In the Shadows (The Blaisdell Chronicles) Read Online Free PDF Page B

increasing curiosity. Had I said something wrong? I smiled nervously, and quickly continued. “I don’t have a boyfriend.”
    “Do you like partying? Going to nightclubs?”
    “I, er, haven’t been before.”
    Her eyes narrowed, like she was observing me through a microscope. “Who was your last boyfriend? How did it end?”
    I bit my lip hard until it almost became numb. Why did she have to ask such awkward questions? I could make something up, but I hated lying, and wasn’t very good at it anyway.
    Jen suddenly leaned closer, bracing the table and spoke in a dramatic voice. “Oh. My. God. You’ve neve r had a boyfriend, have you?!”
    I dipped my head, hoping to hide my embarrassment behind my hair, but I’d forgotten that I’d put my hair up today. It needn’t have mattered though, as nobody else was around to hear.
    “I mean, seriously ?” Jen pressed on. “You’ve never even...?” Her hand clamped over her eyes for a few seconds.
    “Is it that important?” I asked, quietly. “Surely it’s best to wait—”
    It was Jen’s turn to almost choke on her tea.
    “Until marriage? This is the twenty-first century, Lucy.”
    “I didn’t mean that—”
    Jen swept around the table, grasping my hands together. “No wonder you’re so shy. You poor thing!”
    I hid my relief when she took the empty plates and cups into the kitchen, but it was short-lived when she returned to the table. Sensing more treatment like I was an invalid, I quickly spoke up.
    “Shouldn’t you tell me a little about yourself, now?”
    Her scarlet painted lips smiled brightly, widening her oval face. “I live in Briggstow too, with my Dad.”
    She paused briefly, making me wonder about her mother.
    “I’ve had lots of boyfriends,” she pressed on. “ Two of them lasted more than a month. So, don’t worry. I’m more than qualified to help you get a boyfriend.”
    In school, I hadn’t need help getting male attention, but they had behaved like lovesick puppies. I didn’t want to be covered in their drool. I wanted someone different. Not some boy. A man. A real gentleman.
    The sound of the bell ringing above the door made me look up. Alex strode purposefully in, eyes frantically searching, and relaxed when he saw me. I could hardly believe he was here. Snapping out of my stupor, I stood up and, for some reason, offered my hand. He pressed a kiss on the back, without averting his gaze, making me blush. But then he released me, stepping back further and further, until he disappeared through the wall.
    “Lucy, why are you standing up?”
    I turned to my side, seeing Jen still sat down, looking up with a raised eyebrow. I looked at the door and the wall Alex had left through. I bit my nails and sat back down. Why had I imagined such a thing? Perhaps I really was crazy.
    “I thought we had a customer.”
    Jen stood, waving her hand across the coffee house, still empty. Alex wasn’t here. Nobody had come in. “You said Alex when you stood up. Do you like him?”
    “Don’t be silly,” I said, pulling a loose tendril of hair behind my ear. “I don’t know him well enough.”
    She folded her arms, eyes narrowing briefly. “I’ve known him for the three weeks he’s been coming in here for coffee and Danish pastries.” Her statement sounded like she was trying to better me. Then I began to wonder if there was more going on between Jen and Alex then I was aware of.
    We both regarded each other simultaneously, as if she was thinking the same. When neither of us spoke, Jen paused to take a long drink of her tea, her scrutiny making my seat burn. She opened her mouth, but when a family came into the shop, she sighed, and took their order.
                 
    I stepped outside after work, shivering against the cold breeze that slipped its way under my coat. The pavements had since been carpeted with a thin layer of frost. Everything was dark, apart from the amber glow from the streetlights. Sinking my chilled hands into