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

gracing us with your presence? I thought you were staying with Sally and John?'
    `They haven't got much space, and since John's been away I thought they'd like some time alone.'
    Ross took a slice of toast. 'I'm still interested to know why you're helping us out like this.'
    `I want to spend some time with Sally. She and I go back a long way and we've got a lot of catching up to do.'
    `And are you finding things much changed? Apart from the obvious alterations to the buildings?' He bit into his toast and looked at her, head on one side.
    `Actually, I think it's lost something some of its individuality, perhaps. It's become just another business.'
    `Don't tell me you're sentimental, Miss Fuller? Surely change is an inevitable part of progress?'
    `Just so long as it's not change for change's sake. When the wedding business was first starting up, I think our customers valued the personal touch. For instance, we used to give the bride and her bridesmaids a small gift on the wedding day. That seems to have been dispensed with.'
    ‘B ut you didn't give the amount of discount we do nowadays,' Ross pointed out.
    `I can see we're never going to agree.' Annis sighed. 'Everything just seems rather impersonal these days, which is a pity.'
    `Yes, well, as I've said, we have to move on. Talking of which, I need to make a move right now.' He got to his feet. 'I've got a meeting in fifteen minutes. Please excuse me.'
    Annis watched him as he stopped to speak to Vicki, the attractive young blonde who worked on reception. Vicki laughed at something Ross said and Annis had an inexplicable feeling of envy at the apparent ease of their relationship.
    After breakfast, Annis went for a brisk walk and encountered John who was tidying some flower borders.
    `The grounds are looking good, John,' she told him.
    `We do our best.' He seemed pleased. `I've got a good team, but all these courses and meetings that we have to go to are such a nuisance. If only we could be left in peace to get on with the job in hand, then we'd get considerably more done.' He raised his eyebrows suddenly, and then grimaced. 'What on earth does she want?'
    Annis followed his gaze and saw an attractive dark-haired woman in a green suit making her way across the grass towards them. It was Stella Freeman.
    John saw Annis's ashen face.
    `You did realise Stella was still around? Sally did tell you?'
    Annis's mouth had gone dry and she pulled herself together with difficulty.
    ‘Yes, of course — I just didn’t expect to run into her quite so soon, that’s all.’
    Stella Freeman was in her early thirties, carefully made up, with dark curly hair, expertly styled, and a hard mouth painted glaringly red. Her smile did not reach her eyes which were cold and unfriendly, but then, she was probably just as surprised by Annis’ presence and she was by hers.
    ‘Hello Annis. I heard you were visiting.’ She held out a beautifully manicured hand. ‘How are things in the great metropolis?’
    ‘As manic as ever!’
    ‘No change there then! Was it a good course, John?’
    ‘Interesting, I suppose, but I would rather have been here.’ John leaned on his fork. ‘There is a lot to be done here and I can’t really afford the time to be gallivanting off on courses’.
    ‘Well I won’t keep you then. Actually I was looking for Tristan — have you seen him this morning?’
    ‘Sorry, no but if I do I’ll tell him you want him, shall I?' John turned back to his work. 'Not answering his mobile, I take it?'
    `He's left it behind. Typical!' Stella gave a little laugh. 'I suppose you've met my brother, Tristan, haven't you, Annis?'
    Annis nodded, wishing the other woman would go away.
    `Perhaps you and I could get together sometime over a drink?' Stella plucked a minute piece of fluff from her jacket sleeve. 'How long are you planning to be around?'
    Annis hesitated, realising that the older woman was fully aware of her discomfiture. The last thing on earth she wanted to do was to