The Better Woman Read Online Free PDF Page B

arms.
    â€˜I’m sorry,’ he whispered.
    They became one of the circling couples on the dance floor. Sarah’s body moulded to his. She rested her head on his shoulder. For the first time in the entire evening she felt like she belonged.
    Sarah didn’t know exactly when she made up her mind. It could have been earlier in the day when she’d heard about John’s examresults and realised that Paris would take him much further away from her than boarding school ever had. Or maybe it was the sheer rush of love she’d felt when she saw him standing in the doorway of the disco. Or when he’d started to kiss her, the intensity such that it seemed imperative they find somewhere they could be alone. Somewhere along the line, she didn’t know exactly when, she made the heady decision that tonight was the night.
    Her hand tight in John’s, they left the hall and walked across the gravelled yard to his father’s car. She sat in the passenger seat while he took the wheel. She turned on the radio. Soon Kilnock’s lights were behind them, and there was much more than a dark country road in front.
    A little way from home, John turned the car into a wide gateway and switched off the headlights. A half-moon provided enough light to see his face: his sensual mouth, dark eyes and the strong line of his cheekbones. Sarah was rocked by another surge of love for him. Two years of dating, kissing and touching had culminated in this moment where there was only one way forward. Very sure of her decision, she made the first move.
    â€˜Let’s get into the back.’
    The leather of the back seat was cool beneath her bare legs. She kissed him, softly at first, but soon she was carried away by his urgent response. She fell back on the seat, her legs straddling him as he lay on top. His kissing took on a new level of urgency as his slender fingers removed most of her clothes. The leather seat warmed, feeling much like a second skin.
    Boldly, Sarah pulled down the zip of his jeans and took him in a confident grip. She heard him moan. Wet and hot under her hand, she imagined him inside her. She touched him against her cotton underwear. She wanted more. No barriers at all. She moved her underwear to one side.
    â€˜Sarah?’ he asked in question. They had never gone this far before.
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜Are you sure?’ he checked again.
    She loved him even more for that.
    â€˜What about contraception?’ he asked.
    â€˜It’s a safe time of the month.’
    She guided him inside her. It didn’t hurt. In fact, it was surprisingly easy, as if she was made for him.
    â€˜I love you,’ she heard him murmur.
    â€˜I love you too,’ she whispered in return.
    And she did. With all her heart.
    When it was all over she held him tightly and tried not to think that it was only a matter of weeks before he would be leaving for Paris.

Chapter 4
    Ten weeks later
    Peggy turned around from the stove to greet Sarah as she came in the kitchen door. ‘You look pale, girl.’
    Sarah replied with the first excuse that came into her head. ‘I’ve got a touch of the flu.’
    She unwrapped her scarf and tried not to inhale the salty smell that was emanating from the pots on the stove.
    â€˜Do you have a temperature?’
    â€˜No. Just aches and pains.’
    â€˜Don’t bother with the shop, then. I’ll cover tonight.’
    Sarah realised that she had made a tactical error. Now the old woman would be watching her like a hawk. The last thing she needed.
    â€˜I’ll be fine, Nan. And you want to go to the church, don’t you?’
    All Souls’ Day held special significance for Peggy, her husband, son and daughter-in-law all needing her prayers.
    â€˜Yes. But are you sure?’
    â€˜I’m not that bad, really.’
    â€˜Do you have much homework to do?’
    Sarah had explained several times that students were given assignments, not