The Patterson Girls by Rachael Johns Read Free Book Online Page B

rather slit her own throat than listen to the reggae music Charlie liked. And their tastes weren’t just different when it came to music.
    â€˜And are you still working at the café as well?’ Lucinda asked, at least trying to show an interest.
    Charlie nodded. Addicts of caffeine, her sisters had always been far more comfortable talking about her café job than they were about her passions for things like tarot cards, sculpture and aromatherapy. Sometimes she wondered if she was adopted. If Mum hadn’t read her horoscopes everyday, Charlie would have been certain.
    â€˜Is that hot guy still working there?’ Abigail asked.
    Charlie rolled her eyes. A while back she’d sent a Facebook request for her sisters to like the café page and Abigail had messaged immediately asking who the bloke with the shaved head, rocking body and tattooed arms was. ‘Yep. Unfortunately he’s happily dating one of the waitresses.’
    Abigail shrugged. ‘What about you, Charles? You seeing anyone?’
    â€˜Not at the moment. You?’ Charlie turned the limelight back the other way. ‘Or are you too busy working as usual?’
    â€˜ Actually , there’s something I need to …’ Abigail straightened but then went quiet. Charlie and the others, even Dad, looked up at the way she said that one word. It sounded … significant, like she was about to deliver an important announcement. Charlie noticed her hand was shaking slightly, which was very un-Abigail-like. Must be serious.
    â€˜Are you okay?’ she asked.
    â€˜Yes.’ Abigail came alive again, her eyes twinkling and a blush rushing into her cheeks. ‘Actually, I am seeing someone. He’s blond …’ She paused and that look of a besotted-lover—all gooey distant eyes—came over her face. ‘And gorgeous. And so damn nice. As it happens, he’s an Australian also working in London. He’s back to visit his family for Christmas too; we came over on the same flight.’
    â€˜And another one bites the dust,’ Madeleine said dryly, taking another sip of her wine. ‘That look you’ve got in your eyes is the same one Lucinda had when she told us about Joe. Remember?’
    â€˜Well, I’m happy for you.’ Lucinda leaned across the table and patted Abigail’s hand. ‘That’s great news, isn’t it Dad?’
    They all looked to Dad, who blinked as if he hadn’t taken in a word of what they’d been saying. ‘What? Yes, lovely.’
    â€˜Mum would have loved him, Dad.’ Abigail reached out to take his hand. ‘Tell us the story of when you met her again?’
    â€˜Ah, not tonight, love.’ He extracted his hand and pushed back his chair. ‘It’s lovely to see you all, but I think the drive to Adelaide and back has got to me. Do you mind if I call it an early night?’
    Charlie looked down. Aside from moving it around his plate, he hadn’t touched his dinner.
    â€˜That’s fine, Dad,’ Lucinda said, ‘but is there anything we can help with tomorrow? Motel-wise?’
    He sighed, before glancing at each of them in turn. ‘Actually girls, there’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you and I guess there’s going to be no better time than now.’
    Charlie’s breath caught in her throat as she imagined the worst. Was he sick? Did he have cancer? Please no . She couldn’t handle losing him so close to her mother.
    Finally, he spoke. ‘I’ve decided to sell the motel.’
    â€˜Oh.’ Abigail looked speechless, which had to be a first.
    â€˜Makes sense.’ Madeleine nodded, but her expression was grave.
    â€˜Yes,’ Lucinda agreed. ‘It’s a big job on your own, even with fabulous staff.’
    Mrs Sampson stared down at her empty bowl as if this weren’t a surprise.
    Charlie didn’t know what to think. She felt a tear bubble. The Meadow Brook