Love in Spring BoxSet

by Jenny Lane

  “Tina, what is it you want to tell me?” he asked as they settled themselves at their table in the restaurant.

  “I’ve told you I’m concerned about Letitia.”

  “Have you been to see her?”

  “No, but I’ve spoken with her on the phone. She wishes she’d never clapped eyes on Rhianna Delroy, I can tell you that.”

  Lawrence toyed with the stem of his wine-glass. He knew that Tina was an extremely good actress and was certain she was playing a role right now.

  “Strange,” he said. “That’s certainly not the impression I’ve got from talking with Tish. Actually, I’d have said it was completely the reverse. Remember, she was the one who got in touch with Rhianna and not the other way round.”

  Tina rested her chin on her hands. “Oh, I’m sure she did that on a whim. She wanted to see if Rhianna had the portrait - that was all.”

  “What is it with you and that portrait?” he asked. “Rhianna told me you were asking her about it.”

  Her ice-blue eyes narrowed. “Did she now? You know full well - because I’ve told you before - that it belongs to me. Now I know for sure that that girl has got it, I want it back.”

  “Tina, I can assure you that there is nothing that special about that portrait.”

  She looked startled. “Are you telling me that you’ve seen it?”

  “Absolutely. Rhianna showed it to me not so long ago. It’s a very good portrait, I’ll grant you that. Reg painted it, but I honestly don’t know what all the fuss is about.”

  Their starter arrived and they stopped talking and concentrated on their food. Lawrence wondered just what game Tina was playing. He felt uncomfortable.

  “Well, can’t you persuade Rhianna to give it to me?”

  “Give me one good reason why I should?”

  “Because it belonged to my mother and that girl’s father took it away with him when he left Brookhurst. The Soames family lived and died in Brookhurst and that’s where it belongs.”

  “And that’s your only reason?” he asked, giving her one of his most searching looks. “I’ve never known you to be sentimental before, Tina. If you think that picture is valuable then, I can assure you, it isn’t.”

  “It’s valuable to me, Laurie,”

  Her lip trembled and he actually believed her.

  “OK, so supposing Rhianna was persuaded to part with the painting, would that satisfy you?”

  “It would be a start, but for Letitia’s sake, it would be best if she stayed away from Brookhurst in future. You’ve become friendly with her. I’m sure she’d listen to you, darling.”

  He finished his garlic mushrooms before asking, “And what reason do you suggest I give her for doing so?”

  “Oh, I’m sure you can think of something. Letitia is far too nice a person to tell her, herself. Remember, we’re doing this for Letitia’s sake. It’s all been so traumatic that it’s making her ill.”

  Lawrence frowned. “Are you sure you’re not overstating things, Tina? After all, it’s not as if Rhianna is planning to move to Brookhurst, is it?”

  “How would I know? She seems to have ingratiated herself into Letitia’s life.”

  “If you want my frank opinion, I think you should leave well alone. Rhianna is an extremely nice girl and would never do anything to upset Tish.”

  Tina’s ice-blue eyes flickered. “She’s been raking up the past and that is bound to have an effect on Letitia.”

  Lawrence was beginning to lose his patience.

  “You know what I think, Tina? I think you’ve got a touch of the green-eyed monster.”

  He was gratified to note her heightened colour. The waiter removed their dishes and, a few minutes later, they were served with their main course. He decided to change the subject.

  “So tell, me Tina, why didn’t you go to Australia?”

  She raised her pencilled eyebrows. “Oh, Letitia told you, about that, did she?”

  “She certainly did and that she’d paid for your fare. She also told me you’d phoned her telling her you’d arrived safely.”

  Tina was examining her finger nails, which were painted with an interesting design of red and silver.

  “My plans didn’t work out - so I’ve decided to stay in London for the time-being. I thought it was easier to allow Tish to go on thinking I was in Australia.”

  Lawrence didn’t believe her. “I thought perhaps you needed to lose yourself for a while. There was a spot of trouble in Brookhurst a while back - a post office raid. Those people at the cottage were involved,” he said, watching her face closely.

