Free Into the Blue by Christina Green

bastard balm flower was delightful to paint and she felt it was going right: a pale wash to colour the paper, leaving space to provide white where necessary, the stem curving at an angle that showed off the open flower and the leaves delicately framing the whole picture. She looked intently at her work, trying to see what Mr Flynn might see, should she manage to attend his private class. Shape, texture, colour, the whole picture on the page: so many details to bring the painting to life. But she was pleased with what she saw, and it drifted into her
mind that she wished Nicholas Thorne could see this painting of the flower he had given her.
    Suddenly, noises downstairs and Aunt Jacks’ clear voice echoing up the stairwell. Hester put away her paints and went onto the landing, wondering if she should go down.
    â€˜Well, Arthur, I’m glad that you’ve seen sense.’ Aunt Jacks and Father had come out of the study and were in the hall. ‘So I shall call for Hester next Wednesday morning and after we leave the botany class at the Reading Room she can do some shopping – or something – while I attend the meeting of the Flower Society. We’ll be back in time for luncheon. Don’t change your mind about the class, will you? Hester will be a great help to me once her knowledge of botany improves. No, I can’t stay for tea, thank you – I am meeting someone who is interested in my gardening school. I know you think that’s rubbish, but to me it’s my raison d’être . I can’t stop. Goodbye, Arthur.’
    Hester saw her aunt wave as she left the house, and then heard the trap clatter down the drive. She felt inexpressible relief as the meaning of all that she had overheard started to make sense.
    Botany class – yes, she and Aunt Jacks had discussed attending that – and presumably the so-called ‘shopping or something’ – could be spent at Mr Flynn’s studio. It was deceitful, but she must seize the opportunity. Still at the top of the stairs, her body relaxed. She knew that this was the moment to see Father and apologize; to thank him for meeting her halfway and, she hoped fervently, to resume the old fond relationship which had split so painfully earlier today.
    He was crossing the hall as she ran down the stairs. ‘Father?’
    He stopped, standing beside the drawing-room door. ‘Hester.’
    She thought his voice was softer, and saw a lift to his lips heralding a smile. It was all right. Things would be back to normal, and he had agreed to her wish to paint and study. ‘Father,’ she said again, at his side, smiling, putting out a hand and hoping that he would respond in the same loving way.
    â€˜I apologize for everything, Father. I was rude, unkind, and I’m sorry.’ She paused, looking into the eyes that met hers with an unfamiliar show of affection. ‘I heard what Aunt Jacks said – that I can go with her and attend the botany class.’

    Arthur Redding sighed and looked at the longcase clock in the hallway. ‘Teatime. Your stepmother will be down in a minute. Ruby will be coming up with the tray.’ He took her hand in his and looked deeply into her eyes. ‘So we have this moment together. You are my beloved daughter, and I was hurt – offended – by your unthinking words. But time has made me consider the truth of what you said, and I understand that you are of an age when you need to venture out into the world. So I agreed when your aunt suggested this plan of studying botany together.’
    Clasping his hand, Hester felt tears behind her eyes. ‘Thank you, Father. Dear Father.’ Her voice was unsteady. ‘You know I love you.’
    â€˜As I love you.’ But the familiar harsh note was back in his voice and he pulled his hand away. ‘Of course I do. But I expect you to behave as a young lady should do. Don’t press me further, Hester – you have