Accidental Reunion by Carol Marinelli Read Free Book Online Page B

work out what makes you tick, Lila. Finished trying to be nice.
    ‘And in case you were hoping this job might be a stop-gap, you couldn’t be more wrong. I’m through with travelling and I intend to stay around a while, so you’d better get used to having me around.’
    He made to go then stopped suddenly. ‘One finalthing. I wasn’t going to the ball this Saturday, even though I’m expected to go. Even though it’s the first social occasion since I’ve been here and it could only help me to settle in. The nice guy that I am had decided as you were going I’d make things easier on both of us and stay away. But seeing as the gloves are off now, when you put your name down on the list, do me a favour and add mine.
    ‘And guess what?’ he added nastily. He took the syringe of antibiotics from her and, checking the vial, gave her a wintry smile. ‘I might even ask the charming Sister Bailey for a dance.’

CHAPTER FOUR
    ‘Y OU ’ RE positive you don’t mind?’ Lila checked with Shirley for the umpteenth time, half wishing for a last-minute reprieve.
    ‘Of course I don’t mind. Ted’s just been to the video shop and hired a couple of movies.’ She opened the carrier bag on the kitchen table and giggled. ‘I don’t know what’s got into him all of a sudden—romantic films, he’s bought a bottle of wine for tonight and a box of my favourite chocolates—so don’t you even think about coming home early. Who knows what you might find!’
    That was just a tad too much information for Lila’s liking but she managed a grin. ‘It’s been so long since I’ve been out I’ll probably turn into a pumpkin if I stay out past midnight.’
    They were sitting in the kitchen, face packs on and heated rollers in as they painted each other’s nails.
    ‘Rubbish. Anyway, it will do you the world of good. You used to love going out. What are you going to wear?’
    ‘If only I knew!’
    ‘But you’ve got loads of gorgeous dresses in your wardrobe.’
    Lila rolled her eyes. ‘If you like taffeta.’
    ‘What about that lovely black dress, the one you wore for my silver wedding anniversary? You can’t tell me that’s gone out of fashion. I can rememberyour mother telling me how much you paid for it. With that price tag surely ‘‘timeless elegance’’ should stand for something?’
    ‘I don’t even know where it is,’ Lila answered, trying to remember what it even looked like. When Shirley and Ted had celebrated their silver wedding Lila hadn’t thought twice about blowing a week’s wages on the best dress. Stopovers in New York had been spent admiring the gorgeous dresses in the best fashion houses. She hadn’t been rich but with a good wage and no responsibilities it had been all too easy to justify the expense.
    ‘It’s in a suitcase above your mum’s wardrobe.’
    It was, too. Impossibly skimpy, and not black—more a dark charcoal grey—a silk slip covered with grey chiffon and the scantiest straps holding it up.
    ‘I’ll never get into it,’ Lila gasped as she ripped the plastic dry-cleaner’s bag open.
    But she did. Admittedly there was absolutely no way she could eat all night and there could be a dangerous moment if one of the straps gave way, but with her blonde hair pinned up and her make-up carefully applied for the first time in years Lila felt a shimmer of excitement when she looked in the mirror.
    ‘You look gorgeous,’ Shirley enthused. ‘Stunning. You have to show your mum.’
    Gently opening the bedroom door, Lila made her way into the bedroom. The radio was playing gently, the electric aromatherapy lantern lending a delicate-jasmine fragrance. Elizabeth lay on the bed, her tiny frame supported by a mountain of pillows, her unseeing eyes not moving as Lila entered.
    ‘I’m going out tonight, Mum. I just thought I’dshow you my dress.’ Sitting on the bed, she took her mother’s hand in her own. ‘I wore it to Ted and Shirley’s silver wedding, remember?’
    She ran her