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Part Ten: Tea and History

An awkward silence fell over the room, broken only by the continued drone of the wireless. Foyle and Katherine looked discomfited. Andrew's eyes widened as he grasped the implications of finding his father in his best suit accompanied by a very attractive woman. Next to him Sam inhaled sharply and covered her mouth with her hand.

Christopher found his voice. "Yes, Andrew, we were just listening to it … Katherine, this is my son Andrew. Andrew, Mrs Neville-West."

"It's nice to meet you," Katherine said softly, nodding stiffly to him. "Hello, Sam." Sam nodded back, for once at a loss for words.

Andrew suddenly realised he was staring at her and dragged his eyes back to his father. "Someone told us they'd sunk the entire Pacific fleet. Is it true?"

"Don't know, Andrew, but it certainly sounds as if they've suffered some serious losses. Surprise raid at dawn, they said. Disaster."

"But, Christopher, America will come into the war now. It changes everything! No more of this neutrality nonsense. At long last we're going to get some real help!" Katherine said emphatically. Her accent was unmistakable. Andrew did a double take and stared at her, eyebrows raised.

Christopher hurriedly interrupted before Andrew could say something tactless about Katherine's loyalties. "Perhaps we could all do with a cup of tea after this news."

"I'll make it, sir." Sam spoke for the first time. "Come show me where the tea is, Andrew?" She tugged him firmly toward the kitchen.

After they had disappeared, Katherine sank onto the sofa and pressed a hand to her cheek. "I am so sorry, Christopher! I know that's the last thing you wanted."

"Don't worry about it. Certainly not your fault." Christopher sank into his customary chair, fidgeting with his necktie. He was thinking that it was a mercy Andrew and Sam hadn't come in a few minutes earlier. They sat listening to the news bulletin in silence.

As soon as the kitchen door had swung shut Andrew exploded. "Sam!" he burst out in a stage whisper. "Why didn't you tell me?"

She was filling the kettle at the sink. "I didn't know."

"What do you mean, you didn't know? She knows you!"

"Andrew! Slow down a minute!" She set the kettle on the cooker and turned to face him. "Yes, I've met her. Her little girl went missing last month and your father found her. But I had no idea that they were … Come on, Andrew. Do you really think he'd tell me about something like that? You know what he's like."

Andrew frowned. "But … she's American! Dad doesn't like Americans!"

"Well, it looks as if he likes this one. She's actually a very nice woman."

"What did she mean by that crack about neutrality, anyway?"

"I don't know, but her husband was English. He was killed in the war."

"Really?"

"Yes. He was in the Navy. His ship was sunk. I guess she's on our side in this war." She started rummaging through the kitchen dresser. "Haven't you got a nicer teapot than this?"

"I think so, somewhere …" Poking around in the larder, Andrew found his mother's old Royal Doulton tea service in a box on the top shelf. Sam washed off the dust and arranged the cups and saucers neatly on a tray with the steeping teapot.

"Now be nice!" she implored as he picked up the tray. "I think this may be quite important to your dad. You've always said you wished he'd meet someone and now it seems he has. Don't make this difficult for him, Andrew. Please."

She led the way back into the sitting room. Remembering all the times she'd watched her mother smooth over awkward moments at parish events, she chattered brightly as she poured the tea. Watching her, Christopher realised what she was trying to do and blessed her silently. Thank God for Sam.

The newsreader had finished his broadcast so he switched the wireless off. "Extraordinary," he said, stirring his tea. "Do the Japanese realise what they've taken on, I wonder?"

"The Germans too," added Katherine.

Andrew bristled at the implication behind her words. "I think England's done pretty well for herself up to now."

"Oh, please don't think I'm slighting England! When the history of this war is written someday, I'm quite sure it will say that fascism was defeated because of the courage and sacrifice of the British people who stood against it alone for so long. But you're much too young to remember the last war. You have no idea what the American people can accomplish when they set their minds to something."

"She's right, Andrew," Christopher said. "I was in France last time; I saw what happened after the Americans came in. They can provide the manpower and materiel we need. A nation of more than a hundred million, with vast natural resources and, presumably, the will to fight? Changes the whole picture."

