The Choir on Hope Street: A gorgeously uplifting romantic comedy to make your heart sing!. Annie Lyons

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ thanks Nat. You look a bit down. What’s up?’

      I took this as my signal to escape. ‘I’ll let you get on then, Natalie,’ I said.

      She turned her head towards me. ‘Okay then. Thanks for the lift, Caroline,’ she replied, climbing out of the car. She shut the door with a slam. Again. ‘Sorry,’ she winced, holding up a hand in apology.

      I smiled and shook my head, pretending it didn’t matter before driving off. I glanced at Natalie and Jim in the rear-view mirror. They were already deep in conversation as he handed over a pile of letters, his face creased with concern. Natalie was obviously unloading that day’s drama. I couldn’t believe that she would be telling her troubles to the postman. The world had gone mad.

      As I reached home and opened the front door, I exhaled with relief – another crisis averted. I noticed a plug of fluff hanging from the bottom of the radiator. I made a mental note to ask Rosie to give them a good clean and check the skirting boards while she was at it. I always took pride in keeping a clean and tidy house. Appearances are everything, after all.

CHAPTER THREE

      NATALIE

      ‘So are you sure there isn’t someone else involved?’ asked Ed.

      ‘I’m as sure as I can be,’ I replied.

      ‘Has he actually said that though?’

      ‘Woody asked him.’ Ed looked surprised. I sighed. ‘I know. He came round so that we could tell Woody what was happening and it was only when he said it, that I realised I’d forgotten to ask.’

      ‘You forgot to ask?’

      ‘Don’t judge. I was really busy being very, very angry.’

      Ed shrugged. ‘Fair point. So what did he say?’

      ‘He did the reasonable Dan thing, denied it vehemently, told Woody how much he loves him, that it’s not his fault, that he’ll be there for him whenever he needs him and that he’ll be staying at his mum’s for now. Blah, blah, textbook reassuring estranged father stuff.’

      ‘How did Woody take it?’

      ‘He asked for a biscuit.’

      Ed surveyed the almost-empty tub of brownies. ‘Takes after his mother. Has Woody talked to you about it since?’

      I shrugged. ‘Not really. I don’t think eight-year-old boys do heart-to-hearts and, to be honest, he probably doesn’t know what to think. I know I don’t. I keep wondering what I did wrong, searching my brain for the moment when it all went belly-up.’ I reached for another brownie.

      ‘You won’t find the answer in the bottom of a carton of cakes.’

      ‘Hmm, what about a tub of salted caramel ice cream?’

      ‘Na-ah.’

      ‘Jar of peanut butter?’

      ‘Food of the devil – definitely not!’

      ‘Shame, because that has basically been my diet since Dan left.’

      ‘Well, I have to say, you’re more together than I thought you would be.’

      ‘I did cry in between dropping Woody at school and you arriving.’

      ‘But you’re not crying now.’

      ‘I could start at any minute.’

      ‘Don’t worry, I’ll slap you if you do.’

      I laughed. ‘What would I do without you?’

      ‘Don’t start – you’ll set me off.’

      ‘No, seriously, Ed. I needed a dose of your straight-talking no-nonsense today. Thank you.’

      He grinned. ‘Any time, sweet-cheeks. So what are you going to do?’

      ‘I’m sort of waiting for Dan to tell me what he wants.’ Ed grimaced. ‘What?’

      He shrugged. ‘Just that I’m a bit surprised, that’s all. I thought you’d be firing up the sass machine, fighting for yo man, getting a little fierce, sister!’ He clicked his fingers and fixed me with a head-swivelling look.

      I raised an eyebrow. ‘Once more in English, please?’

      ‘You know what I’m saying, Nat. You’ve got to stand up and fight for your man!’

      ‘Who am I fighting? According to Dan, there’s no-one else involved.’

      ‘Which makes it so much easier! Think about it. You’ve been married for like a hundred years, haven’t had sex for six months.’

      ‘More like nine,’ I muttered.

      ‘Jeepers, it’s worse than I thought. You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’, darlin’.’

      ‘If you’re about to break into song, I’m leaving.’

      ‘I’m serious, Nat. You’ve just become incredibly boring.’

      ‘Wow. I’m so glad we had this chat.’

      He grabbed my arm. ‘I think you just need some proper time together, sweet-pea. Get dressed up, go out on a date, reacquaint yourselves a little.’

      ‘Do you think that’s all it is?’

      ‘Of course! You know I’ll have Woody any time – he is my godson, after all.’

      ‘Thank you. I just don’t know if a couple of dates is going to solve it though.’ I remembered the look on Dan’s face when he told me he didn’t love me any more. He didn’t look like a man whose problems would be solved by sharing a Wing Roulette with his wife at Nando’s. He looked like a man who wanted to get away. Fast.

      Ed seemed to read my mind. ‘I know what Dan said but everyone says things they don’t mean sometimes. He may have thought it at the time but I’m sure it won’t last. I mean, there was a time when he didn’t love you at all and then he fell in love with you, so there’s no reason why he can’t just do that all again, is there?’

      ‘I guess,’ I frowned, doubting his reasoning but grateful for his attempts to reassure me.

      ‘It’s got to be worth a try, hasn’t it? I know how much you still love him.’ I could feel tears mist my eyes. ‘Don’t cry, sweetheart. He’s not going to fall back in love with a puffy-eyed snot monster.’ I laughed. ‘And you do look hot when you get dolled up on our nights out, so you should make the effort for Dan, don’t you think?’

      I gave him a weak smile. He put an arm around my shoulder and kissed the top of my head. ‘Can’t I just marry you?’ I asked.

      He laughed. ‘That would be fine in terms СКАЧАТЬ