The Forbidden Promise by Lorna Cook

Author:Lorna Cook [Cook, Lorna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2019-11-29T17:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

2020

Kate’s alarm beeped merrily for a long time before she realised what the noise was. As she turned it off she looked blearily at the messages James had sent last night. The first, friendly enough, asking if she was hungry, if he should cook something for her or if she was dining out. The second message housed overtones of mild concern. Would she be coming back for the night or did she need picking up? Kate cringed with guilt. He’d actually been quite sweet. But his reaction when she walked through the front door yesterday night had been a bit overbearing.

Another message pinged and she marvelled at how she’d become so popular all of a sudden. It was Jenny. Kate sat up with excitement. Jenny, her lifeline to the goings-on in the outside world. She asked Kate how things were going and reiterated her intention to come and stay for a few days, instead of Kate returning to London for a quick weekend. Kate had been all for this plan, only now she wondered where they’d put Jenny. The house was going to be ready for paying guests soon enough and prior to that they were arranging all the press visits. Bedrooms would be full, hopefully, if she didn’t come and stay imminently.

Kate replied telling her as much and she hit reply instantly.

‘I can share with you?’ she offered. ‘I’m due a bit of leave from work. How cold is it up there? Cold is a deal-breaker.’

Kate smiled and replied, ‘But sharing a bed isn’t? And it’s summer so it’s warm. Sort of.’

‘That’ll do. Shall I book a bit of time off work? I can help you out. You can dress it up as a bit of free labour. Might that keep the surly James off your back if I do come to stay?’

‘Maybe. As long as we don’t look like we’re having too much fun in the process,’ Kate typed.

Jenny sent Kate an eye-rolling emoji. ‘Is fun banned? I’m not looking forward to meeting James. He sounds a barrel of laughs.’

Kate was torn how to reply. Anything rude felt disloyal. But she wasn’t sure he warranted her defence as things currently stood.

Before Kate had the chance to respond Jenny sent another message. ‘Any fit men up there? Please say yes.’

‘Yes,’ Kate replied.

Jenny’s reply was immediate. ‘Is this a lie?’

‘No comment. Please come anyway!’ Kate typed as fast as she could. ‘Please!’

Jenny replied with a laughing face and told Kate she’d take a look at flights and see when she could take time off work. Kate put the phone down and almost skipped towards the shower.

One day merged seamlessly into the next at Invermoray and so when Saturday eventually rolled around Kate was actually surprised. And for once, she had made plans. She was going into the village and was going to try to pick up the novel for the book club. Then she was going to sit at the pretty little green on the edge of the village and while away the hours reading.

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