Lost Innocence by Susan Lewis

were kind. ‘I don’t imagine I can ever replace Craig,’ he said, ‘but I’ll do my best to be there for him in any way I can.’
    She smiled. I don’t imagine I can ever replace Craig . She couldn’t help wondering if he’d ever spoken those words to Sabrina. If he had, she didn’t want to know. ‘He’s on his way here,’ she said, opening a box of Earl Grey and dropping two bags into the mugs. ‘I’m picking him up from the station at three.’
    Robert glanced at his watch. It was still only twelve thirty, plenty of time before she had to leave. ‘What about Darcie?’ he asked.
    ‘She’s on holiday with a friend in France, due back in the middle of August. It feels strange without her, but I have to admit, it’s a bit of a relief to have some time alone. These past few months have been quite a challenge on several fronts.’
    ‘I’m sure.’ He was about to say more when her mobile started to ring.
    It was Rachel checking to make sure Alicia was still up for getting together tonight.
    ‘Absolutely,’ Alicia confirmed. ‘I’m doing a barbecue for Nat and Summer about five, so shall we see you at the pub at seven?’
    ‘Perfect. Any other news?’
    ‘Robert’s here,’ Alicia replied, glancing at him.
    ‘Ah ha.’ Rachel’s tone was dark with understanding. ‘Then I’ll let you go. Say hi from me, and you can tell me everything tonight.’
    ‘Rachel,’ Alicia told Robert as she rang off. ‘She says hi.’
    Acknowledging the greeting with a raise of his eyebrows,he picked up the kettle as it boiled and filled both mugs. ‘Shall we sit in here, or outside?’ he asked.
    ‘Do you mind if we stay inside? I need to finish some ironing, but open the doors to let in some air, and I’ll bring everything through from the sitting room.’
    After she’d set up the board, and they’d spun out the niceties as long as they could, he finally said, ‘I guess there’s no point me going on pretending that the gossip mill hasn’t got round to me, so time to come to the point. Is it true you’re intending to stay here in Holly Wood?’
    Keeping her eyes on the path the iron was smoothing over the folds of a pillowcase, she nodded. ‘Yes, we are,’ she confirmed. Her insides were starting to tighten. Was he going to object, and ask her to leave? It wasn’t a showdown she’d welcome, but she could hardly blame him for feeling worried about having her and Sabrina in the same vicinity.
    ‘Do you think that’s wise?’ he asked.
    Putting the iron down, she raised her head and fixed him with steady eyes. ‘This is my home, Robert…’
    ‘I’m talking about changing the children’s schools,’ he interrupted, apparently realising where she was going. ‘Surely losing their father is a big enough disruption. Why have you sold the house? Is it even true that you have?’
    ‘Yes, it is,’ she answered stiffly. Then deciding to get it over with, she said, ‘There’s no money left. The mortgage wasn’t insured and we’d run up some debts…If it weren’t for Mum leaving me this place, we’d have had nowhere to go.’
    Robert sat quietly for several seconds, digesting the unexpected bombshell, and knowing, as did she, that this was the very reason Monica had given her the house. After Craig’s betrayal she’d wanted to make sure Alicia was taken care of, should he ever let her down again. How perspicacious their mother had been, though he doubted she’d ever imagined something like this.
    ‘I know you’re going to say I could have sold this house and the shop,’ Alicia went on, ‘but it wouldn’t have been enough, and I’ve lost so much lately. I’m sorry, but I couldn’t bear to let go of this place too.’
    ‘I wasn’t going to say that,’ he assured her. ‘Of all peopleI understand how much this house means to you, and though Sabrina might not forgive me for it, I think you did the right thing coming here. It’s a place you know, Rachel’s close by, and so am I. But what are