Rich Promise Read Online Free
leave the room.
Now he tells me.
Chapter Two
I was sorry to wave Dan off this morning, but tomorrow’s Friday and I’m driving up to Keswick to spend the weekend with him. I hug myself. I’m so excited. This feels just so incredible. Dan’s wonderful. I’m absolutely and totally in love.
Yesterday evening we pigged out on pizza in my flat. Grace joined us, and had the presence of mind to bring a tub of ice cream with her to round off the meal. We laughed, we ate, we admired my new home. Grace is almost as pleased with it as I am—she takes enormous pride in the holiday lets which she tends to take charge of whether they’re part of Black Combe or Greystones. It’s an informal arrangement, as so much seems to be in the inner sanctum of Darke Associates, but it works and I make a mental note not to trample in that part of the business. Ain’t broke, don’t mend it.
Nathan has no objections to me returning on Monday, so Dan and I are planning a long weekend together. Dan has to work, but he’s on call at the animal park so may not be busy. Even if he does need to go there, I’ll go with him. He’s promised to introduce me to his lemurs. As well as attending to the lions, tigers and all the rest, Dan is leading a research project on the breeding habits of different species of lemur. Nathan thinks it’s hilarious, watching rodents bonking the whole time and when you’ve seen one lemur, you’ve seen them all. He made a point of explaining all this to us when we wandered over to Black Combe for breakfast this morning.
Dan pointed out, I suspect not for the first time, that lemurs are primates not rodents, and that each species is distinctive. Nathan just grinned over his coffee mug and turned his attention to Rosie’s morning chatter. Breakfast is a noisy, hectic time here, everyone rushing about, getting ready for the day. Weekends are a little more sedate, but there’s not much in it. At one time I would have hated this. I would have found the whole frantic bustling pandemonium quite unbearable. But I’m at ease, happy to just sit quietly myself and let the mayhem happen around me.
I nibbled my toast, enjoyed my tea and listened to Dan and Nathan sparring with each other, Eva acting as half-hearted referee. I think she finds Nathan’s directness a bit daunting on occasions, but he clearly adores her, so if she appears in the least bit distressed by his antics he stops immediately. Dan really doesn’t need her support. He’s more than capable of taking on Nathan Darke—or Tom, if need be. And I suspect he can manage Nick Hardisty too. He can certainly manage me. So the banter was hurled backwards and forwards across the breakfast table, everyone happy and laughing. Like I always imagined a family should be.
Except, this isn’t a family. Not really. As far as I know, the only person in this noisy group who is actually related to more than one of the others is baby Isabella. Nathan and Dan are step-brothers, Rosie was adopted by Nathan a few years ago. Grace is an employee, despite Rosie’s insistence on calling her ‘nana’. I always used to tell myself that blood is thicker than water, and this sentiment is what dragged me back to my mother’s house in Barrow time and time again. Now, I’m not so sure. Blood is important, but relationships are based on more than that. Friendship, companionship, love—these are earned. They need to be nourished and nurtured, and they grow over time, whatever their roots. The inhabitants of Black Combe would certainly think so. And blood is no guarantee of loyalty or decency or caring. I learned this the hard way, but now I’m even more determined than ever to bring my sisters here to share this haven with me.
My return to Barrow seems less daunting now, as I at last start to gain some perspective on my mother’s role in my life. I don’t need to allow her to continue to influence and affect me. I can choose something different. I wonder if Dan
Now he tells me.
Chapter Two
I was sorry to wave Dan off this morning, but tomorrow’s Friday and I’m driving up to Keswick to spend the weekend with him. I hug myself. I’m so excited. This feels just so incredible. Dan’s wonderful. I’m absolutely and totally in love.
Yesterday evening we pigged out on pizza in my flat. Grace joined us, and had the presence of mind to bring a tub of ice cream with her to round off the meal. We laughed, we ate, we admired my new home. Grace is almost as pleased with it as I am—she takes enormous pride in the holiday lets which she tends to take charge of whether they’re part of Black Combe or Greystones. It’s an informal arrangement, as so much seems to be in the inner sanctum of Darke Associates, but it works and I make a mental note not to trample in that part of the business. Ain’t broke, don’t mend it.
Nathan has no objections to me returning on Monday, so Dan and I are planning a long weekend together. Dan has to work, but he’s on call at the animal park so may not be busy. Even if he does need to go there, I’ll go with him. He’s promised to introduce me to his lemurs. As well as attending to the lions, tigers and all the rest, Dan is leading a research project on the breeding habits of different species of lemur. Nathan thinks it’s hilarious, watching rodents bonking the whole time and when you’ve seen one lemur, you’ve seen them all. He made a point of explaining all this to us when we wandered over to Black Combe for breakfast this morning.
Dan pointed out, I suspect not for the first time, that lemurs are primates not rodents, and that each species is distinctive. Nathan just grinned over his coffee mug and turned his attention to Rosie’s morning chatter. Breakfast is a noisy, hectic time here, everyone rushing about, getting ready for the day. Weekends are a little more sedate, but there’s not much in it. At one time I would have hated this. I would have found the whole frantic bustling pandemonium quite unbearable. But I’m at ease, happy to just sit quietly myself and let the mayhem happen around me.
I nibbled my toast, enjoyed my tea and listened to Dan and Nathan sparring with each other, Eva acting as half-hearted referee. I think she finds Nathan’s directness a bit daunting on occasions, but he clearly adores her, so if she appears in the least bit distressed by his antics he stops immediately. Dan really doesn’t need her support. He’s more than capable of taking on Nathan Darke—or Tom, if need be. And I suspect he can manage Nick Hardisty too. He can certainly manage me. So the banter was hurled backwards and forwards across the breakfast table, everyone happy and laughing. Like I always imagined a family should be.
Except, this isn’t a family. Not really. As far as I know, the only person in this noisy group who is actually related to more than one of the others is baby Isabella. Nathan and Dan are step-brothers, Rosie was adopted by Nathan a few years ago. Grace is an employee, despite Rosie’s insistence on calling her ‘nana’. I always used to tell myself that blood is thicker than water, and this sentiment is what dragged me back to my mother’s house in Barrow time and time again. Now, I’m not so sure. Blood is important, but relationships are based on more than that. Friendship, companionship, love—these are earned. They need to be nourished and nurtured, and they grow over time, whatever their roots. The inhabitants of Black Combe would certainly think so. And blood is no guarantee of loyalty or decency or caring. I learned this the hard way, but now I’m even more determined than ever to bring my sisters here to share this haven with me.
My return to Barrow seems less daunting now, as I at last start to gain some perspective on my mother’s role in my life. I don’t need to allow her to continue to influence and affect me. I can choose something different. I wonder if Dan
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