Lonely Girl (31 page)

BOOK: Lonely Girl

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‘And now … I’ve wanted to do this for so long,’ said Harry, sweeping Rosie off her feet and carrying her into their home, while she squealed with joy and pretended she minded.

Of course, once she was in his arms he couldn’t stop kissing her until she gasped between kisses, ‘Put me down … before … you drop me …’

Eventually, Harry led her into the front room where the table was laid with a pristine white cloth and Rosie and Harry’s new china. ‘There are some nice things for supper from the dairy where Rossalyn works,’ said Harry, ‘and Mum has made your favourite chocolate cake.’

‘Delicious! Everyone has been so kind. What’s under there?’ asked Rosie, indicating a sheet covering a high mound on top of the sideboard, no longer home to Molly’s ornaments and photos.

‘Presents from Mum and Dad. Have a look.’

Rosie carefully slid the sheet away to reveal, first, a beautiful saddle of the finest leather.

‘Oh, it’s just lovely.’ Rosie stroked the smooth tan hide and admired the tiny even stitches. ‘Perfect for Tanner’s Beauty when we’ve got him trained over the jumps.’

‘That’s what Dad thought.’

‘And look what else. A box … of writing paper. Oh, look, Harry, it’s got my name printed on it. “Tanner Farm. Proprietor: Rosie Riley. Family Farm for Four Generations.”’ Suddenly tears sprang to her eyes.

‘My darling, don’t be sad,’ Harry said, holding her tight.

‘I’m not really sad, Harry. Only a bit – for Daddy, you know. He’d have been so happy to see us married today.’

‘But I told you, he’s watching over you, Rosie. He’s seen what you’ve achieved already with the farm he left you, and he’ll be minding out for you while you train Tanner’s Beauty to be a champion show-jumper. He knows what wonderful, capable hands he left the farm in, and one day he’ll be watching the fifth generation of Tanners grow up here.’

Rosie nodded. ‘Yes, you’re right. And he knows how you have helped and guided me these past months, and the love that Uncle Patrick and Auntie Kathleen have shown me. And about Rossalyn and how I can’t imagine not having her in my life now. Most of all, he knows how I feel right now, knowing I have you and I will never be lonely again.’

‘And how’s that, my sweet Rosie?’

‘Happy. Just very, very happy.’

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

M
ANY YEARS LATER
, Molly Tanner was released from prison.

With the money from the sale of her small cottage and land almost used up, she was on the lookout for an easier life.

Still a handsome woman, she dolled herself up and left the grubby little flat she loathed with a passion.

Ever on the lookout for easy prey, she climbed onto a bus that would take her into town. Having paid the fare, she realised she had very little money left, and that it was vital for her somehow to find a measure of security if she were ever to make her life more comfortable than it was now.

Looking for a seat, she noticed a man she decided might be a good catch. He was grey-haired, and a little older than she, but still looked sprightly and amiable. She could see that the suit he was wearing, though somewhat wrinkled, was not made from cheap cloth.

Putting on her best smile, she sauntered over to him. ‘Excuse me … but would you mind if I sit here?’ she asked.

‘Well, no, of course not.’

The smile he gave her as he shifted over sent her pulse racing. But what made it race even more was the gold pocket watch peeping tantalisingly from his waistcoat pocket.

She thought him interesting. Especially when she noticed the bulging leather briefcase on his lap. Oh, yes! She reckoned him to be a well-heeled and likely candidate for what she had in mind.

Even before they alighted at the same stop, she had him eating out of her hand.

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Those looking in from the outside think Lucy Lovejoy’s life is like any other, but at the centre of her family there is a big empty hole where all the love and warmth should be. Over the years, her children have watched while their father chipped away at Lucy’s self-confidence. Now the children are following their own paths, and Lucy has never felt more alone.

When tragedy strikes at the heart of the family, it’s a wake-up call for Lucy. Everyone has taken a little piece of her, and she isn’t sure who she is anymore. So when Lucy faces a betrayal from those she loves deepest, she knows that it’s time to make a choice.

Is she brave enough to find herself again?

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