Read Online Heartbreaker by Julie Morrigan - Free Book Online Page B

of stiff gins after seeing Dave the night before, so needed more time to get a clear head before driving. Driving with a hangover, or worse, half pissed, was for idiots. That’s how Fred, her oldest brother had died, getting up early after a bender and heading off before he was straight. Alex had identified his body. She’d never forget it. Her other brother Greg still wasn’t speaking to her; he blamed Alex at least in part for Fred’s death.
    Safely back at the George and Dragon, Alex sat at the bar sipping a pint of London Pride. It was quiet and she was chatting with Gerry Edwards. Gerry was famous for taking everything at his own pace. ‘He wouldn’t hurry if his arse was on fire,’ she’d heard more than one thirsty regular grumble.
    ‘So how’s it going up at the big house?’ asked Gerry.
    ‘Okay. How well do you know Johnny Burns?’
    ‘Pretty well. He normally pops in once or twice a week. I think he’s giving you a bit of space.’
    ‘He’s a regular?’
    ‘You could say that. Sometimes plays the piano for us.’
    Alex grinned. ‘Get out of town, I didn’t even know he could play piano.’
    ‘Oh, he can play, all right. Not as well as Colin Carson, mind you,’ said Gerry, enjoying himself. ‘But he can bang a tune out. When the two of them drop in, and more so when they’ve got Paul Scott with them, the old place fair rocks.’
    ‘So he joins in with village life, then?’
    Gerry nodded. ‘Very much. He made a hefty donation to the church roof fund, practically paid for the new one, and he helped paint the church hall when it needed doing. Not that he goes to church. But it’s a lovely old building and it’s part of the fabric of this place. He helps support the donkey sanctuary, too, and he got involved in the campaign to keep the primary school open. Wrote letters, you know?’
    ‘Really? He must be a bit of a hero round here, then?’
    ‘Yes, he’s a good lad. One of the nicest you’ll ever meet, but you’ll know that by now. We weren’t too sure when he first moved here, mind you, what with all those stories about drugs and women and busting up hotel rooms and that. But he hasn’t been any trouble. Just the press, really, took over the place when his mates died.’
    ‘Over here, Gerry, when you’re ready.’
    Gerry nodded and ambled off to serve another customer, leaving Alex with plenty to ponder on. Who’d have thought it; the wild man of rock painting the church hall.
     
     
     

Chapter 18
    Next day, Alex got to Johnny’s house for half past ten. She was surprised to be greeted by a young woman, around twenty, she judged. The woman looked Alex up and down, took in the spiky blonde crop, jeans and shades and rolled her eyes, then walked back into the house leaving Alex to close the door and follow on behind. ‘Come on in, he’s in here.’
    Bemused, Alex headed into the now familiar kitchen. The woman was attractive, but, if Sonia was anything to go by, not Johnny’s usual type. And there was something about her that Alex found familiar.
    ‘You didn’t tell me you had another one on the go.’ The young woman looked accusingly at Johnny, who was seated at the table. The evidence suggested they had just finished breakfast. ‘You might have warned me, Johnny.’ She sat back down and waited, looking from one to the other, waiting for an explanation.
    Johnny looked flustered. ‘Hi Alex, let me get you a coffee,’ he said, standing up. ‘This is Christabel, my eldest daughter. Chrissie, this is Alex; she’s writing the book I told you about.’
    Chrissie stared at Alex, momentarily speechless, as embarrassment replaced indignation. ‘Shit, I’m sorry, I just thought … you know …’
    Alex pushed her hand through her hair and took a good, hard look at the other woman. She had Johnny’s unruly brown hair, although tamed somewhat, and her eyes were a darker shade of blue. She shot Alex a smile and the resemblance was undeniable. ‘I really am sorry,’ she was