Strictly My Husband: It's funny, it's romantic and it's got dancing - what's not to love! by Tracy Bloom Read Free Book Online Page A

discussion would not begin with a damp piece of toilet roll on the floor. He sat down again and took her hand and waited.
    ‘It’s just . . .’ she said again. ‘I’m sorry, I’m useless when I cry, aren’t I? I just can’t get my words out.’
    True, he thought.
    ‘It’s OK,’ he said. ‘Take your time.’
    ‘I’m just not very happy with Carly being here,’ she finally managed to get out.
    ‘But why?’ he replied; he was amazed – in fact quite relieved. So he hadn’t done anything wrong. It was Carly who had upset her. Yet he was confused: ‘Has she said something to you?’ he asked. She seemed so sweet. He was sure she couldn’t say anything to upset anyone.
    ‘No, no, of course not,’ said Laura. ‘It’s just you never asked. You know, if she could stay.’
    ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, I really am. I was going to tell you – I really was – when I had the idea but then I realised I’d forgotten my phone.’
    ‘Forgotten your phone,’ said Laura simultaneously.
    ‘Yes, that’s right, and I can never remember your mobile off the top of my head. I’m sorry, Laura. Really I am.’
    ‘OK.’ Laura nodded, tearfully.
    ‘You don’t mind though, do you?’ he asked. ‘We’d talked about getting a lodger for a bit again, hadn’t we? I thought this would be perfect as it’s not for long.’
    Laura looked back at him with red glistening eyes.
    ‘I should have asked first, I get that.’ That had been his error, he realised. He should have made sure he called her before landing back on the doorstep and surprising her. She didn’t like surprises. ‘I’m really sorry,’ he said. He took her in his arms and kissed the top of her head. He felt her relax against him and reach her arms around his neck.
    ‘Come downstairs and dance with me,’ he said pulling back slightly and giving her a smile. ‘I think we’re ready to go public with our tango, don’t you?’
    ‘No!’ she exclaimed. ‘No way.’
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘Not after . . . I’m not as good as . . . No, I just can’t, not now.’
    Tom sighed. Laura was a lot better than she thought she was and he liked dancing with her. It felt different to dancing with anyone else.
    ‘She’s very pretty,’ he heard Laura mutter.
    ‘Who is?’
    ‘Carly.’
    This was a trap; Tom instantly recognised it. He hadn’t been married this long without learning that under no circumstances should you ever comment on another woman’s appearance.
    ‘Is she?’ he replied. He shrugged. ‘S’pose so. You coming?’ He stood up and held out his hand.
    ‘I’ll just wash my face,’ she replied. ‘You go, I’ll be down in a minute.’
    ‘OK,’ he said before reaching forward and hugging her again. He kissed her forehead. ‘Don’t be long.’
    He closed the bathroom door behind him and skipped down the stairs two at a time.
    Crisis averted.

Chapter Five
    Laura
    ‘I’m very disappointed to find you here,’ Laura said, peering around the plywood door.
    Hannah looked up from the computer in surprise, and took off her glasses. ‘I needed to get some paperwork done,’ she replied with a shrug.
    ‘But it’s Saturday,’ stated Laura. ‘What are you doing at work on a Saturday? And where’s Jerry? Is he here working as well?’ She cast her eye around the empty office of Camberwells Construction Ltd.
    ‘No, Jerry is grouse shooting,’ replied Hannah.
    ‘Grouse shooting?’
    ‘Yes,’ she sighed. ‘I told him not to go. I can’t stand the thought of all those poor birds dropping out of the sky but you know what he’s like. John Pinkerton invited him. You know, the one we built that two-million-pound home for in Chesterton. He can’t resist hanging out with that crowd even if it is a bloodbath they’re going to.’
    ‘Has he ever been grouse shooting before?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘Does he own a gun?’
    ‘He does now. He went out and bought three, last week.’
    ‘May I borrow one?’
    ‘Of course not.’
    ‘Why not?’
    ‘Well,