The Name I Call Myself Read Online Free PDF Page B

babysat for a neighbour.
    But even when the months stretched past without a visit, every night I went to sleep thinking of my brother. Praying for his safety, wishing he would come home, imagining the dark and dangerous places and people he dwelled amongst.
    And then, one morning, I woke up to find Grandma cold on the bathroom floor.
    And I learned my wildest imaginings hadn’t come close.

    Sam fled before the coffee had cooled on the tiles, but by the time Perry had carried me to a sofa, tidied up the mess, and said a charming, if brisk, goodbye to the guests, I felt recovered enough to get up again.
    Perry found me in the kitchen. I turned from loading the dishwasher, a thousand apologies on my lips.
    â€œLeave that. I can do it. You need to sit down.”
    I mustered a weak smile. “No, I’m fine. Just embarrassed. I didn’t think I could top that meal, but…”
    Perry leaned against the countertop, his hands in his pockets. “What happened with Sam?”
    â€œIt wasn’t Sam. I’m really sorry he came round – he does that sometimes when he’s not well. And when he texted me earlierthis evening I mentioned I was here. But I must have had a weird migraine. Or maybe the residual smoke overpowered me. It’s been a really busy day.”
    He walked over and took my hands in his, lifting one to kiss it. “I’m sorry I caused you so much stress. You were amazing tonight. You saved the day. And the Baker deal. I’m so glad you were here. Will you come to all my disaster parties?”
    â€œIf you give me a couple of days’ notice, they might not be a disaster.”
    He gazed at me. “Fifteenth of August.”
    â€œNow that should be enough notice.”
    He was no longer laughing. “Marry me on the fifteenth of August. Come and live with me and you can burn my dinner every night.”
    â€œYou expect me to cook you dinner every night when we’re married?”
    â€œYou can do whatever you darn well like. Just marry me.”
    I took a deep breath. “The fifteenth of next August?”
    â€œThe very next one.”
    â€œHCC will be booked up right through the summer.”
    â€œThey had a cancellation.” He quirked one eyebrow, knowing I would guess his hefty sway at the club would have had something to do with that.
    â€œLet me think about it.”
    While Perry drove me home, I thought. About Sam, and my empty bank account, pathetically dependent on Perry since my income had been slashed. About how this rich, charming man had laughed off the disastrous evening, allowing me to avoid answering his questions about my wreck of a brother. About the fun we had together, the simplicity of our relationship. Then I considered the alternative to marrying him, which made me shudder.
    Perry walked me to my door, which wasn’t far, the front path of my tiny terraced cottage stretching three steps from pavement to porch.
    â€œAre you sure you’re okay? I could come in for a bit.”
    â€œNo, honestly. I just need to sleep.”
    He waited while I unlocked the door, then kissed me goodnight. “Sleep well. I’ve meetings until late tomorrow. But I’ll call you.”
    I took a deep breath as he turned to walk down the path.
    â€œYes.”
    He froze, spinning slowly back around to face me.
    â€œThe fifteenth of August. Next year. Yes.”
    Perry burst into a grin, scooping me off the doorstep and swinging me around a couple of times before jigging down to the street and back again, kicking his heels up. “Fifteenth of August!” he roared. “Eleven months and she’ll be mine! Hallelujah!”
    He let out a whoop as I stepped inside, smiling. “Keep it down! It’s nearly midnight.”
    â€œI don’t care! I’m getting MARRIED!” He fist-pumped the air as the upstairs window opened next door and my neighbour called out.
    â€œFer mercy’s sake, Faith. Can’t