‘And I’m supposed to just let Sydney and Oliver have partial control of the decision making?’

  Lauren met her gaze, unflinching. ‘Why don’t we respect what Gran wanted. She trusted them, and so do I.’

  Lauren glanced at Sydney, saw the tears in her eyes, the bittersweet mixture of sorrow and gratitude. Her jewellery, she left to Eleanor, apart from her engagement and wedding ring, which she left for Lauren, ‘in case she should ever need them again’.

  Jake’s face reddened at hearing this, and for the first time since that dreadful day, Lauren smiled. She knew her gran was still around, watching over her.

  Jake was left out of the will. For Ben, she had set up a trust fund, and the rest of her estate went to several charities.

  The solicitor cleared his throat, breaking the moment. ‘If there are no further questions, I believe we can conclude . . .’

  His words faded into the background as Lauren’s mind drifted, already miles away. To the cottage, to the promise of solace, of a chance to regroup. Sydney’s hand on her arm brought her back to the present moment.

  ‘We’re not leaving,’ Sydney said, her voice rough with emotion. ‘The hotel, it’s Gran’s legacy. We’ll stay, we’ll make it work. We’ll make her proud.’

  Lauren nodded, not trusting herself to speak. The lump in her throat felt like it might choke her.

  ‘I think . . .’ Lauren’s voice cracked. She swallowed hard and tried again. ‘I think I’m going to go to the cottage. Just for a while. And I’m going to take Ben with me.’

  ‘Can I make a suggestion? Leave Ben here with me while you go and sort your head out. It’ll be better for him if he has other things to do to keep busy. I promise, I’ll bring him down to see you at the weekends.’

  Lauren was about to decline, then she thought of Ben, of the shadows under his eyes, the weight on his young shoulders. Sydney was right. The last thing he needed was to be holed up in a house with his grieving mother.

  She would go to Rosewood, alone.

  She would find her way. And she would come back, stronger, steadier, ready to face whatever life had in store.

  But for now . . .

  For now, she would take this gift, this chance at peace.

  And she would hold onto it with both hands.

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  There was a gentle tap on the door, interrupting Rain as she was just finishing up an email. She paused, her fingers hovering over the keyboard, and looked up.

  ‘Come in,’ she called out.

  The door creaked open, and Fay’s head poked in. ‘You got a minute?’

  Rain leaned back in her chair, studying her sister’s face. ‘Sure. What’s up?’

  ‘Can we speak in the kitchen?’

  Rain stood and followed Fay down the hallway. As they approached the kitchen, the aroma of garlic filled the air, causing Rain to frown in confusion.

  ‘Have you been cooking?’

  As they stepped into the kitchen, the answer became clear. The table was set with a bottle of wine and an array of delicious-looking dishes.

  Rain couldn’t help but laugh. ‘You always know how to get around me, don’t you?’

  Fay, playing the role of a maître d’, pulled out a chair with a flourish. ‘Madam,’ she said, gesturing for Rain to sit.

  Rain sat down, and Fay poured them both a glass of wine, the deep red liquid swirling in the glasses. Rain picked up her fork and took a mouthful of food, closing her eyes to savour the explosion of flavours on her tongue.

  ‘Mmmm,’ she hummed in appreciation, a smile spreading across her face.

  ‘You like?’ Fay asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.

  Rain opened her eyes. ‘I love.’

  Fay’s shoulders relaxed, and she smiled. ‘Good. You taught me well.’

  As they continued to eat, Fay took a sip of wine, her expression turning serious.

  ‘Look, I wanted to say sorry about everything,’ Fay began, her voice low and filled with remorse.

  Rain remained focused on her plate, not meeting Fay’s eyes, her guard still up.

  ‘I know I’ve been irresponsible over the years,’ Fay continued, ‘but I swear, this stuff that happened had nothing to do with me.’

  Rain looked up at her sister. ‘You keep alluding to “this stuff”. What exactly is it?’

  Fay shifted uncomfortably in her seat. ‘I don’t want to tell you in case the police get involved.’

  Rain’s eyes narrowed, a suspicion forming in her mind. ‘Is this to do with Alex?’

