5 Peppermint Grove Read Online Free Page A

up painting – there’s a course in the local community centre.”
    “That pair are a hoot – they are well able to look after themselves – why don’t you get a place of your own?”
    “That’s all very well for you to say, Michael, but what if Granddad fell out of the bed or Mum needed something done around the house that she couldn’t manage?”
    Michael laughed louder. “Mum and Granddad are in their own little world. Anyway, have you any nice friends that would suit me?”
    “I’m giving up on you, brother dear – after you blew it with Lydia I’ve decided not to waste my matchmaking skills. When are you going to settle down and stop messing around with so many women?”
    “Oh, don’t do that,” he sighed. “You haven’t heard from Lydia, have you, by any chance?”
    “Of course I have. She’s doing well and has met a new man according to our last conversation.”
    Michael sat up in the bed with the shock. “But she only finished with that other guy a couple of months ago!”
    “Yes, but she’s a pretty girl and she’s thirty-five. She’s keen to get settled down.”
    “Oh,” said Michael, uttered dejectedly. He was stupid to think that she had any feelings for him any more. “I don’t suppose you’ll see her again soon?”
    “I’ve no plans – but we’ll meet up before Christmas, I’m sure. Why all this sudden interest in Lydia again? You’ve got quite a history, you two, and the scars are so deep I doubt she’s going to go there again!”
    Michael realised that his sister was probably right but he didn’t want to think that he would never be with Lydia ever again.
    “Look,” he said, “I was thinking of dropping a line and seeing how she was.”
    “I wouldn’t do that – I mean, she’s deleted you from her Facebook friends since the last time.”
    Michael was well aware of that. “But I can still see her photos when I look her up through your page.”
    “Don’t do this to yourself, Michael – she has moved on and I thought you had too?”
    Julia knew her brother too well and she wondered what was making him feel this way.
    “I’ll see about leave for Christmas then – I’ll try to come home as close to it as I can.”
    “That would be nice for Mum and Granddad, and for me too!”
    “How’s Odette?”
    “She wants another baby and I’m talking to her about it – Craig’s working hard and she’s feeling neglected and I’ve a feeling she thinks another baby is going to fill the gap.”
    “Maybe she just wants another child?”
    Julia tut-tutted down the phone. “It’s never that simple – there’s a reason for everything and I know her too well. I’ll keep you posted though. Anyway, I’m really tired – I went shopping with Ruth and got her a nice suit for her interview next week.”
    “Why is she changing job?”
    “Her boss was a bully and a brute – I’ve suggested a job in Perth.”
    “ Scotland?”
    “No, silly – Perth, Australia!”
    “Well, she’ll have plenty of company there – half of the city is Irish at this stage!”
    “I think the change will do her good.”
    Michael didn’t dispute that.
    “Okay, sis – I’ll let you get to bed. If you’ve any suggestions about Lydia, though, let me know – I would like to see her again.”
    “I’m not allowing you to mess her around.”
    “I wouldn’t be – I’ve changed – I miss her.”
    “Well, make sure you know how you really do feel – I’m not doing your dirty work to find you’ve decided you don’t want her after all. You can’t do that a third time, Michael – it wouldn’t be fair!”
    “I know that, sis – I’m forty years of age – I’m getting on and don’t want to spend the rest of my life alone.”
    “You will always have some woman at your side.”
    “I don’t want just any woman,” Michael sighed. “I want the woman!”
    “And why have you suddenly decided that Lydia is the woman?”
    Michael paused, wanting to give the right answer.
    “I just