Read Online Never Ever Leave Me by Elly Grant - Free Book Online Page B

complete John thought he should go home to do his writing up.  It would give his friend his space back and free range to entertain his new girlfriend and John would feel more comfortable both physically and emotionally.  He could return at the agreed date for the final collaboration and collation of the paper.
    “I hope you don’t feel as if I’m forcing you out, mate,” Patrick said when John broached the subject.
    “Not at all, you’ve been a perfect host, but I miss my home and my home town.  The Scottish schools are back now and where I live is very quiet.  It will be easier for me to concentrate on work as there’ll be no distractions.”
    “Ah, distractions,” Patrick pondered.  “I’ll have to knuckle down when you’re away, but Penny is such a distraction.”
    “If I’m not here you’ll be able to work on your own through the day while Penny is in her office then, in the evenings, you’ll be able to spend all your time together without me getting in the way.   It’s the best solution all round.  Not that I don’t like your company, being here with you has got me back into the world and I’m sincerely grateful.”
    “It’s nice of you to say that.   I’ve enjoyed having a mate to hang out with.  We get on so well and I do intend to try to get funding for another project if you’re up for it.”
    “Absolut ely, I think we’re really onto something and I’d relish the opportunity to take it further.”
    “While we’re on the subject of taking things further, have you any plans to see Jenny again?  She likes you.  In fact Penny thinks she’s rather sweet on you,” Patrick said with a wink.
    “All the more reason for me to go home now, she’s a nice girl, but I’m not ready for romance.”
    Over the next twenty-four hours John purchased his train ticket, said goodbye to people he’d met promising to get in touch again when he returned and transferred information from Patrick’s computer onto his and vice-versa.  By the weekend he was on a train northbound to Glasgow.
    …
    After a few weeks Katy was well established in her new job and her new home.  With her first month’s wages she bought flowers and a bottle of whisky for Granny Alison.  She knocked on her neighbour’s door and when it was opened she proffered the gifts.
    “Are you sure you can afford this?” Granny asked , her eyes shining with delight.  “I’m grateful for the generous gift, you know how much I enjoy a wee dram after my dinner and I haven’t had fresh flowers in this house for ages, but I don’t want you to leave yourself short.”
    “It’s my pleasure to give this to you.  It’s just my small way of saying thank you.  You’ve been like a real granny to me these last few weeks and I can’t tell you how much it means to me to have you living next door.”
    “You’ve been like a breath of fresh air in this place, Katy.  Up until you moved in all my neighbours have been old folk and old folk can be so boring.  It’s nice to have some young conversation.  I know Seher’s pleased that you two have become friends.  She’s a nice lassie and clever like you.  I’m just glad her brother hasn’t tried to marry her off to some goat farmer in Pakistan.  The family enjoy the big money she earns so she’s safe for the time being.”
    “Now Granny,” Katy scolded, “You know her sister is going to marry an accountant not a goat farmer and it’s someone she met at university here in Glasgow.  His family live in Pakistan , but he has a big house in Newton Mearns.  I’m sure Nusrat will be very happy.”
    “We’ll see,” the old lady conceded.  “She’ll probably end up a bored housewife with five children instead of being an optician as she was trained to be.  What’s the point of all that work to get a degree when all she’ll end up being is a housewife and mother?”
    “Trust me Granny, if I could be a housewife and mother instead of working full-time and being on my own,