Secrets of the Heart by Jenny Lane Page A

Stella as well as Bryn.
    `Stella asked me to have a drink with her,' she told Sally. 'Can you believe that?'
    `Well, there you are then — she's obviously offering you an olive branch.'
    Annis stared at her friend in disbelief.
    `You just don't get it, do you, Sally? I've tried to move on, but now I'm actually here, it's as if I'm back where I started five years ago, on the day that I learned that Andrew wasn't in love with me after all! But at least then he was still alive . . . ' she added bitterly.
    `I feel dreadfully guilty.' Sally was visibly upset. 'I should never have asked you to come here. I knew it would be hard, but I hadn't realised quite how much . . . '
    Sally broke off as the internal phone rang. It was reception, with a message to say that her latest clients had arrived.
    While Sally went to fetch them, Annis poured herself a glass of water and tried to pull herself together. If she went to pieces it wouldn't help anyone. She had run away from this place once before, but now she was back and she didn't intend to let Stella, Ross or Tristan drive her away again -- at least, not until she'd had a chance to suss out what, if anything, was going on at Heathercote Mill that might put Sally out of a job.
     
    * * *
     
    After a busy morning, Annis was sorting out a pile of invoices and contemplating lunch when Tristan came into the office.
    `Ah, here you are!' he said. 'I was wondering if you're ready for something to eat?'
    She carried on with what she was doing. 'I'll ring through for some sandwiches in a minute.'
    He moved some papers and sat on the desk.
    `Actually, I thought you might fancy going out for some lunch, to somewhere away from this place. Come on, you've been on the go all week. Where's Sally, by the way?' He asked her casually, but she sensed he was trying to catch Sally out.
    `She's with Mr Freeman. She wanted to discuss a new idea with him.’
    Annis looked up just in time to see a slight frown flicker across Tristan's face. `What new idea?' he asked.
    She shrugged. 'You'll have to ask Sally, and yes, I would like to go out for lunch, please.'
    She scribbled a note for Sally, popped the invoices that she'd been working on into a drawer, and fetched her jacket. She knew exactly what Sally was discussing with Bryn, but she had no intention of telling Tristan.
    Sally and Annis had an idea which they wanted to discuss with Madame Cecile that afternoon, but first Sally needed to OK it with Bryn.
    Tristan took Annis to The Royal Oak in Heronsbridge where they ordered chicken and chips in a basket. Tristan was much more down to earth than Ross, and Annis found him good company. He kept her amused with a series of anecdotes about some of the conferences.
    `So when did you come to work at the Mill?' Annis asked him casually.
    `Soon after my grandfather died.'
    `Oh, yes, of course it was a pity you didn't get to meet your Uncle Arnold while he was alive. He was a great character.'
    `So everyone keeps telling me, but he and my father didn't hit it off.'
    Prudently Annis changed the subject.
    `So you and Ross manage the conference centre between you? How do you find that works?'
    `I take it that's a tactful way of asking how we get on?' Tristan laughed. 'Well, we muddle along together — we beg to differ on a number of issues, but then, it takes all sorts. How about you? Why are you so keen to be here after all this time?'
    `I've told you before, I haven't seen Sally, John or Bryn for a while, for one, and feel I need a change of direction. Sally needs a helping hand and we get on well together.'
    `So what do you make of it all?' Tristan looked at her keenly.
    Annis deliberately misunderstood him.
    `I like the new units, but I find the whole enterprise more impersonal than it used to be, which is a pity.'
    `Actually I meant what do you make of all the problems that the wedding side of the business keeps having? After all, I suspect that's why Sally really asked you down here, isn't it?'
    `I've only been