by Jenny Lane
“So Laurie, have you had a chance to take a look at any properties since you’ve been here?” Letitia asked over their meal.
“No, I’m afraid not. I’ve been quite busy sorting out Ron’s new website. Hopefully, tomorrow, I’ll get an opportunity - although I’m not holding my breath.”
“It’s a pity the cottage is occupied.”
He shook his head. “I wouldn’t want to go back there, Tish, too many memories. No, I want to start afresh. If it means waiting for the right place to turn up then I’m just going to have to be patient.”
There was something Rhianna wanted to know.
“So where are you living at the moment?”
“Not far from you in Buckinghamshire. I’m staying with my parents.”
Her heart leapt, as she realised it was possible she might see him again in the near future. All her good resolutions had gone to the wind since she’d discovered Lawrence was not her enemy. Well, a girl was entitled to change her mind, wasn’t she?
“Tell me some more about your gallery, Rhianna,” Letitia said.
“Well, it’s in a cottage in the high street. It’s quite small, but there’s an upstairs which we use for storage and, when we’ve got sufficient funds, we’re going to expand. We hold workshops and do a few courses on decoupage - that sort of thing.”
“So what have you got in mind for expansion?”
Rhianna enthused about the ideas she and Fiona had had. How, at present, they couldn’t have any one exhibition for more than a month, due to the limited amount of space.
“We’ve even thought about serving teas and coffee – perhaps cakes and scones.”
Rhianna suddenly saw the stern expression on Lawrence’s face. Meeting his gaze, she encountered eyes as hard as granite. She turned hot and cold. Whatever had she said to make him react like this? And it suddenly dawned on her what it might be. Surely he couldn’t imagine for one minute that she was angling for some money to pay for the expansion?
She thought about the comments he had made about being protective towards Letitia. A wave of anger surged through her as she realised she was right. How dare he? She had to bite her tongue to prevent herself from challenging him there and then. Just because Christina Soames had fleeced her grandmother, he couldn’t put her, Rhianna, in the same category.
Rhianna lowered her gaze so that she wouldn’t have to meet his. Up until then she had been enjoying the meal but now it tasted like sawdust in her mouth. She reached for her drink and took a large sip which made her choke.
“Are you all right, dear,” Letitia asked in concern.
“Absolutely,” she assured her, when she’d got her breath back. “It just went down the wrong way.” She reached for a tissue and wiped her streaming eyes.
Fortunately, the conversation turned to village affairs and the concert the previous evening. As they sat over coffee Letitia said, “I was wondering. I would so much like to see Mavis Blackett. Would it be too much to ask for one of you to run me to the hospital?”
The hospital was in the opposite direction from the Drunken Duck and Rhianna offered to drive the elderly lady. Lawrence said he needed to do a couple of hours work on Ron’s website that afternoon and sent his regards.
Rhianna decided she would catch up with him later and put things straight. There was no way she was going to allow him to go on thinking that she wanted to take advantage of Letitia. It sickened her to think that he had such a low opinion of her. A pity she thought, just as she was really beginning to enjoy his company.
*
Mavis had been moved to a medical ward. She was sitting in a chair reading the newspaper when they arrived. She greeted Letitia affectionately and looked enquiringly at Rhianna.
“This is my granddaughter, Rhianna,” Letitia told her proudly. “I told you her name was Rhianna Soames but it’s really Rhianna Delroy.”
She explained briefly and Rhianna took Mavis’ hand and told her how sorry she was about what had happened.
“But Irene tells me if it hadn’t been for you I might have been lying on that floor for hours and poor Lizzie was quite helpless to do anything.”
“I can’t help blaming myself,” Letitia told her friend. “If only I hadn’t used the name Soames. I’m almost certain those men thought it was Tina.”
“Now, now, Tish. It’s no good speculating. It was more than likely just opportunists.”
“Then why did they ask for me?” Rhianna asked.
