Read Online Summer House by Marcia Willett - Free Book Online Page B

again quickly, seeing his expression. ‘That was tactless, sorry, Milo.’
    â€˜It’s true, though.’ He poured more coffee. ‘It’s just … You know what they say about children of divorced people being more likely to go through it themselves. God, Lottie, I just feel so guilty about things sometimes.’
    â€˜I should think it’s much more to do with the characters themselves,’ she replied calmly. ‘Nick is very attractive and he’s very kind, and his gambling instincts make him good at his job, but he’s insecure, isn’t he? He can’t resist flirting because it gives his self-esteem a boost, and once or twice it’s gone too far and got him into trouble. On the other hand, they both overspend all the time. It might be either. And it’s very early days to be talking about divorce, isn’t it? We shall know soon.’
    â€˜I hate this,’ Milo said grumpily. ‘I shan’t know what to say to him. I just have this feeling that I shall be irritated by him and want to smack him about a bit and tell him to pull himself together.’
    Lottie laughed. ‘Rubbish,’ she said. ‘You always say that.
And then he’ll come in with that Hugh Grant “I know I’ve been a naughty boy” expression and you’ll give him a huge hug and pour him a Scotch.’
    Milo looked sheepish. ‘I’m very fond of the boy,’ he muttered.
    â€˜Of course you are. I told Matt that pussycats don’t get to be brigadiers but I wonder, in your case, if they made an exception. Mind you, you can be as hard as nails with Venetia.’
    He whistled through his teeth, shook his head. ‘Venetia’s a dangerous woman,’ he said. ‘You have to watch your step.’
    Lottie drank some coffee. ‘She’s amazing,’ she said reflectively. ‘You know I have real difficulty in believing that she’s seventy.’
    Milo gave a crack of unsympathetic laughter. ‘So does she! Did you see those heels she was wearing last week? Tottering about like a duck on stilts. She’s going to break an ankle one of these days.’
    Lottie couldn’t help chuckling. ‘I take it all back. You are very cruel.’
    â€˜Nonsense. I wouldn’t dream of saying it to her .’
    Lottie shook her head but said no more. She reflected that this was one of the good things about not being married. She felt no responsibility for Milo’s character; it was not incumbent upon her to reprove him or feel embarrassed by whatever he might say or do. After all, it was no reflection upon her. There was a great freedom within their relationship: none of those sulks or tempers that arose out of the questioning or doubting of love or rights.
    She got up from the table. ‘I’m going to get dressed,’ she said, and went away.

    Milo sat on for a minute, finishing his coffee, feeling more relaxed. Perhaps Nick’s problems wouldn’t be too serious after all. He stood up and began to clear the breakfast things.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    When Imogen hurried to open the door, hoping that Rosie hadn’t been wakened by the ringing of the doorbell, she was startled to see Nick standing outside.
    â€˜Nick!’ she cried, and then automatically put her finger to her lips. ‘Rosie’s asleep. Come on in. What are you doing here? Did you get down last night?’
    â€˜Haven’t been home yet.’ He followed her into the living room, glancing around, smiling his secret smile. ‘I wanted to see you first.’
    â€˜Oh?’ She’d slid behind the breakfast bar and switched on the kettle, and now she turned to look at him, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. ‘Why?’
    He shrugged, still smiling. ‘Because we’re old friends. Aren’t we?’
    â€˜Of course we are.’ She busied herself with mugs and teabags, disturbed as she’d always been by that secret smiling gaze.