The Doll's House by Tania Carver Read Free Book Online Page A

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    â€˜We’re here to enjoy ourselves. Don’t worry.’ He leaned forward. ‘Mind, out with this lot you need to drink as much as you can.’ He sat back. Looked at her. ‘The famous Marina Esposito. Been looking forward to meeting you.’
    â€˜Famous?’ She felt herself reddening again. ‘I’m not the one with the media career.’
    â€˜True.’ He took a mouthful of wine, closing his eyes as he swallowed, making even that gesture seem sensual. The wine gone, he opened his eyes once more, fixed them on Marina. ‘But you’ve got the experiences. First hand. You’ve
lived
what I just write.’
    â€˜Believe me,’ she said, taking a drink without realising, ‘I would have been happier to have just written about it.’
    He waved his hand, dismissively. ‘Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and all those old clichés.’
    â€˜I don’t believe that,’ she said.
    â€˜No?’
    â€˜No. Whatever doesn’t kill you might not make you stronger. It might harden you. But it’s more likely to weaken you. And probably kill you eventually. Slowly.’
    He gave her another crinkly-eyed smile. ‘I’m glad I made the effort to turn up now. I like a woman with spirit.’
    Oh fuck off
, she thought, and turned away from him. She felt a restraining hand on her forearm. She turned back.
    â€˜Everyone has the right to die. Everyone has the right to choose their own death, to determine it, don’t you agree?’
    â€˜That’s the shittest chat-up line I’ve ever heard.’
    He put back his head and laughed. Then looked at her, green eyes alive. ‘My new book. I’m researching it at the moment. Voluntary euthanasia. I believe it’s morally wrong to punish those who want to die. And those who assist them shouldn’t be found guilty of murder. I’m sure you agree.’
    â€˜Are you?’
    He leaned in closer. ‘My research has thrown up some fascinating stuff. Really fascinating. Stuff you wouldn’t believe. I didn’t.’ His eyes locked with hers. ‘I’d really like your opinion on it.
Really
.’
    Marina was dark-haired and olive-skinned, her Italian roots showing in her features. She dressed well and, in her late thirties, had a good figure. She had seen off more than her fair share of unwelcome attention over the years, and was about to do the same to Hugo Gwilym. But something in the intensity of his words, his gaze, made her stop.
    â€˜Why me?’
    He frowned as if the answer was obvious. ‘Because you’ve been there. You’ve
seen
it. You’ve stared into the abyss.’
    â€˜Oh please.’ Marina had had enough of him. She made to move away once more. Again she felt a restraining hand on her arm.
    â€˜You’re the only reason I came here tonight. I want to spend some time with you. Get to know you. I think we could… hit it off.’ He kept his hand where it was, made no effort to move it.
    â€˜I’ve read your work,’ Marina said, staring at his hand like it was a spider.
    Hugo Gwilym smiled, gave a mock bow of his head. ‘I’m flattered. Thank you.’
    â€˜I didn’t agree with a single word of it.’
    He froze. For a second or two something dark passed behind his eyes. Quickly – but Marina caught it. He soon replaced it with his smile. ‘We really are going to get on, you and I. I can tell.’
    His hand fell from her arm. Slowly, trailing as it went.
    Marina stared at him. ‘I’m married, you know.’
    â€˜Absolutely,’ he said, taking a mouthful of wine.
    â€˜Talk to my husband. He’s done more abyss-staring than I have.’
    â€˜Perhaps. Eventually.’ He put his glass down, stared at her. ‘But it’s you I’m interested in. You I want to talk to.’
    Clearly
, she thought
. I should go. Talk to someone else, even
.