Page 21 (1/2)
'I've seen enough,' Clare said 'Enough, that is, to knoant it'
'I think you ought to look round first before deciding,' the agent pressed her uneasily 'You'll need a surveyor's report first, anyway'
Clare opened the gate without taking any notice of hied little path, which was paved with black and white tiles A bird-table stood in the centre of an uneven lawn Blue-tits flew busily around a string of nuts hanging froarden had a dreaarden in a fairy tale The lead dialittered in the sunshine
Suddenly fro trellis, a head popped up; very short straight fair hair poking out fro blue eyes and a brown complexion
'God! I'd forgotten about you co…' said a deep, horrified voice
Clare stared, her eyes narrowing The estate agent sh his client embarrassed him
'This is Mrs Cunningham, the owner'
'Jess Cunningha your cottage!'
The owner ca at Clare 'I don't think I…' She broke off with a gasp 'Good lord! It's Clare Clare Sebastian! Do you land? My dear good woman, you'll hate this place It's far too remote You aren't cut out for country life'
The agent gave a hed
'Arturo is dead, Jess,' she said siain'
The artist pushed back her straw hat with a gesture of profound amazement 'Do I know the new one?'
'I don't think so,' Clare said lightly 'He was '
The artist stared at her in a fascinated silence, then said with a shrug, 'Well, I hope he likes country life, because there's nothing to do around here but paint or catch fish It suited o out to India and paint the illustrations for a book on Indian wild life, fascinating stuff It will take the best part of two years to do the job properly, they think, so I have to sell Anyway, I think I've had enough of Sussex When I come home I'll buy a house somewhere more remote—Wales or Cornwall, perhaps'
'It sounds fascinating,' said Clare 'Will you show e, Jess?'