The Scoop by Fern Michaels Read Free Book Online Page A

for stealing away what’s-his-name after all these years. You two go through this routine every time you meet,” Sophie said.
    “Ida expects it. I can’t start disappointing her now,” Toots replied.
    “True,” Mavis said.
    “Yip, yip!” from the carrier.
    “Apparently, Coco agrees. Now just follow the signs to the exit. I’ll meet you both at the car. By the way, it’s a Range Rover in case the valet attendant asks.”
    Toots left the women in the lounge, knowing Mavis would tell Sophie she had a surprise for all of them. They’d spend their time waiting trying to figure out exactly what the surprise was. She smiled at the image.
    Ten minutes later, when she saw Ida emerge from the plane, Toots almost fainted. Mavis and Sophie had weight issues for sure. Ida on the other hand…what the hell was her problem?
    Toots observed her friend as Ida carefully made her way through the group of debarking passengers, careful to stay as far away from human contact as possible. Ida was neither fat nor skinny. She was just right. Hair graying nicely though plainly styled. Toots thought her old friend was gorgeous, with her perfectly even features, nothing too large or too small. Every feature was where it was supposed to be. Toots always thought she herself was too tall and her lips too thick, but now wasn’t the time to start tallying up her issues against that of her former rival. More immediate issues were at hand. Like why did Ida have on latex gloves and one of those masks surgeons wear?
    Her voice muffled by the mask, Ida asked, “Teresa, is that you?”
    “Of course it’s me. Who did you think it was, King Kong? I haven’t changed that much, have I?” Here I go, Toots thought, all those damned insecurities slapping me in the face like a cheating lover caught in the act.
    “I’m not sure. Let me take a look at you.”
    Toots leaned in to give Ida a hug and allow her a close-up look. Ida almost fell over backward. “Do not touch me!”
    “What?” Toots asked, sure she hadn’t heard Ida correctly.
    “Let’s get out of here. Did you bring all the supplies Mavis told you I’d need? Don’t tell me she didn’t tell you what’s wrong with me, because she called me right after she hung up talking to you last night.”
    Yep, other than the germ factor, Ida was still a snippy bitch. Toots planned on curing her, like real quick.
    Toots grabbed Ida by the hand. “Follow me, and don’t you dare tell me not to touch you!”

Chapter 6
    “B ernice,” Toots announced, “you’ve outdone yourself again. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed a meal as much.” With Toots a vegan, Mavis on her new diet, Sophie needing to pile on the pounds, and Ida fearing anything she put in her mouth was laced with germs, Toots had called ahead to warn Bernice about the weird eating requirements of her friends. She’d successfully put together a menu that would satisfy each of their needs. Poached salmon and a watercress salad for Mavis, a thick New York strip steak and mashed potatoes for Sophie, and a plate of boiled vegetables for Ida.
    Acting the role of maid, chef, and pot scrubber, Bernice merely nodded, then began clearing their plates from the table. With a smirk on her face, Bernice asked, “Would the Missus care for coffee and dessert now?”
    “Of course. We’ll have it outside on the terrace.” Toots saw Bernice roll her eyes. If she wanted to play the roll of indentured servant, Toots was game. “Make sure the coffee is hot, too. And I’ll want Half & Half, no skim milk for me, though I’m sure Mavis will want hers black, and she’ll pass on dessert. Ida? Sophie?”
    Mavis was the first to speak up. “I don’t want any coffee, but I would like to take a sniff at whatever you’re offering for dessert. I can’t do this cold turkey.”
    “Of course you can’t,” Toots confirmed. “Bernice, slice a plate of fresh fruit for Mavis. In bite-size pieces.”
    Toots couldn’t help but smile because she knew under