Loves moves in mysterious ways

chapter 6

So That was the reason for her hostility Kirstin though as she sat down Jessa couldn't know James very well if she thought that she was any treat to her.

The next three hours passed so quickly that Kirstin had no time for any private mental meanderings.

Her fingers flew over the laptop as she seriously recorded the details of the meeting.

The first task,James informed them, was to find somewhere suitable to convert into a clinic.

I believe I've found the ideal place a pair of Victorian semis that are up for sale in itself. There then followed a spirited discussion on the rival merit of buying a building and converting it,

or having something purpose-built.

Purpose built is ideal, of course James agreed.

But beacuse of the historic and architectural nature of Bavaria, Im afraid we might have a problem with the planning and environmental people if we wanted start right from scratch.

Well, I think the best thing for us to do is to go along look at these semi-,Romel Rodriguez announced.

He got out his diary and consulted it.I can manage tomorrow morning.

After that I'm no free for two weeks.'

There were murmurs of assent from the other members of the committee, which concluded with the General saying briskly, Right that settled,

then,tomorrow morning it is. I'll liaise the states agents,and organise cars to make sure everyone can get there. I take it everyone wants too see the place.

Everyone, it seemed,

did except Kirstin's father who announced that since Kirstin could go in his stead, and since her presence was more necessary than his,she should go and he would stay at home with his wife.

That's settled, then. I'll pick you up on the way,Kirstin, suggested James.Instantly Jessa pouted,

her hard eyes flashing warning signs at Kirstin.James,I was going to ask if you would drive my Auntie and me there.....I'm afraid I'm rather useless behind the wheel of a car.

I Please don't worry about me James, Kirstin intervened. I'm quite to drive my self.

In fact I'd prefer it,she added, giving him a tight little smile. I don't like to be way from Mother too long.

Both of them knew that she was lying but apart from the ominous tightening of his mouth.

James made no comment.What had he expected?Kirstin ask herself in guilty defiance.

That she would fling herself as his feet,with her old childish gratitude for his attention?

Wel now that we've got that out of the way I suggest we move on to ways and means of raising the finance for this project. That was the General,

and as her pencil flew her over her paperwork,Kirstin concentrated on recording the committee's suggestions on how the money might best be raised.

As a incentive, my client,Romel Rodriguez here,is prepared to donate twice the amount you can raise from the general public towards this new health centre,

Greg Davis added, when the others had finished speaking.It was a very generous of you, said James, warmly.That remains to be seen, doctor my generosity depends how you can raise by your own endeavours "God helps those who help themselves, eh?

Kirstin guessed from the expression of the minister face that he wasn't wholly a ease with the quotation, but whatever her man's motives,

there was no getting away from the fact that his offer was a generous one.Suspecting that the meeting was about to be concluded,

Kirstin was just one on the point of getting up to collect the coffee cups when Frau Samantha surprised her by saying, I have a suggestion to make actually it's my niece she smiled fondly at her companion.

She has reminded me that we have an excellent and very large ballroom at the Manor,

and she has suggested that we hold a carpet Night ball there That is excellent idea Romel Rodriguez, commented enthusiastically, before anyone else could intervene. I know several customers of the bank would want to attend, specially if we could organise some sort of dinner. You'll need a musicians band of course.

That was Jessa herself speaking, her cold eyes sweeping dismissingly around the table until they met Kirstin's as she added. And I expect there are plenty women in and around Roteskruez who could organise the food.

In the view of everyone else's enthusiasm not even the General could decry the project, and Kirstin was privately amused to see his desire to outmanoeuvr his old rival,Frau Samantha, warring with his duties as a Chairman of the finance Committee.

At last, grudgingly, he agreed that the idea was a good one,and added that he thought he knew where he could find their musicians.

They'll be good ones,I hope;Jessa chipped in. I mean, this won't be a dreary local hop.

I intend to ask some of my German friends to come down.

Privately Kirstin suspected that if Jessa could have excluded everyone bar her German friends and of course, James she would have been more than pleased to do so,but it wasn't her job to makes any comments, only to takes a minutes, which made it all the more surprising when James turned to her to ask her,What do you think the idea Kirstin?Do you think it will be well accede?

She hesitated for a moment before replying, conscious that they were being watched.

It was one thing for her to harbour her own resentment and dislike of James, it was quite another to make everyone else aware of her feelings.

Yes,yes I think it will, she answered after some deliberation.

Therw are enough comfortably off people living locally for the tickets to sell very well.

She paused for a moment and added slowly, It's nothing to do with me"and it's only an idea,

but since it is to be for Night Ball dance, how about making it masked Ball not fancy dress as such, just masked.Out of the corner of her eyes she saw the vindictive look Jessa's eyes and signed.

She would have done better to say nothing, but the idea had just occurred to her and she had thought it is a good one.

To her surprise, someone else did as well.

After harrumping and frowning for several seconds,to not just her astonishing but every one else's too, the General cleared his throat and announced, Damm fine idea.Went to several when I was out

China.Damm find affairs. Very romantic. Just the ticket for Night Ball dance.

The idea of the Major finding any thing romantic was quite obviously as startling to the others as it was to her,and it was almost a full of a minute before anyone could speak. However,

eventually,Frau Samantha said firmly, I agree.I attended several such balls in my youth and they were all great fun.'

