Web of Lies by Sally Rigby (best book club books of all time .txt) 📕

Web of Lies

Sally Rigby

Copyright © 2021 by Sally Rigby

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

This story is a work of fiction. All names, characters, organisations or places, events and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any persons, alive or dead, events or locals is almost entirely coincidental.

Edited by Emma Mitchell of @ Creating Perfection.

Cover Design by Stuart Bache of Books Covered

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

Chapter 38

Chapter 39

Chapter 40

Chapter 41

Chapter 42

Chapter 43

Chapter 44

Chapter 45

Chapter 46

Read more about Sebastian Clifford

Also by Sally Rigby

Acknowledgments

About the Author

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Chapter 1

11 April

‘For goodness’ sake,’ Jenny Johnson said, turning to look in the back seat of the car where her two sons were squabbling, as usual, this time over a toy truck. ‘The plan was for a nice day out, so stop arguing.’ Her body tensed. Was it going to be like this for the entire day? If so, she’d sooner go back home and get on with the pile of ironing waiting for her.

It was late Sunday morning on a beautiful spring day, with the sky a soft pale blue and an array of yellows and oranges from the wild daffodils in bloom growing on the side of the lane as they drove through the countryside. She loved this time of year. It was perfect for a trip to Foxton Locks, their favourite place to visit. Though she suspected lots of other people would be there, too. Weather could be so hit-and-miss it was best to take advantage of it when you could.

‘Are we there yet?’ Lucas, the younger of her two boys, asked, fidgeting excitedly in his seat. ‘I hope we see a boat coming through.’

‘Yeah, that would be great, wouldn’t it?’ Tyler said.

At least it had stopped their latest argument.

She’d wanted the day to be special because it was the first time in ages since her husband, Kyle, had a day off. He’d been working seven days a week to get a big order shipped out. They were glad of the overtime, but it meant she’d had sole responsibility for the boys, who could be a handful, and that was putting it mildly.

‘Boys, I’ve got a surprise for you,’ Kyle said. ‘But only if you’re good.’

‘We’re good, aren’t we, Tyler?’ Lucas said. ‘What is it, Dad?’

‘Do you promise?’

‘Yes,’ Lucas said.

‘Me, too,’ Tyler agreed.

‘Okay. I’ve booked us on a narrowboat for a trip down the canal after lunch. But if you keep fighting, I’m going to cancel it.’

‘Yay. We’re going on a boat. Thanks, Dad,’ Tyler said. ‘We’ll be nice to each other. You can have the truck, Lucas,’ he said handing it over to his younger brother.

Jenny smiled to herself and turned back to face the front of the car. ‘Nice one,’ she whispered to her husband.

He glanced at her and winked. Even though the boat trip had been her idea, she didn’t resent him taking the credit if it gave her some peace and quiet. There were times when she could cheerfully take herself off and never come back. But those moments were few and far between. She loved her kids. And her life. It wasn’t like every other family didn’t have their share of problems. She saw the state of some of her friends’ marriages and knew that she was luckier than most.

‘There’s the prison,’ Tyler said, as they drove past it on the left. ‘Do prisoners escape from there?’

‘No. It’s perfectly safe,’ his mother said.

‘If they do, I’ll smash myself into them and knock ’em over. Then I’ll kick and …’

‘Tyler, no one’s going to escape from the prison.’

‘But what if they did?’ Lucas, who wasn’t as fearless as his older brother, asked.

‘They won’t. Look out the window, boys. We’re nearly there. There’s the signpost for the Foxton Locks top car park,’ Kyle said.

‘Can’t we get any closer? Let’s try the lower car park, especially as we’ve got the picnic and blankets to carry,’ Jenny said, not fancying the fifteen-minute walk with the boys in tow.

She’d been looking forward to having lunch at the picnic tables close to the lock and the gift shop, which she loved to look around.

‘Okay, but at this time of day it’s bound to be full. So don’t blame me if we end up having to turn around and come back.’ Kyle took a right turn and after driving for a few minutes, they came to the lower car park. It was full. People were milling around, heading straight to the canal staircase lock and the museum. And, of course, the pub.

‘Sorry. Should have listened to you,’ Jenny said, hoping it wouldn’t set the boys off again, although judging by their shrieks of glee in the back they were so excited about the boat trip she suspected they wouldn’t much care.

Kyle turned the car around and headed back along Gumley Road towards the top car park, joining a steady flow of traffic. ‘Let’s hope there’s still somewhere in the overspill section.’

She sensed the frustration in his voice.

Luckily, there were still some spaces, although Kyle had to drive right to the far side where it backed onto some overgrown wasteland.

‘Can we have lunch at the pub?’ Tyler asked. ‘I want some beer.’

Jenny laughed. ‘First of all, no. We’ve brought a picnic. And second of all, you’re only eleven and much too