The Empty Desk Read Online Free PDF Page A

social calendar. He was the one who mentioned having Dana over.”
    â€œIf we did, we’d be out bowling every night.” Jim laughed. “I’m not sure that either of us could cope with that.”
    â€œYou’re probably right. But as long as you’re okay with us having a full house on Sunday, I’ll make a couple of calls.”
    He excused himself against the sound of raised voices in the background. It sounded like he was having a lively shift at the hospital. There had been a time when she had been a bit jealous that he spent so much time there and so little with her. Things were better now though, and she could see how much the job meant to him. She had seen him at work and couldn’t be more proud of him. She wondered if he ever felt the same about her own commitments. Could he be jealous of a ghost that was demanding her attention?
    It took a while for Delia to answer, and when she did she sounded a little out of breath.
    â€œDelia? You okay?”
    â€œHi, Melinda,” she said, taking the deepest of breaths before breaking into a fit of coughing.
    â€œDelia? What on earth have you been doing?”
    â€œWalking.”
    â€œWalking? How fast?” Melinda couldn’t believe that she could be that out of breath just by walking.
    â€œNot fast. Just quite a long way,” Delia replied.
    â€œHow come? Is this some kind of fitness regime?”
    â€œCar trouble.”
    â€œMore? I didn’t even know that you’d got it back.”
    â€œI haven’t. This was the loaner. I managed to get it to the garage, but there was no one there. I started walking home and just kept going.”
    â€œYou should have called me. I would have come and picked you up.”
    â€œIt’s okay. I didn’t think that it was quite as far as it was. Once I’d got started, I didn’t want to admit defeat.”
    â€œHow long were you walking?” Melinda asked.
    â€œAn hour, maybe ninety minutes. I’ve only just got home.”
    â€œYou should come to the gym with me,” Melinda laughed, unable to help herself.
    â€œThanks, but no thanks. I think I’ve had my exercise for the year.” She paused for another breath. “So were you calling for anything in particular, or do you just want to mock me?”
    â€œI’d never mock you, Delia,” she said despite the laughter in her voice. She could just imagine Delia slumped in the chair in her kitchen, finding that even kicking off her shoes was too much of an effort.
    â€œWell, it sure sounds like that’s exactly what you’re doing,” Delia said, though she didn’t sound too serious.
    â€œI’m not. Really, I’m not,” Melinda said, though she was not quite sure that she was telling the truth.
    â€œSo what can I do for you?”
    â€œI was just calling to see if you and Ned would like to come around for dinner on Sunday.”
    â€œDon’t tell me you want to show off your new old friend. Don’t go thinking that you can set her up with my son!”
    Melinda laughed at the thought. “It didn’t even cross my mind. I just hate to think of her being at home alone.”
    â€œI can read you like a book, Melinda.”
    â€œSo is that a yes?”
    â€œSure. Have you spoken to Ned yet?”
    â€œNot yet,” Melinda said.
    â€œLeave it to me. I’ll give him a call. You know he won’t say no to me, no matter what else he might have planned. He wouldn’t dare.”
    Melinda had never known Ned to say no to one of her dinners anyway, but she wasn’t about to tell Delia that. It sounded like her feet were painful enough without her pride being hurt too.
    â€œI’m sure you’re right. It’s always harder to say no to your mother.”
    â€œToo right,” Delia said. “You want me to bring dessert?”
    â€œThat would be great. Thanks.”
    â€œAnd your friend, Dana? Where’s she