Read Online The Impossible Search for the Perfect Man by Debbie Howells/Susie Martyn - Free Book Online

don’t why I think
women particularly.  Nor do I know why Emma is so vulnerable.
     ‘Why don’t you try a whole twenty
four hours without tuning in to Jerome, including deleting those ridiculous
texty things before you read them?’ I suggest brightly.
    Emma goes pink.  ‘How do you know
about the texts?’
    I give her a look.  I mean, it’s
just so obvious. 
    ‘Maybe.  I’ll think about it,’ she says, meaning well, but I know she won’t. She’s
an addict, after all.
    I give up.  But
only for tonight.
     
    Miles comes over to check Horace. Or so
he says.  I think it’s just an excuse to come and admire him.
    ‘Nice old chap isn’t he?’
    We hang over the paddock fence again and
gaze lovingly at my beautiful horse.  I do a lot of that these days. 
Terrible time wasters, horses are.
    ‘I’m so glad you’ve taken him. Any time
you’re worried, just let me know.  He does have his moments.’
    Miles really does get far too
attached to his patients.
    That evening, I get another surprise
visitor, only this one hasn’t come to see my horse. It’s Leonie, looking pale
and haggard, with dark circles under her lovely eyes.  I feel a flicker of
alarm.
    After I’ve made a pot of tea, we sit in
the garden, so I can turn my chair and gaze lovingly at Horace.
    ‘So how’s Pete?’
    Leonie sniffs and a tear rolls down her
cheek.  I’m shocked.  I can’t remember the last time Leo cried.
    ‘Terrible,’ she says, miserably.
‘Something’s dreadfully wrong, Lou.  I even got to the point where I came
out with it and asked him if he was having an affair.  He went ballistic
and threw his coffee mug at the wall.  It really frightened me.  It
was his favourite one, too.  Honestly Lou...’  Her huge brown eyes
looked so sad.  ‘It’s like he hates me.  He can’t stand me being
anywhere near him.’
    She picks up her mug of tea and sips it,
trying to collect herself.  ‘There’s another thing.  He’s off sick
from work.  Apparently he semi-collapsed down route somewhere, and they
had to fly him home as a passenger.’
    I sit there blinking at her.
 Blimey.  That’s serious in the airline business, which is a most
unforgiving environment.   Poor, poor Pete.   And poor Leonie too.   The whole company will know
by now.   But far more important than that, there’s
something seriously wrong.
    ‘At least one thing’s come out of it,’
she sniffs into a tissue.  ‘The fleet manager wants him to see one of
their doctors.  He’s absolutely refused until now, but this time it looks
as though he doesn’t have much choice.  If he doesn’t go, he’s out of a
job - it’s as simple as that.  But he’s said he will and I’m glad. 
If someone can just tell us what’s wrong, then at least we can do something
about it.’
    ‘When’s the appointment?’ I ask, hoping
it’s soon.
    ‘Next week.  Not too long.’ 
    But nor is it soon enough.
    Horace chooses that moment to wander
over and obligingly place his great head close to Leo so she can stroke it.
 Very therapeutic, horses are.  He doesn’t mind the tears rolling
onto his nose one bit and just stands there with his eyes half closed, being
comforting, while  neurotic Elmer growls jealously from her lowly place at
my feet.  He ignores her.  When you’re as wise and noble as Horace
is, a scruffy dog with a loose screw isn’t a threat.
    Poor, poor Leo.  
What can possibly be wrong with Pete? Physically he seems quite okay, that’s
what Leonie says, anyway.  So what on earth can it be?

7
     
     
    Oh my Lord.  The parents are coming
for Sunday lunch.   Today.   I’ve put it off
as long as I can, and I’m steeling myself for the recriminations I know will be
all too forthcoming from my mother.  Dad will probably - and wisely -
drink a little too much wine and fall asleep in the garden.  I’d like to
do the same.  My mother isn’t easy at the best of times.
    I’m cooking leg of lamb, locally farmed,
with jersey