Read Online The Plan - Chances & Choices Prequel by Helen Karol - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Helen Karol
Tags: Romance, Literature & Fiction, Contemporary, Short Stories, Contemporary Fiction, New Adult & College, One Hour (33-43 Pages), Short Stories & Anthologies, Single Authors
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carefully when Stephen took an unexpected interest.
“Escort?” Stephen Saunders usually ignored his wife machinations, respecting her ability to rule capably over her societal empire, an empire that played a significant role in his financial business success.
“Darling, I’m trying to convince Julian to attend the Spring Charity Ball. It really is the best event for him to appear again, but he’s being difficult.”
Stephen looked down at his pipe and slowly twirled it in his hands. Andrea held her breath. He didn’t look up when he spoke, his voice was matter of fact, and his words directed at Julian were short and to the point.
“You’ve had the pre-requisite year. Your absence won’t be overlooked anymore. It’s just good business.”
He looked up then and walked past his wife back towards the door. He squeezed her shoulder on the way out, his tone infused with soft affection.
“Claire Fitzpatrick is an excellent choice, my dear.”
Chapter Three
The Correct Escort
Claire looked at the quarterly publication in front of her with melancholy. It promoted her father’s favourite event and her first, when six years ago, at fourteen, he deemed her mature enough to accompany him to the many events his career involved. She’d received similar notices all this past year. These events were planned well in advance and her father’s name would be on their mailing list long before his death, almost a year ago. She had binned all of them. Some she had ferociously ripped to tiny shreds first. She felt good afterwards; the violent expression of her feelings cathartic.
This one still sat on her table. It had done for over two weeks. This one she wanted to go to. But she knew that was probably not going to happen. She couldn’t spring for the outrageous plate price – okay not outrageous given the cause – but her father’s various editors and publishers always paid in the past. Her small inheritance left her with the apartment and enough for her education. It did not spring to $5000 a plate charity balls.
There were a couple of guys who would take her but they would expect more for their $5000 than Claire was willing to pay. Another few who would expect less but hope for more and she didn’t want to feed that hope when she had the certain knowledge it would never go anywhere. She should just bin it like the rest. She put it back in the top drawer. You never know, miracles do happen. She pushed off the melancholy and decided to go to for a run and a swim.
Her cell rang just as she was making her way out the door. She grimaced when she saw Andrea Saunders caller id. The woman so irritated her. She was tempted not to answer but past experience knew it would be pointless. Andrea was tenacious. She would just have to agree to whatever volunteer role she had for her now. Andrea clearly felt Claire had to be kept busy.
“Hi, Andrea.” She offered unable to keep the resignation from her voice.
“Now, Claire, don’t worry, I’m not asking you to help with any teas or bazaars, this time. I know you always attended the Spring Ball with your father and I thought you might like go this year as well.
“I...I would, but...”
“Now don’t worry about the plate price, my dear. The committee are happy to offer you a place out of respect for your father, but I do have a bit of a favour to ask.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, I would like you to accompany a friend of ours. His wife died last year and he needs someone who is used to attending these gatherings. I think you would be just right.”
Claire thought about it. Did she want to go enough to spend the time with some old guy who could be really boring or maybe worse? Yes, seemingly she did because the words left her lips before she could stop them.
“Sure, that would be fine.”
“Oh good, I am glad. I think you might be a comfort to each other. His name is Julian. I’ll give him
“Escort?” Stephen Saunders usually ignored his wife machinations, respecting her ability to rule capably over her societal empire, an empire that played a significant role in his financial business success.
“Darling, I’m trying to convince Julian to attend the Spring Charity Ball. It really is the best event for him to appear again, but he’s being difficult.”
Stephen looked down at his pipe and slowly twirled it in his hands. Andrea held her breath. He didn’t look up when he spoke, his voice was matter of fact, and his words directed at Julian were short and to the point.
“You’ve had the pre-requisite year. Your absence won’t be overlooked anymore. It’s just good business.”
He looked up then and walked past his wife back towards the door. He squeezed her shoulder on the way out, his tone infused with soft affection.
“Claire Fitzpatrick is an excellent choice, my dear.”
Chapter Three
The Correct Escort
Claire looked at the quarterly publication in front of her with melancholy. It promoted her father’s favourite event and her first, when six years ago, at fourteen, he deemed her mature enough to accompany him to the many events his career involved. She’d received similar notices all this past year. These events were planned well in advance and her father’s name would be on their mailing list long before his death, almost a year ago. She had binned all of them. Some she had ferociously ripped to tiny shreds first. She felt good afterwards; the violent expression of her feelings cathartic.
This one still sat on her table. It had done for over two weeks. This one she wanted to go to. But she knew that was probably not going to happen. She couldn’t spring for the outrageous plate price – okay not outrageous given the cause – but her father’s various editors and publishers always paid in the past. Her small inheritance left her with the apartment and enough for her education. It did not spring to $5000 a plate charity balls.
There were a couple of guys who would take her but they would expect more for their $5000 than Claire was willing to pay. Another few who would expect less but hope for more and she didn’t want to feed that hope when she had the certain knowledge it would never go anywhere. She should just bin it like the rest. She put it back in the top drawer. You never know, miracles do happen. She pushed off the melancholy and decided to go to for a run and a swim.
Her cell rang just as she was making her way out the door. She grimaced when she saw Andrea Saunders caller id. The woman so irritated her. She was tempted not to answer but past experience knew it would be pointless. Andrea was tenacious. She would just have to agree to whatever volunteer role she had for her now. Andrea clearly felt Claire had to be kept busy.
“Hi, Andrea.” She offered unable to keep the resignation from her voice.
“Now, Claire, don’t worry, I’m not asking you to help with any teas or bazaars, this time. I know you always attended the Spring Ball with your father and I thought you might like go this year as well.
“I...I would, but...”
“Now don’t worry about the plate price, my dear. The committee are happy to offer you a place out of respect for your father, but I do have a bit of a favour to ask.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, I would like you to accompany a friend of ours. His wife died last year and he needs someone who is used to attending these gatherings. I think you would be just right.”
Claire thought about it. Did she want to go enough to spend the time with some old guy who could be really boring or maybe worse? Yes, seemingly she did because the words left her lips before she could stop them.
“Sure, that would be fine.”
“Oh good, I am glad. I think you might be a comfort to each other. His name is Julian. I’ll give him
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