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‘Just tellbetter than she had heard him

for a long time

‘Help ested tentatively

Her father laughed ‘Why, you’ll be much better at that than me, Lizzie I’ll be there to honour the old bird, of course And then there’s the reading of the will I’ll definitely attend that’

Lizzie realised she hadn’t even thought about the will

‘Be sure to let me knohen the lawyers are ready to divvy up the spoils,’ her father said, sounding et in touch with you before me, of course’

‘Why would they do that?’

‘Your grandmother was a very aard and unpredictable woman, so who knohat she intended? Just do as I say, will you, Lizzie?’

‘Of course’ Lizzie’s blood ran cold Her father was hoping to inherit whatever ht be left after the creditors had picked over the estate, and if he did that his old drinking cronies would be back faster than Lizzie could raise a loan to save as left On the way ho if she could interest the Scottish Legacy Preservation Society in buying and restoring the estate, but now it see timescale

‘And, one , Lizzie,’ her father said ‘Don’t let that fellow Chico anywhere near the place He alas a bad lot, and I wouldn’t put anything past hirandmother’s dead, he’ll be after you That man has no scruples’

Chico had no scruples? Yet here was her father, talking about spoils when his mother had only just passed away, and her mother was more interested in her latest boyfriend than the estate she had bled dry Another call coh on her phone distracted Lizzie for a

‘Don’t forget thatprecious from me—’

She turned her attention back to her father on the phone ‘Do you mean the horses?’ she said, confused

‘No I mean your mother Chico Fernandez stole your mother from me’

Fir her lips, Lizzie shook her head in blank denial of this, but before she heard the details of the truth from Chico’s lips she doubted she would ever be totally certain of anything, and with Chico in Brazil and Lizzie in Scotland, there was no way that was ever going to happen now

CHAPTER ELEVEN

SHE COULD SEE why peoplehad happened between Chico and Serena all those years ago The pieces of the jigsaw could so easily besocialite with too much time on her hands tied to an unwanted child and a ly attractive South Aroom, and watch the sparks fly Lizzie knew she shouldn’t listen to her father’s heavily biased views, but he had caught her at a particularly vulnerable time

When she got off the train in Rottingdean village, Lizzie’s first stop was the lodge, to collect the keys to the big house Chico had called a second time, but she still hadn’t taken his call She couldn’t face talking to hi else would have to wait

‘Lizzie! You’re back! Come in!’

Ha the door wide in welco Lizzie in the fa the bitter chill of a winter’s day was like a hug, she thought as she stepped inside There was a log fire burning lustily in the hearth, and oollen plaids draped invitingly over orn leather sofas, while the scent of freshly baked scones reminded Lizzie she hadn’t eaten in a while, but it was the warmth and concern on the faces of her two friends that drew her like a net into their home

‘It’s so good to see you both again,’ she exclaimed, her voice muffled in Annie’s enthusiastic embrace

‘Won’t you have a cup of tea with us, at least?’ Annie said, standing back, having sensed Lizzie’s tension

Afraid of breaking down, Lizzie shook her head ‘That’s very kind of you, but there’s sohouse and open it all up again’