Mavis shrugged. “I have no idea. It’s all a bit of a mystery, isn’t it? Anyway, I’m well on the mend - so you really mustn’t worry about me, either of you.” She indicated the vase of colourful blooms on the locker.
“And thank you for those lovely flowers, Rhianna. So thoughtful of you…I’ve got an unexpected holiday with my son and daughter-in-law - so that can’t be bad, can it?”
Rhianna continued to think there was more to the raid than opportunists but decided to keep her thoughts to herself.
“Did they take a lot of money?” Letitia wanted to know.
“Fortunately only about three hundred pounds. It could have been a great deal worse. I’ve been worrying about how folk will get their pensions and benefits, but apparently, Mr Jones is going to help out until I’m fit enough to come home. I’m only sorry that I couldn’t put you up, dear. I’d have liked a bit of company.”
“Well, I’ll be coming to see my grandmother again,” Rhianna told her.
“But she’ll be staying at Wisteria Lodge next time round with me. Irene Blake has offered give me a bit of help around the house.”
Mavis nodded approvingly. “Well, I’m sure she’ll do a better job than that other girl you employed. What was her name?”
“Sandra. Oh, she was alright - just a bit dizzy. I just wish I knew what had happened to her.”
“Wasn’t she related to those tenants of yours in the cottage?”
“That’s right. The chap, Dylan, was her brother.”
After they’d been there about half an hour, Mavis’ brother and wife turned up and Letitia took this as a signal to leave. It was late afternoon by the time they arrived back at Wisteria Lodge. Rhianna declined Letitia’s offer of a cup of tea and arranged to see her the following day. There was something she needed to do.
Lawrence was not in the bar and Rhianna marched upstairs and knocked purposefully on his door, hoping he was in. The door shot open and he stood there looking preoccupied.
“Oh, good, I needed to have a word with you, Rhia.”
“And I wanted one with you,” she told him, firmly.
He stood back and she charged into the room.
“I need to make one thing absolutely clear, Lawrence Lorimer,” she began.
He folded his arms. “Go on.”
She took a deep breath. “I could see what was going through your mind when we were having lunch and I was talking about the gallery and how we have plans to expand it one day.”
She could see she had taken the wind out of his sails.
“Right – so you’re a mind-reader are you?” he asked in a dangerously calm voice.
He wasn’t going to browbeat her. She drew herself up to her full five feet four inches and met his cool green stare.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I could tell that you disapproved of the conversation – no doubt thought I was hoping that Letitia, at the very least, would offer me a loan. Go on that’s what you were thinking, wasn’t it?”
His green eyes narrowed. “If you say so. Perhaps it had crossed my mind. After all, Letitia’s got a reputation for being a soft touch. Tina and her friends cheated her over and over and I have no intention of standing by and letting it happen again.”
She gripped his arm furiously. “How dare you judge me on such a short acquaintance! You know absolutely nothing about me.”
His eyes blazed. “Exactly, but I do know Letitia Delroy far better than you. She only wants to see the good in people and, as I’ve told you before, I don’t want to see her get hurt ever again.”
She swallowed. “I have absolutely no intention of…You’ve misread the situation. She asked me about the gallery. I was telling her. What was I supposed to do – lie?”
He looked at her uncertainly, wondering if he had misjudged her.
“No - no, of course not. If I’ve misconstrued things then I’m truly sorry.”
And, suddenly, she was in his arms and his fingers were gently stroking her hair and then caressing her face and throat.
For a moment she allowed herself to enjoy the closeness. She felt safe and secure. She could feel the warmth of his body against hers, smell the freshness of his cologne, but then as his face moved towards her and his lips brushed hers, she came to her senses and pulled away.
“What do you think you’re doing!” she demanded angrily and pummelled his chest. “You men are all the same; think of one thing as being the cure for everything. Well, I’ve got news for you! You’ve picked on the wrong person!”
“So, I see. Well, that’s told me,” he said, frankly stunned by her reaction. She had behaved like a wildcat. “I’m sorry. I’ll mind my manners in future.”
