[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
are. Favours galore. Mary Alice tried to give me this
spiel about being frightened and not knowing what it
was Paul does. So I said, if it's money laundering or
drugs, darling, it's nothing I haven't seen since I
turned fifteen. She extinguished her cigarette in one
of Mary Alice's bougainvillea and extracted another.
Windows 197
It's a control thing with her she cannot fucking
stand any female taking first place with her precious
sons. Paul is still so conditioned by her she could tell
him he's Jesus Christ and he'd start trying to turn
water to wine. She's so manipulative. You know she
had an affair, right?
Yeah, I heard.
And you know Nick went frigging mental when
he saw Massimo hit her? She's been playing on that for
years. Nick, your father's scaring me. Nick, come and
stay. Nick, don't move out. But he's twigged when
she's trying it and when she's telling the truth. It's
Oedipal.
Gina's heart sank. You're not kidding.
She try the same with you? I wouldn't let her
get to you it's all bullshit. Like I said, it's all control
with her.
So you don't care what Paul does?
Paul can do what he likes, as long as my
Harrods card is paid up. Sofia rubbed her ring finger
in careless circles over her thumb, the cigarette
burning slowly. Like I said, you're taking it too
personally. Would you be this pissed off if he was a
traffic warden instead? It's a job, Gina. As long as he
treats you well, you shouldn't give one.
Yeah, damn those morals.
198 Billy London
Sofia gave her a stilling look. I'd cash those in if
I were you. She adjusted the silk drape along Gina's
shoulder. You know better than anyone that life is
brief. Why worry about things you have no control
over?
Ouch. It's because life is brief that I shouldn't
have to worry about things I do have control over. I
don't have to be with Nick.
Sofia's perfectly groomed brow arched. Hmm.
Not sure your bow-legged walking compliments what
you're saying. Mary Alice probably made it sound like
a Roman Polanski film, but you get used to certain
things. And sometimes, your husband will come home
with things like this... Sofia lifted her birdlike wrist
and displayed an eye-wateringly beautiful bracelet.
Sofia, you're not that materialistic, Gina said,
seeing spots behind her lids from the light reflecting
from the diamonds.
Her new confidante tucked her hair behind her
ears to display matching earrings. Oh, but I am. Shall
we go back in?
One thing. Do you know who Mary Alice had an
affair with?
Oh fuck yah! Sofia laughed uproariously.
Did you tell Paul?
Windows 199
And ruin my fun? Don't make me laugh. It's
brilliant knowing that halo slipped because she
wanted cock.
Ladies and gentlemen, my future sister-in-law.
They went back inside to be accosted by Paul.
Were you smoking? Jesus, Sof, you know Mum hates
it.
Sofia cupped Paul's cheeks. You know how
much nicer I am when I smoke. Give me a kiss.
Sofia touched Gina's arm. I've stolen your
mobile number from Nick. You and I are going to go
out and bond and be very close. I don't care if you like
that plan or not, it's happening. Come on, Paul, you
can break in my new underwear.
Gina wandered into the living room where Nick
had his ankle braced on his opposite knee, jiggling
with barely contained irritation. I'm bored. Can we
save this for a day when I'm under general
anaesthetic? Good. He caught sight of Gina and got to
his feet. Ready to go home?
Yes please, she said gently.
Mary Alice leapt up. At least take some food
with you before you go.
We'll be all right. Funnily enough, we've had
enough help from you.
200 Billy London
Soprano, Gina admonished. The corner of his
mouth kicked up on hearing his nickname, and he
carefully kissed her cheekbone.
Mary Alice's shoulder's sagged. Nothing less
than I deserve. Thank you both for coming.
Gina stopped herself from saying anything else.
She didn't trust a word that came out of that woman's
mouth. They said their goodbyes, and Nick led Gina
out to the car. Could have been worse.
Gina waited for him to unlock the door of his
car. I don't know& we were just missing Hitler at the
other end of the table, claiming that I'm an
abomination to the human race.
