Extra Time. Michelle Betham

Чтение книги онлайн.

       Chapter Seven

      ‘Do you know much about Wearside Spartans’ latest signing?’ Amber asked Ronnie as she gently nudged the front door open with her shoulder. She’d felt like some company, and Ronnie didn’t seem in any hurry to go back to his empty flat, so it seemed only natural that they should end the evening together with a takeaway and a bottle of wine.

      ‘Brandon Palmer?’ Ronnie followed Amber into the kitchen, placing the bag of Indian food on the counter and taking a couple of plates out of the cupboard.

      ‘Yeah. Their new striker. Young American guy. That was a signing that came out of nowhere. Who did he play for over in the States?’

      Ronnie started pulling cartons of food out of the brown paper carrier bag. ‘A team based in Brooklyn, I think. To be honest, I don’t know all that much about him. But he’s quite a talent, apparently. Do you want some of this lamb madras?’

      Amber nodded, opening the fridge and taking out two bottles of lager. ‘I was talking to Steve about him earlier. Brandon Palmer, I mean. It’s a signing that’s come completely out of the blue, and it seems to have taken everyone a bit by surprise. But Spartans wouldn’t just sign anyone for the hell of it. They’re aiming for a European place this season, and everyone knows they’re in desperate need of a decent striker. So they must rate him or they wouldn’t have spent all that money on him. Is he playing tomorrow do you know?’

      ‘Well, as far as I’m aware, he’s had the medical, and his paperwork’s through, so I can’t see Spartans not playing him if he’s available. I think the home crowd’ll give him a pretty decent North East welcome, too, don’t you? And, as it happens, I’m on the pundit panel for that match, so… Hang on, isn’t Jim going to check the new Spartans squad out? See what the local opposition has to offer this season? Why don’t you tag along with him? Get a look at their new signing for yourself?’

      ‘Yeah,’ Amber sighed. ‘I might just do that. I’m interested to see Brandon Palmer in action, see what all the fuss is about.’

      ‘He’s a bit of a looker, too, don’t you think?’ Ronnie grinned, carrying plates piled high with wonderful-smelling curry over to the dining table.

      ‘And he’s young enough to be my son.’ Amber smiled, sitting down and taking a swig of lager, mainly to hide the sudden jolt of – of something she couldn’t really explain. As she’d said those words, the realisation that she had a visit to Dr. Lowry scheduled for Monday morning suddenly hit her. She’d forgotten all about it. Almost.

      ‘Well, it’s not like you haven’t gone down the toy boy route before.’ Ronnie smirked, thankfully unaware of Amber’s brief wobble.

      She couldn’t help smiling back. ‘Yeah, well, let’s not go over old ground, okay? Shut up and eat your curry. Here, have a piece of naan bread.’

      Neither of them said anything for a few seconds, enjoying each other’s company without the need to speak too much. But after a lot more small talk, Amber couldn’t stop herself from asking Ronnie something she’d been wanting to ask him ever since Tenerife. She’d just never found the right time, and what better time than now, when they were relaxed and alone?

      ‘Ronnie, is everything okay between you and Karen?’

      Ronnie put down his fork and looked at Amber. ‘Everything’s fine.’

      ‘Is it? Really? Only…’

      He scooped up the last of his curry and ate it, looking down at his now-empty plate. ‘I don’t want to talk about it, Amber.’

      She said nothing for a second, finishing off her own meal before she spoke again. ‘So, there is something to talk about, then?’

      He almost threw his fork down on the plate, the rattle of steel hitting china making Amber jump slightly. ‘Just… just don’t, Amber. All right?’

      ‘Don’t what, Ronnie? Don’t be concerned about my best friend? Don’t care about how he might be feeling? Don’t care that something might be wrong?’

      Ronnie sat back in his chair and picked up his lager, taking a long swig before banging the bottle back down on the table. ‘Nothing’s wrong.’

      ‘Well, I think it is. Every time I ask you anything about Karen you become, well, evasive, almost. As if you don’t want to talk about her.’

      ‘That’s because I don’t.’

      Amber stared at him, his words taking her aback slightly. She hadn’t actually expected that. ‘Why?’ Her voice was quieter now, less confrontational.

      Ronnie said nothing, just threw his head back and closed his eyes, letting out a heavy sigh. ‘I said I didn’t want to talk about it.’

      Suddenly Amber noticed something she couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed before. ‘You’re not wearing your wedding ring.’

      He opened his eyes and sat up, looking down at his left hand. ‘No. I’m not.’

      ‘Why?’

      ‘You’re asking a lot of questions tonight.’

      ‘With good reason, it would appear. What’s going on, Ronnie?’

      He sat forward, putting his head in his hands. ‘It’s complicated, Amber.’

      ‘Okay.’ She got up and went back over to the fridge, taking out a couple more bottles of lager before sitting back СКАЧАТЬ