Some Girls Do Read Online Free PDF Page B

Ivan. ‘Not that I’m saying I ’m not pretty.’
    ‘Of course not.’
    ‘So you think Yvonne was with me for my lack of money? She was using me to get at Daddy?’
    Claire got the impression the idea wasn’t new to him. ‘Sorry.’
    He shrugged. ‘No biggie. We both got what we wanted out of it.’
    Claire raised an eyebrow. He was implying that he had got sex, and she knew for a fact that wasn’t true. ‘Yvonne’s not a bad person,’ she said. ‘She just has Daddy issues.’
    ‘Yeah, I got that. Yvonne’s all right. She’s the best of this bunch, that’s for sure,’ he said, looking around.
    Claire racked her brain for something else to say, but came up blank. She was relieved when she saw the leggy blonde returning from the bar with a couple of drinks. ‘Oh, your, um … friend is coming back,’ she said, getting up.
    ‘Hey, you don’t have to go.’ Luca shifted so he only took up one corner of the sofa and there was room for three again.
    ‘I’m in her seat.’
    ‘Hardly. She was sitting on me.’
    ‘Well, three’s a crowd, so …’ Claire picked up her empty glass. ‘I need another drink anyway,’ she said, wiggling it around. ‘It was nice to meet you.’
    She turned on her heel, relieved to get away from him. Forcing what she hoped was a natural-looking smile to her face, she marched up to the bar and asked for another glass of mineral water, trying to appear confident and nonchalant. She shouldn’t have been so quick to ditch Luca, she thought, her eyes straying back to the sofa, where the blonde was making strenuous efforts to get back onto his lap. Just then, his eyes met Claire’s. He gave her a little smile that was almost sympathetic. Claire looked away again quickly. She stood at the bar for a while, sipping herwater. God, this was her idea of hell. How much longer before she could reasonably call it a night? Maybe she could fill in some time in the loo …
    ‘Claire!’ Yvonne rushed up to her, Philip and Fionn in tow. ‘We’re all going on to a club after this. Will you come?’
    ‘Oh, not tonight. I really have to go soon,’ Claire said, glancing at her watch. ‘I’ve got work in the morning, remember?’
    ‘Oh, pooh.’ Yvonne pouted. She looked over Claire’s shoulder. ‘Luca. You’re not leaving already?’
    Claire turned to see Luca behind her. He was on his own.
    ‘We’re going to a club later. Come with us,’ Yvonne pleaded.
    ‘No, I’m off home.’
    ‘Alone?’ Yvonne raised her eyebrows.
    ‘Yeah, I’m beat. And broke.’
    ‘How are you going to get home?’ Yvonne glanced towards the large windows. Rain was still thundering down outside.
    Luca shrugged. ‘I’ll walk.’
    ‘You can’t! You’ll drown. And public transport has pretty much broken down. Get a cab.’
    ‘Fine, I’ll get a cab.’
    Yvonne leaned closer to him and whispered, ‘Do you need some money?’ Not quietly enough, though, because everyone heard.
    ‘For fuck’s sake!’ Philip huffed, staring disdainfully at Luca. ‘See what I mean?’ he mumbled to Fionn. ‘Fucking beggar, like the rest of them.’
    Luca gave him a hard look. ‘What did you say?’
    ‘Nothing,’ Philip mumbled sullenly.
    ‘I’m fine, thanks,’ Luca said to Yvonne. ‘I can manage cab fare.’ He leaned in and kissed Yvonne, nodded to Claire, and left.
    ‘Why do you have to be such an arsehole, Philip?’ Yvonne fumed.
    ‘Everything okay?’ Ivan asked, coming over and frowning at Yvonne in concern.
    ‘Philip’s being a complete dick,’ Yvonne said.
    ‘What’s he doing?’ Ivan looked sternly at Philip.
    ‘He was being racist and saying horrible things about Luca.’
    ‘That’s not cool, bro,’ Ivan told him.
    ‘I know.’
    ‘Come on, man. I know you’re upset about Aisling, but don’t be a prick and take it out on everyone else. You should apologise to Yvonne and Claire.’
    Philip sighed heavily. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘I was out of order.’ He seemed genuinely contrite and