The fight went out of her and tears trembled on her lashes. She shook her head as if to shake them away. “You needn’t think you’re the only one recovering from a broken relationship,” she said and made for the door just as someone knocked on it loudly.
“Lawrence, are you there?” came Ron’s voice. “Can you come? There’s been a development concerning those raiders.”
“I’m here as well - so you can tell both of us,” Rhianna told him, whipping open the door and staring at him expectantly.
Ron’s pale blue eyes were bulging with excitement.
“They’ve arrested that couple from your grandmother’s cottage, Rhianna. It probably explains why Sandra left - the girl who helped her round the house. She was the fellow’s sister. Anyway, I reckon the police will be wanting to question Mrs Delroy and thought you might like to warn her, Lawrence.”
“We’ll both go,” Rhianna said, before he had a chance to reply. “Give me five minutes.”
She dashed to the bathroom and splashed water on her face and ran a comb through her hair. She needed to look composed.
Lawrence was sitting on the window-seat on the landing waiting for her. It was as if the episode between them hadn’t happened. There were more important things to think about for the moment and they had to put their own differences to one side.
*
“The police have just phoned,” Letitia told them when they arrived. “You’ve no idea how relieved I am to see the pair of you. Whatever is going to happen next?”
Over copious cups of tea the story was pieced together. The police officers were very patient with Letitia who was visibly shaken.
“Sandra was a willing enough girl and did her job to the best of her ability but after she’d left, I suddenly discovered several things had gone missing. Nothing of that much value - just trinkets - but it was upsetting all the same. It explains how those – those people knew Rhianna was going to be staying at the Post Office. Sandra must have overheard me talking on the phone to Mrs Blackett.”
“Our belief is she thought it was Christina Soames you were talking about,” the police officer said quietly.
Letitia sighed. “Tina, well, yes, the thought had crossed my mind, but she’s in Australia and anyway, what would they want with her?”
“That’s what we’d like to know, but she obviously knew them,” he said sternly. “She was seen visiting them at the cottage. I have to tell you, Mrs Delroy that Christina Soames hasn’t arrived in Australia. We actually have reason to believe she’s still in England, so if you do hear from her, please get in touch on this number.”
After the police had gone, Letitia sank onto the sofa and Tansy jumped on her lap. Letitia stroked her absently.
“Whatever do they want with Tina?” she asked tiredly. “Oh, Laurie, it never stops where that young woman is concerned. Whatever has she got herself mixed up with now?”
“It might not be anything,” he said soothingly, “just that she obviously knew those two at the cottage and it was apparent they were anxious to find her for some reason.”
It sounded weird to Rhianna and, even as Lawrence uttered the words, she could tell that he was unconvinced. He was obviously just trying to placate Letitia.
“That Sandra must have known what was going on. That’s obviously why she left. I wonder what sort of state they’ve left the cottage in. I’ll have to get all the locks changed, won’t I, Laurie?” Letitia said worriedly.
“Now, you’re not to worry about all that. We’ll take a look tomorrow and sort things out, won’t we, Rhianna?”
“What? Oh, yes, of course, although probably the police will be taking a look too so we might not get the opportunity.”
Lawrence nodded his head. “Ron is absolutely in his element. There’s never been so much excitement in Brookhurst and it’s drawing in the punters.”
Letitia suddenly brightened. “Well, stay and have some tea now that you’re here. Mrs Dalton gave me such a lovely lemon drizzle cake when she visited the other day. There’s ham and bread in the fridge. I’m sure you could make a few sandwiches, Rhianna.”
Rhianna, glad of an opportunity to escape went off to the kitchen. If Ron thought he was having a lot of excitement he ought to be in her shoes. She didn’t seem to have time to sort out one situation before the next one arose.
She busied herself making sandwiches and finding a plate for the cake. She was beginning to feel a little foolish regarding Lawrence. She knew that the problem was that she was extremely vulnerable and that it would be all too easy to rush headlong into another relationship and get hurt all over again.
