The Girl on the Cliff Read Online Free PDF

frowned. ‘Hey, you’re not serious, are you? That time when we dated could never have worked out long-term, could it? We both agreed on that, if you remember.’
    ‘Sure, Matty.’ Charley gave him a smile of reassurance. ‘It was always something that had to happen at some point, wasn’t it?’
    ‘Sure it was.’ Matt was pacified by her mirroring of his own thoughts.
    ‘You know,’ mused Charley, ‘sometimes, as I watch my girlfriends go through relationship traumas like this, I thank heaven I’m still single. I hardly know anyone that’s in a good space with their partners these days, although I really thought you guys had got it right.’
    ‘So did we,’ he replied sadly. ‘You’re not seriously considering spinsterhood for the rest of your life, are you? Out of our Greenwich crowd, you were “the one most likely to”; Sorority Queen, straight-A student and the most beautiful girl in your class. Now successful magazine editor … hell, Charley, you know you could have anyone.’
    ‘Yeah, and maybe that’s the problem,’ Charley let out a sigh, ‘maybe I’m too darned fussy and no one is good enough. Anyway, now is not the time to be discussing me. You’re the one in a real mess. What can I do to help?’
    ‘OK … should I get on a plane to Dublin tomorrow to try and rescue my relationship?’ he asked.
    ‘Matty, it’s so up to you,’ Charley wrinkled her nose, ‘but if you want my opinion, I’d give Grania some spaceand time. She’s obviously got stuff to work out. I’m sure she’ll come back to you when she’s ready. She’s asked you to leave her alone, hasn’t she? So why don’t you do the lady’s bidding, and then maybe think again in a couple of weeks? Besides, I thought you were up to your eyes with work.’
    ‘I am,’ breathed Matt. ‘And maybe you’re right. I gotta give her the space she’s asked me for.’ He reached out a hand and patted Charley’s outstretched shin gently. ‘Thanks, li’l sis. You’re always there for me, aren’t you?’
    ‘Yes, honey.’ Charley smiled from under her lashes. ‘I’ll always be here for you.’
    A few days later, there was another buzz on Matt’s intercom.
    ‘Hi, sweetie, it’s Mom. Can I come up?’
    ‘Sure.’ Matt opened the front door for her, surprised at the impromptu visit. His parents rarely graced this part of town, and never unannounced.
    ‘Darling, how are you?’ Elaine kissed her son on both cheeks then followed him inside.
    ‘I’m OK,’ Matt replied, too low and tired to make more of an effort. He watched his mom shrug off her fur coat, rearrange her subtly highlighted blonde hair with a quick toss of her head, and sit her perfect size six body elegantly on the sofa. He quickly removed his trainers and a couple of empty beer bottles from by her tiny, stilettoed feet. ‘What brings you here?’
    ‘I was up in town at a charity lunch and you’re on the way home,’ Elaine smiled. ‘I wanted to see how my boy is doing.’
    ‘I’m OK,’ Matt repeated. ‘Can I fix you anything to drink, Mom?’
    ‘A glass of water would do fine.’
    ‘Sure.’
    Elaine watched him as he went to the refrigerator and poured the water. He looked pale and tired and his body language betrayed his unhappiness. ‘Thanks,’ she said as he brought her the water. ‘So, any word from Grania?’
    ‘I called and spoke to her briefly a few days ago, but she sure doesn’t care to speak to me.’
    ‘Have you found out why she left?’
    ‘No,’ Matt shrugged. ‘I don’t know what I’ve done. Christ, Mom, that baby meant everything to her.’
    ‘She was real quiet when we saw her that day at the hospital, looked like she’d been crying when she came out of the bathroom.’
    ‘Yeah, and the next day I arrived to visit her after work to find she’d checked herself out. I came back here and found a note saying she’d gone home to Ireland to stay with her parents. She hasn’t opened up to me since. I know she’s