The Runaway Woman Read Online Free PDF Page A

good or bad. Somehow, and without you realising it, strangers and others often led you down a path you might never otherwise have followed. In the end, you could lose sight of your chosendestination and, try as you might, never find your own way back.
    ‘Hey!’ Johnny was gently touching her on the shoulder. ‘If you want to sleep on my bus, that’ll be an extra shilling,’ he chuckled.
    ‘I wasn’t sleeping,’ Lucy promised, her weary spirits lifted. ‘I was just thinking.’
    ‘Oh, really? Well, in my experience it’s never a good idea to think too much. It could bend your brain, and apartfrom that, you’ll give yourself a headache.’ Giving a wink that made Lucy smile, he moved on.
    Lucy sat up and casually looked out as the bus route passed her sister’s house. She glanced at her watch, thinking it odd that the bedroom curtains were still closed …
    She was startled when Johnny spoke in her ear. ‘Didn’t you mention that was where your sister lives? Paula, isn’t it?’
    ‘You’ve gota good memory!’ Lucy replied. ‘I’m sure she was due to start her new job at the petrol station today … early shift, she said. But just now I noticed the bedoom curtains are still closed. She’s either had a late night out with her pals, and is still sleeping it off, or she’s changed her mind about the job.’
    ‘Or maybe she just forgot to open the curtains,’ Johnny suggested.
    Lucy nodded. ‘I hopeyou’re right. Yes, maybe that’s what she’s done. She’s a good sort, really, and we get on well, but there are times when she’s her own worst enemy. Her late nights and devil-may-care attitude have already lost her two jobs. How she is ever going to sort out her life, I don’t know.’
    She made a mental note to pop in and see her sister soon. She would feel much better once she knew Paula was allright.

    ‘Hey, Paula!’ Martin was lazing in bed when Paula went across to the window to peek out.
    ‘You’ll never guess who I just saw,’ Paula teased him, turning with a wicked little smile on her face.
    ‘I don’t care who you saw,’ he replied, ‘because whoever it is, they’re spoiling my fun. Come back here, wench. I’m not done with you yet.’ His hungry gaze swept her slim, nakedbody. He loved her firm, toned figure and pert little breasts. When he took her in his arms, nothing else mattered; especially not Lucy who, compared to her sister, seemed old and shapeless before her time.
    He did hold a measure of affection for Lucy. After all, the two of them had been together a long time … maybe too long, he mused.
    Paula laughed as she hurried to the wardrobe. ‘Sorry, lover,but your time’s up. You’ve had your fun, and now it’s time to go!’ She rolled her eyes. ‘I should have started work half an hour ago, so now I need to get there. I’ll have to drum up some sort of apology and smile nicely at the manager.’ Her manner grew serious. ‘Honestly, Martin, I really can’t afford to lose another job.’
    Seeing that his fun was definitely over for today, Martin reluctantlyslithered out of bed and began to pull on his trousers. ‘OK, you win. But you will make it up to me some other time … won’t you?’
    ‘Of course.’ Keeping her distance, she flirted with him as he dressed. ‘You know very well that goes without saying,’ she told him softly.
    Martin picked up on what she had said earlier. ‘So, who did you see just now through the window?’
    ‘I saw your wife … my dearsister, Lucy,’ she answered mockingly.
    ‘What! You saw Lucy? Oh my God! Was she at the door?’ Shocked, he quickly buckled up his trouser-belt and yanked his shirt on. ‘Is she downstairs?’ His voice shook. ‘Quick! Get rid of her!’
    Paula enjoyed seeing him panic. ‘Calm down,’ she giggled. ‘She was on the bus. Just as I looked out, she was already turning away. So don’t worry, our sordid littlesecret is still safe.’
    Shaken by the possibility that Lucy might discover what he and