Read Online Between The Sheets by Colette Caddle - Free Book Online Page B

on your plate, don't you?'
    'Yes,' she agreed, 'but the offer is still there.'
    Dana's eyes filled up as they hugged. 'Thanks, Ashling, I appreciate it.'
    As she closed the door, Iris emerged from the kitchen.
    'She's a nice girl, isn't she?' the woman commented, going into the sitting room to collect the tray.
    Dana trailed after her. 'Yes.'
    'You need your friends at times like this,' Iris continued.
    'Yes,' Dana said again, thinking maybe it was time she called Judy.
    'Dana, I'd almost given up on you!'
    'Sorry, Judy.'
    'That's okay, I'm just happy you called. I've been so worried about you.'
    Dana smiled. How could this woman — who never saw her from one end of the year to the other — care so much? 'How are things with you?'
    'Too unbelievably boring to talk about,' Judy said breezily. 'Now, tell me about you.'
    'Nothing to tell.'
    'If there was nothing to tell you wouldn't be calling me,' Judy retorted.
    Dana smiled although she felt close to tears. 'Okay, then, I'm falling apart. Will that do?'
    'Oh, Dana! Would you like me to come up?'
    'No, of course not, silly! You've got the kids to look after.'
    'Phil could manage for a few days.'
    'No, really, it's okay. I just need to pull myself together and get back to work.'
    'You're not writing?'
    Dana sighed. 'No. I've tried but I just can't seem to produce anything other than gibberish.'
    'Wow. That's a first,' Judy breathed.
    Dana closed her eyes and gripped the phone tightly. 'Yes, it is.'
    'You know what I think? I think you need to go and see Gus and find out exactly where you stand.'
    'I'm not going crawling after him.'
    'I'm not suggesting you do anything of the sort. Just ask him to clarify things. If it's definitely over then you need to know. You need to make it official.'
    'But I don't want to,' Dana wailed. 'I just want him to come home.'
    'And you really don't know why he left?'
    Dana stiffened at the incredulity in Judy's voice. 'Not really.'
    'Talk to me, Dana,' Judy said firmly.
    Dana sighed. 'He said I didn't confide in him. He asked if I'd trusted him with my deepest, darkest secrets.'
    'Which of course you hadn't.'
    'Judy!'
    'Well, it's true.' Her friend was unabashed. 'Did you ever even take him down to Wexford?'
    'Of course I haven't. You know that.'
    'It's your home!'
    'Was,' Dana corrected. 'But that was a very long time ago.'
    'Have you really told him nothing?' Judy's voice was barely a whisper.
    'Nothing.'
    For a moment there was a stunned silence at the other end of the phone. 'But you love him and he loved you.'
    Dana closed her eyes briefly at Judy's use of the past tense. 'Judy, you know what it was like at home; can't you understand why I wouldn't want to talk about it?'
    'You know I do, but Gus is your husband! He loves you, Dana. Can you imagine how hurt he would be if he heard the truth from anyone else?'
    Dana shivered. 'That could never happen.'
    'You don't know that.' When Dana didn't reply, Judy continued more gently. 'Go and see him, Dana. Make him talk to you. Even if your marriage is over, you won't be able to move on until you do.'
    Dana relented, realizing the truth of Judy's words. 'I suppose that's true.'
    'Call him,' Judy instructed.
    'Maybe in a few days—'
    'No, right now,' Judy insisted. 'Before you get cold feet.'
    Dana swallowed hard and nodded even though her friend couldn't see her. 'Okay, then, I will.'
    'And let me know what happens, won't you?'
    'Promise. And Judy? Sorry I didn't call sooner.'
    'Hey, you never have to say sorry to me.'
     
    'Johnson and Cleary, can I help you?'
    'Hi, Ann, it's Dana here. Is Gus in?'
    'Oh, hi, Dana,' the receptionist said brightly. 'No, I'm sorry, he isn't here today.'
    'Oh, okay, I'll try his mobile.'
    'You may not get him,' the girl warned. 'He's in meetings all day at a customer's offices and he said he would probably have his mobile switched off. If you like I can put you through to his office and you can leave a message.'
    'No, that's okay, I'll get him again.' Dana put down the