Read Online Runaway Sister by Ann Jennings - Free Book Online Page A

felt she ought to say something, although she had the feeling that Sophie wasn’t the slightest bit interested in the introductions and was only too anxious to get Adam away.
    â€œComing from Greece, you must have felt the cold here tonight, even more than us,” she said, “and I’m absolutely frozen.”
    â€œOh no,” replied Sophie complacently. “It doesn’t matter to me whether it’s hot or cold, it never affects me.”
    Yes, I can believe that, thought Samantha. When everyone else around is sweating in a heat wave, you’re the sort that will still look cool and calm, not a hair out of place.
    â€œYou certainly do look very cold,” continued Sophie. “They tell me that face powder with a little green in it is good for a red nose.”
    Dai burst out laughing. “I think I prefer her with a red nose,” he said. “I can’t say I’d fancy seeing a green one on her!”
    Samantha felt annoyed. Now she knew her damn nose was red, and it didn’t improve her humor to see that Adam Shaw was grinning too.
    â€œIt’s been very nice meeting you,” she said politely but firmly, giving Dai a little nudge in the direction of the door, “but Dai and I really must be going now, we’ve arranged to meet some friends.”
    â€œOh, where?” asked Adam.
    â€œYou wouldn’t know it, it’s a new place, only just opened,” interrupted Samantha abruptly. “Goodbye. I hope you enjoy your stay in England, Sophie.”
    Without giving Adam any further opportunity to speak she firmly elbowed her way through the crowd, dragging Dai along behind her. When they reached the outside of the Abbey Dai said, “What did you say we were going on to meet someone for? We’re not, are we?”
    â€œNo, we’re not,” said Samantha crossly, “but I didn’t want to stay talking to them all night. What a cheek she had, suggesting I should use green face powder!”
    â€œWell, your nose is pretty red—if it was Christmas you could sign on as one of the reindeer for Santa Claus.”
    Laughing, he dodged the blow Samantha aimed at him. “Hey, watch it! I’m only joking. It’s not that red, just a bit pink. Looks very pretty, as a matter of fact.”
    â€œHuh!” snorted Samantha. “Now, are we or are we not going to get ourselves that whisky?”
    â€œOK, lead the way,” agreed Dai. “I could do with something to warm me up as well.”
    The rest of the evening passed off uneventfully. After their drink they duly bought fish and chips and Dai came back to Samantha’s flat where they ate them and watched a late show on TV. Eventually, after midnight, Samantha handed him his coat and scarf.
    â€œIs that a hint?” asked Dai in his lilting Welsh voice.
    â€œWell,” laughed Samantha, “you could say that.”
    â€œOK, never let it be said I couldn’t take a hint,” he said, winding his long scarf around his neck. “Thanks for a nice evening. We’ll do it again sometime, shall we?”
    â€œYes, that would be nice,” agreed Samantha, “although I’m going to be rather busy for the next few weeks. I’ve promised quite a few friends that I’ll visit them.”
    Dai raised his eyebrows. “As I said before…” he smiled, “…never let it be said that I can’t take a hint!”
    After he had gone Samantha’s thoughts returned, as they seemed to do so often these last few days, to Adam Shaw. She wondered what the relationship was between him and Sophie. Not that she could see how any man could fail to be captivated by anyone as beautiful as her.
    As she was changing for bed her thoughts again strayed back to that passionate kiss Adam Shaw had so unexpectedly snatched in her office. She looked at her pink scrubbed face in the bathroom mirror. Be realistic, she told herself, and stop harboring any