Read Online Are You Ready? by Amanda Hearty - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Amanda Hearty
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the framer would have the pieces back, he arranged a day to collect them. He paused, as if he was about to ask her something else, when Ross suddenly burst through the door singing, and with a big bunch of roses in his hand.
âI will leave you to it, Sarah, and see you in twoweeks.â And with that the fair-headed Galway man walked out the door.
âWait until you hear about Ali,â Sarah exclaimed to Ross. She locked up the Stone Studio and they walked down the road.
28
Ben was out bringing Honey for a walk after work, anything to tire the Labrador out before the Liverpool match came on TV later, when he spotted Laura coming out of a local newsagent.
âHi!â she shouted across the road.
Great, he thought, why is it always when you are out in public in your oldest rugby shorts and gym T-shirt that you meet someone you fancy? He crossed the road and introduced her to Honey, who was slobbering all over him. He and Laura had talked on the phone once or twice but hadnât met for a date yet, so it was a bit awkward to meet like this, especially when he was looking so scruffy.
âSo, what are you doing in Foxrock village?â he asked her.
âJust dropping a friend home from work. I thought I would stop in the shop and buy some dinner, although it is hard buying for one. Everything nowadays is in family packs or for two people. Itâs like the foodindustry forgets there are single people around who might like the odd pizza!â
Ben liked her. She seemed so relaxed and full of life, and better looking than he remembered. And suddenly, before he knew it, he was asking her to grab dinner and drinks with him now in his local pub, where he also knew the Liverpool match would be on in the background.
âOK, sure, beats staying in! Why donât we drop your dog home first?â
As they drove up Benâs driveway in Lauraâs cream and black Mini Cooper, she gasped. âWow! How can you afford a house like this?â
Oh God, he thought, how was he to explain that he still lived at home? But he neednât have worried, because his mum suddenly opened the door. She started asking him whether it was bow- or curly- shaped pasta he liked best? She could never remember. Ben stared in horror, and quickly looked at Laura to gauge her reaction, but she just laughed as she took Honeyâs lead and handed it to Maura OâConnor. Ben introduced the two women, and headed upstairs for a quick shower and change of clothes, praying that Mango, Honey or his mum wouldnât make Laura run a mile. Although he had to laugh, thinking of all the times his mum had asked him âAny girls?â when he came home. And here he was, returning with one after taking the dog for a walk.
Maura OâConnor was thinking the exact samething, and laughing inwardly at how Honey deserved some extra treats this evening for bringing home such a lovely girl!
Laura was very impressed by the OâConnorsâ big house. It was an old, cream gabled building, with a huge porch, large heavy wooden front door and a half-acre of gardens. With the evening sun shining down on the lawn, and tasteful furniture and paintings everywhere, it was like something from a magazine. The Shaker-style kitchen with its Aga was big, yet inviting and warm, and she and Mrs OâConnor sat and had a cup of tea while Maura introduced her to Mango and tried to explain how devastated Ben had been when heâd moved from home and been unable to see his beloved parrot every day. Laura just relaxed and listened to the warm heartbeat of the house and Benâs family.
Ben got dressed as quickly as he could, and before Laura knew it they were in the pub. They ordered tapas and beers, and relaxed, starting to get to know each other. It was about an hour later when Benâs mobile rang. It was an international number calling, and he was surprised to hear Robinâs voice all the way from Cape Town.
âGuess what?â
âI will leave you to it, Sarah, and see you in twoweeks.â And with that the fair-headed Galway man walked out the door.
âWait until you hear about Ali,â Sarah exclaimed to Ross. She locked up the Stone Studio and they walked down the road.
28
Ben was out bringing Honey for a walk after work, anything to tire the Labrador out before the Liverpool match came on TV later, when he spotted Laura coming out of a local newsagent.
âHi!â she shouted across the road.
Great, he thought, why is it always when you are out in public in your oldest rugby shorts and gym T-shirt that you meet someone you fancy? He crossed the road and introduced her to Honey, who was slobbering all over him. He and Laura had talked on the phone once or twice but hadnât met for a date yet, so it was a bit awkward to meet like this, especially when he was looking so scruffy.
âSo, what are you doing in Foxrock village?â he asked her.
âJust dropping a friend home from work. I thought I would stop in the shop and buy some dinner, although it is hard buying for one. Everything nowadays is in family packs or for two people. Itâs like the foodindustry forgets there are single people around who might like the odd pizza!â
Ben liked her. She seemed so relaxed and full of life, and better looking than he remembered. And suddenly, before he knew it, he was asking her to grab dinner and drinks with him now in his local pub, where he also knew the Liverpool match would be on in the background.
âOK, sure, beats staying in! Why donât we drop your dog home first?â
As they drove up Benâs driveway in Lauraâs cream and black Mini Cooper, she gasped. âWow! How can you afford a house like this?â
Oh God, he thought, how was he to explain that he still lived at home? But he neednât have worried, because his mum suddenly opened the door. She started asking him whether it was bow- or curly- shaped pasta he liked best? She could never remember. Ben stared in horror, and quickly looked at Laura to gauge her reaction, but she just laughed as she took Honeyâs lead and handed it to Maura OâConnor. Ben introduced the two women, and headed upstairs for a quick shower and change of clothes, praying that Mango, Honey or his mum wouldnât make Laura run a mile. Although he had to laugh, thinking of all the times his mum had asked him âAny girls?â when he came home. And here he was, returning with one after taking the dog for a walk.
Maura OâConnor was thinking the exact samething, and laughing inwardly at how Honey deserved some extra treats this evening for bringing home such a lovely girl!
Laura was very impressed by the OâConnorsâ big house. It was an old, cream gabled building, with a huge porch, large heavy wooden front door and a half-acre of gardens. With the evening sun shining down on the lawn, and tasteful furniture and paintings everywhere, it was like something from a magazine. The Shaker-style kitchen with its Aga was big, yet inviting and warm, and she and Mrs OâConnor sat and had a cup of tea while Maura introduced her to Mango and tried to explain how devastated Ben had been when heâd moved from home and been unable to see his beloved parrot every day. Laura just relaxed and listened to the warm heartbeat of the house and Benâs family.
Ben got dressed as quickly as he could, and before Laura knew it they were in the pub. They ordered tapas and beers, and relaxed, starting to get to know each other. It was about an hour later when Benâs mobile rang. It was an international number calling, and he was surprised to hear Robinâs voice all the way from Cape Town.
âGuess what?â
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