Everything to Gain and a Secret Affair Read Online Free PDF Page B

ring my mother-in-law answered with a cheery, very British “Hello?”
    â€œIt’s me, Diana,” I said, “and the top of the morning to you.”
    â€œGood morning, darling, and how is it out there?” she asked. Not waiting for my response, she went on, “It’s frightfully hot here in the city, I’m afraid.”
    â€œI thought it would be,” I answered. “And we’re having the same heat wave in Connecticut. All I can say is, thankGod for air-conditioning. Anyway, how are my holy terrors today?”
    She laughed. “ Divine . And I can’t tell you how much I relish having them to myself for a couple of days. Thanks for that, Mal, it’s so very sweet and considerate of you, letting me get to know my grandchildren in this way.”
    â€œThey love you, Diana, and they enjoy being with you,” I said, meaning every word. “And what are you planning to do with them?”
    â€œI’m taking them to the Museum of Natural History, after breakfast. You know how they are about animals, and especially dinosaurs. Then I thought I’d bring them home for a light lunch, since it’s so nice and cool in the flat. I promised to take them to F.A.O. Schwarz after their nap. We’re going shopping for toys.”
    â€œDon’t spoil them,” I warned. “Doting grandmothers have been known to spend far too much money at certain times. Like when they’re on holiday visits.”
    Diana laughed, and over her laughter I heard my daughter wailing in the background. Then Lissa said in a shrill voice, “Nanna! Nanna! Jamie’s broken my bowl, and the goldfish is on the carpet. Dying! ” The wailing grew louder, more dramatic.
    â€œI didn’t do it on purpose!” Jamie shouted.
    My mother-in-law had not spoken for a moment, no doubt distracted by this sudden racket exploding around her. Now she exclaimed, “Oh, God, hang on a minute, Mallory, the fish is gasping. I think I’d better grab a glass of water and pop the fish in it. Won’t be a tick.” So saying she put the phone down, I strained to hear my children.
    Jamie cried plaintively, “I’m sorry, Lissa.”
    â€œPick up the phone and speak to your mother,” I heard Diana instruct from a distance, sounding very brisk and businesslike. “She’s waiting to say hello to you, darling.Go on, Lissa, speak to your mummy,” my mother-in-law commanded in a tone that forbade argument.
    After a moment, a small, tearful voice trickled down the wire. “Mommy, Jamie’s killed my goldfish. Poor little fish.”
    â€œNo, I haven’t!” Jamie shrieked at the top of his lungs.
    â€œDon’t cry, honey,” I said to Lissa, then added in a reassuring voice, “And I’m sure your goldfish isn’t dead. I bet Nanna has it safely in water already. How did the bowl break?”
    â€œIt was Jamie that broke it! He banged on it with a spoon, and all the water fell out and my little fish.”
    â€œHe must have been banging awfully hard to break the glass,” I said. “Perhaps it was already cracked. I’m sure it was an accident, and that he didn’t do it on purpose.”
    In the background, Jamie cried again, “I’m sorry.”
    Lissa said, “He was banging hard, Mommy. He’s mean, he was trying to frighten Swellen.”
    â€œSwellen?” I repeated, my voice rising slightly. “What kind of name is that?”
    â€œShe means Sue Ellen,” Diana said to me, having relieved my daughter of the phone. “And I suspect the fish-bowl was defective, Mal. In any case, the goldfish is alive and kicking, or should I say swimming , in one of your Pyrex dishes. I’ll get a goldfish bowl later, at the pet shop where I bought the goldfish yesterday. That’ll make her happy.”
    â€œYou don’t have to bother buying a new one,” I said. “There’s a bowl from