Marrying A Millionaire. Laura Martin
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Название: Marrying A Millionaire
Автор: Laura Martin
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Современные любовные романы
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Cathy smiled. ‘None at all! In fact I think Robbie’s rather pleased with himself—he’s turned it into some kind of adventure. Would you like some tea?’
‘Umm…no, thank you. I can’t stay long; I’m on my way somewhere.’
‘You look very nice,’ Cathy remarked sincerely. ‘I love your dress.’
Sandra glanced down at herself. ‘Thanks.’ She hesitated. ‘So…did Daniel stay long this morning, after he’d walked you and Robbie home?’
Ah! Cathy thought. Now they were at the crux of the matter. She glanced across at Sandra’s deliberately indifferent expression and knew it would be cruel to tell her anything other than the truth. ‘No, he didn’t even come inside.’
‘Oh!’ The relief on Sandra’s face was clear for all to see.
‘He’s very handsome, isn’t he?’ Cathy remarked in conversational tones.
‘Yes.’
‘Is he married?’
‘No.’ Sandra shook her head decisively. ‘I don’t think he’s ever come remotely close.’
‘But he must have a girlfriend.’ Cathy smiled. ‘I would have thought he’d be snapped up straight away.’
‘Not at the moment—at least nothing serious. And that’s the main thing, isn’t it?’ Sandra glanced across at Cathy and added, somewhat pointedly. ‘Of course, like all men, he’s more than happy to have a fling with someone, but when it comes to anything long-term he’s incredibly choosy. He wouldn’t get seriously involved with anyone who didn’t match up to his high standards.’
‘Really?’ Cathy didn’t bother to hide her amusement. ‘You seem very knowledgeable on the subject.’ She decided to get straight to the point. ‘Have you and he…?’
‘No.’ Sandra’s voice was undeniably flat. ‘No,’ she repeated, with a little more vigour. ‘Unfortunately not. However, I live in hope.’
‘He’s extremely good with children,’ Cathy commented, more for something to say than anything else. ‘Robbie took to him straight away. I’ve never seen him so chatty with such a comparative stranger.’
‘Yes…well, he’s very…’ Sandra struggled to come up with the right word. ‘Amenable,’ she said finally. ‘Always willing to help those in need.’
Meaning me, Cathy thought.
Sandra glanced at her wristwatch. ‘Well, this was just a flying visit; I really must be going. I’m meeting someone for dinner—not a patch on the delicious Daniel, of course, but I never like to refuse an invitation, especially if it means a free meal into the bargain!’
Cathy made no comment. She began to see that Sandra’s reincarnation from frumpy schoolgirl to glamorous siren had not been the complete success she had first imagined.
At the front door, Sandra paused briefly. ‘Daniel’s a very kind person,’ she reiterated. ‘And of course there’s the rebel element to consider as well.’
Cathy wasn’t quite sure what she was talking about, but she smiled and said cheerfully, ‘Quite a combination, I should think!’
‘Exactly. But it’s just as well to be aware of these things from the beginning. There really is nothing worse than making a fool of yourself over a man, is there?’
And with that rather ironic comment hanging in the air between them, Sandra walked out into the night.
CHAPTER THREE
CATHY glanced at her wristwatch for the tenth time in as many minutes and sighed with relief. At last, time to collect Robbie from school!
It was glorious to be out in the fresh air after working inside all day. Cathy breathed in deeply as she strolled along the lane towards the village school. The hedgerows were bursting with fresh green life. The sky was a clear, sharp blue. Daffodils scattered along the grassy verge added drifts of vivid yellow to a scene that, in Cathy’s opinion, couldn’t be more perfect. She walked with a smile on her face. She just couldn’t help it. To be here, on a day like this…
The mellow stone of the village school came into view and her heart soared a little more. She missed Robbie such a lot when he was at school, more especially at the moment because she knew that he wasn’t particularly happy.
There were several mothers already waiting for their children at the school gates. Cathy smiled at a couple of familiar faces and received a few friendly greetings in return.
She had timed it perfectly; a child emerged from the front door and rang a handbell with vigorous enthusiasm and in less than a minute children of all sizes streamed out into the playground.
Cathy waited expectantly for Robbie’s sweet little face to appear. Each day this week had been torturous. Robbie had cried and wailed at the school gates every morning before school, clinging onto her legs, pleading with her not to make him go…Tears welled up in Cathy’s eyes at the thought of it. She had felt so mean. Guilty, too, at taking him away from his old school. Anxious in case things would never get better.
After five minutes, the frenetic activity at the gate quietened down as mothers and children left for home. Cathy stood alone, her eyes glued to the front entrance, waiting for Robbie. She felt uneasy; he was usually one of the first to come running out.
She was just about to go inside the school and find him for herself when she caught sight of him. Her heart sank, for all the signs told her that something was wrong. Why else would he be walking across the playground with the formidable Miss Stubbs at his side?
‘Mummy! Mummy!’ Robbie ran towards her, arms outstretched, like a prisoner released from jail.
‘Hello, darling!’ Cathy bent down and swung Robbie into the air. ‘How’s my best boy?’ She kissed his smooth, plump cheek and gave him a quick, fierce hug, conscious of their shared emotion at being reunited with each other again. ‘Are you OK?’
‘S’pose.’ Robbie glanced briefly across at Miss Stubbs, and then buried his head against Cathy’s shoulder. ‘Can we go home now?’ he mumbled.
‘I need to speak to you for a few moments, Miss Taylor, if you don’t mind.’
Cathy’s stomach churned over. The elderly woman didn’t look particularly happy; her lips were pursed into a thin, hard line of disapproval. ‘Er…yes. Yes, of course.’ She inhaled a breath. ‘Is there…something the matter?’
‘I think it would be best if we talked inside. I don’t believe in discussing important matters out on the school yard.’
Oh, dear! Was it that serious, then? ‘Robbie, I just need to have a quick word with Miss Stubbs.’ Cathy’s expression was deliberately upbeat, even though she felt a certain amount of trepidation inside. ‘I’m sure it won’t take long and then we can go home.’
‘But, СКАЧАТЬ