Rejection Runs Deep (The Canleigh Series, book 1: A chilling psychological family drama) by Carole Williams (uplifting novels TXT) 📕

from way back in their childhood when they sat next to each other at the village primary school.  Sue had loved him then and it had never changed, and if anything, her feelings grew deeper over the years but although Philip was warm and friendly towards her it was always Delia Canleigh for him and in a very short while he would tie that knot forever.  Damn, damn, damn!

Tangles looked more spectacular than ever this afternoon, thought Sue as she turned up the drive, resenting Delia’s right to it all.  It wasn’t fair and she wanted to cry.  Philip was such a lovely man and Delia simply wasn’t right for him.  She was too … Sue tried to think of the right words and all she could come up with was tyrannical … yes.  That was perfect.  Delia was quick-tempered, haughty, a complete snob and in general, not very nice … and tyrannical.  That summed her up well.

But perhaps that was just her perspective.  Delia was well respected in the village and received much sympathy and understanding.  Everyone made excuses for any misdemeanours due to her having had a nervous breakdown after her mother left Canleigh in such a dramatic way and the Dowager died.  ‘Poor Lady Delia’ was often voiced in the village shop, post office or the garage.  To lose her mother in such scandalous circumstances and then her Granny, whom she adored and was her rock in all things, was a terrible blow for such a young girl but now she was finally marrying young Philip Kershaw, whom everyone liked, they were delighted and hoped the marriage would give Delia the stability and happiness she deserved.  All the villagers were invited to the wedding and were eagerly looking forward to the celebrations.  Sue, although having her business in Harrogate, still lived in the village with her elderly mother so had also received her invitation but watching Philip marrying that woman was going to tear her apart.  She was absolutely dreading it and had no idea how she was going to get through the day.

Sue knew Delia would destroy Philip in time and didn’t know what to do about it.  What could she do?  He had never looked at her, not in that way at least.  He visited Sue’s shop every time he was in town and was always willing to have a long chat over a cup of coffee and feeling unusually bold, Sue tried flirting with him on the odd occasion but he never flirted back and on leaving the shop just left her feeling deflated and stupid.

Sue stopped her van at the back door of Tangles and gave herself another talking to.  She would really have to get over this passion.  In two short weeks, Philip would be out of her reach forever and she just had to face it.  She would also have to stop bringing out his orders and would have to get a member of staff to do it.  Bumping into the new Mrs. Kershaw more often than was necessary would not do her any good.

Philip had ordered two head collars earlier in the week and Sue removed them from the van, crossed the shingle drive and banged hard on Philip’s back door.  He wasn’t always in and sometimes she had to drive down to the stables to find him but he was at home and when he opened the door, it took all her strength not to fling her arms around him and beg him not to marry Delia.  Instead, she smiled and held out the head collars.

“Your order,” she said simply.

Philip smiled warmly, relieved to see a friendly face.

“Sue!  How nice.  I was just making a pot of tea.  Care to join me?”

Sue wished she wasn’t in such a rush and would have to miss this opportunity to have him all to herself, even if it was for a short while.  Her face flushed uncontrollably and she could have kicked herself for

adding extra blusher to her cheeks before she journeyed out to Tangles.  She must look like a clown.

“I’m so sorry.  I’d love to but I have to get back … my assistant has to get off to the hospital to see her husband who has had his appendix removed and I promised I’d be back in about half an hour.”

Philip’s face fell.  He liked Sue immensely and although he couldn’t burden her with his problems, she was easy to talk to.

Sue noticed his expression and wondered why a man about to get married looked so worried.

“Will you and Lady Delia be going to Jim’s party tonight?” she asked, struggling to find something to say as Philip accompanied her back to her van, holding open the door for her.

“Delia isn’t … she has a migraine … she’s just rung,” he added, admiring Sue’s head of shining blonde curls bouncing around her shoulders, gleaming in the strong sunshine.  He felt like putting out a hand and stroking it.  Whatever was the matter with him?

“Will you still go?”  Sue asked, sinking gracefully into the driving seat, heart thumping wildly as she was going to the party and the spark of excitement at the thought of being in the same room with him for a whole evening without his fiancé was a tantalising prospect.

Philip smiled and shut the van door.  The window was open so they could converse easily.

“I have to.  Jim’s my best man, as well as my best friend.  I can’t let him down.”

Sue took a deep breath and smiled widely.  “Good.  I’ll be able to claim a dance then.”

Philip looked down at her lovely face, perhaps slightly too plump but pleasantly so.  She had grey green eyes, a neat little nose and a very kissable mouth.  Her figure was good, well rounded, but not fat and that head of hair was awesome.  He wondered why he hadn’t noticed before.