Opposing Forces Read Online Free PDF

forestry.”
     
    “You also have a very good eye for art.”
     
    “There’s that too.”
     
    “All I ask it that you do something that makes you happy.”
     
    “Just being an average student is enough for me.”
     
    Her mother laughed.  “You could never be average, Sabina.” She kissed her daughter’s forehead.  
    Bettina watched her daughter head off to bed.  She was delighted Sabina wanted to escape, to make her own way in the world. The last thing she wanted to see was Sabina drawn into making the same mistakes she had made, to have the life slowly crushed out of her animated child.  And besides, when news of her intention to divorce Hubert hit the headlines, she wanted Sabina as far away as possible from the war zone.
     
    She allowed herself a small chuckle; it seemed the Grundberg women were finally rebelling.  Hubert would be most displeased.
     

CHAPTER 3
     
    Philippe was always happy visiting his parents in Neuchatel.  His mother had him in a bear-hug  the minute he stepped over the threshold.
     
    Estelle Thevenez planted a kiss on her son’s cheek.  “Have you lost weight?  You’re looking a little skinny.”
     
    He rolled his eyes.  “I’m fine, mother.  And eating perfectly well before you ask.”
     
    Estelle snorted derisively. Without a woman, of course he wasn’t eating well enough.  “You timed your arrival right, I’ve some madeleines that have just come out the oven.”
     
    Philippe sat at the kitchen table with a large mug of coffee and a tin of warm madeleines.  Before he knew it he had scoffed at least half.
     
    “Bloody hell, Phil, do you have to eat everything in sight,” his younger sister Lauren groaned, snatching the cake tin before her brother could devour any more.
     
    “It’s good to see you too, Lauren.”
     
    She scowled back at him.  “Can’t you ever bring any cute officers home with you?  You must have at least one on the Force.”
     
    Philippe laughed.  “Apart from the fact I wouldn’t know what you deem as cute, I certainly wouldn’t inflict my moody, hormonal sister on any of my friends.”
     
    “A lot of use you are,” she grumbled and slunk off with a handful of madeleines. 
     
    A few minutes later his father put in an appearance. “Still not got a haircut yet, Son?”
     
    His father never could understand the appeal of long hair on a man.  “It’s what sets me apart from the other officers, gives me a more human look.”
     
    His father grunted and poured himself a coffee.  “So how is work treating you?  Any promotions looming?”
     
    Philippe looked down at his coffee a little guiltily.  “I’m kind of keeping a low profile at the moment.”
     
    His father raised an eyebrow. “Dare I ask why?”
     
    He took a deep breath.  “I got a little side tracked whilst serving a noise violation. The owner of the apartment in question was rather stunning and, well, distracted me completely.”
     
    “That whole shambles in Lausanne was down to you?” His father was horrified.
     
    “Not entirely. I was just the first part of it.  Dumont was the one who really screwed up.”
     
    “So what was she like, the woman who got you so tongue-tied?” his mother piped up.
     
    Philippe smiled.  “Beautiful, funny, talkative, very good in a fight.  She was just amazing.”
     
    “And have you seen her since?”
     
    He laughed.  “Unlikely, mother. I arrested her.”
     
    “Perhaps she has a very forgiving nature too?”
     
    “She’s way out of my league.”
     
    “So you got off with no formal reprimand?” his father asked.
     
    “Surprisingly, yes.  The Chief had the pleasure of meeting Miss Carrington himself and I think I got some sympathy as she completely steamrollered him into agreeing to all her demands.” Philippe looked around.  “What have you done with Sebastian?”
     
    “He’s down at the lake with some friends.” His mother’s tone had a very sour note to it.
     
    “What’s wrong with