Cherry Blossoms Read Online Free PDF Page A

and took a deep breath. She remembered, almost as an afterthought, that now she wouldn’t be able to go to the conference with Oliver. But that was a secondary consideration. Disappointment washed through her and she hurried off to find Jay, who was with Pat.
    “ Jay, love,” began Cherry, “your dad’s just phoned. I’m so sorry, but he won’t be able to have you there next week. He’s double booked some sort of arrangement and can’t get out of it. I’m sure he’s as upset as you are.” Cherry looked over Jay’s head at Pat who was screwing up her face in irritation.
    “ Dad works hard, doesn’t he, Mum?” said Jay, looking sad. “But I don’t mind being here with you and Pat especially if Darius is around. Can I go and look for him now?”
    Jay pottered off, and Pat pulled out a chair for Cherry. “Come on, get it off your chest. You look as if you’re going to explode.”
    With a huff, Cherry sat down. “Alan hasn’t got work commitments at all, Pat. He and Imogen are going to her sister’s in Scotland and there isn’t room for Jay. Why couldn’t Imogen have taken her girls up there and left Alan to have Jay at home? They’re so selfish.”
    “ You’ve always said that Alan dotes on Jay,” answered Pat, helping herself to a shortbread finger from the ever-present biscuit tin.
    “ He does,” insisted Cherry. “He’s always made time for Jay when he could. I know he works hard, but . . . Do you think it was wrong of me to imply that it was work stopping Jay going to his dad’s?” Cherry nibbled her fingernail as she wondered about what she’d said.
    “ What will you do about the conference?” Pat always got straight to the point.
    At the thought of missing out on her imagined wonderful time with Oliver, Cherry felt sick.
    “ Are you all right, Cherry? You’re miles away.”
    “ But I won’t be, will I?” wailed Cherry. “I’ll be here and . . .”
    “ I see. Are you attracted to our new owner?” Pat gave Cherry her full attention.
    “ Of course not,” replied Cherry, fully aware that her face was the same colour as her name. “I just haven’t made any arrangements to entertain Jay during the holidays, that’s all. I’ll get some books from the library and there are bound to be some games in the lounge. There’s always Darius. He plays a mean game of twenty-one apparently. Jay’s completely hooked.” She babbled on in spite of Pat’s smirk.
    “ You know I’ll help out if I can. Jay’s no trouble, but it’s a bit difficult when I’m called away,” said Pat.
    “ Pat, you’re always so good to both of us. I can’t expect you to look after Jay and do your work. I’m sure I can arrange something, he’s my responsibility after all. But, you’re right, I won’t be able to go away, that’s for sure. I’ll have to tell Oliver I suppose, but he’s not going to be pleased. I’ll probably lose my job before I’ve started it. Just as well I didn’t go clothes shopping after all.”
    “ You don’t think Alan and Imogen are going through some crisis, do you?” asked Pat suddenly. “And he feels like he has to be with her to sort it out.”
    “ You’ve been reading too many romances, Pat. I don’t know much about his relationship with her. I’ve always imagined that she pulls the strings, especially the purse ones, but I’ve never been that interested to find out.” Cherry sipped at her cool tea. “I wouldn’t like him to have a bad relationship. Just because we didn’t get on, I don’t begrudge him happiness.”
    “ That’s because you’re a kind, sweet girl.” Pat went over and hugged a miserable Cherry. “Why not stay here and have a fresh cup of tea? Give yourself ten minutes to relax.”
    Left to herself, Cherry was ashamed that her first thoughts were about Oliver. On reflection, she knew Jay would be all right with her around the hotel for the half-term week – they’d done it before. He was a self-contained lad and was content to