Past Present Read Online Free PDF Page B

you like - after my shift x. Eleanor pressed send.
    Ok. See you at nine at Hunter’s Bar .
    oOo
    “Darling, at last. What have you been up to for the last few days? I’ve been beside myself,” said Julie, giving Eleanor a warm hug.
    “Oh, I’ve had a busy few days at work, and I had a couple of dates with Matthew, we went to the park, he came to dinner. You know…the usual sort of stuff.”
    “Hmmm, I see, well, you just be careful around Squadron Leader Fletcher. I’ve heard that he plays the field and can be a bit of a handful, I’d feel dreadful if he hurt you, Eleanor. After all, if I hadn’t insisted that you come to the dance the other night, you’d probably never have met him.”
    “How strange,” said Eleanor, “he’s been a perfect gentleman with me.”
    No matter how much she wanted to talk about Matthew, she had decided that she wasn’t going to share her recent experiences with anyone. Some things are best kept private she thought, with a pang of guilt about deceiving her friend.
    Unaware of Eleanor’s discomfort, Julie blithely continued. “Loaded you know, absolutely loaded. His parents were massively wealthy, and when they died, they left everything to Matthew. Bob says that he has invested it wisely, filthy rich apparently, so as I said at the dance, lucky old you. If you can handle him.”
    “He’s lovely, a real sweetie. He’s taking me to Venice this weekend, and I’m looking forward to it. Honestly, he’s an absolute pussycat. I’m sure that any gossip you’ve heard has been from disgruntled old flames or something like that.”
    “Hmm, methinks that you protest a little too much,” said Julie. “Aren’t you worried about the age difference, Eleanor? He is sixty if he’s a day, that’s such a big gap, darling.”
    “For goodness sake, Julie, we’re having a few dates, enjoying ourselves, there’s nothing more to it than that. You know that I like keeping my options open, please don’t go on about it, it’s boring. Anyway, let’s change the subject. I’m sure that you’ve got loads to tell me, how’s Bob getting on at work since his promotion?”
    “Very well, darling, we’ll change the subject, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. You know where I am if it all ends in tears. You tend to be such a poor judge, darling, you know I only have your best interests at heart,” sighed Julie, pouring them each a glass of red wine and settling down for the rest of the evening.
    Eleanor couldn’t help thinking about Julie’s words, the fact that her friend was so worried meant that she set store by the gossip, and Eleanor knew from her own experience with Matthew that some of it was likely to be true. On the other hand, why worry? There was no harm done so far, and she liked him. Anyway, she could look after herself. Snapping back to the present, she sipped her wine and tried to concentrate on Julie’s chatter.
    oOo
    Matthew didn’t get in touch again until the morning of their departure, which was a blessing because Eleanor had to work extra shifts in order to call in a few favours and get cover for the weekend. She had also busied herself shopping for new underwear and a few items of clothing, which she had packed neatly into her weekend bag, no doubt he’d planned everything else; she shivered with anticipation.
    Arriving promptly to collect her in a taxi, Matthew complimented her warmly as he helped her into the car. Eleanor had chosen wide legged gunmetal grey trousers with a matching jacket, a soft red jumper and boots, she had tied her hair back into a sweet ponytail, which bobbed about as she moved, wearing the barest touch of makeup, her signature scent filled his senses as she settled into the seat. Taking her hand in his, Matthew felt proud, noticing the appreciative eyes of the driver in the mirror, constantly glancing back at Eleanor as he drove to the airport.
    oOo
    As their flight descended to the Venetian runway of Marco Polo Airport, Eleanor marvelled at