Family Secrets (14 page)

Lawrence
laughed. “Well, I must admit I was surprised to see I’d sold a couple of paintings.”

“It’s
great to see you exhibiting again.” His father told him. “You’re building up quite a collection again.”

“Laurie’s
quite a find,” Fiona said. “It was fortuitous for us when he came into the gallery that day.”

“We
couldn’t believe it when he told us Letitia had discovered she had a long lost grand-daughter,” Mary Lorimer said. “It’s all very mysterious, isn’t it?”

Rhianna
nodded. “So much so that we had a reporter here wanting to get a story out of it, would you believe.”

“And
you’ve still no idea what caused your father to estrange himself from his parents?”

Lawrence
shot his mother a warning glance.

“None
whatsoever.” But, even as Rhianna spoke the words, she had a feeling that there might be one very good reason why he would have done just that.

“I
realise Letitia knows and I’m sure she’ll tell me all in her own good time. She needed to get to know me first.”

Mary
nodded, “Yes, of course, best to take things slowly…Do you think you’ll persuade her to come here? I’m sure she’d love to see this place.”

“I
hope so, one day, but, in the meantime, I’m taking lots of photographs for her to see.”

“I
love your display of Brookhurst. It’s such a pretty village, isn’t it? Laurie’s intent on moving back there.”

“It
could take some time,” Lawrence said. “There isn’t too much out there at the moment, but I’m not in any particular rush.”

“Mary’s
made him too comfortable at home,” Ralph joked.

Fiona
collected up the empty mugs. “Would you like to take a look upstairs? One day soon, we hope to expand, but it would mean creating more storage space elsewhere.”

“Fiona’s
fiancé is a carpenter and he’s going to help us when the time comes. He knows lots of people in the building trade,” Rhianna explained.

They
went upstairs and stood gazing about them. There wasn’t a lot to see - just several rooms with original fireplaces, empty apart from a stack of cardboard boxes, art materials, easels and a couple of tables where they did their work, but there was a wonderful view from the window, overlooking the street and the church.

“This
certainly has a lot of potential. It isn’t a listed building, is it?” Ralph asked, studying the wooden beams.

“Fortunately, no. That would make it impossible. We don’t need too much structural work doing - just a bit of modernisation to make it more viable.”

“Well,
then, I don’t foresee any problem. Did Lawrence tell you I’m a retired architect? If I can be of any assistance…”

“That’s
a great offer. We’ll certainly call on you for advice,” Fiona told him. “Good. Please feel free.” Ralph consulted his watch. “We’d like to take you girls out to lunch.”

“That
would be delightful,” Fiona answered for them both. “We could close for an hour or so, couldn’t we, Rhia?”

They
went to a nearby pub that served traditional fare and, over lunch, Rhianna warmed to Lawrence’s parents. Both she and Fiona were included fully in the conversation. Mary asked Fiona about her wedding plans and Rhianna about the exhibition they were planning to have in Brookhurst. Rhianna and Fiona also learnt a lot more about Lawrence.

“Don’t
give away all my secrets,” he protested at one point, when his mother relayed an amusing anecdote from when he was a teenager. He’d managed to get his foot in a bucket of wallpaper paste when his father was decorating. Fiona and Rhia laughed so much that the tears ran down their cheeks.

After coffee, Ralph Lorimer said, “Your mother noticed a couple of interesting shops along this street, Laurie, so perhaps we could join you back at the gallery in about half an hour or so.”

*

“I’m glad I’ve got the opportunity to speak to the pair of you on your own, because I wanted to run something else by you,” Lawrence told them as they walked back to the gallery.

“I
know - you’ve got a mate who wants to exhibit an enormous sculpture that’s taking up too much space in his front room,” Fiona suggested.

Lawrence
laughed. “No, I promise you it’s nothing like that - although I suppose you could say it had got something to do with space. You see I was wondering if you’d consider allowing me to work at the gallery on my paintings - when I can fit it in. It isn’t really possible at home. I could pay you some rent.”

“Wow,”
Rhianna said. “An artist in residence! Well, there’s certainly plenty of space upstairs, as you saw for yourself, but I’m afraid you’d have to put up with all those cardboard boxes, which are pretty much a feature, because of the online business.”

