a girl on her own . Queen Street at last , sighed the plump woman as the train slackened speed . what a time it &apos;s taken to reach Glasgow ! Morag Baxter gave her a surprised smile . she had not found the journey from Oban long or tedious . there had been so much to see . so much to think about . she had scarcely glanced at the magazines she had bought . Morag looked eagerly out of the window as the train drew into the station . she was excited but tried not to show it . after ten years , nearly half her lifetime , she was back in Glasgow . in a way she was returning home . no one would ever have taken Morag Baxter for a Glaswegian . there was a fresh country bloom in her cheeks and she spoke with an attractive Highland lilt . but for all that she felt she truly belonged to this great sprawling city . as an orphaned ward of Glasgow corporation , she had spent the first eleven years of her life in the city . but Beechwood children &apos;s home , which had run on oiled wheels under Miss Simpson &apos;s motherly guidance , seemed like a dream now . infinitely more real were the years she had spent in the north , eight of them boarding out on the Robertsons &apos; farm and the last two living in digs in Oban . Morag &apos;s eyes clouded as she thought about these past two years . nothing had been the same since Mrs Robertson died . though time had softened Morag &apos;s grief , it had not helped her overcome the strange emptiness in her heart . it was as if her roots had been cut off . although she had a good job , she felt Oban held nothing for her . it was n&apos;t long before she began to think about Glasgow with a certain longing . after all , that was where she really belonged . so this year she had decided to spend her fortnight &apos;s holiday in the city . Miss Simpson , now retired from her post at Beechwood home , had fixed up accommodation and promised to meet her at the station when she arrived . everything was arranged . as the train jerked to a halt and she joined the throng of passengers on the platform , Morag felt a thrill of anticipation . she had saved up for a long time for this holiday and she meant to enjoy every minute of it . Morag , my dear ! Miss Simpson , white-haired now and trim in silver-grey , met her at the barrier . how nice you &apos;re looking ! and so grown-up ! it &apos;s a while since you saw me last , the girl reminded her smilingly . almost two years . Miss Simpson laid her hand lightly on Morag &apos;s arm to guide her from the station . come along and we &apos;ll have a cup of tea before I take you to Grove House and hand you over to Miss Whelan . hand me over ? Morag was faintly alarmed . is it a hostel ? of course not ! the older woman &apos;s eyes were twinkling . Grove House is an excellent hotel for young business women . Miss Whelan &apos;s an old friend of mine , so I &apos;ve asked her to keep an eye on you . she sighed as they paused at the kerb . if only you could have come earlier I could have put you up at my flat . as it is , the removal men are coming on Monday and my sister expects me at Girvan . over tea in Fuller &apos;s Morag talked gaily about her plans . Miss Simpson smiled at her enthusiasm . it was a pleasure to meet her one-time charge again . she was only sorry she would not see more of her on this visit . time passed so quickly . she could hardly believe it was twenty-one years since Morag had been placed in her charge at Beechwood home . only five months old , and tragically bereft of both parents . although extensive inquiries were made at the time no trace was found of any relatives . Miss Simpson had taken the child to her heart . she had watched her grow into a likeable , happy little girl . it had been like losing someone of her own when the welfare committee decided to board Morag out with foster-parents in the north . it had all been for the best , of course . a home where she could become one of the family was better than the best institution . Mrs Robertson already had two orphaned children in her care at Balamore Farm , near Oban , and Morag made a welcome addition to the family . she had settled down happily at the farm . her schooling over , she found a job in an Oban shop . later , when Mrs Robertson felt less able to cope with three charges , Alison and Johnny Pedon returned to Glasgow . but Morag chose to remain in the north . she was nineteen when Mrs Robertson died . Miss Simpson had travelled from Glasgow to talk over her future with Mr Robertson and the local welfare Officer . agreeing that Morag should stay in Oban , they had found suitable lodgings for her in the town . Mr Robertson himself was giving up the farm and retiring to a cottage he had bought in Gairloch . it had seemed a wise decision at the time . Morag , bewildered and unhappy by this sudden change in the even tenor of her life , had raised no objections . but within the past year Miss Simpson fancied she detected a restless note in her letters . now Morag had come to Glasgow for a holiday . Miss Simpson studied the girl seated across the table from her in the busy tea room . in the years since they had last met she had grown into a charming young woman , with attractive , auburn hair and wide , gold-flecked grey eyes . I wish I were n&apos;t leaving you here on your own , my dear . Miss Simpson sounded anxious . will n&apos;t you be lonely ? I do n&apos;t think so , Morag replied . not more than anywhere else , she added after a moment &apos;s pause . Miss Simpson glanced shrewdly at the girl . so she had been right . Morag was unhappy in Oban . I wrote to Mrs Hendry and she &apos;s asked me out to Mosspark , Morag went on , clearly trying to change the subject . is n&apos;t it kind of her ? I - I &apos;ll never forget all she did for me long ago . then I &apos;d like to go to all the theatres and look round the shops . I &apos;ve got enough money for a completely new outfit and - you will need a full purse ! Miss Simpson laughed . have a good time then , dear . if you feel at a loose end after this week , you can always spend a few days with us at Girvan . it was nearly five o&apos;clock when they arrived at Grove House . it was a large , rambling building on a corner site in Queen &apos;s Drive , overlooking the park . Miss Whelan was a tall , fresh-complexioned woman . there was a glint of humour in her eyes that seemed to belie her rather forbidding manner . just in time for tea , Miss Baxter , she remarked . we have it early on Saturdays because the girls are always in a hurry to go out . would you like to take your case to your room right away ? Morag gave Miss Simpson a parting hug and promised to have lunch with her at her flat next day . then she followed the maid upstairs . she was delighted with her room , eyeing with approval the built-in cupboards and the small wash basin that stood in one corner . the carpet was a delicate shade of blue , and the flowered curtains matched the bedspread . the tea-bell rang before Morag had time to change . she ran a comb through her hair , applied some fresh lipstick , and went downstairs . Miss Whelan took her along to the dining-room and introduced her to a slim , dark-haired girl at a corner table . Miss Johnston has been here more than a year now , she explained . she &apos;ll soon make you feel at home . Morag smiled hesitantly as she sat down , searching her mind for some way of starting a conversation . she need not have worried , for Kathy Johnston was refreshingly free from shyness . within minutes she found out Morag was on holiday and went on to suggest what she should do and see in town . she broke off as they were joined by a slightly older girl with fluffy fairish hair and winged glasses that gave her an attractive , fawn-like appearance . this is Jean MacLean , said Kathy by way of introduction . Morag Baxter comes from Oban , Jean . she &apos;s only here for a fortnight and - give the poor girl a chance to get a word in ! Jean laughed . hullo , Morag ! nice to meet you ! Morag enjoyed the company of these two pleasant , friendly girls . she learned that Jean worked in a lawyer &apos;s office and was engaged to a young doctor doing his final year in hospital . Kathy Johnston was training as a junior buyer in Sturrock &apos;s , a large department store , and cheerfully admitted to having several boy friends . both girls belonged out of town and only managed to visit their families occasionally at week-ends . Morag found her own reserve crumbling . before the meal ended she had told her new friends a good deal about herself . Kathy &apos;s eyes widened sympathetically and she exchanged a glance with Jean . Oban &apos;s a lovely place , of course , she said slowly . but do n&apos;t you find it a bit lonely - especially in the winter ? well , I did n&apos;t until just lately , Morag replied , colouring a little . and I do n&apos;t have to stay there , you know . Kathy gave her a questioning glance , but made no comment . presently she and Jean took Morag into the lounge and told her about Grove House . it &apos;s better than coping on your own in some flatlet , Jean said emphatically . you get decent meals and there are no dishes to wash afterwards . all you &apos;ve got to do is pay your dues , keep your room tidy , and be back indoors at a reasonable hour . I reckon it &apos;s worth it . Miss Whelan &apos;s a dear too , Kathy put in . even if she does like to see all your boy friends ! the door opened just then and some of the other residents came into the lounge . Morag glanced casually at them , then her gaze was riveted on the last one to enter - a tall , blonde girl in a black tailored suit . she stared uncertainly for a moment , then almost unbelievingly as recognition dawned in her eyes . Alison ! her exclamation made the other girl turn sharply . I - I &apos;ve wondered so often if we &apos;d ever meet again , Morag went on . that &apos;s more than I ever did ! Alison Pedon told her , colouring guiltily as she spoke . do you two know each other ? Kathy asked . oh , yes . Alison pulled herself together and managed a cool smile . we met several years ago when I was staying in Oban . what on earth are you doing here , Morag ? I &apos;m on holiday . Morag was puzzled . staying in Oban ? why , Alison and her younger brother , John , had lived with her at the Robertsons &apos; farm for over six years ! I see . Alison shrugged indifferently . well , I hope you enjoy yourself . now you must excuse me . I &apos;m expecting a phone call . she turned on her heel and left the room . somewhat disturbed Morag sat down . it was painfully obvious that her former companion was anything but pleased to see her . strange you should know Alison , Kathy remarked , breaking the awkward silence . I suppose you met her at her folk &apos;s hotel in Oban ? Morag swallowed uneasily . whatever had Alison been telling everyone ? fortunately Jean hailed a friend at that moment and she was not called upon to answer Kathy . then someone switched on the television and she took the chance to go upstairs to unpack . she had only been in her room a few moments when there was a knock on the door . it was Alison Pedon , her fine eyebrows drawn and her eyes fixed on Morag accusingly . why did you come here ? she demanded as she brushed past Morag and came into the room . to Grove House of all places ! bridging the years . Morag shut the door . she had been embarrassed by Alison &apos;s rudeness a short time ago . 