Losing It Read Online Free PDF Page A

wearing.’
    ‘Liar,’ Marion says.
    David laughs. ‘OK,’ he says. ‘So I did notice the dress. But I didn’t ask her round. I was shattered. I just wanted to go to bed. Alone.’
    He looks at her for a long time. ‘Do you believe me?’ he says.
    ‘If I do,’ Marion says at last, ‘it means Jo is lying.’
    David nods.
    ‘But why?’
    ‘She’s a lass with problems,’ David says.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Lonely,’ he says, ‘insecure. But don’t you be insecure. There’s no need to be.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘Really.’ David gets up from the grass. He bends over to kiss her. He smells of sweat.
    ‘You need a shower,’ she says.
    David grins, ‘Join me?’ he says. He pulls her up from the deck chair and into the house.
     

CHAPTER ELEVEN
    Marion feels guilty for doubting David. On Sunday she decides to do his favourite meal – roast chicken with all the trimmings. While it’s cooking Luke plays with Tigger. He comes through into the kitchen and sniffs.
    ‘That smells yummy,’ he says. ‘Can I stay for tea?’
    Marion thinks about it. She hasn’t spoken to Jo since yesterday morning and doesn’t want to. But it’s a big chicken. And it would be good for Luke to have a proper meal. Jo usually gets Luke’s tea from the chippie or microwaves a ready meal. It would be good to show David that she trusts him, and to show Jo that she isn’t threatened.
    And then she has another good idea. David’s friend Ken is just divorced. Maybe he’ll fancy Jo. And, even better, maybe she’ll fancy him.
    ‘OK,’ she says to Luke. ‘Run along now and ask your mum to come too.’
    She phones Ken and invites him.
    ‘That sounds great,’ he says. ‘I’ll be there.’
    Marion makes a trifle and puts it in the fridge. She feels nervous. She goes upstairs and changes into a sun dress. She puts her make up on. But when she looks in the mirror her heart sinks. She can’t begin to compete with Jo. She’s five years older for a start and, with all the Cornish pasties and ice cream on holiday, has put on pounds. Her hair is flat and her arms are fat. She takes the dress off and puts on a skirt and a long sleeved shirt. She wipes off her lipstick. She wishes she hadn’t asked Jo or Ken. She wants it to be just her and David, like it always used to be.
    Ken turns up early with two bottles of wine.
    ‘What’s this in aid of?’ he asks.
    ‘Just thought it would be nice to see you,’ Marion says.
    ‘You look well,’ he says.
    Marion thinks she knows what he means by well. He means fat.
    David opens the wine. Marion takes the chicken out of the oven. It’s huge and crispy and golden.
    ‘Wow,’ Ken says. ‘Home cooking. You can’t beat it.’
    Jo comes through the back door. She’s wearing the white dress again. Her arms look slim and brown. She’s spiked up her hair and smells of perfume.
    ‘Who’s this?’ she says, surprised to see Ken there.
    ‘This is Ken,’ Marion says, ‘and Ken, this is Jo from next door.’
    ‘And I’m Luke,’ Luke says, ‘and I’m nearly nine.’
    ‘Pleased to meet you, Luke,’ Ken says, looking at Jo’s legs.
    They all drink wine and talk about the football and the hot weather. Marion sits Ken next to Jo at the table. She sees Jo trying to catch David’s eye and she sees David ignoring her. Ken looks at her plenty though, from the hem of her short dress to her bright red hair. Jo drinks too much wine and flirts with Ken. Marion relaxes and smiles at David.
    ‘Delicious meal,’ he says.
    ‘Too right,’ Ken agrees.
    ‘I’ve got the wishbone,’ Jo says. ‘Who wants to pull it with me?’
    ‘I will!’ Luke and Ken say together.
    ‘Don’t you want to, David?’ Jo asks.
    He shakes his head.
    ‘Come on Ken,’ Jo says. She holds it out to him.
    ‘That’s not fair,’ Luke says.
    Ken and Jo pull the wishbone. Jo gets the big half.
    ‘What did you wish for?’ Ken asks.
    ‘That would be telling,’ Jo says. She gives David a sly smile.
    Both the men ask