A Twist in the Tale (2011) Read Online Free

and green in their catalogue and I just don’t know which one to
select…”
    I
was tempting to slap him round the face, but then that’s Rob for you,
dependable and sometimes unpredictable to a fault.
     
     
    Turning
back time
     
    The
four-metre banner told me I had come to the right place. ‘Welcome to the Class
of ’84 reunion,’ it screams in thick black letters.
    I
push open the door to find the barn bursting at the seams with old school pals,
most of whom I have trouble recognising.
    The
moment I see him the hair of the back of my neck stands to attention, like
guards on duty at Buckingham palace.
    Had
it really been twenty years since he’d first caused my legs to wobble like a
blancmange?
    Oh
my God, he’s as gorgeous as ever, I notice as he turns and glances my way.
    Our
eyes meet and I’m transported back to yesteryear.
    He
beckons me over with his finger and his smile makes my heart do several
somersaults. A blush creeps up my neck and settles in my cheeks as I weave my
way through the crowd towards him.
    “Jill,
how wonderful to see you. Looks like the years have been kind to you. You
couldn’t possibly have had kids and kept a figure like that?” Gushes the
dreadful Sandra blocking my path.
    “Oh
hi, Sandra. Sorry to disappoint you but actually I’ve got three.” I didn’t have
the heart to tell her the youngest is only six-months-old.
    Her
nostrils flared and I could tell she was seething by my admission. She
self-consciously glances down at the layers of fat she’s accumulated over the
decades.  
    Before
I have the chance to fire the same question back at her, she takes flight, her
next victim already lined up. Nice to know some people haven’t altered over the
years.
    I
smile and shake my head before proceeding on my journey, a journey that will
eventually lead me to Trevor Stevens, my first truelove.
    But
old classmates continually hamper my endeavours. Which makes me ask, Why, oh
why had I been so damn popular at school. Each time I’m interrupted I
glance over at Trevor issuing a silent plea for him to be patient.
    His
eyes sparkle with mischief. Suddenly I feel insecure. Will he wait or will
he walk away?
    But
my fears prove to be unfounded when he smiles and patiently takes a sip of his
drink.
    My
frustration mounts because I’m dying to be with him one more time. But I’m far
too polite to ignore long lost friends wanting to catch up.
    Half
an hour later I finally make it to his table. My insides are bubbling,
overflowing with excitement.
    He
moistens his lips and utters my name, “Hello, Jill.”
    My
heart leaps as he pushes back his chair. Oh my God, is he about to kiss me?
    His
restraint is admirable, instead he takes my hand and kisses the back of it. I
struggle to control my disappointment. Behave yourself Jill, you’re a
married woman for God’s sake!
    My
eyes wander the length and breadth of his perfect physique and my heart pounds
rhythmically. He’s changed very little since the first day I laid eyes on him,
an odd grey hair here and there doesn’t really count. Sparkling vivid green
eyes set in a golden-tanned, strong featured face was all a girl ever dreamed
of waking up to every morning.
    “Hello,
Trevor, you’re looking as good as ever,” I said, fighting hard to keep my
excitement in check. I’m determined to keep my feelings under control despite
my inner turmoil. I can honestly say that in twenty years he’s never drifted
from my thoughts.  
    “Still
as popular as ever I see.” He jokes and motions for me to take a seat.
    I
shrug an apology, he responds with another devastating smile.
    “Don’t
you ever get tired of all the attention, Jill?” Trevor asks with amused interest.
    “They’re
only being friendly because it’s a reunion. If I saw them in the street they
probably wouldn’t give me the time of day. It’s no big deal.”
    “You’re
amazing. Still as beautiful as the day we started secondary school together.
How is that possible?”