Read Online Lovestruck by Julia Llewellyn - Free Book Online Page B

said Sandrine, who usually had an enormous appetite, but whose plate now was only half touched. ‘It took me at least six months to feel happy in Hebden. You’ve only been here – what – a month?’
    ‘You’re right. I keep pinching myself. I can’t believe it’s real.’
    Christy sniffed, vaguely appeased.
    ‘I’m sorry, Chris. I know I sound ungrateful, but sometimes it all seems overwhelming. The guy who cleans the windows rang the bell the other day and said he had a deal with Samantha to come once a month for two hundred pounds. I mean … how much is that! But cleaning the windows would take all day here and there’s
no point owning this beautiful house and not looking after it. But, it’s just so …’
    ‘I know,’ Christy said, her tone and expression softening. ‘I understand. I’ve seen it so many times before, you know. Jake’s going to be away a lot, and all your routines have been overturned. There are all sorts of new people hanging around, wanting a piece of him, which is why you’re so lucky
I
am your agent, rather than some money-grabber. I’m going to make sure both you and Jake are looked after.’
    She paused triumphantly. It was Rosie’s cue to sound grateful, and reluctantly she filled it. ‘I don’t know what we’d do without you, Chris. Anyway,’ she continued hastily, ‘what’s the news with the Papadopolouses? How’s Nick?’
    Cuddly, jovial Nick had long retired from his work as a paediatrician and was living in Australia with his second wife, Bettina.
    ‘He’s good,’ Sandrine said. ‘He pulled a ligament the other day jogging, but at least he’s trying to keep fit. They’re hoping to visit next summer. I might go over there at Christmas.’
    ‘Cool!’ Christy exclaimed. ‘I might go with you. Though God knows how I’d manage to get the time off.’
    ‘You’d need to be with Mum, wouldn’t you?’ asked Sandrine, and then after a tiny pause in a quieter voice. ‘How is she?’
    ‘She’s fine,’ Christy said. ‘She’s on a sports kick too,
determined to get her handicap down again. Oh, and Bryan’s thinking of running as a council candidate for UKIP.’
    ‘You’re not serious! Anyway, how can he? They live in France.’
    ‘You’ve never met Bryan. He’ll know a way. He’s got the villa all wired up to get British telly, he reads the
Daily Mail
online every morning first thing and red-arrows other people’s comments, and he’s found a supermarket that sells Marmite and HP Sauce. He collects ale glasses. He wears Reactolite sunglasses. They make him look like a paedophile.’
    ‘I was thinking of writing to her,’ Sandrine said. ‘It’s her seventieth this year. I was hoping …’ She tailed off.
    Christy caught Rosie’s eye and cleared her throat. ‘Be careful, Sand, don’t get your hopes up. You know what Mum’s like. Delicious pork, Ro. I knew you were wasted in IT.’
    ‘It’s lamb, actually,’ Rosie giggled.
    ‘Whatever. You should have been a chef. Though you need to watch the portion sizes with Jake.’
    Rosie put down her fork. ‘Are you serious? Jake’s skinny as a pencil.’
    ‘I know, but he still has to watch it. I mean, he’s not out there to play the romantic leads, fortunately he’s more of a comedy actor, but still … these LA people don’t do fat. They think you’re morally lacking if you’re just a pound overweight. So best go in for the low-fat yoghurt and fruit for now.’
    ‘I …’ Rosie opened her mouth to protest, then shut it again.
    ‘I know I sound like a twat,’ Christy said. ‘But that’s the way these people think.’
    ‘I’m completely full,’ said Sandrine, pushing her unfinished plate away.
    Rosie burst out laughing. ‘With me cooking there’s no chance of Jake getting fat, Chris. I really wouldn’t worry.’
    ‘That’s not what I meant …’ Christy began, but she was drowned out by Rosie and Sandrine’s laughter. Christy laughed too, before asking: ‘So how’s your