Where the Heart Belongs by Sheila Spencer-Smith Page B

on impulse she pulled out her phone and dialled.
    He answered at once, his voice sounding so reassuringly close that tears sprang to her eyes on hearing his friendly voice.
    He listened in silence as she poured out her worry and concern and then gave a grunt. As if he were deep in thought. ‘Presumably they’re the group I met when they first arrived at the castle?’ he said. ‘The leader’s a short chap with a high opinion of himself?’
    â€˜Rex didn’t sound as jaunty as usual a moment or two ago,’ she said.
    He laughed. ‘Never fear. You’re in luck. Your knight in shining armour will leap into action. We’re near where they started out at this very moment, can you believe? Just stopped the car at the side of the road at the ringing tone. Rex and his merry crew will be on that minibus and no harm done.’
    She had to believe him although she couldn’t think how he could be as confident as he sounded. The planned route was among trees, obscuring distant vision. The only hope was that the group was moving slowly with long stops to examine their leaflets. Felix could cover the ground with speed, calling as he went. He would ask people, too, who would tell him if they had seen a bewildered group seeking help.
    *   *   *
    The relief was enormous when at last she heard the crunch of gravel beneath tyres.
    She opened the door and rushed to greet them.
    They poured out of the minibus, laughing and talking, one or two staggering with pretended exhaustion when they saw her. ‘Did you have a good day?’ she asked.
    â€˜Brilliant,’ the youngest member of the party said, grinning. ‘Ask Rex.’
    â€˜I’ll do just that,’ she said with feeling. He had it coming to him for the worry he had caused.
    He was the last out, waving to her as to a long-lost friend. ‘No problem after all,’ he called cheerfully.
    She stared at him, unable to speak for a long shaking moment.
    The rest of the group dispersed and the minibus drove off. She was reminded suddenly of the day she had first visited Ferniehope Castle and her confrontation with Jack. Then she had felt humiliatingly in the wrong. She wished Jack were here now to deal with the situation and prevent her venting her anger on the infuriating man in front of her.
    â€˜How did Felix find you?’ she managed to get out as she struggled with her composure.
    â€˜We weren’t lost,’ Rex said. ‘It was all a mistake.’
    â€˜Mistake?’
    He looked at her curiously. ‘The chap we met was quite useful to us, I will admit.’
    â€˜Good.’ She clenched and unclenched her hands.
    â€˜He wanted the girl to come back in the minibus with us but she wasn’t keen. She looked as if she wanted to be with him alone in that old van. I don’t blame her, a good-looking chap like that. Anyone would.’ He looked downcast for a moment, but then brightened. ‘Anyway all’s well that ends well.’
    Shona knew suddenly that ranting at him would do no good at all since Rex was totally unable to see any point of view but his own. At least they were back safe and sound and hard as it was, she must leave it at that. She took a deep calming breath.
    â€˜Thanks for arranging the day out,’ Rex said gently, taking her by surprise. ‘You did well.’
    She managed to smile at what seemed like an apology. ‘I’m glad it went well for you, Rex.’
    Her irony was lost on him, of course, but it felt good to say it. Only two more days of his visit was left, thank goodness. One thing was certain. She would make quite sure that tomorrow’s programme for the group was so simple that even a five-year-old child could cope.
    *   *   *
    She owed Felix her heart-felt thanks and as soon as dinner was over she phoned him. ‘When are you coming to inspect my studio?’ he said when she had finished saying how grateful