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"I suppose I could spend a few spare moments with her then"

Tess nodded encourageht"

Miss Aht, then We shall try this approach and see if it works Thank you for co in, Mrs Rafferty" She shot a no-nonsense nod to Jack, as still sitting stiff as a board at the back of the room "Mr Rafferty"

Tess shook the older woman's bony hand "No, Miss Ames Thank you"

Miss Ames strapped up her pile of books and strode briskly out of the schoolhouse When the door banged shut, Tess threw her hands up in the air and let out a whoop of laughter "We did it She'll help her, Jack!" When she turned back around, Jack was gone Grabbing a handful of skirt, she ran down the aisle and pushed through the half-open door Jack was sitting on the top step Hunched over, chin in his hands, he was staring at the ground

She skidded to a stop and sat down beside hi wooden slat

"You shouldn't have done that," he said dully "Pretending onlywhat?"

"To care It'll only hurt Katie o back to your old ways Don't?" He turned to her Pain as raw as a neound filled his eyes "Don't get her hopes up Please "

Tess touched his face in a feather-stroke of compassion

178

"Why?" The lone, softly spoken word slipped out before she could stop it

He flinched at her touch "Why what?"

"Why are you so afraid of her?"

His breath expelled in a tired, ragged sigh that ski pain in his eyes tore at her heart with tiny, shredding fingers "Lissa, please " His voice was frayed with emotion

Tessshe'd had when she'd first seen hiain; this time the touch was a caress Her eyes probed his, tried desperately to see past the fear "I'ain I promise"