A Time of Peace by Beryl Matthews Page B

could.’
    â€˜You’ll need premises in London,’ her father said. ‘That could be expensive.’
    Kate chewed her lip as she tried to work out if she was going to have enough money for this step, then she nodded slowly. ‘I’ve still got the money Grandma Marj left me, and some savings of my own. Then there’s the money Grandpa George put in trust for me.’
    â€˜That isn’t due out until you’re twenty-five, or marry.’ Her father looked concerned. ‘And as you don’t seem to have any intention of marrying yet, can you manage?’
    â€˜Yes, I can.’ Kate sat up and smiled at her parents. She knew her father was eager to help her out, but her mother had always insisted that they make their own way, and mistakes, in life. She was incredibly lucky to have this money, and she wanted to do something brave with it, not fritter it away over the years. She would have to ask if she wanted their help, but she wasn’t about to do that. And they would both understand her need to do this on her own.
    â€˜As soon as we’ve sold the story, we’ll start looking for a shop.’ The idea was growing on her all the time. Her mother had told her not to be afraid to change course if it seemed right.
    â€˜Haven’t you spent any of the money Marj left you?’ her father asked.
    â€˜Not a penny.’ Kate looked at the cup of tea in front of her, knowing that her dear grandma would be happy for her to use the money in this way.
    At that moment someone knocked on the front door, and Rose went to see who was there. She returned with Andrew Stevenson. ‘Kate, Mr Stevenson wants to talk to you. Take him into the sitting room.’
    â€˜I’d rather stay here, Mrs Freeman.’ Andrew glanced at everyone in the kitchen. ‘I have some explaining to do and I’d like you all to hear.’
    â€˜Sit down, then,’ Bill told him.
    Kate couldn’t believe he’d taken the trouble to come to her home, and Pete was amazed.
    â€˜Shall I leave?’ he whispered to her.
    She shook her head, and he slid down in his chair, trying to make himself as unobtrusive as possible.
    â€˜I have treated Kate badly,’ Andrew said as soon as he was seated. ‘But I was ordered to take her on by the head of the paper and I resented it.’
    â€˜Why would he do a thing like that?’ Rose asked.
    â€˜He said he’d met you both and he owed you, so if your daughter wanted a job with us, then we would give it to her.’
    Bill, usually placid, was clearly angry. ‘Who is the man? He had no right to do that without consulting us first.’
    â€˜His name’s Perkins, and he only took charge a year ago.’
    Rose looked into space as if trying to bring the man to mind, and then she frowned at her husband. ‘We don’t know anyone by that name, do we, Bill?’
    â€˜No, we don’t. Tell me why this man would insist that you employ our daughter.’
    Kate could see her father was not at all pleased about this, and neither was her mother. They had never interfered in her life, and they obviously didn’t like anyone else doing it.
    Andrew Stevenson seemed to diminish in size under the combined glares of Rose and Bill Freeman. ‘He
wouldn’t tell me anything else.’ He shrugged. ‘I assumed it was because of your connections.’
    â€˜What
connections
?’ Rose was losing her patience.
    â€˜Well, there’s Grant Phillips, and it’s no secret about your father – ’
    â€˜Sir George Gresham is dead, Mr Stevenson,’ Rose said sharply. ‘And as I was his illegitimate daughter, the title went with him. And I fail to see why our family history should be so important to the owner of your paper.’ She sounded exasperated and suspicious. ‘You’re talking nonsense, Mr Stevenson. What is the real reason for your visit?’
    â€˜I’ve explained this