Free Time Will Tell by Fiona McCallum Page A

well.’
    â€˜You’d give up the chance to set yourself up financially, to make an easier life for yourself, because of what people think ?’ Jake stared at her, aghast.
    â€˜Money isn’t everything.’ Emily hated saying those words when right now the money really was everything to her. But she knew the cost would be just too great – financial and emotional. The Strattens could afford the best lawyers, have it drag out for years, whittling away her precious few resources until she had to give in in the end anyway.
    It might be gutless for her to let it go – and she might regret it every day for the rest of her life – but she didn’t have the energy for a fight. Jake simply didn’t understand.
    â€˜I’ll just have to find another way to make this happen,’ Emily said, more to herself than to the others.
    â€˜Well, if you’re sure,’ Jake said. ‘You’re an intelligent woman – as, Des, you are an intelligent man. If both of you say this is how it works out here, then far be it from me to argue. But if there’s anything I can do to help then you only have to ask,’ he said, coming back to the table and sitting down heavily.
    â€˜Thanks Jake,’ Emily said, offering him a tight smile.
    â€˜We appreciate it, mate,’ Des said.
    â€˜All I hope is that what goes around really does come around,’ Jake added through clenched teeth, ‘and that this John character gets his comeuppance somehow or other.’
    â€˜Hear, hear,’ Des said quietly.
    A feeling of comfort settled upon Emily as she glanced at Jake and then at her father. It felt good to have their support, and to have everything out in the open. Gran was right – a problem shared was indeed a problem halved.
    She wasn’t at all embarrassed to have Jake know how bad her financial situation was. He wasn’t the sort that would pity her.
    She’d find a way to make her dream of owning and renovating the house a reality – no matter how long it took. She’d phone Donald and Trevor later and let them know she accepted their kind offer.
    Again she thought about the uncut diamonds mixed up with Gran’s buttons. Was it something she should at least look into?
    If only Gran was here to ask.

Chapter Eight
    Emily took the men out and showed them the proposed boundary, then left them to have a good look around without her. She wanted them to appraise the house and surrounds without feeling constrained in their comments.
    Back in the kitchen, she began tackling the pile of dishes left over from lunch. She was desperate to return to looking for the diamonds, but forced herself to stick to the task at hand. She couldn’t have said why, but she didn’t want to tell her father about them yet, and didn’t want to risk being interrupted when Jake and Des came back in.
    She glanced out the kitchen window. They were apparently in deep, animated conversation, both indicating something with outstretched arms. There was plenty of nodding and agreement going on. Emily smiled at how well they seemed to get along.
    Grace, who had chosen to stay outside, was watching their goings-on intently, her head cocked to one side as was her habit. Emily thought she looked like she wanted to round them up. Well, she is a sheepdog . She grinned and returned her attention to the dishes beneath the suds in the sink.
    She had just finished laying the baking pan on a tea towel to dry when there was a loud noise above her. Startled, she looked up, half expecting a section of ceiling to fall down. But her heart rate settled when the next noises she heard were voices and then the steady sound of crunching and creaking – footsteps.
    Ah, Jake and her dad must have gone up onto the roof to check it out.
    She hadn’t wanted to impose on Jake and didn’t want her father going up there alone. But she did need to know how much longer the iron would last before it