Lawrence was a devastatingly attractive man. She had to concede with Fiona on that point. She was aware of a certain magnetism; those green eyes that changed with his mood, the touch of his hand on hers and the rich chestnut hair falling over his forehead. To say nothing of his physique!
She pulled herself together sharply. No, she would not allow herself to get involved. It would only lead to more heartache. If she’d let him kiss her, she knew there would be no turning back. It would be like being sucked into a whirlpool from which there was no escape and she had no intention of letting that happen.
The subject of her thoughts appeared in the doorway at that moment.
He saluted. “Reporting for duty, Ma’am. I’ve been sent to carry in the plates.”
She had to smile. “It’s all ready. She indicated the laden tray. “I’ve just got the tea to make.”
“It’s years since I ate a proper Sunday tea,” he told her, a twinkle in his eyes. “Sorry you’ve been forced to endure even more of my company.”
The colour tinged her cheeks. It was now or never.
“No, I’m sorry, Laurie. I don’t know what came over me. It’s just that everything’s happening so quickly.”
His expression softened. “I know and you are finding it all a bit much. Well, let’s hope we can sort things out quickly at the cottage and then I suspect you’ll be wending your way home.”
She nodded. “Fiona’s trying to organise some workshops and she’ll need my input. It wouldn’t be fair for me to leave her too long. There’s the online business as well.”
“Yes, and I’ve got a few other calls to make too. Things that I postponed in order to come here.” He stretched out his hand.
“I hope we can part on good terms.”
She took his hand and caught her breath at the contact. “Absolutely. I’m grateful to you for looking out for my grandmother,” she told him. It felt as if her hand was being scorched. “The kettles’ boiling,” she said and turned away, her heart heavy.
Chapter Five
The following morning Rhianna accompanied Lawrence to the cottage. There was still an official presence - presumably, the CID Rhianna decided - and so they weren’t allowed in.
“We’ll be finished in a day or so. I
’m afraid it’s in a bit of a mess, but there’s no structural damage,” one of the men said.
“Poor Letitia. It seems to be one thing after another,” Rhianna said, feeling a surge of sympathy for her grandmother.
“Certainly does,” Lawrence agreed. “Well, there’s not much point hanging around here, is there? Nothing we can do for the moment.”
She shook her head and stood for a minute looking at the whitewashed cottage with its green shutters. The flower borders were a mass of snowdrops and yellow crocuses and already green daffodil spikes were poking through the soil.
“It’s very picturesque, isn’t it?”
Lawrence had a faraway look in his eye.
“Yes, you should just see it in the summer when the roses are climbing up that trellis. It’s enchanting then. Absolutely chocolate box.”
“I can imagine.” She hesitated and then said in a rush, “I’ve arranged to see Letitia this afternoon. Perhaps I’ll take a walk before then – unless, didn’t you say you intended to look at some properties this morning?”
“Yeah – why, do you fancy coming with me?” Lawrence seemed pleased. “You’d get to see a bit more of Brookhurst that way.”
“Why not?” She tried to sound casual. “I’m only sorry that I can’t help with the clearing up here, but I’ve told Fiona I’ll be returning on Wednesday at the latest. We’ve got a workshop on Friday. I’ve no idea how she’s set it up so quickly, but that’s Fiona for you.”
“What sort of workshop?” He appeared genuinely interested.
“Pottery decorating. It’s the school’s half-term. We’ve had one before and it proved popular. The children choose plates, mugs or dishes all in plain white and then they personalise them. It’s good fun.”
“Sounds it. I’m all for anything creative and hands on for youngsters. It’s far better than them being stuck in front of a computer all day.”
“Absolutely,” she agreed. “They leave their stuff with us for a couple of days to finish off in the kiln and then it’s ready to use. The kiddies come with their parents who seem to enjoy it equally as much.”
Lawrence looked thoughtful. “And do they just turn up or must they book?”
