The Alphabet Sisters by Monica McInerney Read Free Book Online Page B

lines around his eyes. “Well, you’re certainly far better looking than poor old Pat. You’ve taken over from him permanently, have you? Can we look forward to seeing you here every week?”
    The man laughed. “No, I’m double-jobbing. I usually do the photographs, but we’ve divided up his round between us today.”
    She peered at him. “I know you, don’t I?”
    “I know you, too, I think. From the charity shop. Lola, isn’t it?”
    “Cheeky monkey. It’s Mrs. Quinlan to you.”
    A hint of a smile again and a glance at both women. “It’s just there are two Mrs. Quinlans here. I didn’t want to confuse myself.”
    Lola clapped her hands. “Marvelous. A man with a bit of wit about him. Are you married?”
    Geraldine interrupted, exasperation in her voice. “Lola, would you leave the poor man alone? And would you both excuse me; I need to make a few calls before the girls get here.” Not just make a few calls, but also reorganize the walk-in freezer and brief her stand-in cook about tonight’s dinner preparations. Sometimes Geraldine wondered if Lola had deliberately forgotten how much work was involved in running a motel, not to mention organizing birthday parties at the drop of a hat.…
    “Of course, my dear.” Lola didn’t go anywhere, staring at the man for a long moment, eyes narrowed. “I have it now. It’s Daniel Hilder, isn’t it?”
    “You’ve got a very good memory.”
    She batted her eyelashes in an exaggerated way. “I never forget a good-looking face. And I remember you taking those photos when we reopened the charity shop a few years ago. Remember, all of us old ladies dressing up? It was like a Paris fashion shoot, wasn’t it?”
    Daniel’s lip twitched. “A bit like that.”
    “Lola, please?” Geraldine stood with the phone and a pained expression.
    “We’re just leaving, aren’t we, Daniel?” Lola took him by the arm and steered him outside. “Now, what are you doing back in the Valley again? I’m sure someone told me you moved away.” Who was it had told her that? Her memory was so slow these days she was surprised people didn’t hear creaking sounds coming out of her skull.
    “I’ve been in Melbourne the past few years, but I came back six months ago. My mother’s still living here.”
    “You were in Melbourne?” Lola remembered then exactly who he was and why she knew his name. Her smile stretched even wider. “Well, you’re a good kind boy to come and see your mother, and you’re very welcome home. Tell me, would you be a good kind boy to me, too? I need a little hand in my room with something. Your newspaper deliveries can wait a moment, surely?”
    Daniel looked amused. “Of course they can. Lead the way.”
    Geraldine watched, shaking her head, as her mother-in-law led the man across the forecourt, talking all the while. There’d be a picture needing straightening that Lola supposedly couldn’t reach, or a shower rose that was pointing the wrong way or some other imaginary task that would give her the opportunity to grill her poor victim.
    God help him, Geraldine thought as she reached for the phone.
    T here it is, there it is,” Ellen shrieked.
    Anna glanced at her daughter, who had nearly clambered out of the car seat and onto the dashboard in her excitement. “Where, Ellie? I can’t see anything.”
    “There, up on the hill.”
    Anna pulled the hire car onto the side of the road and looked out the opposite window. She saw vineyards and gum trees, the foundations of a house, and two vans with Clare Valley Builders written on the side in large letters parked beside it. “I can’t see anything. Are you sure?”
    Ellen was laughing now. “Mum, you’re looking the wrong way.”
    Anna looked down at her feet. “No, nothing here.” Then she looked up. “No, nothing there either. Ellie, your eyesight must be much better than mine.”
    “Muuum.” Ellie unbuckled her seat belt and leaned over, placed a little hand on either side of Anna’s