15

‘Happy New Year, Pete.’ Kate walked into the back room of the shop, glad to be at work and occupied. ‘Sorry I’m late. I popped in at Wilkins House and had breakfast with them.’

‘You don’t have to apologize to me,’ he laughed. ‘You’re the boss. You can come and go as you please.’

A plan had been forming in Kate’s mind all over the Christmas holiday, and she’d decided to put it into action without delay. She would talk to her parents tonight. Her view of life had changed dramatically during her captivity. Her dreams of working abroad had vanished, but she would root out cruelty and injustice in her own country and expose it. Everyone had been telling her how brave she’d been. She knew that wasn’t true. She’d been terrified, and, apart from that one effort with the camera, she’d just sat there and done nothing. She should have tried harder to escape! It was no good berating herself. Her nature had always been to wait and see how things turned out. If she had done something silly in panic, then she might not be here today talking to Pete. It was during the dark lonely hours she’d realized just how much he meant to her. He was more than her assistant – he was a loved and respected friend. It had worried her that if she had died he could have been left with nothing, and that wasn’t fair, after all the hard work he’d put into the shop. She was determined to put that right.

‘I think 1961 is going to be a good year for us.’ Pete’s eyes shone with excitement. ‘The phone hasn’t stopped ringing this morning. I’ve taken bookings for three weddings and two portraits and it’s only eleven o’clock.’

‘Wonderful.’ Kate put the kettle on to make tea. ‘We must get you an assistant. I’ll be off chasing stories a lot of the time.’

‘I know that’s what you want to do, so I’ve already put an advert in two local papers,’ he told her. ‘And they should be out today.’

She studied him carefully as he put out biscuits for their elevenses. There wasn’t a trace of the timid boy who had started working with her last year.

‘Did you have a good Christmas?’ she asked.

He looked up. ‘Oh, yes, and my mum and dad haven’t stopped talking about your visit.’

The bell on the shop door jangled and Kate went out to see who was there, fighting down the panic she was feeling in case another Derek Howard came in the door. A girl of around Pete’s age was standing by the counter and clutching a newspaper.

‘Can I help you?’ Kate asked.

‘Er … I’ve come about the job.’ She looked uncertain. ‘But I don’t suppose you want a girl.’

‘What’s your name?’ Kate rather liked the look of her. Petite was the right way to describe her. She had short light brown hair, and lovely clear blue eyes. Her smile was hesitant but engaging.

‘I’m Susan Richards. I’m very interested in photography, but I’m afraid I haven’t had any experience.’

‘That isn’t important; we’d be willing to teach you. Come and have a cup of tea, meet my partner and tell us about yourself.’

Half an hour later Susan Richards left, and Kate asked Pete, ‘What did you think of her?’

‘She seems a nice girl and very keen.’

‘You don’t have to take the first one,’ she told him. ‘I expect there will be others applying.’

‘Sure to be.’ Pete chewed his lip. ‘Do you think she’d do the job okay?’

‘Yes, I do, but it’s your decision.’

‘Mine?’ He looked startled.

‘Yep.’ Kate grinned. ‘I’ve just promoted you again. You’re now in charge of the hiring and firing of staff.’

‘The last time you promoted me you gave me a rise,’ he said, chortling. ‘Does this mean I’ll get another one?’

‘You’ve just had one,’ she teased, ‘but I’ll think about it later.’

Pete tipped his head back and roared. ‘Fair enough, boss.’

‘Now, what about this girl?’ Kate said.

‘I think we’ll give it a couple of days and see who else applies, but she’s definitely at the top of the list.’

‘Very sensible.’ She picked up her camera and headed for the door, stopped and looked over her shoulder. ‘Can you drive?’

He shook his head.

‘Right. Apply for your provisional licence and I’ll find someone to teach you. Then we’ll see about buying you your own car.’

‘Really?’ Pete squeaked. ‘That’ll be great!’

Kate packed up early from work and found her parents in the sitting room, both reading by a blazing fire. They looked much better and she was glad she’d been able to convince them that she was all right after the abduction. Only James knew what a difficult time she was having coming to terms with it – but it was early days yet. No doubt the memory would fade in time. The nights were the worst. Often she was afraid to fall asleep in case the nightmares came. And they did.

Her father looked up and smiled. ‘Had a good day?’

‘Yes. We’re taking on someone else to help with the shop and the bookings have been pouring in today.’

‘I knew you’d make a go of it.’ Her father didn’t try to hide his pride in her achievement.

‘Well, most of it is due to Pete. He’s turning out to be an astute businessman. And that’s what I’d like to talk to both of you about. I want to do something special for him, so I’m going to give him a 40 per cent share in the business.’

‘That’s very generous, and I do approve,’ her father said, ‘but wouldn’t 25 per cent be enough?’

‘No.’ Kate was adamant. ‘Pete would have been left with nothing if things hadn’t worked out so well before Christmas. I know that isn’t going to happen again,’ she added quickly, ‘but I want to give him security. He deserves it.’

