Chapter 1

 

Alison was convinced more than ever that the old saying held true: Bad luck really did come in threes!

She reflected on the eventful news that she had just received from her cousin Maria. Her cousin was to be married; everyone in the household was in celebration on hearing the announcement, and they were to all have a special dinner party tonight to mark the happy occasion.

Alison had congratulated Maria on her future nuptials with a big smile, hoping her true feelings were not clear to see. She was relieved to take a step back, away from the noise, to gradually fade into the background as other family members surrounded Maria with delight and curiosity to hear the details of the proposal and to look with admiration at her beautiful engagement ring made up of a cluster of coloured precious stones.

Under any other circumstances, Alison would have been genuinely happy for her relative, wishing her well straight from her heart, despite any underlining tension and disagreement that had often lingered between them in the past. But she could not bring herself to feel happy for Maria, no matter how much she tried. Not when her cousin was marrying Luke, the man Alison had also formed a deep attachment to.