Take a Chance on Me Read Online Free PDF Page A

it’d be better than wine. And maybe, just once, it would be good not to be the sensible one. Just once not to have to obey every rule. Just, for once, not to be … herself.
    What do they say? What happens in Monaco stays in Monaco?
    Suddenly another voice broke the tension.
    â€˜Mac, are you finishing up? I’m heading ashore soon.’ An older, distinguished man appeared in a uniform. He raised his eyebrow when he saw Sadie.
    â€˜Aye, aye, Cap’n!’ Mac replied.
    The older man rolled his eyes, and then ducked back inside, mumbling to himself.
    Sadie snapped out of the daydream. ‘Sorry, you really mustn’t let me keep you from your work,’ she said. ‘Wouldn’t want you to get in trouble with your boss.’
    â€˜Actually, I’m the boss,’ he replied, grinning. Sadie eyed up his frayed shorts and oily hands and smiled. Along with the London accent, it didn’t convince her. She knew a wind-up when she saw one.
    â€˜Hmmm,
sure
you are,’ she said. Mac was looking at her strangely. ‘Seriously, he looks like he runs a tight ship. You wouldn’t want to cross him. I’m guessing he’s the Captain? The boss of your boat, right?’
    Mac hesitated, and then laughed. ‘Well, yes, he’s the “boss of the boat”.’
    â€˜Well, then.’
    â€˜And no, you’re right – you definitely wouldn’t want to cross our Captain Wiltshire. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry – he’s a real slave driver to us mere deckhands and no mistake. In fact, when he’s in the mood, he’ll make you walk the plank as soon as look at you!’
    â€˜Well, before he splices your mainbrace, you’d better get on with scrubbing the deck, or … shipping ahoy, or … whatever.’ Her clichés dried up along with her courage, and she was starting to feel a little weak beneath the piercing, inquisitive gaze of those eyes.
    â€˜Wow, sounds like you’re right at home with all the ship talk. No wonder you had your eye on a cruiser.’
    â€˜A what?’
    â€˜Sunseeker … cruiser … that “boat” on your brochure – theirs is a cruiser.’
    â€˜Ahh,’ replied Sadie with a grin. ‘And what is this? The
Nomad
, you said?’
    â€˜Yes,
this
is the
Nomad
,’ he said, puffing up proudly. ‘She’s a superyacht. A Ferretti Custom Line 124.’
    â€˜Ohh, ri-i-i-ght, a “super” yacht.’ She nodded, not sure if he was still winding her up or if that was a real term. In any case, it was time to own up. Being footloose on the French Riviera with all its colour and character was making her more carefree than she could recall – taking the edge off her inhibitions. But freedom and champagne were a fatal combination – Sadie always got ‘honest’ before she got drunk.
    She leaned in towards him. ‘Actually, can I tell you a secret?’
    â€˜Only if you don’t have to kill me after.’
    â€˜I’m really
not
buying a boat … er, cruiser. I was just killing time. The sales guy thought I was someone else, you see. So – promise you won’t tell anyone – I gatecrashed.’
    â€˜You
didn’t
!’ Mac leaned in. So close now she could smell his heady fresh male odour.
    â€˜I did. I couldn’t tell him the only boat I’ve ever owned is a gravy boat.’
    He laughed, the warm, throaty sound reverberating in the air. He had a great laugh.
    â€˜But I’ll tell you something,’ she went on, aware she was rambling but unable to stop. ‘When I get my next million, I’ll definitely bear it in mind.’
    â€˜Ahh, so you’re one of those landlubbers who comes to all the viewings, but never signs on the dotted line!’
    â€˜What can I say – so many boats, so little time.’
    â€˜I thought that was men.’
    â€˜Nope – no time