Bill’s face clouded at the mention of Derek Howard. ‘You’re right of course, and it’s your decision.’

‘I think it’s a fitting way to thank him for his prompt action in going to James when you didn’t come back,’ Rose said. ‘If the business thrives he’ll be set up for life.’

‘That’s what I want, Mum. Would you draft out an agreement for me and I’ll take it to a solicitor tomorrow? Now I must get ready to go out. Beth has somehow managed to get more tickets to see the Shadows. They’re at Hammersmith again.’

The cinema being used for the concert was packed with loud teenagers, and when the performance began the noise was even worse. Kate watched Beth’s animated face and felt like crying. That animal Derek Howard had done something to her inside. She should be on her feet shouting and cheering like everyone else …

‘Aren’t they great!’ Beth sat down as the group left the stage, then she took Kate’s hand. ‘Are you all right?’

‘I’m fine and really enjoying it. I’m just not as noisy as you,’ she teased, as her earlier gloom vanished when Beth punched her arm playfully. ‘It’s the interval, so let’s see if we can fight our way towards the ice-cream.’

‘Good idea.’ Beth started to carve her way through the jostling crowd.

Kate laughed; her friend might be small, but that didn’t stop her pushing and shoving.

They bought the ice-cream and returned to their seats.

Beth looked anxiously at Kate. ‘Are you really all right? I thought a noisy night out would do you good.’

‘I’m struggling, Beth,’ Kate admitted. ‘I keep waking up in the night drenched in sweat and crying out in panic. Mum and Dad are always beside the bed, trying to calm me. I’m putting them through hell and I’m so ashamed of myself.’

‘You mustn’t feel like that.’ Beth gave her arm a friendly squeeze. ‘They love you and understand. You’ll get over it in time.’

‘Of course I shall.’ Kate smiled. That was enough gloomy talk; they were here to enjoy themselves. Beth had gone to a lot of trouble to arrange this night out for her, and she damned well wasn’t going to spoil it! Normally she hated noise, but now she welcomed it.

Two weeks into the New Year and Jon was feeling restless and couldn’t work out why. Would he ever settle down, he wondered. He’d thought that he would by marrying Jane, but when it came to it he’d realized that the wanderlust in him was too strong. It would take something, or someone, special to keep him at home. That proved he couldn’t have loved Jane enough. He’d had a talk today with Andrew Stevenson, and with the continued unrest in Algeria they’d decided that he should go out there next month. It looked as if General de Gaulle hadn’t been able to resolve the conflict, as the country tried to decide whether to secede from France or to remain integrated. It should be a lively assignment.

He picked up the photograph Eddie had given him for Christmas. Kate Freeman had caught the boy as he’d laughed up at her, and it was an excellent picture. Ed had asked for a photograph of him, so he’d promised to have one taken before he left for Algeria.

He replaced the picture on his bedside table. Might as well have Kate Freeman take the photo, as that would please Eddie even more. Mrs Green had told him where the shop was, so he grabbed his coat and hurried out, closing the door of his flat with a thud. It wouldn’t shut if you didn’t give it a real tug.

A bus to Kensington arrived just as he reached the stop and he jumped on. There was something troubling him about that beautiful woman, yet he couldn’t for the life of him decide what it was. She appeared to have everything in the world going for her, but …

He paid his fare and stared out of the window. Perhaps seeing her one more time would solve the mystery of Kate Freeman.

There was a young girl in the shop, and she gave him a welcoming smile. ‘Good afternoon, sir.’

‘I’d like a portrait of myself. Could it be done today? Right now if possible?’

‘I’ll find out. I only started here this week and I don’t know how things work yet. Excuse me, sir.’ She disappeared into the back of the shop.

He walked around looking at the many photographs lining the walls. They really were excellent. He’d heard the story about Andrew Stevenson’s treatment of her – the man had been a fool to lose her.

‘I can do the portrait for you now, sir.’

Jon turned from gazing at a stunning photo of trees with the sun filtering through the branches with misty fingers. The young man standing beside him was tall and had a bright smile on his face.

‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘Is Kate Freeman around?’

‘She isn’t here at the moment. My name’s Pete and I do most of the studio work, but if you’d rather have Miss Freeman take the pictures, then I’ll make an appointment for you.’

‘No, that isn’t necessary. Did you take any of these?’ Jon swept his hand around the room.

‘Most of them are Miss Freeman’s work, but four are mine. The one you were looking at for instance.’

‘Really.’ Jon regarded him with renewed interest. ‘I think it’s stunning.’

Pete smiled, a touch of shyness surfacing at the compliment. ‘Thank you, I’ve had an excellent teacher in Miss Freeman, and I was lucky with the light.’

They were about to go to the studio when the shop door opened and Kate came in, followed by five others.