He
smiled. “Oh, I reckon I could cope with that - so is that a yes? What about you, Fiona?”

“Absolutely,
we’d love to have you round the place,” Fiona told him with a grin. “You’d add to the ambience - a bona fide artist. Of course, you’d have to look the part - wear a black beret and smock.”

“Won’t
you find it a bit far to travel?” Rhianna wanted to know when the laughter had subsided.

“Not
if I designated one day in the week - rather than a few hours here and there. Unfortunately, it couldn’t always be the same day, due to the nature of my work. Might be two days a fortnight even - if that’s viable.”

They’d
reached the gallery and Fiona unlocked the door.

“Oh,
we’d work round it, apart from Wednesdays, which are always a bit manic because of the online business,” she told him. “Let’s take another look upstairs and decide where you’d like to have a working space. I’m afraid Rhia and I have already got our own areas, but we don’t use them all of the time.”

Rhianna
felt ecstatic that Lawrence wanted to work at the gallery. Her fears had abated and life had suddenly taken on a new meaning.

After
a moment or two the gallery door rattled and Fiona went downstairs.

“It’s
probably my parents…Rhia, I’ll have to go soon - much as I’d like to stay. I’ll give you a ring to make arrangements for Saturday.”

He
held her close and gave her a blissfully, satisfying kiss. They drew apart as his father called up the stairs that he was ready to leave, to avoid the heavy traffic on the way home.

Lawrence
gave her a final hug. “See you Saturday. I’ll be in touch.”

She
followed him back down the stairs and said her goodbyes to his parents.

Fiona
turned to her the minute they’d gone.

“Aren’t
they nice? Well, he must be serious - bringing his parents here, and asking about a space for him to paint. I think you’ve fallen on your feet, my friend.”

Rhianna’s
eyes were shining as she replied, “I really hope so, Fi.”

Chapter Thirteen

Lawrence was in the midst of sorting out a computer problem for a financial company, when his mobile rang. He was taken aback to discover it was Tina.

“How
did you get this number?” he asked abruptly.

“Oh,
I have ways and means, darling - don’t be cross. Do you know what day it is today?”

“Thursday
all day - so far as I’m aware.”

“Y-yes,
but what else?” she prompted.

He
suddenly remembered the date.

“Oh,
it’s your birthday. Happy birthday, Tina.”

“My
friends are holding a party for me on Saturday - can you come?”

“
’fraid not, Tina. I’m going to a wedding,” he informed her; inwardly relieved that he had such a good excuse.

“Whose
wedding?” she demanded, as he’d known she would do.

“No-one
you know… I am rather busy just now.”

“Can’t
you find time in your busy schedule to buy me a birthday drink, darling, seeing as you’ve forgotten to send me a card?”

“Tina,
I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”

There
was a slight pause. “Actually, Laurie, there is something else. I need to talk to you about Letitia. It’s a bit worrying.”

He
hesitated for a moment. “Well, just a quick drink then - tell me where to meet you and when.”

Tina’s
smiled as she told him. It hadn’t taken much persuasion on her part to arrange this meeting. Anything to do with Letitia was certain to capture his attention.

Lawrence
was unhappy about meeting up with Tina, but he knew there were things they needed to discuss. The problem was one drink was likely to turn into a meal, and he was anxious to avoid that.

Tina
was looking extremely glamorous that evening, but Lawrence couldn’t help comparing her to Rhianna who didn’t need so much make-up to look a million dollars. Tina greeted him with a kiss.

“Now,
I thought we might as well eat, so I’ve booked a table for eight o’clock.” She put a finger on his lips as he made to protest. “Don’t be tiresome, darling; it is my birthday, after all.”

“Tina,
what is it you want to tell me?” he asked as they settled themselves at their table in the restaurant.

“I’ve
told you I’m concerned about Letitia.”

“Have
you been to see her?”

“No,
but I’ve spoken with her on the phone. She wishes she’d never clapped eyes on Rhianna Delroy, I can tell you that.”

Lawrence
toyed with the stem of his wine-glass. He knew that Tina was an extremely good actress and was certain she was playing a role right now.

