Aisling Gayle Read Online Free PDF

care!”
    “And would that be in or out of the bath?” Declan added for good measure.
    Aisling looked from her mother to her father, and wondered what had come over them. If this was the effect that being in America had on her normally staid parents, Aisling wished they could have a holiday over here every year .

    * * *
    “Are you sure you won’t change your mind and come with us?” Jean called, as the car prepared to pull off.
    Aisling shook her blonde, pony-tailed head and held up her novel. “I’m going to enjoy the peace and the beautiful scenery.” Then she smiled. “I might even do a bit of swimming if I feel energetic enough!”
    “Okay,” Jean agreed, “but tomorrow I won’t take no for an answer – we’re going to a good shopping district, and I just know you’re gonna love it.”
    “I’ll definitely join you tomorrow,” Aisling promised. “So off you go, and enjoy your visit. I’ll see you all later in the day.”
    “Don’t get those legs burned like you did during that hot week at home last year,” Maggie called now. “You’d be far better in a skirt or a light dress in this heat.”
    “I’ll stay in the shade,” Aisling told her, knowing full well that Maggie was making a last attempt at getting her to cover up. Women showing off their legs didn’t go down at all well in Maggie’s little world – even if they were on holiday in America. Shorts were almost worse than women wearing trousers, which her mother couldn’t come round to at all. And never would. And Aisling knew that the fact her Aunt Jean almost lived in them must be a thorn in her mother’s side.
    “And don’t forget to watch out for the bears!” Maggie suddenly remembered, sticking her sun-hatted head out of the back window of the car. Several of Jean’s neighbours had related stories about bears in the locality. “Don’t fall asleep down near the water or anything – keep your wits about you all the time.”
    “Don’t worry, Aisling,” Bruce called from the front. “We haven’t seen a bear in these parts for over five years.”
    “Help yourself to the fridge, honey,” her aunt said, waving. “There’s plenty of everything in it.”
    Aisling heaved a sigh of relief when at long last the car moved off, taking Jean and Bruce and her parents to visit some elderly couple whose ancestors came from Mullingar. Since they had arrived in Upstate New York, they had spent the first few days in a whirlwind of visits and introductions, until Aisling felt that she couldn’t take in another face or another name. And while everyone had been so nice and friendly, if the truth be told they were all a bit on the elderly side for Aisling. Definitely more suited to her mother and father’s age group than hers.
    Invitations had come from practically everyone they met for barbecues, lunches and brunches. If they had accepted every invitation, they would have had to stay for six months instead of one.
    Aisling turned back towards the house to pick up her sunglasses. Although it was only eleven o’clock in the morning, the thermometer on the garage wall was climbing well up towards the eighties. It was going to be another ho t, sunny day, and Aisling had all those hours stretching ahead in this beautiful place.
    For the first time since arriving she could do whatever she wanted – when she wanted – without having to consider anyone else. She could eat when she wanted, read when she wanted, and swim when she wanted. And who knows – maybe even sleep if she wanted.
    She went to the fridge to get a cool drink and some of the fresh fruit salad that Jean made by the bucketful.
    She put her sunglasses on the top of her head and tucked a bottle of sun-lotion into the top pocket of her blue-checked blouse. Then, with her novel under her arm and the tray in her hand – Aisling made her way down to Lake Savannah.
    Every now and again, she came across the windchimes that Bruce had dangling from various trees, and she couldn’t