The Way We Were Read Online Free PDF

chapter-by-chapter page counts, and while she was constantly astounded by her daughter’s mind, sometimes Holly needed to be nudged in a different direction. The chapter page count would turn into a page word count and it could go on for hours. When she was five Holly had counted to a thousand – slowly – on the six-hour drive from London to Holyhead. Ben had described it as the ultimate form of torture. Thankfully, Jools had had her headphones on during the drive, which was the only reason Holly had survived in one piece.
    ‘So, who was your favourite character?’ Alice asked.
    Holly stopped focusing on the word count. Pushing her long hair out of her eyes, she said, ‘I think Jo is just wonderful. And Beth is so kind and sweet, but I was very sad when Amy stole Laurie away.’
    ‘I totally agree. I always thought Jo and Laurie should have ended up together.’
    ‘Professor Bhaer was nice and kind, but Laurie was fun and he was her best friend,’ Holly said.
    ‘And he was rich, young and fit.’ Jools shuffled in. Then, raising her hands, she said, ‘I know I didn’t read it, but I do know the story.’
    Alice took some mushrooms out of the fridge and began to chop them. ‘Relationships are not about money or looks. They’re about love, loyalty and respect.’
    ‘And friendship, Mummy – you always say that Daddy’s your best friend,’ Holly reminded her.
    ‘You’re right, darling, he is.’
    ‘Okay, fine, but being rich and handsome are not bad things either,’ Jools said.
    ‘No, but kindness and decency are much more important,’ Alice replied. Jools was obsessed with fame and celebrity to an extent that sometimes worried Alice. She clearly wasn’t going to thrive in academia, but Alice was concerned that she thought celebrity was some kind of a viable career.
    ‘I love Marmee, too. She’s so wise and gentle,’ Holly gushed.
    ‘And she never shouts,’ Jools said, with a smirk, as she popped a grape into her mouth.
    ‘That’s because she has four daughters who do what they’re told and don’t give her cheek. Besides, I don’t shout a lot.’
    ‘Holly? Back me up! Does Mummy shout a lot?’
    Holly’s eyes grew wide. ‘It depends on the situation.’
    ‘Don’t put Holly on the spot. I know I shout sometimes, but usually with good reason. Now, can you help me tidy up? David and Pippa are coming for dinner. They’ll be here in half an hour and the place is a mess.’
    ‘Where’s Daddy?’ Jools asked.
    Alice gritted her teeth. ‘Stuck in work yet again. Let’s just hope he actually makes it in time to have dinner with the friends
he
invited over.’
    ‘Mum, you need to take a deep breath,’ Jools said. ‘Daddy can’t help being stuck at work. He’s probably saving a life or something.’
    Or just not bothering to come home and help, Alice thought darkly.
    ‘We’ll help you, Mummy,’ Holly said, tidying up the books that were strewn all over the table.
    ‘Thanks, girls – what would I do without you?’
    Within half an hour the kitchen was tidy, candles were lit and dinner was cooking in the oven.
    Ben strolled in at nine.
    ‘Nice of you to turn up,’ Alice snapped.
    ‘Oh, God, don’t start nagging again.’
    ‘Don’t invite your friends for dinner if you’re not even going to be here!’ Alice hissed.
    ‘I’m here now and they haven’t arrived,’ Ben said, as the doorbell rang.
    Alice glared at him and went to check on the food.
    David and Pippa arrived full of good cheer, laden with wine and chocolates.
    While Ben and David had a drink in the lounge and chatted to the girls, Pippa and Alice had a glass of wine in the kitchen.
    ‘So, how are things? I haven’t seen you for about six months,’ Pippa said.
    ‘Life is just so bloody busy all the time – I never seem to catch up with anyone,’ Alice replied. It was true: she never saw her friends from medical school. The surgery, the girls and Ben took up all of her time.
    ‘Oh, darling, I don’t know how you