The Exciting Life Read Online Free PDF

‘He’s
written lots of plays and things.’
    ‘ Hold on.’
    The
heavy went into the club, and the one with the scar stepped across
the doorway, blocking their entrance. A little smile came onto
Iris’s face. This sort of thing usually only happened in clubs when
they’d been threatened by rival gangs. Heavies would be there to
filter out any potential enemies, and before long it would have to
become members only.
    The
other heavy re-emerged, accompanied by a beautiful brunette, who
was a cross between Audrey Hepburn and Alicia Bloom. Her hair was
pinned to one side with a red flower, and she wore a black satin,
Chinese style dress. Iris guessed she’d struck gold straight
away.
    ‘ Do you recognise this gentleman?’ the heavy asked
her.
    ‘ No I don’t,’ she replied in a very posh, plummy
voice.
    ‘ Says his name’s Arthur Hatfield.
    ‘ Arthur Hatfield?’ She furrowed her brow, but her mouth smiled
quizzically. ‘What was the name of your third play?’
    ‘ The Winter’s Willow,’ he replied without thinking. Clever,
considering how pissed he was.
    She
looked at the heavy.
    ‘ Let them in, they’re fine.’
    The
heavies stepped to one side and let Arthur and Iris into the club.
It was a dark and dingy affair, but smart enough to have a
well-dressed fellow there to collect their coats.
    ‘ I’m so sorry about that,’ the girl said, clasping her hands
together. ‘We’ve had a bit of trouble lately, so we have to be
extra careful. I’m such a fan of your work Mr Hatfield. We studied
The Constant Pain at school. It’s my favourite play.’
    ‘ Why thank you,’ Arthur slurred. ‘Always nice to meet a
fan.’
    ‘ I’m Annie Holland,’ she said, offering him her hand,
confirming to Iris she was who she was looking for. ‘Pleased to
meet you.’
    ‘ And you my dear,’ Arthur said. ‘Can I introduce my girlfriend
Iris Lindholm?’
    ‘ Nice to meet you Iris,’ Annie said.
    ‘ And you,’ she smiled sweetly.
    ‘ Let me get you both a bottle of champagne. On the house. As a
thank you for all your wonderful work Mr Hatfield.’
    ‘ Arthur, please.’
    ‘ If you insist,’ she giggled.
    She led
them into the main area of the club, and as Iris watched Annie go,
she laughed to herself at how they looked like polar opposites.
Annie was so tall and dark and willowy, and Iris was five six in
her heels, blonde and curvy. That didn’t stop some of the men
sitting in the booths nearby throwing her admiring glances, which
she returned with the knowing smile she’d spent ten years
perfecting.
    Annie
stood at the bar and asked the barman for a bottle of Moet and two
glasses. She then turned her attention to Iris.
    ‘ So are you Swedish Iris?’ she asked.
    ‘ No, I’m a Londoner,’ she replied, trying to use her
best-practiced posh voice, but it just came out as a husky whisper.
‘But my father was Swedish.’
    ‘ Are you a model?’
    ‘ Model and actress,’ Iris smiled.
    ‘ Well, welcome to Bruno’s.’ The barman passed her the champagne
in a silver bucket and she handed it to Arthur, who almost dropped
it. ‘I hope you enjoy yourselves.’
    She
walked off into the throng of people and Iris looked for a booth in
which to put Arthur. There was one in the far corner, close to the
exit for the toilets. She manoeuvred Arthur over to it and sat
down. Like a child grabbing for a toy, Arthur took the champagne
and poured himself a glass – forgetting his manners and not pouring
one for Iris. She got on and did it herself and looked around for
Annie. She spotted her chatting to a group of people. Standing next
to her was a very good-looking man with auburn hair. Iris wondered
if they were a couple - after all, Annie was a free agent. Iris
knew she was a widow. She’d followed her life for so many years,
she was perfectly aware Annie’s husband had killed
himself.
    Iris
heard a snore and realised Arthur had fallen asleep. She took this
as her opportunity to mingle. She had no fear mixing with