Life Shift by Michelle Slee Read Free Book Online Page B

religion.”

    “Well I was going to say … that’s even more surprising. I’ve never known you to be interested in that either.”

    “Well I can develop new interests you know,” she said sharply. He looked at her and raised one eyebrow. “I never said you couldn’t,” he said, “I’m just saying it's different that's all.”

    “I know, sorry, it’s just I really enjoyed it and found it interesting and I don’t want you pouring cold water on it.”

    He looked slightly hurt. “I haven’t said anything negative at all. All I’ve said is that you haven’t been interested in it before. But to be honest I’m just glad to talk to you about something other than work.”

    Now it was her turn to look hurt. “Sorry Damien if my work bores you, it happens to be important to me.” She put her glass down and looked around the pub, trying to hold back the tears.  

    She felt a hand on her arm. She looked at him. “I’m not having a go Chris, honestly. I’m proud of you and the work you do. I just don’t like the pressure they put you under, that's all.  

    She felt some of the tension in her shoulders ease. She was probably being too sensitive. She smiled at him but at the same time moved her arm away from his and sat back in her chair. She had another sip of wine.

    “Sorry,” she said, “I’m just tired I think. So anyway what do you think of the multiple universes idea?”

    “It’s interesting,” he said, leaning back. “I’ve read some stuff on it before.”  

    “It makes you think doesn’t it,” she said. “What other universes are out there, what other lives are being lived?”

    “Yes I suppose. We could all be living very different lives. We might never have met, or we might have had ten children.” He saw her expression change. “Sorry. That was bad of me. Sorry.”

    “It’s okay,” she said, and finished her glass of wine. “Are we having another bottle?”

    “Not with work tomorrow,” he said, “Come on Chris you agreed, definitely no more than one bottle on a school night.”

    “Okay, okay, you’re right,” she said. “Come on then, let’s go. I’m really exhausted.”

    They left the pub and walked up the road to the taxi rank. There was no queue and so in fifteen minutes they were home. Damien wanted to watch some TV so Christine kissed him goodnight and went up to bed, desperate to get under the covers and fall asleep.

    In the dark though she found she was restless. She kept replaying her conversation with Dr Priestley.   Why did he want to see her? And then unbidden came the memory of the earlier phone conversation with Matt. He has a nice voice, she suddenly thought to herself, steady and calming.   Then she thought of another universe where she might have ten children and again felt tears prick the corners of her eyes. What was wrong with her? She hadn’t even wanted ten children in this universe. No, she said to herself, not ten, but she had wanted one. At least one. And so far that had not happened.

    And then finally she thought of the little girl she had now met twice, the little girl who called her Mum and who had put her hand so trustingly in her own. What if… what if...? What are you thinking, she said to herself sharply, don’t even go there.

    But she couldn’t help herself. As the murmur of Damien's documentary drifted up the stairs an image of Matt and a child she didn’t know positioned itself firmly in her mind and comforted her as she dropped off to sleep.

    And now here she was, eating her breakfast in silence, still quietly obsessing over thoughts of them both and what Matt would say today at lunch.

    Damien's voice penetrated her thoughts. “Are you listening to me?”  

    “No I was thinking about work,” she said, a half truth. She was getting used to them now. “What did you say?”

    “I just asked if you want cheese in your rolls. I’ve not made them yet.”

    “Cheese rolls will be fine, thanks,” she said, “Do you