‘I bumped into Juliette. She’s asking questions already. We need to be more careful.’
Sarah was intrigued then. ‘Asking questions about what?’
‘She claims she saw a child in the garden.’
‘Well, she’s wrong about that.’
‘She is.’ He paused for a moment. ‘I want you to invite yourself for that coffee next week. Get some cakes from the village and see what you can find out. Are they here permanently or just to see if they can settle out of London? Perhaps they intend to spend a lot of time in the city rather than here? Anything that will work in our favour.’
‘She seems nice to me. I’m sure she’ll be no trouble.’
‘Know that for certain, do you?’ Richard growled. ‘They’ve barely moved in and all of a sudden, you act asif Juliette is a long-lost friend that you share a history with.’
‘No, I was saying that?—’
‘Well, don’t. Just mind your own business but find out what you can.’
He left her then and she made a coffee, taking it through to the living room. Of all the rooms in the house, this was Sarah’s favourite. Most of the back wall was made up of bi-folding doors that let the garden into the front room when they were open. It was sheer bliss to sit with the breeze blowing on you on hot evenings, either watching the TV or reading a book. An inglenook fireplace stood on the opposite wall. Two brown, soft leather settees facing each other, a pile of cushions thrown on top of them in creams and oranges. She’d had no hand in the decoration, it had been like this since before she’d arrived. And yet, she liked it all.
While Richard was out of the way, Sarah took the opportunity to relax. She slipped off her shoes and rested her feet on the coffee table, gazing out onto the garden as she drank her drink. She wasn’t sure she would ever tire of the view, the way it made her feel as she gazed out onto the greenery. Yet she hoped it wasn’t all going to be for nothing. Richard had some funny ways of keeping control and she didn’t want to push him too much.
She also knew better than to question his sudden interest in Juliette. Was it because he thought she was getting too close? Or did he like her? Juliette was abeautiful woman. Sarah knew his feelings for her were waning, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to do anything about it. Keeping the peace was what she was interested in, for as long as it took.
Still, if Richard had set his sights on Juliette, it was a little too close to home for her liking. But that wouldn’t stop him. He would see it as a challenge. Although she wasn’t sure Juliette would fall for his charms, no matter if he did throw himself at her.
Juliette and Danny seemed very much in love. Sarah had been envious since meeting them, their close bond oozing from them. They seemed content in each other’s company, not a couple who slobber over each other and make people feel uncomfortable. Just a hand on an arm during conversation, a shared smile between the two of them. It made her realise what she’d been missing.
Was that how it should be? she wondered. There hadn’t been many men in Sarah’s life to compare with really. She did tire of Richard’s constant attention and nit-picking though. After so long with him, she thought she knew his every move, but he would always surprise her, being one step ahead.
It could get lonely at White Oaks, but she was determined to stick it out. Living with Richard was now both a nightmare and a challenge.
But she was in this for however long it took.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Juliette was in the kitchen. She’d almost finished for the day after getting all her invoices paid and a few emails out to her clients. The doors were open to the garden and, despite the weather breaking finally, it was still warm if overcast. She reckoned they might have another storm later that evening. It was so muggy.
Emily would have loved this garden. Juliette went over to the area that they had designated for her bench. They’d commissioned an engraved plaque and they’d planted flowers and shrubs around the edge of a stone circle they had paved together. There was a lantern so she could sit there at night too, and she’d ordered a few blankets and cushions to make it cosy. It was going to look lovely once the bench was in place.
Danny had suggested opening a bottle of champagne and raising a toast to the future when everythingwas finished. It was a nice suggestion, but she’d said no. It seemed too final. Still, at least she’d have somewhere to come when she was missing Emily so much it hurt to breathe.
She thought back to the child she had seen in the garden next door. Emily had worn a red dress last summer. Juliette remembered she’d chosen it herself for her friend Tilly’s birthday party. She’d loved it so much that she’d wanted to sleep in it that night. Worn out and tired, Juliette had compromised and allowed her to wear it the next day too. It was a party dress for special occasions. She had looked silly walking around the supermarket with her as they did the weekly shop, but Emily loved it. She said she felt like a princess.
Which begged the question, was she missing Emily so much she wanted to see a child next door?
She pressed a hand to her eyes as they began to leak again. Emily wouldn’t want her to be like this. She had to be brave for her little girl. And as horrible as it seemed, she had to be strong to ensure she became pregnant again.
Mentally, she had her fingers tightly crossed that Danny would get the job he’d been interviewed for. He’d come back from the meeting excited and buoyed up about the future and his prospects. His face had lit up as he’d talked her through it, saying he’d had a tour of the offices and met many of the staff he’d hopefully be working with.
She couldn’t believe how neither of them were missing their London lives. Of course, Danny still had his to a degree, but he was a different man when she saw him at the weekends. It had been a good move. Now all they needed was a new addition to the family. And maybe a dog too, she laughed to herself.
Her head snapped to the right, alert to the sound of singing. It was coming from next door. Surely that couldn’t be a coincidence. She grabbed her phone and tiptoed over the grass towards the hedgerow. She peeped over, hoping to go unnoticed.
There. She could hear it again. But she couldn’t see the little girl. Then the noise stopped.
Juliette sat on the lawn for a moment, waiting. For what? She didn’t know. Was she so desperate for a child of her own that she would imagine seeing one next door? She wasn’t sure.
But then a child ran across the garden. Shehadn’tbeen seeing things. Quickly, she took a photo, managing to capture the back of the little girl. She checked the image. She had something to show Danny now. Rather than send it to him, she decided to keep it for when he was back home.
