The One You Really Want Read Online Free PDF Page B

last time she’d seen him had been at Spike’s funeral. The time before that, at Spike and Carmen’s wedding. He was her best friend’s brother-in-law and she’d always found herself slightly at a loss for words in his presence.
    And now here he was, looking even more like a rock star than ever in the out-of-context environment of her own front doorstep. His long hair gleamed, his diamond earring glittered in the sunlight and he was ridiculously tanned.
    â€˜I came up to see Carmen,’ said Rennie.
    â€˜What? But she isn’t here!’
    He frowned. ‘Yes she is.’
    â€˜Honestly, she isn’t.’ As Nancy shook her head, Jonathan came up behind her to find out what was going on.
    â€˜Who is it?’
    â€˜Carmen’s brother-in-law.’ Embarrassed to say his name, Nancy gestured awkwardly towards Rennie. ‘He’s looking for Carmen. I’m just explaining she isn’t here.’
    â€˜Look, I’m sorry, but she is,’ Rennie insisted, reaching over and yanking Carmen into view.
    â€˜Waaaahhhh,’ shrieked Nancy, hugging her. ‘I only spoke to you last night!’
    â€˜It was Rennie’s idea. We caught the eight o’clock flight.’
    â€˜But you said you couldn’t come up because you have to work!’
    â€˜I made her see sense. They already had plenty of volunteers for today.’ Rennie grinned. ‘Carmen isn’t as indispensable as she likes to think. Hi, I’m Rennie.’ He nodded at Jonathan, who was still standing behind Nancy. ‘I’ve heard all about you.’
    Oh God, thought Nancy, please don’t.
    â€˜Actually we’ve met before.’ Leaning past Nancy, Jonathan shook his hand. ‘I was there at the wedding.’ When Rennie looked blank, he added, ‘Carmen’s wedding . . . when she married your brother.’
    â€˜Oh, right. Sorry, I don’t remember you. Never mind, we’re here now.’ Rennie flashed his dazzling smile. ‘All the way up from London. You can invite us in if you like.’
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    â€˜I can’t believe it,’ Nancy whispered when Jonathan had borne Rennie off. ‘You’re actually here. You don’t know how much better that makes me feel.’ Lowering her voice still further, she added, ‘Does Rennie know?’
    Nodding, Carmen said, ‘It’s OK, he won’t say anything. We’re on your side.’
    â€˜God, this makes all the difference in the world. Come through and say hello to Mum.’ Happily Nancy dragged her through to the kitchen, where Rose flung herself at Carmen in delight.
    â€˜What a surprise! Oh my word, it’s Christmas and I don’t even have anything for you.’ Rose loved to buy gifts for everyone; to be caught out like this clearly bothered her.
    â€˜You didn’t know we were going to be here.’ Carmen, who’d always been fond of Nancy’s tiny, doll-sized mother, smiled and said, ‘I didn’t know we were going to be here. I didn’t get anything for you either.’
    But Rose was already dragging an enamelled bangle off her wrist. ‘Here, pet, you have this. Pretty, isn’t it? But it’ll look so much better on you than on me . . . here, take it.’
    â€˜Rose, I couldn’t possibly—’
    â€˜It’s just a wee present. Don’t offend me now,’ Rose said anxiously, as she crammed the bangle over Carmen’s left hand. ‘Don’t hurt my feelings by trying to give it back.’
    There really was no answer to that. Rose would give you the shirt off her back if you wanted to polish your sunglasses. Whatever she offered, you knew her feelings would be hurt if you refused. Forced to give in gracefully, Carmen said, ‘It’s gorgeous, thank you so much,’ and kissed Rose’s soft powdered cheek. The powder smelled and tasted like powder from the olden days, which, seeing as Rose only ever