Hearing the bell ring as the door of the school store opened, Margaret looked up from counting the proceeds of the morning's sales. Surprised to see Mrs Phillips standing in front of her she glanced at the clock to see it was already half past midday.

'Mrs Phillips, what are you doing here?'

'I am here to relieve you dear.' Mrs Phillips was coughing and puffing as she took off her gloves and hat and placed them unceremoniously on the counter.

Margaret was puzzled. 'I thought Mrs Althorpe was coming today.'

'Yes dear, she was. But she was feeling faint this morning and asked if I could fill in for her.' Mrs Phillips began to fan herself, the exertion of the walk to the store overheating her.

Concerned by the lady's heavy breathing Margaret asked, 'Can I fetch you some water Mrs Phillips?'

'No dear. It is just that hill. Too steep for my weak heart. I will just rest a moment.'

Margaret finished counting and entered a figure into the account book. 'It is very kind of you to come in - although you really needn't have troubled yourself. I can stay and look after the store for the rest of the day if you prefer?'

Mrs Phillips shook her head and sat down with a loud exhale.

Margaret looked at the heavy set woman with concern. 'You have done so much already to get this store up and running Mrs Phillips. You should not be expected to work in it as well.'

'Tsh, tsh.' Mrs Phillips waved off Margaret's entreaties. 'I have been meaning to come in and see for myself how it is all going. I heard there was a line up half way down George Street yesterday. Is that true?'

Margaret laughed. 'Yes we had a rather successful start to the morning yesterday. We nearly sold out of some items. Which reminds me, we will need to think of ways of sourcing some additional donations from other towns and villages in the area.'

'Yes yes, I will mention it to the Reverend and his wife. They may know some associations we can write to.'

Margaret looked about her to ensure everything was in good order. 'Is there anything you would like me to explain to you before I leave you in charge Mrs Phillips?'

The older lady, her breathing now easier, smiled slyly. 'Nothing pertaining to the shop, Margaret. But I should like to know whether you have anything to do with why Mr Thornton is nervously pacing up and down the path outside.'

Margaret's heart skipped a beat and she dashed to the window. She could just make out a tall figure standing several yards away. She turned back to Mrs Phillips. 'I..I..It is not what you think.'

'Never mind my dear. I believe I have my answer right there in your face. Run along now. You should not keep a man like him waiting. Although might I suggest you just glance in the looking glass long enough to pinch your cheeks. You have been indoors too long. You need some colour.'

Feeling mortified by Mrs Phillips assumptions, Margaret gathered her belongings and made for the door. 'He is my father's friend Mrs Phillips. He just wishes to speak with me with regards to Papa.'

Mrs Phillips raised her eyebrows shrewdly. 'If he asks you to marry him I must be the first of the ladies committee to know. Promise me that!'

'Good day Mrs Phillips.'

'Come Margaret, you must not keep an old lady such as myself hanging in suspense. Who knows how long I have to live.'

Margaret let Mrs Phillips words trail after her as she left the store. Mrs Phillips was a good soul but her enjoyment of gossip and her eagerness to be well informed on the goings-on in Milton made Margaret a little uneasy. Margaret comforted herself with the assurance that once John and Anne's engagement was announced Mrs Phillips would be satisfied and forget the matter.

Seeing him again, Margaret felt the now familiar stirring of her stomach as she walked towards the handsome man in a fine suit. He was facing the other way, but as if sensing her presence he turned to look at her. His stern expression softened as she closed the distance between them, his eyes never leaving her.

He looked fitter today than he had two days ago. His pallid complexion of Sunday was now more golden. His blue eyes, a perfect contrast of light and dark flecks – like gemstones - were once again vivid.

No matter how many times she saw him she could still not help but be surprised by her attraction to him. Standing before him now she caught the scent of his cologne. She breathed him in, savouring the effect it had on her. She had never experienced such a physical response to another person before. It confused and thrilled her.

She should not be feeling this way, Margaret thought to herself. He belonged to someone else.

Finding her courage, she greeted him. 'Hello John.'

A brilliant smile spread across his face revealing perfect white teeth. He tipped his hat. 'Ah, I see you do listen to me on occasion.' His tone was teasing. 'Are you quite finished for today. I know I am early.' John offered Margaret his arm. She took it timidly.

'Yes, thank you. Your timing was good as Mrs Phillips just arrived to take over from me.' Margaret hoped that he would not notice her hands shaking.

'Yes. She eyed me rather suspiciously as she walked past.'

Margaret grimaced and changed the subject. 'How are you feeling? Any better? You certainly look better today than you did on Sunday.'

John held her arm a little tighter. 'Yes I am quite well again. Only the remnants of a cold persists.'

