At Long Odds (A Racing Romance) by Hannah Hooton Read Free Book Online Page A

hope, embracing their freedom and all but worshipping their leader.’
    ‘Nelson Mandela, or Madiba , is certainly loved,’ Ginny agreed.
    ‘And he’s so polite too. He was so accommodating, especially when he knew I was English, and made me so welcome.’
    With widening eyes, Ginny stared at Sally G, not sure whether she was really saying she had met the ex-president of South Africa. ‘Anyway, I’m sure it’s nice for you to be home with your family?’
    ‘Oh, yes. Lovely, although…’
    Sally G nodded as Ginny trailed off.
    ‘They’ll understand, don’t worry. You can have a grand tour of the house once we’ve finished our tea. Do you like cats?’
    ‘Yes, I like most animals except for spiders.’
    ‘Well, you’re lucky on both accounts then. Any spiders that dare live here have a death wish. I’ve four… no, four and a half cats living with me.
    ‘Four and a half ?’ Ginny echoed, imagining some horribly deformed creature dragging itself around the house.
    ‘Oh, a cat who doesn’t actually belong to me comes to visit a lot of the time. We’re his other family. The spare room, or your room if you take it, gets used by Jack, my Siamese, but I’m sure he won’t mind sharing if you don’t. He loves the girls.’
    *
    When Ginny returned home that evening, she was brimming with excitement. Kerry was right, Sally G was lovely, if a bit baroque. Her house was serene and welcoming and Ginny could see herself returning from work in the evenings to a comfortable relaxed home. She grimaced as she reached Ravenhill House’s front door and thought how she ought to tell her parents. Maybe Kerry and Sally G were right, maybe her parents would understand. They had understood when she’d gone to Cape Town, but this, she knew, was different. How could she explain to them without hurting their feelings?
    As she let herself in the house, pausing to discard her jacket and boots, she heard her mother call out from the lounge.
    ‘Is that you, Ginny? Where’ve you been?’
    Ginny sighed, realising she was definitely making the right decision. She walked through into the lounge where her parents were sitting, watching Relocation, Relocation on the television. The irony struck her for a moment. Jim looked up briefly and smiled. Beth was also smiling, but with raised eyebrows, still expecting an explanation. Ginny took a deep breath and sat down to face them.
    ‘I went to meet Kerry’s aunt, Sally G.’
    ‘That’s nice. You should have said. I cooked dinner for you, but it’s probably dried out now.’
    Ginny frowned down at her clasped hands.
    ‘Sorry, Mum. I’ve told you not to cook for me though.’
    ‘What sort of a mother would I be if I didn’t feed my children?’
    ‘Well, that’s the thing, Mum. I might be your child, but I’m also an adult now, not a child.’
    Beth looked surprised, as if this was news to her and Jim, hearing the seriousness in her tone, pressed the mute button on the remote control and turned his full attention to her. Ginny hesitated, not knowing how to start.
    ‘It’s just that for the past few years I’ve been living by myself, totally independent and it’s difficult coming back to live with you guys. Lovely to be home but difficult .’ She paused again, to see what sort of reaction she was getting. Beth still had a look of astonishment on her face. Jim was nodding sagely. ‘And that’s why I went to see Kerry’s aunt this evening. She wants a lodger, and I’d quite like to take her up on that. It’s only down the road.’
    Beth looked confused and Ginny winced, knowing it was more than her mother’s pride that she’d hurt.
    ‘But lovie, why do you want to move out? What have we done wrong?’
    ‘Nothing, Mum. It’s wonderful being back, but like I just said, I’ve been independent in South Africa for so long, it’s hard going back to live with one’s parents.’
    Indignancy replaced the original confusion in Beth’s expression.
    ‘So you don’t want to live