Chapter 47
‘I was starting to think you’d changed your mind.’
Abigail looked at Oliver sheepishly as she sidled into his office. She was there just as she had promised him the day before on the phone – for one day this week, her morning sickness had subsided.
That wasn’t the only reason. The visit from Albert had galvanised her into going. It was Friday. She’d felt like phoning Oliver to say she’d go in on Monday, even though she was already feeling better, just to avoid what she’d really gone there to do. But Albert disappearing in his car yesterday had made her think twice, although he hadn’t on that occasion been to Somerville Hall.
He hadn’t been gone long. From her upstairs window, she had seen him unloading bags of groceries from his car. A short time later, she’d thought she heard a faint knock on the door. When she’d answered it, she hadn’t found Albert outside her door, but she had found a bag of groceries. He’d even bought some tins of dog food.
Thinking back to that episode, she still couldn’t believe he’d done that for her. She realised that it must have been the reason he’d knocked before he went out – to see if she needed anything. She cringed at how rude she’d been. Abigail made a mental note to thank Albert for the food. And to pay him back.
‘Oliver, you’ll never guess what!’
Carys came bursting into the office.
‘Oh, Abigail – you’re here!’
‘Carys, do you mind knocking before entering?’
‘Why? What were you two up to?’ she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Oliver looked at her. ‘What do you want, Carys?’
‘I checked the website – I’ve got my result back.’
‘What! Already?’
‘Yep. I haven’t looked at it yet. I thought you might have your results too. We could check it together. Now Abigail is here, let’s all have a look.’
Abigail looked from Carys to Oliver and suddenly felt her stomach churning. ‘Sorry, I just need to nip to the ladies.’ She ran out of the room and rushed down the hall as fast as her strappy heels could carry her.
‘Abigail?’
Up ahead, Hugh Somerville was walking down the corridor. ‘I didn’t know you were back.’
‘Sorry, I just need to …’ Abigail disappeared into the bathroom. She didn’t think this was pregnancy queasiness. She knew what it was; her stomach was churning at the thought of what she might find out, for her late husband, for her child, but more than anything, for Oliver.
Albert’s warning kept coming to mind. Try as she might, she just couldn’t get it out of her head. ‘Oh, for goodness’ sake – get a grip!’ she told herself. She leaned over the sink and splashed her face with cold water, thinking,what’s the worst that could happen?The answer was that Oliver could find out what he had suspected all along – that his mother had an affair and Carys was his half-sister.
And what of Toby?Abigail opened the door and took a deep breath, thinking about what Oliver had suggested – that he was a distant relation. A second cousin, twice removed – whatever that meant. The trouble was she was beginning to wonder what this was all in aid of. Even if the test showed he was related to the Somervilles, she would be no closer to finding his relations, his family, and the grandparents of their child.
Abigail heaved a sigh as she walked back into Oliver’s study, wanting to get this over with.
‘There you are,’ said Hugh, surprising her as she walked through the door. She glanced at Oliver and Carys, who were looking at their father.
Abigail raised her eyebrows at them. It was obvious Hugh had no clue why they were all gathered there.
‘I didn’t know Abigail was back.’
‘Well, you know now,’ Oliver replied, avoiding his gaze.
Hugh turned to her. ‘Welcome back, Abigail. We hope you’re staying for good this time.’
Abigail brushed it off with a smile, which Hugh took as ayes. ‘Well, that is good news. I’m glad we’ve put all that silly business behind us over Daphne’s cottage.’ He looked across at Carys, his eyes drifting to Oliver. ‘You’re all awfully quiet. What’s going on?’
‘Tell him, Carys.’
‘Oliver – I don’t think that’s a good—’