Read Online Relative Happiness by Lesley Crewe - Free Book Online Page B

Lexie’s best guess was that she was related to the head librarian. She just never had the guts to ask.
    But Lexie sure didn’t need her shit today. She ignored Marlene for as long as possible, but she kept it up.
    â€œYou’ve got a face like a poker. What’s your problem? Can’t get a man?”
    â€œFuck off.”
    The two little boys who sat at a table nearby dissolved into snorts. The head librarian resorted to her famous “SHHHHHHH,” but it was a lost cause. She’d made their day.
    Lexie left work early, pleading a migraine. She wanted to make Adrian his favourite supper. He loved beef stew and he needed something to put meat on his bones. She wondered if he was coming down with something. He swore he wasn’t, but she knew better. He didn’t even tease Sophie, even after she purposely walked on him as he lay on the floor reading.
    She stopped by the local corner store on her way home from work. The little bell tinkled when she pushed the door open. There was Lester, behind the counter. He was always behind the counter. He lived there.
    He smiled his toothy grin. “Hey girlie, how’s my best customer?”
    She was his best customer. With the amount of chocolate she’d purchased over the years, he could have retired and moved to Florida years ago. “Hi Lester. Are ya being good?” He loved it when she said that.
    His shoulders moved up and down as he laughed without making a sound. She’d never known anyone who could do that. His eyes would crinkle; his face would light up. His head and shoulders would shake frantically, but he never made a peep.
    â€œI’m good girl, good. Are you getting a little somethin’ for Sophie?”
    Her cat was famous. She nodded.
    â€œI hear tell them fellas over at the pier landed a six-hundred-pound tuna today. Might keep her going for a day or two.” His shoulders moved up and down so quickly they were a blur.
    â€œOh Lester, what would I do without you?”
    â€œWell girlie,” he wiped his eyes, “I’m afraid I’m spoken for.”
    Lester had two widows fighting for his affection. They kept him well supplied with hot tea biscuits, oatcakes and mincemeat tarts.
    Yes, she thought, even dear old Lester has a love life. She picked up her paper, three tins of cat food, a lotto ticket and her Cadbury bar. She gave Lester his money, and he patted her hand when he passed her the change.
    â€œCheer up girlie.”
    Did she look that bad? What was the matter with everyone?
    Sophie greeted her at the door. She meowed and meowed. There was something wrong. She looked at Lexie with her sweet furry face.
    â€œWhat’s the matter, my love?” Oh, please don’t let anything happen to Sophie. She picked her up and gave her a cuddle, but she kept at it. Gosh, that wasn’t like her. Lexie walked down the hall and into the living room.
    She stopped dead.
    Adrian lay by the fire while Gabby straddled him. Her beautiful body glowed in the fireplace light as they moved as one, her gorgeous copper hair cascading down her back. They had eyes only for each other.
    She must have cried out because they turned around, saw her and immediately scrambled to cover up.
    â€œOh my God, Lex!” Gabby cried as she reached for her camisole. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for this to happen…”
    She couldn’t think of anything to say, except, “In front of Sophie?”
    Adrian jumped into his jeans and started to button them up. “Lexie, wait!”
    She walked out of the house with her cat in her arms.

Chapter Four
    She spent the night with Beth. She didn’t tell her sister why she needed to sleep on her sofa bed or why she had her cat with her and Beth was too worn out to ask or care. She was busy wading through toys and trying to settle an argument between the girls about who would get to sleep with the giant Pooh Bear their father brought