Thicker Than Water Read Online Free PDF Page B

unease. He’d have liked their families to meet; it would have somehow rooted her more securely, made it a more normal affair.
    Relinquishing the prospect, he asked, ‘So who would you like to be there?’
    ‘Just my three closest friends, your parents, and Ben and Tina, if they’ll come.’ She paused. ‘Is that all right from your angle?’
    ‘Well, I’d have liked to show you off to the world, but there’ll be time for that later. We can all have lunch afterwards – I’ll book a private room somewhere. So – name the day, my darling.’
    ‘How about Saturday the eighteenth, in three weeks’ time? Will that give you long enough to sort things out?’
    ‘All I have to do is fix a loft ladder!’
    She laughed. ‘I’ll have to consider what to do with the flat. Since there’s no room at your place, I think I’ll let it furnished, and just bring personal things with me. Which, of course, includes my easel and work materials.’
    ‘But there must be some things of sentimental value? I’m sure we could find room.’
    ‘I don’t do sentiment, James.’
    ‘You mean, you didn’t!’
    He heard the smile in her voice. ‘Even now, only in very prescribed circumstances. No, really. I bought the furniture when I moved into the flat; now I’m moving out, I’ve no further use for it.’
    ‘OK, you know best. Admittedly we’d be rather strapped for space. I must go, sweetie; I’m off to make my peace with Tina and Ben. I’ll phone tomorrow, and you’ll be here on Friday, won’t you?’
    ‘Yes, as soon as I can get away.’
    ‘I’ll have an extra key cut, then you won’t be dependent on my getting home before you. Speak to you tomorrow, then. Love you.’
    ‘Love you, too. Good luck with Tina and Ben.’
    After a cool and cloudy week, Friday ushered in an Indian summer. The forecast was for continuing high temperatures, and Abigail was thankful to leave the humid, air-starved city and head west for the country. She drove with the windows open, relishing the wind of passage that lifted her hair and, though warm, provided the illusion of freshness.
    On this occasion, she drove straight to the alleyway and parked, as before, next to James’s black Peugeot. Rounding the corner into the square, she found the front door of the flat standing open, and a bouquet of roses on the bottom stair.
    ‘James?’ she called, and he came running down to greet her.
    ‘I’ve never known such a long week,’ he declared, pulling her close. ‘But only another three to go, and we’ll be together all the time.’
    ‘I see I have an admirer,’ Abigail commented, eyeing the bouquet.
    ‘A very devoted one.’
    ‘It’s gorgeous. Thank you.’ She stooped to retrieve it, and they went together up the stairs. Already, the sunny room with its pale walls and colourful rugs felt like home. Abigail drew a long, tremulous breath.
    ‘It’s lovely to be back,’ she said.

Three
    By the Saturday, it would be hard to say which of the three couples meeting for lunch was the most apprehensive. Though James had been told twelve thirty, Rosemary asked her daughter to arrive at twelve, ‘to provide moral support’.
    Tina’s family had not been cooperative. ‘But we went there last weekend,’ Charlie grumbled. ‘Archie’s parents have invited me to go swimming.’
    ‘Well, I’m sorry, but this is a special occasion. Aren’t you interested in meeting Uncle James’s new fiancée?’
    ‘No!’ he said flatly.
    ‘Surely you are, Lily?’
    Her daughter shrugged. ‘How long will this one last? He was going to marry Sylvie till last week.’
    ‘That’s enough!’ Ben said sharply.
    ‘Anyway, Saturday isn’t grandparents’ day, and Debs and I are booked to go riding.’
    ‘You can’t always do as you want,’ Tina retorted, her patience wearing thin. She wasn’t looking forward to the day herself, and could do without aggravation from her family.
    As the children sulkily left the breakfast table, Ben put an arm round her.