1944 - Just the Way It Is Read Online Free PDF

laughed. ‘There’s nothing in Fairview that would be worthwhile to a refuse man. I can’t believe that. What’s he going to do . . . buy Pinder’s End?’
    ‘He wouldn’t be so stupid. . .’ Clare stopped and stared at Peter. ‘Oh, but he couldn’t. Surely . . .’
    ‘Now, what’s the matter?’
    Clare slid out of the armchair. ‘Do you mind if I use your telephone?’
    Peter looked at her with amused bewilderment. ‘What’s got into that smart little head of yours?’
    ‘I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. It’s rather a coincidence that Timson should be in Fairview looking for property and the Pinder’s End scheme should be shelved on the day he arrived,’ Clare returned, dialling.
    ‘Who are you ringing?’
    ‘I’m going to ask Hill, the town surveyor.’ She turned back to the telephone. ‘Is that Mr. Hill? This is Clare Russell of the Clarion. I understand, Mr. Hill, that Pinder’s End has been sold. Is that correct?’
    There was a startled exclamation at the other end of the line. ‘Sold?’ Hill spluttered. ‘Who said so?’
    ‘I have information to that effect,’ Clare returned, in her most businesslike manner, ‘I would like confirmation.’
    ‘I have nothing to give to the Press,’ Hill snapped.
    ‘Then you don’t deny the story?’ Clare persisted.
    ‘I tell you I have nothing to say,’ Hill returned, and hung up on her.
    Clare put the receiver on its cradle gently and looked at Peter. ‘He won’t talk. It looks as if Timson’s bought Pinder’s End.’
    ‘It doesn’t seem possible,’ Peter said. ‘What in the world would anyone want with that dump? I expect Hill’s just being obstinate.’
    Clare shook her head. ‘I don’t think so,’ she said, and picked up the telephone again. She called Sam and told him, but Sam wouldn’t believe it.
    ‘You leave Pinder’s End to me,’ he said, briskly. ‘I’ll see Hill first thing tomorrow. Now go and enjoy yourself. You’re holding up my dinner,’ and he rang off.
    Clare shrugged. ‘Well, I can’t do anything about it tonight,’ she said, regretfully. She looked over at Peter. ‘What are you going to do with me?’
    Peter snapped his fingers. ‘I’d almost forgotten, darling. We are going to the Chez Paree and you’re going to meet that notorious character, Harry Duke. I’ve asked him to dinner.’
    Clare’s eyes lost a little of their sparkle. ‘I wanted to spend the evening alone with you,’ she protested. ‘I don’t feel like being nice to your friends.’
    ‘You don’t have to be nice to Harry Duke,’ Peter said. ‘In fact, I should hate you to be.’
    ‘Honesty, Peter, can’t we put him off? I’m not in the mood for mixed company.’
    Peter gave her a quick look and saw that she was serious. ‘Why, I’m sorry, Clare. I suppose I could put him off, but he’s been waiting so long to meet you and he is my best friend.’ He stood looking at her, undecided.
    Clare wandered over to the window. ‘Don’t be sorry, Peter,’ she said. ‘You weren’t to know how I was going to feel.’ After a moment’s silence, she went on. ‘I’ve heard a lot about Harry Duke. I don’t really think I want to meet him. After all, he is one of the Bentonville gamblers, isn’t he?’
    Peter laughed uneasily. ‘You mustn’t believe all you hear. Harry’s swell. We’ve known each other a long time and he’s been good to me. Of course, he is a little wild, but that doesn’t mean anything.’
    ‘He’s a gambler, a gunman and a bad citizen.’
    ‘Oh, nonsense,’ Peter said, a little sharply. ‘He’s a gambler, but then so are thousands of other guys.’
    ‘I suppose thousands of other guys are gunmen and bad citizens, which makes Harry Duke just a nice ordinary fellow.’
    There was another pause, then Peter said quietly, ‘Okay, Clare, I’ll put him off.’
    Clare swung round. ‘I’m sorry, Peter, I’m being stupid. I’ll take a leaf out of your book and I won’t pass judgment on someone