Secrets of the Heart by Jenny Lane Read Free Book Online Page A

discretion when Uncle Bryn couldn't do it. I know because there were a few enquiries and absolutely everything had to go past him.'
    Annis nodded. 'Well, you'll be pleased to know that you can welcome me back into the fold, Sally.'
    Sally sighed as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
    It's going to make life a lot easier for me with you around.'
    `Well, don't expect any miracles.' Annis grinned at her friend. 'Now, what's next?'
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
    The next couple of days passed in a whirl. Heathercote Mill was certainly a thriving concern and it didn't take long for Annis to get back into the swing of things. On Tuesday afternoon, she went to see Bryn Freeman and he arranged for her to move into the staff quarters in the grounds of the Mill the next day.
    `Come and see me when you can, Annis,' Bryn said. 'It gets lonely stuck up here all day.'
    `Then why don't you come downstairs and see what's going on?' Annis asked him gently.
    `Because I can't get about like I used to and I'd be in the way,' the old gentleman told her with a sigh.
    `Nonsense I'm sure there's lots you could do, and it can't be good for you to be stuck up here all day.'
    `You're just as bossy as ever, aren't you?' He chuckled. 'So what would you have me do, then?'
    She thought quickly to come up with something that would appeal to him.
    `Would you find it interesting to sit in on one or two of Sally's interviews?'
    He ran his fingers through his shock of white hair. 'That's women's stuff all those flouncy dresses and cakes!' he said defensively.
    `What about the wine, the cars and the marquees —to say nothing of the music?'
    `I'll think about it,' he promised. Now, tell me what you've been up to while you've been away. It's been a long time.'
    Annis answered his questions as fully as she felt appropriate, aware that his bright blue eyes never left her face. She told him about her family and their new home in Dorset and her brother, Tim, who was travelling in Indonesia. She told him about her job in London and the flat she shared with a couple of other girls from the office.
    When eventually she got up to go, he took hold of her hand.
    `Come and see me again soon, lass, and I'll think about what you've said about putting in an appearance downstairs now and again. It's easy to get into the habit of staying cloistered in the security of one's own four walls.'
     
    * * *
     
    On Wednesday afternoon, Sally's husband, John, returned from his course and greeted Annis with a bear-hug.
    ‘ It's wonderful to see you again, Annis. You've left it far too long. Now, what's all this Sally tells me about you insisting on moving into the staff quarters tonight? You didn't have to do that, you know . . . ' He trailed off, catching sight of Tristan beckoning to him. 'No peace for the wicked! I'm afraid we're going to have to catch up later, Annis.'
    Annis was very fond of John who was like another brother to her. She watched him now as he spoke with Tristan. John was as thin as a lathe, with sun-bleached tousled hair, twinkling blue eyes and boundless energy. Sally had met him when she first began working at the Mill and it had been love at first sight.
    Annis packed-up her belongings and moved them from Sally and John's cottage to her room in the staff wing. The room was basic but clean and comfortable, and the view she had of the rolling Kentish countryside from the window was magnificent. Annis took a deep breath. This was what she had missed during the past years. She liked the city, but she was a country girl at heart.
    After unpacking her few belongings, she went along to the kitchen where Chef organized some supper on a tray for her.
    That night, she slept like a log and awoke next morning feeling refreshed and ready to face any challenges that the day might bring.
     
    Going down to the staff dining-room, she found herself sitting opposite Ross. He glanced up briefly from his breakfast, a slight frown furrowing his forehead.
    `So, how come you're