Page 56 of The Stranger in Room Six
‘What kind of things?’
There’s the hint of a sigh. ‘It’s too late to talk about it now. What’s done is done.’
Then she dropped a kiss on the top of Mabel’s head. It was so light that she barely felt it, but surely it showed that her aunt really did love her!
‘Now go and play, so I can get some rest,’ said Clarissa, stepping away. ‘We just have to hope that Jonty returns.’
Mabel did as she was told, hoping to catch Frannie. It was time to get things straight.
‘She’s gone home,’ said Cook. So, before she could lose her nerve, Mabel ran through the woods to the cottage.
The door was open. Frannie was scrubbing the floor. She looked up as Mabel stood there, eyes wide.
‘You’re still here? Didn’t the policeman take you away?’
‘No,’ she said, deciding not to mention the leaflets. ‘Thepoliceman just wanted to know if the Colonel had shown sympathy to the enemy.’
‘I suppose you told them he hadn’t.’
Mabel nodded.
Frannie snorted. ‘You’re so naive at times, Mabel. I bet your aunt’s involved.’
Mabel thought of the kiss on her head. ‘I don’t think so. Besides, the only way we’ll find out is if I stay here and keep an eye on her. It will be easier now that the Colonel is away. It’s the least I can do after your father’s death. I am so sorry; I really didn’t think I had done anything wrong. If only I’d known …’
She trailed off, tears springing to her eyes.
‘It’s not enough,’ Frannie retorted.
‘I think it is,’ said a voice behind them. It was Frannie’s mother. ‘Miss Mabel has been punished too much in life, Frannie. So have you. Both of you have lost a parent. This poor maid may have lost two, for all we know.’
Mabel’s eyes stung with tears.
‘You should forgive each other. We need friends in these difficult times.’
‘But Dad would still be alive if she hadn’t told the Colonel about that food.’
‘It was loose talk, I grant you. And loose talk can cost lives. But she didn’t mean to.’
‘Of course I didn’t,’ said Mabel. ‘Please, Frannie, I’ve missed you so much. You’re the only friend I have. I vow on my life that I will be more careful from now on.’
She stepped forward to give her a hug but her friend moved back. Mabel’s heart thumped with fury.
‘Your dad would want you to forgive her,’ her mother urged. ‘If I can, so can you.’
‘All right,’ said Frannie grudgingly. ‘I’ve missed you too,to be honest. I thought you were different from the other toffs but –’
‘I am,’ Mabel insisted.
‘I’ll give you one last chance. You’ve got to keep your mouth shut and your eyes peeled. If you hear anything about your aunt, let us know.’
‘I will,’ said Mabel, breathing a sigh of relief.
‘Come on then,’ said Frannie, opening her arms. It was just a quick hug, but it was enough to show they were friends again.
36
On her way home, Mabel took the cliff path past the prisoner-of-war camp. There was no singing this time. In fact, the camp seemed quiet, and Mabel found herself feeling rather disappointed.
