Free Time After Time by Wendy Godding Page B

town.’
    Penelope was barely listening to Mrs Priscopp, her eyes and attention completely ensnared by Heath. Her head spinning slightly, she remembered the noise that had startled her last night. Goosebumps traced her bare arms, and for some inexplicable reason she wondered if the noise had been Heath outside her room.
    Surely not.
    Mrs Priscopp moved away, but only after being greatly encouraged by the Pastor to invite Anne to Broadhurst. Penelope had remained stubbornly silent, her opinion of the girl greatly different to Mrs Priscopp’s.
    ‘Ah, Georgie,’ cried her father as she approached, ‘And Harry as well! How are you both? Penelope says you are in town for a lengthy visit, Harry?’
    ‘I do hope so, sir,’ Harry replied, ‘Although I will need to return to my studies.’
    ‘Your father says you’re doing very well,’ mused the Pastor. ‘Science,’ he continued, ‘I hear you have a bent for science?’
    ‘Science is most interesting, sir,’ Harry explained, ‘and I’m fortunate enough to have a professor who is most modern in his approach to the subject.’
    Pastor Broadhurst smiled indulgently, his eyes serious. ‘As long as science does not replace faith.’
    ‘Of course not,’ Harry nodded obediently, ‘Although it can explain things faith cannot.’
    ‘Really? How so?’
    ‘Uncle, may I introduce Mr Heath Lockwood?’ Georgina interjected, smiling sweetly and changing the conversation. ‘He’s a colleague of Harry’s and staying with us for a while.’
    ‘Ah yes.’ Pastor Broadhurst clasped Heath’s hand, forgetting his brief debate with Harry. ‘Very good to meet you. My daughter has mentioned you many times.’
    Heath’s eyes flashed to Penelope, who blushed at her father’s innocent words. ‘Really? I hope she spoke favourably.’
    ‘Penelope always does, I can assure you of that,’ laughed the Pastor, ‘but that is one of her faults, I’m afraid. Penelope sees only the good in people, and none of the bad.’
    ‘I think that is a very pretty fault to have,’ observed Heath.
    Penelope didn’t know where to look. Her pulse quickened and her mouth ran dry, and she wondered if she would be able to utter anything even remotely comprehensible. In addition, she was aware of not only Heath but also Georgina watching her curiously, and she couldn’t bring herself to meet either one’s eyes.
    ‘Are you coming back to Broadhurst Manor today?’ Harry asked, oblivious to the situation as only he could be. ‘We’re planning a walk through the forest later. Show Heath more of the country.’
    ‘I’m not sure,’ Penelope managed to croak out, ‘I’m visiting Mrs Smith. Perhaps afterwards I could join you.’
    ‘That would be wonderful,’ Heath replied, and even Harry looked a little startled by the depth and sincerity in his voice. ‘We shall wait for you, won’t we, Harry?’
    ‘Of course,’ smiled Harry. ‘A party is not a party without our Penelope.’
    ‘No,’ agreed Heath, ‘it certainly isn’t.’
    Penelope packed a basket with bread, butter, apples she’d collected from the orchards at Broadhurst, and some sweet cakes for the children, before she set off to Mrs Smith’s cottage, which sat on the outskirts of the village.
    As she was meandering through the woods, her thoughts wandered naturally to Mr Lockwood, as they were wont to do these days. It was as if he’d cast a spell over her, one that compelled her to think of him and only him.
    Oh, and the rider on the horse.
    At that thought, a chill crept up from her feet. Behind her there was the softest flutter of leaves, the whisper of wind through the trees, and she turned, her heart frozen in her chest. Was someone there? Was someone following?
    A hard lump formed in her throat as she flicked her gaze anxiously between the tall, towering trees. Overhead, through the canopy of leaves, was the gentle sunlight, which barely reached her. The wind picked up again and whistled through the forest, calling to