A Mortal Sin Read Online Free PDF Page A

monumental mistake. The moment the words left his mouth he inwardly cursed himself for choosing one of Melbourne’s most exclusive hotels.
    “I don’t think so, thanks.”
    “Somewhere else. You choose. Please, Daphne, we could eat fish and chips out of a paper bag in the park, if you prefer.”
    She laughed, a happy lilting sound that gave him a feeling of well-being.
     “You’re sweet. Did anyone ever tell you that before?”
    “No.”
    “You are.” He desperately wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, but forced himself not to. “Have you ever had a boyfriend?”
    “No, but you’ve got lots of girlfriends.”
    “Well…”
    “Don’t ever lie to me, Paul. I couldn’t stand it.”
    “Daphne, there’s something I should tell you.”
    “Ooh, look at the time, I’ll have to change. When will you pick me up?”
    “About seven.” He bit back the confession hovering on his lips. Later on tonight he would tell her his full name. Would tell her everything and anything she wanted to know about him. This was the girl of his dreams, the one he had waited all his life to meet.
     
    * * *
     
    They sat on a park bench to eat their fish and chips. While he found them barely palatable, Daphne ate with youthful enthusiasm.
    “Next to Mum’s cooking, this is my favorite food.” She licked the salty residue from her fingers.
    He laughed, flicking a stray tendril of hair away from her face. “Will you come out with me tomorrow? We could go for a picnic. I understand Frankston is quite pleasant.”
    “Frankston!” She recoiled as if he had struck her.
    “What is it?”
    She edged away from him. “I’d like to go home now, please.”
    “We were going to walk through the gardens.”
    “So we were.”
    Her laugh sounded brittle and forced. The mention of Frankston did it, he realized. How much did Jean reveal about him and Kitty. “You’re jumping to conclusions, I’ve never been to Frankston before.”
    “Haven’t you?”
    “No, I just heard of it.”
    “From a friend?” she queried.
    “No, I wouldn’t call Kitty a friend exactly, she’s um...”
    “Your mistress?”
    “My, the little kitten has got sharp claws.”
     When she stood up, he noticed tears shimmering in her eyes. “Thank you for the chips.” Tears ran down her cheeks, yet she walked away with a quiet dignity.
    Anger turned to remorse and he started after her. “Daphne, come back.”
    He saw the car first, speeding around the corner, then the child toddling out from the park straight into its path. He sprang forward and started sprinting, but Daphne was yards ahead of him.
    As she charged after the child, he knew he would never catch her in time. Dear God, no way he could make her stop before she sacrificed herself under the wheels of the car. In that split second, with his heart pounding like it would burst, he knew for certain he had found the girl of his dreams, but she might be cruelly snatched away from him before their relationship even started.
    She brought the toddler to the ground with a flying tackle any footballer would be proud of. The immediate screams of the child were drowned out as the car roared past, only inches from where they both lay on the road.
    Daphne climbed unsteadily to her feet as he arrived on the scene, with a white faced young woman a couple of paces behind him.
    “You saved my baby. I’ll be indebted to you for life.”
    “I didn’t do anything much,” Daphne replied shakily
    “I took my eyes off him for a moment, he was so quick.”
    “Don’t distress yourself any further.” Paul picked up the child and handed him to his mother. “Hey, don’t cry little man, it’s all over now.” He ruffled the child’s hair. “Could we see you home?”
    “No thank you, I only live around the corner. God bless both of you.”
    For a moment he watched the woman walk away before he turned towards Daphne, who had gone as white as death.
    “My God, Daphne. Are you all right?”
    “Yes. At least the