Read Conflicted Innocence for Free Online Page B

an agency?” I asked with a frown.
    “Yes. It’s pretty common I hear.”
    We kissed, and I had another mini panic attack.
    James sensed this. “Hey, you’ll be fine. You and Gracie will have a wonderful time exploring. And we’ll start looking for a car for you later on.”
    “Okay. Have a good day, and we’ll see you later.” I plucked Grace from her highchair and followed him to the door to wave him off.
    Once he’d turned at the end of the road, a feeling of desolation came over me.
    “Well, come on then, Missie-moo. Any suggestions what we should do?” I asked, as I closed the front door.
    Grace babbled.
    “I see. The park it is, then. Let’s get changed and we can go exploring.”
    It wasn’t long before I’d cleaned up the breakfast dishes and dressed us both ready for the off.
    Grace was excited, as if she knew where we were going.
    As we passed Lee’s house, a feeling of grief washed over me. I hadn’t been able to shake off the sadness after learning what had happed to Lydia and her poor little son. And now, the house I first thought looked inviting and well cared for, suddenly seemed dark and sinister. I shuddered and looked away.
    The street was pretty, as residential streets go. There was a grass verge in between the road and the footpath, broken outside every property by a concrete drive. Each section of grass had an established oak tree, which had clearly been there long before the road and pavement had been laid.
    The sun was shining, and the wind had died down from last night’s terrible storm. A couple of the neighbours waved and a few curtains twitched as I passed, probably wondering who the strange woman was who came out of the famous crime writer’s house.
    We turned the corner and crossed the road to the store where I picked up the local newspaper from the stand.
    “How are you settling in?” The woman behind the counter must have recognised me from the other day.
    “Oh, yeah, good thanks.”
    “Where did you live before?”
    “Cumbria.” I didn’t mention the years I’d lived in Manchester with Simon.
    “I love Cumbria. I stayed with my aunt in Bowness-on-Windermere when I was a girl and vowed to return one day.”
    “Yeah, it’s lovely there. We lived further north than that, in a small village not quite as popular with tourists.”
    “Ah, yes. It was overrun with tourists and I’m talking...” she looked up to the ceiling and tapped a pen on her chin, “...gosh, it must be fifty years ago now.”
    “Probably hasn’t changed much, to be honest. You should go back—fifty years is a long time.”
    “You know, you’re right. My Craig’s been trying to talk me into a holiday. But with all the airport security and terrorism in the world nowadays, it fair puts you off travelling. I never thought about holidaying in our own country.”
    “Oh, you should. There are some lovely places. I’m like you. I think holidaying abroad is overrated.”
    Grace began to fidget.
    “I’d best be off. Just this, please.” I placed the newspaper on the counter.
    “Good idea. You’ll find lots of classes and ways to meet people in there.”
    “It’s a job I want. Just a few hours a day once I get Missie-moo in a day-nursery.”
    “Really?” she said, walking around the counter. “Do you believe in fate?”
    “Eh?” I looked at her as though she’d lost her marbles.
    “Two minutes before you arrived, I put a card in the window.” She pulled a piece of yellow card off the back of the door and handed it to me.
     
    Part Time Vacancy
    Part-time salesperson wanted for three afternoons a week.
    ENQUIRE WITHIN
     
    “Here?” I asked.
    “Yes. I need someone to help out when we get our deliveries. What do you reckon?” She looked as though she might burst with excitement.
    “Yes. How do I apply?”
    She blew a raspberry. “I’m offering you the job. If you want it, of course?”
    “Yes. I want it. But are you sure? Don’t you want to check references or