Read Online Cry of the Wolf by Dianna Hardy - Free Book Online Page A

I’ve not been in touch, it’s just been so crazy this side of the world, and you will not believe what’s happening to me!”
    Holly, her best friend from university who had moved away to Milan, and then New York, to study fashion four years ago after her degree, paused, no doubt waiting for Sarah’s reaction.
    “God damn it, you don’t phone me or write me, reply to my letters, you don’t even text me for two years , and you call me now ?” But it was said in jest, because Holly had always been exuberant and flaky to the max; always living for the present as if tomorrow simply wouldn’t be there.
    “Is now a bad time? I didn’t think you’d be home to be honest – I was going to leave a message. Are you still making those wedding dresses?”
    Sarah rolled her eyes, but smiled. It had always been like that with Holly – she just jumped straight into any conversation as if time and distance never affected anyone. She didn’t love her the way she did Beth – like family – but they had hit it off from day one of university when they had both had to sit through the most boring welcome lecture on dressmaking and design throughout the Elizabethan era. Over the past four years since she’d moved away, Sarah had missed her terribly, but whenever they did manage to talk to each other it was as if they’d never parted. “Designing them, selling them – yeah, I’m still doing that.”
    Another squeal. “Will you make one for me?”
    Sarah’s mouth dropped open. “You are not getting married! Are you getting married?!”
    “YES!”
    And it was Sarah’s turn to yell down the phone in jubilation. “You? You? The last time we spoke you were dating three guys while debating if number four would be more worth your time because of his connections in Milan.”
    She could practically see Holly’s ‘that was so last year’ expression. “But I live in New York now, and Tim is … oh, my god, Sarah, I can’t wait for you to meet him. He is the man every woman wants. When he asked me to marry him I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven … or at least to his chalet in the Côte d'Azur,” she giggled. “You know, he has holiday homes in five different countries – five. And he’s just designed his own, first ever, catwalk collection which débuts this winter – can you believe he’s not gay? Anyway, he’s … and couldn’t … ive … not the way that his … other … ould … b-id-cana-din—”
    “Wait, wait, Holly – you’re breaking up—”
    “—llars to his … ame … What?”
    “I said, you’re breaking up. Can I call you tomorrow?”
    “Tomorrow? That’s … ges away.”
    “I know, but I’m getting ready to go out now, and I want to give you my full attention.”
    “Oh, okay. An-ere nice?”
    “Anywhere nice? The theatre. Russell Maddox is performing here.”
    “The next Brad Pitt? That guy is so hot ov-ere right now.”
    “I know. And I also need to tell you all about the guy I’m dating.” Sarah grinned. “You think yours is hot? We’ll have to take bets on which guy wins on sex appeal.”
    There was a long pause at Holly’s end.
    “Hello?”
    The phone crackled in her ear. Shit.
    Sarah gave her receiver a shake, which she knew was stupid, but still seemed like the right thing to do. Honestly, was Holly phoning from a New York basement? “You still there? The static on this line is awful – you’re really breaking up…”
    “Oh, honey…”
    “What. What is it?”
    “Why the-ell-n’t you call me?”
    Was she having a go at her for not phoning when she was the one who hadn’t contacted her for years?
    “What … ppened t-ay … or?”
    “What? I didn’t hear that.” This was ridiculous. “Are you still on the same number you gave me last time? Can I call you tomorrow?”
    “Sar … be … vastated. He was everything to you.”
    Strangely, her chest tightened with the oddest feeling of unease. “Who? Who are you talking about?”
    “Well, duh. Only … hus-nd.