Cocktails for Three Read Online Free PDF Page A

little awkward, talking about him.
    â€œBut Candice, I can’t recommend her,” said Maggie simply. “I don’t know anything about her. And neither, let’s face it, do you. I mean, you haven’t seen her for years, have you? She could be a criminal for all you know.”
    Candice stared into her drink miserably, and Maggie sighed.
    â€œCandice, I can understand how you feel, truly I can,” she said. “But you can’t just leap in and procure a job for some woman you hardly know, just because you feel sorry for her.”
    â€œI agree,” said Roxanne firmly. “You’ll be giving the tea towel girl a personal recommendation next.”
    â€œAnd what would be wrong with that?” said Candice with a sudden fierceness. “What’s wrong with giving people a boost every so often if they deserve it? You know, we three have had it very easy, compared to the rest of the world.” She gestured round the table. “We’ve got good jobs, and happy lives, and we haven’t the first idea what it’s like to have nothing.”
    â€œHeather doesn’t have nothing,” said Maggie calmly. “She has good looks, she has a brain, she has a job, and she has every opportunity to go back to college if she wants to. It’s not your job to sort her life out for her. OK?”
    â€œOK,” said Candice after a pause.
    â€œGood,” said Maggie. “Lecture over.”

    An hour later, Maggie’s husband Giles arrived at the Manhattan Bar. He stood at the side of the room, peeringthrough the throng— then spotted Maggie’s face. She was clutching a cocktail, her cheeks were flushed pink and her head was thrown back in laughter. Giles smiled fondly at the sight, and headed towards the table.
    â€œMan alert,” he said cheerfully as he approached. “Kindly cease all jokes about male genitals.”
    â€œGiles!” said Maggie, looking up in slight dismay. “Is it time to go already?”
    â€œWe don’t have to,” said Giles. “I could stay for a drink or two.”
    â€œNo,” said Maggie after a pause. “It’s OK, let’s go.”
    It never quite worked when Giles joined the group. Not because the other two didn’t like him— and not because he didn’t make an effort. He was always genial and polite, and conversation always flowed nicely. But it just wasn’t the same. He wasn’t one of them. Well— how could he be? thought Maggie. He wasn’t a woman.
    â€œI’ve got to go soon, anyway,” said Roxanne, draining her glass and putting her cigarettes away. “I have someone to see.”
    â€œWould that be Someone?” said Maggie with a deliberate emphasis.
    â€œPossibly.” Roxanne smiled at her.
    â€œI can’t believe this is it!” said Candice, looking at Maggie. “We won’t see you again till you’ve had the baby!”
    â€œDon’t remind me!” said Maggie, flashing an over-cheerful smile.
    She pushed back her chair and gratefully took the hand Giles offered. They all slowly made their way through the crowds to the coat-check, and surrendered their silver buttons.
    â€œAnd don’t think you’re allowed to give up on the cocktail club,” said Roxanne to Maggie. “We’ll be round your bed in a month’s time, toasting the babe.”
    â€œIt’s a date,” said Maggie, and suddenly felt her eyes fill with easy tears. “Oh God, I’m going to miss you guys.”
    â€œWe’ll see you soon,” said Roxanne, and gave her a hug. “Good luck, darling.”
    â€œOK,” said Maggie, trying to smile. She suddenly felt as though she were saying goodbye to her friends for ever; as though she were entering a new world into which they wouldn’t be able to follow.
    â€œMaggie doesn’t need luck!” said Candice. “She’ll have that baby licked into shape