Free A Country Affair by Rebecca Shaw Page B

promised her in Granny Howard’s will.

Chapter
4
    “H ave you a first-class stamp, Mia? I want to get this letter in the mail on the way to work. Before I change my mind.”
    Mia passed her the fresh pot of tea. “You’ve definitely decided, then?”
    “Yes, I have. The shock of not getting three A’s totally threw me and I realize now I was far too hasty in giving up all hope of being a vet and applying for this job.”
    “I thought you liked the job. Don’t you?”
    Kate pondered Mia’s question for a moment. “I like this job so very much. I like the people, I like the place, I like the animals, I like keeping the accounts in good order;
but
at the same time, I know I need more fulfillment. I’m not using my brain as I should and I know I would regret all my life not giving it another go.”
    Mia patted her hand across the breakfast table. “I’ve been dying for you to do this, but I knew it had to be wholly your decision. Your dad will be thrilled. It’s what he wants for you too.”
    “I know. I’m ringing Miss Beaumont tonight to see if she’ll tutor me.”
    “I thought that thin little man—I forget his name—taught you chemistry.”
    “He did and I never got on with him because he was lazy. That’s why I didn’t get an A. He was useless. Miss Beaumont is brill; we got on really well.”
    Mia brushed a strand of loose hair away from Kate’s face. “I’m so proud of you.”
    “Thanks, Mia. I’m not telling anyone what I’ve done. Not till I’ve got a grade A, then if I don’t, they won’t be any the wiser.”
    “I think Adam should know.”
    Kate put down her slice of toast and studied Mia’s loving face. “He’ll do his best to stop me.”
    “He can’t, though, can he, actually stop you? You’re a free agent.”
    “He’ll finish with me.”
    “Haven’t you already finished with him?” The questioning look on Mia’s face made Kate stare at her.
    “Do you know, I think I already have, as you say. He’s so peculiar at the moment. I don’t even like him.”
    “I certainly didn’t like him the other night.”
    “Truth to tell, you never really have liked him, have you?”
    Mia fiddled with the sugar basin, put two spoonfuls into her cup and then, without thinking what she was doing, added another. “It’s that obsession of needing to do the same things at the same time every week. It demonstrates a strange kind of insecurity. Or is he a power freak? He lacks spontaneity. It’s odd in such a young man. I never noticed it at first, or has it gotten worse?”
    “Worse.”
    “You see, it’s only fair to tell him because if you do get in, it means he must wait another five years and he should know, or if he wants to find someone else, he should know where he is . . . with you.”
    Kate stood up to go, having seen the clock. “Sometimes one has moments of blinding insight when one sees so clearly it’s almost frightening.” Mia nodded. “You asking me if I hadn’t already finished with him made me realize that yes, I have. Trouble is, will he finish with me?” Kate shuddered slightly.
    “Well, you must be honest; tell him outright, but very kindly. You know.”
    “I know. Thank you, Mia, I don’t know where I’d be without you.”
    Staring into the distance, Mia answered, “Whatever you do, you mustn’t drift into marriage just because someone is there and there isn’t anyone else on the horizon, and he’s comfortable and suitable. You musn’t fool yourself. You’ve got to marry for love.”
    “Did you marry for love?”
    Mia looked up at her, smiling. “Oh yes! I married for love.” She reached out, and taking Kate’s hand in hers, pressed it to her cheek.
    Kate’s face lit up with amazement. “Not of me?”
    Mia nodded.
    “I didn’t know. Thank you.” She was silent for a moment, taking in the full implication of Mia’s words and of how she’d taken Mia’s love all these years without giving it a thought, then brought things back to normality