Call of the Kiwi by Sarah Lark Page A

and laid a wool jacket around the shoulders of her strange guest. “Of course. But it can wait until tomorrow.”
    Sarah would never have thought she would sleep that night, but to her surprise, she slept soundly—and when she awoke the next morning, she felt newly liberated. Deep down she was happy to be able to return home. If only it weren’t for Gloria.
    “She promised to pay for my trip should I, well, not have my hopes fulfilled here. And she’ll keep that promise; she’s already confirmed that,” Sarah informed Gloria. She was scheduled to leave in just a few days. But she had to speak to Gloria before leaving. With a heavy heart she had ordered a cab to Oaks Garden and walked past the teachers and housemothers looking on sourly with her head held high. As expected, Gloria was inconsolable.
    “Can’t you at least stay in England?” she asked desperately. “Maybe Miss Arrowstone would hire you.”
    “After what happened, Glory? No, that’s impossible. Just imagine my having to see Christopher at service every Sunday. I wish I could take you with me but that won’t work right now. And your parents are coming to visit soon, Glory. You’ll feel better then.”
    Gloria had her doubts about that. She was both excited and nervous about her reunion with her parents.
    “I’ll tell your great-grandmother how unhappy you are here,” Sarah said halfheartedly. “Perhaps she can do something.”
    “Don’t bother.”
    Gloria no longer believed in miracles.
    She played with the letter in her pocket that had come that morning. Her great-grandmother had written to tell her that Jack was now married to Charlotte Greenwood. Surely they would soon have children. And he would forget all about Gloria.

    “We are delighted to have you here,” Miss Arrowstone said, greeting William Martyn euphorically. With few exceptions, William had always charmed women. The rotund headmistress was now purring like a cat as she gazed up at him adoringly. Though now middle-aged, he remained slender and stately; his hair was still blond and curly, and the light of his clear blue eyes, exaggerated by his slightly tanned face, made him irresistible. He and his beautiful wife, Kura, made an exceptionally attractive couple. Miss Arrowstone wondered how two such handsome, charismatic people could have brought such a mediocre child as Gloria into the world.
    “We received a letter for Gloria that caused us some concern, to put it mildly.” Miss Arrowstone fished an envelope from her desk drawer.
    “How is Gloria doing anyway? I hope she’s settled into life here.”
    Miss Arrowstone forced a smile. “Well, your daughter is still struggling with the transition. She is a little wild, you know, from her time Down Under.”
    William nodded and waved it away. “Horses, cows, and sheep, Miss Arrowstone,” he said dramatically. “That’s all people have in their heads there. We should have brought Gloria into a more stimulating setting sooner. But that’s how it is, Miss Arrowstone. Great success only comes with great effort.”
    Miss Arrowstone smiled understandingly. “That’s why your wife isn’t with you to retrieve Gloria. We would have enjoyed seeing her again.”
    And hearing another free concert, thought William, although he answered amiably: “Kura was somewhat indisposed after the last tour. And you understand of course that even the smallest cold is cause for concern for a singer. So we thought it would be better for her to stay in London. We have a suite at the Ritz.”
    “I would have thought you would have your own town house, Mr. Martyn,” Miss Arrowstone said, astonished.
    William shook his head with slight regret. “Nor a country house, Miss Arrowstone. Though I’ve often broached the subject of a residence, my wife doesn’t want to settle down. Her Maori heritage, I suspect.” He smiled winningly. “But now, what about that letter you mentioned, Miss Arrowstone? Is someone harassing our daughter? Perhaps