Shining River — Lucy Walker

Lucy Walker - Shining River
(First published 1954, as by Dorothy Lucie Sanders)
Esther and Oliver grew up together in Pepper Tree Bay. She was shy and lonely,oppressed by her parents' strange personalities, he was wild and adventurous and fascinated by this forlorn child so different from himself. Time and circumstances parted them. Esther went to live in formidable Mrs. Riccard's mansion, and Oliver left for the country to find work. There he met Hilary, also growing up the hard way.But Oliver never forgot his childhood companion. On his return to Pepper Tree Bay,he and Esther found that in spite of the intervening years and all the obstacles in their way, there was still a bond between them too strong to be broken..........
Oliver stopped in the archway. He had seen Esther cross the foyer. He made no move towards her, but I knew he had not forgotten. She had seen him, too, but had not recognized him. She began to walk away. Then suddenly she stopped, turned her head and looked at him.

Oliver's mouth remained stubborn. His eyes were black as dead pools. Esther blushed, hesitated... and turned away. She had lost him.