Ice and a Slice by Della Galton Read Free Book Online

drinks’. But she’d had the gin as well. That was definitely mixing. Actually, she was beginning to feel a little light-headed. She and Tanya never had got round to eating earlier. 
    “Let me get dinner served before it burns,” she said, extricating herself from Tom’s arms.
    “Just turn the oven off for a minute. I want to open this first.”
    SJ did as he said. Of course, she could just tell him she was worried she was drinking too much – she had planned to tell him where she’d been today – but she couldn’t do that now. She couldn’t spoil his moment.
    Oh, by the way, Tom, I think I might have a drink problem – nothing to worry about – just need to cut down a tad. I’m not a raging alcoholic – ha ha. Well – not yet.
    That was something else Kit had said that had hit home. If she didn’t control her drinking then things would only get worse. SJ had believed him. She knew she drank more now than she had before her marriage. She wasn’t sure why – certainly not because of ‘unresolved issues’ – more likely because she had more opportunity these days, and more money. Or rather, Tom did.
    The popping of the champagne cork jolted her back to the present and she watched Tom pour the pale golden fizz into flutes. He handed her one, smiling proudly, the brightness in his eyes rivalling the sparkle of their champagne.
    “To future success,” he said, and downed the drink in a few gulps.
    “To future success,” she echoed, hoping the bleakness she felt hadn’t found its way into her voice.
    And then she followed his example.

Chapter Five
    SJ had met Tom at a fortieth birthday party thrown by one of her A-level students. Julie was an older mum who had worked with a travelling theatre company before she’d decided to put her career on hold to concentrate on her IVF twins.
    “They’re gorgeous, don’t get me wrong, but I miss adult company and I thought English Lit might stop me from ending up completely brain dead,” she’d told SJ with a smile when they’d first met.
    Julie was smart and lively with a great sense of humour and SJ had always liked her, although she hadn’t immediately accepted when Julie had invited her to the party.
    Although Adult Education wasn’t like teaching children, there was still an unwritten rule about getting too involved with individual students. It could cause conflicts in classes: SJ knew more than one tutor who had lived to regret getting over-friendly.
    “Oh, please come,” Julie pressed, sensing her hesitation. “It’ll be fun. I’ve invited the whole cast from Jack and the Beanstalk. They’re doing the Hackney Empire at the moment.”
    It had sounded like fun. And it looked like fun, SJ thought, as her cab dropped her off outside the pub annexe that Julie had hired for the party.
    It was nerve racking going into a room full of people she didn’t know, but a very nice lady - Julie’s mum, she suspected - met her at the door.
    “Actor? Friend from school? Or miscellaneous other?” She greeted SJ with a grin.
    “Miscellaneous other,” SJ said, just as Julie spotted her and ran over with a squeal.
    “SJ – brilliant. I’m so glad you could come. Mum, this is the tutor I was telling you about. She can make the dullest of literary tomes sound fresh and new.” She kissed SJ on the cheek. “Honestly, Mum, if it wasn’t for SJ I’d have gone stark raving mad …” She broke off as someone tapped her on the shoulder.
    SJ was slightly relieved. She’d never been good at receiving compliments and English Literature wasn’t exactly a life changing course. Not like Hypnotise your way to Happiness , or Slim your way to Success , which were two other courses City College did, and ones she fancied trying herself if she ever had time.
    Julie’s mum turned to greet someone else so SJ made her way towards the bar. The oblong-shaped annexe, which looked like it had once been a skittle alley, was already packed and was loud with the thrum of music