Chapter 3

Alice Hutton was a self-assured, successful businesswoman who'd never allowed herself to fall in love since her heart had been so cruelly broken by Stella's father, the charismatic, and much older, Johan de Groote – someone she'd seen neither hide nor hair of since she'd broken the news of her pregnancy to him. Now in her early fifties, Alice was still an attractive woman who took pride in her appearance, dressed well, and wasn't short of admirers. She'd ventured out on the occasional date since then but had remained resolutely single, refusing to let another man get close, determined never to be foolish enough to allow herself to fall in love again. The only love she'd welcomed into her heart was for her daughter, on whom she'd bestowed her affection generously and unequivocally. Until recently, when Rhys Baker had come into her life and Alice had felt herself warming to the faint stirrings of attraction.

Stella had gradually become aware that her mum had been dropping his name into conversations with increasing regularity. It had coincided with a change in her demeanour and an added sparkle in her eyes. Stella had found herself intrigued at this new version of the hitherto brisk, businesslike woman her mum usually presented to the world.

‘So who's this Rhys. Would I know him?' she'd asked a couple of weeks earlier when she'd called round at her mother's house.

‘Oh… um… I don't think so, he's a client.' Alice had struggled to meet her daughter's eye, the hint of a blush colouring her cheeks.

‘Oh, right.' Stella had observed with interest, leaning against the kitchen worktop, mug of tea in hand. ‘And is he a new one?' She'd done her best to rein in the urge to question her mum as if she were a witness in one of her cases, but it hadn't been easy; she'd been dying to find out more.

‘Yes, quite new.' Alice had suddenly started busying herself, opening the kitchen cupboards as if looking for something, still avoiding eye contact. ‘He's a very nice chap, actually. He's a businessman; he's very busy.'

He's very busy? Curious response.‘That's good.' Stella had taken a sip of tea in an attempt to smother the smile that had been tugging at her mouth. She'd peered over her mug, bemused at the sight of her mum looking flustered; she'd never seen her like this before.

Eventually, Alice had stopped and stood up straight, brushing her hair off her face. She'd taken a deep breath and said, ‘Actually, Stella, he's become more than just a client.'

Stella had set her mug down, her interest well-and-truly piqued. ‘He has?'

Alice had nodded, swallowing audibly. ‘I've been out on a couple of dates with him. Well, more than a couple actually. And the thing is, lovey, I've grown quite fond of him.' She'd clasped her hands to her chest in a most un-Alice-like way. ‘And he says he's very fond of me.' She'd risked a glance at her daughter, her face still flushed.

Stella's heart had swelled with love for her mum; she was glowing. But she'd also felt a little niggle of uncertainty, for which she'd quickly remonstrated herself. After all, didn't her mum deserve to be happy? Didn't she deserve to enjoy being in a relationship? Didn't she deserve to be loved by a man again?

Stella had tried asking a few more questions about Rhys, wondering how long they'd been dating, where he lived, how long he'd lived in the town, but talking about him had made Alice appear uncomfortable, and her answers had become increasingly brief. It had generated an awkward atmosphere between the two of them and, as much as she was keen to know more about Rhys, and where he'd suddenly sprung from, Stella had found herself having to resist the urge to dig further. Her job dealing with criminals and unsavoury characters had made her wary and suspicious of everyone until she'd got to know them. Instead, she'd smiled warmly and said, ‘Well, I'm happy for you, Mum, really I am.'

Relief had washed over her mum's face. ‘Thanks, lovey. It's all so new, it's taking a bit of getting used to.'

You're not kidding!

Though Stella and her mum were close and their love for one another ran deep, they both shared the same air of independence, with neither of them keen to live out of the others' pockets. Their conversations usually revolved around work and friends, or what was happening in the town or events or parties they'd attended. Alice had never quizzed her daughter about her love life, and Stella had never had any need to ask her mum about hers since it had been non-existent. Which was why it was such a novelty to Stella now.

It was fair to say Stella didn't share the same kind of closeness that her friend Florrie had with her own mother. The pair spoke on the phone several times a day and rarely went a day without seeing one another. And nor would Stella want to. Stella respected what Florrie had with her mum, Paula, but would have found that kind of closeness stifling. It didn't mean what she had with her mum was in any way a lesser or inferior relationship, it was just different. She knew her mother was there for her if ever she needed her, and she was there for her mum in return. Indeed, the bond they shared was invincible. After all, they'd only ever had each other. Until now.