  “Yes, I know. The police questioned me - wanted to know why those guys were so anxious to catch up with me, but I didn’t tell them.”

  “They found drugs at the cottage,” Lawrence said slowly.

  Tina opened her eyes wide. “Don’t look at me like that, darling! I haven’t done anything bad. I’m a reformed character these days.”

  She smiled. “I made Sandra give me the money she’d made from selling those things she’d stolen from Letitia’s. Dylan was furious - tried to get back at me by frightening Letitia.”

  She handed Lawrence an envelope. “Here - you can give Tish the money when you see her.”

  Lawrence frowned. “I won’t ask you how you got Sandra to part with her ill-gotten gains. And I suppose that was that why Dylan and his mates were so anxious to catch up with you? They obviously thought you were at the post office when they raided it.”

  Tina shrugged. “I wouldn’t know about that…Now, I fancy a spot of dancing, darling. How about taking me to Marco’s?”

  “Sorry, Tina. I’ve got things to do,” he told her firmly.

  She pouted. “Darling, you’re becoming a bore! Never mind, I’ve got a backup plan. I happen to know Sheila and Dean are there tonight…Oh, by the way, they told me they ran into you at The Silver Lake Hotel the other week with that girl. Thought for a minute we were back together again. Strange, we’re not the slightest bit alike.”

  “You have the same colouring,” he said carefully.

  Tina’s head shot up. “And that’s where the similarity ends, Laurie. I don’t wish to be associated with Rhianna Delroy in any way.”

  Lawrence was taken aback at the venom in her voice.

  Presently, he saw her into a taxi and heartily wished that he had refused to meet up with her that evening. Whatever had once been between them was no more than a distant memory and, some of that, was not at all pleasant. He turned his thoughts to Saturday’s wedding and Rhianna and immediately felt happier.

  *

  On Friday, Rhianna received an unexpected invitation. Lawrence phoned to say that he had to work for a couple of hours on Saturday morning, as he’d thought.

  “Didn’t you tell me you, Fiona and Dave were planning to travel by train?”

  “Yes, we thought it was the best arrangement.”

  “OK - so how about I meet you all at the station and give you a lift to the church?”

  After arranging a time, he then said, “As the wedding venue is nearer to my home than yours, my parents wondered if you’d like to spend the rest of the week-end at our home?”

  A little thrill of pleasure shot through her. “Yes, please. That’s a lovely idea.”

  *

  “Wow!” Fiona said when Rhianna told her. “He must be getting serious. I didn’t get to meet Dave’s parents until I’d been going out with him for several months.”

  Rhianna coloured slightly. “Stop reading things into the situation, Fi.”

  Fiona grinned and examined the sculpture she’d just finished critically.

  “Anyway, it’s a good job he’s meeting us. Means you can sling your overnight bag in his car. Otherwise you might have had to put your toothbrush and spare undies in the bottom of the carrier with the wedding present! You might well have forgotten and handed them over to Louise.”

  Rhianna chuckled. “Trust you to think of that! Come on Fi, we need to make a start on clearing
that room for Laurie. At the moment it’s full of clutter.”

  *

  The wedding was perfect. Louise was looking radiant. Rhianna, sitting beside Lawrence, reached out for his hand, as the happy couple kissed at the end of the service. He turned and gave her a smile that melted her heart.

  The reception at a nearby hotel was splendid. Rhianna was delighted that Lawrence had been able to come. He was looking devastatingly good-looking in his silver-grey suit with a crisp white shirt and a pale blue cravat. She loved the way his chestnut hair fell forward over his forehead. Their eyes met and held.

  “That’s a lovely outfit,” he told her. “I haven’t seen you in that colour before.”

  Her dress was in a delicate mixture of green and blue with a short, green, wool jacket over the top. She’d found a small hat to match and navy shoes.

  After the speeches and toasts, Louise came across to her friends with her new husband Liam.

