AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘Is that Raff’s car? The vintage one?’ Surely a mention of vintage cars would cheer her up.
‘It was our father’s. He got Daddy’s car, I got Mummy’s jewellery, the bits she left behind anyway. Never say that the Raffertys aren’t conventional.’
She opened the door and slid out. ‘Let’s do this. Leave the bags, Gabe. We’ll get them later.’
Gabe slowly exited the car and watched her. It was incredible seeing the way she breathed in, the mask slipping over her as she tilted her head up, straightened her back. She was every inch Polly Rafferty, CEO. On the outside at least.
He fell into step beside her but she didn’t look at him as she marched up the small path that wound from the road through her flower-filled front garden to the wooden front door.
Twisting the handle, she made a face as the door opened with no need for a key. ‘Hello,’ she called as she pushed it open. ‘If you’re burglars then there isn’t anything worth taking. If it’s Raff how the hell did you get in?’
‘Ah, that’s my fault. I abused my position as your concierge service but I thought you would prefer to come home to a prepared dinner and a settled-in grandparent.’ A woman with a heart-shaped face, wavy red-gold hair and the greenest eyes Gabe had ever seen came through from the kitchen, smiling a little shyly. ‘Hi, Polly. I’m so sorry I haven’t been round before today. Good trip?’
Polly stood stock-still for a moment and Gabe felt her take an audible deep breath as if steeling herself before she moved forward, her face wreathed in smiles. ‘Clara! I should have known. It’s so good to see you. Let me see...’ She grabbed Clara’s left hand and stared at the antique emerald ring on her third finger.
‘I know it’s customary to say congratulations but as Raff’s twin I can’t square it with my conscience if I don’t first say run. I lived with him for eighteen years and you are far too good for him.’
Clara was glowing with happiness. ‘It’s too late. Summer would never forgive me. He’s promised to take her to two theme parks in Florida this year.’
Polly shook her head. ‘That’s my brother. He always targets the weak spot! Congratulations, Clara. I hope you will be very happy. Have you met Gabe yet? Gabe, this is Clara, my brother’s fiancée.’
‘No, we haven’t met but I know Raff, of course. Please accept my felicitations.’ Gabe shook her hand warmly and smiled down into the green eyes.
‘Polly, I am so sorry,’ Clara whispered. ‘I said you would probably be too tired for a meeting now, and the last thing you would want was your house invaded, but your grandfather was so insistent. I got Dad to make some food I can heat up, just a lasagne and salad, and Sue will clean it all up tomorrow so, really, all you have to do is eat.’
Polly didn’t know how she would have managed without Clara’s concierge service to manage her life over the last three years; she had never been more grateful for her friend’s organisational powers.
‘That’s okay.’ Polly gave Clara’s hand a squeeze. ‘But I hope you’re sticking around. You’re part of the family now. Where is everyone?’
Clara smiled back at her friend. ‘Thanks, Polly. They’re in the sitting room. Oh, and just to warn you before you go in, your grandmother is there as well.’
‘What? With Grandfather? In the same room? Good God, thank goodness I don’t have any priceless antiques.’
Polly led the way through the low-beamed door into the pretty sitting room. Gabe was so used to seeing the house empty it was a shock to find the room full of people. Charles Rafferty was ensconced on the straight-backed armchair by the unlit fire, his despised stick by his side. A white-haired, regal-looking woman with an unmistakeable look of the Rafferty twins in her straight nose and shrewd blue eyes was sitting on the sofa talking to Raff while a dark-haired girl of ten or so was lying on the floor whispering softly to Mr Simpkins as he purred around her hand.
‘This is quite the welcoming committee.’ Polly looked calm and collected as she walked in. ‘Hello, Grandmother.’ She went over to the sofa and kissed the older lady’s cheek. ‘Raff.’ A cool nod at her brother. ‘Grandfather.’ Another nod. ‘Hi, Summer, how was Australia?’
‘Polly!’ The girl scrambled to her feet. ‘Do you know you’re going to be my aunt?’
‘I do.’ Polly stepped over and gave her a quick hug. ‘My first niece. I’m looking forward to it.’
There was an ache at the back of Gabe’s throat as he watched her dance so awkwardly around her family. She was right: he kept his at arm’s length but it didn’t matter. They would always be there, love him, have a space for him. Nothing he could do would provoke this kind of cold and formal reception.
