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wouldn’t be long before they all knew.’
    ‘Well, come on then, what’s he like, this hero of yours?’
    Taryn threw her cousin a disdainful look. ‘Very kind, very charming and very handsome. But I don’t like him.’
    ‘Why on earth not?’ queried Janice, wide-eyed.
    ‘For the very reason I gave earlier—because he reminds me of Mark.’ She kept her eyes on the road ahead, shimmering in the heat of the day.
    'I don’t understand you, Taryn. Just because one man jilted you there’s no reason to dislike another. Give him a chance.’
    Taryn sniffed. ‘You’re as bad as Gammy! If either of you had met Mark you’d appreciate the way I feel.’
    ‘How about this rumour I’ve heard that he could be suffering from loss of memory?’ persisted Janice.
    ‘Another of Gammy’s theories. You know what she’s like. If you believe everything you hear you’re a fool. The truth of the matter is Gammy’s trying to make this rubbish about the rainbow come true.’
    ‘You mean you actually saw the rainbow—the one we always looked for when we were children? And then you met Mr Major?’ Janice sounded awed. ‘No wonder Gammy’s ’
    ‘Don’t say you believe it too,' scoffed Taryn. ‘For Pete’s sake, have a bit of sense.’
    ‘We believed it when we were young,' protested Janice, ‘so why not now? After all, both our parents saw it and met their husbands shortly afterwards.'
    ‘But you didn’t, and no one’s going to make me believe that Luke’s the man for me. He’s my boss— full stop. Besides which,’ she paused to get the full effect from her words, ‘he’s already married.’
    Janice’s reaction was much the same as Gammy’s. Her mouth fell open and she stared at Taryn. ‘No! That’s one piece of news that’s escaped the village grapevine.' And then on a more sympathetic note,
    ‘Poor you. So there’ll be no chance of ’
    ‘There never was,' interrupted Taryn firmly.
    Janice grimaced. ‘What’s she like, this wife of Luke’s?’
    ‘No idea. It would be better if I had, then I would know what sort of furniture to choose for her bedroom.’
    Janice’s brows rose. They have separate rooms?’ and as Taryn nodded, ‘How strange—even so, if I were moving into a new house I would want to supervise the furnishing of my own room at least.’
    ‘Me too, but that’s the way it is, so I shall just have to do the best I can.’
    Taryn drove on in silence for the next few miles, temporarily regretting living in such a close-knit community. Nothing was sacred, no business too private not to be shared with the neighbours. But as they neared Exeter her spirits rose. It should be fun seeking out the appropriate furniture to suit Dale End.
    The antique shop was still there; overflowing with chairs and tables, pictures and lamps, brass, copper, china and glass. Taryn was soon lost in a world of her own, only occasionally remembering Janice and throwing her the odd remark. ‘Look at this blue and gilt china clock—oh, I must have that, and this French mirror—it’s just what I need for the hall. Oh, and look at that Boulle table—isn’t it beautiful?’
    It was lunch time before she finished browsing. Janice sat in a cane chair near the door, completely exhausted. ‘I’m sorry,' exclaimed Taryn, suddenly noticing her cousin’s pale face. ‘I’d forgotten you tire easily these days. Shall we have lunch, and then if you feel up to it I’d like to look in that new shop that’s opened round the corner. There’s a super four-poster bed in the window which would be perfect for Mrs Major’s room.’
    ‘You’re taking a gamble there. What if she doesn’t like it? Why don’t you ask Mr Major what he thinks?’
    ‘Mm, I suppose I could, but it is my job, so if she disapproves of my choice that’s her bad luck.’
    ‘You sound as though you don’t like her very much. It’s not like you to talk like that about anyone.’
    Taryn smiled ruefully, but not for anything would she admit that