One Hour to Midnight by Shirley Wine Page A

gave her a shrewd look. "I see."
    And Veronica knew that Cassie did see, and what's more she understood the reason behind the change.
    "Teaching." Veronica toyed with the cup handle. "After I returned home, I went to University, obtained my teaching degree and then returned to teach at my old school."
    "You enjoy it?"
    Her job and Kathleen's support were the only things that had saved her sanity during the past difficult years. "I love it. Children are so rewarding, especially the ones I teach."
    "Are they handicapped?"
    "Not in the usual sense." Veronica chuckled, recalling some of the delightful imps who'd passed through her classes. "They're children of recent immigrants. English isn't their first language. Some find the transition very difficult."
    Cassie was silent for a few moments then looked directly at Veronica, sky blue eyes clear. "You've been in my thoughts so often. I always felt you had a very raw deal."
    Veronica glanced at Leon's housekeeper, surprised. "It was a long time ago. I was young and silly."
    "Maybe," Cassie said shaking her head. "But that's no excuse for the pressure they put on you."
    Veronica fiddled with the silver teaspoon lying beside her cup. "So I didn't imagine it?"
    "No child, you didn't." Cassie's blue eyes flashed. "I told Leon the day he brought you here he was making a huge mistake."
    As the years passed, Veronica often wondered if she'd been under pressure, or if she'd imagined and magnified it over time. Now, to hear Cassie validate her conclusions, she knew she'd not been mistaken.  
    A burden eased and soothed an intolerable ache. The pressure had not been a figment of her imagination. But she wasn't comfortable discussing Leon, or his late wife, with their housekeeper.
    "What happened to Julia?" she asked changing the subject to something less emotionally charged.
    "Didn't Leon explain?"
    "Only that she was dead."
    And he made damn certain I never knew he was a widower until I returned to Australia.  
    "It's gone two years since she passed. She had melanoma and died a slow, miserable death." Cassie's mouth tightened. "Now Jordan's battling leukaemia, it's been tough on Leon."
    Veronica took a quick sustaining breath. What a dreadful burden. First, losing his wife and now being forced to watch his son is fighting for his life. "No wonder he didn't want to talk about it."
    "He was very cut up when Julia died."
    Veronica never doubted it. To be loved as Leon loved Julia was every woman's dream, but had the other woman been worthy of that love? Or had love indeed made Leon blind?  
    The mean thought made Veronica shiver in discomfort.
    "You must be tired." Cassie reacted to the shiver. "Leon said you've had a stressful few days. Jordan is counting on you being fit and rested."
    "I know. He's so sick, Cassie. I can't believe how much he's changed in the past year." Veronica looked up and caught Cassie's expression. "Julia sent me a letter and photo every year on Jordan's birthday."  
    "Not Julia! I'll wager anything you like that she never gave you a single thought after you left here." Cassie looked at her keenly. "You have Leon to thank for your letters."  
    "I suspected as much. From something he let slip," she said quietly. Although the letters were signed by them both, it seemed as if Leon was the one who cared enough, to keep her updated on Jordan's life.
    "You go and lie down, my dear. You're looking peaked."
    Back in her room, Veronica found a maid was unpacking her case. The girl gave Veronica a shy smile and then scurried out the door. The photo of Jordan sat on the bedside table and beside it, the silver mouse. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she held the frame between unsteady hands. Comparing this photo to Jordan now, she could only pray that the transplant would at least grant him remission.
    Chill foreboding settled around her shoulders.
    Would their prayers be answered, or would the God of retribution snatch this member of the Karvasis family