“Strange,”
he said. “That’s certainly not the impression I’ve got from talking with Tish. Actually, I’d have said it was completely the reverse. Remember, she was the one who got in touch with Rhianna and not the other way round.”

Tina
rested her chin on her hands. “Oh, I’m sure she did that on a whim. She wanted to see if Rhianna had the portrait - that was all.”

“What
is it with you and that portrait?” he asked. “Rhianna told me you were asking her about it.”

Her
ice-blue eyes narrowed. “Did she now? You know full well - because I’ve told you before - that it belongs to me. Now I know for sure that that girl has got it, I want it back.”

“Tina,
I can assure you that there is nothing that special about that portrait.”

She
looked startled. “Are you telling me that you’ve seen it?”

“Absolutely.
Rhianna showed it to me not so long ago. It’s a very good portrait, I’ll grant you that. Reg painted it, but I honestly don’t know what all the fuss is about.”

Their
starter arrived and they stopped talking and concentrated on their food. Lawrence wondered just what game Tina was playing. He felt uncomfortable.

“Well,
can’t you persuade Rhianna to give it to me?”

“Give
me one good reason why I should?”

“Because
it belonged to my mother and that girl’s father took it away with him when he left Brookhurst. The Soames family lived and died in Brookhurst and that’s where it belongs.”

“And
that’s your only reason?” he asked, giving her one of his most searching looks. “I’ve never known you to be sentimental before, Tina. If you think that picture is valuable then, I can assure you, it isn’t.”

“It’s
valuable to me, Laurie,”

Her lip trembled and he actually believed her.

“OK,
so supposing Rhianna was persuaded to part with the painting, would that satisfy you?”

“It
would be a start, but for Letitia’s sake, it would be best if she stayed away from Brookhurst in future. You’ve become friendly with her. I’m sure she’d listen to you, darling.”

He
finished his garlic mushrooms before asking, “And what reason do you suggest I give her for doing so?”

“Oh,
I’m sure you can think of something. Letitia is far too nice a person to tell her, herself. Remember, we’re doing this for Letitia’s sake. It’s all been so traumatic that it’s making her ill.”

Lawrence
frowned. “Are you sure you’re not overstating things, Tina? After all, it’s not as if Rhianna is planning to move to Brookhurst, is it?”

“How
would I know? She seems to have ingratiated herself into Letitia’s life.”

“If
you want my frank opinion, I think you should leave well alone. Rhianna is an extremely nice girl and would never do anything to upset Tish.”

Tina’s
ice-blue eyes flickered. “She’s been raking up the past and that is bound to have an effect on Letitia.”

Lawrence
was beginning to lose his patience.

“You
know what I think, Tina? I think you’ve got a touch of the green-eyed monster.”

He
was gratified to note her heightened colour. The waiter removed their dishes and, a few minutes later, they were served with their main course. He decided to change the subject.

“So
tell, me Tina, why didn’t you go to Australia?”

She
raised her pencilled eyebrows. “Oh, Letitia told you, about that, did she?”

“She
certainly did and that she’d paid for your fare. She also told me you’d phoned her telling her you’d arrived safely.”

Tina
was examining her finger nails, which were painted with an interesting design of red and silver.

“My plans didn’t work out - so I’ve decided to stay in London for the time-being. I thought it was easier to allow Tish to go on thinking I was in Australia.”

Lawrence
didn’t believe her. “I thought perhaps you needed to lose yourself for a while. There was a spot of trouble in Brookhurst a while back - a post office raid. Those people at the cottage were involved,” he said, watching her face closely.

“Yes,
I know. The police questioned me - wanted to know why those guys were so anxious to catch up with me, but I didn’t tell them.”

“They
found drugs at the cottage,” Lawrence said slowly.

Tina opened her eyes wide. “Don’t look at me like that, darling! I haven’t done anything bad. I’m a reformed character these days.”

She
smiled. “I made Sandra give me the money she’d made from selling those things she’d stolen from Letitia’s. Dylan was furious - tried to get back at me by frightening Letitia.”

She
handed Lawrence an envelope. “Here - you can give Tish the money when you see her.”

