A Change for the Better? by Stephanie Drury Read Free Book Online Page A

corner.
     
    “Is it alright if I come in? I’m not going to get in the way of anything am I?” he asked cautiously.
     
    “No, no” Katie replied “I’ve finished my ‘cooking’ now; it’s quite safe to enter.”
     
    “Wow, you’ve got quite an appetite then.” Ben surveyed the table stacked with food. Katie pulled a face at him.
     
    “Actually, if you must know we are having a house get-together tonight.”
     
    “A house what?” Ben queried
     
    “Get-together - just an informal party, keep everyone on good terms and, according to Mo to make sure they’re all eating properly.”
     
    Ben laughed “That sounds like Mo - always forcing food on people. Ow!” Katie slapped his hand as he tried to pinch a cheese and onion roll.
     
    “Well, I’m not Mo, so you can leave that alone. Here have a biscuit if you’re hungry” Ben took the offered packet and ate a couple of biscuits out of it.
     
    “It does look very nice though,” he said through a mouthful of crumbs “I’m sure you wouldn’t miss one.” he raised pleading eyes to Katie, who remained completely immune.
     
    “Yes actually I would, but look everyone will be here in the next hour. If you want to stay you’re welcome, you can keep the conversation flowing. I recall you were quite good at talking rubbish for indefinite periods.” Katie teased.
     
    “Well, after such a gracious invitation how could I refuse?” Ben answered, with mock affront, “But I would like it to be known I’m staying to sample the food on offer and in no way to help you out of any awkward social situation. OK?” Ben popped another biscuit in his mouth and smiled at Katie.
     
    “Yeah, yeah, whatever, go and finish the door otherwise you’ll be acting as security guard out there.” Katie shooed him towards the door ignoring the cheese and onion roll he sneaked off the plate as he left.
     
    Half an hour later Ben had completed the door replacement and after several test openings and closings by Katie it had passed its examination.
     
    “Although I will miss my daily fall into the hall,” Katie mused sarcastically, “Thanks Ben, how much do I owe you?”
     
    “Don’t worry about that now” Ben replied “I’ll get the office to drop you a bill round next week. Can I use your bathroom to clean up a bit before everyone else arrives? I don’t want to show you up.”
     
    Katie showed Ben to the bathroom and fetched him a clean towel from the airing cupboard. Then she returned to the kitchen and poured herself a large glass of white wine. She was actually pleased to have a friendly face on hand for tonight, and despite his habit of winding her up, Ben felt like an old friend. He was easy to be around and Katie was a bit nervous about the evening, although she had met them all apart from the Dixons, she was nervous of making a poor impression. Katie hadn’t had much need to be around friends socially over the last couple of years. She had always been with Marcus or at a works do where she was playing the part of perfect PA. She’d never really had to be herself and she wasn’t quite sure who she really was at the moment. Taking a large slurp of wine Katie checked the table once more and fiddled with glasses, putting them in strictly parallel lines. Ben returned to the kitchen just as she was checking the table again.
     
    “Don’t worry, it all looks fine” Ben said seriously, picking up on Katie’s tension “Now is there a cold bottle of beer in the fridge.”
     
    Katie passed him a bottle and an opener and flashed him a grateful smile, “I don’t know why I’m nervous,” she laughed “it’s not like I’m entertaining the Queen.”
     
    Just then there was a ring at the doorbell, Katie jumped up and looked at her watch, quarter to seven,
     
    “Oh God, it’s probably Jehovah’s Witnesses or something - just what I need.” Katie left the flat to open the now freely opening front door. As she pulled it open, dreading it being someone