Every Time We Say Goodbye Read Online Free PDF Page A

the hall. If this was a bloody salesman, then he had picked the wrong door. She swung it open with a vengeance and sighed. ‘Oh.’
    Johnny smiled. ‘Well, there’s nothing like a warm welcome.’
    ‘I’m sorry, Johnny,’ she grinned.
    ‘Dear God, what happened to your hand?’
    ‘It’s nothing.’ But when she looked down, the paper was soaked red.
    Johnny propelled her back down the hallway to the kitchen. ‘Sit.’
    ‘But I have to clean this mess up,’ Marianne protested as he pressed her into a chair.
    ‘It can wait; let me check your hand.’ He knelt at her feet, heedless of the glass around them and carefully peeled the tissue from the cut.
    ‘Really, it’s nothing. I was cleaning this mess up and a piece of glass went under my nail.’
    ‘Let me make sure that it’s not still in there.’
    Marianne winced as he probed around her fingertip.
    ‘No, it seems to be clean. Where will I find a plaster?’
    Marianne nodded towards the cupboards. ‘Top drawer.’
    ‘What happened anyway? It looks like Beirut in here. Ah, here we are.’ Johnny selected a plaster and came back to dress her finger.
    ‘It was Andrew. He broke my crystal clock deliberately, the little demon.’
    ‘It’s not funny, Johnny,’ she said when he chuckled, but she couldn’t help smiling. ‘He’s an awful handful these days; I don’t know what I’m going to do with him. I know he must be missing Dominic and I have to make allowances but the way he looked at me just now, it was as if he really hated me.’ Marianne felt her eyes fill up.
    ‘Of course he doesn’t hate you.’ Johnny smiled up at her and then stopped as he saw her tears. ‘Ah, don’t, sweetheart.’ He folded her into his arms and Marianne buried her face in his chest. ‘This has been a terrible time for you but it will get easier. And you’ve got me and Helen and Jo and Greg to look after you. Well, okay, maybe not Greg—’
    Marianne laughed, then hiccupped and drew back from him. ‘Oh, look, I’ve made a mess of your shirt.’
    ‘Never mind the bloody shirt. The kids will be grand. Right now I think you need to look after yourself.’
    ‘I’m fine.’
    ‘I don’t think you are. I know that you and Dominic had your problems but his death must have come as a terrible shock and you’re so busy fussing over Dot and the kids, I’m not sure you’ve dealt with your own feelings.’
    ‘I’m okay, honest,’ she insisted. ‘Now I’d better clean this place up.’
    ‘I’ll do it.’
    ‘You don’t have to.’
    ‘No, but I’m going to while you make me a nice cup of tea.’
    ‘Fair enough.’ She wiped her eyes and went to fetch a brush and pan from the hall cupboard and a thick plastic bag to empty the debris into.
    ‘Do you want me to have a word with Andrew?’ he asked as she put on the kettle.
    ‘Dot took him off for a few hours, perhaps she’ll get through to him; he adores her.’
    ‘He adores you .’
    ‘He’s hiding it well,’ she joked but she had to swallow back more tears.
    Johnny sighed. ‘He’s only five. You’re being too sensitive, sweetheart.’
    ‘I know, you’re probably right but it’s hard not to be. It has been such a strange few weeks. There’s so much to take in.’
    ‘How are you feeling?’
    ‘I’m honestly not sure.’
    ‘Relieved perhaps?’
    Marianne looked at him in alarm.
    Johnny rested the brush against the table and sighed. ‘Helen told me all about Dominic.’
    ‘I see.’
    ‘Don’t be cross with her. It was straight after we heard the news and I was saying how sad it was and she said you were probably better off. Well, she obviously had to explain that; she’d never have broken your confidence otherwise.’
    ‘I know that, Johnny.’
    ‘I tell you, it nearly caused a divorce. I was furious that she hadn’t told me. If I’d known that he’d raised his hand to you, Marianne, I’d have throttled him.’
    ‘Which is exactly why I didn’t want you to know. You hitting him wouldn’t