Rumours (50 page)

‘Doesn't the Queen have something to do with approving public holidays?' asked Mrs Tompkins, looking hopefully at Lydia.

And they all wondered whether Lydia would be straight on the phone, on some secret hotline to Buckingham Palace, suggesting to the Queen that she change it.

‘So we'll have to move it to June,' Mr Tompkins said.

‘Do you actually know her?' Mrs Tompkins asked Lydia artlessly.

And Lydia let an ambiguous tilt of the head and a knowing expression widen the woman's eyes.

‘Those garden parties at Buckingham Palace can be terribly dull and one never has enough to eat,' Lydia said. ‘I think, next year, before I leave Long Dansbury, I shall throw an enormous party right here in the Longbridge gardens.'

Everybody congratulated her on an excellent idea. Christmas was coming. The world looked so pretty. The New Year wasn't far off and it would herald change for them all, bringing with it the growth of hope for good times ahead, the seeds for which had already been planted.

Lydia could sense emotion welling between them all like those silly Mexican waves Will had described happening at football matches. They'd even done them at Wimbledon. Most inelegant and quite unnecessary. She cleared her throat. Now was no time for emotion – they had a busy morning ahead. ‘Now, we like to have a little sherry as we divide the mistletoe and tie it with red ribbon. Who's joining me?'

Everyone.

In the house, Mrs Biggins had everything ready. She was standing at the front door as though she owned the place.

Stella lingered behind. Just a little way off. No one noticed.

As she passed the statue of Lord Freddie she stopped. She stood on tiptoes, placing her arms gently around him, and kissed his cold old cheek.

He tried to look unimpressed but actually, today, he regarded her most benevolently.

‘Happy?' he asked, as if he had been at the helm of all that had happened to her since they first met back in the spring.

‘Very,' said Stella.

She walked on, then turned and retraced her steps to him. ‘By the way,' she said. ‘You're definitely staying here, Sir. You'll never be parted from Longbridge.'

And as Stella skipped through the snow to join the others inside, Lord Frederick Makepeace William Fortescue glanced at the house that he'd built and looked out over the gardens he'd planned and thought how beautiful all of it looked today.

I had a ball researching and writing Rumours – snooped around some divine houses and met truly extraordinary people. I respect the fact that most wish to remain anonymous – but I thank them sincerely for their time, their hospitality and their memories. It was a privilege. It was riveting. I am honoured. Katey Hugi – a wink and a big high five to you!

Team North, as ever, have been superstars. You wouldn't believe the behind-the-scenes effort that this talented and supportive posse invest to ensure my books reach you. My agent Jonathan Lloyd and my editor, Lynne Drew – wow, a not so dirty dozen. At HarperCollins, I'm indebted to Oli Malcolm, Roger Cazalet, Adam Humphrey, Thalia Suzuma, Ben North, Damon Greeney, Kate Elton, Alice Moore, Belinda Budge and Victoria Barnsley. Mary Chamberlain – thank you. Maura Brickell – thank you.

Writing this novel also coincided with me feeling wonderfully settled into my new life in the Hertfordshire countryside and my own community has been instrumental in this. So here are my heartfelt thank yous. The Cucumber Girls – especially Souki and Lyla. The Little B people – particularly Sandie Ash. The St Jo's ladies – Lisa W, Michelle S, Mel B and Helen B-C. The Tuesday Potters – you never know, you might be next!

To my besties: Sarah Henderson, Jo Smith, Kirsty Jones, Clare Griffin, Jessica Adams, Mel Bartram, Lucy Smouha and Emma O'Reilly – finally we had a year when there was way more laughter than tears.

To my family: as always, you've been a tremendous support. Thanks – Ma and Pa, Dan and Osi, Jane and Jonny.

To my beautiful and extraordinary children Felix and Georgia – what a ride we're having! Hold on tight, kids, it's going to be spectacular.

In memory of Liz Berney 1968-2005

Freya North is the author of 11 bestselling novels which have, in a career spanning 16 years, been translated into many languages. From teenage girls to elderly gentlemen, Freya's novels have won the hearts of legions of readers worldwide. In 2008, she won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award for
Pillow Talk
and was shortlisted for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel Award in 2012 for
Chances
.

At school, Freya was constantly reprimanded for day-dreaming – so she still can't quite believe that essentially, this is what she is now paid to do. She was born in London but lives in rural Hertfordshire with her family and other animals, where she writes from a stable in her back garden.

To connect with Freya and hear about events, unique competitions and sneak previews of what she's writing, join her at
www.facebook.com/freya.north
or log onto
www.freyanorth.com
and find out more.

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‘An eye-poppingly sexy start leads into a family reunion laced with secrets. Tangled mother/daughter relationships unravel and tantalising family riddles keep you glued to the end'

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Sally

Chloë

Polly

Cat

Fen

Pip

Love Rules

Home Truths

Pillow Talk

Secrets

Chances