Read Online Cocktails for Three by Madeleine Wickham - Free Book Online Page A

up. Giles always used to love them.”
    â€œRight,” said Maggie after a pause, remembering her one disastrous attempt to make a cake for Giles’s birthday. “That would be great!”
    â€œAnd I’ve brought someone to see you,” said Paddy. “Thought you’d like to meet another young mum from the village.”
    â€œOh,” said Maggie in surprise. “How nice!”
    Paddy beckoned forward a girl in jeans and a pink jersey, holding a baby and clutching a toddler by the hand.
    â€œHere you are!” she said proudly. “Maggie, meet Wendy.”

    As Candice tripped down the stairs to reception she felt elated with her success. Powerful, almost. It justshowed what could be achieved with a little bit of initiative, a little effort. She arrived at the foyer and walked quickly to the chairs where Heather was sitting, dressed in a neat black suit.
    â€œHe said yes!” she said, unable to conceal her triumph. “He’s going to see you!”
    â€œReally?” Heather’s eyes lit up. “What, now?”
    â€œRight now! I told you, he’s always willing to give people chances.” Candice grinned with excitement. “All you’ve got to do is remember everything I told you. Lots of enthusiasm. Lots of drive. If you can’t think of an answer to the question, tell a joke instead.”
    â€œOK.” Heather tugged nervously at her skirt. “Do I look all right?”
    â€œYou look brilliant,” said Candice. “And one more thing. Ralph is sure to ask if you’ve brought an example of your writing.”
    â€œWhat?” said Heather in alarm. “But I—”
    â€œGive him this,” said Candice, suppressing a grin, and handed a piece of paper to Heather.
    â€œWhat?” Heather gazed at it incredulously. “What is it?”
    â€œIt’s a short piece I wrote a few months ago,” said Candice. “On how ghastly London transport is in summer. It was never used in the magazine, and the only other person who read it was Maggie.” A couple of visitors entered the foyer, and she lowered her voice. “And now it’s yours. Look— I’ve put your byline at the top.”
    â€œ ‘London’s Burning,’ “ read Heather slowly. “ ‘By Heather Trelawney.’ “ She looked up, eyes dancing. “I don’t believe it! This is wonderful!”
    â€œYou’d better read it over quickly before you go in,” said Candice. “He might ask you about it.”
    â€œCandice . . . this is so good of you,” said Heather. “I don’t know how I can repay you.”
    â€œDon’t be silly,” said Candice at once. “It’s a pleasure.”
    â€œBut you’re being so kind to me. Why are you being so kind to me?” Heather’s grey eyes met Candice’s with a sudden intensity, and Candice felt her stomach give a secret guilty flip. She stared back at Heather, cheeks growing hot and, for a heightened instant, considered telling Heather everything. Confessing her family background; her constant feeling of debt; her need to make amends.
    Then, almost as she was opening her mouth, she realized what a mistake it would be. What an embarrassing situation she would put Heather— and herself— in by saying anything. It might make her feel better, it might act as a kind of catharsis— but to unburden herself would be selfish. Heather must never find out that her motives were anything but genuine friendship.
    â€œIt’s nothing,” she said quickly. “You’d better go up. Ralph’s waiting.”

    Paddy had insisted on making the coffee, leaving Maggie alone with Wendy. Feeling suddenly a little nervous, she ushered Wendy into the sitting room, and gestured to the sofa. This was the first fellow mother she’d met. And a neighbour, too. Perhaps this girl would become her bosom pal, she thought. Perhaps