Free Towards a Dark Horizon by Maureen Reynolds Page A

the noisy bustle of the city. He waved.
    Mrs Pringle was sitting by the open French window. She called out, ‘Come in, both of you, and have something to drink.’
    We went into her lounge. On my last visit, about a year ago, her settees and chairs had been covered with lovely rose-patterned covers but today they were covered in plain cream linen. It made the room seem cool and uncluttered.
    I thought of Connie’s house with its collection of possessions. If I owned a house like this, would I go for this quiet look because it was so elegant or would I choose the cosy clutter?
    Joy was sitting on the rose-coloured carpet with a pile of books. She gazed at us when we entered and she rose to her feet when she saw Lily. Normally Lily would have gone over to her and the books but not today. She clung to my skirt with her chubby hand.
    Mrs Pringle said, ‘Do you want to go to Joy’s room and play with her toys, Lily?’
    To my amazement she shook her head.
    Mrs Pringle glanced at me but I could only shrug my shoulders.
    ‘Do you both want to go outside and help in the garden?’
    Lily didn’t answer and she hid her face against my skirt. This was so unlike her.
    I bent down. ‘Lily, go and play with Joy. After all that’s why we’re here.’
    She gave me such a strange look but, after a moment’s hesitation, she let Joy lead her upstairs towards the bedroom.
    ‘I’ve no idea why she’s like this, Mrs Pringle,’ I said.
    She smiled and handed me a lovely china cup and saucer. It held a fragrant-smelling tea.
    ‘It’s Earl Grey tea,’ she explained. ‘Hattie and I just love it.’
    I memorised the name. Earl Grey. Granny would want to know everything about this unexpected visit.
    Mrs Pringle stirred her tea for a long time, as if getting up the courage to ask me the one question I dreaded. I sat in silence and let the perfume from the fragrant roses that framed the window waft towards me. It was so peaceful sitting in this lovely room but I knew what was coming.
    She put her cup down without tasting it. ‘Ann, I have to be honest with you when I say that Mr Pringle and I don’t understand about Maddie and Danny breaking off their engagement.’ She looked me straight in the eye. ‘Do you know why?’
    I didn’t know what to say. There was no way I could tell her the truth but, on the other hand, Maddie’s parents had been so good to us. She had got me my job with Mrs Barrie at Whitegate Lodge and Mr Pringle’s brother had given Dad the job at his warehouse. I didn’t want to lie to her but what could I say? I looked around to see if Hattie was in the house.
    As if guessing this, Mrs Pringle said, ‘Hattie is off today, Ann. That’s why I asked you to come. I’ve asked her and she says she doesn’t know. She says that Maddie wants to wait till her final exams are over before committing herself.’
    ‘What does Maddie say?’
    ‘That’s the point – she hasn’t said anything. She just told us that the engagement is off for the time being and that’s all.’ She looked so concerned that I suddenly wished I could tell her the whole story and the truth. Blast Hattie for being such a snob or Danny for being an idiot. I had hoped that Danny, once he had got over his initial shock, would perhaps see sense but now his mother had made it much worse by getting him to promise to say nothing.
    Mrs Pringle asked, ‘Well, Ann?’
    ‘The only thing I know, Mrs Pringle, is that Danny was so upset after Dad Ryan’s death that it’s put him a bit wrong. His dad died when he was a baby and the Ryans have aye been his family. Ma and Dad were more like his parents …’ I stopped. What was I saying? If Hattie heard this she would be mad. ‘Well, not like his parents but more like …’ I shook my head. ‘I don’t know what I’m saying, Mrs Pringle.’
    She looked at me, a shrewd expression on her face. ‘I do know what you’re saying, Ann. I think you do know what caused this break-up but you’re a very loyal