The Lie Read Online Free PDF Page A

couple of cars slamming. Some people still had petrol it seemed, despite all the shortages.
    He made sure his door was locked before going across to the bed and sitting down. He sighed as he lay back, putting his feet up on the eiderdown without taking off his shoes and closing his eyes. He was so bloody tired he could sleep for a week  . . .

Two
    â€˜ H ow was your sister’s party?’ Carole Mortimer asked when Emily arrived for work the following afternoon, which happened to be a Sunday. It was a warm summer’s day, too good to be indoors really, and the office where they worked seemed stuffy and airless. ‘Was it nice?’
    â€˜Yes, I suppose so,’ Emily replied, with a guilty flush. ‘I was only there for a few minutes  . . .’
    â€˜And what did you do then?’ Carole was a bubbly, plump girl with bright blue eyes that sparked with laughter, and she was laughing now. ‘You’ve got that look in your eyes, Emily. Who was he then?’
    â€˜What look?’ Emily giggled as she saw her friend’s expression, her guilt fleeing as suddenly as it had come. ‘Frances introduced us at the party, and he asked if I wanted to go for a spin in his Morgan roadster  . . .’
    â€˜So?’ Carole demanded. ‘What happened then?’
    â€˜We drove to Ely, walked by the river, had toast and honey for tea, and then he drove me home.’
    â€˜That’s all?’ Carole looked at her in disbelief. ‘I don’t believe you. Come on, now tell me the rest.’
    Emily was saved from having to comply by the appearance of their supervisor, who sent them scurrying to their posts. She was glad of the intervention for she hadn’t wanted to confess all of it to Carole. They were good friends, but this was something rather precious, something she wanted to keep to herself for the moment.
    Simon had stopped the car in a quiet lane on their way home. For a moment or two he’d sat looking at her, then leaned forward to kiss her softly on the lips.
    â€˜I hope you don’t mind? I’ve been wanting to do that all afternoon.’
    â€˜No, I don’t mind. I liked it.’
    â€˜Then you won’t mind if I do it again,’ Simon said, taking her into his arms this time. His kiss had been passionate, demanding and yet tender, arousing feelings that Emily hadn’t realized she could feel. When he let her go she sat looking at him, her eyes wide with wonder. ‘You really are rather terrific, Emily.’
    â€˜Am I?’ She felt faintly bemused, because she was way out of her depth. ‘Thanks  . . .’
    â€˜I’m not just saying it. I think I’ve fallen in love with you.’
    â€˜You can’t  . . . you don’t know me yet.’
    â€˜How long does it take to know you’re in love?’
    â€˜I don’t know. Is that what this is – the shaky feeling inside and wanting to  . . .? Oh, I don’t know, but when you kissed me I wanted it to go on and on for ever.’
    Simon laughed huskily. He gave her cheek a teasing flick with his fingers. ‘Yes, that’s it, Emily. I wanted to go on and on, and a lot more than kissing – but there’s time for all that. I have to go back to my base tomorrow, but I get leave in two weeks. I shall come to the wedding, and then drive back to spend my leave at home. Would you come with me? Would your family let you?’
    â€˜My family  . . .’ Emily wondered who was her family now. She’d adored her father, and she was fond of her sister, but Frances wouldn’t be there anymore. It would be just Margaret and Connor at home in future. ‘There’s no one to stop me, Simon. I sleep at the hostel in Cambridge five nights a week. Margaret won’t even know I’m not there.’
    â€˜Good.’ He brushed a lock of hair back from her cheek. He seemed to be thinking deeply