The Night That Changed Everything Read Online Free PDF Page B

off the ground, she carries on spinning.
    She’s lucky
, I think. At least she knows she’s not pregnant.
Oh, God, please don’t let me be pregnant
, I pray for the hundredth time today. There’s no room in my life for a baby right now. What if they take me off the project? And even if they don’t, how likely are they to promote me if I’m off on maternity leave in nine months?
    â€˜Thanks,’ I tell Jemma, trying to keep my voice even. ‘And, um, thanks for the tea.’
    â€˜Any time,’ she says, mid-spin.
    I gulp down the last few mouthfuls then stand up and pull on my leather jacket. ‘I should shoot off, actually. Train to catch.’ Test to buy. Stick to pee on.
    â€˜Cool,’ she says, slamming her feet on the ground to stop the motion. ‘I’d better head down anyway. I’ve been told never to leave my phone unattended.’
    From the queue at Boots I spot Ben, leaning against the wall of Paperchase, glancing around the station.
    He’s wearing navy jeans and a pale blue shirt with buttons on the pockets, sleeves rolled up to the elbows, looking ruggedly handsome. He’s quite a catch. Lord knows why it’s me he chooses to be with.
    I notice a girl in jeans and a blazer glance his way when she walks past, as if trying to catch his eye, and my heart beats a little faster. She’s pretty, and curvy, and I can’t help wondering what Ben will think if he realizes he could have someone like that.
    But he doesn’t even bat an eyelid – just glances at his watch.
    I smile in relief.
    When I count my blessings, I count Ben twice, and as I slip the Boots bag into my holdall, I pray I’m not about to mess it all up.
    He looks up as I finally walk towards him, and breaks into a grin. ‘Hello, gorgeous.’
    â€˜Hello, handsome.’
    I kiss him hello, breaking my lips away after just a few seconds, even though I could kiss him for ever. Ben doesn’t take it personally. Every time he’s ever tried an alfresco cuddle I’ve wriggled out of it, and more than once he’s clocked my involuntary looks of discomfort at a couple snogging in front of us in a supermarket queue or at a bus stop.
    â€˜You look hot,’ I tell him, leaving him in no doubt that we’ll finish that kiss once we’re alone. ‘That’s a sexy shirt. Blue is a good colour on you.’
    â€˜Ta very much,’ he says, appraising himself with a downward glance. ‘Hot was exactly the look I was going for to meet your dad.’
    I laugh. ‘Is it new?’
    â€˜Yeah, I was early so bought this and the jeans.’
    I step back and look him up and down. ‘I can’t believe you bought an entire new outfit just to go to my dad’s.’ He didn’t need to do that – no wonder he’s always skint at the end of the month – but I can’t help my heart wanting to explode with love. ‘Platform five,’ I add, glancing at the departures board.
    â€˜What did you get from Boots?’ asks Ben as we pass through the barrier.
    Crap, I didn’t realize he’d seen me come out.
    â€˜Nurofen,’ I mumble. ‘I’ve had a cracking headache all morning.’
    â€˜
Buonasera
,’ Stefan greets me at the front door, dramatically kissing both my cheeks, before shoving me out the way so he can do the same to Ben.
    My brother whole-heartedly embraces his Italian heritage, which is pretty funny because there’s feck all outward evidence of his quarter-Italian genes. He inherited my mum’s English-rose complexion: fair, freckly skin and a shocking intolerance to the sun.
    He’s also inherited her attraction to tall, dark, handsome men.
    â€˜I didn’t know you were coming down,’ I tell him, hanging up my coat while Stefan takes Ben’s.
    â€˜A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man,’ he tells me in an Italian accent.
    Stefan