In Too Deep by Samantha Hayes Read Free Book Online

foreboding mullioned windows brooding with history, to the twiggy wisteria and clipped ivy clinging to its weathered corners. But its grandness is tempered by something softer. Something humble and inviting. Something that makes me hurry Hannah up so we can get inside and discover what it was that drew Rick to it.
    It’s as if I can sense him already, almost see his face staring out at us, watching our arrival . . . not that of a woman in an upstairs window.
    ‘Hi,’ I say to the receptionist a few minutes later, allowing my excitement to grow for the first time in ages. Rick wouldn’t have wanted me to waste these precious days. ‘We have a room booked.’ Hannah is right beside me. I give her hand a little squeeze.
    I never bothered to alter the booking to Mrs and
Miss
Forrester – rather I left it just as Rick made it, not having the heart to tamper with what he’d done. Although I did send an email saying that we’d be bringing Cooper. He sits obediently at my side, staring around, unimpressed.
    ‘The surname is Forrester.’ I smile, hoping to convince her that we’re not half conning our way into a room that was booked for a romantic break, rather that we’re a mother and daughter seeking a few days of normality.
    Looking around the beautiful interior – the oak panelling, the polished sweeping staircase, the antique furniture, the calm yet unfussy atmosphere – it’s easy tosee Rick chose this place with all his heart. So far, it’s perfect.
    ‘Mrs Forrester, how lovely to meet you.’ The woman’s face blooms into a smile. It’s then that I recognise her voice.
    ‘Did we speak on the phone?’ I ask, reflecting the smile back as best I can.
    She nods, and reaches out her hand across the mahogany counter. I shake it, my arm accidentally nudging a little brass bell, making Cooper twitch his head round and give a high-pitched whine. ‘Please, call me Gina.’ I feel embarrassed now that I didn’t forewarn her about the change.
    ‘Welcome to Fox Court,’ she says, glancing between each of us warmly. ‘So lovely to have you here. And this is Cooper, I imagine?’
    She comes out from behind the desk. At the mention of his name, Cooper stands and wags his tail. The woman fusses him.
    ‘I’m Susan Fox, owner, receptionist, chambermaid, sometimes cook, cleaner and chief bottle-washer,’ she says with a laugh. She glances at Hannah, but says nothing. ‘Was your journey OK?’
    Back behind the desk, she’s skimming down a preprinted form. ‘Though you’ve not had far to come by the looks of it.’ She smiles, sliding the sheet of paper across the counter. ‘Just fill in here and then sign there, and I’ll get you up to your room.’
    She watches as I write, making small talk. ‘If you’reeating in tonight, I’d recommend a reservation for the restaurant as all our rooms are fully booked. Your husband specially reserved the Alexandra Room. It’s one of my favourites, and gets the morning sun.’
    My heart curls up at the mention of Rick. I attempt another smile and hand back the form. Susan is tall and attractive, and obviously looks after herself – her white jeans and grey short-sleeved top show off her good figure, while her glossy hair, a chestnut shade of light brown, appears mainly blonde with its natural-looking highlights.
    She’s quietly sophisticated and comfortable with her appearance, her confidence coming from understatement and simplicity, as if she doesn’t even have to try to look good. I’d say she’s around my age, but appears younger.
    By comparison I suddenly feel frumpy, old-fashioned and not even vaguely attractive. But then I hear Rick’s voice inside my head, so real it’s as if he’s checking into the room with us. At least I have that over her, even if he is absent, and the way I feel is hardly Susan’s fault. She doesn’t know anything about my situation.
    You are the most beautiful woman in the world, Gina. Every cell of you perfect . . .
    I know he meant