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

direction—“but you decided it would be easier all around if we didn’t meet.”
    Indignantly, Suzy said, “Well, that was a big lie. We hadn’t any idea!”
    â€œI’m sorry, I’m sorry. I just don’t want this to be happening.” Julia flapped her hands in distress. “We’re talking about a whole double life here. Our mother has spent the last God knows how many years involved with a…a…”
    â€œBlack man,” Lucille said evenly. “Dad came to this country from Mauritius thirty years ago.”
    â€œCouldn’t be bothered to come to the funeral, though, could he?” Julia retaliated bitterly.
    â€œThat’s because he’s dead. Otherwise,” said Lucille with a flash of spirit, “I’m sure he would have bothered .”
    â€œLook, I’m sorry about my sister.” Suzy rushed to make amends. “She’s a bit…you know. Cares a lot about what the neighbors think.”
    â€œAre you calling me a snob? I am not a snob.” Julia was by this time quivering with outrage.
    â€œOh, yes you are.” Suzy smiled at Lucille. “She is, she’s horrendous. Julia tried to bribe a TV crew once because they’d caught her on camera coming out of Walmart. She almost died of shame when it appeared on the local news.”
    â€œI was taking a shortcut,” Julia insisted through clenched teeth. “You can’t seriously imagine I’d buy anything from Walmart.”
    Suzy beamed. “See what I mean?”
    â€œThis is ridiculous; we aren’t here to discuss me.” Julia seethed visibly; she hated being made fun of. “Let’s face it, Lucille’s here for one reason and one reason only. The moment she gets her hands on the money, that’ll be it. We won’t see her for dust, will we?”
    This was what Julia clearly hoped would happen. Embarrassed by his sister’s breathtaking insensitivity, Rory said awkwardly, “Hold on now. That’s entirely up to Lucille.”
    â€œIf that’s what you want to happen,” Lucille said stiffly, “then fine. It really isn’t my mission in life to embarrass all of you and bring shame on your family.” There was an edge to her voice as she uttered these last words. There were also tears in her eyes. Suzy impulsively reached for her arm as Lucille rose to leave.
    â€œPlease, you can’t go. Julia doesn’t mean to be rude.” Well, she probably did. “It’s been a shock, that’s all. And I don’t even know why any of us are shocked, because this is so bloody typical of Blanche. A bit of drama, a good old showdown—wasn’t that all she ever wanted? So long as it was one where she wasn’t around to take the flak.”
    â€œDon’t you dare talk about her like that,” Julia burst out. “You mustn’t speak ill of the dead!”
    â€œWhy not? It’s true. If she’s watching us now, she’ll be loving every minute of this. And why didn’t she tell us we had a sister?” Suzy demanded hotly.
    Except they already knew the answer to that one. Julia’s horrified reaction was all the proof they needed. Blanche had always reveled in being the center of attention, but only on condition that it showed her in a flattering light.
    * * *
    â€œAnd then she left.” Suzy finished telling Jaz and Maeve the next morning, in the kitchen at Jaz’s house. Reaching across the table, she helped herself to a handful of grapes. “It was a bit embarrassing actually. I tried to give her a hug to make up for Julia being such a cow and got one of my earrings caught up with some of the beads in her hair. Harry had to untangle us.” She pulled a face. “And then it got more awkward because it felt like the end of a disastrous date. I asked Lucille for her phone number and she said, ‘Look, you don’t have to try to be nice. Why