There was a pause. Clearly he wasn’t going to ask. ‘That could be really nice. He’ll be able to see what dogs can do when they’re trained.’
‘Well, it’s on Saturday afternoon. In a little village called Hambleton. Do you know it?’
‘Yes, I know it well. It’s where my parents’ house is, remember? And it’s pronounced “Hampton”.’
‘Really? Is that a concerted effort to confuse anyone who doesn’t come from around here?’
‘Yes, we do our best. Where is it, in the church hall?’
‘Yes, that’s right. Spelled St Thomas’s, and you can pronounce it however you like.’
She heard Ethan chuckle quietly. ‘What time?’
‘Two o’clock. I’ll be there from one-thirty onwards with the mountain rescue team.’
‘Right. Should be interesting. Thanks for letting me know about it.’
‘Great. See you then, perhaps.’
Silence crackled down the line. Kate couldn’t help smiling, because she knew what Ethan wanted to ask, and this time she had an answer that didn’t make her feel as if she wanted to disappear.
‘For goodness’ sake... Okay, you win. How did this evening go?’ There was a note of exasperated humour in his tone.
‘It went well, thank you. Usha’s given me some homework.’
‘What was that, then—phoning me up and giving me a hard time?’
‘No, that might be next week’s assignment, though.’ It was a dream diary. Kate didn’t feel quite comfortable about telling him that, because her nightmares were often the dreams where she was helpless and Ethan wasn’t there to save her.
She heard him chuckle quietly. ‘All right. I’m not going to ask, that’s between you and Usha. As long as you feel it’s been positive.’
‘Yes, I do. Thanks for putting me in touch with her.’
‘No problem. I’m going to go now, before you do my nervous system any more damage. Oh, hang on a minute.’ She could hear Sam’s voice in the background, and smiled. ‘Sam says hello.’
‘Tell him hello back. I’ll see him on Saturday, if you’re able to come.’
‘We’ll be there.’
* * *
Ethan joined the small crowd that had gathered outside the church, and found that its main topic of conversation consisted of whether it was one minute to two or one minute past. Events such as these were usually attended by the stalwarts of the surrounding villages, most of whom were retired. They arrived on time, all knew each other and departed after half an hour, which was when the younger families would start to arrive.
‘Hello, Ethan.’ He’d known Mrs Sweetman since he was a child, and had thought her very old then. ‘You’re very early, dear.’
‘Yes, I...’ Couldn’t wait to see Kate? If he were to voice that, then it would be old news by sundown. ‘I happened to be passing.’
‘With Sam, I see.’ Mrs Sweetman smiled down at his son. ‘How you’ve grown, dear.’
‘Hello. I’m five now.’ Sam responded with the same courtesy towards the elders of the village that Ethan had been taught.
‘Are you, now? Doesn’t time fly? I wonder when they’re going to open the doors?’
‘You can sync your phone, Mrs Sweetman. Then you’ll know the right time.’
A little burst of pride made Ethan smile. He’d shown Sam how he synched the time display on his phone last week and his son had clearly been listening far more closely than it had appeared at the time.
‘My telephone?’ Mrs S