‘In that case we may as well travel home together,’ Dorcas told him. ‘There’s no point me staying on here now that you’re home. Imogen is no worse, which the doctor says is a good sign. She’s out of danger for now, thank goodness.’
Just for a second Emmy thought she saw Jasper frown at the suggestion but it was gone as quickly as it came and she wondered if she’d imagined it.
After they’d had a cup of tea, Emmy went straight to bed and was asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Aggie woke her the next morning with yet more tea and Emmy realised that she hadn’t eaten since the morning before. The sea journey had been so bad that she hadn’t been able to face eating, afraid that she might bring any food straight back up. Now, though, she was suddenly starving. But before breakfast she wanted to see her aunt, so after swallowing the hot drink as quickly as she could she dragged her dressing robe on and hurried to her aunt’s room.
‘Ah .?.?. you’re back.’ Her aunt’s voice was weak and slightly slurred but that was a huge improvement to what it had been before Emmy left and she sighed with relief.
‘Yes, I am and I’m thrilled to find you on the mend.’ As she bent and quickly pecked the woman’s cheek Imogen waved her aside with her good hand.
‘Th-at’s quite enough of that sloppy stuff,’ she admonished her but Emmy noticed the little smile that hovered around her mouth.
‘Y-your m .?.?. other is packing,’ Imogen went on. ‘She’s going h .?.?. ome today now that you’re back.’
‘So I believe, but I’m afraid I didn’t manage to find Abi,’ Emmy answered, finding it strange that her aunt hadn’t asked after her.
Imogen raised her hand and flapped it. ‘Don’t g-get worrying about her. She’s a strong girl and we-well able to take care of herself.’
‘I hope you’re right. But now I’m going to go and get dressed and see my mother before she leaves, then after breakfast I’ll come and read the newspaper to you.’ She tucked the covers snugly around her aunt, noting that she was on the verge of sleeping again, before quietly leaving the room.
On the landing she almost bumped into Jasper who was washed and dressed and on his way downstairs. He drank in the sight of her. With her hair loose and tumbled about her shoulders and in her nightclothes, he thought she looked beautiful, although he didn’t comment on it.
‘I was just going down to breakfast,’ he said instead. ‘Your mother and I are hoping to make an early start, will you be joining us?’
Emmy nodded as she swept past him, feeling vaguely embarrassed to be seen in her night attire.
‘Yes, just give me time to get dressed and I’ll be right down.’ And she disappeared into her bedroom closing the door firmly behind her.
Her mother and Jasper were already seated at the table when she went into the dining room a short time later and her mother smiled at her, asking, ‘Did you sleep well, dear?’
Emmy helped herself to some toast. ‘Like a log. I think I must have dropped off the second my head hit the pillow and I think I’d probably be there still if Aggie hadn’t wakened me.’
Her mother sighed. ‘And what can we do to find Abi now?’ She was obviously very worried about her.
Emmy shrugged. ‘I don’t know, but first I’m going to pay a visit to the club to make sure she hasn’t gone back there.’ Deep down she felt that she’d probably be wasting her time. All Abi’s things were stored in one of her aunt’s spare bedrooms and if Abi had come back, she would surely have come to fetch them, but she couldn’t think what else to do.
Her mother nodded. ‘Jake has called in every day since you’ve been gone. I’m sure he’ll be happy to know you’re back safe and sound.’
‘Why wouldn’t she be? I was there taking good care of her,’ Jasper commented sullenly and Emmy was shocked to see the dull colour rise in his cheeks. ‘But anyway, we’d best get our coats on. I got Aggie to go and order us a cab to take us to the station and it will be here in fifteen minutes.’ He scraped his chair back and strode from the room.
Now that they were alone her mother asked, ‘Are you quite sure you’ll cope with your aunt, Emerald? I’m afraid she’s very frustrated at being bedridden and it makes her quite grumpy.’
Emmy grinned as she spread marmalade on her toast. ‘Don’t worry, Mama, I’m used to her moods now and I’m just relieved that she seems a little better. I’ve no doubt Hetty and Bruno will be pleased to have you home.’
Dorcas nodded. ‘And believe it or not I shall be glad to be home. I’m afraid London with its crowded streets has no lure for me now. I’m used to peace and quiet living in the cottage, although I doubt it will be very peaceful at the farm when Jasper arrives back,’ she confided. ‘Your Uncle Bernard was absolutely furious with him when he just took off again and who can blame him? I’m afraid Sybil has spoilt him shamelessly.’
Emmy was tempted to say, ‘Just likeyouspoilt Abi,’ but she managed to refrain and clamped her lips shut. There was no point in causing ill feeling when her mother was on the verge of leaving.
Soon after, the hackney cab arrived and while the driver piled the luggage on to the top of it, Jasper and Dorcas said their goodbyes.
‘Be sure to keep me informed about the search for Abi,’ her mother called when Jasper had helped her into the cab.
‘I will,’ Emmy promised as she stood on the step waving and soon the cab pulled away and was swallowed up by the snow.
As the day wore on Emmy found herself getting excited at the prospect of seeing Jake again. She had missed him far more than she had thought she would after he had left her in Le Havre, so when he finally arrived it was all she could do to stop herself throwing her arms about him.
‘Emmy, it’s good to see you home.’ As he took a step towards her, dripping snow all over the hall floor, and gently took her hand, a shiver ran up her arm.
