A rug underfoot softened Grace’s steps, cream colored with pastel flowers. Though clean, it appeared to be somewhat worn in patches.
“Vivienne,” Mrs. Weatherford said as Viv joined Grace in the entryway.
“All my friends call me Viv.” She offered a smile at Mrs. Weatherford with her one-of-a-kind Viv charm.
“What beauties you both have become. I reckon you’ll set my boy blushing.” Mrs. Weatherford motioned for them to rest their bags on the floor. “Colin,” she called up the polished wood stairs. “See to the ladies’ effects while I put the kettle on.”
“How is Colin?” Grace asked politely.
Like her, he was an only child, left without a father after the Great War as she had been. Though he was two years Grace’s junior, they’d played together as children. She recalled those memories with great fondness. There had always been a gentleness to Colin, a genuine kindness behind the sharp intelligence of his eyes.
Mrs. Weatherford threw her hands up in exasperation. “Trying to save the world one animal at a time and bringing them all home.” The good-natured chuckle that followed implied she didn’t mind it as much as she claimed.
Grace took a moment to admire the entryway as they waited on Colin. A table sat beside the stairs with a glossy black telephone atop it. The wallpaper was a cheerful blue-and-white brocade, somewhat faded, and matched the white painted doors and doorframes. While simple in design, everything appeared immaculate. In fact, Grace was certain she would be hard-pressed to find a speck of dust on anything her mother’s friend owned.
A creak sounded, followed by footsteps coming down the stairs as a tall, slender man appeared. His dark hair was combed neatly, and he wore a collared shirt and brown trousers.
He gave a shy smile, which softened his features and made him appear even more youthful than his twenty-one years. “Hullo, Grace.”
“Colin?” she said, incredulous. He was almost a foot taller than her, towering over her as she once had over him.
He blushed.
His reaction was endearing, and it warmed her to know he hadn’t lost his sweetness in the years that stretched between them.
Grace gazed up at him. “You’ve certainly grown since I saw you last.”
He shrugged his skinny shoulders, looking perfectly bashful before offering a slight nod to Viv, whom he’d played with as well since the two girls had always been inseparable. “Viv. Welcome to London. Mum and I have been looking forward to your arrival.” He slid a grin at Grace, then bent to grasp the two suitcases the ladies had set aside. He hesitated. “May I take these for you?”
“Please,” Viv said. “Thank you, Colin.”
He nodded and took one suitcase in each of his hands, carrying them easily up the stairs.
“Do you remember visiting with Colin?” Mrs. Weatherford asked.
“We do,” Grace said. “He seems as kind as he’s always been.”
“Only much taller,” Viv added.
Mrs. Weatherford looked up the stairs with adoration shining in her eyes, as if she could still see him. “He’s a good lad. Come, let’s have some tea and I’ll show you around.”
She motioned for them to follow and pushed open the door that led into a kitchen. Light spilled in from the window above the sink and at the back door, filtering in through parted gauzy white curtains. Everything was as pristine in her narrow kitchen as it had been in the entryway. The sun shone off clean white countertops, and a few dishes had been neatly set in a rack to dry. Towels the color of lemons were draped on a rack, and the scent of whatever she was cooking was even more tantalizing.
She indicated the small table with four white chairs to Grace and Viv and lifted the kettle from the stove. “Your uncle picked a fine time to lay claim to your home with a war soon upon us.” She carried it to the sink and turned on the tap. “And so very like Horace,” she said with evident distaste over the rush of water. “Beatrice was worried he might attempt such a thing, but her illness was so sudden—”
Mrs. Weatherford flicked a glance from where she’d been watching the water level in the kettle to Grace. “I shouldn’t be going on like this, what with you just getting in from traveling. I’m so pleased to see you here. I only wish it was under better circumstances.”
Grace bit her lower lip, uncertain what to say.
“You have a lovely home, Mrs. Weatherford,” Viv said quickly.
Grace cast her a grateful look, which she answered with a conspiratorial wink.