Free Unknown by Unknown

Jake's study. Katy heard the staccato tapping of a typewriter as they passed and Claire said:
    'He works better here than anywhere else we've been. We're so grateful to Sean for bringing this place to our notice. We used to come up to Raikeside Lodge to spend holidays with his grandfather and the peace and quiet is out of this world.' She looked anxiously at Katy. 'I do hope it won't be dull for you. There isn't much amusement except what we make for ourselves.'
    Katy shook her head. 'I'm sure it could never be dull with Toby around. Anyway, I've never been to Yorkshire before and I'm looking forward to exploring.'
    'Exploring! Exploring! We're going exploring!' Toby sang as he threw open a door at the end of the corridor. 'This is your room, Katy. Do you want me to help you unpack?'
    'Indeed she doesn't, young man!' Claire said severely. 'She wants to have a little peace and quiet to collect herself. You can come up and tell her when tea is ready but right now you're coming downstairs with me!' She grinned at Katy. 'You'll find you have to be very firm with him. Don't let those huge innocent eyes fool you.' She pointed to a door on the far side of the room. 'That's your bathroom. I'm afraid you have to share it with Toby but I don't think you'll find that too much of a problem. His main aim in life seems to be to spend as little time in close contact with water as possible.' She laughed and ruffled Toby's dark hair. 'Come on, you grubby little beast. Let Katy have five minutes to herself, then she's all yours—God help her!'
    When they had gone Katy stood looking round the pleasant room. A rose-pink carpet covered the floor and the white walls were plain except for two water-colour landscapes that hung above the bed. Curtains of rose-sprigged material hung at the window and the big brass bed was prettily flounced and covered by a pale pink duvet. She went to the window and opened it, leaning out to breathe the sparkling, peat-scented air. A panorama of rising moorland stretched as far as she could see. Rabbits played quite openly on the tussocky grass whilst the sheep and their new lambs grazed serenely. She sighed. It was all so idyllic. Surely she should be able to come to some decision about her future here. Toby seemed lively enough. Not at all true to the image she had formed of a pale, wan little invalid, but as vital and full of mischief as any other little boy.
    She had just finished putting away the last of her clothes in the roomy wardrobe when there was a tap on the door and Toby's voice said, 'Tea's ready, Katy.'
    She opened the door and he looked admiringly at the cool green cotton dress she had changed into.
    'You look nice,' he said. 'Just like a—' He screwed up his face in concentration. 'What are those flowers called?'
    'A marigold?' she asked wryly.
    He grinned. 'That's it. How did you know?'
    She laughed and ruffled his hair. 'I've heard it before somewhere,' she told him, closing the door. 'Come on now, or you'll get us both into trouble for being late.'
    The Underwoods were having tea in the drawing-room which looked on to the garden. Long windows opened on to a sheltered patio formed by the 'L' angle of the house. Claire stood up and held out her hand.
    'Katy—that's better, you look refreshed. Come and meet my husband. Jake, this is Katy Lang.'
    He wasn't at all what she imagined a best-selling author to look like. Tall and thin, perhaps ten years older than his wife, Jake uncoiled himself from his chair and offered her his hand. He wore shabby jeans and a sweater and his brown hair and beard badly needed a trim.
    'Hello, Katy.' Dark eyes like Toby's smiled down into hers as he shook her hand warmly. 'I hope you'll be happy here and that you don't find us too overwhelming. We're a pretty bizarre lot, I'm afraid.'
    'I'm sure I shall love it,' she said, warming to him. 'May I say how much I enjoyed Devil's Country ? I'm so looking forward to reading the sequel.'
    He smiled. 'I shall see to it that you