A Drake at the Door (26 page)

‘She never showed any signs that anything was wrong while I was with her.’

‘None of us had any warning.’

Jeannie was stroking Lama who had jumped on her lap.

‘You were great friends, Jane,’ she said, ‘I will always remember you together.’

‘Oh yes. She was coming to stay with us on Tresco last Easter, the week she died.’

Jeannie turned to her; and at this instant I found myself seeing again Shelagh’s delicious smile when she was very happy.

‘Just think, Jane,’ Jeannie said, ‘how glad she would be for you today.’

Jane, after winning first price at Penzance Flower Show