Sinners Read Online Free PDF Page B

him custody of them. Sean, at eight, was sturdy and tough, and Cindy, two years younger, was a prettier version of her mother.
    Charlie lay on a beach-chair next to his mother, watching them splash in the pool. She was a bird-like woman, clad in a two-piece swimsuit that showed off gnarled flesh and drooping bosom. She wore vivid make-up, heavy rouge, green eyeshadow, and a splash of carmine for her mouth. Her hair was mostly hidden beneath a cyclamen scarf, and a cigarette drooped permanently from her mouth.
    ‘I look wonderful for nearly sixty,’ she would often proudly announce. And indeed there was always a ‘gentleman friend’ around.
    Charlie adored his mother. Such a character, always happy, living life to its full potential. Serafina Brick, exile from the variety palaces of England.
    Charlie had brought a girl with him. Her name was Polly Quinn. At least she didn’t talk too much.
    She emerged from the house wearing a polka-dot bikini. Bouncy breasts and baby rolls of fat around the middle. She settled herself on the grass, next to Charlie. ‘Isn’t this weather super?’ she stated, and lying on her stomach she unhooked her bra strap. Not another word was heard out of her until lunch.
    Natalie and Clay Allen and their three-year-old child arrived at twelve. Clay was one of Charlie’s best friends, an ex-actor, now a successful screenwriter. They had known each other from the days of Charlie’s first film. Natalie Allen was thin and attractive. She and Charlie had a sort of unspoken ‘thing’ going. He knew she fancied him, but she being Clay’s wife and everything, nothing had actually been done about it. Once at a party when they had both been drunk, they had necked, but Charlie was rather ashamed of this one lapse.
    ‘Hello, my darling,’ Natalie said. ‘What a divine day. I’ve simply got to strip off and collapse in the pool.’ She kissed him on the cheek and set off for the house to change.
    Clay squatted on the grass and indicated the lifeless body of Polly.
    ‘Asleep,’ Charlie explained.
    Clay winked. ‘Hard night, I expect,’ he said with a chuckle.
    Serafina cackled knowingly, as Cindy and Sean came running over to say hello.
    Lunch was served in the garden.
    ‘Who needs Hollywood?’ Natalie said, spooning in mouthfuls of strawberries and cream. ‘This is heavenly. Clay, darling, why can’t we build a pool?’
    ‘Because, my sweet, for the two weeks of summer we get a year it’s just not worth it.’
    ‘Charlie thought it was worth it. If he can do it, why can’t we?’
    There were times, Clay reflected, when Natalie was a pain in the bum.
    ‘I wish you would sit down,’ Charlie said to his mother. ‘The maid will clear away.’
    Serafina gave him one of her girlish smiles, revealing rotten teeth. ‘I have too much nervous energy,’ she trilled. ‘I must keep on the go. That is my secret.’
    ‘What secret?’ asked Natalie.
    ‘Eternal youth, my dear. Joy and vitality.’
    Natalie looked at Clay, who quickly looked away. He knew she wanted to send the poor old lady up.
    ‘Can we swim, Daddy?’ asked Cindy.
    ‘Yes, come on. Want a dip, Poll?’
    Polly had finished her lunch. She jumped up and obediently joined Charlie and the children as they raced for the pool.
    ‘What a fat tub of lard,’ Natalie remarked. ‘Charlie really goes through all the scrubbers.’
    Clay had just been admiring Polly’s retreating bottom. ‘Do you think so?’ he asked mildly.
    Natalie snorted. ‘I suppose you fancy her. You would. Just your type, big breasts and fat ass.’
    Yes, not bits of skin and bone like you, Clay thought. Since the birth of their baby, Natalie had dieted away to nothing.
    In the pool Cindy sat on Charlie’s shoulders, squeaking with joy. He dropped her into the water and she squealed for more. Polly leisurely swam the length of the pool and back again. Then she got out and flopped on the grass.
    Charlie joined her. ‘Where do you want to eat tonight?’ he