Read Online A Friend of the Family by Marcia Willett - Free Book Online Page A

jersey when the doorbell rang and for one glorious moment his heart leaped up. Could Thea possibly have come back unexpectedly? He hurried out into the tiny hall and flung open the door.
    â€˜Hello, George,’ said Felicity. ‘How nice to see you again. May I come in?’
    She stepped past him, across the hall and into the living room, gave a swift glance round and turned to him with a smile.
    â€˜Felicity . . . ’ George, recovering from the overwhelming shock, gestured awkwardly, shrugged helplessly and then shook his head.
    â€˜Sorry to take you by surprise.’ She was still smiling at him. ‘I missed the four-thirty-five train and the next one is always so crowded that I decided to catch a later one. And it occurred to me that it would be nice to see you. It’s been a year, George. Do you realise that?’ She laughed at his expression. ‘I see that I’ve rendered you speechless. May I sit down?’
    â€˜Of course. Yes, do. Would you like a drink?’ George was galvanised into speech and action. The friendliness of her smile and the calm tone of her voice disarmed him and he smiled back tentatively.
    â€˜I should love one.’ She sat down on his sofa, crossed one bony knee over the other and turned slightly to watch him pour the drinks. ‘Thea told me about your little hideaway—you know I’ve been over to introduce myself?—and I decided to come and see for myself. I like your wife, George. You’re a very lucky man.’
    George felt faint with relief. It looked as if, after all, everything was going to be all right. He handed her a gin and tonic, overcome by her generosity.
    â€˜It all just swept me off my feet, you see,’ he began and then hesitated a little. He didn’t want to be tactless.
    Felicity raised her eyebrows and took a little sip. ‘I’m not a bit surprised. She’s a real sweetie.’ She looked at him as he sat opposite her, a more measuring glance, and he began to feel uncomfortable again. ‘You could have told me, you know, George.’
    Her voice was reproachful, hurt, and George experienced a wave of guilt.
    â€˜It was all so quick . . . ’ Once again he hurried into speech but she shook her head, made a negative gesture with her free hand and grimaced a little.
    â€˜Let’s forget it, shall we? All over now. But I’d still like to be friends. We don’t have to lose twenty years of friendship just because you’re married, do we? After all, I was married for all those years.’
    George glanced at her sharply. Was she implying that he could deceive Thea as she had deceived Mark? But Felicity was looking round the room, her expression unreadable.
    â€˜Perhaps we could all get together?’ he suggested cautiously. ‘You must come over for supper.’
    â€˜I should love to!’ She took him up on it at once. ‘In fact I hoped to be invited before now. Thea and I get on very well, you know. Oh, by the way, I don’t think we should tell her, do you? About us, I mean. No need to hurt her. She’s so young and innocent.’
    George’s heart expanded with relief and gratitude and he came nearer to loving Felicity at that moment than at any time during the previous twenty years.
    â€˜I’d come to that conclusion myself,’ he said.
    â€˜I’m sure you had.’ She was smiling at him and after a moment George smiled back. ‘And now'—her tone suggested that all the deception and hurt was behind them and forgotten-’what do you say to taking me out for a bite to eat before the train goes?’
    â€˜Oh!’ George was taken aback by this direct approach and one or two alarm bells sounded.
    â€˜Just a quick snack? For old times’ sake?’
    She was still smiling at him but now it had an almost wistful quality and George was seized with remorse. He had treated her disgracefully and she was being so forgiving and generous.