Read Online Across the Sands of Time by Pamela Kavanagh - Free Book Online Page B

outside.’
    â€˜Yes, it’s a conversion. The big house was made into two smaller ones at the start of the last century. The people I bought this one from made a lot of improvements. Central heating, that sort of thing.’
    She hardly took in what he was saying. She did not understand this – any of it. She swallowed again and thought, a little hysterically, what an extraordinary topic this would make for the Historical Society if only she had the nerve to speak of it!
    Â 
    Bryony steered her way through the hordes of afternoon shoppers, heading for Grange Road and a place to eat. Normally she met up with Liz for lunch but today the other assistant at the boutique had gone home poorly and the midday break had been delayed waiting for the boss to come and relieve her.
    She was rounding a corner when she literally collided with Geoff.
    â€˜Hi, there. Where are you off to in such a hurry?’ He laughed.
    â€˜The nearest café. I’ve missed my lunch and I’m famished!’

    â€˜Me, too. Come on, the Vine’s across the road. I’ll treat you.’
    He ushered her into coffee-scented and discreetly-lit confines of the wine bar and placed their order.
    â€˜This is nice,’ Bryony glanced round, relishing having Geoff to herself for once. ‘Do you come here with Thea?’
    â€˜Sometimes. She’s got a weakness for the Danish pastries. Want to try one?’
    â€˜Do I!’
    Their food came and though Bryony did her best to talk, Geoff seemed distracted.
    â€˜Is something wrong?’ she said at last.
    â€˜Sorry. Got things on my mind, I guess.’
    â€˜Well, spill. Tell Aunty Bryony all about it!’
    He sent her a smile, quick, apologetic.
    â€˜Oh, you know. Dad laid up, and just when we’ve increased the milking herd. Can’t be helped but the double workload.…’
    â€˜It’s worrying for Ma, too. And Thea expects me to drop everything and shop around for fittings for the house. Why it can’t all be got from the same place I can’t imagine.’
    â€˜Is that what you’re doing here now?’
    â€˜No, I’ve dropped in to see the accountant. Dad offered to come instead but he’s not up to it.’
    â€˜I’m truly sorry about your father, Geoff. He’s a lovely man.’ On impulse Bryony reached across the table and gave his hand a sympathetic squeeze. At that exact moment, unbeknown to the pair at the table, Thea walked by on her way to the kitchen suppliers and happened to glance in.
    She stopped short, staring, and then collected herself and hurried on.
    â€˜You have Dominic Shane looking after your cows, don’t you?’ Bryony continued. ‘He and Thea are getting a bit chummy. I saw them laughing together down by the Harbour House. They didn’t see me, though.… Oh, well, I suppose he walks his dog a lot along the estuary.’
    Geoff’s face tightened. Realizing she had gone too far, Bryony decided on a swift change of topic.

    â€˜Anyway, tell me about the additions to the herd. Have you bought in new stock or are they home-bred cattle you’ve run on?’
    She’d evidently hit the right note. Geoff, coaxed into talking about the subject dearest to him, relaxed visibly and Bryony was astonished at how he made what seemed a dry subject fascinating. Plates cleared, he glanced at his watch.
    â€˜My appointment’s at three. I’d better make a move.’
    â€˜And I should get back to the shop. Thanks, Geoff. It’s been great.’
    â€˜My pleasure,’ Geoff said, smiling.
    Outside they parted company. Geoff made his trip to the accountant and returned home in time for milking. He had promised to meet Thea at the Harbour House that evening and was a little late setting off – an all-too-frequent occurrence recently, he acknowledged with a stab of guilt.
    On the Parade he passed Dominic Shane, who sent him a smiling salute. With