Free A Christmas Romance by Betty Neels Page A

had seen her, for he said something to the house doctor he was talking to and began to walk towards her.
    Help, thought Theodosia. She was so happy to see him that if he spoke to her she might lose all her good sense and fling herself at him.
    And help there was. One of the path lab assistants, the one who had danced with her at theball, was hurrying past her. She caught hold of his arm and brought him to a surprised halt.
    ‘Say something,’ hissed Theodosia. ‘Look pleased to see me, as though you expected to meet me.’
    ‘Whatever for? Of course I’m pleased to see you, but I’ve a train to catch …’
    She was still holding his sleeve firmly. The professor was very close now, not hurrying, though; she could see him out of the corner of her eye. She smiled up at her surprised companion. She said very clearly, ‘I’ll meet you at eight o’clock; we could go to that Chinese place.’ For good measure she kissed his cheek and, since the professor was now very close, wished him good evening. He returned her greeting in his usual pleasant manner and went out to his car.
    ‘Whatever’s come over you?’ demanded the young man from the path lab. ‘I mean, it’s all very well, but I’ve no intention of taking you to a Chinese restaurant. For one thing my girlwouldn’t stand for it and for another I’m a bit short of cash.’ He goggled at her. ‘And you kissed me!’
    ‘Don’t worry, it was an emergency. I was just pretending that we were keen on each other.’
    He looked relieved. ‘You mean it was a kind of joke?’
    ‘That’s right.’ She looked over his shoulder and caught a glimpse of the Bentley turning out of the forecourt. ‘Thanks for helping me out.’
    ‘Glad I could help. A lot of nonsense, though.’
    He hurried off and Theodosia walked back to her bed-sitter, then told Gustavus all about it. ‘You see,’ she explained, ‘if he doesn’t see me or speak to me, he’ll forget all about me. I shan’t forget him but that’s neither here nor there. I daresay he’ll have a holiday at Christmas and spend it with her. She’s beautiful and elegant, you see, and they were laughing together …’ Theodosia paused to give her nose a good blow. She wasn’t going to cry about it. He would be home by now,sitting in his lovely drawing room, and Rosie would be sitting with him.
    Which is exactly what he was doing, George and Max at his feet, his companion curled up on a sofa. They were both reading, he scanning his post, she leafing through a fashion magazine. Presently she closed it. ‘You have no idea how delightful it is to have the whole day to myself. I’ve spent a small fortune shopping and I can get up late and eat food I haven’t cooked myself. It’s been heaven.’
    The professor peered at her over his specs. ‘And you’re longing to see James and the children …’
    ‘Yes, I am. It won’t be too much for you having us all here? They’ll give you no peace—it will be a houseful.’ She added unexpectedly, ‘There’s something wrong, isn’t there? You’re usually so calm and contained, but it’s as though something—or someone?—has stirred you up.’
    ‘How perceptive of you, my dear. I am indeed stirred—by a pair of grey eyes and a head of ginger hair.’
    ‘A girl. Is she pretty, young? One of your house doctors? A nurse?’
    ‘A kind of girl Friday in the diet department. She’s young—perhaps too young for me—perhaps not pretty but I think she is beautiful. And she is gentle and kind and a delight to be with.’ He smiled. ‘And her hair really is ginger; she wears it in a bunch on top of her head.’
    His sister had sat up, the magazine on the floor. ‘You’ll marry her, Hugo?’
    ‘Yes, if she will have me. She lives in a miserable attic room with a cat and is to spend Christmas with her only family—two great-aunts. I intend to drive her there and perhaps have a chance to talk …’
    ‘But you’ll be here for Christmas?’
    ‘Of course. Perhaps I