‘That’s right. But Millicent left the cottage to her granddaughter, Molly. And Molly has been renting it out. A lovely young woman called Jemma is living there at the moment.She’s a famous author, like Laurence Lake. Only she writes historical romance novels, not cosy crime. Her books have been made into a hugely popular TV series. But I don’t suppose you’ve watched it.’ Tabby grinned at him knowingly.
Russell grinned back. ‘No. But I’ll add it to my list.’ She knew him well enough to know that he didn’t watch much TV, and when he did, it certainly wouldn’t be a TV series based on historical romance novels.
‘Oh, and she’s dating Greg Bishop,’ Tabby added. ‘The lovely young man who lives next door to Oak View Cottage and who owns Bishop’s Books in Folkestone.’
‘Yes. I know Greg, Tabby. Although I didn’t know he was dating someone. Griff didn’t mention it.’
‘Jemma only arrived in June. She was supposed to be here for one month but she decided to stay on for longer. She and Greg have only recently made it public knowledge that they’re a couple. Of course there were rumours so everyone knew before they announced it.’ Tabby rolled her eyes. ‘And you only have to look at them to see they’re madly in love. Anyway, Molly had gone on a cruise with her parents, and when she returned, she said it was her intention to sell Oak View Cottage. She’s planning to work on a cruise ship and travel the world, so I hear.’
‘Good for her. She won’t have any trouble selling the cottage if Tom doesn’t buy it. Property in this village is always in demand. In fact, Tom might find himself in a bidding war.’
Tabby nodded sagely. ‘Yes. Some people thought Jemma would buy it, and she did say she was interested, but then we discovered that Greg made Jemma an offer of his own, just this last weekend. But not quite the same sort of offer.’ Tabby grinned over the rim of her teacup. ‘He’s asked her to marry him. After only knowing her for a little less than two months. Can you believe that? It was love at first sight for both of them, it seems. They’ve gone away for a week to celebrate. But when theyreturn, Jemma will be moving in with Greg. Which means that Tom won’t have to compete with Jemma for the cottage. And, as I said, Pat Eversley told me yesterday that the offer Tom made Molly has been accepted. So, assuming the sale goes ahead, Tom and Hope will move into Oak View Cottage before too long.’
‘Well it’s all been happening while I’ve been away, hasn’t it?’
‘You have no idea.’ Tabby rolled her eyes and grinned again. ‘Gossip has been flying left, right, and centre. One day it’s one thing and the next it’s another.’ The grin quickly faded.
‘Ah yes. And speaking of gossip. You were saying the latest gossip is about Hanna, weren’t you? And that it was a bit of a worry because she’s friends with Grace and Griff. Although why would it matter about that? They couldn’t care less about what the gossips might say.’
‘Ordinarily, that would be true.’ Tabby now twisted her teacup between her fingers in an oddly nervous fashion. ‘But this latest piece of gossip is somewhat different. I heard it from Daisy Copeland when I called her this morning to check when the Reverend was free next week to have a final chat with Grace and Griff about their wedding rehearsal. And we all know that, as the vicar’s wife, Daisy detests falsehoods. Although she is rather partial to a juicy bit of gossip. She heard it from Barbra Brimble herself, who had only left Hanna’s side, minutes before. Barbra was attending one of Daisy’s regular Wednesday coffee mornings, and I phoned just as it was coming to an end, about two hours ago.’
‘So what you’re saying is the gossip is fresh and as it’s only been passed between two people, it hasn’t been embellished.’
‘Exactly. Hanna just came right out and said it. Although Barbra did tell Daisy, who told me, that Hanna might not have realised she had spoken the words aloud. She was on the grass embankment outside the front gates this morning, painting a picture of Betancourt and the grounds when Barbra stopped fora chat. Barbra said she hadn’t seen Hanna for months, and had been wondering if there was something wrong, and now she knows there is. Anyway, she said they discussed Grace and Griff and the upcoming wedding, and how wonderful it would be to live in Betancourt and to be Griff’s wife, and that’s when Hanna said it. She told Barbra that she thought of little else. That she longed to be married to Griff and often imagined that she was. That it would be a dream come true.’
Now Russell wished he hadn’t asked and it took him a minute or two to fully comprehend what Tabby was telling him. That Barbra Brimble had heard it with her own ears that very morning and from Hanna’s own lips. And Hanna was right outside the front gates of Betancourt, painting a picture of the house and grounds at the time. The house Hanna had said she wanted to live in and that it would be a dream come true.
And that she wanted to live in it with Grifforde Betancourt.
As Griff’s wife.
Could this be true?
Was Hanna Shaw in love with his older brother, Griff?
