E for England Read Online Free PDF Page A

fare down as soon as I…no, why don’t you come up and I can pay you back right now?’ She walked over to the lift and pressed the button. The door opened immediately. ‘How much was it?’
    â€˜Forty dollars but it doesn’t matter, any time will do.’
    â€˜I have the cash now so you’d better take it while it’s on offer.’ She laughed and flashed that smile at him again, all sparkling eyes, white teeth and a dimple, hand holding the door. Waiting.
    The sensation of warm body pressed against his, lips caressing his cheek, fingers gripping his shoulders, pulling him close. Hugh stepped in beside her on legs working all by themselves and brain justifying this unnecessary extension of time in her company. He could do with the cash himself, not having planned on an extra taxi fare this weekend. No, he didn’t need the money. He could use a cash machine. What was he doing? He didn’t want her to makeassumptions about anything. Too late, the lift was rumbling upward.
    â€˜Leonie said to leave the door unlocked.’
    â€˜Right. I was going to do that anyway. I’m certainly not staying up till she comes home.’
    â€˜Does she often stay out late?’
    â€˜Yes, she has a very full social life.’ Annie slid him a wry smile which he took to mean she had a lot of men friends. Did Annie?
    â€˜The Basement has a really good band playing.’
    â€˜Do you like jazz?’
    â€˜I do. This one was Brazilian.’ He pulled the crumpled flyer from his pocket. ‘They’re on tomorrow as well.’
    â€˜You should go.’
    The lift stopped. Hugh stepped aside so Annie could precede him.
    â€˜I might. Do you go out much?’
    She stuck the key in the door and looked back over her shoulder. ‘You’re kidding. With two small children? Hardly. I take them to the movies sometimes. We see animated kid’s things.’
    Hugh followed her in and walked across to the big floor to ceiling windows while Annie disappeared down the short hallway to the bedrooms. A door opened softly, then after a moment closed again. Another door opened.
    The apartment had the most stupendous view. He could see that even at night, with lights twinkling on the far shore and back towards the city.
    A moment later Annie reappeared with a handful of notes. ‘Thanks again. I don’t know what I would have done without you.’
    â€˜As I said, I’m pleased I could help.’ He slipped the money into his wallet.
    â€˜Would you like to sit down, have a glass of wine? Coffee, tea? ‘
    Hugh rubbed his lips together. Should he stay? He hadn’t had much of that red downstairs. James was deep in his movie and it would be half over by now. Why not? No harm in having a neighbourly chat and she seemed keen for the company.
    â€˜Wine would be nice. Thank you.’
    â€˜Sit down.’ Annie darted into the kitchen area and opened a cupboard. ‘Red?’
    â€˜Yes, please.’ Hugh sat on the sofa facing the window. ‘Great view.’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜We don’t get much of a view downstairs. Not high enough.’
    Annie put a bottle on the coffee table and handed him a glass of wine. She sat on an easychair at right angles to him. ‘Cheers.’ She raised her glass.
    He raised his. ‘Cheers.’
    She drank then flopped back against the cushion, released a long slow breath. ‘For a while there I thought I’d never get back in.’
    â€˜You could have climbed up the balconies.’
    â€˜Of course!’ She snickered. ‘Except I locked the balcony door specifically so Spiderman couldn’t get in and abduct my kids.’
    â€˜Good thinking.’ He raised his glass to her. ‘So you and Leonie are friends?’ They seemed an unlikely couple but you never knew with friendships. They sprang up between the most unusual people sometimes.
    â€˜We work at the same place. She’s been very