Nick laughed. I know who your fantasy dinner
party guests would be. You'd rather have Britney
Spears over Stephen Fry. So yes, it could have been
worse.
In the distance, a flash starred. What was that?
Nick glanced over his shoulder. Piglets.
Gina folded herself into the passenger seat and
shut the door. Yay, she said dully.
Nick closed his car door and turned on the
heating and ignition. Don't worry. You look worlds
apart from the girl in the chef whites.
I'm not flattered.
He leaned over and squeezed her knee. Let me
get your dress off first.
Chapter Seventeen
I think you've broken me. Gina laughed, her
hands in her hair.
Nick placed a kiss on her tummy. You started
it.
Excuse me?! she squealed. All I said was
hello, and we ended up here. God, my whole body
aches. I can't go to work.
His hand stroked along her thigh. You're not
going to get a promotion if you say you can't go in
because you were fucked too much.
I think I have been. She started giggling again.
You can't handle what I've got, he teased.
No, I really, really can't. We need to do stuff
that doesn't involve shagging.
Nick sat up. What?
She turned her head toward him. You don't
want your knob to fall off. I'd like to be able to walk
sometime soon. Let's find an alternative hobby.
Knitting, he suggested dryly. She had a point.
They'd barely been together a week, and it was as if
they were trying to catch up on lost time with an
infinite amount of sex. He wasn't complaining she
202 Billy London
felt so good around him. But a little break wouldn't kill
them.
Knit one, purl one. She yawned.
I'll call the guys. We'll get wankered instead.
Gina's eyes widened.
What's that face about? he demanded.
When you hang out with the guys, you usually
end up at your mum's. She met his gaze
apologetically, Sorry, just a bit...about her. He wasn't
surprised, and doubted her wariness about her mother
would change any time soon.
You know what she thinks doesn't change
anything, he reminded her.
She stretched out a hand and trailed the tips of [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
zanotowane.pl doc.pisz.pl pdf.pisz.pl rafalstec.xlx.pl
are. Favours galore. Mary Alice tried to give me this
spiel about being frightened and not knowing what it
was Paul does. So I said, if it's money laundering or
drugs, darling, it's nothing I haven't seen since I
turned fifteen. She extinguished her cigarette in one
of Mary Alice's bougainvillea and extracted another.
Windows 197
It's a control thing with her she cannot fucking
stand any female taking first place with her precious
sons. Paul is still so conditioned by her she could tell
him he's Jesus Christ and he'd start trying to turn
water to wine. She's so manipulative. You know she
had an affair, right?
Yeah, I heard.
And you know Nick went frigging mental when
he saw Massimo hit her? She's been playing on that for
years. Nick, your father's scaring me. Nick, come and
stay. Nick, don't move out. But he's twigged when
she's trying it and when she's telling the truth. It's
Oedipal.
Gina's heart sank. You're not kidding.
She try the same with you? I wouldn't let her
get to you it's all bullshit. Like I said, it's all control
with her.
So you don't care what Paul does?
Paul can do what he likes, as long as my
Harrods card is paid up. Sofia rubbed her ring finger
in careless circles over her thumb, the cigarette
burning slowly. Like I said, you're taking it too
personally. Would you be this pissed off if he was a
traffic warden instead? It's a job, Gina. As long as he
treats you well, you shouldn't give one.
Yeah, damn those morals.
198 Billy London
Sofia gave her a stilling look. I'd cash those in if
I were you. She adjusted the silk drape along Gina's
shoulder. You know better than anyone that life is
brief. Why worry about things you have no control
over?
Ouch. It's because life is brief that I shouldn't
have to worry about things I do have control over. I
don't have to be with Nick.
Sofia's perfectly groomed brow arched. Hmm.
Not sure your bow-legged walking compliments what
you're saying. Mary Alice probably made it sound like
a Roman Polanski film, but you get used to certain
things. And sometimes, your husband will come home
with things like this... Sofia lifted her birdlike wrist
and displayed an eye-wateringly beautiful bracelet.
