Lizzie's Secret (42 page)

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‘I found this emulsion paint in the shed,' Mrs Court said, handing the half-empty tin to Lizzie and looking about with interest. ‘You've almost finished the showroom, but this might do out the back somewhere.'

‘Oh, good, it's white,' Lizzie said as she took the tin. ‘Ed could do with this for the ceilings in the flat…'

‘Well, I'll get off now. Beth said to tell you she would be coming round later to help you finish getting things straight – Do you think you'll have the showroom open for Christmas week?'

‘Yes, I'm hoping…' Lizzie broke off, her breath catching in her throat as the showroom door opened and someone walked in. ‘Sebastian…' her heart missed a beat and sudden tears stung her eyes.

‘I was told I might find you here,' Sebastian said. ‘I've got a couple of days' leave and thought I might give you a hand…'

‘Well, I'll be going, Lizzie,' Mrs Court said, looking curiously at Sebastian as he lifted his hat to her. ‘Don't forget we're expecting you for lunch on Sunday, love… unless you have other plans…'

Lizzie's heart was racing so fast that she could hardly speak. ‘Sebastian, I wasn't sure when I'd see you again… who told you I was here?'

‘I think her name was Tilly,' Sebastian said. ‘She was just leaving Oliver's and I asked her if she knew where I could find you. I went to the flat first but someone else is living there…'

‘Yes, I've moved into a house with Beth and her children,' Lizzie said. ‘A lot has happened since I last saw you…'

‘I was sorry to hear about Harry's accident…' Sebastian frowned. ‘I don't know if you've been told, Lizzie, but the brakes on that car were faulty, and the steering rod broke – it was a flaming liability and shouldn't have been on the road.

Lizzie didn't need to ask how Sebastian knew. She simply took it for granted that he was telling her the truth, because he was Sebastian and he would make it his business to know – just as he'd known how to find her.

Tears slipped down her cheeks. ‘I never believed it was suicide but there was a lot of talk – and Bert Oliver blamed me.'

‘Then he is a fool and I'll tell him so…' Sebastian glanced about him. ‘Are you going to be all right here, Lizzie? If you need money…?'

‘I used the money you sent me, and Arthur was very generous to me, letting me have the lease here cheap; besides, I have some money my uncle left me.' Lizzie hesitated shyly. ‘I wanted to thank you – and I'll pay you back one day, Sebastian.'

‘That money was a gift because I wanted to make sure that you were all right. I don't want any talk of paying me back or gratitude'. Sebastian moved towards her and then stopped, as if afraid of overstepping the line. ‘I heard you had a daughter?'

‘Yes. Beth is looking after her this morning, and then her mother will take over this afternoon – that was Mrs Court you just met.'

A smile lit his eyes. ‘Ah, the curious lady – I'm not sure she approves of me visiting you, Lizzie.'

‘She's always been protective of me,' Lizzie smiled as she saw the mischief in his eyes. ‘She wouldn't want me to be hurt, you see…'

Sebastian took a few steps closer. ‘Do you think it's my intention to hurt you, Lizzie Larch?'

‘No, I don't,' she whispered. ‘I used to think you were a flirt, Sebastian – but I know you better now.'

‘Do you?' he asked softly, looking down into her eyes. ‘I might hurt you by disappearing and never coming back, or I might hurt you by being killed, because I shan't pretend that what I do isn't dangerous – but I promise I'll never hurt you because I don't care for you, my lovely Lizzie.'

‘None of us can promise that we'll be safe these days,' she said. ‘We've had bombs nearby and gas explosions. It's a case of taking what we can from life while we can… don't you think?'

‘Then will you come to dinner with me this evening? Will you take a chance on me, Lizzie Larch – even though I can only promise you two days?'

She looked up into his eyes and liked what she saw there, because mixed with the mischief and the challenge was love.

‘Yes, I'll take a chance on you, Sebastian Winters,' she whispered. ‘If two days is all you can give me for now, I'll take it – but don't think that's all I want. I know you can't tell me what you do, and I shall never ask – but remember I'm waiting and you come back to me. Do you hear me, Sebastian? You damned well come back, because I'll be waiting.'

‘Oh, I'll come back,' he murmured as he closed the distance between them, drawing her close. ‘Don't you know what they say about bad pennies – they always turn up…'

Hats were never rationed, perhaps because the materials needed were minimal and easy to source in Britain. Milliners continued to fashion and sell beautiful hats throughout the war, cheering up many a dull utility dress.

R
OSIE
C
LARKE
is happily married and lives in a quiet village in East Anglia. Writing books is a passion for Rosie, she also likes to read, watch good films and enjoys holidays in the sunshine. She loves shoes and adores animals, especially squirrels and dogs.

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Addictive Fiction

First published in the United Kingdom in 2016 by Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus Ltd

Copyright © Rosie Clarke, 2016

The moral right of Rosie Clarke to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously.

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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN (E) 9781784977146

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