Rumor Has It Read Online Free PDF

the murmurings as Louisa answered the phone. 'The reason Kaye and I got divorced is because I'm gay.'
        Crikey, she hadn't been expecting that . Tilly put down her sand wich. Was he serious or was this another joke?
        'Really?'
        'Really.' Max surveyed her steadily for a moment. 'OK, let me just tell you before Lou comes back. When I was in my twenties, it was easier to be heterosexual. I met Kaye and she was great. Then she got pregnant. Not exactly planned, but that was fine too.' His smile was crooked. 'And my mother was thrilled. So anyway, we got married and Lou was born, and I told myself I had to stay straight for their sakes. Well, I lasted nearly ten years. And I never once cheated on Kaye. But in the end I couldn't do it any more. We split up. Poor old Kaye; it wasn't her fault. And Lou's coped brilliantly. She's a star.'
        'I can see that,' said Tilly.
        'But it's obviously been a lot for her to cope with. I don't have a partner right now, which makes things easier. And it's not as if I'd ever bring home a different man every week.' Max paused, then said, 'The thing is, you have to remember this isn't London, it's Roxborough. Before we advertised in the paper, I spoke to a woman who runs an employment agency and she said I shouldn't mention the gay thing at all. Apparently, a lot of potential employees would be put off, especially if half the reason for taking the job was because they fancied their chances with a wealthy single father.' He half smiled before adding dryly, 'And then you came out with your Sound of Music comment.'
        'I didn't mean it like that,' Tilly protested.
        'Well, that's good news. But according to this woman, some people might just not want to live in a house with a gay man.' Max shrugged. 'I'm just repeating what she told me. Apparently some people might find it a bit… yucky.'
        A noise behind them prompted Tilly to swivel round. Louisa was back, standing in the doorway.
        'Well?' Louisa looked anxious.
        Tilly was incredulous. 'This woman who runs an employment agency. Is she by any chance two hundred and seventy years old?'
        Louisa's narrow shoulders sagged with relief. 'Does that mean it isn't a problem? You still want to come and live here?'
        Unable to keep a straight face, Tilly said, ' That's not a problem . But if we're talking yucky, I'm going to need to know exactly what your dad's like when it comes to digging butter knives in the marmalade, dumping tea bags in the sink, and leaving the top off the toothpaste.'
        Lou pulled a conspiratorial face. 'He's OK most of the time. When he concentrates.'
        'That's all right then,' said Tilly. 'So am I.'

Chapter 5

    'TILLY, TILLY!' THE DOOR to the flat was open and Babs burst in like a rocket. 'It's Gavin; he's here! Oh my word, this is so romantic, he wants you back…'
        Tilly stopped dead in her tracks. Not again. She finished zipping up the last suitcase and moved over to the open window.
        Yes, Gavin was down there. Clutching a bunch of lilies and wearing extremely ironed jeans with knife-sharp creases down the front, courtesy of his mother.
        She marveled at the fact that they'd lived together, yet he still hadn't grasped the fact that lilies were her least favorite flower.
        Gazing up at her, Gavin called out, 'Tilly, don't go, I can't bear it. Look, I made a mistake and I'm sorry .'
        'It's like one of those lovely films with Cary Grant,' Babs sighed, clasping her hands together.
        It was nothing of the sort; Cary Grant would never have let his mother iron his jeans like that.
        'Gavin, don't do this. You left me, remember? It's over.' Since coming to regret his decision, Gavin had been begging her to change her mind about leaving. This was the bit Tilly hated, but at least she was spared the guilt of having been the one to initiate the split.
        'But I love you!' In desperation