Mills & Boon Christmas Delights Collection. Rebecca Winters

Чтение книги онлайн.

       Chapter Fourteen

      ‘You look like your dog just died,’ Janey said as she answered the door. Her hand flew to her mouth as she realised where I often spent my weekends. ‘Oh shit!’ she said from behind it. ‘One of the dogs didn’t die, did it?’

      I leant in and gave her and the bump a hug. ‘No, it’s fine. One of them just got rehomed.’

      She closed the door behind me and gave me a look as I took off my coat and hung it on the coat rack.

      ‘So, isn’t this the point, you go “yay, one of them got rehomed.”’ She did a sort of jazz hands thing to add illustration.

      ‘Yes. No, I’m thrilled. Obviously.’

      ‘Obviously.’

      ‘It’s just that…have you spoken to your brother today?’

      ‘Michael?’ she asked, turning away to rummage in the cupboard for teabags. ‘Earlier, yes.’

      ‘Did he say we went out yesterday?’

      ‘You went out?’ She spun round.

      ‘Yes, to the rescue centre.’

      ‘Oh. Oh yes. That. Sorry, I thought you meant…never mind. Tea?’

      ‘Yes please. And the other? Definitely not going to happen.’ I half laughed, remembering how yesterday he’d categorically stated he would never ask ‘someone like me’ out.

      ‘Because of Calum?’

      ‘Because of a lot of things.’

      ‘He’s not that bad, you know.’ Janey’s voice had a defensive note.

      ‘Oh God, Janey, I know!’ I leant over and caught her hand. ‘I didn’t mean it like that. Honestly I didn’t. I know he’s not. For goodness’ sake, the waitress in the pub tipped my dinner over me yesterday because she was so busy gawking at your brother.’

      ‘No!’

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘I do wish he’d tidy himself up a little.’

      I took a sip of the tea she’d placed in front of me. ‘He’s fine. But him and I? Not happening. We’d drive each other bonkers in no time for a start.’

      Janey shrugged her shoulders. ‘So, what’s with the look you had when I answered the door. Is it to do with yesterday?’

      ‘Kind of. Remember we had suggested to him about getting another dog?’

      ‘Mmmhmm,’ she said, disappearing behind her mug of tea.

      ‘Well, there was this dog at the centre and I knew he’d be perfect for Michael. I got him to go down there and we had a really lovely walk together.’ Janey looked up. ‘With the dog,’ I added hastily. ‘It all seemed to be going really well. It was clear he thought Rooney was great.’

      ‘Rooney?’

      ‘I know. But apart from the name he was perfect! And he just took to Michael like he’d known him for ever. I really thought he was going to take him. And then, when we got back, he just handed me the lead, gave him a hug and left, saying he had a phone call to return.’

      ‘Oh.’

      ‘And then Mark’s just texted to say they’ve found him a new home.’

      ‘But surely that’s good?’

      ‘It is. Of course. I know, I know! I sound mad. I just really wanted it to be with Michael. Oh Janey you should have seen them together, it was so cute!’

      She smiled. ‘I can imagine.’

      Pushing the biscuits towards me, Janey snagged one herself and took a bite. ‘Things will work out for the best Katie. Don’t worry.’

      ‘Yeah, I know.’

      ‘Did I hear you have a date tonight?’

      I stopped chewing.

      ‘What’s that look for?’ she asked.

      ‘Nothing.’

      Janey raised a disbelieving eyebrow.

      ‘Fair enough. Michael and I sort of had an argument yesterday, and he was worried about me running to you to tell tales on him, which I told him I would never do. But apparently it doesn’t work the other way around.’

      ‘Bollocks. He’s not worried about you telling me anything. When you come from a family like ours, it’s pretty much the rule that whatever you say will, sooner or later, be known by all the others. And Michael’s not one to say things he doesn’t stand behind, so he doesn’t tend to mind who knows, and certainly not me.’

      ‘But the only way you know I have a date with Calum tonight is because Michael told you.’

      ‘That’s true. And you know why he told me?’

      ‘Do I want to know?’

      ‘I don’t know. But I’ll tell you anyway. He said you got pinned down to a time that wasn’t really convenient – ’

      ‘I wouldn’t exactly say “pinned”.’

      Janey gave me that look that she and Michael did so well. The one that seemed to see right through me.

      ‘OK.’

      ‘So he offered for you to change at his place and go from there, right?’

      ‘Yes. Although I wasn’t entirely sure if that was still on since we sort of had that row last night.’

      ‘He doesn’t go back on his word, and I’m guessing it is because he mentioned it this morning.’

      ‘He’s of the same opinion as you about Calum.’

      Janey pulled a face.

      ‘I’m going to talk to Calum tonight about things.’

      ‘I hate to doubt you sweetie, but you’ve said that before and I’ve not seen a lot of СКАЧАТЬ