by Minna Howard
‘But for how long have you know each other, darling?’ Alice attempted to throw out a silent warning that as Laura was only in her early twenties, she didn’t need to rush into marriage, especially with someone they didn’t know. She’d feel differently if she’d chosen the son of one of their friends, someone they’d known since childhood.
Laura ignored her flashing eye signals and said, ‘We’ve known each other on and off for over a year and…’
Douglas then stirred himself. ‘I feel very sorry that I can’t ask Laura’s late father for her hand in marriage,’ he said formally, ‘but I shall ask for yours instead. I have a good job and a house and…’
‘Do you love her? Love each other?’ Alice interjected. He reminded her of the Prince of Wales when asked the same question at his engagement saying ‘whatever in love means’. She would not have been at all surprised if Douglas had mimicked him.
‘Mum…’ Laura blazed as if she’d asked something more intimate.
‘That goes without saying,’ Douglas cut in. ‘We are very happy together and my children love her.’
‘Children!’ Alice burst out in dismay. ‘What children?’ She turned accusingly to Laura. ‘You never said that there were children involved.’
‘Mum… I was… going to explain, but you didn’t give me… us… a chance.’ Laura’s jaw was set in the ridged way she had when she was trying to justify herself.
‘Mrs Garnet,’ Douglas began cautiously as if fearful that she might erupt and deluge him with molten lava. ‘I’ll explain about myself and my circumstances.’ He paused, sat back in his chair, folding his hands carefully on his lap as if he were about to embark upon a fairy tale.
Alice poured out more wine, gulping at it while thinking of Cecily’s advice. Perhaps she’d take a gap year. She’d recently read an article about ‘empty nesters’ setting off themselves to explore the world. What if she set off on one of those trips and left her daughters to sort themselves out?
‘My marriage went wrong very early on,’ Douglas started. ‘I hung on for my children’s sakes, but now it is over and I have custody of them.’
‘How old are they?’ Alice could see the picture now. Douglas needed a wife and mother for his children – this was a job offer and, for whatever reason, Laura was about to accept it.
‘Eight and six,’ Douglas said, ‘and they love Laura already. And for you,’ he smiled the warmest smile she’d seen from him so far, ‘you will have two instant grandchildren and I knew the minute I met you that they will love you.’
But will I love them? Alice thought, poleaxed at the thought of having acquired three surprise grandchildren, in less than a week.
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About Minna Howard
MINNA HOWARD has had an exciting career in fashion journalism and now writes full time, whilst enjoying time with her grandsons and working as an occasional Film and TV extra. She lives in London and is herself a glamorous Granny.
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Addictive Fiction
First published in the United Kingdom in 2016 by Aria, an imprint of Head of Zeus Ltd
Copyright © Minna Howard, 2016
The moral right of Minna Howard to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act of 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. All characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.
ISBN (E) 9781784975869
Aria
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