The Prodigal Wife Read Online Free

to see them,’ Cordelia admitted. ‘That’s why Fliss didn’t want too much private stuff put in. It’s been such a family house with so much drama that I could have written a whole book about them. It’s an amazing place. Actually, the soke reminded me of it but on a much smaller scale. What happened to Hal’s first wife? Did you know her?’
    Angus frowned. ‘I don’t think so. Once we’d all specialized we lost touch a bit. Roger and Hal were skimmers; Simon and I went into submarines. I think we were up at the M.o.D. when Hal’s wife left him. She took one of their boys but Jolyon stayed with Hal so we saw much more of him. I must say it’s so odd when I see Jo on the television these days. He’s the image of Hal when he was that age.’
    â€˜Jo!’ Cordelia clapped her hand to her mouth. ‘Jolyon Chadwick. I am a fool.’
    â€˜Why?’
    â€˜That’s why Henrietta telephoned. She said someone called Jo had left a message for Roger and she thought she recognized his voice. I never thought of Jolyon. I was thinking Joseph, or Joe with an e. I am a twit. He was going to drop in, not knowing that Maggie and Roger have gone off to New Zealand.’
    â€˜Well, that’s all right,’ Angus said comfortably. ‘Henrietta won’t come to any harm with Jo.’
    â€˜Of course not. But I might just phone. Give her a warning shot across the bows. After all, he’s quite a celebrity now, isn’t he? She might be cross to be caught in her old jeans and no make-up.’
    She found her mobile and pressed the buttons.
    â€˜Darling, it’s me. Listen. I’m wondering if it’s Jo Chadwick who left the message…Oh. Oh, he’s there now. Right…OK. Later on, yes, that’ll be fine.’
    Cordelia switched off and made a face at him. ‘He’s already there,’ she said.
    Angus grinned. ‘And?’
    Cordelia considered. ‘She sounded flustered. But in a nice way. Said she’d speak later on.’
    He raised his eyebrows, pursed his lips. ‘Not too much later on, I hope,’ he said. ‘We might be busy.’

CHAPTER THREE
    She’d recognized him at once. He’d paused on the garden path, a slightly perplexed expression clouding his face, as if he’d suspected some change he couldn’t quite pin down. Then Juno and Pan had strolled out of the door to meet him, his expression had cleared and he’d held out his hands to them, bending to stroke them. The puppy had gambolled behind them, prancing and bounding, and he’d laughed aloud and said, ‘Hello, old fellow,’ and crouched to pull the puppy’s ears. He’d glanced up then, and seen her waiting by the door, and his look of surprise had been almost ludicrous. He’d waded towards her through the sea of dogs and said, ‘Hello. Is Roger around?’ and she’d said, ‘No, I’m afraid not, but come in. I think I’ve got some books for you.’
    Now, they stood rather shyly together in the cool, dim hall, looking at the books, and she said, ‘So you didn’t know that Maggie and Roger had gone to New Zealand?’
    â€˜No.’ He put the book back into the bag. ‘I’d heard that it was on the cards, but I had no idea they’d gone. And so you’re looking after the dogs? And the old ponies.’
    She hesitated. It would be easy to allow him to believe that she was an Animal Aunt; no explanations would be needed and he would disappear with his books and that would be that. But she didn’t want him to disappear; she had an odd but very definite desire for him to stay.
    â€˜Well, I am,’ she said, ‘but it’s not quite that simple. I’m not the Animal Aunt. I’m nanny to Susan’s children. They’ve gone with Maggie and Roger, you see.’
    He looked at her more closely. ‘I see,’ he said. ‘Well, I think I