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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

‘Through the hole in the hedge at the bottom of the garden. But tonight …’ she stopped. It seemed ridiculous to try to describe what she’d seen scramble over the side gate. Chris was a regular down-to-earth type of guy. Someone who could happily walk along Wood Lane at night and not get spooked.

‘Yes?’ he encouraged, looking at her carefully.

‘I’m worried they might get indoors,’ Jan said. ‘One got very close tonight.’

‘And you don’t know what they are?’

She shook her head.

‘Would you like me to board up the hole in the hedge?’ Chris offered. ‘I’m free tomorrow morning. There’s bound to be some wood in the shed here I can use. If not, I’m sure I’ve got something that will do in my garage.’

Jan suddenly felt very silly. Of course the obvious solution was to block the hole.

‘And Camile won’t mind?’ she checked.

‘No, why should she?’ Chris said. ‘Not if it’s causing you a problem.’

He’d clearly forgotten his text telling her she should ask Camile first before she changed anything in the cottage. Jan wasn’t going to remind him now.

‘I’m sure I can do it,’ she said. ‘The shed is full of bits of wood.’

‘OK, but if you want some help, give me a ring.’

‘I will. Thanks.’

Chris emptied his glass.

‘Would you like a refill?’ she offered.

‘No, I should be going now.’

He stood and she saw him to the door where he unhooked his coat from the hall stand and slipped it on.

‘Thanks again for finding Tinder. Do you want to take my car to get home?’ Jan offered.

‘I’d better not. A large whisky on top of all the beer. It would be my luck to be stopped by the police.’

‘There are police in the village?’ she asked. ‘I thought the old police house was empty.’ She’d seen it when she’d walked through the village exploring.

‘It is empty, but a patrol car from Coleshaw comes through every so often. You can never be sure when.’ Which Jan found quite reassuring. ‘Night then,’ Chris said, opening the door. ‘Thanks for the drink. Give me a ring if you want any help tomorrow.’

‘I will. Thanks again for returning Tinder.’

She watched Chris go down the short garden path and then right onto the lane that led to the village. He glanced back and gave a little wave before he disappeared from view. Rather him than me, Jan thought, walking alone at night, and she quickly closed and locked the door.

TEN

Emma was worried about whether she was doing the right thing as she let herself into her parents’ home while calling, ‘Mum, it’s me!’ Her father would be out at work. She’d purposely chosen a weekday for that reason.