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connection between you and Christina?”
    There was a pause during which Lawrence laced and unlaced his fingers and then he said, “For a short time she was my fiancée.”
    Rhianna stared at him as things slowly began to slot into place.
    “Right – now I’m beginning to understand. So do you know where she is? Because it seems as if she’s the person those criminals were looking for yesterday and not me.”
    Lawrence sighed. “Yes, I realise that and I’m sorry you got involved, although I can assure you, I have absolutely no idea how this could have happened. It truly wasn’t down to me. I’m not in touch with Tina now, but she did have a number of dubious friends.”
    “Letitia thinks she’s gone to Australia.”
    He shrugged. “Who’s to say? She could be absolutely anywhere. The world’s a big place.”
    He caught her hands in his. “Do you think we could begin again and be friends? After all, we both have the interests of Letitia at heart, don’t we?”
    She nodded. “That’d be great. It’s better than being enemies.”
    She gave a slight smile and he pulled her to her feet. Leaning forward he touched her gently on the cheek and her pulse raced.
    “We’ll get through this together,” he told her softly.
    A little shaft of fear shot through her.
    “Get through what? What do you mean?”
    “Oh, absolutely nothing – just a figure of speech,” he assured her, but she was not convinced.
    Lawrence picked up his car keys. “Now, if we don’t want to be late for that meal, we’d best get a move on.”
    “I should have got something for Myra and Tim,” she said, as she followed him downstairs.
    “Well, that’s easily solved,” he stopped at the bar and purchased a couple of bottles of wine. She made to pay him but he waved her money aside.
    “My shout. Accept it as an apology for alarming you just now. Now, we can look forward to a good evening. Tim and Myra are excellent company and Myra’s cooking is legendary.
    “Before I forget, I was speaking to Letitia earlier. She’s invited both of us to lunch tomorrow. I’ve got to work in the morning but that gives you a chance to spend some quality time with her.
    *
    The Vicarage was rambling and rather shabby. Myra had cooked a huge meal, roast chicken and all the trimmings.
    “I’m absolutely dying to know - have you discovered if you’re really Letitia’s granddaughter?” Myra asked as Tim carved the chicken.
    Rhianna smiled, “Yes, I really believe I am. It’s all a bit of a mystery and I know very little. I feel sad to think that Letitia and my father didn’t see each other in all those years.”
    “Did she tell you why?” Myra couldn’t hide her curiosity.
    “Myra that’s between Letitia and Rhianna,” Tim chided his wife gently.
    “Well, I haven’t found out about that just yet. Thought it best to step gently. We need to build up a relationship before we exchange secrets.”
    “Quite right,” Tim said approvingly. “You don’t want to rush in too quickly.”
    Rhianna noticed Lawrence was keeping very quiet and suspected he probably knew what had happened all those years ago. She couldn’t help wondering if it had anything to do with Anna Soames.
    The conversation moved on to more general topics. Presently, Myra collected up the plates and brought in a delectable looking apple pie and ice cream.
    “So what have you been up to since we saw you last, Laurie? Letitia says you’ve been working abroad.”
    Rhianna, all ears, was amused that Myra asked such direct questions.
    “Oh, I had a year in the States and then I decided to go freelance when I returned to England. I enjoy working for myself. It means I can get some painting done in between contracts.”
    “Lawrence took a look at Rhianna’s gallery near St Alban’s,” Tim told his wife.
    Myra’s eyes widened. “You’ve got your own gallery! How impressive is that! Well, you and Lawrence should get on well. How about that, Tim? We’ve got two artists in our