The Baby Verdict by Cathy Williams Read Free Book Online Page B

pointless.
    She was on the point of returning to the office and calling a taxi when a low-slung, sleek car slowed down and finally stopped in front of her. The window purred down and Bruno contemplated her wet, shivering form with a grin.
    â€˜Friday nights can be a bit difficult, especially wet Friday nights. Care for a lift?’
    There was no possible excuse she could come up with this time. She could hardly tell him that she was having a grand time right where she was, huddled under her briefcase in a futile attempt not to become absolutely soaked to the skin.
    He clicked open the passenger door and she hurried round to the side, cursing fate, the weather and her idiocy in not walking to the underground, whatever the pathetic state of her aching feet.
    â€˜Thanks,’ she said, slamming the door behind her. ‘Filthy night. I’m afraid I’m dripping all over your seat.’ She was feeling more bedraggled by the minute.
    â€˜I’m sure the car will recover from the shock of it,’ he said gravely. ‘Where to?’
    She gave him her address, and leaned back, closing her eyes.
    â€˜What were you doing back at the office anyway?’ she asked, easing her feet out of her shoes but not kicking them off completely.
    â€˜Oh, just some work I had to collect.’
    â€˜But...’ She turned to look at his profile. ‘Did you get what you returned for?’
    â€˜No. I saw your wet, forlorn shape and decided to do my good deed for the week instead.’
    â€˜How considerate.’ As fast as the windscreen wipers cleared the screen, it became blurred with more running water.
    â€˜That’s the sort of person that I am.’
    He seemed, she thought, in a remarkably good mood considering he had found himself having to drive miles out of his way to deliver her to her house.
    â€˜I hope,’ she said suddenly, ‘I’m not ruining your plans for the evening.’
    â€˜Not at all. Don’t give that another thought I’d planned on spending the night in, actually.’ He paused. ‘Painting my nails and washing my hair.’
    In the darkness, Jessica grinned. She had never known a man who could switch from aggressive to funny with such ease. In fact, she had never known a man whose personality was so complex. He could be ruthless, single-minded, persistent, utterly exasperating and madly, unbearably sarcastic. He could also be charming, witty and disconcertingly easygoing. Perhaps he had a split personality.
    â€˜Carry on along this road until you come to the next junction, then turn left.’
    â€˜How’s your sister-in-law’s baby?’ he asked, after a few minutes’ silence.
    â€˜My sister-in-law’s baby?’
    â€˜The one she was due to have on the very day you couldn’t possibly accept a lift home with me because you had to get back for a telephone call from your mother.’
    â€˜Oh. That sister-in-law. That baby.’ That convoluted excuse. ‘Both well and doing fine.’ She had had the baby three days later, so as far as lies went that one was petty close to the truth.
    â€˜Must be glad to have your mother out there to help,’ he said casually, and Jessica didn’t reply. She was not a revealing person by nature, and she seldom, if ever, discussed her family with anyone. Her background and all the attendant heartache was something she kept to herself.
    â€˜Guess so.’
    â€˜How long has your mother been over there? Seems a very far-flung place to go and live.’
    â€˜My brother was out there,’ she said shortly, staring out of the window. Through the rain and the darkness, the lights looked like watery splashes of colour against a black, velvet background.
    â€˜But you were over here,’ he pointed out, and she didn’t say anything.
    â€˜I take it your silence means that I’m treading on delicate ground.’
    â€˜You’re treading on ground that’s none of