Read Online THE FINAL FALSON SAYS I DO by Lucy Gordon - Free Book Online

life that would soon help her to forget the old one.
    She often talked on the phone with Janine, who soon had startling news.
    ‘You’ll never guess what Amos has organised now,’ she said. ‘He’s going to Egypt with Jackson.’
    ‘Whatever for?’
    ‘To play at being the falcon god, I suppose. He’s even managed to get the production company on his side. They love Jackson being a Falcon, and now they’ve got two of them. So we can’t stop him. Amos will be coming to London so that he can take the same flight as Jackson. I’ll be coming too, to see him off.’
    ‘Why don’t you go to Egypt with him?’
    ‘I would if I thought he wanted me. But things are very strange between us now. Sometimes I look up and catch him giving me an odd look.’
    ‘What kind of odd look?’
    ‘I can’t describe it, but it’s one I’ve never seen before. As though he wants to say something but isn’t sure. I almost think he might be going to Egypt to escape from me.’
    ‘That I don’t believe. Not Amos.’
    ‘But he’s not the same Amos. He’s a different Amos, and I don’t know who. Now, darling, can we arrange to meet when we come to London?’
    ‘Easily. My job’s just finishing and I was about to ask for the next assignment.’
    ‘Take a few days off and join us in the hotel so that we can have a little time together.’
    Janine and Amos arrived two days later, and as soon as she met them she knew what her mother meant about Amos. It was as though a quietness had descended on him, making him totally unlike his usual self.
    That night there were only the three of them at dinner. Jackson had called to say that there were last-minute affairs he must see to before he could leave the next day. Once again Freya felt herself dividing into two selves. One of them was disappointed not to see him; the other gave a sigh of relief.
    She wondered if he too was relieved he could keep their meeting short, because next morning it was late when he joined them at the airport.
    ‘Sorry,’ he said, embracing Janine. ‘Lost my passport at the last minute. All right now, though. Nice to see you, Freya. Right, Dad, are you ready to go? Good, then we’ll be off. Goodbye, ladies.’
    Janine opened her arms to her husband. He came into them, but only for a moment, and again Freya saw the sense of unease that he seemed to carry with him these days.
    She was suddenly swamped by an irrational urge to hug Jackson. Despite the hostility that still burned between them it seemed unbearable to part as enemies. Disasters could happen. She might never see him again. Summoning all her courage, she took his arm and said, ‘Don’t I get a hug?’
    His smile had a touch of wryness. ‘Are you sure you want me to hug you?’
    ‘I’ll kick your shins if you don’t,’ she teased, trying to reintroduce some humour into their relationship.
    ‘That’s my girl,’ he said, opening his arms. His hug was brief, but fierce. ‘Goodbye,’ he said huskily.
    ‘Goodbye. Jackson—’
    ‘Gotta be going. Goodbye.’
    Then it was over. The two men were walking away, and the two women watched their retreating figures with hearts that ached. At the entrance the men turned and waved one last time. Next moment they were gone.
    * * *
    Now Freya could really concentrate on putting her life back together. Dan was gone. Jackson was gone. She was free to make a new future.
    She accepted another nursing assignment and when it was finished went out to Monte Carlo. In their phone calls something in her mother’s manner had spoken of loneliness.
    ‘Thank you for coming, darling,’ she said fervently when Freya arrived. ‘You can hold my hand and I can hold yours.’
    Freya hugged her, but said, ‘I don’t need anyone to hold my hand. I’m managing just fine.’
    Janine gave her a worried look, but was too wise to say anything.
    ‘How are they doing in Egypt?’ Freya asked over supper.
    ‘Really well, apparently. Until now they’ve been in Giza, with the