Free Full Circle by Connie Monk Page B

concentrating on myself, she remembered me.’
    â€˜Don’t waste time on regrets for something that can’t be altered. Violet Harding was a woman of intense understanding and compassion. If she’d felt any bitterness on account of your neglect you would hardly be entertaining me this morning in what used to be her home.’ Then, with a smile that could only be described as mischievously flirtatious, ‘So let’s just enjoy where Fate has brought us on this lovely Sunday morning.’ Taking a cigarette case from his jacket pocket, he opened it and offered it to her. ‘Only one thing is missing: a good strong cup of coffee.’ Then, with a smile that started in his eyes and must have helped him to get his own way all through life, ‘No milk, thank you, and no sugar.’
    The Miss Harding her colleagues had been sure was treading the path to spinsterhood nudged her and whispered silently that he was a conceited bore. But she was caught up in the unexpected delight of his manner.
    â€˜An excellent idea.’ She couldn’t have held back her smile even if she’d wanted to. ‘I’ll accept that cigarette when I’ve made it. It won’t take long.’
    â€˜Better, I’ll come and give my manly advice. Don’t you find men are at their best in an advisory capacity?’
    â€˜I’d be the last to know. I’m not in the habit of seeking advice.’ She was enjoying herself. ‘If you’re coming with me you might as well be useful. You’ll find cups and saucers in—’
    â€˜I know exactly where they are. This kitchen has always seemed special. When I was on school holiday this was often my place of escape.’
    â€˜Escape from what?’ For he certainly didn’t strike her as the type to hide away out of fear.
    He chuckled, following the journey his memories were taking him back through the years. ‘A variety of things, depending on the season. My
bête noire
was following the digger and picking up the potatoes. The coffee smells good. Where shall we go? Indoors or out?’
    â€˜Out, on a morning like this. Why didn’t Bella come with you to see me? Or is she keeping Mr Carter company?’
    â€˜She was still in bed when I left home this morning. Having had a call from Big Brother, I was up with the larks. David spent last night at the farm to make sure Dad stayed in his own bed like a good lad, but he had to be back home and on the golf course by half past nine; that’s his sacred ritual for Sunday morning. A man of habit is Brother David, so I promised to get up here by eight o’clock. A social visit from him to Bella and me is rare, but he said he had to pass the door yesterday so he looked in. Dad behaved perfectly, not a sign that his mind is getting muddled. How is it that people have a new cunning when the situation demands? Anyway, he and David talked about the business – I left them to it. I have enough Monday to Friday without a second helping at the weekend. Then David informed me he was taking Dad home to the farm. He said Bella and I were making a fuss about nothing, and all the old boy needed was to be back in his own surroundings. And like a fool I wanted to believe him. Of course, I hadn’t bargained for someone to be living in Violet’s house yet.’
    â€˜Well, I’m afraid he will have to get used to it,’ Louisa told him with a sharp edge to her voice.
    By that time she had erected a small garden table by the newly painted seat while he followed, carrying the tray.
    â€˜He will,’ Leo answered. ‘Bella will see to that. She is incredibly good to him. I believe she genuinely cares about him.’ Then, as if he’d just become aware of where the conversation had brought them, ‘And so she should. He’s a damned nice guy. When I was younger I used to look up to him and want to be just like him. Rotten the tricks life can play on a