‘How did you get on?’ Pips was watching out for Giles when he returned to the hall following his interview in Lincoln.
He pulled a face. ‘Hard to say. The process was rigorous to say the least. They asked a lot of questions that don’t seem to have any relevance to the post I’m applying for.’
‘What sort of questions?’
Giles waved his hand vaguely. ‘Oh, about my background. What my father does . . . that sort of thing. Why does that matter? It’s me they’d be appointing, not my father.’
‘He’s a teacher, isn’t he? So Robert said. That’s an admirable profession. A vocation, I’d say, just like being a doctor.’
‘Well, yes, I suppose so,’ Giles murmured.
He seemed downcast, so Pips linked her arm through his. Although they’d only just met, she felt at ease with him. ‘Well, now you can forget all about it and enjoy the next two days with us. I’ll show you around our grounds and perhaps even the sights of Lincoln.’
‘I gave them this address as well as my own. I hope that was all right.’
‘Of course it is. We’re all anxious to hear if you’ve got the post. But will they let you know as soon as that?’
Giles shrugged. ‘I don’t know, but with all this talk of war . . .’
‘We’ll forget all about that for the moment. I’ll show you our beautiful cathedral and the castle. And,’ she laughed impishly, ‘I’ll race you up Steep Hill. But first’ – she leaned closer to him – ‘you’ve got to let me have a go on your motorcycle.’
Giles’s shocked face made Pips laugh all the louder.
‘Is she safe?’ he asked Robert worriedly when, the following morning after breakfast, the three of them met in the stable yard.
‘As houses,’ Robert laughed. ‘You just watch her.’ He raised his voice. ‘Here, Pips, borrow my helmet again.’
‘Again?’ Giles asked. He glanced from one to the other. ‘Have you ridden his motorcycle before, then?’
Pips grinned and nodded, her eyes sparkling.
‘I only got mine last week,’ Robert said, ‘but I think she’s spent more time on it than I have.’
‘There’s William cleaning Father’s car. Let’s call him over. I’m sure he’d love to see your machine, Giles.’
As she raised her voice and called his name, William Dawson glanced up. He was tall, broad-shouldered and physically very strong, but with mouse-coloured hair and hazel eyes his appearance was rather nondescript and overshadowed by his more vibrant brothers, who were all brown-haired and dark-eyed and ebullient in personality. William was reserved, shy in certain company, though he was a gentle giant and would help anyone in need. As Pips beckoned him, he walked towards them, but even before he reached them, his gaze was on the two motorcycles standing side by side.
‘My word – a brand new Bradbury. I never thought to see one of these. Yours, is it, sir?’ He glanced briefly at Giles.
Giles nodded, but said modestly, ‘But if it needs attention at any time, I’m afraid I’m hopeless with anything mechanical.’
William’s eyes shone. ‘I’d be happy to take a look at her if needed. That’s if you’d trust me, sir.’
‘I’d be delighted, William. Thank you. And if you ever need your appendix taken out, then I’m your man.’
The four of them laughed together and then William added, quite seriously, ‘If you get the job at the hospital, sir, I’ll be happy to help you any time – with or without my appendix.’
It seemed that all the staff at the hall knew about their visitor’s interview.
‘There are no secrets in this place, Giles,’ Robert murmured.
Pips was impatient. ‘Let’s go round the back of the stables. I don’t want anyone from the house seeing me. They’ll likely tell Mother.’
The two young men dutifully pushed their motorcycles out of sight of the windows of the hall with William, intrigued, following them. As Pips mounted the Bradbury and Robert sat astride his own machine, Giles and William watched in fascination, and not without a little awe, as Pips rode away.
‘I never thought I’d see the day,’ Giles murmured. ‘A girl riding a motorcycle.’
William chuckled. ‘You obviously don’t know Miss Pips very well yet. She’s a brilliant horsewoman. She rides the moodiest stallion we’ve got in the stables. No one can handle him like she can. And now it looks as if she’s going to be every bit as good on a motorcycle.’
‘Does she drive the car?’
Again William laughed and tapped the side of his nose. ‘Not officially, but yes, she does. I think her father suspects, but we try to keep it from her mother. Mrs Maitland’s ambitions for her daughter are rather different.’
‘Ye-es,’ Giles said slowly. ‘I expect I can guess what those are.’
No more was said. William was not one to gossip about his employers and his loyalty to Miss Pips was constant. He would willingly lay down his life for her.