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.Kayla tiptoed into the room as if she was entering a lion’s den.‘Maddie? Are you all right?’ She shut the door quietly behind her.‘Oh, yes, just wonderful.’ Maddie knew her tone was sarcastic, but she couldn’t help it.She was lying on top of the bed staring at the ceiling, her hands behind her head.‘Oh dear, that bad, eh?’ Kayla went over to sit next to Maddie.‘Want to talk about it?’‘Not really, but I suppose I’d better tell you my version or all you will hear is what his “high-and-mighty-ness’s” opinion is.’A giggle escaped Kayla at this description of her brother-in-law and she quickly covered her mouth with one hand.‘I’m sorry, I’m sure it’s not a laughing matter, but really … Alex has never been like that.’‘Maybe not with you.’ But Maddie gave her a small smile in return.‘And it’s not a laughing matter at all actually.You’re right though, I’m probably taking this far too seriously.I’d better start at the beginning.’‘Yes do, please.’The whole sorry tale came pouring out and Maddie didn’t hold anything back.She and Kayla didn’t have any secrets from each other and she had no hesitation in confiding in her friend.When she was done, she spread her hands out and shrugged.‘So, there you have it.It’s a massive mess, isn’t it?’‘Well, I’ve heard worse.’ Kayla smiled.‘What intrigues me the most is this house, though.Perhaps we should investigate it a bit further.’‘No, please, let’s just leave it.Much as I hate to admit it, Alex was probably right.My description could fit lots of houses around England.Why should it be this one?’‘I don’t know, but you were so sure.And the swing and everything …’Maddie shook her head.‘Leave it, Kayla.I’ve had enough for now.I found my mother, which is what I set out to do.Perhaps she can explain the house to me when we meet in London, if there is anything to explain.It could all just be my imagination, you know.’‘Fine, but if you ever want help just let me know.I can go and talk to that Mr Ruthven or his brother for you any time.’‘Thanks, Kayla, but right now I just want to rest.’Two more days of lounging about in the sun followed and Maddie managed to avoid meeting Alex almost completely.By getting up late she missed him at breakfast and to her great relief he spent all day working at the cottages.In the evenings he went out, presumably with friends, and wasn’t seen until late, by which time Maddie had gone to bed.It wasn’t an ideal solution, but it was the best possible thing in the circumstances.Or so she told herself.On the morning of the third day, however, Maddie woke up to find Alex pounding on her door.‘Maddie, wake up.’‘What? What’s the matter?’ She dragged herself out of bed and went to peer out into the corridor.Belatedly she remembered that she wasn’t wearing much and she saw Alex grit his teeth as he glanced at the thin, oversized T-shirt she used as a nightgown, but he came straight to the point in a curt tone of voice.‘There’s someone on the phone for you.She sounds frantic.Jane, I think, although she didn’t say.’Maddie gasped.‘Jane? Oh, my God, what’s happened now?’ She raced past him into the corridor and almost knocked the phone over in her haste to reach the receiver.‘Jane? It’s me.What’s the matter? Is it Mother?’‘Oh, Maddie.I’m sorry to wake you up so early, but there’s been an accident.I’m at the Chelsea and Westminster hospital and I don’t know how bad it is yet.’ Maddie could hear her sister’s voice break on a sob.‘I mean, I don’t know if she’s going to be okay.’‘But what happened? What kind of accident?’‘She was knocked down by a car not far from your flat.She’d gone out shopping by herself.’ Jane sobbed again.‘I told her not to go anywhere without me, but she was so happy to be free.You know, she just wanted to walk around I think.I should have watched her more closely.I’m s-sorry.’‘No, Jane, you mustn’t blame yourself.Listen, I’ll go and pack a bag now and I’ll come to London as fast as I can.Call me on my mobile as soon as you have any news.All right? I’ll be with you soon, I promise.’‘Thank you [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]