Read Online With the Headmaster's Approval by Jan Hurst-Nicholson - Free Book Online Page A

perfumed the garden.  Flora had cut it back at the right time and it was full of blossoms, the best it had been for several years.”  His grin was even wider. “Should I perhaps have chosen a more interesting page?”
    Oh, God, he was referring to the gardening. He was enjoying her discomfort. Her face must be crimson.  Was he teasing her, or flirting with her? She’d had one of her characters declare that if a man and a woman were discussing sex, they were flirting.
    “ Nicole, my late wife’s kid sister, used to read these as a teenager. But I warned her against them,” he said.
    “Why ever would you do that? It’s just a bit of harmless escapism. Fiction is real life magnified, but with the boring bits omitted.”
    “I told her she was setting herself up for a disappointment. No man in real life is going to match up to the ones she was reading about in the books. Not every romance ends happily ever after.”
    “So you’ve read a lot of romance novels and you’re talking from experience? ”
    “ Touché . But I did read one – skimmed through it actually. Nicole insisted. She said I could only argue with her if I knew what I was talking about.  She was very passionate about it,” he added, laughing. He placed the book back in the bookshelf.
    She waited before quietly replying, “Yes, teenage girls can be very intense with their feelings and emotions.”
    He glanced up slightly puzzled at her tone and she wondered if he’d read the warning. He came to sit beside her, his knees almost touching the carved wooden coffee table. He was sitting in the cat’s place and she hoped he wouldn’t end up with cat hairs on his expensive suit.
    She poured the tea and handed him a cup saying, “Perhaps more men should read romance books and then they’d find out what women really want. Romance sells more than any other genre, especially with e-books - now that other people can’t see what you’re reading.”
    “And, in your opinion, what sort of men do women really want?”
    “A lovable rogue.”
    “In books, or in real life?”
    “Lovable rogues for dating, but lovable rogues don’t often make good marriage material. It’s like men who date girls they wouldn’t take home to their mothers.”
    “So, are you dating a lovable rogue – or waiting for a man with marriage potential?”
    This was getting too personal. He was teasing her.  She was saved by a knock on the door and got up to answer it. “Hi Charlie, won’t you come in,” she said. A man in his forties followed her into the room. He looked at Adam with suspicion.
    Adam rose and Faye introduced them. “Adam, this is Charlie. He lives across the road. Charlie this is Adam Wild, he’s Head of Erica’s school.”
    “Pleased to meet you, Charlie,” said Adam, offering his hand. But Charlie didn’t look as pleased to meet Adam and merely nodded a greeting as he shook hands.
    He said to Faye. “I didn’t see your car in the driveway. I was wondering if everything is ok.”
    “I had a bit of trouble with it and Adam brought us home.” She turned to Adam. “Charlie worries about us. Two women on their own.”
    “Charlie is probably right to be concerned. I’m glad to hear you have someone looking out for you.”
    “Would you like some mint tea?” Faye asked Charlie. “I’ve just made some.”
    “No, thanks. I’d better get back to Mum,” he said, turning to leave. “Bye Faye. Goodbye Mr Wild.”
    Faye closed the door behind him, wondering why he had been so curt with Adam.
    “His Mum had a stroke,” she explained . “He gave up a good job in drafting to look after her. He still draws house plans from home, and he makes furniture.  It used to be a hobby, but now it’s part of their income. He could make a lot more money, but he’s a perfectionist and only makes furniture to order and he takes his time. He made me this coffee table.”
    Adam ran his fingers along the polished surface. “I can see what you mean by being a