Read Online Fall Girl by Toni Jordan - Free Book Online

This is not good. I’ve spoken to the other successful applicants; it does not work this way. This is a delaying tactic. By the next day or two I should have the cheque, feel it in my hand.
    â€˜Daniel, look.’ I sigh, more resignation than despair. Ella look , he says, so Daniel look , I say. Mirroring his words from my mouth is an age-old trick to build rapport, used by everyone from desperate car salesmen to gold-medallioned Lotharios. Age-old, clichéd, yet it works. ‘I’ve been trying to get someone interested in this idea for years. I’ve missed out on more grants than you’d believe. I know there are a lot of worthy projects around. If this is your way of saying you’ve awarded it to somebody else, just tell me. I’m a big girl.’
    I feel two fingers coaxing their way along my spine, sliding down the silk of my night gown. Timothy’s arm slides around my waist and I can feel his mouth on my other ear. I fight the urge to shake my arm like a fly has alighted on it, and cup my hand around the phone. I try to concentrate.
    â€˜I’m sure you are,’ Daniel says. ‘It’s not that at all. In fact I’ve been thinking over the terms of the trust. I’ve been busy lately, with stuff of my own. I’ve been neglectful. I didn’t realise that this is the thirtieth anniversary of my parents’ first awarding the prize. I’m thinking now I should mark it with something really special. To honour them.’
    â€˜Della,’ Timothy breathes. ‘You know how I feel about you.’
    I frown and bend my head toward the phone. ‘What a lovely gesture. Are you thinking of a plaque?’
    â€˜I need to talk to you,’ says Timothy. ‘About our future.’
    â€˜I’m thinking of increasing the amount,’ says Daniel. ‘Dramatically.’
    My head jerks up—I can’t help it. ‘That certainly would be dramatic.’ How much money in a millionaire’s ‘dramatically’, I wonder.
    â€˜I’m not normally insistent,’ says Timothy. ‘Normally I’m very patient. But sometimes a little caveman is required. I want you to know I’m not afraid to be forceful, to get what I want.’
    I shake my head at him. ‘Go away,’ I mouth.
    â€˜Della. I really wish you’d listen,’ he says. ‘It’s very hard to be forceful when you won’t hang up.’
    Daniel is speaking but I can’t hear him. ‘Will you shut up? Just shut up.’
    â€˜Sorry?’ says Daniel.
    â€˜Not you. One of my colleagues.’
    â€˜So, me? You want me to shut up? And I’m,’ Timothy makes imaginary quote marks in the air, ‘a “colleague”.’ He stomps back to the sink and leans against it. ‘You’re making me feel like I’m not as important as whoever’s on the phone.’
    â€˜Clearly I’ve called at a bad time,’ Daniel says. ‘But I’d need to discuss this with you. Face to face.’
    I wave my hand at Timothy, the kind of pacifying sweeps you offer a crying child. ‘I see. Professor Carmichael too?’
    â€˜No, Ella. Not Carmichael. Just you and me. I’m feeling quite a connection to your project. I’m intrigued. I’m thinking something more personal.’
    â€˜Personal,’ I say.
    â€˜Personal?’ says Timothy.
    â€˜Let’s get together this afternoon, at the university. What time are you free?’
    My mind goes blank for an instant, and when I look up Timothy is in front of me, hands on his hips, mischievous smile on his face. ‘You know, when we were kids, you could never resist it when I tickled you. Whenever you were tickled, you’d cave straight away.’
    I back away and mouth ‘don’t you dare’, but he’s already giggling and he makes a sudden grab for my ribs. I hold the phone with one shoulder. With both hands I grab Timothy’s ears