Deceit of Angels by Julia Bell Read Free Book Online Page A

want to think about her husband and her life in Wakefield so the rest of
the meal was spent in telling them about how much she enjoyed her job, the
wonderful atmosphere that permeated through the house in Bishop Sutton as the
summer wove its magic.  She had helped Jason plan the trips to the seaside with
Hollie and organise the barbecues that were held in the garden and were
presided over by Ben.  Anna had watched with delight as he cooked the sausages
and burgers over the flames, sporting the rather risqué apron depicting a nude
man with a fig leaf over the necessary parts of his anatomy. 
    Mrs
Wilby was always busy in the kitchen, preparing salads and quiches, the
mouth-watering smell of baking sausage rolls, bread and strawberry tarts sending
enticing invitations around the house. 
    At
the end of the visit, Anna walked with her family to the car and after giving
them all hugs, she watched with her heart in her mouth, as they drove away. 
Sadness stayed with her in the taxi back to Bishop Sutton and she was glad to
arrive home and join the others for coffee in the kitchen.
    All
the talk that afternoon was of their visit to the Grange, which was about ten
miles away on the other side of the Mendip Hills. It seemed it was a tradition
to spend a week each summer at the Grange with Jason and his mother and this
year was very special since it was her seventieth birthday.  She intended to
hold a celebratory lunch followed by a party and everyone was invited,
including Anna, much to her surprise.  It was then that Jason remembered a
letter had come for her.
    He
had dropped it on her desk and after their coffee, both she and Jason went back
into the office to finish off for the day.
    He
nodded at the envelope.  “It’s been re-directed from the main office.”
    She
picked it up, immediately recognising Dave’s bold handwriting.  A sharp intake
of breath took her by surprise as her mind reeled in horror at the thought her
husband had found her address.  She knew Jason was watching her and she was
well aware of why, since she had felt the colour drain from her face.  She gave
Jason a weak smile and murmured a ‘thank you’.
    “Aren’t
you going to open it?” he asked rather bewildered.
    “It’s
only from a…friend.  It’s probably just full of gossip.  I can read it later.”
    She
went back to her work, but she could feel him watching her and she was
conscious of her neck and face burning.  For the first time since meeting him,
she began to feel indignant and wished he wasn’t in the room.
    Anna
slipped upstairs just before the evening meal.  Locking herself in her bedroom,
she opened the letter with trembling hands.

    Anna,
    I’m
sure you’re going to be surprised as hell to get this letter, since you’ve
never bothered to tell me where you are.  I found out by accident.  You left
the info on the computer and I was very surprised to read it.  What do you mean
you’re a widow?  Is that some way of saying you wish me dead?
    I
know you’re angry with me, but I don’t think I deserve this from you.  I don’t
know what you’re talking about when you mention a redheaded woman.  What
redheaded woman?  I think it’s just an excuse, as I won’t believe you went down
there just for a job.  I know there’s another bloke involved and if I ever get
my hands on him then he’ll answer to me for his actions. 
     
                        
Dave
     
    Anna
held the letter in a limp hand as the enormity of its contents sank in. 
Leaving her CV on the computer wasn’t the problem, it was the changes she had
made.  She lay back on her bed as tears trickled into her hair, her thoughts
and nerves a jangled mess at her husband’s threats.  How could he accuse her of
having someone else after the affairs he had had?  But that would be so typical
of him.  One rule for him and one for her.  Thank goodness she had left him and
although she had probably lost her home, she didn’t really