After You'd Gone Read Online Free PDF

walking any farther.
'Leave me alone. I want to go home.'
'Alice, I'm so sorry. I was a jerk to say those things. I had no idea. I mean, why didn't you say?'
'What do you mean, why didn't I say? What was I supposed to say? Hello, I'm Alice Raikes, and I'm a virgin?'
'I just had no idea. You seem so . . . I don't know . . . I mean, I couldn't tell.'
'You couldn't tell?' She was angry again. 'How do you usually tell?' She struggled but he held her fast. 'Let go of me, Mario.'
'I can't.'
She felt that his whole body was shaking and she realised in horror that he was crying. He hugged her and sobbed loudly into her hair. 'Alice, I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Please forgive me, Alice.'
She felt a mixture of disgust and guilt. She'd never seen a man cry before. There were people walking past, staring at them. She put her hands up to his shoulders and shook him. 'Mario, it's all right. Don't cry.'
He released her at last and, holding her at arm's length, gazed at her searchingly. His face was desperate and tear streaked. 'God, you're beautiful.Idon't deserve you.'
She fought an impulse to laugh. 'Mario, come on, let's go.
People are staring.'
'I don't care.' He flung himself against the wall. 'I've upset you and I can't forgive myself.'
'Mario, you're being ridiculous. I 'm going.'
He seized her hands. 'Don't go. Tell me you forgive me.
Do you forgive me?' 'Yes.'
     
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'Say, "Mario I forgive you.'" 'Don't be stupid.'
'Say it! Please.'
'All right. Mario, I forgive you. Right. I'm going now.
Goodbye.'
She walked down the street, leaving him slumped against the wall in an attitude of profound grief. Just as she was about to turn the corner, she heard him shout her name. She turned. He was standing in the middle of the road, his arms flung wide in an expansive theatrical gesture.
'Alice! Do .you know why I got so upset tonight?' 'No.'
'Because I'm in love with you! I love you!' She shook her head. 'Good night, Mario.'
The next day, Alice was reading some critical theory when he knocked on the door. He smiled at her radiantly and offered her a bunch of wilting chrysanthemums.
'Mario, I told you I couldn't see you today. I've got work to do.'
'I know, Alice. I just had to come over. I've been up all night, just walking by the river.' He clasped her around the waist and kissed her deeply. 'I meant what I said last night, you know.'
'Oh. Right. Mario, you have to leave. I've got an essay to write.'
'That's OK. I won't disturb you, I promise.' He ran his hands down her sides.
'You're disturbing me already.'
He walked to the other side of the room and sat down on the bed. 'I won't do it again. Promise.'
She carried on reading. He made a cup of tea in the tiny kitchen in the corner of her room. He flicked through a couple of her books and put them down with a slap. He fiddled with
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her stereo, looked through her CD collection and then began doing press-ups.
'Stop that.' 'What?'
'That panting. I can't concentrate.'
He rolled on to his back and looked up at her. 'You work too hard , you know.'
She ignored him. He began stroking her ankle. 'Alice,' he whispered.
She kicked him off. He grabbed her ankle. 'Alice. ' 'Mario. You're really getting on my nerves.'
'Let's go to bed. ' He ran his hand up to her thigh and buried his head in her lap.
'Right. That's it. Get out. '
'No. Not before I've got what I came for.' He smiled wickedly. 'Do you know why I came here today?'
'No. Frankly I don't.'
'I came, ' he paused to kiss her left breast, 'to take away your virginity. '
     
I had both my hands clasped around the last banister and was swinging from side to side. I was not allowed to do this as it weakened the woodwork but my mother had a visitor and I was eavesdropping.
'My father was very musical,' she had her social voice on, 'and it was always my greatest wish that one of my girls would inherit his talent.'
'And they haven't?' the visitor enquired.
'I used to think Alice had. She plays the piano, but she is