The New Neighbours Read Online Free PDF Page A

earlier.”
    Cirelle laughed. “She whirled by me as well, on her way to tell the others. She said we’re celebrating in the Dutch tonight, so I’ll see you there, unless you fancy coming to the gym now, you could do with a workout.”
    Ben pulled a face. “Can’t,” he said. “I must get this done for tomorrow.”
    â€œOK, see you then.”
    â€œYeah, I’m working from seven, I’ll see you there.”
    The Flying Dutchman was very busy that evening, and Ben was working at full stretch for the first hour or so of his shift, but by the time Madeleine and Cirelle came in, the rush had eased a little and he was able to chat to them over the bar.
    â€œWhere are Mandy and Dean?” he asked. “Are they still coming in with us?”
    â€œDean is,” Madeleine replied. “He’s dead chuffed we’ve got a place.
    He’ll be in later.”
    â€œBut not Mandy?”
    Madeleine shook her head. “Don’t think so. I did see her in the canteen earlier, and she said she thought she was going in with Billy Thomas. Said she couldn’t wait while we got our act together and had virtually committed herself to Billy’s house now.” Madeleine shrugged. “She can suit herself. I wouldn’t want to live over at Friary if I had the chance to live in Dartmouth Circle, would you?”
    â€œDartmouth Circle?” Jane, the landlord’s other half, chipped in to the conversation. “Did you say Dartmouth Circle?”
    Madeleine grinned across at her. “Yup. Isn’t it great? We finally found a house for next year, and my dad exchanged contracts on it this morning.”
    â€œAnd it’s in Dartmouth Circle, you say?”
    â€œYes. It’s in a terrible state, so there’s masses of work to be done on it before we move in in September, but Dad says we can get it all done. He says I’ve got to help with the decorating when the structural work is finished, but I don’t mind that. I like painting, and I can’t wait to strip off the gundgy wallpaper and to paint over the sludge coloured walls, they’re… awful.” Madeleine’s voice trailed away as she saw a strange expression flood Jane’s face. “Jane,” she said uncertainly, “is there anything wrong?”
    Jane shook her head as if trying to clear it and then smiled at her. “Not at all,” she replied. “It all sounds wonderful, I’m sure you’ll all be very happy there. Which number have you bought?”
    â€œNumber seven,” answered Madeleine cheerfully. “Why? Do you know it?”
    â€œOh yes,” Jane said, “I used to live there.”
    â€œIn Dartmouth Circle?”
    â€œIn number seven.”
    A moment’s stunned silence greeted this revelation as Madeleine reheard the comments she’d just made about the house and its decor, and then it was broken by a cackle of laughter from Jane herself. “Hey, Joe,” she called over her shoulder, “come and hear this.”
    Joe came through from the other bar. “What is it, love?” he asked. “What’s so funny?”
    â€œNed’s finally sold the house. He’s actually sold it, and do you know who to?” She jerked her head across the bar. “Our Mad, here. Our Mad’s student house is going to be in Dartmouth Circle.” She gave another shout of laughter. “I’d give anything to see the face of that cow next door when she hears she’s going to have students as her neighbours!”
    Madeleine and the others were still looking perplexed at Jane’s reaction to the news of their house and Joe, seeing they weren’t with what was going on said, “Don’t worry, Mad, it’s just that Jane used to live there before her divorce, at seven Dartmouth Circle. It wasn’t a very happy time for her there.”
    â€œOh, I see,” Madeleine looked awkward.