Party Games by Jo Carnegie Read Free Book Online Page B

on the screen.
    ‘I’m allowed to perve over my own husband, aren’t I?’
    He grinned and looked up. ‘Come here.’
    Putting the coffee cups on the side, she went round to sit on his lap. He ran his hand over her Lycra-clad thigh. ‘Off for a run?’
    ‘Yeah. You fancy coming?’
    ‘I’ll give it a miss this time. I’ve got a few more emails to reply to.’
    She gazed at the computer. ‘It must be nice to have some work to do.’
    ‘Is that the voice of discontent I’m hearing?’
    When she didn’t answer he put his hand under her chin, making her look at him. ‘Hey. What’s up?’
    ‘I don’t know. It just feels weird sometimes, not having a career any more.’
    ‘You’ve still got a career,’ he reasoned. ‘You’re just taking some time out.’
    ‘What if I go back and no one wants me?’ London already seemed an alien and intimidating place.
    ‘Don’t talk rubbish. You’re the most talented person I know, Cath. You could get back into any job you wanted.’
    She kicked the leg of the table, feeling a bit like a child getting a pep talk.
    ‘This is what you wanted, isn’t it?’ He tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. ‘I haven’t pushed you into coming out here?’
    ‘Of course you haven’t. I’ve got you and our beautiful home, and we’ve made really good friends here.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I guess … I mean, what I’m really trying to say is, well, I thought I’d be pregnant by now.’
    There was a long pause. ‘That’s not the only reason we came here.’
    ‘It was a big reason, John, let’s be honest.’
    ‘These things take time, Cath. You have to be patient.’
    ‘I’m bored of being patient. I just don’t understand.’ She had taken so much folic acid she was starting to rattle. ‘I’m forty next year. What if I’ve left it too late?’
    ‘There’s still time. You’re in fantastic shape, the doctor said so herself. We’ve still got every chance, OK?’
    ‘OK,’ she replied in a small voice.
    ‘And if nothing happens, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. OK? I love you, Cath. I’m here with you every step of the way.’
    The tenderness in his voice made her want to weep.
    ‘Let me look after you for a while,’ he said into her hair. ‘I want you to enjoy life.’
    ‘I feel bad not having a job,’ she sniffed.
    He wiped her nose with his shirt sleeve. ‘You don’t need a job. We’ve got plenty of money.’
    ‘Maybe I should join the WI,’ she said, trying to joke. ‘It would give me something to do.’
    ‘Let’s not get ahead of ourselves; I’m not sure the old ladies of Beeversham are ready for your jam-making.’ After years of surviving on ready meals for one, Catherine’s culinary skills weren’t the best.
    ‘Any more of that and I’ll threaten to make dinner,’ she told him.
    They grinned at each other. ‘Promise me you’re OK?’ John asked.
    ‘I’m OK.’
    He gave her a kiss and let her stand up. ‘I thought we’d eat in the garden tonight. I’ll grill the sea bass on the barbecue.’
    ‘Sounds amazing. What would I do without you?’
    ‘Starve, probably. Oh and Cath?’
    She stopped at the door. ‘Yes?’
    His eyes were already back on the screen. ‘Your arse looks bloody fantastic in those shorts.’

Chapter 10
    That Tuesday was the second SNOW meeting at the town hall. So many people turned out that it was standing room only. An outrageously foxy brunette waved at Catherine from across the room. Mel Cooper-Stanley, owner of Buff Nail Bar on the High Street. Mel was forty-three, with a hard aerobics body that made women half her age green with jealousy. She was also a complete hoot and Catherine’s wine-drinking partner.
    Catherine went over to sit down between Mel and Amanda Belcher. ‘No Mike tonight?’ she asked. Mel’s husband was a long-haul captain for British Airways and always off in some far-flung location.
    ‘He’s got a night stop in Buenos Aires, back tomorrow.’ Mel brushed a stray