‘What’s that noise?’ She stared down at the elegant dashboard, studying the row of gauges and dials in consternation. ‘What have I done wrong?’
‘You need to move up a gear,’ he reminded her.
‘How do I do that?’
‘Same as before. Clutch in, select second gear, slowly release …Slowly!’ As the car juddered to an embarrassing halt again, William MacGregor laughed. ‘Well, it’s a start. A good start. Lose those heels, and a few more lessons, you’ll be whizzing along like a regular roadster.’
‘I think that’s enough for today.’ Selina got out of the driver’s seat and walked around to the passenger side. ‘You should drive us back to the hall. I’m worried about scratching your paintwork.’
Without argument, William jumped across into the driver’s seat. ‘I saw Jemima and Faith waving out of the window as we left,’ he remarked conversationally, starting the engine and driving off with expertise. ‘They looked chipper as always. But how’s your nephew getting along? Last time we spoke, he had influenza. A nasty illness even for the young.’ He frowned, focused on the road ahead. ‘How old is Peter now?’
She smiled, thinking of young Peter, who had sprouted since the summer. ‘Fourteen. And his health is much improved. I have to admit, he was quite unwell at one point. I called Dr Ford to the house twice, and Mrs Hawley and I took turns to sit up with him last week. He was so hot and restless, he barely got a wink of sleep.’
Selina glanced out of the car window. She was not used to caring for her sister’s children and it was a relief to be able to confide in someone about her fears. Also, she realisedwith a pang of guilt, she felt much more comfortable with William MacGregor behind the wheel than trying to drive herself. She still wanted to be more independent, though, with her own car. These past few months she’d been entirely reliant on Mrs Hawley, the housekeeper, to drive her into Bodmin, the nearest town, if she wanted to go shopping, and that could not continue. Mrs Hawley had other duties, and Selina relished the idea of being able to drive into Bodmin whenever she wished, as there wasn’t a reliable bus service across the moors.
Mr MacGregor was looking concerned. ‘Poor boy. Wasn’t he due to start at a Devon boarding school last month?’
She nodded. ‘I wrote to the headmaster and explained why Peter would be late taking up his place. He was perfectly reasonable about it, though I’m afraid he insisted that we still pay the fees for the whole term.’
‘I bet he did. But Peter will be going eventually, I take it?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Selina agreed, flushing. ‘The only thing is, I’d been rather hoping I could buy a car and drive him there myself.’
William MacGregor looked at her, startled. ‘You? It’ll take a few more weeks for you to get the hang of this driving lark, I’m afraid. You’d never pass the test, for starters.’
‘But when I applied for my provisional licence, they told me I wouldn’t need to take a test. That I can legally drive for up to a year on the provisional alone.’
‘That’s true,’ he agreed grudgingly. ‘The government suspended driving tests during the war. But they’re bringing them back in soon.’
‘Soon … but not yet,’ she pointed out, and saw him smile.
‘All the same, I wouldn’t feel comfortable at the thoughtof you driving into Devon on the strength of a few lessons with me.’
‘I suppose you’re right. Running before I can walk, and all that. Though, in that case, I wonder if I might impose on you further …’ Selina broke off, embarrassed by what she’d been about to ask.
‘You want me to drive Peter there for you?’
‘I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. But I honestly did hope to have a car of my own by now and to be more independent.’
He was silent for a moment, then said gently, ‘You know, your sister wasn’t simply another client of mine. Bella and Sebastian were friends of mine for many years. It broke my heart when we lost him. But I consoled myself that Bella would be with us for many more years. Her illness took us all by surprise …’ He hesitated. ‘You promised Bella you’d care for her children after her passing. Well, I promised her husband years ago that I’d take care of his family if he ever …’ He pulled a face, his hands tightening on the wheel. ‘In a nutshell, I’m happy to drive Peter to school any time he’s ready to go.’
‘That’s awfully kind of you, Mr MacGregor.’
‘William, please.’ Concentrating on the tight bend ahead, William added with a wry grin, ‘If I’m allowed to call you Selina, I’ll be damned if you’re going to call me Mr MacGregor.’
Selina smiled and thanked him, though she still felt uncomfortable. She’d happily accepted his help with driving lessons. But expecting him to drive such a long distance in order to deliver her nephew to boarding school was a more serious imposition. ‘If you’re sure I’m not taking you away from your work?’
‘All work and no play makes William a very dull boy.’
Soon, they turned through the gates towards Thornton Hall, where her widowed sister Bella had lived, and where she had died that summer, inoperable tumours in her lungs. Bella had been so young when she died, only in her mid-thirties, with three wonderful, lively children. Her loss still hurt Selina deeply. And the children were suffering too.
Going back to school for the first time since his mother’s passing would be a difficult and important moment for Peter, Bella’s eldest, and Selina wanted it to go as smoothly as possible. Especially as this was a new school where he had no friends yet and might find being away from home a struggle. But she feared harming his chances of a future university place if she kept him at home for another year.
‘Thank you so much,’ she told William at the hall, when he came round to open the passenger door for her. ‘For the driving lesson … and for everything else. You’ve been a brick. I won’t forget it.’
‘You’re welcome.’ He glanced round as Peter himself emerged from the front entrance, his dark blond hair almost brushing his collar again. It would need cutting before he went back to school, Selina noted. ‘Hullo, Peter. Should you be out of bed?’
‘I’ve been stuck indoors for weeks, it’s a dead bore. And I’m definitely on the mend, the doctor says … Barely any sniffles left.’ Peter, who had grown at least another inch since the summer, shook hands politely with William MacGregor. ‘I say, your car is absolutely spiffing. A Wolseley Super Six, isn’t she?’
