Read Online Across the Lagoon by Roumelia Lane - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Roumelia Lane
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be mildly acquainted.
Throughout the evening the topics centred around government policy on this and that, and the latest news on the Stock Exchange. Carol even found herself relaxing under cover of the dreary conversation. She discovered she needn't crouch over her plate quite so rigidly, and sitting back a little she was able to let her gaze wander at times over the room.
Gradually she got to the point where she was secretly enjoying the occasion. The food was deliciously cooked. There was so much to see in the gaunt Victorian atmosphere of the room; red-faced colonel types dining with their ladies, an Indian couple in colourful dress, and several matronly ladies, one of whom had a gorgeous white toy poodle which would keep jumping about on its hind legs.
No one appeared to be in any hurry to tear themselves away from the restaurant. The waiters served the courses leisurely, the music played on discreetly in the background and time drifted pleasantly by. Apparently one took the whole of the evening to dine in London.
When at last the tables started to empty, Gray Barrett nodded a farewell to his business friends and led the way out into the foyer. Though he himself was obviously heading for the bar he made it clear that the girls should go to their room and get to bed. He told them, in his crisp tones, to be all packed and down at eight in the morning for breakfast. Then with a brisk 'Goodnight,' he left them drifting towards the stairs.
Carol was in no mood to care one way or the other about being packed off to bed. She was thrilled at the way she had spent her Saturday night. Anything further would only have shattered her dreamy contentment. Besides, there was tomorrow to look forward to, and Italy!
She felt the thick carpet of the staircase beneath her feet. At the top, on a mischievous impulse, she flopped down on one of the big old-fashioned sofas with their blown-up-looking cushions and upholstery. Sinking into it, she laughed at Stephanie, 'Come on! It's fun.'
Stephanie, being young, patiently obliged, though her smile was strained and that animated light of earlier was missing now from her eyes.
When the girls turned they could see through the balustrade down to the foyer below. They stayed there for a while, peeping at the people coming and going, then the younger girl said, wearying of the game, 'Let's get to bed, shall We?'
The corridors were dimly lit. They went along to their room, switched on the light and closed the door behind them.
Stephanie wasted no time in preparing for bed. Carol thought that she might as well go too. She knew that beneath her excitement she was dreadfully weary, and an early night would probably be the wisest.
They each made trips to the bathroom to scrub their hands and faces for the night, returning with shining complexions, the fragrance of soap lingering around their bathrobes. When they had brushed their hair and slipped into nightwear, Carol padded to the door and switched out the light. The roadside lamps shone faintly through the heavy curtains, filled the room with a pale glow as she made for her bed. She slipped between the sheets and lay happily staring at the ceiling.
She thought of the day with all its emotional ups and downs, while she had tried to get used to the imperious ways of Gray Barrett. She thought about her family. She could just see them now, grouped around the television in the living room, some watching, the others causing chaos.
But most of all she thought of tomorrow and Italy. Was she really going abroad? She still couldn't believe it. She knew lots of girls who had already managed to see at least one foreign country, but the possibility of her doing the same herself had always seemed very remote. Now here she was. Her bags were packed, she had a brand-new passport, and tomorrow she would actually be flying!
What would it be like, speeding through the air for the first time? She was casting her mind back to all the girlish chatter she had
Throughout the evening the topics centred around government policy on this and that, and the latest news on the Stock Exchange. Carol even found herself relaxing under cover of the dreary conversation. She discovered she needn't crouch over her plate quite so rigidly, and sitting back a little she was able to let her gaze wander at times over the room.
Gradually she got to the point where she was secretly enjoying the occasion. The food was deliciously cooked. There was so much to see in the gaunt Victorian atmosphere of the room; red-faced colonel types dining with their ladies, an Indian couple in colourful dress, and several matronly ladies, one of whom had a gorgeous white toy poodle which would keep jumping about on its hind legs.
No one appeared to be in any hurry to tear themselves away from the restaurant. The waiters served the courses leisurely, the music played on discreetly in the background and time drifted pleasantly by. Apparently one took the whole of the evening to dine in London.
When at last the tables started to empty, Gray Barrett nodded a farewell to his business friends and led the way out into the foyer. Though he himself was obviously heading for the bar he made it clear that the girls should go to their room and get to bed. He told them, in his crisp tones, to be all packed and down at eight in the morning for breakfast. Then with a brisk 'Goodnight,' he left them drifting towards the stairs.
Carol was in no mood to care one way or the other about being packed off to bed. She was thrilled at the way she had spent her Saturday night. Anything further would only have shattered her dreamy contentment. Besides, there was tomorrow to look forward to, and Italy!
She felt the thick carpet of the staircase beneath her feet. At the top, on a mischievous impulse, she flopped down on one of the big old-fashioned sofas with their blown-up-looking cushions and upholstery. Sinking into it, she laughed at Stephanie, 'Come on! It's fun.'
Stephanie, being young, patiently obliged, though her smile was strained and that animated light of earlier was missing now from her eyes.
When the girls turned they could see through the balustrade down to the foyer below. They stayed there for a while, peeping at the people coming and going, then the younger girl said, wearying of the game, 'Let's get to bed, shall We?'
The corridors were dimly lit. They went along to their room, switched on the light and closed the door behind them.
Stephanie wasted no time in preparing for bed. Carol thought that she might as well go too. She knew that beneath her excitement she was dreadfully weary, and an early night would probably be the wisest.
They each made trips to the bathroom to scrub their hands and faces for the night, returning with shining complexions, the fragrance of soap lingering around their bathrobes. When they had brushed their hair and slipped into nightwear, Carol padded to the door and switched out the light. The roadside lamps shone faintly through the heavy curtains, filled the room with a pale glow as she made for her bed. She slipped between the sheets and lay happily staring at the ceiling.
She thought of the day with all its emotional ups and downs, while she had tried to get used to the imperious ways of Gray Barrett. She thought about her family. She could just see them now, grouped around the television in the living room, some watching, the others causing chaos.
But most of all she thought of tomorrow and Italy. Was she really going abroad? She still couldn't believe it. She knew lots of girls who had already managed to see at least one foreign country, but the possibility of her doing the same herself had always seemed very remote. Now here she was. Her bags were packed, she had a brand-new passport, and tomorrow she would actually be flying!
What would it be like, speeding through the air for the first time? She was casting her mind back to all the girlish chatter she had
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