.......
“No, it’s nice of you to suggest it, but I couldn’t manage it. It would just waste your time to come round this way and stop. It’s simply out of the question for me to think of going.”
.......
“Well, thank you just the same. I appreciate your thinking of me. I’m sure I hope you have a lovely time.”
An ominous silence in the house greeted her as she hung up the receiver and turned away. What could Stephen be up to, now? She had not heard a sound from him for some time. That was always alarming from Stephen.
“Stephen!” She called quickly and stood listening for an answer, her fine dark brows drawn together tensely.
The house waited emptily with her for the answer which did not come.
“Stephen!” she shouted, turning so that her voice would carry up the stairs.
“Tick-tick-tick-tick-tick-tick—” whispered the little mantelpiece clock hurriedly in the silence.