Page 50 of Diana Adores the Puzzled Duke

“Father, I know you jest. But I am just in the middle of writing something. Could we do thislater?”

“I am afraid I have a lecture this afternoon. If you could just take a quick look at it now, I would be sograteful.”

“Oh, very well. Do you have it withyou?”

“The chapter is in my study. If you would just…” He seemed flustered. “I am sorry to disturb you, I truly am, but I need to get this to the publisher by tomorrow. And I understand you know about publishing deadlines, do younot?”

“I certainlydo.”

She rose from her desk and followed her father down the hallway to hisstudy.

“Have you contacted our solicitors about the loan yet?” she asked as she settled into a chair to read thechapter.

“Oh, am I supposed to do that? I forgot. Might you be able to do that for me, my dear? I have such a lot to do to finish my book. I know you will notmind.”

Diana clinched her teeth but did not explode. “If that will help you, Father, then I shall be happy to help. However, it is getting a little late. We do not want to miss our deadline, and I know you must get some paperwork together to present to the bank when we purchase the new leasehold. And you are the only one who can collect those papers, as the leasehold is in yourname.”

“Ah, that is a good point. Remind me a little closer to the deadline, will you,dear?”

“Very well, but remember, I have my work to do as well, and I needyouto be responsible for what you need to give to thesolicitors.”

“Oh, my… you are being cross with me. And I quite understand.” George suddenly seemed agitated and began turning in circles at hisdesk.

Diana went over to him and put one hand on his arm and one on his shoulder. “Father, dear… do not panic. We will sit down together soon and work out all the details step bystep.”

George settled. “Oh, my dear, what would I do without you? We shall miss you so very much when you are married and whisked away fromus.”

Diana sighed, for she knew her father was aging poorly and was suffering from memory loss and confusion from time to time. She would need to discuss the situation with her mother. Perhaps they would need to hire someone to assist him after she wasgone.

“Father, please do not fret yourself. I am still here and shall be for some time yet. Let me just sit and read your chapter so that I may get back to mywriting.”

Father kissed her cheek. “Very well, my dear. Make yourself comfortable and I shall leave you inpeace.”

* * *

Diana had readher father’s chapter and given him her thoughts and comments, and now, finally, she was alone again at her desk even though it was late afternoon, and her Christmas story was calling to her onceagain.

Tommy ran off to see the butcher as he was closingshop.

“Please, sir, might you have some work forme?”

“And who might you be, young fella?” the butcherasked.

“You asked me to help you unload a wagon not that long ago. And with Christmas coming I want to buy a chicken for my mum’s Christmas dinner. Might you have work for me, please sir? I would be ever sograteful.”

The butcher put his hand to his chin and thought about therequest.

“You are bit of a young’un. What could you possibly do that would be of use tome?”

“I could make deliveries foryou.”

“I got me a delivery boy—my son. Do not needanother.”

“I could empty your refuse bins, or sweep the shop, or wash your windows. Anything at all. And I am a very good worker—andpunctual.”

The butcher thought about the offer and then said, “I tell you what. You work for me every day until Christmas. Be early and leave late and I will pay you with two pound a tripe.T’won’tbe no chicken, but it will fill your Christmasstomachs.”

Tommy beamed. “Thank you, sir. I will do it. I will be here first thing tomorrow morning. What time,sir?”