Good at Games by Jill Mansell Read Free Book Online Page A

what I say.” Suzy paused briefly and gestured at Harry. “And this is Harry. He’s a policeman. I’m afraid I don’t have a clue what he’s doing here. Unless, of course, he’s our brother.” Eek. “Oh God, you aren’t, are you?”
    Harry was giving her an odd look.
    â€œLucille’s my friend. I’m just here to give her some moral support. Believe me, when we came here tonight, I had no idea I was going to see you.”
    â€œDaddy would never have an affair,” Julia quavered, outraged. “ Never. This girl’s lying through her teeth!”
    â€œYour father didn’t have an affair,” said Lucille. “Blanche was my mother. Look, I’m sorry; this isn’t easy for me either.” Catching her breath, she looked with ill-concealed longing at the drink clutched in Julia’s thin hand. “I really thought you knew.”
    * * *
    Suzy realized it was true the moment Douglas Hepworth broke the silence. Bustling past them into the drawing room with his briefcase clutched importantly in his pudgy hand, he ignored Julia’s thunderstruck expression, plonked himself down in the leather armchair, and said brusquely to Lucille, “Good to see you, glad you could make it. Right then, if everyone’s here, I’d like to begin.”
    It was will reading in the style of a smash and grab. Douglas, keen not to let himself become embroiled in the repercussions of finding out that one’s family was…well, bigger than you’d always thought, confirmed in less than three minutes that Lucille Amory was indeed Blanche Curtis’s daughter and that the estate was to be divided equally between her four children.
    Then like Superman— whoosh —he was gone.
    Well , thought Suzy, like Superman, only fatter and without the red panties. Then again, who am I to talk, with one seven-denier barely black leg and one simply bare one? Talk about uncoordinated.
    â€œThis is ridiculous. I don’t believe this is happening ,” sobbed Julia.
    â€œMe neither.” Lucille laced her fingers together in her lap. “I mean, I wasn’t exactly expecting a wild welcome, but…” Her voice trailed away.
    â€œYou hadn’t expected to have to break the news to us yourself,” Suzy supplied, feeling sorry for her. “Let’s face it; it was pretty amazing news to have to break.” Although it was, at the same time, absolutely typical of Blanche. “Ummm…if it isn’t a rude question, how old are you?”
    â€œTwenty-six. And a bit.”
    â€œYou were born when I was eight.” Rory had been the diary-keeping type as long as he’d been able to write. He thought for a moment. “Mother took off on one of her trips then. I remember she was away for six months.”
    â€œSo much for adventuring through the South American jungle,” Julia interjected bitterly. “She wasn’t up the Amazon at all, was she? She was knocked up. Oh, for heaven’s sake, Rory, are you going to fill up my glass or do I have to drink straight from the bottle?”
    Suzy felt as if her brain had grown too big for her skull. There were a million questions to ask. “Where do you live?”
    â€œHere.” Lucille was clutching Harry’s hand for support. “I mean, in Bristol. Bishopston.”
    Just a few miles away.
    God, imagine!
    â€œAnd you were adopted,” said Suzy.
    â€œNo. My dad brought me up. Mum just…ummm, visited us every now and again.”
    â€œYour father’s black?” Julia looked horrified.
    â€œNo, pale green. Of course he was black.”
    â€œDid our father know?” said Rory.
    Lucille shook her head.
    â€œBut you thought we knew.” Suzy was struggling to understand.
    â€œI was curious. After your father died, I asked if I could meet you. Mum said she’d told you all about me”—her gaze flickered in Julia’s