'No, Robert. Of course you should. You did exactly the right thing. It's not your fault. Don't think that.'
She thought quickly. In a way, what Robert had said made it seem better. Less likely to be an abduction. Holly told off would not be a happy little bunny.
Where would she go? If she was in a strop, what would she do? Hide, probably. Hide and sulk, or hide and rage.
'She'll not be far, Robert. Look, I'm out of the dentist's now. I'm nearly at the garage. I'll just pop in and tell Ted what's going on. Then I'll come straight over. Don't do anything until I get there.'
She felt Robert was calming down now. She could sense it in his voice. The panic was receding. He would behave rationally. Do nothing silly. She was sure of it.
'Hurry,' he said. 'If you can, please hurry.'
She switched off the phone and walked as fast as she could, wishing she had brought the car today. She couldn't get there fast enough. First the garage. Then Robert. Nothing could have happened to Holly surely? No, of course not. She wouldn't let it!
But everyone probably thought that, and look what sometimes happened. She closed off all negative thoughts and concentrated entirely on what she had to do. First see Ted. Then see if she could borrow a car to save what might be vital moments.
After that …. She took a deep breath. After that, do what needed to be done.
*
Ted was standing in the doorway, looking as if he wished he hadn't stopped smoking his pipe. He smiled as she hurried across the yard.
'I'm glad you've turned up,' he said. 'You've got a visitor. I was just wondering what to do.'
'I can't stop now, Ted. I'm sorry but there's an emergency at Robert's. You'll have to …. Who is it?'
He shrugged and stood aside, and ushered her through the doorway.
She stepped into the office and couldn't believe her eyes.
'Holly! What are you doing here? Everyone's ….'
She stopped. No need to frighten her. Holly looked perfectly normal, and was smiling happily.
She rushed over to wrap her arms around the little girl.
'Holly, what are you doing here, darling?'
'I came to see you, Sarah. Daddy was mean to me. He shouted. So I ….'
'No, he wasn't mean to you. You were doing something very dangerous and he was frightened you would fall out of the window. But however did you get here?'
'I just walked.' Holly smiled and kissed her cheek. 'I walked and walked, and I found you, didn't I?'
'Yes, sweetheart. You did.' Sarah closed her eyes for a moment. 'And I'm so glad you did, but you mustn't do that again. Please promise you won't do that again. We were all worried about you.'
'OK,' Holly said with a yawn, danger and other people's fears dismissed, but ready to please someone she loved, and who she knew loved her.
'Her daddy is looking for her,' Sarah said, turning to Ted. 'I have to go.'
He smiled and nodded. 'Best get her home then. Take my car. Here's the keys.'
'Thanks, Ted. I'll tell you more later.'
'Don't worry about it,' he said. 'I'm glad you've found her – or she's found you! Amazing what little ones can do when they set their mind to it, isn't it?'
Sarah closed her eyes and blew out with relief. 'You're telling me!'
Holly got to her feet and took firm hold of Sarah's hand.
'Cheerio, Holly!' Ted said with a chuckle.
' 'Bye, Ted! Thank you for the chocolate.'
'He's a very nice man,' Holly said as Sarah led her out to the car.
'Yes, he is. You're right.'
*
Sarah carried Holly up the path and into the house. 'Robert!' she called. 'Come and see what I've found.'
With Holly safely in bed, knowing very little of the stir she had caused, Robert pulled Sarah to him.
'Thank you,' he breathed, holding her tight.
'No need,' she said. 'I didn't do much.'
'Yes, you did. You were there for us – for Holly and for me, and Jack as well – when we needed you. You held things together, as you always do.'
'Oh, Robert!'
But she was moved by his words, and by his obvious feelings for her. She hugged him hard. 'You silly man!' she said. 'I do love you. You know that, don't you?'
He nodded. 'But not as much as I love you.'
Then a little of what India had said came back to her, seeming more powerful and urgent than ever.
'What?' he said, sensing her stiffen.
'Oh, it's just something India said.'
'And what was that?'
'She said none of us know what's going to happen to us, and it's a good thing we don't.
'Best just to live our lives, and not worry about the possibility of problems in the future. If they happen, they happen. And we deal with them. That's it. You can't live in fear of the future.'
'India said all that?'
'Well, not all of it. I made some of it up. But it's what she meant. I've just realised that, and she's right.'
'So?' Robert said, looking puzzled.
'So it means that I want to live my life with you and the children, Robert. Today's little drama has convinced me of that. This is where I belong now – if you'll have me?'
'Now she tells me,' Robert murmured. 'At last!'
'Is that a yes?'
He laughed. And then he kissed her, kissed her like she'd never been kissed before.
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