The Runaway Woman Read Online Free PDF

Paula were up to, Martin slumped onto the bed. ‘What the hell is she doing on the bus? She should be at work, not gallivanting about on the damned bus.’
    Paula shrugged. ‘Don’t ask me, because I’m sure I don’t know.’ She decided to wind him up further. ‘I suppose she could be coming to see me even yet. Maybeshe’s got off at the bottom of the street and she’s on her way here right now!’
    ‘For pity’s sake, head her off. I’ll sneak out the back.’
    Paula laughed. ‘Relax! Lucy wouldn’t be coming round here now – she knows I’m starting a new job today – and even if she did find out we were carrying on behind her back, she’d probably forgive us.’
    ‘Huh! You wish!’ Martin was now hurrying to the door. ‘Shemight be soft-hearted, but there is no way she would forgive us. Lucy might not have much going for her but, as you well know, she would be devastated if she found out we’d betrayed her.’
    A teeny bit jealous, Paula was suddenly curious. ‘If you had to choose between me and her, who would you choose?’
    But Martin wasn’t listening. ‘I don’t understand. Why isn’t she at work? You know what a sticklershe is for keeping time. So, what’s going on? Are you sure it was Lucy on the bus?’
    Just then the telephone rang and he almost leaped out of his skin.
    ‘Stay there!’ Paula threw on her dressing gown, and ran down the stairs.
    Nervously, Martin crept to the door to listen, greatly relieved when he realised that the caller was Paula’s new boss, asking why she was not yet at work.
    ‘I’m sorry, sir,but I had a burst pipe in the kitchen. I’ve managed to get the plumber here, and I’ve asked a neighbour to come and stay until he’s finished. I should be with you in about fifteen minutes.’ She put on her sweetest little-girl voice. ‘I know I should have called you, but it’s been frantic. I’ve been so worried, I just didn’t have time to call and explain.’
    There was a pause, while Paula was listening,and then Martin heard her promising, ‘Half an hour at the outside, yes, and I’ll work the extra time if you want me to. Yes, all right, thank you.’
    Before she could replace the receiver, Martin was downstairs and grabbing her. ‘Got to go.’ He kissed her full on the mouth before reluctantly releasing her. ‘You and me … we’re all right together, aren’t we?’
    Her answer was to wrap her arms roundhis neck and draw him in to her. ‘Can I ask you something?’
    ‘Ask away.’
    ‘Do you really want me? Would you leave Lucy to be with me?’
    ‘Are you serious?’ Martin was nervous. ‘I mean … after your divorce and all the nastiness, I thought the last thing you might want is to shack up with another man … least of all your sister’s husband.’
    ‘Well, you were wrong. It might have been that way at first,but I think I’ve fallen for you, and I want to make it permanent.’ She paused, her gaze hardening. ‘Or do you just want fun with no strings attached? Is that it?’
    ‘No!’ Martin was adamant. ‘I never thought of us in that way.’
    She visibly relaxed. ‘Well, that’s OK, because I never thought of us in that way either.’
    Martin was delighted and shocked by her serious suggestion that he should leaveLucy. ‘I would never willingly hurt you … not after what your ex put you through.’
    ‘I took it bad, I know.’ She cast her mind back. ‘That day when you found me crying … when you held me for the very first time, I was in pieces. But I’m well over that now. It didn’t take me long to realise that ending the marriage was right for both of us. Never having had children made it easier somehow.’
    ‘Didyou want children?’
    Paula shrugged. ‘I don’t suppose I would have minded, but it just never happened. I think Ray was bitterly disappointed about that. As it turned out, though, it’s just as well, don’t you think?’
    ‘I don’t really know but, like you say, I’m sure it meant that it was