The Runaway Woman Read Online Free PDF Page B

easier to end the marriage.’
    ‘To tell the truth, I think I stopped loving him a long time before we decidedto break up. In the end it was a relief to see the back of him. He was lazy, quick to temper, and he never showed me any tenderness. You’re different, though, Martin. You’re exciting and loving, and you know how to make me happy.’
    ‘Really?’ He gave her a sly little smile. ‘That’s nice to know.’
    ‘No! I didn’t mean it like that,’ she assured him. ‘You make me happy in lots of other ways … andyou care for me like a man should.’
    ‘Well, I’m glad you think like that, but it’s like I just said, you and me, we’re all right together, and that’s good, apart from the fact that I’m a taken man … married to your own sister, no less.’
    Guilt darkened his face. ‘Trouble is, I can’t seem to keep away from you, and whatever you might think, I do have a conscience about cheating on Lucy.’
    ‘So,why do you cheat on her, if it feels wrong?’
    ‘Because I love you, that’s why.’ He tried to explain. ‘Remind me again … how many years younger than Lucy are you?’
    ‘Three minus a few weeks. I’m thirty-seven and she’s just round the corner from her fortieth birthday. But what’s that got to do with anything?’
    ‘Well, it’s just that here you are, only three years younger than Lucy, and yet I swearanyone could be forgiven for thinking you were
ten
years younger.’
    ‘Thank you!’ Paula smiled. ‘I’m thrilled that you should think that, but I don’t imagine Lucy would be so pleased.’
    ‘Oh, but it’s true, and it’s not just your youthful appearance, although that says a lot. Compared to Lucy, you’re much younger in your attitude; you are always bright and pretty, and full of life.’ Running hishands down her long, brown hair, he smiled into her bright, almond-coloured eyes. ‘Hand on heart, Paula, I reckon you could easily pass for a young woman of twenty-one, twenty-two, any day … while Lucy could easily be mistaken for an older middle-aged woman.’
    ‘Don’t say that.’
    ‘But it’s true, and you know it as well as I do. She’s old in her ways. She acts and dresses like she’s middle-aged.She never fusses over her appearance, or wears make-up. She won’t spend money on having her hair done, or her nails painted. She frets if the meals are late. She panics if everything is short of perfect. She’s refused so often to come with me to the pub when I’m in a darts match that I stopped asking her a long time back. And to be honest, I can’t remember the last time we went out together, or whenshe actually laughed out loud.’
    Paula gently rounded on him. ‘Don’t be too hard on her, Martin. You know as well as I do, Lucy is a good woman. She loves the family, and she’s always there for anyone in trouble. She’s a better woman than I will ever be.’
    ‘I do not believe that. You’ve been through a lot lately. You deserve a bit of fun and love in your life. As for Lucy, I wasn’t running herdown. I was just stating the facts. I know it’s a pity, but she will never change, not now.’
    ‘But she’s a decent sort, whereas I’m just a flighty tart. I spend too much time at the mirror, and too much money having my hair styled and cut. I spend a fortune on make-up, and I couldn’t cook a dinner for four if I tried my best.’
    ‘Maybe. But you know how to laugh. You can make a man feel good, andyou hit life at the run. That’s what makes you so exciting. At the end of the day, that’s what any man wants in his woman: excitement, laughter, being able to discuss anything and nothing with her, and the occasional fierce rows, and ending up in bed together afterwards.’
    Paula grew serious. ‘You say that, Martin. But you have a wife who keeps your shirts washed and ironed. She’s good with money.She holds down a job and still manages to put a piping-hot meal in front of you when you sit down at the table. She never walks away from