The Marrying Game by Kate Saunders Read Free Book Online Page B

let the little blighter in. It is Christmas Eve, after all.’
    Ran leapt up to open the door, and returned to the table with his daughter in his arms. She wore her blue duffel coat over Barbie pyjamas, and carried a Ressany under each arm. She settled on Ran’s knee, a starchy little infanta.
    ‘Who’s that man in Granny’s jersey?’
    Berry got on famously with Linnet, because he did not make the fatal mistake of altering his manner when he talked to her. He related the story of his lost car keys as if she had been one of his colleagues at the bank, and she listened enraptured. Rufa, who judged everyone by the way Linnet reacted to them, rewarded Berry with an unsolicited cup of tea.
    She was arguing with the others about opening the brandy, which she wanted for tomorrow’s pudding, when Nancy returned from the Dents. She rushed straight to the range, wriggling out of her coat.
    ‘It’s bloody freezing out there. Look at my nipples – standing out like a couple of bottle-tops.’
    She thrust out her chest, and everyone looked at her nipples.
    Rufa said, ‘You’re back early.’
    ‘Yes, thank God. The Dents are driving to some posh Midnight Mass, absolutely miles away. I escaped before they could make me go with them.’
    She noticed Berry. Her lips curved into a lush smile. ‘Hello. I’m Nancy. You must be my Christmas present – oh girls, you shouldn’t have.’
    ‘Shut up, don’t tease him,’ Rufa said, laughing. ‘His name’s Berry. He was at school with Ran.’
    ‘And he’s really nice,’ Linnet said. ‘He whispered in my ear that while he was in the pond, he did a wee.’
    There was a great shout of laughter. Berry’s round face flushed puce.
    In a slow, puzzled voice, Nancy asked, ‘Why can’t we deliver presents at Melismate, Father Christmas?’
    And in a deep, plummy voice, she said, ‘Sorry, reindeer – there’s a naughty little girl who won’t go to sleep.’
    Linnet commanded, ‘Make the Ressanies say it’s all their fault.’
    Deep voice: ‘How dare you cast aspersions on those innocent bears? Off to bed with you!’
    Ran stood up, squeezing Lydia’s shoulder with one hand. ‘I’ll take her up, darling.’
    ‘Well, I’m not going,’ Linnet said testily. ‘Why this fixation with going to bed? What’s the point, if I’m not even tired?’
    ‘Come on, madam. You’ve had a good innings.’ Ran gathered his daughter into his arms. ‘Kiss your hand to everyone, and say Happy Christmas.’
    ‘Happy Christmas.’ Linnet kissed her starfish hand, then added, ‘Wait – I’d very much like to actually kiss the man who weed in the pond.’
    Ran carried her over to Berry. Everyone tried hard to contain any insulting laughter, but Linnet was very much on her dignity as she dropped a queenly kiss on Berry’s cheek. Ran had made one of his sudden transformations. The deserted lover was now, magically, a considerate husband and father. After he had sweetly borne the child out of the room, Rose and Rufa exchanged glances of deep scepticism.
    Nancy said, ‘Ma Dent saw the bookshop woman crying in a wine bar. Do I take it she’s left him?’
    ‘You missed his suicidal grief,’ said Rose.
    ‘What a shame. I always enjoy that.’
    ‘Never mind,’ Selena said. ‘There’ll be another one along in a minute.’
    ‘Bitches.’ Lydia was plaintive. ‘He’s trying to be cheerful, and it’s all for Linnet’s sake. So you shouldn’t be so mean.’
    Nancy tipped another friendly smile at Berry. ‘I wonder who’ll be next? The field is narrowing somewhat.’
    ‘That old hippy in Bangham, who sells crystals,’ predicted Selena. ‘I swear she fancies Ran.’
    ‘You utter bitches!’
    Rose was laughing so hard that she was sliding off her chair. She collected herself, with a boozy sigh. ‘Don’t be silly , you know we all adore the Village Idiot. I’m going to nominate him for Village Idiot of the Year.’
    At a quarter to eleven, Edward and Roger returned, in