Rory's Proposal Read Online Free PDF Page A

the phone when I need her? I hang up and am about to go into the salon when my phone rings.
    ‘I just did 1-4-7-1 dear, did you call me?’
    Obviously.
    ‘Is Dad there?’ I say.
    ‘He’s gone. I did try to phone you earlier but I just got your voicemail.’
    Gone, what does she mean Dad’s gone? Does she mean Dad’s gone as in … Oh my God, it really is one of those Boomtown Rats Mondays isn’t it?
    ‘What do you mean gone ?’ I say with my heart jumping into my mouth. He hasn’t finally left her has he? ‘He’s okay isn’t he?’
    ‘Of course he’s okay. He’s gone to Birmingham for the golf festival. Is Luke going to the tournament in Dublin?’
    ‘I think so,’ I say absently.
    ‘Perm waiting,’ Ryan taps on the door. ‘You do want to keep your clients, don’t you love? The salon hasn’t gone yet.’
    ‘I’m coming, I’m coming,’ I whisper.
    ‘Not literally I hope darling.’
    ‘Rory’s Supermarkets want my salon. I’m going to need a solicitor,’ I say into the phone.
    ‘Oh really dear, let me tell Maud.’
    ‘What does Maud know? She spends her whole life in some doddery old home. She never goes anywhere apart from her knitting group. I suppose they’re the hive of all knowledge are they?’ I say irritably.
    ‘I’ll just turn off the hands-free shall I?’
    Shit.
    ‘Luke’s a solicitor,’ she says, like I don’t know.
    ‘But he’s not interested in the salon. Can you ask Dad to call me when he gets back? He’s the best solicitor I know.’
    ‘Okay dear. But I think they’ll make a good offer. You may get a few surprises,’ she says.
    ‘What kind of surprises?’ I ask suspiciously.
    ‘I’d better go, Aunt Maud isn’t safe on her own with knitting needles.’
    I hang up, take two painkillers from my handbag and sigh. It can’t get any worse can it? But then again in my case maybe it can.

Chapter Four
    I push my way through the throng of people in the wine bar all enjoying an after work drink, and look for Devon. It’s not a bar we frequent often and all the women look very young, or maybe I’m getting old. After all I’ll be thirty in a few weeks. Don’t think about it, don’t think about it but how can I not think about it? I weave my way to the bar where I spot Devon nursing a white wine spritzer. She flashes a bright smile on seeing me.
    ‘I don’t believe it,’ she says, kissing me on the cheek. ‘Have you spoken to the people at Rory’s and what does Luke say?’
    I order a large white wine and sigh.
    ‘He says it’s probably a good thing,’ I say, pulling Rory’s letter from my handbag and handing it to her. ‘That I don’t make that much money from the salon anyway, but we only discussed it on the phone. Someone from Rory’s is coming on Wednesday. I really don’t believe this is happening.’
    ‘What sly buggers,’ she says scanning the letter. ‘But …’ she ominously holds up a finger. ‘Maybe this is the time.’ She lifts a bag that sits by her feet.
    ‘The time?’ I ask, trying to avoid the eyes of a man who is winking at me from the other side of the bar.
    ‘You know, to get engaged, and start planning your wedding.’
    ‘Yes, well Luke has to propose doesn’t he?’ I say, popping some peanuts into my mouth while hearing Luke’s voice echo in my head: never eat peanuts while drinking it’s the quickest way to get drunk .
    ‘I got you some things, they were in the sale. Tonight could be the night.’
    ‘Sure could be doll if you play your cards right,’ says a voice behind us.
    ‘Pillock,’ mumbles Devon flashing her engagement ring for all she’s worth. I’d flash mine if I had one. Don’t think about it, don’t think about it but how can I not think about it? I look up to meet the eyes of the winking man and find myself hoping he doesn’t flash anything sometime soon.
    ‘Hey gorgeous, do you fancy a good time?’ he says, smiling at me in what I presume is a sexy manner, shame about the body odour and the