Skinny Dipping Read Online Free PDF Page A

remember anymore poignant moments she’d spent with him. There was no point wallowing, although it was too early to go to work.
    She grabbed her mobile phone. Nothing from Derek. A text from her Dad. “Please call me.” It was too early to reply, he’d be asleep.
    She wiped the sleep from her eyes. Her head fuzzy, thick her brain was possibly full of cotton wool. As she dressed a germ of an idea began to grow. Her new home in Highbury and Islington was a short stroll from the Highbury Aquatic Centre , one of the swimming centres which formed part of the Silver Swimming Chain . It might be too early for work, but early enough to go to the pool and introduce herself to Matthew Silver. He didn’t turn up at the gala, but that wouldn’t stop her from turning up at his pool.
    Pulling garments out of cardboard boxes, she found suitable clothing to wear to work, something to make a first time impression. This was an excellent idea. Today they would meet, and she would put a face to the name, Matthew Silver.
    Sophie dashed out of the Highbury house, energised, striding determinedly toward the pool. She got there and read the sign. “Highbury Aquatic Centre” and almost jumped back.
    Did she have a lapse in sanity, the lack of sleep, the stress, making her momentarily crazy? She suddenly felt queasy. Her stomach somersaulted, churned. She hated swimming pools or any building which contained a body of water larger than a hot tub. She was surprised she was at the swimming centre now.
    Inhaling, and gripping her handbag, she held onto her reserve. She’d come to the Highbury Aquatic Centre to meet Matthew Silver. She’d do her best to see him. There was no need to actually go near the water. With absolute caution, she walked inside the building, head darting, noticing a girl standing behind a reception counter.
    She marched to the reception bench and to the pretty girl standing there with long slim legs, poking out of a pair of blue shorts. Sophie placed the girl in her mid-twenties, noticing the toned physique, and wishing for the same muscle definition.
    “Hi there,” Sophie said. “I have an appointment with Matthew Silver.”
    The girl frowned and looked up from the reception counter. “Really?” The girl glanced at a hanging clock, on the wall behind her. “Matthew doesn’t usually turn up for another thirty minutes. He didn’t mention he had a meeting this morning. What’s your name?”
    “Sophie. Sophie Smart.”
    The girl’s eyebrows flew to the top of her head. “Hello,” the girl said, recognition in her voice, although they had never met. “I’m Eve. Matthew’s personal assistant.”
    “Eve,” Sophie said brightly, and analysed Eve’s face intensely. Her hair was pulled into a knot on top of her head. The colour was almost ebony, black as night. Sophie’s mind whirred, combining a picture of Eve with her black hair, stars shimmering in the night sky. Forming her mental picture, she’d remember Eve’s name. Eve. Eve. Eve. She’d got it, locked it in, and used imagery to form a memory.
    “Eve,” Sophie repeated the name. “What a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I’m not sure if you remember but we’ve spoken on the phone quite a few times haven’t we?” Eve would remember that Sophie hounded her to speak with Matthew almost on a daily basis. She hadn’t resorted to begging, not yet. Although she had turned up to his place of work, uninvited.
    “So, did Matthew actually plan this meeting?” Eve asked, carefully. “Or have you turned up on your own accord?”
    Sophie folded her arms in front of her chest, lowered her eyelashes, summoning all her methods of persuasion. Start with a smile. Think of a story. Draw her in. Get her onside. The girl was young, what would she possibly understand?
    “Eve, have you ever been stood up?” Sophie widened her eyes, if she went to acting school she could probably even learn how to make them glisten.
    “Yes.” Eve’s face flushed.
    Sophie