  Fay nearly choked on her drink, her eyes wide with shock. ‘How’d you know about Alex?’

  Rain leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms. ‘I got a job at the hotel. I thought it might help to find you.’

  Fay’s face fell, visibly distressed. ‘You must be joking. That place is full of snakes. Every single last one of them.’

  ‘Did you get caught up in Alex’s dealing?’

  Fay nodded, her eyes cast downward. ‘But I didn’t know, not at first. She asked me to deliver something to one of the guests. It was an envelope. I thought it was kosher, so the next time she asked, I didn’t think anything of it. But when I handed it to the guest, he asked me if I wanted to get high with him. He took the drugs out of the envelope right in front of me. Fuck, I was such an idiot. I should’ve reported it there and then, but stupid me did nothing.’

  Rain rubbed both temples.

  ‘Go on. Say it then,’ Fay said.

  ‘I can’t.’

  ‘Why not?’

  ‘Because, Fay,’ Rain sighed, ‘I did exactly the same thing.’

  ‘What’d you mean?’

  ‘I mean, I saw Alex selling drugs to a guest, and I turned a blind eye,’ Rain said. She paused before dropping another bombshell. ‘And I kind of had a thing going on with Lauren.’

  ‘What! No way.’

  Rain remained silent, her eyes fixed on the glass in her hand. Fay leaned forward.

  ‘Fucking hell, Lauren. She’s married.’

  ‘Yes, I know,’ Rain snapped, her defences rising. ‘And please don’t look down at me from your pedestal – you’re not exactly—’

  ‘I don’t mean it like that,’ Fay cut her off.

  There was something in the way Fay looked at her that sent alarm bells ringing.

  ‘Oh my god, Fay. Were you having an affair with Lauren’s husband?’

  Chapter Thirty

  Lauren pulled up to the quaint cottage nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds. The old stone building, with its thatched roof and ivy-covered walls, was exactly how she’d envisioned it. As she walked up the cobbled path, her grandmother’s words echoed in her mind, as if urging her to embrace this opportunity for a fresh start. Lauren turned the key in the lock, and the heavy wooden door opened, revealing a cosy, open-plan interior bathed in soft, natural light.

  Entering, Lauren took a moment to take in her surroundings, appreciating its rustic charm. Her eyes were drawn to the large fireplace in the living room, and she decided to make this space her temporary bedroom. She returned to her car, making several trips to bring in her belongings until the living room was filled with the essentials she needed to transform the space into her own personal sanctuary.

  She plugged in the air bed, dressed it with fresh covers and plump pillows, and stocked the kitchen with the utensils and cutlery she had brought along. Her clothes remained in the suitcase, as she had no intention of venturing out for the next few days. Instead, planning to stay indoors and rest.

  With her new home set up, Lauren set off to the local shop, stocking up on food and several bags of logs for the fireplace.

  As the evening settled in, she carefully arranged the logs in the hearth and struck a match, watching as the kindling caught and a warm, flickering glow filled the room.

  Settling onto the air bed, Lauren uncorked a bottle of red wine and savoured the rich, velvety liquid as she gazed at the mesmerising dance of the flames.

  As the night wore on and the wine flowed, Lauren reached for her laptop, logging into Spotify and filling the room with her favourite songs.

  When was the last time I felt this free?

  The lyrics of a poignant love song stirred memories of Rain, and for a fleeting moment, she considered reaching out. But as quickly as the thought arose, it dissipated, and Lauren reminded herself that this time was meant for self-reflection and healing. Gradually, the music and the warmth of the fire lulled her into a deep, peaceful sleep.

  The next few days flew by. Lauren spent her time bingeing on Netflix series and, in between, talking to Ben and Sydney via Zoom. She was glad to see that Ben was happier than she had seen him in a while, due to Sydney spoiling him rotten, no doubt. Knowing this took some of the guilt away she felt for taking time out for herself.

  On the sixth morning, a knock at the front door roused Lauren from her sleep. Groggy and slightly disoriented, she made her way to answer it.

  As she opened the door, she came face to face with a handsome man with a warm, friendly smile and a crew cut.