Lawrence
frowned. “I won’t ask you how you got Sandra to part with her ill-gotten gains. And I suppose that was that why Dylan and his mates were so anxious to catch up with you? They obviously thought you were at the post office when they raided it.”

Tina
shrugged. “I wouldn’t know about that…Now, I fancy a spot of dancing, darling. How about taking me to Marco’s?”

“Sorry,
Tina. I’ve got things to do,” he told her firmly.

She
pouted. “Darling, you’re becoming a bore! Never mind, I’ve got a backup plan. I happen to know Sheila and Dean are there tonight…Oh, by the way, they told me they ran into you at
The
Silver
Lake
Hotel
the other week with that girl. Thought for a minute we were back together again. Strange, we’re not the slightest bit alike.”

“You
have the same colouring,” he said carefully.

Tina’s
head shot up. “And that’s where the similarity ends, Laurie. I don’t wish to be associated with Rhianna Delroy in any way.”

Lawrence
was taken aback at the venom in her voice.

Presently, he saw her into a taxi and heartily wished that he had refused to meet up with her that evening. Whatever had once been between them was no more than a distant memory and, some of that, was not at all pleasant. He turned his thoughts to Saturday’s wedding and Rhianna and immediately felt happier.

*

On Friday, Rhianna received an unexpected invitation. Lawrence phoned to say that he had to work for a couple of hours on Saturday morning, as he’d thought.

“Didn’t
you tell me you, Fiona and Dave were planning to travel by train?”

“Yes,
we thought it was the best arrangement.”

“OK
- so how about I meet you all at the station and give you a lift to the church?”

After
arranging a time, he then said, “As the wedding venue is nearer to my home than yours, my parents wondered if you’d like to spend the rest of the week-end at our home?”

A
little thrill of pleasure shot through her. “Yes, please. That’s a lovely idea.”

*

“Wow!” Fiona said when Rhianna told her. “He must be getting serious. I didn’t get to meet Dave’s parents until I’d been going out with him for several months.”

Rhianna
coloured slightly. “Stop reading things into the situation, Fi.”

Fiona
grinned and examined the sculpture she’d just finished critically.

“Anyway, it’s a good job he’s meeting us. Means you can sling your overnight bag in his car. Otherwise you might have had to put your toothbrush and spare undies in the bottom of the carrier with the wedding present! You might well have forgotten and handed them over to Louise.”

Rhianna
chuckled. “Trust you to think of that! Come on Fi, we need to make a start on clearing that room for Laurie. At the moment it’s full of clutter.”

*

The wedding was perfect. Louise was looking radiant. Rhianna, sitting beside Lawrence, reached out for his hand, as the happy couple kissed at the end of the service. He turned and gave her a smile that melted her heart.

The
reception at a nearby hotel was splendid. Rhianna was delighted that Lawrence had been able to come. He was looking devastatingly good-looking in his silver-grey suit with a crisp white shirt and a pale blue cravat. She loved the way his chestnut hair fell forward over his forehead. Their eyes met and held.

“That’s
a lovely outfit,” he told her. “I haven’t seen you in that colour before.”

Her
dress was in a delicate mixture of green and blue with a short, green, wool jacket over the top. She’d found a small hat to match and navy shoes.

After
the speeches and toasts, Louise came across to her friends with her new husband Liam.

“We’re
so pleased you could come, I’m having such a wonderful day and all my friends are making it extra special. When we get back from our honeymoon we must all meet up for a meal.”

“You’ve
got a really nice set of friends,” Lawrence told her when the happy couple had moved away.

“Yes,
they’re a great crowd. We all get on so well together.”

Presently,
they danced and, as they nestled close together, she felt sublimely happy. All too soon, they were standing outside waving as the couple reappeared before leaving on their honeymoon in the Bahamas.

Suddenly Louise threw her bouquet in Rhianna’s direction and she caught it laughingly. It was a beautiful bouquet of cream and pale pink roses and Rhianna’s heart was full of joy.

Soon
afterwards, they left and Lawrence drove her to Buckinghamshire. His parents welcomed her into their home, as if she were one of the family.

“What
a gorgeous bouquet. I take it that was the bride’s? I’ll pop it in some water shall I?” Mary asked a twinkle in her eyes.