Sofia, you're not that materialistic, Gina said,
seeing spots behind her lids from the light reflecting
from the diamonds.
Her new confidante tucked her hair behind her
ears to display matching earrings. Oh, but I am. Shall
we go back in?
One thing. Do you know who Mary Alice had an
affair with?
Oh fuck yah! Sofia laughed uproariously.
Did you tell Paul?
Windows 199
And ruin my fun? Don't make me laugh. It's
brilliant knowing that halo slipped because she
wanted cock.
Ladies and gentlemen, my future sister-in-law.
They went back inside to be accosted by Paul.
Were you smoking? Jesus, Sof, you know Mum hates
it.
Sofia cupped Paul's cheeks. You know how
much nicer I am when I smoke. Give me a kiss.
Sofia touched Gina's arm. I've stolen your
mobile number from Nick. You and I are going to go
out and bond and be very close. I don't care if you like
that plan or not, it's happening. Come on, Paul, you
can break in my new underwear.
Gina wandered into the living room where Nick
had his ankle braced on his opposite knee, jiggling
with barely contained irritation. I'm bored. Can we
save this for a day when I'm under general
anaesthetic? Good. He caught sight of Gina and got to
his feet. Ready to go home?
Yes please, she said gently.
Mary Alice leapt up. At least take some food
with you before you go.
We'll be all right. Funnily enough, we've had
enough help from you.
200 Billy London
Soprano, Gina admonished. The corner of his
mouth kicked up on hearing his nickname, and he
carefully kissed her cheekbone.
Mary Alice's shoulder's sagged. Nothing less
than I deserve. Thank you both for coming.
Gina stopped herself from saying anything else.
She didn't trust a word that came out of that woman's
mouth. They said their goodbyes, and Nick led Gina
out to the car. Could have been worse.
Gina waited for him to unlock the door of his
car. I don't know& we were just missing Hitler at the
other end of the table, claiming that I'm an
abomination to the human race.
Nick laughed. I know who your fantasy dinner
party guests would be. You'd rather have Britney
Spears over Stephen Fry. So yes, it could have been
worse.
In the distance, a flash starred. What was that?
Nick glanced over his shoulder. Piglets.
Gina folded herself into the passenger seat and
shut the door. Yay, she said dully.
Nick closed his car door and turned on the
heating and ignition. Don't worry. You look worlds
apart from the girl in the chef whites.
I'm not flattered.
He leaned over and squeezed her knee. Let me
get your dress off first.
Chapter Seventeen
I think you've broken me. Gina laughed, her
hands in her hair.
Nick placed a kiss on her tummy. You started
it.
Excuse me?! she squealed. All I said was
hello, and we ended up here. God, my whole body
aches. I can't go to work.
His hand stroked along her thigh. You're not
going to get a promotion if you say you can't go in
because you were fucked too much.
I think I have been. She started giggling again.
You can't handle what I've got, he teased.
No, I really, really can't. We need to do stuff
that doesn't involve shagging.
Nick sat up. What?
She turned her head toward him. You don't
want your knob to fall off. I'd like to be able to walk
sometime soon. Let's find an alternative hobby.
Knitting, he suggested dryly. She had a point.
They'd barely been together a week, and it was as if
they were trying to catch up on lost time with an
infinite amount of sex. He wasn't complaining she
202 Billy London
felt so good around him. But a little break wouldn't kill
them.
Knit one, purl one. She yawned.
I'll call the guys. We'll get wankered instead.
Gina's eyes widened.
What's that face about? he demanded.
When you hang out with the guys, you usually
end up at your mum's. She met his gaze
apologetically, Sorry, just a bit...about her. He wasn't
surprised, and doubted her wariness about her mother
would change any time soon.
You know what she thinks doesn't change
anything, he reminded her.
She stretched out a hand and trailed the tips of [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]