A Girl Called Tegi Read Online Free PDF Page A

she demanded.
    ‘She asked me how long I would be here and if I would give you a message. I said I would go one further and offer you a lift home. She was very relieved,’ he explained. ‘She did not like the thought o f going without you. Very few words were exchanged .’
    Tegi regarded him with suspicion. Under the spel l of his liquid dark eyes she was ready to believe anything that astute brain of his could conjure up. She was so weak that he would believe him if he were to tell her the most unlikely story. When you feel like that about a man, you’re in trouble, she knew. She had to play it cool.
    ‘But how were you supposed to recognise a complete stranger?’ she challenged.
    Amusement lifted the corners of his mouth, fille d his eyes. He paused.
    ‘Go on,’ she urged.
    ‘She gave a very apt description of you.’
    ‘So?’
    He grinned. ‘Your friend described you as a smashing coppernob.’
    Tegi froze. ‘So you do make a habit of taking girls on your motorbike,’ she cried.
    ‘Sometimes ,’ laconically.
    ‘So you were just waiting for a pick-up?’ Her eyes sparkled with scorn.
    He nodded, unabashed. ‘By the name of Tegi. Sh e told me your name.’
    H er eyes flashed and her colour deepened. ‘The n you knew I was coming all the time? Wasn’t it rathe r deceitful not to tell Beryl that you knew me?’
    ‘No. Who was I to spoil her fun? She was happ y to know that you would get a lift home.’ Again the mocking smile made her feel weak. ‘I imagined she would have come with me like a shot in your place.’
    ‘Beryl is engaged to be married,’ she said.
    Tony nodded. ‘I saw the ring on her finger.’ His smi le was wholly charming. ‘Am I still in your bad books?’
    ‘I don’t know you well enough to form an opinion of you.’
    ‘Then give me the benefit of the doubt and allow me to take you home?’
    Tegi hesitated and watched him take the bag filled with groceries from her hand. He wasted no time in placing them on the back of his bike and putting on the gloves. Then she was heaving herself on to the bi ke behind him.
    The swift rush of air as he set off at speed made her cheeks glow and her whole body inside the raincoat glowed. Problems receded, and she closed her e yes. She was flying through space hugging the handsomest, most exciting man she had ever met. Life look on a new and wonderful dimension. She forgot she was on one of the machines that sh e hated because of what they had done to her father. She was being swept along the crest of a wave, and all because she was with Tony Mastroni.
    At her request he dropped her off at the end of the lane leading to the house.
    ‘Come out with me this evening?’ he said, giving her the plastic bag of groceries.
    His gaze was very direct and she lowered her own, deciding on frankness.
    ‘What about Dorothy, my sister?’ she asked.
    ‘Dorothy?’ The message did not appear to get through to him. ‘What about her?’
    ‘I was in a cafe in Douglas today,’ Tegi said. ‘I saw you both. I saw the way she was looking up at you , and she kissed you.’
    Tony frowned and she thought how thick his eyelashes were. A girl had not a chance against him. ‘And you thought there was something in it?’ he said, and stopped. ‘I can see you did.’ He sighed . ‘I was in the hotel bar waiting for my friend Bart to have lunch when Bart arrived with his girl-friend and Dorothy. Your sister had met him on his way to the hotel and he invited her to join us for lunch.’
    Tegi said slowly, ‘And afterwards you all walked along the street and Dorothy kissed you for the lunch?’
    ‘Something like that. I don’t remember what the kiss was for exactly. It was of no importance.’
    Tegi bristled at his arrogance. ‘Not to you...’
    ‘Why should it be?’ he cut in. ‘I am being kissed al l the time.’
    ‘How nice for you,’ she said stiffly.
    He just stared, then said slowly, ‘I think we had better get one thing straight. I am a kind of