Right, so a masked ball it will be,

James turned to Kirstin, smiling at her with such warmth and sincerity and that literally felt herself holding her breath. She remembered that smile from long ago,

and the effect it had had on her once, but not now, she reminded herself, hardening her heart.

I suppose we'd better select a sub committee to organise the details. I nominate Kirstin as eh.....organiser, and liaison person. I also vote that we appoint Frau Samantha as Chairman woman.

A regal inclination of her head confirm that Her leadership was pleased to accept such a office although Kirstin knew from observing her mother's experience that she would be the one who was called upon to do all the running around.Not that she minded,

she needed, she something to occupy those hours when she was not taking care of her mother,

and organising the ball wasn't likely to bring her into contact with James.

The General was appointed to take care of the financial side things,and Kirstin wondered if she was the only one to observe the petulant droop of Jessa's mouth when all the nominations had been confirmed.

Her only verbal objection to Kirstin's appointment had been a pouted, James, there was really no need to involve Miss Smith.

I'm sure that my Auntie's social assistant would have been more than pleased to handle all the details. She terribly experienced at that sort of that thing.

She organised my coming out ball and the wedding. That's very kind of you,

Jessa,was James's diplomatic reply, but it would hardly be fair of us to deprive your Auntie of her assistant, specially since we couldn't afford to pay her service.

The meeting broke up a little later than Kirstin had expected. They were the last to leave beacuse she had to collect the plates from the kitchen,

and she wanted to wash them first.

As he had dreaded that he might do,she heard her father inviting James back for dinner.

Her body tensed as she waited to hear his answer, and then went stiffer still when he said apologetically, I'm afraid i can't tonight.

I've already agreed to have a dinner with Frau Samantha and Jessa. He glaced at his watch as he spoke,

and Kirstin felt a furious stab of resentment that he should make it so obvious that he was anxious for them to leave a resentment that was interely on her father's behalf, she assured herself,

as she picked up her plates.

We'll leave you to ready for your date then, James. She gave him a smile as icy as her words. I should hate you to keep Jessa waiting on our behalf.

Of course ,once they got home, her mother wanted to heard everything that had gone on.

You're supposed to be resting, Kirstin scolded her,but nevertheless, she made three mugs of coffee and took them upstairs on a tray together with some of the black forest cake she had baked.

Perching on the side of her mother's bed she told her about the evening.

Frau Samantha's niece,Mrs Smith murmured at one point. Oh yes James said that she was staying at the Manor.What is she like? James said that she'd recently gone through a rather bad divorce.

Recalling the animosity and the innate coldness she had sensed in the other woman,Kirstin lifted her eyebrows a little.

She is very attractive brunette and slim but she and I didn't exactly take one another.

Of course not, her mother agreed. She said wants James, and she'll have heard all about how close the pair of you used to be. She is bound to be resentful of the fact that you've come home. She said Kirstin's face,

and it was her turn for her eyebrows to lift in surprised amusement. Oh come on Kirstin sweetie, you are not that naive, she teased.

You and James were very close at one t.We live in a very enclosed community around here, you can hardly expect that there weren't those who,shall we say,wondered out loud weather your childhood friendship might lead to something closer?

You mean people gossiped about us,Kirstin put in bitterly.If you want to put it like that,but it was never unkind hearsay.

It's only natural people should be interested in one another. James and his family are very popular around here,

and I personally always thought there was something rather noble and endearing about the way he allowed you to follow him around.

It can't have been easy for him at time specially in the early days,when he was only a teenager himself.

Well Jessa has no need to feel jealous or resentful towards me.James and I are both adults now.

..... ..perhaps that is what she afraid of her mother commented cryptically,

but she wouldn't be pressed into giving Kirstin an explanation of her remark.

Not that Kirstin needed one. It was clear as though she had spelled it out for her.

As a adults she and James were now both free to pursue the sort of relationship they could never have had before. the nine years that separated them meant nothing now.

But far more than mere age held them apart,and always would do,

and despite the local romantic emaginings,she and James would never be more than distanly polite enemies.

She changed the topic,telling her mother about the potential site for the new health centre that they were going to see,and asking her what she thought about her idea for the masked ball. I think it's excellent one, she told her promptly. So romantic.

That is what the General said they both giggled as Kirstin repeated the major's reaction to her proposals,the atmosphere lightning a little.

Poor man he is never married, you know he is who probably cherishes some impossibly romantic idea of a girl who never even knew what he cared about her.

He is one of these old fashioned true gentleman who don't seem to exist any more.

Rather like Frau Samantha.She is another anachronism in many ways.

They are very much of an age, as well. Her yawned hugely, and Kirstin remembering that she was still supposed to be recuperating, got up off the bed hastily.

I'm tiring you,and you're supposed to be resting. I'm tired myself as a matter of fact.

I think I'll have an early night.

She was tired,but not so tired that she didn't wonder as she lay in bed ho James was enjoying himself with Jessa. A queer, bitter little pain seemed to come out of nowhere and curled itself around her heart.

A funny pain that had no logical explanation, and which beacuse of a very lack of logicality worried her even more. I am very sorry my dear,

but you know what these farmers are like. If Daniel Collins says he wants to talk to me about his will this evening then he means that evening or never.