It seems that Mr Stringer was not only in the minds of the occupants of the sitting room but on the minds of the Heywood ladies. Alison's mother and sister thought it was about time to have that conversation with her.

Alison herself did not suspect that this discussion would take place so soon. She hoped to keep her feelings safely hidden until the gentleman declared himself to her. Alas she would not get her wish to be spared from her mother and sister's prying questions.

Alison walked into Charlotte's bedroom to find her sister on her favourite love seat at the corner of the room reading aloud a poem called 'The Hidden Love' to their mother. Alison recognised the book as the one Mr Sidney Parker had given her sister.

The Hidden Love by Bikramjyoti Kashyop

Passion burning deep in my heart
Wishing that we were never apart
Coming together hand in hand
Melted and pressed as grains of sand
Shaping a most beautiful pane of glass
Etchings abound and trimmed with brass
A beautiful display wanting all to see
Remains hidden and sheltered only for me.

Both ladies looked up as Alison walked in and smiled at her. Their mother bid her come and sit with them which she did. She liked listening to Charlotte when she was reading as she missed it when she was unwell. They listened to the end of the poem together. Then both Mrs Heywood and Charlotte looked at Alison.

Alison felt their enquiring glances and knew her time was up. They would ask her about it. She decided to postpone it by saying: 'Well, what is it?'

Mrs Heywood smiled at her second daughter mischievously.

'Allie, come on tell us. We have seen how both you and Mr Stringer look at each other. You never know. We might be able to help you.'

Charlotte urged her sister further, 'Yes, please do Allie.'

The concerted plea of both of her mother and sister won out. She could not really deny much to either of them especially when Charlotte pled with her big brown eyes. She sighed aloud, slumped back at her seat resignedly and said, 'Well, yes, I admire Mr Stringer very much. We have had several interesting conversations. I think he is a very clever and handsome man whom I would love to get to know better. However, I do not know what to do. He seems happy to speak to me. Yet, whenever it gets to the point when he might declare himself, he then gets all nervous and shy. I don't know how to encourage him.'

She felt the relief engulf her the moment that she uttered the words. Alison did not realise how much her secret admiration of Mr Stringer had weighed upon her until she had confessed it to her family. It would be good to be able to talk to one of them in the future.

Mrs Heywood, who was sitting next to Alison, hugged her daughter and Charlotte squeezed her sister's hand affectionately. She knew what Alison was feeling and how bad it felt. Her sister must be especially frustrated with all the wait. She was pleased that she spoke to Sidney about it. He may be able to get Mr Stringer to declare himself to her sister.

Mrs Heywood said, 'Oh, Allie, I wish you had spoken to us earlier. Carrying this burden by yourself must have been exhausting. Would it help if we invited Mr Stringer to a picnic when your father and siblings arrive?'

Alison brightened up immediately. 'Will you mama? Please, please do!'

Mrs Heywood pinched her daughter's cheek affectionately and retorted, 'Well, then, we shall. It will be fine. We will make sure to give both Mr Stringer and you some time to talk. You will be supervised as well, so there will be no fear of a compromise.'

Charlotte also said, 'Sidney will help as well. He is to meet Mr Stringer on Sunday and he will gauge his interest in you. We want you to be happy, Allie. You do deserve it.'

Alison hugged both her mother and sister tightly and kissed them on the cheek. 'Oh, I am a lucky girl! I should have spoken to you earlier about it. I am sorry I didn't. I will do so from now on, though.'

The three Heywood ladies were once again in harmony. Charlotte picked another poem and read to both Alison and Mrs Heywood.

Mrs Heywood cherished this opportunity to bond with her two oldest daughters as spending this quality time with them would be rendered difficult once her husband and the rest of her children arrived. She would be spread too thin and she would need to give each of her children her equal attention. However, she aimed to give the lion share of her attention to her husband. She had missed him very much and she was really looking forward to seeing him once again.

Alison felt lucky in her family. She knew that not all families were as supportive as theirs was. She also sensed that spending time with their mother as they did right now was going to be difficult once their siblings arrived next week. Therefore, this was a precious moment for all three of them. Thus, they spent the next hour or so being serenaded by Charlotte's melodious voice.

In the meantime, Mr Stringer's ears must have been burning as he started feeling all restless and fidgety.

He was at his house working on the architectural plans for the terrace. He has been working on them on and off from the beginning of the week. He was satisfied with them. He only had to make some adjustments on the door measurements, and they would be ready for Mr Sidney's inspection on Sunday.

The plans were, of course, important. However, he really used them as an excuse to keep himself busy from thinking of Miss Alison. He cursed himself for being so shy. Why, oh, why did he hesitate from speaking his mind to her last time? Why was it so difficult?

He knew his own feelings by now. He thought that he had loved Miss Charlotte. He knew now that he never did. She was his friend. Charlotte did not generate the same feelings of anxiety and misery that his feelings with Alison did. Yet, what stopped him was whether she felt the same or not. He wanted to ask her. Every time he tried, he got tongue tied and kept silent.