Sarah's Secret by Catherine George Read Free Book Online Page A

‘It seems a shame to sit in a cinema on an afternoon like this. There’s a craft fair on in the park.’
    ‘Hot dogs and doughnuts?’ said Davy hopefully.
    ‘Probably. Though how you can even think about them straight after lunch beats me,’ said Sarah, laughing.
    ‘I’ve had a week of school dinners! Let’s go.’
    As they strolled together through the town centre Sarah caught sight of their reflections in a shop window, and with regret realised that her child was growing up very fast. Davy, as usual, chattered nineteen to the dozen as they walked, her face animated in the frame of bright brown hair still damp round the edges from her swim.
    ‘Next year there’s a school trip to France,’ Davy said eventually, and gave Sarah a hopeful glance. ‘Will I be able to go?’
    ‘Of course,’ said Sarah without hesitation, though extras of this kind meant a lot of creative juggling with her finances. ‘But thank you for giving me due warning.’
    ‘I don’t have to go,’ said Davy bravely.
    ‘Of course you do. I can have some peace and quiet without you.’
    Davy giggled, then tugged Sarah’s arm. ‘There’s a man waving at you over there, Mummy.’
    Sarah’s heart gave a thump when she saw Jake crossing the road towards them.
    ‘Who’s that?’ whispered Davy.
    ‘A friend,’ Sarah whispered before he reached them. ‘Be nice.’
    ‘Hello, Sarah.’ Jake smiled at her, then turned his attention to Davy. ‘Hi, there. I’m Jake Hogan.’
    Sarah, prepared to give a surreptitious dig to prompt a polite response, was surprised to see Davy return Jake’s smile far more pleasantly than she’d ever managed with Brian.
    ‘Hello, I’m Davy Tracy,’ she told him. ‘Well, Davina, really. But Mummy only says that when she’s cross.’
    ‘I know all about that,’ he assured her. ‘When my mother calls me Jacob I shake in my shoes.’
    Davy’s eyes widened. ‘Even though you’re grown up?’
    ‘Especially now I’m grown up!’ He turned to Sarah. ‘Are you out for a walk, or can I give you both a lift somewhere?’
    ‘That’s very kind of you,’ she said, smiling, ‘but we’re not going home yet. We went for a swim, had lunch, and now we’re making for the show in the park.’
    Sarah was tempted to ask him to join them. But from past experience with Brian she knew that Davy would probably object to having a stranger muscle in on her precious Saturday.
    ‘Sounds like fun,’ said Jake. ‘Enjoy yourselves. Nice to meet you, Davy.’ He smiled at Sarah, hesitated a moment, then with one of his straight blue looks said goodbye and went off in the opposite direction before she could thank him for the flowers.
    ‘Is that a new friend?’ asked Davy, as they made for the park.
    ‘Yes. I met him quite recently. Why?’
    ‘He’s cool. Not a bit like Boring Brian,’ said Davy, then made a face. ‘Sorry!’
    ‘I should think so,’ said Sarah, trying not to laugh. ‘And for your information, miss, I don’t go out with Brian any more.’
    ‘Really?’ Davy’s face lit up. ‘Is that because of Mr Hogan?’
    ‘Certainly not. Brian and I decided to call it a day, that’s all.’
    Davy danced a little jig of jubilation. ‘Great! I was really, really afraid you were going to marry Brian and I’d have to call him Daddy.’
    Sarah couldn’t help laughing. ‘There was never any question of that, muggins.’
    ‘Thank goodness. Not that I’d mind if you did get married one day,’ added Davy magnanimously. ‘Someone like Polly’s dad would be fab.’
    ‘I’ll keep it in mind!’
    Davy loved everything about the afternoon, delighted when she found that a dog show was part of the entertainment. She went into raptures over the irresistible Labradors, and clapped the elegant, obedient German Shepherds, then went wild with excitement when teams of mongrels raced against each other through obstacle courses. In between events she downed a hot dog, and several doughnuts, and after a few determined