  ‘Hi, I’m Mark,’ he said, extending his hand in a cordial gesture. ‘Your next-door neighbour. I just wanted to come by and welcome you to the neighbourhood.’

  Lauren returned his smile and shook his hand. ‘Hi, Mark. I’m Lauren.’

  ‘I’ve got the kettle on if you’d like a cuppa,’ Mark offered, glancing over her shoulder into the living room.

  ‘Another time, maybe,’ Lauren replied. ‘I had a late night and could use a bit more sleep.’

  ‘No worries,’ Mark said, understanding in his tone. ‘Feel free to come over anytime. I work from home and always welcome pleasant distractions.’

  ‘I’ll keep that in mind,’ Lauren said, before closing the door.

  She padded back to bed, pulling the covers over her head. The last thing she needed was an overly familiar neighbour when all she craved was time to herself.

  Despite her best efforts, sleep eluded her, and eventually, Lauren rose, built a new fire, and tidied up before taking a shower and preparing breakfast. As she sat outside in the garden, about to take a bite of her toast, a movement caught her eye. Mark was leaning over the hedge.

  ‘Nothing beats it, does it?’ Mark said, gesturing to the tranquil surroundings.

  Lauren shielded her eyes from the sun as she turned to face him. ‘No, it definitely beats city living any day.’

  ‘Are you sure I can’t persuade you to have tea with me?’ he asked, his tone light and inviting. ‘I’ve just put a fresh pot on, and I’ve even got freshly baked scones.’

  Lauren couldn’t help but laugh at his persistence. And she could do with a bit of human contact. ‘Okay, you’ve twisted my arm.’

  She made her way around to Mark’s cottage, the interior mirroring her own in its rustic charm.

  ‘You made these yourself?’ Lauren asked, eyeing the scones appreciatively.

  Mark laughed, holding up his hands in mock surrender. ‘I said I had freshly baked scones, not that I made them myself.’

  ‘Why do I get the feeling you’re a lawyer?’ Lauren teased.

  ‘Guilty as charged,’ Mark admitted with a grin. ‘I’m a divorce lawyer.’

  ‘Really?’ Lauren said, her stomach suddenly queasy.

  ‘Yes, really. I studied to be a defence lawyer, but it didn’t settle well with my conscience.’

  ‘Oh, right,’ Lauren said, thinking hard about what to say next. ‘Business busy?’

  ‘Oh yeah, more than ever,’ Mark said. ‘Seems like couples these days just don’t stick it out like they used to. One little problem, and they’re on dating apps looking for the next best thing. It’s a revolving door.’

  Lauren mulled over his words. ‘Well, I mean, if someone’s unhappy . . .’

  ‘Sure, but here’s the thing,’ Mark said thoughtfully. ‘Nobody’s happy twenty-four-seven, not with their partner, not even with themselves, but with all the picture-perfect nonsense on social media, people start thinking their lives are lacking somehow.’

  He launched into a story about an ex-client who’d got bored with her hardworking husband and fell for the glitz and glam, only to end up worse off after the divorce.

  ‘The grass isn’t always greener,’ Mark said, his eyes landing on Lauren’s wedding ring. ‘What about you? Happily married?’

  Lauren froze, her first instinct to brush off the question with a lie, but she was so tired of pretending. Besides, for some reason, she felt comfortable speaking to Mark. She didn’t feel as if he would judge her.

  ‘No,’ she admitted, ‘but it’s not about wanting something better.’

  ‘Someone else?’ Mark asked, studying her face.

  ‘God, I must sound like such a cliché,’ Lauren said with a humourless laugh. ‘Am I that transparent?’

  ‘I can see it in your eyes,’ Mark said. ‘I’ve seen the same look hundreds of times before.’

  ‘Glad to know I’m not in the minority then.’

  ‘Far from it. So, are you planning on getting a divorce?’ Mark said it in such a way, Lauren didn’t know if he was asking in jest or being serious.

  ‘I think so,’ Lauren said, her voice growing stronger with conviction. ‘Not for someone else, though. I need to do it for me.’

  ‘If you ever need a solicitor . . .’ Mark offered, letting the sentiment hang in the air.