Margaret was searching for something else to say but her mind went blank. Usually a good conversationalist, her nerves were clearly getting the better of her. Taking another deep breath she decided she should not worry. He had requested this walk; perhaps she should leave it to him to dictate the conversation anyway.

His deep voice interrupted her self-conscious thoughts. 'Margaret, I wondered if we might take a detour to the church on our way to Crampton. If you will sit with me a short while in the gardens I have some important information I should like to convey to you.'

Margaret swallowed hard and her voice faltered. 'Of course.' She paused before continuing, 'There is something I wish to tell you as well. Something of a rather sensitive and private nature. I should be obliged if we are not overheard on the street.'

John looked down at Margaret with apprehension. She gave him a reassuring glance before turning her face ahead. It was not far to the church from George Street.

The church gardens bordered the cemetery where Mrs Hale has been laid to rest. Though he had never said, Margaret assumed that John's father was there too. It seemed a perfectly respectable yet private place to talk.

A few rays of sunlight peeked out from the Milton cloud as they entered the garden. Margaret shivered.

'Are you cold Margaret?'

She felt embarassed. It was not the cold that was having this effect. 'No. It is nice to see the sun, even for a moment. It seems an age since I have felt it's warmth.'

John indicated for Margaret to take a seat on a bench before he settled beside her. When he finally spoke, his tone was gentle and sincere. 'Thank you for agreeing to walk with me today Margaret. I alluded before to some information I want to give you. I am afraid it is going to be difficult for you to hear – so I will do my best to deliver it solicitously. Indeed you may think me presumptuous for delivering it at all. But I feel you must hear it nevertheless.'

Margaret put up her hand to silence him. 'Please, John. If I may be the first to speak? I think what I have to tell you may make your errand here today much less trying.'

John exhaled. Though clearly longing to relinquish the burden of his own news, he yielded. He remained silent looking expectantly at Margaret.

'Forgive me, but first I must relay some circumstances relating to my brother which you would not as yet be aware of.' Margaret noted that the softness to John's expression was lost as she said these words. His lips closed and became thin, and the crinkles beside his eyes disappeared as his face again became stern and impenetrable. 'My father has learnt that my brother is recently married. Whilst Papa is upset that we could not celebrate the joyous occasion with him, he is nonetheless very happy for Frederick.'

The twitch of a small muscle in John's jaw was the only movement in his face as she continued her story.

'You see, his new wife, Delores comes from a good family. Her father has been very prosperous in his business dealings and they are now quite comfortable in their situation.' Wringing her hands, Margaret prepared to tell John the news that would release him from any guilt or self-reproach he might be feeling. 'You know that my father's financial position has worsened since leaving the church. We can barely afford the essentials of life. If my father were to lose any of his students, or if he were to fall ill – I am not sure how we would live.'

'Margaret..' John said her name almost as an oath.

Margaret continued unperturbed. 'Frederick's father-in-law is a generous man. His only desire is to secure the happiness of his beloved daughter and her husband. He knows that they worry for Papa, and for me. Frederick and Delores would like nothing more than for all of us to be together.' Margaret paused. 'So, the Senor has offered us assistance.'

John's almost stony expression was now replaced by alarm. 'Assistance?' What kind of assistance Margaret?'

Margaret was surprised by the fervour of his reaction. 'He has offered to pay for us to go and live with them in Spain. To be a family again.'

John stood up and walked a few steps, running his hand through his hair. He turned back to Margaret, his stance tense. 'Has your father accepted this offer?'

Margaret shook her head. 'No. But the benefits of such a plan must be plain to anyone. By going to Spain my father could live out his days in the sun and enjoy his grandchildren. If we stay here…I just do not know what will become of us.'

John sat down again, this time pensively staring ahead. 'So am I to conclude that you think this a good plan? That you see this as your only alternative?' He turned to look at Margaret again. 'Was it not you who said you had never felt more at home than here in Milton?' He paused before soberly asking, 'Is that no longer true for you Margaret? '

Margaret could see that John was upset with her but was unsure why. 'Please do not be angry with me John. Of course that has not changed. Milton will always be dear to me. I have made many good friends here.'

'Friends?' John laughed a little bitterly. 'Friends,' he said again, more quietly this time as if to himself.

'John? I am your friend aren't I? Please tell me that will not change – no matter what decisions we make.' Margaret's eyes were pleading as her panic rose.

John looked at her with something akin to sadness in his expression. It seemed an age before he spoke again. 'Of course I am your friend Margaret – your most faithful friend.'

Margaret gave him a weak smile and touched his arm. 'Thank you John. You cannot know how relieved I am to hear that.'

Before she could withdraw it from his arm, he took her hand, holding it tight in his own. 'Which I why I intend to put an end to this senseless plan of yours to go and live with your brother. As your friend Margaret I cannot let you do this. I cannot, I will not let you go to Spain.'