The Secrets Women Keep Read Online Free PDF Page A

tightened. ‘When will he realise that the girls are grown up and can lead their own lives
without his interference? It’s always me who has to pick up the pieces.’ To her horror, one of the tears she had been holding back since the morning trickled down her cheek.
    A lizard scurried up the wall by the door, then stopped motionless about halfway up.
    ‘Hey, hey.’ Eve put her arm around Rose’s shoulders. ‘This isn’t like you. If you won’t tell me what’s really wrong now, you’ve got a few days to
change your mind.’
    ‘About what?’ Daniel stood in the doorway, his shadow slanting into the room. ‘What trouble are you two concocting?’
    ‘Nothing.’ Eve moved away from Rose. ‘You’ve got such a suspicious mind, Dan. I was only asking when we were expecting Jess.’
    Rose didn’t miss the almost imperceptible flicker of irritation in Daniel’s face, the one-fingered scratch behind his left ear; both sure signs he was exercising extreme
self-restraint. She began to put away the pans.
    ‘Jess?’ he said. Perhaps Eve didn’t notice the tension in his voice. ‘Any day, I think. Rose knows all the details.’ He crossed the kitchen towards the
corridor.
    The anger she’d felt earlier returned. His not facing up to the situation he’d created was absurd. ‘I think she’s waiting to hear from you,’ she said pointedly to
his retreating back. ‘Before she makes up her mind.’ Rose knew full well that Jess and Adam’s tickets were booked for a flight in three days’ time, but also that Jess was
perfectly capable of writing off the cost if her father didn’t make peace.
    ‘Really?’ He sounded surprised. ‘I didn’t think she and I had anything more to say to each other.’
    ‘Oh, Daniel.’ Rose stopped, aware of Eve’s beady eyes watching them, alert for every nuance. She wouldn’t give her sister-in-law the satisfaction of seeing them argue,
thus confirming her suspicions. Especially not when she was afraid that any loss of temper could evolve too easily into something else. But however much she might want to avoid any kind of
confrontation on holiday, they would have to discuss Jess and Adam before it was too late.
    ‘Well, we can talk about her later. I’m off for a quick nap.’ He ended any possibility of discussion by disappearing towards their bedroom.
    He rarely took a siesta so late in the day. She looked after him, infuriated, frustrated and sad.
    ‘Now tell me there’s nothing going on between you,’ said Eve, adjusting her top across her shoulders.
    ‘Eve, please.’ Rose got up to cover the cheese board with a muslin dome, brushing away a couple of persistent flies. ‘I said I’ll talk to you when I’m ready. And I
will.’
    ‘You’re just as stubborn yourself, you know. But OK. In that case, I’m going to give in to the tyranny of the pool, and find myself a parasol. If there’s one big enough
to provide the amount of shade I need.’
    Rose allowed herself a brief smile. ‘Don’t be an idiot. You’re looking great.’
    ‘Just what I meant! But once I’ve got Jess’s old maternity cozzie on, things may change. You wait.’
    The costume Jess had left behind a year ago was the only one with a cat’s whiskers’ chance of fitting Eve.
    ‘I’ll see you down there later. I’m going to try to catch Dan before he nods off.’
    ‘Bad move, sister. I’m warning you.’ Eve shook her head as she left the room.
    She was probably right, thought Rose, but sorting out Jess’s visit was vital. Otherwise the moment would be gone, and she wouldn’t come at all. Once that was done, she would
concentrate on how she was going to deal with that text, the words of which still resonated in her memory.
Miss. Love. Come back
. With a heavy heart, she walked slowly towards the dimly lit
staircase that led to their room.

 
     
     
     
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    E ve angled the lounger, straightened the beach towel and moved the parasol to give her enough shade. She