Chapter 33

‘Why didn’t you let us know you were coming?’ Her father gave her a brief, quizzical look as he received his own hug before turning his attention to their guest. ‘Mr Smith—it’s good to see you again.’ He shook the younger man warmly by the hand.

‘Helena wanted to surprise you both,’ Bryan answered smoothly when it became obvious Helena was at a loss as to how to begin telling her parents of the reason for their visit.

‘Well, she succeeded.’ Joey Botch, a tall, thin, slightly weathered-looking man, after hours of working outdoors with his horses, with blond hair liberally streaked with grey and eyes of twinkling green, gave his daughter an indulgent smile before indicating they should all sit down in the comfortably worn chairs in the family’s informal sitting room.

Bryan waited until Helena had seated herself on the edge of the faded gold-coloured sofa before deliberately sitting down next t