Read Online Whiteout by Ken Follett - Free Book Online Page A

bonuses.”
    â€œSo why do you want another man?”
    â€œWell, you know . . .”
    â€œSex? Oh, please. Haven’t you heard of vibrators?”
    Miranda giggled. “It’s not the same.”
    â€œIndeed it’s not. A vibrator is bigger and harder and more reliable and, when you’re done with it, you can put it back in the bedside table and forget about it.”
    Miranda began to feel attacked, as often happened when she talked to her sister. “Ned’s very good with Tom,” she said. Tom was her eleven-year-old son. “Jasper hardly ever spoke to Tom, except to give him orders. Ned takes an interest in him—asks him questions and listens to the answers.”
    â€œSpeaking of stepchildren, how does Tom get along with Sophie?” Ned’s daughter by his first marriage was fourteen.
    â€œShe’s coming to Steepfall, too—I’m picking her up later this morning. Tom looks at Sophie the way the Greeks regarded the gods, as supernatural beings who are dangerous unless pacified by constant sacrifices. He’s always trying to give her sweets. She’d rather have cigarettes. She’s as thin as a stick and prepared to die to stay that way.” Miranda looked pointedly at Olga’s pack of Marlboro Lights.
    â€œWe all have our weaknesses,” said Olga. “Have some more carrot cake.”
    Miranda put down her fork and took a sip of coffee. “Sophie can be difficult, but it’s not her fault. Her mother resents me, and the child is bound to pick up that attitude.”
    â€œI bet Ned leaves you to deal with the problem.”
    â€œI don’t mind.”
    â€œNow that he’s living in your flat, does he pay you rent?”
    â€œHe can’t afford it. That magazine pays peanuts. And he’s still carryingthe mortgage on the house his ex lives in. He’s not comfortable about being financially dependent, believe you me.”
    â€œI can’t think why he wouldn’t be comfortable. He can have a bonk whenever he feels like it, he’s got you to look after his difficult daughter, and he’s living rent-free.”
    Miranda was hurt. “That’s a bit harsh.”
    â€œYou shouldn’t have let him move in without committing to a date for the wedding.”
    The same thought had occurred to Miranda, but she was not going to admit it. “He just thinks everyone needs more time to get used to the idea of his remarriage.”
    â€œWho’s ‘everyone,’ then?”
    â€œWell, Sophie, for a start.”
    â€œAnd she reflects her mother’s attitudes, you’ve already admitted. So what you’re saying is that Ned won’t marry you until his ex gives permission.”
    â€œOlga, please take off your advocate’s wig when you’re talking to me.”
    â€œSomeone’s got to tell you these things.”
    â€œYou oversimplify everything. I know it’s your job, but I’m your sister, not a hostile witness.”
    â€œI’m sorry I spoke.”
    â€œI’m glad you spoke, because this is just the kind of thing I don’t want you to say to Ned. He’s the man I love, and I want to marry him, so I’m asking you to be nice to him over Christmas.”
    â€œI’ll do my best,” Olga said lightly.
    Miranda wanted her sister to understand how important this was. “I need him to feel that he and I can build a new family together, for ourselves and the two children. I’m asking you to help me convince him we can do that.”
    â€œAll right. Okay.”
    â€œIf this holiday goes well, I think he’ll agree to a date for the wedding.”
    Olga touched Miranda’s hand. “I get the message. I know how much it means to you. I’ll be good.”
    Miranda had made her point. Satisfied, she turned her mind to another area of friction. “I hope things go all right between Daddy and Kit.”
    â€œSo do