"Cooper, Susan - Dark is Rising 01 - Over Sea, Under Stone" - читать интересную книгу автора (Cooper Susan)

They sat staring blankly at him as he advanced towards Mother; he wore dazzling white flannel trousers, and a blazer, with a dark-blue scarf tucked in the neck of his white shirt, and they had not expected to see anything like him in Trewissick at all. Then they jumped hastily as Mother stood to shake hands, and Simon knocked over his chair. Into the confusion Mrs Palk appeared with a large teapot and a tray of cups and saucers.

'Two extra cups,' she said, smiling blandly, and departed again.

'Do sit down,' the girl said. 'We only popped in for a moment, we didn't want to interrupt.' She bent to help Simon pick up his chair. Her black curls bobbed forward over her forehead. She was a very pretty girl, Jane thought, watching her. Much older than any of them, of course. She wore a bright green shirt and black trousers, and her eyes seemed to twinkle with a kind of hidden private laughter. Jane suddenly felt extremely young.

Mr Withers, showing a lot of very white teeth, was talking to Mother. 'Mrs Drew, do please forgive this intrusion, we had no intention of breaking into your supper.'

'Not at all,' said Mother, looking faintly bemused. 'Won't you have a cup of tea?'

'Thank you, no, no, most kind, but we have a meal waiting on the boat. We simply came to issue an invitation. My sister and I are in Trewissick for some days, with the yacht to ourselves - on our way round the coast, you know - and we wondered whether you and the children would care to spend a day out at sea. We have -'

'Gosh!' Simon nearly upset his chair again. 'How marvellous! You mean go out in that fabulous boat? '

'I do indeed,' said the smiling Mr Withers.

Simon spluttered without words, his face glowing with delight. Mother said hesitantly: 'Well...'

'Of course I realise we're descending on you out of the blue,' Mr Withers said soothingly. 'But it would be pleasant to have company for a change. And when we met your husband in the harbour-master's office this morning, and discovered we are neighbours in London -'

'Are you? ' said Barney curiously from the table. 'Where? '

'Marylebone High Street, just round the corner from you,' said the girl, dimpling at him. 'Norman sells antiques.' She looked across at Mother. 'I expect you and I use the same shops, Mrs Drew - you know that little patisserie where you can get those gorgeous rum babas ?'

I try not to,' Mother said, beginning to smile. 'Well really, this is very kind, considering we're strangers. But I'm not sure whether ... well, the three of them can be rather a handful, you know.'

'Mother!' Simon looked aghast.

Mr Withers puckered his nose boyishly at her. 'But my invitation extends to the whole family, Mrs Drew. We sincerely hope you and your husband will join our little crew as well. Just a trip out and back, you understand - round the bay, as the commercial gentlemen have it. With perhaps a little fishing. I shall enjoy showing off the boat. Tomorrow perhaps? They say it should be a fine day.'

What an old-fashioned way of talking he has, Jane thought idly; perhaps it comes of selling antiques. She looked at Simon and Barney, both all eagerness at the idea of a day on the strange yacht, gazing anxiously at their parents; and then back at Mr Withers's immaculate white flannels and folded scarf. I don't like him, she thought. I wonder why?

'Well, thank you very much indeed,' Mother said finally. I don't think I shall come, if you'll forgive me - if the sun comes out I shall go and work up above the harbour. But I know Dick and the children would love to go.'

'Ah yes, Dr Drew was telling us about your painting,' Mr Withers said warmly. 'Well, the loss will be ours - but if the muse calls, dear lady .. . The rest of the family will come, though, -I hope?'

'Not half,' said Simon swiftly.

It sounds smashing,' Barney said. He added, as an afterthought: 'Thank you very much.'

'Well,' said Father cheerfully, 'this is a noble gesture, I must say. We're all very grateful to you. As a matter of fact' - he looked vaguely round the room - 'there should have been one other member of the family here, but he seems to have disappeared. My wife's uncle. He rented the house for us.'

The children automatically followed his gaze round the room. They had forgotten Great-Uncle Merry. Now they realised that there had been no sign of him since the two sudden visitors appeared. The door that led into the breakfast room at the back of the house stood slightly open - but when Barney ran across to look in, there was no one there.

'Professor Lyon, you mean? ' the girl said.

'That's right.' Father stared at her for a moment. I didn't think I'd mentioned him this morning. D'you know him, then?'

Mr Withers answered for her, quickly and smoothly. I believe we have met, once or twice. In another sphere than this. In the course of our work, you know. A charming old gentleman, as I remember, but a little unpredictable.'