She turned to see him coming towards her, and at once the whole thing slipped from her and was gone. It always gave her such a quick pleasure just to see him. Right from the first time there had always been a sense of being warmed and lifted up. It was something to do with the way he looked, the way he held his head, the confidence in his voice, the smile which his eyes kept just for her. Dark eyes, but not as dark as Rafe’s; a brown skin too, but not as brown as either Rafe’s or Alicia’s; and where they were lightly and gracefully built Dale had a tall, hard strength. When he put his arms round her she felt how easily their strength could have crushed her, and always until today the feeling had thrilled and pleased her. Now she felt something else. Even while he kissed her and she gave him kiss for kiss there was a small cold tremor of fear which nothing would still. She was glad when he let her go – glad and rather breathless.

“Dale – I didn’t stay-”

“I see you didn’t.”

He wasn’t angry yet. Perhaps he wouldn’t be angry at all. If only she could think of the right thing to say – But she could only stammer out,

“I wanted to come home. ^”

His hand was on her shoulder. She felt its pressure there.

“Why?”

“Dale-”

She was half turned away, and he pulled her round. His voice was rather rough as he said,

“What’s all this about? I rang up last night, and Marian Crane said you’d rushed off after breakfast. When I said “Why?” she said she thought you’d had a telegram. I suppose that’s what you told her?”

“Yes.”

“Did you have a telegram?”

“No – Dale-”