"I don't think we need worry about the will to fight," said Katherine. "Not after today. I don't think there has been a foreign attack on United States soil since 1814. I can't even imagine the impact this is going to have over there."

Sam looked curious. "Who attacked them in 1814?"

Katherine smiled. "The English."

"Really?"

"Oh, yes. British troops marched on Washington. They even burned the White House."

"How frightfully rude!"

"Daresay the Americans thought so," Christopher told the girl dryly. "Let's hope they don't hold a grudge."

Andrew was still considering the evening's turn of events. "But what if the Yanks decide to concentrate on Japan and leave Jerry to us? It's the Japs who've just bombed them, not the Germans."

Katherine's eyes widened. "God forbid!"

Andrew studied at her speculatively. "Pardon me, but … have we met before? You look familiar, but I can't think where I've seen you."

"We haven't met properly, but our paths have crossed. At Lympne. I work at the WVS canteen there."

"Of course! I'm sorry, I didn't recognise you out of uniform. And I never realised you were - well - "

"American? No, I wouldn't expect so. There's never much time for conversation at the canteen. We're usually pretty busy. And of course you were always busy talking to your mates."

"How long have you been working at Lympne?"

"Let's see. A year ago this past September. I started not long after I moved to Hastings."

"It's very good of you to volunteer. We aircrew chaps certainly look forward a hot cup of tea after an op."

"Just trying to do my bit like everyone else." Katherine took a sip of tea. Next to her on the sofa, Sam shot him a significant look.

Outside the all-clear rang through the air. Katherine immediately set down her cup and saucer and rose.

"Thank you very much for the tea. It's late; I really ought to be getting home. I don't like being away during a raid. Cecily sometimes wakes up frightened."

"Of course. I'll see you home," said Christopher, rising too. Andrew also got to his feet.

"It was very nice meeting you. I hope we'll meet again some time."

"That would be lovely. Sam, it was good to see you again."

"You, too, Mrs Neville-West. Say hello to Cecily for me."

"I'll do that."

Christopher helped her into her coat, flicked off the lights and guided her out the front door.

They said little on the walk to her house. It had grown colder, so they went quickly. When they reached her doorstep, Christopher took both her hands in his and they stood looking at each other for a long moment in the moonlight.

Katherine finally broke the silence. "Christopher, I can't apologise enough for putting you in that position. I know how difficult that must have been for you."

"Please don't think about it. It's really quite all right."

"I can't imagine what he thinks of me. He must loathe me."

"What, Andrew? Don't be daft. We certainly caught him off guard, but I think once he'd got over the shock he was fine about it. The truth is he's been after me for years to - well, to get out a bit. And he certainly didn't hate you, Katherine. On the contrary, I think he admired you."

"Me? That's absurd. I'm ancient!"

Christopher smiled. "No, you're not. You're a lovely woman, Katherine, and you look stunning tonight. Believe me, Andrew would notice. He's always had an eye for a pretty girl."

"Well, he has certainly found one in Sam. I'm very impressed with her, Christopher. She handled that awkward situation very adroitly. She seems like a very thoughtful young lady."

"She is. And very loyal. Couldn't have asked for a better driver, really."

She nodded in agreement, and then shivered in the chill December air. "I really ought to get inside now. It's late."

He nodded. "Again soon, Katherine?"

"My turn next. Will you come to dinner on Friday? If you wouldn't mind an evening in?"

"I would like a quiet evening at home with you. Very much." The thought made his heart lighten. She must not be too upset by his conduct in the sitting room.

"I can't promise you quiet, Christopher. Not until I get Cecily to bed, anyway. Is seven too early for you?"

"Not at all. I'll be there."

"Thank you very much for tonight. I had a wonderful time."

"My pleasure, Katherine."

She reached up and rested her hands on his lapels. "Christopher," she whispered, pressing her lips softly to his. He put his arms around her and deepened the kiss, marvelling at the intensity of the feelings she brought out in him. I want to stay with her like this forever, he thought. With difficulty he released her and watched her go inside.