Rumours Read Online Free PDF

bookshop. But when there’s Amazon and Ocado, and special offers which I can order online at silly o’clock, then it’s no contest.’
    â€˜It was the debilitating flaw in New Labour,’ said Robbie to Alistair.
    â€˜I think you’re probably right,’ said Sandie to any of them.
    â€˜I have to agree,’ Juliet said, a little forlornly. She looked thoughtfully at a roast potato. ‘I bought these spuds from the farmers’ market. Ridiculously expensive, weighed a ton. I’m not entirely sure they taste any different from Waitrose. Oh, and Stella – I think I’ve found you a man.’
    â€˜Whatsit’s brother?’ Alistair asked.
    â€˜Miliband?’ said Robbie.
    â€˜No – who Juliet’s talking about. For Stella.’
    â€˜Oh! I forgot about him,’ said Juliet. ‘
Two
men, then,’ she told the table.
    â€˜I have one for you too,’ said Sara.
    â€˜Three,’ Robbie whistled.
    â€˜Who’s who?’ asked Sandie.
    â€˜The chap that takes Sing-a-Song,’ said Sara. ‘The Stickies love him. He’s so – smiley.’ She paused. ‘And he only wears the spotty trousers and silly hat when he’s working. I saw him strolling through the Maltings last week. Almost didn’t recognize him – really nice and normal. We had a little chat and I managed to deduce he’s not attached, not gay and likes dogs.’
    â€˜I don’t have a dog,’ said Stella.
    â€˜I know,’ said Sara, ‘but it’s a
type
, isn’t it – if he likes dogs he must have that caring side to his nature. Plus, of course, he’s great with kids.’
    â€˜No, thanks,’ said Stella.
    â€˜Talking of great with kids,’ Juliet said, ‘option number one is the brother of my friend Mel. He’s older—’
    â€˜How old?’ Robbie interjected.
    â€˜Fifty-odd,’ said Juliet.
    â€˜I don’t like the “odd”,’ said Sandie.
    â€˜I don’t like the fifty,’ said Robbie.
    â€˜All right,’ said Juliet, ‘option number two is late thirties, never been married, split up with his girlfriend over a year ago. Has his own hair, his own teeth. He’s handsome, chatty, caring and he lives in Hadley Wood, apparently.’
    â€˜He sounds promising,’ said Sara.
    â€˜No, thanks,’ said Stella.
    â€˜Hadley Wood is no longer a purely middle-aged enclave,’ said Alistair. ‘You should know that, Stella – from the property market.’
    â€˜No, thanks,’ said Stella.
    â€˜Who is he?’ asked Robbie.
    â€˜My gynae,’ said Juliet.
    â€˜No, thanks,’ said Stella.
    â€˜Stella,’ Juliet said, ‘don’t be put off by his day job.’
    â€˜The last thing I want to do after a day at the computer screen is to come home and log on,’ said Robbie darkly.
    â€˜Don’t be awkward,’ said Sandie.
    â€˜It’s not his job,’ said Stella.
    â€˜What’s his name?’ asked Sara.
    â€˜Bryanaston.’
    â€˜What sort of a name is Bryanaston?’ asked Sandie.
    â€˜That’s his surname,’ said Juliet. ‘His first name is Henry.’
    â€˜No, thanks,’ said Stella.
    They looked at her with For Heaven’s Sake, Why Not? written across their faces.
    She shrugged.
    â€˜Not ready?’ Juliet said softly.
    â€˜Not interested,’ said Stella. ‘I’m fine as I am.’
    â€˜For the time being?’ Sandie asked her daughter, a gentle pleading edging her question like garnish.
    â€˜For the time being,’ Stella said. ‘Did any of you watch that new serial on the Beeb on Friday?’
    â€˜About Rembrandt?’
    â€˜With Kevin Branagh?’ said Sandie.
    â€˜
Kenneth
,’ said everyone else.
    â€˜Yes,’ said Stella.
    â€˜We did.’
    â€˜Us too.’
    â€˜Wasn’t it brilliant?’
    â€˜You and your