Two For Joy by Patricia Scanlan Read Free Book Online Page B

verbalize her anger and even though Oliver was practically a stranger, she’d felt he understood. ‘Do you think I’m being totally selfish?’ she asked curiously.
    He’d studied her with his direct blue-eyed gaze. ‘Not in the slightest,’ he’d said reassuringly. ‘But, even though it might not be much of a comfort at the moment, at least when your mother does pass away you’ll have nothing to reproach yourself with. Your sisters might not be so lucky.’
    â€˜I suppose so,’ she agreed, not having thought of that particular aspect.
    By the time the extension was completed – to the highest standards of course – Oliver had become quite relaxed with her and she enjoyed their chats and nightly bottles of beer so much that she said forlornly as she wrote out the cheque for the outstanding balance she owed him, ‘I’m going to miss our chats and beer, Oliver. I’ve kinda got used to them now.’
    â€˜We could always have the odd pint in the Haven,’ he said diffidently and she saw the faint hint of a blush curling around his shirt collar.
    Noreen was touched. He was a nice, decent bloke, even if he was a few years younger than her. She liked him. ‘That would be nice, Oliver. I can try to get one of my sisters to come and spend a few hours with my mother when she comes home,’ she responded easily.
    â€˜It’s important that you get out and about, Noreen. Make sure those sisters of yours pull their weight a bit,’ he said gruffly. ‘I’ll be in touch. See you.’ He smiled at her and again she was struck at how much a smile changed his countenance, making him appear younger and more relaxed than his usual serious, watchful demeanour.
    Noreen watched him get into his car and wondered why he wasn’t married. Was it his shyness that kept him from being in a serious relationship? He was currently single, he’d told her, when she’d asked outright. He’d been surprised at her directness. She was nothing if not direct, she thought wryly. And bossy with it. Hadn’t Pete called her a bossy bitch during one of their many rows? Maybe she was bossy, she conceded. It had stood her in good stead when she was promoted to Sister. She liked to call a spade a spade.
    â€˜And what about you? Is there a man waiting for you in London?’ he’d queried back.
    â€˜Not any more. I lived with someone for five years, but it was over before my mother got sick.’
    â€˜I’m sorry to hear that, I hope it wasn’t too rough on you.’
    â€˜I was a bit shattered to say the least,’ she said quietly.
    â€˜These things happen,’ he murmured, but she saw sympathy in his eyes and felt strangely touched by it.
    He phoned a week after he’d finished the extension. ‘We’ll sort out that drink in the Haven if it still suits you, Noreen,’ he said crisply and she exhaled a long breath. She’d been half afraid he wouldn’t ring.
    Noreen smiled at the memory. She’d had to organize all their dates from then on. She’d even had to take the bull by the horns after two years of courtship and ask him to marry her, or she’d still be going for walks around the lake and drinks in the Haven.
    She would have preferred it if Oliver had proposed to her. She could still remember the startled look in his eyes when she’d bluntly said, ‘Look, Oliver, I think it’s time we got married, don’t you? Will you marry me? We’ve been seeing each other for two years now and we’re not teenagers any more. My mother’s dead. I need to make plans for my future. If you and I don’t move on, I feel I should go back to London.’
    For one heartstopping moment she’d thought that he was going to refuse her but he’d sort of gulped and composed himself and muttered, ‘I suppose you’re right. When do you want to set the date?’
    It certainly