Secrets Read Online Free Page B

was obviously comfortable here.
    â€˜In here,’ she called and he followed the big black dog back into the hotel bar. Naomi sat on a high stool, a cafetière and two cups on the bar top. A woman Alec didn’t recognize sat on another bar stool and the hotel owner leaned against the rear wall, slowly polishing the already sparkling glasses. From the look of them, they’d all been there chatting for some time. Naomi was evidently relaxed and happy and so Alec relaxed too and shed the guilt that had been building as he drove back.
    He took his wife’s hand and kissed her. ‘Sorry I was so long.’
    â€˜That’s OK, I know what it’s like when relatives get to reminiscing. This is Liz Trent, she’s a local historian, writes books and also makes pots. We’ve had a lovely hour or two.’
    Alec looked with interest at the other woman. She was tall, he guessed. She looked tall even sitting down. Her hair was defiantly white, as though it had skipped both the grey and silver stages. It was swept back into a silver clip at the nape of her neck. Her skin, pale and very English Rose, was still smooth, apart from the deep laughter lines around her grey green eyes. He guessed she must be in her mid-fifties and Alec found himself thinking that she must have been quite a beauty in her younger days. He extended a hand.
    â€˜Pleased to meet you. What sort of things do you write about?’
    The woman called Liz smiled broadly. ‘Whatever interests me,’ she said. ‘And when I can’t think what to write I go and fire a few more pots. I like experimental glazes. The crystalline sort that have a massive failure rate and give me about one pot in four that actually does what I want it to.’
    Alec laughed, a little bewildered. ‘And how does that fit in with the history writing?’
    She positively beamed at him now and Alec realized he had inadvertently hit on just the right question.
    â€˜Liz tries to recreate historically accurate glazes,’ Naomi said. ‘A great many recipes are completely lost, apparently.’
    â€˜You’d be amazed what went into them,’ Liz said. ‘But I think I’ve bored your wife long enough. Time to be off and I’ll drop a copy of my book in. Alec can read it to you.’ She laughed and hopped off the bar stool, then shook Alec’s hand again.
    He’d been right, she was tall, matching his own six feet two. She took Naomi’s hand and patted it. ‘Lovely to chat,’ she said. ‘I hope we’ll meet again while you’re still here.’
    â€˜And do we hope that too?’ Alec asked quietly as Liz strode out of the door.
    â€˜Actually, I wouldn’t mind. She’s a bit intense, but she’s really interesting. I’ve had a very funny afternoon.’
    â€˜Funny ha ha?’
    â€˜Funny ha ha, yes. And you?’
    â€˜More funny peculiar.’ Alec sighed and took the seat Liz had vacated. ‘Do you want a drink?’
    â€˜No, I’ll wait until dinner. You sound as if you need one, though.’
    â€˜You could say that. When do you want to eat?’
    â€˜Soon, I’m starving. I bet you are too. Dealing with Molly always makes me hungry.’
    â€˜Not just Molly,’ Alec said. He ordered a Scotch and sipped it before adding the ginger. He could see the moue of disapproval on Naomi’s lips as she heard him pour it. She was of the opinion that if it was good enough to drink, then you took your whisky neat. If it wasn’t good enough to drink in its pure form it was best left on the shelf.
    Alec glanced at his watch. ‘Want an early dinner?’ he asked. ‘I think I’ve earned it.’
    Naomi reached for his hand and he clasped her fingers. ‘You really should choose your pretend relatives with a bit more care,’ she said.
    â€˜So how was she,’ Naomi asked, feeling for her fork and turning her plate on Alec’s