Getting a Life Read Online Free PDF Page B

Aunty Ethel singing her heart out with some ancient old crone called Sally, living in an Alley.
    'It will be quite a large party, probably in the village hall. It's a reunion to celebrate the Australian contingent's visit. Can't think why they want to come to the UK in the middle of winter.'
    'What should I wear?' she asked in sudden horror. She didn't fancy going through the pain of buying another dress she'd only wear once.
    'Would you wear that glorious silvery thing again? I loved it. You'll have the entire male membership of the family ogling you. But I'd actually rather like that.'
    'OK. If it you think it's suitable.' she smirked inwardly. It all sounded very promising.
    They swapped notes on their respective prospects for Christmas itself. She told him how duty bound, she felt, being at home and suffering from terminal boredom. Same old jokes about the turkey. Same old routine with crackers, unfunny mottoes and paper hats.
    'Sounds quite peaceful compared with my lot. I get nearly demented with my brother and sister's kids. They seem to go to bed at midnight and be up again by about three. I did think of bailing out and going away somewhere. But that's not much fun on your own.' Mike looked thoughtful.
    The idea hit her at almost the same moment as the words were streaming out in full flow.
    'You could always come home with me and help save my life,' she blurted out.
    'Er ...' he mumbled, looking shocked. Bad idea, she thought.
    'Sorry. I shouldn't have said that. It came out before I thought. Of course you wouldn't want to spend a totally boring time with my parents. In any case, my mother would expect us to announce our wedding day before the roast potatoes were dished out.'
    'Wedding day? Heavens no. Can I think about it?' he asked. 'If it was a serious invitation, I mean?'
    'I was half joking,' she responded, her jaw still somewhere down on her chest. 'You don't have to think about it. I wasn't really serious,' she added lamely. Poor bloke was obviously totally embarrassed. She'd put him in a real spot, now.
    'I ... well, I'd quite like to come with you. Trouble is, I'm working on Christmas Eve and won't be free to leave until Christmas morning.'
    'Please don't worry. I was only ... well... thinking how nice it would be to have something to look forward to. Forget I said anything. Please, just forget it.'
    Back at home, she made two mugs of coffee and started to chat about any irrelevancies she could think of. She felt acutely embarrassed and just wanted him to go. Why did she seem to spend half her life wanting something to happen and when it did, she couldn't wait for it to be over? As she showed him to the door, he caught her hand. He pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms round her. She waited with her eyes closed for the kiss that she knew was coming. So incredibly gently, his lips touched hers. She waited for the world to begin turning again and held her breath. The gentleness gave way to a firmer, more insistent pressure and she responded. At this moment in her life, she knew she'd fallen in love. Whatever he'd said about her not being serious about him, she had fallen in love. She could feel his warm breath on her cheek. She could feel his heart beating against her body. She could sense his blood as it coursed through his veins. She wanted it to go on for ever. She clung to him as if trying to pull his very essence of life into hers. She released his lips briefly, intending to take a much needed breath. He gasped and pulled her back. Obviously, he was feeling something of the same intensity as she was. She lost track of time as they stood, cramped in her tiny hallway. When he stopped for breath a second time, he murmured in her ear.
    'I think I should stop kissing you now, or I may never be able to stop.'
    'Fine by me,' she said, pulling him back. His body scent filled her nostrils, bringing with it, a whole new flood of desire.
    'Jo, I have to leave. This is too fast for both of us. Don't let's spoil