Double Danger Read Online Free PDF Page A

week.
    ‘OK,’ she said eventually, and Mrs Mellors looked delighted.
    ‘Smashing. Come on then, let’s get everything packed away.’
    In no time at all, Jessica had collected her nightie and a few other things in her overnight bag and was perched beside Mrs Mellors in the van. Normally it would have been Jessica who would chatter all the way. This time she was unusually quiet and it was Mrs Mellors who did most of the talking.
    Her cottage was facing the Lennoxtown road across from the Green. Surrounding the Green were a couple of shops, a hotel, a church and a block of flats.
    ‘Look back there, Jessie,’ Mrs Mellors said as she opened the door of her cottage. ‘See that block of flats. There’s a couple vacant in there. You could get one of them no problem. This is a great wee community. Everyone knows one another and we have great social get-togethers. You’d love it here.’
    The word ‘love’ was like a dagger piercing Jessica’s heart. She had loved Brian Anderson, still loved him, and believed that she would always love him.
    As if reading Jessica’s mind, Mrs Mellors said, ‘You’ll get over him, Jessie. You’ll meet other men just as handsome as him, you’ll see.’
    ‘Aye, sure,’ Jessica said sarcastically.
    ‘Of course you will.’ Mrs Mellors’ voice became impatient. ‘My God, you’d think you were the only one in the world that had fallen for somebody and then got dumped. It happens all the time and I did warn you. But it was so like you not to take a blind bit of notice of what I said. I told you you’d regret it.’
    ‘I don’t regret it.’
    ‘What have you got such a long face for then? You’re not your usual chirpy, cheeky self at all these days. Even the customers are noticing it.’
    Jessica made a supreme effort. She tossed back her curly riot of hair and laughed. ‘I’ve caught one of those bugs that’s going about. I’ll be fine in a day or two.’
    ‘The flats are nice, aren’t they?’ Mrs Mellors led Jessica into one of her cheery, chintzy bedrooms. ‘Dump your bag on the chair just now and come on through to the kitchen. Help me make the tea. You can unpack later on. You set the table and I’ll heat up a nice steak pie I’ve got in the fridge.’
    ‘I don’t really feel like much. A cup of tea and a bit of toast would go down better, I think.’
    ‘Och, try a wee bit of the pie. It’ll put some strength into you.’
    ‘OK, OK. Anything you say.’
    ‘What do you think of the flats? We could have a look round one later on tonight if you want. Or tomorrow morning.’
    ‘Mrs Mellors, I’ve already got a flat. I think it’s great. I love it. You know fine I do.’
    ‘But Jessie, you’re on your own too much there now, and let’s face it – the Calton’s a pretty tough area. An innocent, trusting wee lassie like you wandering around on her own there isn’t such a good idea.’
    ‘You were born and bred in the Calton and I’ve never heard you say a word against it before.’
    ‘I know, but it’s not the place it used to be and you can be that reckless and stupid at times. I worry about you, Jessie.’
    Suddenly Jessica pounced on the older woman, gave her an impulsive hug and showered her with kisses.
    ‘I love you for loving me.’
    Mrs Mellors laughed. ‘That sounds like a song. Get off me, you daft stick. Set the table like I told you. And believe me, I’m glad of your company now that my family are away in Australia.’
    ‘Oh, I was forgetting about that.’ Jessica hugged the older woman even harder. ‘I do love you. I’m your adopted daughter, aren’t I?’
    ‘Aye, aye.’
    After the meal Mrs Mellors insisted that they at least had a walk around the Green, had a closer look at the flats and then enjoyed a drink at the hotel.
    In the bar was a crowd of people including a couple of men. Some of them worked in Glasgow. Some of them worked in the Barras. They kept backing Mrs Mellors up in trying to persuade Jessica to make the move to