All That Mullarkey Read Online Free PDF Page B

‘Yes?’
    She took a deep breath. ‘Obviously, I left my mobile with you.’
    ‘Yes.’
    She waited while he made no useful suggestions. Then she tried, ‘Can I come and fetch it?’
    A pause. A noise which might’ve been his fingers drumming. A quick intake of breath. ‘The problem is, I’m in Ipswich. Until Friday.’
    ‘Oh.’ Her breath whisked out in a sigh of disappointment. She was in Northampton herself, there was evidently going to be no instant solution. ‘You’ll appreciate I need my phone back.’
    ‘Oh yes.’
    Another pause. ‘Could I meet you in Ipswich and –’
    He cut her off. ‘I’m working.’
    Sod him. ‘Right. So can I call round for it on Friday?’
    Another pause before, ‘I’ll meet you. Muggie’s at nine.’
    She groaned mentally. ‘Does it have to be there?’
    ‘That’s where I’ll be.’
    Voices and footsteps passed in the corridor outside. She froze until they’d gone. Hissed, ‘Do you have to be so unco-operative?’
    He half laughed. ‘Muggie’s at nine.’
    Next, she rang Gav.
    His voice was happy, soppy, delighted to hear from her after three hours apart. ‘Mmmm, my sexy, darling wife.’
    She had to concentrate to achieve the breezy conversation she’d mentally rehearsed. ‘Can’t be long, I’m borrowing someone’s phone. I just rang to tell you not to try me on my mobile, it’s turned temperamental. Tom’s got a mate who can sort it, so I’ve given it to him.’
    Annoyingly, Gav immediately objected. ‘You shouldn’t give it to some amateur, it’s an expensive phone, I’ll take it back to the shop.’
    Damn it to soddery, of course Gav had bought it for her. She tried to be dismissive. ‘It’s already out of guarantee, the shop would be mega-expensive. Yes … I love you, too.’ She hoped. When the guilt and the anger were over, she was sure she’d find she still loved him.
    Glancing at her watch, rapidly she dialled Liza at the treatment centre, who, bless her bless her bless her, wasn’t engaged with a client’s bare feet and was able to answer her phone. Cleo heaved a sigh of relief to hear her calm, ‘Hiya!’
    ‘Oh Liza!’ Suddenly she wanted a huge, cleansing cry, had to dig her nails into her palms to stop herself from bursting into loud, sisterly boo-hoos. ‘If anyone asks, particularly Gav, I spent Friday night with you, OK? I was upset and you spent the whole time getting me drunk and wiping my tears. Can you do that?’
    ‘Of course,’ Liza agreed promptly. ‘But what’s going on?’
    Cleo checked her watch again. ‘I’ll ring you later to explain. And definitely don’t try me on my mobile! And will you come with me this Friday evening to Muggie’s?’
    ‘What, Muggie’s in Bridge Street? I go there all the time.’
    Cleo fought down sobs again. ‘Pity you weren’t there last Friday. None of the horrible mess would’ve happened!’
    ‘Ah.’ Liza sounded satisfied. ‘I met this farmer’s son …’
    Cleo broke in hastily. The client would be complaining to Nathan if she left her team much longer. ‘Just come with me this Friday, OK? Promise?’
    Liza promised. ‘As long as you tell me then what’s going on.’
    The heavy hand on Justin’s shoulder made him jog his drink. He flicked at the splashes on his jacket.
    Martin grinned. ‘Sorry, mate. New phone?’
    Justin looked at the petite folding mobile phone in his hand. ‘I’m just minding it for a bit.’ While Martin caught the barman’s eye and Drew pressed up beside them in the crush, hands jammed deep into the pockets of his drainpipe jeans, Justin slipped the phone into his pocket.
    ‘Thanks.’ He accepted the drink that Martin passed him.
    Drew drank half his lager in one long slurp, then burped. ‘On your own? No lady of the lake?’
    Justin shook his head.
    ‘Still seeing her?’
    The cold beer was good, tightening his throat on the way down with its iciness. He shook his head again. ‘There was the little matter of a husband.’ He had to