  ‘I’ll keep you in mind,’ Lauren said. ‘Right, I’d better get back. I’ve got some serious lazing around to catch up on.’

  As she said goodbye, Lauren couldn’t help but notice how handsome Mark was, with his nice smile and thick hair. He was definitely easy on the eyes, and it was clear he found her attractive too, but that’s all there was to it. No spark, no butterflies, nothing. If anything, it just confirmed that her feelings for Rain were the real deal, not some escape fantasy.

  On the walk back to her cottage, a rainbow arched across the sky, its vibrant colours stretching out like a beacon of hope. For Lauren, it was a sign – a sign that her grandmother was watching over her, guiding her towards a brighter future.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Rain stared at her phone, her heart heavy with disappointment as the screen remained stubbornly devoid of any messages from Lauren. She had reached out, offering her condolences after Lauren’s grandmother passed away, but the only response she received was a measly thumbs-up reaction. It took every ounce of willpower not to pick up the phone and call Lauren, to bombard her with messages of support and love, but Rain knew she had to respect Lauren’s need for space, no matter how much it pained her to do so.

  Fay, on the other hand, was a completely different source of frustration. Rain had been relentless in her pursuit of the truth, desperate to know if the mystery man Fay had been involved with was indeed Lauren’s husband. But Fay remained tight-lipped, refusing to divulge even the smallest detail, much to Rain’s growing exasperation.

  Fed up with her elusiveness, Rain went in search of Fay, determined to get some answers, even if it took all day. She found Fay in the living room, her gaze distant and unfocused, as if she were lost in thought, grappling with the weight of her secrets.

  ‘So, have you decided what you’re going to do?’ Rain asked, her voice cutting through the silence and startling Fay out of her reverie.

  ‘Huh? What’d you say?’ Fay blinked, looking disoriented, as if she had been pulled from a deep trance.

  Rain sighed, sinking onto the sofa beside her. ‘I said, what’s your plan? I’ve only got this place for a few more days, then I’m heading home.’

  Fay’s eyes widened, panic flickering across her face. ‘You can’t just leave me, Rain!’

  ‘Well, what am I supposed to do?’ Rain threw up her hands in frustration, her patience wearing thin. ‘You won’t tell me what’s really going on, and don’t even try to feed me some rubbish about not being able to. I don’t believe you.’

  Fay bit her lip, a look of inner turmoil etched on her features. ‘Rain—’

  ‘Look, the only way you’re going to be safe, is if the ringleader gets arrested. Just tell me who it is,’ Rain pressed, leaning forward, her eyes boring into Fay’s.

  ‘I can’t, he’ll kill me,’ Fay admitted, her voice small and defeated.

  Rain’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Is it the guy you were fooling around with?’

  ‘Please, Rain,’ Fay said flatly, her tone guarded and evasive.

  ‘Is that why won’t you tell me who he is? Because you want to protect him?’

  Fay looked away, unable to meet Rain’s intense gaze. ‘No, I won’t tell you because too many people will get hurt. Especially Lauren.’

  Rain’s pulse quickened at the mention of Lauren’s name, a sense of foreboding settling in the pit of her stomach. ‘So, it is her husband?’

  ‘I didn’t say that,’ Fay backpedalled, her eyes wide with panic.

  ‘If you won’t tell me I’m going to have to find out myself.’ Rain said, as if it were the most simple and obvious solution in the world.

  ‘In case you forgot, you’re a chef, not some vigilante crime fighter.’

  ‘Yeah, but I’m your sister too. I don’t want to live my life having a heart attack every time the phone rings thinking it’s someone calling to tell me you’re dead.’

  ‘I wish you would just leave this alone. I can sort it out myself.’

  ‘Really? You’ve done a great job so far, haven’t you?’ Rain moved to the door. ‘I’m going to get to the bottom of this one way or another. With or without your help.’

  But first I need to figure out how to get back into the hotel.

  Suddenly, Fay got up and pulled Rain into a bone-crushing hug, catching her off guard. ‘Don’t do this!’

  Rain patted Fay’s back awkwardly, not used to such displays of affection from her usually distant sister. ‘You could just tell me?’