This Is Your Life Read Online Free PDF Page B

off…’
    ‘What insurance?’  He’d insured their wedding?   ‘He never mentioned it to me…’
    ‘Hardly surprising, is it?  You know what he’s like…’ said Katie bluntly.
    Lizzie was silent.   What sort of man did that, sneakily, behind their partner’s back.  What else didn’t she know about?  Anger crept up on her – helpfully – offsetting some of the guilt.
    ‘ So, what are your plans?’ asked Katie cautiously.
    ‘I’m not exactly sure.   I’m in a little village several miles off the M4.  It’s called Littleton.  My car’s off the road for who knows how long, Dave’s garage hasn’t started on it and I’m stuck in this rip-off pub because there isn’t anywhere else.  Oh Katie – it’s the middle of nowhere and I’m stranded!’ 
    ‘Well , you need another mobile,’ said Katie practically.  ‘And I don’t suppose they sell them in the village stores round there.  Or Dave’s garage for that matter… At least I know where you are now and if your car doesn’t get fixed, I’ll get one sent to you.  In fact, why don’t I do that right now?’
    ‘Oh. No.’ It came out all high-pitched.  She wasn’t staying another whole day.  ‘Katie, my car will be fixed.  I won’t be here.’
    ‘Lizzie.  I think you better go and actually ask that garage man what’s happening.  And phone me straight back.’
    ‘Ok,’ said Lizzie, able to put the moment off no longer.  ‘But Katie, please, please don’t tell Jamie where I am.’
    ‘As if,’ said her friend disbelievingly.  ‘Just so you know, Lizzie, even if this is all a bit spur of the moment, I think you’ve made the best decision…’
     
    The sun was shining as Lizzie made her way back up the lane to the garage, the air full of the heady scent of apple blossom tinged with damp earth from last night’s rain.  This time it was an enormous shiny Discovery that nearly flattened her into the hedge, and she was starting to see what everyone was so heated about.  She spotted the girl she’d met in the pub last night – Antonia - who waved at her before climbing onto a huge orange horse.
    Lizzie’s car was exactly where she’d left it, doors closed, bonnet down, looking to all intents and purposes like it was finished and ready to go.  Her hopes up, she went to look for Dave who was watering his window boxes, which raised her hopes further.  After all, he’d hardly be doing something that trivial if he had a car to work on - would he? 
    ‘Mornin’ Miss!  Lovely one inn’t it!’ 
    ‘ Hello Dave.  Is it done?’
    ‘Oh , dear me no.  What gives you that idea Miss?’ Dave folded his arms and chuckled.  ‘No.  See.  I need Mick here to do that.  Thought e’d be in today, see.’
    Lizzie felt a wave of impatience.  Couldn’t he have mentioned this yesterday?  Hadn’t he understood that she needed to be on her way? 
    ‘Look Dave , this is really urgent. When exactly will Mick be here? Because if it’s not soon, I’ll have to make other arrangements.  I need my car fixed because I need to be on my way somewhere…do you see?’
    But Dave just shook his head and gazed at her benignly.  ‘Trouble is Miss, that car ain’t goin’ nowhere.  Tried to move it meself just this mornin’.  Totally seized up like.  Won’t go at all.’
    Lizzie took a step back, swallowing her disappointment. It was too unfair.  This wasn’t supposed to happen, least of all now, when she should be back on the M4 heading ever closer to the wilds of Cornwall. She swallowed hard.
    ‘Dave, do you know when Mick is coming in?’
    Dave considered for a moment.  ‘Well, see, mebbe tomorrow like, or mebbe today, later on.  Mebbe next week… not altogether that sure.’  He scratched his head with oily fingers.
    Next week? Lizzie stared at the oil-streaked hair.
    ‘ Please can you tell me as soon as Mick gets here?  Only I’m supposed to be somewhere else…’
    ‘Oh aye, Miss. Now don’t you go