The Little One [Quick Read 2012] by Lynda La Plante Read Free Book Online

panicked and hurried back along the landing.
    She ran downstairs and opened the front door just as the milkman was making his way down the drive. He turned and waved, apologizing for being late. Barbara smiled and bent to pick up the milk,
but then she hesitated. The footsteps she’d seen the previous night had melted. The snowman was just a little pile of slush.
    Returning to the kitchen, Barbara checked her mobile, but the battery flickered and she got no signal. Of course Margaret wouldn’t have a charger. She tried the landline, but there was no
connection.
    It was strange to be so isolated. No mobile, no telephone, no television, no newspapers even. She couldn’t remember a time when she’d been without these everyday things. No people,
no contact with anyone apart from Margaret.
    Surprisingly, she was beginning to like the feeling.
    ‘I’m home,’ Margaret called, coming into the kitchen with her cheeks rosy red once more. She threw off her coat and warmed her hands in front of the fire.
    ‘The trains will be running again tomorrow morning. There’s one at ten that goes directly to Waterloo.’
    She turned to Barbara, pulling off her hat, and added, ‘I might come with you.’
    ‘Oh, that would be nice.’
    Margaret gave her a radiant smile.
    ‘Yes. I have made some big decisions. First, I need to settle some important business.’
    She pulled the big armchair closer to the fire.
    ‘I talked to Alan this morning.’
    Barbara began to feel worried.
    ‘The vicar is such a sweetheart and let me use his phone. Anyway, I told Alan that you’d catch the train.’
    ‘Oh, good.’
    There was an awkward pause. Then Margaret said, ‘I also spoke to Kevin. He’s back earlier than he expected from his photoshoot.’
    ‘Oh.’
    ‘Yes. And he said that would mean it wasn’t convenient for you to stay on any longer with them. He’d be grateful if you moved your things out.’
    Barbara sank down on the sofa as Margaret went on.
    ‘It’s such a little house. I often went there for dinner with them. Such nice people, and very good cooks.’
    ‘Yes.’
    There was another pause.
    Barbara began to wonder if Kevin had said something else.
    ‘You’re a journalist, aren’t you?’
    Barbara flushed.
    ‘Er, yes, I am actually.’
    ‘And you’re planning to do a series about famous soap stars from the past, is that right?’
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘So you had an ulterior motive for coming here.’
    ‘No, that isn’t true.’
    Margaret looked at her directly and Barbara couldn’t meet her dark bright eyes.
    ‘You want to write about me, don’t you?’
    ‘No, I really don’t.’
    Margaret gave a soft laugh, then said, ‘I sort of suspected you were up to something.’
    Barbara burst into tears.
    ‘It’s all right. Meeting James, Alan and the others that night made me even more certain. There is no way I could even think of returning to show business. The truth is, I never
really fitted in. I did enjoy the fame for a while, but then it was hideous and intrusive. Losing Armande and then my sister and . . .’
    She stopped and sighed deeply.
    Barbara wiped her face with the back of her hand. She felt dreadful. She didn’t know what to do or say.
    ‘I’m so sorry.’
    Margaret went to fill the kettle.
    ‘Margaret, I’m really sorry to have lied to you. I’ll leave tomorrow. And I promise I won’t even consider writing anything. I have never known anyone like you. You have
been so kind.’
    ‘Good. I was hoping you’d say that.’
    Margaret put the kettle on to the hot plate of the Aga.
    ‘Do you like it here?’ she asked, fetching the teapot.
    Barbara went over to her, wanting more than anything to put her arms around her.
    ‘I do. I really do. Just before you came in, I was thinking how comfortable I felt.’
    Margaret patted her cheek.
    ‘I know you have no work and no place to live, so it’s perfect that you like it here. Maybe you could even begin to write that book.’
    She opened a drawer and