Read Online Brought to Book by Anthea Fraser - Free Book Online Page A

if any of the masters who taught him are still there, but he kept in touch with a few of his school friends, and several university colleagues. We could go through his Christmas card list – that would give their addresses.’
    As the morning progressed, Rona changed the tape more than once, and her notebook also began to fill up with jottings. Gus slept peacefully in front of the fire and Meriel at last began to relax.
    â€˜How will you plan the book?’ she asked interestedly. ‘I mean, will you work chronologically, or start from a certain point in his life and work back and forth?’
    â€˜I don’t usually decide until after the first few interviews,’ Rona replied. ‘Personally, though, I’m put off by biographies that delve into a long family history before you even get to the person you’re interested in.’
    Meriel nodded agreement. ‘It would be pointless in this case, anyway; Theo’s forebears weren’t of particular note.’
    â€˜Of course, I’d want to say a fair bit about his parents, because their attitude towards him would have had a significant bearing on his character.’
    â€˜Frances was nearly forty when he was born,’ Meriel said reflectively, ‘and he certainly wasn’t planned. According to Tristan and Phoebe, she spoiled him appallingly. I think they resented him taking up so much of her time, though I believe his father was quite strict.’
    There was something to be said for being a twin, Rona reflected; at least you were on an equal footing.
    The clock on the mantelpiece chimed twelve.
    â€˜Perhaps this would be a good time to stop,’ Meriel suggested. ‘Lunch isn’t till half-past, but I think we’re ready for a break. Would you like a sherry?’
    She went over to a cabinet and poured out two glasses. ‘We’ve covered quite a lot of ground, haven’t we?’ she remarked, handing one to Rona.
    â€˜Yes, but one more question if I may, before we stop: have you any of – Theo’s – private papers? Letters, diaries, that kind of thing?’
    â€˜No letters, I’m afraid – we never exchanged any – but he was always writing to other people. I’m sure you could track some down. Lucky for you he didn’t use a computer, or half of them would have been emails and lost for ever!’
    She sipped her sherry. ‘Diaries, however, I can supply; there’s a whole stack of them in the study. He kept one from an early age, and told me once that he wrote freely and uninhibitedly about everything that interested him – impressions of people he met, ideas for books, and so on. They were to be the basis of the autobiography he intended to write one day.’
    â€˜They sound like absolute gold dust.’
    â€˜I should warn you, though, that parts of the later ones are in code.’
    â€˜Code?’ Rona repeated incredulously, but before Meriel could elaborate, the sound of the doorbell reached them, and she frowned.
    â€˜Who on earth can that be? I specifically arranged to keep today free.’
    They were not left long in doubt. A sound of voices, a tap on the door, and it opened to admit the large, smiling figure of Justin Grant.

Four
    H e surveyed them blandly. ‘I hope I’m not interrupting anything,’ he said.
    â€˜Justin!’ Meriel exclaimed. ‘I wasn’t expecting you; I told you I was tied up with Rona today.’
    â€˜I know, sweetie, but I thought you might need some moral support. It can’t be easy, reviving painful memories.’
    â€˜A kind thought, but totally unnecessary,’ Meriel returned briskly. ‘Furthermore, you’ve put me in an awkward position, arriving just now. We’re about to have lunch, and I’m afraid it will only stretch to two.’
    â€˜Apologies for the timing; I’d have been here earlier, but I had a string of phone calls. No problem about lunch, though; I