  “We’re so pleased you could come, I’m having such a wonderful day and all my friends are making it extra special. When we get back from our honeymoon we must all meet up for a meal.”

  “You’ve got a really nice set of friends,” Lawrence told her when the happy couple had moved away.

  “Yes, they’re a great crowd. We all get on so well together.”

  Presently, they danced and, as they nestled close together, she felt sublimely happy. All too soon, they were standing outside waving as the couple reappeared before leaving on their honeymoon in the Bahamas.

  Suddenly Louise threw her bouquet in Rhianna’s direction and she caught it laughingly. It was a beautiful bouquet of cream and pale pink roses and Rhianna’s heart was full of joy.

  Soon afterwards, they left and Lawrence drove her to Buckinghamshire. His parents welcomed her into their home, as if she were one of the family.

  “What a gorgeous bouquet. I take it that was the bride’s? I’ll pop it in some water shall I?” Mary asked a twinkle in her eyes.

  “Yes, please but, actually, I’d like you to have it.”

  Mary beamed with delight at Rhianna’s gesture. After they’d had some supper, Rhianna was shown into an attractive bedroom and fell asleep almost as soon as her head touched the pillow.

  The following morning, breakfast was a leisurely affair. Everyone helped to clear away and wash up, but then Mary banished Rhianna and Lawrence from the kitchen.

  “Take Rhianna to see the sights. Lunch is at one thirty, your father will lend a hand if need be, won’t you, dear?”

  Ralph looked up from his newspaper, nodded and winked at them.

  “The sights!” Lawrence said, with a rueful grin, as he closed the front door. “That means a brisk walk round the houses, the shopping precinct and a stroll through the park. No time for a drive if we’re to be back in time for lunch!”

  Rhianna smiled. She didn’t care where she went, as long as it was with Lawrence. She tucked her arm through his and they set off.

  “You can see why I prefer Brookhurst - this place is so residential.”

  “It’s quiet and very pleasant though,” she commented, looking around her at the rows of neat houses set in a landscaped environment.

  They walked past the shops until they reached the small park. It was still too cold to sit about. The borders were full of daffodils that would shortly be replaced by tulips. One or two trees were already opening out into delicate pink and white blossom.

  “You and I never did have that conversation,” Lawrence said suddenly.

  She pretended she didn’t know what he was alluding to.

  “What conversation would that be?”

  “Whatever it was that upset you so badly that night at the Silver-Lake Hotel.”

  “Oh, that - I’ve got a feeling you know, as well as I do, what it was about.”

  He squeezed her arm. “Why don’t you just run it past me?”

  She took a deep breath and didn’t look at him. “Your friend, Sheila, mistook me for Tina! Is that why you are going out with me, Laurie, because I remind you of Tina?”

  There, she’d said it now. He stood stock-still in the middle of the path and stared at her, as if he couldn’t believe his ears.

  “You think that I - Rhia are you telling me that you believe…No, you’re mistaken! Oh Rhia, how could you think such a thing?”

  He wrapped his arms about her, oblivious of the cold and passers-by, and kissed her as if he never meant to stop.

  “There, have I convinced you?” he asked at last.

  She buried her head against his shoulder, reached up and entwined her fingers in his chestnut hair. She loved the smell of him, the spicy tang of his cologne.

  “Mmm,” she breathed, rubbing his cheek with the back of her hand. “I think you might have done - just for the time-being.”

  He clasped her hand in his, and they walked briskly back through the park stopping to admire a small fountain.

  “So was that it?” he asked, looking at her with his unusual jade-green eyes.

  She shook her head. “No, but it’s connected. It’s difficult for me to put it into words, but I suppose I’m going to have to.”

  They’d reached the precinct again and stopped outside of a small café.

  “Let’s go and have a hot drink to warm ourselves up,” he suggested.

  It was a clean little café with metal tables and chairs. He ordered two hot chocolates and a couple of flapjacks.

  “Come on; let’s hear the rest of this. I think you’ve been keeping it to yourself for far too long and that we need to discuss it before we go to Brookhurst again.”

