The Avenue of the Dead Read Online Free PDF

She had surprised and delighted him by bursting into tears and saying it was the most precious thing she owned. And then she began to smile and hug him and he felt near to crying himself.
    She held on to his hand and squeezed. It really was extraordinary how happy she was with him. Nobody gave the marriage a chance at first. Two husbands behind her, fifteen years younger than John, a spoiled young woman armoured with devastating good looks, and doting parents to support every folly she committed. People had been unkind, and the Grahams themselves had been full of doubts. They were all proved wrong. Much as he loved her, John Kidson was not a slave to his wife. He was too shrewd to give way to his inclination to spoil and pamper her in case he lost her. He gave her the security she had been seeking unconsciously all her life. Captain Graham finally lost his younger daughter to another man, and the wayward Charlie surprised them all by settling down to married life and starting a family.
    She lay back on her pillows.
    â€˜He’s such a lovely baby,’ she sighed. ‘I always thought they were hideous little crinkled monsters, but you know, darling, I think he’s beautiful! Do you think he’s beautiful?’
    â€˜Yes, in spite of being a hideous little crinkled monster – I’m only teasing, sweetheart. He’s a cracking little boy. Everyone’s thrilled with him.’
    â€˜I know,’ she said. ‘Mummy and Daddy were delighted, weren’t they – and poor Davina – I couldn’t look at her to start with. She was so good about it, wasn’t she? It must have been awful for her, seeing our baby when she’d lost her own. I didn’t make too much of it, did I?’
    â€˜No, you didn’t,’ he assured her. ‘She was all right. She was very happy for you, I could see that.’
    â€˜We’re better friends now than we ever were,’ Charlie said. ‘We’ll never be close, but at least we like each other. I hope this Washington job works out for her. She looks so drained, as if there was nothing inside her.’ She turned her head away because her eyes suddenly filled with tears. ‘I wish she was happy,’ she said. ‘Do you think she’ll ever get over him?’
    â€˜I don’t know,’ Kidson answered. ‘Some people only love once in their lives. But she’s young and time heals. Getting back to work will help.’
    â€˜It isn’t dangerous, is it – this Washington job?’
    â€˜It shouldn’t be. Anyway the chief is sending out a minder. Davina will be all right with him around.’
    â€˜Who is it?’ Charlie asked. ‘Anyone I know?’
    â€˜No, darling. Ex-major in the SAS. Very tough and very experienced. He joined us after leaving the army. I don’t know what his role is going to be in the long term; at the moment he’s going to Washington on the embassy staff. I met him a couple of times. I don’t think he and Davina will get on. I said so, but you know the chief – he just sits there and smiles and doesn’t take a damn bit of notice if it doesn’t suit him. Anyway, she couldn’t have a better back-up than this fellow, if there is any trouble. I’m going to go home now, darling, and let you have a sleep. I’ll be back this evening. Anything you want me to bring you?’
    She smiled lazily at him. ‘The latest Harper’s and Queen, ’ she said. ‘And the Nursery World. ’ They both laughed and he blew her a kiss as he went out.
    â€˜My name,’ the man said, ‘is Lomax. Colin Lomax.’
    They shook hands in the hall at Marchwood. He was slightly above average height, dressed in a sweater and faded jeans. He didn’t look like a major in anybody’s army. He could have come from anywhere and been anything; when he spoke there was an unmistakable Scottish brogue. He had short fair hair and green eyes, a