Past Life by C S Winchester Read Free Book Online Page A

there's been a change of plans and they're staying here how. Sorry.” She rolled her eyes at her own clumsy language and was beginning to regret making the call. She took a deep breath. “Thank you for making the reservation and sending me the information.”
    Dante laughed at her. “You are quite charming, you know. So what else can I do for you?”
    “ Um. I, uh, I was wondering...” she took another deep breath. “Okay, I know you don't eat but I was wondering, and feel free to say no but... is there was any way you could come to dinner tonight? I'm sort of worried that I'll lose it if I'm on my own with her for any length of time.”
    “ I'll pick you and your parents up in half an hour.”
    “ You mean it?”
    “ Of course. “
    “ Thank you, Dante. You're a good friend.”
    Dante hung up and Frankie set about changing the sheets. Thankfully she had a plastic mattress protector for when she travelled. That coupled with the sheets should stop her parents leaving any impressions on the mattress. She also had quilt and pillow protectors which she put on under the new bedlinen.
    With the bed made up, she set about getting ready. She changed into black trousers and a black polo neck jumper (to cover the bruise on her throat) then knowing her mothers thoughts on colour, she added a bright red necklace over the jumper, a red belt and a red pashmina. She hoped that her mother wouldn't make too much fuss about the red, because that was the only colour she had matching items in. Generally speaking Frankie liked dark colours, they were easier to mix and match.
    She gathered her hair into a bunch, twisted it and pinned it up with a claw clip, before quickly retouching her makeup. Finally she pulled on a pair of red satin gloves.
    Hearing someone go into the main bathroom, Frankie slipped downstairs, hoping that her father was the one left down there. He was. He was sitting in her chair watching the television, and she paused in the doorway to watch him for a moment.
    “ Hey, Dad.”
    “ Frankie!” his face lit up. “You look very nice. I'm so sorry about all this, it wasn't my idea, you know?”
    “ I know it wasn't,” she said, perching on the arm of his chair, as she had when she was a child. “So how is life treating you?”
    “ Not too bad, not too bad,” that was his standard reply. “And how about you. Is work good?”
    “ Busy but good. And I love being back in Edinburgh.”
    Her father took her hand in both of his. “I'm glad you found your calling, love. I've never seen you look happier.”
    Frankie thought that she had certainly felt happier than she was right now, but she didn't say anything.
    “ Are you still going to retire next year?” she asked.
    “ I think I might be delaying it for another couple of years. You know how expensive life is today, and I want us to have a good life. Maybe I'll go part-time instead of retiring.”
    Frankie smiled indulgently. Her father had planned on retiring at 60 but had been delaying it for nearly five years now. Next year he would be 65, but his company would be pleased to keep him on. Frankie thought that he kept putting retirement off to avoid spending too much time with her mother but she never said as much. Frankie and her Dad had a sort of silent solidarity, and neither called the other one out on their chosen avoidance tactics.
    The doorbell rang and Frankie breathed a silent sigh of relief.
    “ I asked a friend to join us, I hope you don't mind.”
    “ Not at all, love,” her father smiled and Frankie went to let Dante in.
    Dante's eyes scanned her from head to foot then back again as she opened the door.
    “ Eh, I suppose you'll do,” he grinned.
    Despite her foul mood, Frankie laughed. She held her arms open and Dante stepped into her embrace.
    “ You have no idea how pleased I am to see you,” she said quietly.
    “ Mm,” he moaned. “You should be grateful more often. This is very pleasant.”
    Frankie lightly thumped his back with her