  Their drinks arrived and, for a moment, she warmed her hands on the glass and then she said in a rush, “Whatever caused my father to leave Brookhurst must have been very serious. Obviously, the resemblance between me and Christina is strong enough to get me mistaken for her. I truly don’t want to believe this, Laurie, but, what if Tina is related to me? Both Anna Soames and my father were fair and had blue eyes.”

  He nodded. “The thought had crossed my mind and I know Letitia has wondered herself, but perhaps it would be best to leave well alone.”

  “That’s what Tina said but, no, I need to know the truth, Laurie. At least Letitia owes it to me, to tell me what she knows.”

  He looked serious. “And supposing you don’t like what she has to tell you?”

  “Well, whatever it is won’t change the fact that no-one seems to know for sure who Tina’s father is.”

  He nodded. “Let’s go to Brookhurst next week-end - have another chat with Letitia. And, Rhia…”

  She looked at him, her blue eyes moist.

  “Whatever happened in the past is not going to make any difference to us, I promise.”

  “That’s all right then because I couldn’t bear it if it did. Thanks for listening, Laurie, I feel better now it’s out in the open.”

  “Thank you for sharing it with me. I realise it can’t have been easy for you, but these things happen in families - just remember that. In the past, it was so much more difficult. Nowadays, folk are far more accepting of situations.”

  Rhianna knew he was right, but somehow it didn’t make the knowledge any easier for her to bear. Presently, they walked back to Lawrence’s home. Mary had cooked a wonderful roast dinner and the family atmosphere helped Rhianna to take her mind off things.

  *

  It was mid-afternoon when Lawrence drove Rhianna back to Hertfordshire. She suddenly felt a bit of an anti-climax, after the euphoria of the previous day.

  “I really like your parents, Laurie. You’re so lucky.”

  “Yes, I appreciate that. I’m glad you stayed. It was good that you all got to know each other.”

  She wondered how Mary and Ralph Lorimer had got on with Tina and if they saw any similarity between the two of them.

  When they arrived at her home, Lawrence took her bag in, but before either of them could say anything, his mobile rang. Rhianna realised from the tone of the conversation that it was
something serious.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked anxiously, as soon as he’d finished the call.

  Lawrence’s expression was sombre. “A very good friend of mine has been involved in a motorbike accident. That was his wife ringing from the hospital. She sounded frantic… Rhia, I’m so sorry, I’ll have to go. Their family live away. They’re going to need my support.”

  “Yes, of course. Would you like a hot drink or I could get you a flask.”

  He shook his head, kissed her swiftly and made for the door. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I can,” he called over his shoulder. “Take care. It’s been a lovely week-end - sorry it had to end this way.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  It was Monday lunchtime before Lawrence got back to her, and then it was just a brief call to say his friend had come through the worst, but had broken his leg and had other injuries. Lawrence hoped he wouldn’t need to postpone the visit to Brookhurst, and would phone again later in the week.

  “He’s such a considerate chap, isn’t he?” Fiona remarked. “What a wretched thing to have happened. Will you go on your own - if he can’t make it?”

  “I’m not sure,” Rhianna told her. “I want to see my grandmother again, but I’d rather have gone with Laurie… Now, have we got enough materials for the Art and Craft class on Friday?”

  Fiona had already left when the gallery phone rang. Rhianna recognised the voice at once. It was Tina Soames.

  “Hallo Rhianna - I was wondering if you’d had any more thoughts about handing back my mother’s portrait,” she said without preamble.

  “Not really. I’m afraid I’ve been too busy in other directions. There’s no rush, is there?” Rhianna asked, playing for time.

  “I would appreciate it if you’d let me take a look at it. I could come to the gallery.”

  “I’m afraid that isn’t convenient this week,” Rhianna said firmly. “I’ll let you know when would be a good time, if you’ll give me your number.”

  “Oh, that won’t be necessary, I’ll keep in touch or you can give Laurie a message for me. We had such a lovely evening last Thursday, did he mention it? It was my birthday and he took me out to dinner.”