Each Way Bet by Ilsa Evans Read Free Book Online Page B

brown ones, and then opened themslowly. And immediately noticed her apartment lost all of its lovely, warm, mid-colour hues and became crisp black and white – not a grey to be seen anywhere. Emily shuddered and blinked her own eyes back.
    ‘Well?’
    ‘Christ, that was scary.’
    ‘C’mon – have a guess.’
    ‘Okay, okay. How about Will’s seen the error of his ways and is leaving the marital home in search of someone more – well, humanoid? Or Charlotte’s lost her retainer and they’re too embarrassed to be seen in public without it?’
    ‘Hey – that’s good!’ Jill sounded impressed. ‘And closer than you think, but no cigar.’
    ‘Okay, I give up.’
    ‘Then I’ll tell you. It seems Will’s father – you know, he lives in Queensland – decided to try and shoot some possums. Only problem was that he was in his lounge-room at the time, and the possum was in the roof. Anyway, eventually a bullet ricocheted off something or other and took off his left ear, which fell into his lap and he had a heart attack. You with me so far?’
    ‘Ah, yes,’ Emily answered slowly, her mind attempting to digest this news, ‘but I have to say, I don’t think I’d have guessed that.’
    ‘No, probably not,’ agreed Jill, ‘and I haven’t got to the best bit yet.’
    ‘Better than an ear in a lap?’
    ‘Yep – Corinne’s not having tomorrow at her place now.’
    ‘My god!’ Emily sat back against the couch in shock. ‘That’s amazing! You mean she’s cancelling tomorrow altogether?’
    ‘Well, no, not even Corinne has those sort of powers.’
    ‘Don’t you believe it,’ Emily replied darkly. ‘Besides, you know what I mean – so it’s off?’
    ‘Unfortunately, no. Just transferred.’
    ‘Are you serious ? Who else would be stupid enough to go to all that trouble?’
    ‘Perhaps you’d better rephrase that.’
    ‘You’re kidding!’
    ‘Once again – unfortunately, no.’
    ‘Actually,’ Emily tucked her legs up more securely and thought ahead quickly, ‘this is great news. Do you know, I’d much rather go to your place than hers. Last year I ended up with a subdural haematoma on my left Achilles tendon.’
    ‘I’m glad you’re happy,’ replied Jill. ‘ That makes it all worth-while. When I take delivery of the boxes of activities and rules and goddamn prizes in a couple of hours, and spend the rest of the evening sorting them all out, and baking, and beating, and cleaning, and screaming – well, I’ll just stop and remember that it’s making you happy, and then I’ll be happy too.’
    ‘Do you want me to come and help?’
    ‘I want you to come and take over,’ said Jill with feeling. ‘In fact, I tell you what – I’ll come over there and spend the night at your place, and you can come here and spend the night at mine. How does that sound?’
    ‘That bad, hey?’
    ‘Worse.’
    ‘Is this husband problems? Or kid problems?’
    ‘Oh, I don’t know,’ Jill said in a wavery voice. ‘And that’s the truth – I really don’t know. But, Em, everything just seems to be getting on top of me.’
    ‘Lucky you,’ muttered Emily.
    ‘Pardon?’
    ‘Nothing – tell me.’
    ‘I wasn’t actually going to say anything yet . . .’ Jill hesitated. ‘No – it doesn’t matter. I’ll sort it out.’
    ‘Jilly, tell me,’ Emily said firmly. ‘C’mon, you know it won’tgo any further. And I might be able to help.’
    ‘Huh,’ said Jill resentfully. ‘You? With your perfect life? You wouldn’t have the faintest.’
    ‘Actually, it’s you who doesn’t have the faintest,’ Emily replied dryly, ‘and you proved it with that last comment. But that’s beside the point – just tell me.’
    ‘Okay, you really want to know?’
    ‘I really want to know.’
    ‘I think I’m going to leave Jack.’
    ‘I see.’
    ‘You don’t sound surprised!’ said Jill, who did sound surprised. ‘Why don’t you sound surprised?’
    ‘Because anyone with two eyes could have seen