Naked Truths by Jo Carnegie Read Free Book Online

sleep well?’
    After giving Milo his breakfast, Caro had just sat down to a bowl of organic muesli made more interesting with a dollop of Benedict’s full-fat Rachel’s yogurt, when the doorbell rang.
    Caro put her spoon down. Stephen perhaps? One watchful eye on Milo who was watching
CBeebies
in the living room, she went to the front door and opened it. At first, she thought a supermodel had wandered into the mews by accident. Standing on the doorstep was the most extraordinary girl, tall and slim with short tufts of white-blonde hair sticking out artfully all over her head. Her petrol-blue eyes were set off even more by her flawless, milky skin. She was dressed in a yellow vest and a dark blue ra-ra skirt, incongruously printed with dozens of Minnie Mouse faces. On her feet were bright yellow ballet shoes, while a mountain of silver bangles adorned each wrist. Somehow, it worked.
    The girl smiled. She had a slight overbite, which somehow only added to her prettiness. As she stuck out her hand, the bangles jangled loudly.
    â€˜You must be Caro, I’m Saffron,’ she said. ‘Sorry I missed you last night, thought I’d come and say hello on my way to work. I’m late, of course.’
    The smile widened, and Caro thought how like her sister Calypso Saffron was, with her quirky style and self-confident manner. Intrigued by the interruption, Milo had come over and was now looking up shyly at the pretty newcomer from between Caro’s legs.
    Saffron bent down and chucked Milo under the chin.
    â€˜Hello! You’re a gorgeous little thing. What’s your name?’
    Milo, usually not the most forthcoming with strangers, was dazzled by this exotic-looking creature. A huge smile lit up his face.
    â€˜Mi-lo.’
    Saffron took his chubby little hand and shook it earnestly. ‘I’m very pleased to meet you. I’m Saffron.’ Milo’s smile became a beam.
    â€˜You’ve got yourself a fan, there,’ observed Caro, smiling, too.
    Saffron grinned. ‘I love kids. Not that I’d be able to look after one, I have enough trouble looking after myself.’
    Caro picked up Milo and he continued to stare at Saffron in wonder. ‘I hear we’ve got someone in common: Harriet Fraser. You work together at
Soirée
?’
    Saffron’s smile broadened. ‘Dearest H, she’s the office saviour. We’ve become really good mates, actually. She only lives ten minutes round the corner.’
    â€˜I know, it’s marvellous,’ said Caro. ‘You must all come over for dinner soon.’
    A mobile went off, the techno trance tune shattering the tranquillity of the courtyard. Saffron dug around in her bag for it.
    â€˜Shit,’ she said. ‘It’s work. I’m meant to be at this charity breakfast thing in Sloane Square. Gwyneth’s making a speech.’
    Caro was seriously impressed. ‘Gwyneth Paltrow?’
    Saffron nodded as she answered the call. ‘Hello? I’m nearly there, Annabel. All right, keep your hair on!’ She rolled her eyes at Caro, grinning, and took off across the courtyard, leaving a trail of perfume and glamour in her wake.
    Caro’s stomach was grumbling. She checked her watch; to her surprise it was nearly lunchtime. The morning had flown by; it was amazing how long it took unravelling your tights and putting them in an underwear drawer. After a rather uninspired look in the fridge, she decided to take Milo out instead. There were bound to be some nice little cafés in the area, and it was a good chance to check out the neighbourhood. As her son was going through an alarming stage of running off, Caro thought it would be safer to keep him in the pushchair. Strapping him in, she wheeled it out. Benedict had given her her own remote control key fob and as Caro pressed it the electronic gates slowly clanked open
    Away from the coolness of the mews, the day was surprisingly hot. A gleaming line of BMW