A Family Affair - Next of Kin Read Online Free PDF

Tom happy to see his family united. Ellen was pleased to put their past enmity behind her and made Margaret welcome in their home.
    During lunch one day while eating from a tray of sandwiches prepared by Estella, Ellen looked outside and realised it was a beautiful day for an outing. She had been intending to look at cushion samples, and there was no reason not to go today.
    Irene was busy playing with Angus on the floor beside her.
    “Irene,” Ellen said. “I might go and do a spot of shopping this afternoon. Miranda wants me to look at cushions this week. Will you be all right if I pop out?”
    Irene looked concerned. “Oh, I...”
    “What’s the matter?” Ellen asked. It was unlike Irene to say no to anything.
    “You probably don’t remember, dear with everything else that’s going on, but I mentioned to you that I made a doctor’s appointment for today.”
    The prompt helped Ellen to remember, and she felt guilty for asking Irene to stay.
    “I was planning to leave early,” Irene continued.
    “That’s absolutely fine, Irene. I’m sorry I forgot. I might take the little fellow with me then.” Of course Ellen knew Estella would happily watch Angus too, but maybe an outing with her son would be nice.
    “Are you sure, Ellen?” Irene asked, sounding concerned.
    Everyone seemed apprehensive whenever Ellen suggested taking Angus out of the house. It was as if they thought Ted Blake or Kane Jarrad was hiding outside the security gate, ready to pounce.
    It was troubling that Ted had still not been apprehended by the authorities. That fateful day when he had drugged her and dragged her into his car was never far from her conscious thoughts. It was easy to focus on the positive things in her life during the day, but harder at night when images and memories of the kidnapping flashed before her eyes. Neither Tom nor she wanted to take any unnecessary risks now that Angus was there. But Hayden had contacts in the police force, and the detectives were working hard to find Ted. Surely he wouldn’t be so stupid as to park outside their house.
    Ellen knew there was no reason to fear Kane. She hadn’t been contacted by him for months now. Of course, the court date to hear his claim on the estate was imminent, but there was no reason to avoid shopping because of him. He had never threatened her; his obsession was more bothersome than anything else. He just didn’t accept her decision to love Tom, and seemed to believe she would change her mind one day. He didn’t realise that Ellen had never questioned her love for Tom. The thought of loving Kane was ridiculous.
    In any case, Tom had hired a private security firm to protect the large property, and there were usually two guards watching at any time. The security team was useful in keeping photographers away from her family too. Little Angus had been snapped by only a couple of them since his birth.
    Ellen looked at Irene’s concerned face, but felt confident about her decision to take Angus out. “It will be fine, Irene,” she said, trying to reassure her nanny. Irene’s instinctive protection was one of the things Tom liked most about her. “One of the security guards will come with me, and I’ll wear a hat and sunglasses so nobody recognises me.”
    “If you’re sure, dear. I can always reschedule.”
    “Not at all. I wouldn’t hear of it.”
    After lunch, Ellen gathered her hat and sunglasses and waited outside the front door for Robert to bring the car around. Irene was fussing over Angus and putting little kisses on his forehead. A security guard was parked in the driveway and would follow Robert’s car, close enough to act if needed, but far enough back not to intrude on the outing.
    “Have a good time, Ellen,” Irene said. “Have a good time, little man.”
    “We will.”
    “I hope you find what you’re looking for. I’ll see you tomorrow morning at the usual time.”
    “Thank you, Irene. See you then.”
    Robert helped Ellen and Angus into the