The Secret Affair by Shaw Danielle

Author:Shaw, Danielle [Shaw, Danielle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Endeavour Press
Published: 2015-08-10T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 13

Sally stared dejectedly from the bedroom window across the fields of scarlet poppies. At any other time their bright silky blooms would have lifted her spirits. With Hugh away, however, it was like being in the slough of despond. Feeling tears prick her eyelids she recalled his last visit.

‘I’m so sorry, Sally. I knew nothing about it. Serena arranged it all with Charles and Vivienne behind my back. According to Serena it’s a belated birthday surprise, but I know it’s simply another of her schemes to put things right since Stanley. By involving her sister and brother-in-law, she knows damn well it makes it hard for me to refuse. Charles and Vivienne are such decent people and…’

Hugh paced the floor in despair, his dark eyes filling with anger. ‘Look, I’ll make it up to you when I get back, I promise.’

‘You don’t have to make it up to me, Hugh, or make any promises. I have no claim on you and Serena is still your wife.’

‘In name only, and she needn’t think this outrageous suggestion of hers is going to put us back in the same bed!’

Sally said nothing and fixed her gaze numbly on the dried flower arrangement Julie had made for her at Easter. Hugh drew her into his arms and whispered. ‘That wasn’t very tactful of me, was it? But it is true, my darling. Serena and I will not be sleeping together; I’ve made that perfectly clear and she knows it.’

‘But it might not be that easy if you’re with Charles and Vivienne. Won’t they expect you…’

‘Oh, I can assure you it will be very easy. The villa sleeps eight and I intend to get up early and play as much tennis and golf as I can. Serena’s a late riser. My excuse will be separate bedrooms so as not to disturb her.’

Stroking Sally’s hair, Hugh continued. ‘Anyway, let’s not talk about that, I have some good news for you.’

‘Good news. In what way?’

‘The proposed building plans Terry alerted us to, they won’t be affecting you after all. There’s a new development right enough but it won’t encroach on your view. Actually, it all sounds quite tasteful, a type of mews setting in keeping with the local yellow sandstone.’

*

Now, forcing thoughts of Hugh and Serena’s holiday from her mind, Sally was suitably mollified. The bright yellow JCBs, lying in wait with their gaping jaws ready to gorge on virgin meadows had all trundled off in the opposite direction. She could at least go to work in better spirits.

Sorting through the post at Laura’s Lair, Sally found the postcard signed SV 2. She laughed and handed it to Marion.

‘I suppose by that she means Shirley Valentine the second and has no doubt met her Costas or Dimitri.’

‘Heaven help us when she returns then, you know what Laura is like for holiday romances.

‘Dear Laura,’ Marion sighed, ‘she hasn’t changed a bit in all the years I’ve known her.’

‘People don’t though, do they—despite their promises.’

‘That sounds a very deep statement, Sally.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.