Rogue in Porcelain by Anthea Fraser Page A

me. Good luck with your men – all of them. Keep me posted.’
    She put down the phone and stretched luxuriously. Then she pushed back her chair and ran down the stairs. Gus, asleep on the front door mat, looked up, tail wagging hopefully.
    â€˜Yes, we’re going out,’ she told him. ‘And I hope I’ll be in a better mood by the time we get back.’
    The wind was strong and unseasonably cold, and Rona’s head was down as she battled against it on her way back along Guild Street. Which is why she had no warning when someone suddenly catapulted out of a shop doorway, cannoning into her and knocking her shopping bag out of her hand. She stumbled and almost fell as Gus, taking avoiding action, succeeded in winding his lead round her legs. Then a hand caught her arm, steadying her, and a breathless voice exclaimed, ‘Oh, I’m terribly sorry! Are you all right?’
    She looked up into the concerned face of a young woman, who took the lead out of her hand, untangled it, and handed it back.
    â€˜ I’m all right,’ Rona said ruefully, ‘but I doubt if my shopping is. There are eggs in there.’
    The young woman bent down, retrieved the bag, and peered anxiously into it. ‘I’m afraid the flour bag’s split,’ she said apologetically. ‘I’m not sure about the eggs, but nothing’s seeped out of the box. I really am most dreadfully sorry.’ She opened her handbag and took out a purse. ‘Let me pay you for the damage. It was entirely my fault.’
    Rona shook her head. ‘There’s no need for that; it was an accident, and they’re easily replaced.’
    â€˜Then at least let me buy you a cup of tea. I must do something to make amends!’
    Rona, who by this time was more than ready for some tea, hesitated, and the girl, encouraged, went on, ‘There’s a café just along here, isn’t there? I passed it as I went up the road.’
    They were, in fact, almost opposite the iron staircase leading to the Gallery.
    â€˜Please!’ her assailant insisted, adding with a little laugh, ‘Apart from wanting to apologize, I’m a stranger in town, and it would be nice to have someone to chat to.’
    There was something immediately engaging about her, and Rona found herself smiling back. ‘You’ve talked me into it!’ she said. ‘The café’s just up these steps.’
    The Gallery was, as usual, crowded, but their arrival coincided with a couple vacating one of the window tables, and they were able to claim it.
    â€˜My name’s Julia Teale,’ the girl volunteered, as they seated themselves.
    â€˜Rona Parish.’
    â€˜I’m glad to meet you, Rona, even if the meeting itself left a lot to be desired. I’m notoriously clumsy; my ex always said I couldn’t walk across a room without bumping into every piece of furniture.’
    â€˜There’s no real harm done,’ Rona said. Now that she had a chance to look properly at her companion, she liked what she saw. Julia Teale had soft dark hair that the wind had freed from the comb that had held it, so that tendrils curled down either side of her face. Her eyes were wide and deep blue, and her skin flawless. It occurred to Rona that hers was just the kind of face Max would like to paint.
    The waitress took their order – tea and cakes for two – and as she moved away, Rona began, ‘You say you’re new to the area?’
    â€˜Yes, I only arrived yesterday. I’m still trying to find my way around.’
    â€˜Is this a permanent move, or are you just visiting?’
    â€˜Actually, it’s my job: I work for a market research firm, and have to do some initial fact-finding. I’ll be here for a week or ten days this first visit, depending on how things pan out. Incidentally, could you recommend somewhere reasonable to stay? I doubt if expenses will cover the Clarendon, which is where I spent