The Unburied Past by Anthea Fraser

lone wolf. I’ve never been close to anyone.’
    He saw that he’d shocked her. ‘That’s just not true!’ she protested. ‘You’re a member of the family – why won’t you accept that?’
    â€˜Because the family I
really
belonged to fell apart when I was two. Parents killed, sister taken away. And admit it – part of you always resented my being foisted on you. That’s why we fought as kids – and often still do!’ he added with a smile.
    But she didn’t return it. ‘If I’m in any way responsible for making you feel that, I’ll never forgive myself.’
    â€˜Oh, hey, let’s not get heavy here! We’re meeting for lunch, remember, not analysis!’
    â€˜But seriously, Adam, is that why you keep Mom and Pop at bay? It really hurts them, you know, and especially now, when you’re about to take off for a whole year and you keep putting off going to see them.’
    His face had darkened. ‘They know the reason for that.’
    She leaned forward impulsively, her small hand on his. ‘They told us about your parents – what really happened, I mean. I can’t begin to imagine how you feel, specially learning about it at this late date, but it really wasn’t their fault, surely you see that?’
    He withdrew his hand. ‘Frankly, no. What the Marriotts chose to do is their business – they’re more than three thousand miles away. But that’s no reason for Lynne and Harry not to have told me the truth when I was old enough. I’m not sure I can forgive them.’
    â€˜â€œLynne and Harry,”’ she repeated sadly. ‘Mom says that even as a toddler you never called them Mommy and Daddy, and I remember you dropping the “uncle and aunt” when you were about fourteen.’ She gave a fleeting smile. ‘I asked if I could use their first names too and was given very short shrift.’
    â€˜That’s the reason you’re here, isn’t it?’ he accused. ‘To put in a good word for them, persuade me to see them?’
    â€˜It’s one reason, yes, but I also wanted time with you before you go. Whatever you might say, I think of you as my brother.’
    â€˜Oh, Charlie,’ he said softly. He tossed back his drink and put his glass firmly on the table. ‘All right, I’ll see them, but only for your sake.’
    â€˜And you won’t be all prickly and difficult?’
    He raised his eyebrows. ‘
Moi?
’
    Despite herself, she smiled. ‘Promise?’
    â€˜I promise. Now, can we change the subject and go and find some lunch?’
    â€˜Gladly!’ she said.

SEVEN
    O n the Friday morning a registered packet arrived at the house addressed to Kirsty. It contained a two-pound box of luxury chocolates and a note reading simply,
Sweets for my Sweet
.
    â€˜This isn’t remotely amusing any more,’ she declared. ‘In fact, it’s becoming rather sinister, and this time I
am
going to throw them in the bin.’
    Angie looked up from a tray of flapjacks. ‘In case they’re laced with cyanide?’
    â€˜I know you think I’m overreacting, but I’m not taking any chances.’
    â€˜You could pass them on to me,’ Angie suggested. ‘I’d be happy to risk death by chocolate!’
    But Kirsty shook her head. ‘You may be, but I’m not going to be responsible.’
    â€˜Oh, come on! I wasn’t
serious
about the cyanide!’
    â€˜Nevertheless,’ Kirsty said enigmatically, and returned to her baking.
    The word ‘gateaux’ in their company name was actually more wide-ranging than it implied, since it also encompassed a variety of less exotic fare such as cupcakes, brownies, meringues and so on. Their customers – coffee shops, patisseries and the odd restaurant – were roughly divided between those who ordered weekly and those requiring only a monthly