Rose smiled when she saw him. ‘Hello, Jon, let me introduce you to everyone. This is my husband, Bill, my son, James, my sister Annie and her husband, Reid.’

‘You’d better put the kettle on, Susan,’ Pete said.

‘Don’t bother with that,’ Bill said, as he and James held up bottles of champagne. ‘We’re going to have a celebration.’

Pete was wide-eyed with amusement. Then his expression turned to astonishment as a taxi drew up and his parents got out and came into the shop. He rushed forward to greet them. ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Mr Freeman sent a taxi for us,’ his father told him.

Pete spun round and looked at Kate. ‘What’s going on?’

‘You’ll see in a moment. Susan, there’s a box of glasses in my car, would you get them for me, please?’

Jon watched the proceedings with something akin to pain. What must it feel like to belong to a close-knit family like this? The security and outpouring of love was something he had never known – would never know, and the loneliness of his life hit him with force. He didn’t belong here!

‘I can see you’re busy,’ he told Pete. ‘I’ll come another time.’

‘No.’ Rose touched his arm. ‘Stay and enjoy this moment with us.’

‘I’ll take your photos now,’ Pete told him.

‘I’m sure Mr Devlin won’t mind waiting a while.’ Kate stood next to Pete and smiled at his parents. ‘Thank you for coming, Mr and Mrs Sheldon; we wanted you to be here.’

The couple looked rather overwhelmed, and Jon knew exactly how they felt. He could handle riots, strife, war and flying bullets, but finding himself in the middle of the Freeman family was something quite out of his experience.

The young girl came back with the glasses. James lined them up on the counter, popped the champagne corks and filled the glasses. Then Bill and Reid passed them around.

As Jon gazed at the bubbling liquid, he wondered what the devil he was doing here. This wasn’t anything to do with him, but he’d been included without a second thought.

‘Quiet everyone,’ James said, calling them to order. ‘Kate has something to say and a presentation to make.’

Holding a large envelope in her hand, she moved to stand beside her friend. ‘Pete, you took a big chance when you left the World Explorer to stay with me, and by your hard work and enthusiasm this shop is turning into a good business.’ She paused. ‘We’re also very grateful to you for going to James so quickly before Christmas, and staying with Mum and Dad through that dreadful time. I know your family rely on your salary, and it has worried me very much to realize that you didn’t have any job security should things have turned out differently. My family would have looked after you of course, but I wanted to do something more for you.’

She handed him the envelope and kissed his cheek. ‘Welcome, partner.’

Jon was too busy trying to make sense of Kate’s words to notice Pete’s reaction. She was talking as if she could have died and left the boy high and dry, but that didn’t make sense: she was in perfect health, as far as he could see. He frowned and turned his attention back to the boy, who was nearly in tears as he looked at the document.

Bill raised his glass. ‘Let’s drink to Pete and wish him every success in the future.’

Jon sipped his champagne and found Reid standing beside him. ‘What’s this all about?’ Jon asked.

‘Kate’s given Pete a 40 per cent share in the business.’

‘But he’s so young!’

‘He’ll be twenty this year and has a good business head on his shoulders. Kate wanted to make him secure for the future.’

Jon took another mouthful of his drink. ‘Well, she’s certainly done that, but why?’ He never received an answer, because Reid moved away.

Pete recovered his composure and began to speak, his voice husky with emotion. ‘I couldn’t believe my luck when I was ordered to be Kate’s assistant at the paper. She taught me with such patience and didn’t laugh when I told her I wanted to be a photographer like her. In fact she gave me a camera and encouraged me to go out to take pictures. I had no hesitation in coming with her when she left the paper. She’s often joked with me and called me her partner, but I never expected anything like this.’ His voice broke, and he paused to give Kate an affectionate smile. ‘I’ll work hard for the success of our business. Especially now that I really am your partner!’

Laughter and a round of applause followed this last remark, as the glasses were refilled.

Kate came over to Jon and held out her hand. ‘Hello. Pete said you’ve come for a portrait?’

‘It’s for Eddie,’ he told her, as Pete joined them.

‘Is that the little boy at the home?’ Pete asked.

‘Yes.’ Kate gave a fond smile.

‘Why don’t you have one taken together, then?’ Pete urged. ‘I’m sure Eddie would love a picture of you both.’

‘What a good idea.’ Jon took hold of Kate’s arm, and they followed Pete into the studio, where all the portraits were taken.

He arranged them sitting side by side. ‘Put your arm around Kate’s shoulder, Mr Devlin.’

He did as ordered and said quietly to Kate, ‘Smile for Eddie.’

She did so while the pictures were being taken. When the photography was finished, he stood up, holding out his hand to help her from the chair. What he saw in her eyes in that unguarded moment rocked him back on his heels. It was an emotion he’d seen many times in his line of work.

Kate Freeman was traumatized. Something had happened to her, or someone had hurt her. What was it? He couldn’t ask, but he damned well wished he knew.