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Back The Cottage Save as PDF
Chapters (82)
  1. Cover
  2. Dedication
  3. ONE
  4. TWO
  5. THREE
  6. FOUR
  7. FIVE
  8. SIX
  9. SEVEN
  10. EIGHT
  11. NINE
  12. TEN
  13. ELEVEN
  14. TWELVE
  15. THIRTEEN
  16. FOURTEEN
  17. FIFTEEN
  18. SIXTEEN
  19. SEVENTEEN
  20. EIGHTEEN
  21. NINETEEN
  22. TWENTY
  23. TWENTY-ONE
  24. TWENTY-TWO
  25. TWENTY-THREE
  26. TWENTY-FOUR
  27. TWENTY-FIVE
  28. TWENTY-SIX
  29. TWENTY-SEVEN
  30. TWENTY-EIGHT
  31. TWENTY-NINE
  32. THIRTY
  33. THIRTY-ONE
  34. THIRTY-TWO
  35. THIRTY-THREE
  36. THIRTY-FOUR
  37. THIRTY-FIVE
  38. THIRTY-SIX
  39. THIRTY-SEVEN
  40. THIRTY-EIGHT
  41. THIRTY-NINE
  42. FORTY
  43. FORTY-ONE
  44. FORTY-TWO
  45. FORTY-THREE
  46. FORTY-FOUR
  47. FORTY-FIVE
  48. FORTY-SIX
  49. FORTY-SEVEN
  50. FORTY-EIGHT
  51. FORTY-NINE
  52. FIFTY
  53. FIFTY-ONE
  54. FIFTY-TWO
  55. FIFTY-THREE
  56. FIFTY-FOUR
  57. FIFTY-FIVE
  58. FIFTY-SIX
  59. FIFTY-SEVEN
  60. FIFTY-EIGHT
  61. FIFTY-NINE
  62. SIXTY
  63. SIXTY-ONE
  64. SIXTY-TWO
  65. SIXTY-THREE
  66. SIXTY-FOUR
  67. SIXTY-FIVE
  68. SIXTY-SIX
  69. SIXTY-SEVEN
  70. SIXTY-EIGHT
  71. SIXTY-NINE
  72. SEVENTY
  73. SEVENTY-ONE
  74. SEVENTY-TWO
  75. SEVENTY-THREE
  76. SEVENTY-FOUR
  77. Suggested topics for reading-group discussion
  78. Keep Reading …
  79. Lisa Stone also writes under the name of Cathy Glass.Don’t miss her latest book …
  80. About the Author
  81. Books by Lisa Stone
  82. About the Publisher

He lay in bed, a small light coming from the street lamp outside, plagued by thoughts of what he’d learnt as Emma slept beside him. She was in a deep sleep and her breathing was soft and shallow. Lucky her, Ian thought bitterly. He hadn’t told her yet. When he’d finally come to bed shortly after 1 a.m. she’d stirred, turned over and cuddled up to him, wanting to make love. He’d recoiled and feigned sleep. Now he knew they were related he wasn’t sure what he felt towards her. Not his wife, more like a friend, or sister, which he supposed in some ways she was. Clearly there would be no more children. This was the end of the road for their hopes of a normal family life, and Ian had no idea how he was going to tell Emma.

He moved his legs away from her and tried to relax. He really needed to get some sleep. He had work tomorrow, but his anger persisted. Moller had ruined their lives and Ian wanted him to pay one way or another. He’d go to the clinic tomorrow and have it out with him. But then, on reflection, Ian wondered if that was a good idea. He doubted he was going to get any more out of Moller than he had the last time. Moller had lied, so why would he tell the truth now? Also, if Ian lost his temper – which he could easily do – he might do something he later regretted. Perhaps it would be better to report him to the police and let them take care of him. Yes, that seemed to be the best plan.

But then again … Ian could picture going into Coleshaw Police Station and having to explain to the duty officer about the clinic and donated sperm. How embarrassing that would be! Especially if others were there. Added to which, the moment he began talking about their dead babies, he knew he would cry and make a complete fool of himself.

Emma stirred beside him and, giving a small groan, mumbled something in her sleep, which gave Ian another idea. The detective constable who’d come to see them already knew about the death of their last baby. He wouldn’t have to go through it all again with her. She’d seemed clued up and sensitive, and as a detective could investigate. It would be easier talking to her than going to the police station. But what was her name?