Family Secrets by Jenny Lane Read Free Book Online Page A

three of you here tonight. Have you enjoyed it?”
    They assured him that they had. “Myra will give you a lift to church tomorrow morning - if you want to come, Letitia.”
    “Oh, that’s OK, I’ll be more than happy to fetch my grandmother,” Rhianna told him. I’m not here for much longer and want to make the most of being in her company.”
    As they dropped Letitia off at Wisteria Lodge , Lawrence said, “Perhaps I could join you for church tomorrow and then the three of us could go out for lunch. I know a good pub a few miles away.”
    Letitia’s face lit up. “That would be wonderful, Laurie. I’ve had such a lovely evening.”
    *
    “So what do you think - now, you’ve had a chance to get to know Letitia a bit more?” Lawrence asked Rhianna carefully, as they drove back to the White Unicorn .
    “She’s a lovely lady, I can’t imagine what caused my father to fall out with my grandmother but, in a way, I don’t want to know. It’s time to move on and it’s no good dwelling in the past, is it?”
    “No,” Lawrence agreed, but there was a thoughtful expression on his face masked by the darkness. He was all too aware that whatever had happened between Reg Delroy and his son had been extremely serious. Tina had tried very hard to find out what had caused the falling out, but had never succeeded in discovering the truth, as far as Lawrence was aware. He just hoped it would stay that way. There had been too much heartache for one lifetime.
    As they pulled up outside the pub, Lawrence took Rhianna’s hands between his.
    “Thanks for this evening, Rhia. I hope that we can continue to be friends.” Leaning across he kissed her gently on the cheek.
    “It’s been good,” she told him genuinely. It took every ounce of self-control to behave normally. She had no intention of letting him know the effect that kiss had had on her.
    *
    Rhianna enjoyed the church service which was quite modern and included the children. She was surprised when Lawrence had come with them. Afterwards, she found herself the centre of attention yet again as Letitia introduced her to a number of her church friends. Rhianna was aware there were a number of surprised glances and wondered if anyone in the congregation knew the reason for her father cutting himself off from his parents. If they did, they were discreet and made no comment. A couple of people did ask after Tina, however, but Lawrence merely shrugged.
    “Oh, I’m afraid I’m not Tina’s keeper. We parted company over two years ago and our paths don’t cross anymore,” he said politely to a woman in an amazing hat.
    When she’d gone, Letitia told him, “Oh, you mustn’t mind Sylvia, Laurie, she’s got a heart of gold but she is one of the most inquisitive people I know.”
    He grinned and took her arm, “Besides, Myra, you mean!” and Letitia chuckled.
    As they came out of the church, Tim Holt turned to Rhianna.
    “Don’t forget I’ve promised to show you the most recent Delroy graves. It’s a bit too chilly for you to be wandering about the churchyard, isn’t it, Tish?”
    She nodded. “Perhaps we’d better leave it for another time, Tim. We’re going out to lunch at the Drunken Duck and we’ve booked a table.”
    “Well, have a good time.”
    “I intend to,” she said cheerily and clung onto Lawrence’s arm as they made their way to the car. “They’ve all got enough gossip to last them for a week,” she commented, a twinkle in her eye, and Rhianna and Laurie laughed.
    The Drunken Duck was doing a roaring trade and it didn’t take Rhianna long to find out why. The food, a carvery, was excellent.
    “So Laurie, have you had a chance to take a look at any properties since you’ve been here?” Letitia asked over their meal.
    “No, I’m afraid not. I’ve been quite busy sorting out Ron’s new website. Hopefully, tomorrow, I’ll get an opportunity - although I’m not holding my breath.”
    “It’s a pity the cottage is occupied.”
    He