Beneath the Shadows Read Free Page A

that she’d worn all the time in London. They were consigned to the bottom of the wardrobe behind the trainers and Wellingtons, which were all she needed right now.
    When they returned to the lounge, Grace scanned the area and, satisfied there was nothing too dangerous within reach of little hands, set Millie on the floor to play. Then she picked up the phone and called her parents in France. Her father answered and sounded pleased to hear from her, even if there was a note of concern in his voice. She recalled their last conversation a few days earlier, before she had left for England.
    â€˜What the hell do you want to go and live there again for?’ he’d roared when she’d announced her plans.
    â€˜It’s only for a short time,’ Grace had replied. ‘There are things to sort out, and I think it’s time I went and did it. I can’t stay here forever.’
    â€˜You can stay here for as long as you like,’ her dad had replied, his voice gruff and indignant. ‘You can’t fool me, Grace, I know why you’re going.’
    â€˜I need to pack up the cottage properly, Dad. There’snobody else to do that job except me. And it’s Millie’s inheritance, remember? Everything there is part of her family history.’
    Her father made a noise that sounded like Hmph , and walked over to his lounge-room window, from where, if you looked between the huddled villas opposite, you could glimpse a patch of sparkling blue sea. Then he turned and glared at her. ‘I’m sure we could find someone there to do that for you.’
    Grace had folded her arms, stood her ground and waited, until her father added, shaking a finger at her, ‘Just don’t you go chasing shadows, you hear me? Get in, do what you need to, and then go somewhere else – somewhere far away. Your mother and I have no idea why Adam took you there in the first place.’
    She’d gone across to him and put her hand on his arm. ‘I’ll be fine,’ she said softly.
    He hadn’t met her eyes, simply patted her hand and said, ‘I know you will.’
    She and Millie had left the next day.
    Now, she was glad to hear their voices, though this time it was her mother who couldn’t hide her worry completely.
    â€˜Remember to take any legal documents you find to a solicitor. You need to know where you stand. Your father and I will pay for it.’
    â€˜We know where I stand,’ Grace replied miserably. ‘The cottage is in joint names, so I can’t sell without Adam.’
    â€˜But there might be a way round it, Grace – you never know. Just get someone local to check out all the facts for you.’
    â€˜I will, Mum,’ Grace replied, pulling an exasperated face at Millie. ‘I’ve only been here a day – give me a chance.’
    â€˜I know, love. We only want to help. Oh, and before I go – James called. He was surprised to hear you’d gone back there, said you hadn’t mentioned it to him.’
    Grace was riled by her tone. ‘I didn’t realise I had to report all my movements to him,’ she shot back.
    There was silence on the other end of the line, and Grace immediately felt bad. After all, there was one reason she hadn’t told her best friend she was coming back: she didn’t want to listen to him trying to talk her out of it.
    â€˜Sorry, Mum, I didn’t mean to snap.’
    â€˜It’s okay, love. I understand. Just remember you can call us any time, Grace – day or night.’
    â€˜I know I can.’
    As Grace said goodbye, a wave of nerves threatened to swamp her. The phone call had made her all too aware of the distance between her and those who had bolstered her up over the past year.
    She shook off her apprehension as she surveyed the lounge room, knowing she had a lot to do. Adam’s grandparents had been dead for over eighteen months, yet as far as the cottage was concerned they