Love & The Goddess by Mary Elizabeth Coen Read Free Book Online

inappropriate.
    “Yes. Trevor and I have broken up.”
    “Well, don’t be stuck for someone to talk to. You can phone me anytime, you know. You and I haven’t always seen eye to eye on department procedures but I think that was partly
because of a certain chemistry between us. Now that you’re single, our relationship should be much easier. My own marriage has been over a long time. I’m just sticking it out for the
kids and will be leaving as soon as my youngest daughter finishes school.”
    I looked at him, baffled. “I’m sorry to hear about your marriage.”
    Standing up, he walked around to sit on the edge of his desk in front of me. My stomach turned. His breath stank, especially when he came so close as to invade my personal space. Feeling
decidedly uneasy, I peered at my watch. “Gosh, look at the time. I’m so sorry, I really have to go.” I stood up, fumbling with the buttons of my jacket.
    “Oh.” He appeared taken aback, as if he was reassessing his position. “Just one last thing before you leave. Did you resolve that dispute with Ron Clarke – his grades
– something to do with lobster?”
    “Yes, it’s resolved.” What the devil did he mean? I’d resolved it by not allowing myself to be bullied by a student. End of story. I turned to go. I felt his hand on my
arm.
    “Kate, don’t be nervous. Remember you can call me anytime. I’m your friend.”
    “Okay, right.” I pulled my arm away and headed out of the door as fast as was humanly possible without making it really obvious that I was about to throw up. God, this was
absolutely the last thing in the world I needed right now. I’d always thought he was an insidious creep but I’d never thought he would try to assert his power over me like that. It felt
strangely vulnerable to be a single woman. I’d forgotten what it felt like to be hit on out of the blue by a married man of all people. While I craved some form of admiration after having
been rejected by Trevor, I definitely didn’t want it from Darcey – of all people!
     

     
    Ella was about to leave for a week-long conference in Kerry two days after James departed for a visit to his parents in the UK. I called over to see her as she was finishing her
packing.
    “I’d ask you to come with me if I thought there’d be any fun, Kate, but this crowd are so boring I’ll need intravenous caffeine shots to keep me from falling
asleep.” Her eyes shot heavenwards. “Will you be all right for the week?” She pressed an elbow on top of her case as she pulled the zip shut with the other hand.
    “Don’t worry, Ella. I’ll go for long walks, do a spot of reading and spend some time sorting out recipes. I’ll be fine.”
    “Why don’t you go to Dublin? Stay with your parents?”
    “Like everyone else, they’re on holidays right now. Gone to Spain with Liz and her family. Don’t worry about me. I’m not a child.”
    “I am worried about you, because all of a sudden you will have nothing to do. You could go round the twist thinking about old times with Trevor. What about your Taekwondo class – are
you still going to it? You made a few friends there.”
    “It’s finished for the summer. Please stop worrying, Ella.” Then, sheepishly, “Look – I’ve been thinking I might try a spot of internet dating.”
    She was delighted. “Good idea. Get yourself online and start dusting off your long-forgotten dating skills.” I must have looked startled because she nodded her head vigorously:
“Believe me, yours are well and truly in need of updating. And for that reason, I need to give you certain pointers.”
    “Pointers? Am I that green?”
    “Believe me – you are.”
    “So, what do I need to know exactly?”
    “Listen carefully, for I shall say this only once.” This was one of Ella’s favourite sayings, always delivered with hands on her hips and spoken with a French accent á la the 1980s television comedy ’ Allo ’Allo . I’d often sat down with her