One Minute Later: Behind every secret is a story, the emotionally gripping new book from the bestselling author. Susan Lewis

she knew very well that as a vet, as well as a compassionate human being, the last thing he’d ever be into was the torturing and terrorizing of animals, she still felt a surge of pride every time he confirmed it. They might not be quite as daft or romantically soppy as Ma and Pop Larkin, but there was no doubt in her mind that they were every bit as much in love.

      As the heat of August drained away into the cooler and shorter days of September, and their finances stopped adding up, Shelley began to notice a change in Jack. She understood that he was worried about how they were going to keep the farm going when their savings ran out, but there was more doubt or concern exercising him than that. She could sense it, even though he steadfastly denied it.

      ‘We’ve always shared everything,’ she reminded him one night after he’d returned from a late shift at the surgery and they sat down to enjoy a drink together.

      ‘We still do,’ he responded, ‘unless you’re hiding something from me.’

      Though his tease made her smile, and she felt reassured by the way he added, ‘We’ll sort everything out with this place, I hope you know that,’ she still couldn’t rid herself of the feeling that something else was on his mind.

      A few days later she cornered him in the barn. ‘Something’s going on between you and the Bleasdales,’ she accused. ‘Don’t deny it, because I know when things aren’t right with you.’