To the Moon and Back by Jill Mansell Read Free Book Online Page B

scene, it was all over. The Three Deevas broke up and slid back into obscurity, and their fans found new girl bands to idolize.
    Fascinated, Ellie said, ‘You were Daisy.’
    â€˜Just don’t ask me to sing.’ Roo pulled a face. ‘Because I really can’t. Anyway, I’d much rather talk about you.’
    But first they had to put a pan of spaghetti on the boil, to go with the sauce. As soon as that was done they headed back into the living room. Spotting the azure seas and white sandy beach on the still-frozen TV screen, Roo exclaimed, ‘Ooh, what were you watching? Mamma Mia? ’
    Before Ellie could react, she’d seized the remote control and pressed Play. Belatedly, Ellie said, ‘No, it’s—’
    â€˜OK, not Mamma Mia .’ Gazing intently at the screen, Roo watched as Jamie chased Ellie into the water, pulling her into a jokey Hollywood clinch as a wave broke behind them, showering them in spray. Todd, manning the camcorder from a safe distance, called out, ‘You two, get a room .’
    â€˜That’s you.’ Roo glanced back at Ellie, then at the box of tissues on the arm of the sofa. Realization dawned. ‘Oh no, you were sitting here all on your own, playing home videos, and getting emotional. Who’s the guy? Don’t tell me, let me guess. You’re not together anymore.’
    Momentarily lost for words, Ellie said, ‘Um, well, no…’
    â€˜Ha, knew it! And he’s the one who buggered off, that’s obvious, because otherwise why would you be watching this stuff? Now look, this isn’t doing you any good.’ Roo picked up the box of tissues, tut-tutted, and put them on the floor, out of reach. ‘Trust me, men aren’t worth it. You just have to get on with your life. OK, so he was a pretty one.’ She turned back to the TV and pressed Pause, freezing the screen to capture Jamie mid-leap in a game of beach volleyball. ‘But he left you, so don’t dwell on the good points. Be critical . Ask yourself what kind of bloke wears a T-shirt the color of baby’s poo. And what about those legs? They’re too skinny! And I bet he snored!’
    Ellie hesitated, her mind racing. It was already too late to tell Roo the truth about Jamie; she would be mortified. What’s more, she would stop being irreverent and funny and treating her like a normal person. It happened every time, without fail. As soon as anyone found out she was a widow, their attitude towards her changed in an instant.
    Sorry, Jamie.
    Aloud she said, ‘OK, sometimes he snored.’
    â€˜I knew it!’ Roo clapped her hands. ‘And spindly little legs like bits of spaghetti. Just concentrate on the bad points and you’ll be over him in no time. Trust me, I’ve had heaps of practice. I should be a relationship therapist.’
    â€˜You’re right, I’m going to do that. Starting now.’ Retrieving the remote control, Ellie switched off the DVD player with a flourish. She sat down and indicated the sofa opposite. ‘There, I’m feeling better already. Come on then, your turn now. Tell me what it’s like living in Primrose Hill.’
    ***
    â€˜Spindly little legs? Like spaghetti? ’
    It was two o’clock in the morning and Roo Taylor had just left. She was single, Ellie had discovered, but currently was seeing someone called Niall who looked a bit like Simon Cowell and was brilliant in bed. She loved New Zealand wines, DIY programs on TV, and MAC cosmetics. Her real name was Rosalind but her father had nicknamed her Roo because she’d been a bouncy baby. She still worked in the music industry, writing songs for people who could sing in tune…
    â€˜Excuse me? Spindly? ’ Jamie was wearing his bright turquoise surf shorts. Outraged, he pointed to his lower half. ‘And you just let her say it! There’s nothing wrong with my legs. They’re athletic .’
    Ellie