A Family Concern Read Free Page B

home just to go to bed, then straight back to Farthings the next morning, especially since I’m often working to deadlines and not free to socialize anyway. So on Wednesdays, when he only has afternoon classes, he comes home, and, of course, on Fridays for the weekend. It works very well, gives us both space, and we appreciate each other all the more. And we speak on the phone at least once a day.’
    Kate leaned forward to refill their cups. ‘It’s odd, isn’t it? Lewis and I work together all day, every day, with no problems. I’d hate what you call “space” away from him.’
    â€˜I suppose it’s different with family businesses. Do the other wives work in the shop? I see people behind the counters, but I’ve never known who they were.’
    â€˜Well, some of them are part-time staff. Freya, Lewis’s sister, works there, but the only other wife in our age group is Susie, who’s married to Lewis’s cousin Nicholas. And Nick’s mother, Jan, organizes the displays.’
    â€˜So the older generation’s still involved?’
    â€˜Very much so. Bruce and Robert, the joint managing directors, are in every day. It was their father, incidentally, who was Dorothy Fairfax’s brother. He’s long dead, but she, as you probably know, is still very much alive. And as I said, Jan, who’s Bruce’s wife, designs the layout of the windows and showcases.’
    â€˜And Robert’s wife?’
    â€˜Left him when the children were young, and he never remarried.’
    â€˜It’s quite a dynasty.’
    â€˜We’re the fourth generation, yes. What about your family? Are they all well?’
    â€˜Fine, thanks,’ Rona said with a brittle smile.
Except thatmy parents are splitting up, my father has a girlfriend, and my sister is barely speaking to me.
    â€˜I used to envy you being a twin,’ Kate said reminiscently. ‘It was always you two against the world, wasn’t it?’
    â€˜We’re pretty close,’ Rona acknowledged with difficulty.
    â€˜And I had a crush on your father! Did you know? He was so tall and good-looking and had such a lovely smile, and I loved the way he always came to collect you both from parties.’
    Some comment was clearly called for, but all Rona could think of to say was, ‘He’s retiring from the bank next week.’
    â€˜They’ll be sorry to see him go, after so long.’ Kate glanced at her watch. ‘I should be making a move, I’ve a dental appointment at four. With the shop closed on Mondays, I rush round like a scalded cat trying to fit in as many things as possible. Anyway, it’s been great to catch up with you, Rona.’ She opened her purse and took out some money. ‘Would you mind settling up? I’m cutting it a bit fine.’
    â€˜Of course. And I’ll twist Max’s arm about the watch.’
    Her eyes followed Kate as she walked quickly towards the door, slim and straight, her chestnut hair caught up in a knot behind her head. Even as a child, she’d known what she wanted and gone for it, Rona reflected, and was not above stepping on toes to achieve it. Well, she seemed to have found her niche now, and would be highly efficient at her job. Can’t hurt, either, to marry the boss’s son. She thought for a moment of Lewis Tarlton, with his narrow face and deep-set eyes. Though she knew him only by sight, she wasn’t surprised to hear his temper was volatile.
    She signalled the waitress for the bill and picked up her bag, automatically looking under the table for Gus, until she remembered he was recuperating at home. Still, she was taking him to the vet tomorrow, and with luck both bandage and collar would be removed.
    You two against the world
, Kate had said – and it was true. Oh, Linz, I miss you!
    Rona reached a sudden decision. She’d drive over to Lindsey’s flat this evening, and see if they