The Stone House Read Online Free PDF Page A

thing ever, it’s now time to pass on the baton.’
    She smiled. She could see it in his face. He’d worked hard for so many years building a huge practice and list of clients and had more than earned his time off. God knows how many missed dinners and good-night stories and school visits had happened under this roof, Hilary managing somehow to hold the family together. She glanced over to see her husband deep in conversation with Simon Clifford, the head of Tax.
    Caroline Clifford looked bored, her mind somewhere else as she chatted with Ruth Taylor, Tom’s wife.
    She liked the Taylors and always found them good company. Their son Max was in the same school as Gavin, their twelve-year-old.
    Moya walked over to join their conversation, Caroline excusing herself as they talked of the forthcoming Easter holidays and the school play.
    â€˜I’m going out to the terrace for a fag. Don’t tell Simon where I’ve gone.’ The tightly fitted black sheath dress made Caroline look like a tall whippet as she slipped through the terrace doors.
    â€˜How does she keep that figure?’ sighed Ruth, enviously; she’d put on about two stone after her last baby and never managed to get it off. ‘Do you think I should try smoking?’
    â€˜Don’t be mad. Smoking would be bad for you and the kids.’
    â€˜I guess so.’
    â€˜You know so,’ joked Moya.
    There were two other couples due: Susan Owens their corporate finance specialist and her husband James who worked in stockbroking and Dudley Palmer and his wife. Moya loved meeting Eleanor Palmer; the sixty-year-old was a rather well-known crime writer and loved annoying her stuffy husband by regaling those around her with gruesome details of the crimes that the police were working on.
    Another glass of champagne and Ken called them in for dinner. Moya was delighted to be sitting near Hilary and Tom. Patrick cast his eyes to heaven when he realized that he was sitting between Caroline and Ruth and would be expected to keep the peace. At least he was near enough to Ken to be included in his conversation, thought Moya. This dinner was more than just a cosy get-together of colleagues and wives. Patrick was convinced that Ken was taking his time and sussing out his future replacement.
    â€˜He wants to leave the place in good hands,’ he’d told her on the way over. ‘So remember, tonight is very important.’
    Moya could sense her husband was tense and wished he would just relax and enjoy the easy company of those around him and forget office politics for one night. She smiled over at him, rotating her shoulders ever so slightly, which was her secret ‘relax’ signal.
    The food was excellent, the girls working a treat asper usual. Hilary was at ease, knowing everything was in the capable hands of professionals as one course was served after another. Moya gave up worrying about Patrick and concentrated on enjoying the night. She was stressed and tired at the moment and a few hours of interesting conversation and a few glasses of red wine would no doubt work wonders.
    There was a fillet of lamb with all the trimmings. Ken, not comfortable with newfangled fancy food, had insisted on a simple menu.
    â€˜The lamb is very good, Hilary, just perfect.’
    She helped herself to baby new potatoes and minted peas and the carrot and parsnip bake, noting the men were enjoying the good food. There were roasted onions and a piping hot gravy, the smell making her realize just how hungry she really was.
    The talk turned as usual to golf and holidays and property. Moya put on a smile, pretending she was interested as Simon and Caroline bragged on about the two new apartments they had just purchased as an investment.
    â€˜They should double their price over the next ten years,’ smirked Caroline.
    â€˜Think the property market’s overheating, myself,’ murmured Ken as he helped himself to more lamb. Moya felt