Little White Lies by Katie Dale Read Free Book Online

calling Mike about now. I wish he’d hurry up—I’m on my own here.”
    “How strange,” I comment.
    “One cappuccino.” Heidi slides a cup towards Kenny. “The second one’ll just be a mo.”
    “Thanks,” Kenny says. “But this one’s for you.”
    Vix’s smile slips.
    “One sugar, as usual, right?” He opens a packet.
    “Perfect! Thanks, Kenny!”
    “If only all the staff were so easily impressed,” Vix mutters moodily as Heidi turns to make the second cappuccino. “Maybe you should’ve bought Christian a cappuccino, Lou?”
    I raise an eyebrow. “After throwing coffee over him?”
    “True,” she concedes.
    “You threw coffee over him?” Kenny raises an eyebrow. “I’m guessing you didn’t get hired, then?”
    “Oh, that reminds me.” Heidi turns to me as she hands Kenny the second coffee. “I told my boss about you, and he got the CV you emailed, but he doesn’t need any more staff at the moment, sorry.”
    “Are you kidding?” Kenny glances round at the crowded bar. “Even today? It’s rammed in here!”
    She shrugs. “He doesn’t know.”
    “He does now.” Christian appears, looking flustered. “Hi, guys. I finally got hold of Mike. He says we have to honor the beer offer, but he’s going mental about it.”
    “Well, it’s his fault! It’s a typo—it must be,” Heidi says. “Is he at least sending someone to help us out? We’re rushed off our feet.”
    “No,” he sighs. “He’s tried, but no one’s available.”
    “Lou could help out,” Kenny suggests. “She’s got bar experience, she’s available, and she’s emailed in her CV. Demand and opportunity, right?”
    “Sorry,” Heidi says. “We’re not allowed to hire or fire people.”
    “Only Mike can,” Christian adds. “And he’s at a christening until later today. How’s your ankle?”
    “You hurt your ankle?” Kenny turns to me, concerned.
    “It’s fine,” I tell him. “I just went over on it earlier. It’s nothing.”
    “You shouldn’t walk on it if it’s twisted,” he insists.
    “It’s not twisted, just a bit bruised,” I argue.
    “Either way, you should rest it.”
    “I
am
resting it, okay? I’m sitting down, aren’t I?” I glare at him.
    “Oi!” a guy shouts from the other end of the bar. “Is anyone serving, or what?”
    “No rest for the wicked.” Christian smiles, turning to go.
    “I’ll see to them,” Heidi insists. “You finish up here.” She winks at me.
    “I’ll get these.” Kenny pulls out his wallet.
    “No, it’s okay,” I say hastily, opening my bag. The last thing I need is to be even more indebted to Kenny.
    “I insist.” He smiles.
    “No,
really
.” I yank my purse out quickly, sending the contents of my bag scattering over the floor. “Shit!” I jump off my stool.
    “Lou, don’t—your ankle!” Vix cries.
    “Double shit!” I grab the bar for support.
    “Here, let me.” Vix starts to gather up my things.
    “Thanks,” I say, cursing myself for feeling so on edge around Kenny, cursing
him
for coming back into my life at all.
    “What’s this?” Vix holds up an envelope and I freeze.
    Shit.
I forgot all about the letter since picking it up from my pigeonhole yesterday.
    “HMP Stonegate.”
She reads the postmark. “What’s HMP?”
    “Her Majesty’s Prison.” Christian looks at me and my heart sinks.
    Vix looks up. “Who do you know in prison, Lou?”
    “I...” My cheeks burn as I just stare helplessly at the letter. “No one...”
    She frowns. “What?”
    “That must be the letter you were telling me about yesterday, Lou,” Kenny cuts in quickly, taking it from Vix.
    I stare at him.
This is it. He’s going to tell them everything.
    “From the prisoner correspondence program?” Kenny prompts, handing the letter back to me. “Have you replied yet?”
    I blink, surprised. “Um... no...” I shove the envelope deep into my pocket.
    “Isn’t that weird?” Vix frowns. “Writing to a random criminal?”
    “I think it’s