Scarlet Feather by Maeve Binchy Read Free Book Online

eyes.’ I’m not saintly and forgiving, I’m furious with you,’ she began.
    ‘But you haven’t denied that you are beautiful, and I have totally forgiven
you
,’ he said happily.
    ‘What do you mean? There was nothing to forgive
me
for.’ She was very indignant indeed.
    ‘Quite right, which is why we will say no more about it. I should thank you instead, because last night I found the premises.’
    ‘You what?’
    ‘I know it’s all due to you: if you hadn’t behaved so badly and forced me to leave that party, I’d never have found the place. I’ll take you to see it as soon as you’re dressed so drink up that beautiful elegant drink I’ve prepared for you and—’
    ‘If you think for one moment that I’m going to leap out of bed and—’
    ‘You’re so right. I do not think that for one moment. Instead I think
I’m
going to leap
into
bed. What a truly great idea.’ and he had his crumpled clothes off as he spoke.

    In Neil and Cathy’s house at Waterview the phone rang. ‘It’s your mother, saying all the guests are dead from salmonella,’ Cathy said.
    ‘More likely to be some shrink saying that you’ve been committed to a mental home for advanced paranoia,’ Neil said, reaching over to ruffle her hair.
    I suppose we
could
leave it?’ she said doubtfully.
    ‘When do we ever?’ Neil replied, reaching down under the bed where the phone was nestling. ‘Anyway it’s probably Tom.’
    It wasn’t Tom, it was about Jonathan. Neil was half out of bed.
    ‘Tell them I’m on my way,’ he was saying.
    Cathy put on the coffee as he dressed.
    ‘No time,’ he was protesting.
    ‘Listen, I’ve put it in a flask. Take it with you, you can drink it in the car,’ she said.
    He came back, took the flask and kissed her. I’m very sorry, hon. I
did
want to go and see this place with you this morning, you know I did.’
    I know, this is more important. Go.’
    ‘And don’t sign anything or accept anything until we’ve had someone take a look at it.’
    ‘No, Mr Lawyer, you know I won’t!’
    ‘Now of course I
do
have the address in case this thing ends early. I could come straight there.’
    ‘It won’t end early, Neil, it will take all day. Go and save him before it’s too late.’
    Cathy watched him from the window. As he put the flask down on the frosty ground in order to open the car door, he must have known she would be watching. He waved up at her. Jonathan was lucky that he had Neil Mitchell in his corner. Neil would worry at the case like a dog with a bone, just as he would get a colleague to examine the title deeds of this place, which looked like the perfect premises at last.

    JT and Maura Feather woke up in Fatima, a small red-brick house in a quiet road. They used to be workers’ cottages, but the Feathers had noted with disapproval that a lot of trendy younger people were buying. Attracting burglars to the area.
    I never thought we’d live to see another year, JT. The Lord must have spared us for some purpose,’ Maura said. She was a tall, thin woman with a long, sad face permanently set in the lines of a sorrowing Madonna bent low by the wickedness of the world.
    Her husband was big and broad-shouldered, made strong by years of hard physical work in the building trade. His weather-beaten face had looked the same always.
    ‘It’s not that we’re really all that old in terms of years, but I know what you mean,’ JT agreed with her. He turned on the tea-making machine between their beds. It had been a gift from Tom. Maura had thought it was more trouble than it was worth, what with remembering to wash the pot and get fresh milk, but it was handy enough not to have to go down to the cold kitchen.
    ‘Another year begun and not a sign of either of them wanting to do a hand’s turn in the business,’ he sighed heavily.
    ‘Or settling down in marriage as God intended,’ Maura sniffed.
    ‘Ah, marriage is a different thing,’ JT said. ‘Anyone can marry or not marry, but no