The Impossible Search for the Perfect Man by Debbie Howells/Susie Martyn Read Free Book Online

and compete with Emma’s superlative talents in the
kitchen, just keep it simple.  Tonight we’re having salad nicoise, which
ought to be within even my modest capabilities, with a freshly baked loaf from
the pub.
    But earlier than expected, there’s a
knock at the door.  It can’t be Agnes, because she’s always spot on time,
so I’m expecting it to be Emma, only it isn’t.  I open the door and it’s
Leo.
    I’m thrilled that she’s here and as I
pour my friend a glass of wine, she glances around admiringly.
    ‘It’s lovely here, Lou. I can’t believe
how settled you look, I’m so happy for you.’
               
Then she’s uncharacteristically quiet.
    But something doesn’t ring true, because
right now, Leonie doesn’t look as though she could be happy about
anything.  Something’s clearly wrong.
    Then she asks, carefully, in a very
subdued voice, ‘Lou? When you thought something was going on with Arian, what
was it exactly that made you suspicious?’
    I look at her, dumbfounded.  Surely not them too?   Not Leonie and Pete, the greatest
love story among all my friends I’ve ever had?
    ‘What’s happened Leo?  Is something
wrong?’ 
    And suddenly my fear is back, only this
time it’s for my friends.
    She sighs.  A very heartfelt sigh
indeed and suddenly I notice that there are shadows under her eyes that were
never there before. 
    ‘Oh Lou, I don’t know. Pete just isn’t
himself.  He’s distant.  Bites my head off at the drop
of a hat.   All he wants to do when he’s home from work is read or
sleep.  And he won’t talk to me.  Not about anything - and we’ve
always talked, about everything, until now...  I just don’t know what the
matter is.  I really think it must be me.  He seems fine with
everyone else…’  Her voice tails off.
    I truly don’t know what to say to help
her.  She’s right.  It doesn’t sound like Pete at all. 
    ‘Just hang in there Leo.  It might
be some work thing on his mind...  A base check or an
arsey training captain?   We both know what these pilots are
like...’
    Only too well, in my
case.
    She raises huge brown eyes to look at
me.  ‘If that’s the case, why doesn’t he tell me?’
    ‘Maybe he’s a bit under the weather
Leonie, I don’t know.  Have you tried to get him out?  Or  maybe just spend some time together?’ 
    None of which, of course, made a scrap
of difference with Arian.
    Leonie shrugs.  I can tell I’m way
off the mark here.  We’re not really getting anywhere with this.
    ‘Stay for supper?’ I offer.  Agnes
would know what to say.  ‘Agnes and Emma are coming round.  There’s
plenty for four...’ I try to persuade her.  And it might take her mind off
things for a while.
    But Leonie shakes her head. ‘Thanks Lou,
but I think I’ll go. I don’t think I’d be great company.’
     
    Supper with Agnes and Emma is always
fun, though tonight I can’t quite shake my concern for Leonie from my
mind. 
    Away from the office, Agnes lets her
hair down just a tiny bit, and listens to me and Emma gossiping with an
indulgent smile, as though we were her babies. When Emma and I start cackling
about initiating Marcus though, Agnes is a touch disapproving.
    ‘That was just a tad unfair of you,
girls. If I’d spotted it, you would have got Henderson, Emma.’  Her tone
is slightly reprimanding, but there’s the faintest ghost of a smile there too.
    ‘Oh Agnes,’ we both crow.  ‘It was funny .
Emma’s dealt with that horse loads of times.  And
Henderson actually paid.  Result!’   Emma and I high-five each other.
    Agnes has the good grace to smile
properly then.  ‘On this occasion, you’re off the hook, girls.  But
don’t do it again.  Really, that poor boy...’
    Poor boy my arse.  
There’s nothing poor about Marcus.  He’s obviously already reeled Agnes
in, hook, line and sinker, along with all the other admirers, female of course,
that are queuing up for his services,