline couldn’t bring herself to sit down even for a minute though, pacing back and forth under an old coat that Mrs Newton had flung about her shoulders, her ears straining for the sound of the tractor returning. At last, she heard a muffled shout and dashed back downstairs, throwing open the shop door. A dark figure emerged from the rain, cradling something in his arms.
‘Grace,’ she choked, tears running down her cheek. ‘Oh, Mr Postbridge … Please say she’s still alive.’
‘Of course she’s alive, love,’ he reassured her, but with concern etched on his features. ‘And she’ll be fine, mark my words, so long as we get her up to the farm as quick as possible, and into a warm bed with a hot toddy. But first, some blankets to dry her off would be a good idea.’
Grace lay huddled in his arms, limp and wet, her eyes closed. She’d lost her hat and her clothes were dripping, her beautiful hair bedraggled.
‘I’m here, Grace. Please try to … to hang on,’ Caroline gasped, fearful and broken-hearted as she draped her own blanket over Grace. ‘What can I do to help?’ she begged as Mrs Newton hurried forward with more blankets and a thick towel to dry her face and hair.
‘Run up to the farm,’ Mrs Newton told her firmly. ‘Tell Violet to run the girl a hot bath and warm some brandy for her. Hurry now!’
Caroline thudded up the muddy track to the farm,slipping in her haste, terrified that her friend would die before they could get her back to safety, that she would never have a chance to tell Grace how much she cared …
How much she loved her, in fact.
Tilly peeked around the door of the attic bedroom and shook her head. ‘Caro, you look exhausted,’ she whispered, since Grace was still sleeping. ‘It’s gone midnight, why don’t you get to bed? The doctor said she’d be fine, so you really don’t need to sit with her.’
But Caroline refused, still too emotional to leave Grace’s side. ‘I’m fine here, honestly.’ She usually shared with Tilly but had decided to move into Grace’s room for the night. ‘How are you?’
‘Much better, thanks. That hot brandy tasted awful, but it worked wonders.’ Tilly eyed her, concerned. ‘I say, have you been crying?’
Caroline drew herself up, instantly wary. ‘Of course not.’
But Tilly wasn’t so easily deterred. She sat on the end of Grace’s bed, peering into Caroline’s averted face. ‘What’s the matter? Come on … I know I’m miles younger than you, but I can keep a secret.’
After such a terrible day, Caroline was tempted to pour out her feelings. But it was time she grew up and stopped wearing her heart on her sleeve. ‘You’re a sweet girl, Tilly, but this is private.’
‘I’m not blind, you know.’ Tilly gave her a lopsided smile. ‘You and Grace are …’ She pulled a face. ‘Good friends, isn’t that the common phrase?’
Caroline froze, hardly daring to breathe.
‘Look, if it makes you feel better, I’m dating Benny now,but …’ Tilly blushed. ‘I once had a secret pash for a girl at school.’
‘This isn’t a schoolgirlpassion,’ Caroline choked, abruptly losing her stiffness. ‘I love her.’
‘Of course you do,’ Tilly agreed, stealing a hurried look at the sleeping girl between them. ‘But does Grace feel the same?’ she whispered. ‘Does she love you too, I mean?’
‘I thought she did. But I was wrong.’ She knew a moment of panic. ‘Tilly, you won’t repeat any of this, will you? Because it’s top secret.’
‘I understand … Mum’s the word.’ Tilly yawned behind her hand, getting up again. ‘Gosh, I’m bushed. What a day! Time for bed for me. I think it’s jolly romantic, though.’ She started humming a popular tune from the wireless. ‘You and Grace, two hearts beating as one … Like Cathy and Heathcliff.’
‘Tilly, please!’ Caroline hissed. ‘Someone will hear you.’
‘Sorry.’ Tilly went away with an irrepressible chuckle, and Caroline rose to make up the spare bed, moving quiet as a mouse, not wanting to disturb her friend. All the same, when she tiptoed back to turn out the lamp, she saw that Grace had opened her eyes and was watching her.
‘Oh, thank goodness, you’re awake. No, don’t try to get up. Do you want some water?’ Caroline helped Grace sit up against the pillows. ‘How are you feeling?’
‘Like I could sleep for a week.’ Grace was blinking at her surroundings. ‘What … What happened? I don’t remember coming to bed.’
