Ice and a Slice by Della Galton Read Free Book Online Page B

beer bottles.”
    “What – full ones?” she asked in fascination.
    “Sometimes – but mostly it’s the labels I’m interested in. My granddad used to take me to antique fairs when I was small. He was a great wheeler dealer – he used to collect breweriana – and he left me his entire collection when he died.”
    “I’m sorry,” SJ said. “I mean that he died, not that he left you his collection.”
    Tom smiled. “It was a long time ago.”
    She watched him sip his pint. He had nice hands too: stubby fingers, but neat nails, and a thick gold ring on his middle finger with some kind of crest on it.
    “There was a time when I thought I might go into antiques; they’re a bit of a passion. But then I ended up selling aeroplane parts instead. Which is probably better paid.”
    “Money isn’t everything.”
    “No, I agree. But I love my job. Salesmen are born and not made, some say. But then teaching’s a vocation too, isn’t it? Julie speaks very highly of you. Apparently you’re by far the most inspiring tutor in the place.”
    “I do love it,” she said softly. “I love seeing people’s confidence grow as they realise that the classics aren’t as dry and inaccessible as they seem – that all literature is basically about people and their problems, their loves and their heartbreaks. It’s brilliant watching people fall in love with words. I guess that’s why I like poetry too.”
    “And how about your loves and heartbreaks?” Tom asked softly. “Have you never wanted to get married, SJ?”
    Oh blimey, she’d walked right into that one. “I’m divorced,” she said, wondering if it would put him off. “I got married too young. It didn’t work out.”
    “Was it long ago?”
    “We’ve been separated for over a year, but the divorce was finalised in March.” She shifted her gaze from his as a group of teenagers spilled into the garden and lit up cigarettes. One of the lads, who had over-long curly hair and a Byronic look about him – definitely an actor – tilted his head and blew smoke rings up into the purple sky.
    SJ breathed in appreciatively and Tom looked ever so slightly pained. So that was something they didn’t have in common. Oh well, she planned to give up soon. He was right; it was a horrible habit.
    “Do you get on with your ex-husband? Are you still on speaking terms?” He rested his chin on his hands and studied her, his eyes curious.
    It seemed a strange question. If she’d got on with him that well, they wouldn’t have split up.
    “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to pry.” For a moment he looked vulnerable.
    “It’s okay,” she said. “And no, we don’t speak any more.” Her hands felt sweaty in her lap. Suddenly she longed for a cigarette. Inside the party they were playing a Robbie Williams song, Let Me Entertain You, which had always reminded her of Derek.
    She swallowed hard, forced her ex-husband’s image out of her mind and concentrated on Tom.
    “So how about you? Have you ever been married?
    He shook his head. “I work long hours. I don’t have time for a lot of socialising.”
    “Workaholic?”
    “Julie thinks so. She insisted I came tonight. I’m glad I did.”
    “Me too,” she murmured, feeling an unexpected sense of security steal over her. There was something very peaceful about Tom; something solid and steady like the bulky old oak tree behind them. He was nothing like Derek, who’d always fizzed with energy and impatience. He was nothing like her usual type of man at all.
    There was no obvious chemistry between them. Yet she did like him. She liked him a lot. Maybe subconsciously she was searching for someone as different to Derek as possible. Someone she could be comfortable with. Someone who wouldn’t let her down.

Chapter Six
    It was several weeks before they moved beyond friendship and SJ found Tom’s patience both sweet and unsettling. Her overactive imagination went into overdrive. She began to worry he might have some hidden reason