think the same as Jill - that she had an ulterior motive for tracking down her grandmother - ultimate financial gain? Was that what Lawrence thought too?
“I’m surprised you’re thinking of moving back here,” Jill said, as they stood looking at the beautifully appointed but very clinical kitchen in white and stainless steel.
“Oh, I think Brookhurst has got a certain charm all of its own,” he told her. “Anyway, I’ve made a lot of friends here.”
Presently, as they wandered round the landscaped garden, Lawrence said, “The problem is that nothing will ever compare with the cottage. It was perfect.”
“And you really wouldn’t consider living there again?”
His face had a closed expression. “No, there are too many memories.”
She nodded, realising that he didn’t want to talk about it. Lawrence told the Yates that he’d been in touch and they retraced their steps to the car.
“Let’s get one thing straight, Lawrence,” Rhianna told him as she buckled up her seat belt. “I’m not a gold-digger. I didn’t visit my grandmother in the hopes she’d leave me anything. For all I knew she was a pauper.”
“She’s hardly that, but she’s not wealthy either.” He squeezed her arm. “You mustn’t mind Jill. She speaks her mind, and I suppose it is a pretty unusual situation you turning up out of the blue like this.”
Rhianna had to agree. “But the point is that Letitia contacted me and not the other way round.”
“Yes, I realise that and, eventually everyone else will too.”
On the way back, Lawrence pointed out the farm shop and, seeing there was a café, Rhianna had an idea.
“I wonder if Letitia would like a spin out this afternoon - then she could select her own produce and I could take her for tea.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. I’d offer to join you but I’ve arranged to see a mate of Ron’s who’s got a problem with his computer.”
When they arrived back at The White Unicorn , Rhianna looked at her watch.
“Have you got time for a quick lunch – my treat?”
To her secret delight he agreed and they sat in at a quiet corner table enjoying bowls of steaming soup and chunks of crusty bread.
“So what shall I tell Letitia about the cottage?” she asked, breaking off a piece of bread.
“Oh, just say it’s all in hand so she’s no need to worry. I’ll explain everything tomorrow when I call to see her. Can’t be specific but it’ll be sometime in the afternoon.”
He leant towards her and lowered his voice.
“Rhianna, that picture your grandmother asked you about – the portrait of Anna Soames…”
She looked at him spoon poised. “What about it? If you know something tell me, because I’ve got a feeling it holds a clue to a lot of things I don’t understand.”
He helped himself to more bread. “Yes, I’m sure you’re right, but I’m afraid I don’t know any more than you - except your grandmother is most anxious that you keep it safe.”
“Why? Whatever can be so important about it? She can have the wretched thing for all I care. Do you know who painted it?”
He had a good idea but preferred not to say anything until he was sure.
“Tish doesn’t want the painting at Wisteria Lodge . She thinks it’s best if you keep it in your possession for the time-being.”
Rhianna was suddenly tired of the whole affair.
“I’ve a good mind to get rid of it,” she told him.
“No – no don’t do that,” he said more loudly than he intended - so that people on the next table looked in their direction.
They lapsed into silence and then he said quietly. “Rhianna, if ever you feel in trouble, feel free to ring me. You can reach me on my mobile.”
She felt that odd little shiver of fear again.
“Trouble - why should I…?” But she took the card he proffered and stowed it carefully in her handbag. “Thanks, I’ll do that.”
Presently, he got to his feet. “Thanks for the soup, Rhia. It really hit the spot. Now I must dash but
“I’m surprised you’re thinking of moving back here,” Jill said, as they stood looking at the beautifully appointed but very clinical kitchen in white and stainless steel.
“Oh, I think Brookhurst has got a certain charm all of its own,” he told her. “Anyway, I’ve made a lot of friends here.”
Presently, as they wandered round the landscaped garden, Lawrence said, “The problem is that nothing will ever compare with the cottage. It was perfect.”
“And you really wouldn’t consider living there again?”
His face had a closed expression. “No, there are too many memories.”
She nodded, realising that he didn’t want to talk about it. Lawrence told the Yates that he’d been in touch and they retraced their steps to the car.
“Let’s get one thing straight, Lawrence,” Rhianna told him as she buckled up her seat belt. “I’m not a gold-digger. I didn’t visit my grandmother in the hopes she’d leave me anything. For all I knew she was a pauper.”
“She’s hardly that, but she’s not wealthy either.” He squeezed her arm. “You mustn’t mind Jill. She speaks her mind, and I suppose it is a pretty unusual situation you turning up out of the blue like this.”
Rhianna had to agree. “But the point is that Letitia contacted me and not the other way round.”
“Yes, I realise that and, eventually everyone else will too.”
On the way back, Lawrence pointed out the farm shop and, seeing there was a café, Rhianna had an idea.
“I wonder if Letitia would like a spin out this afternoon - then she could select her own produce and I could take her for tea.”
“That’s a wonderful idea. I’d offer to join you but I’ve arranged to see a mate of Ron’s who’s got a problem with his computer.”
When they arrived back at The White Unicorn , Rhianna looked at her watch.
“Have you got time for a quick lunch – my treat?”
To her secret delight he agreed and they sat in at a quiet corner table enjoying bowls of steaming soup and chunks of crusty bread.
“So what shall I tell Letitia about the cottage?” she asked, breaking off a piece of bread.
“Oh, just say it’s all in hand so she’s no need to worry. I’ll explain everything tomorrow when I call to see her. Can’t be specific but it’ll be sometime in the afternoon.”
He leant towards her and lowered his voice.
“Rhianna, that picture your grandmother asked you about – the portrait of Anna Soames…”
She looked at him spoon poised. “What about it? If you know something tell me, because I’ve got a feeling it holds a clue to a lot of things I don’t understand.”
He helped himself to more bread. “Yes, I’m sure you’re right, but I’m afraid I don’t know any more than you - except your grandmother is most anxious that you keep it safe.”
“Why? Whatever can be so important about it? She can have the wretched thing for all I care. Do you know who painted it?”
He had a good idea but preferred not to say anything until he was sure.
“Tish doesn’t want the painting at Wisteria Lodge . She thinks it’s best if you keep it in your possession for the time-being.”
Rhianna was suddenly tired of the whole affair.
“I’ve a good mind to get rid of it,” she told him.
“No – no don’t do that,” he said more loudly than he intended - so that people on the next table looked in their direction.
They lapsed into silence and then he said quietly. “Rhianna, if ever you feel in trouble, feel free to ring me. You can reach me on my mobile.”
She felt that odd little shiver of fear again.
“Trouble - why should I…?” But she took the card he proffered and stowed it carefully in her handbag. “Thanks, I’ll do that.”
Presently, he got to his feet. “Thanks for the soup, Rhia. It really hit the spot. Now I must dash but
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