Chance Developments Read Online Free Page B

as if she had impulsively stripped herself and was now naked. It was an extraordinary feeling—to say something so utterly shameless, in these surroundings, and in the company of two women whom she had only just met. That feeling of liberation that she had experienced on a number of occasions since leaving the convent, that light-headed sensation of release, now came back to her. It was an outrageous thing to say, but it was completely honest. That was what had been in the back of her mind all along. She might call it a shopping trip, but it was far more than that, and she might as well confess it.
    For a moment neither of the other women said anything. Then Helena burst out laughing.
    “Did I hear correctly?” she said. “Did you say you’d come to Edinburgh to find a man?”
    Flora nodded. “That’s exactly what I said.”
    Now Marjorie giggled. “Well, at least you’re honest.”
    “Yes,” said Helena. “Most of us are…”
    “...dishonest about that sort of thing,” finished Marjorie.
    “Exactly,” said Helena.
    Flora saw that there was real warmth in their smiles. “I know,” she said. “You see, I was a nun for ten years.”
    Helena gasped. “An actual nun? The real thing?”
    “Yes. It was a teaching order. I was Sister Flora. But I decided that I’d had enough.”
    They were staring at her open-mouthed. “Please forgive us,” said Marjorie, “but it’s not every day one goes to Jenners tea room and meets somebody who was a nun and who’s now looking for a man.”
    “Exactly,” said Helena.
    Marjorie leaned forward. “I hope you don’t mind my asking,” she said, “but how are you planning to meet this man?”
    Flora thought for a moment. It was a morning for honesty, and she would not pretend to have a plan when she had none. “I have no idea,” she said. “I’ve never really thought about it.”
    Helena and Marjorie exchanged glances.
    “You see,” said Marjorie, “it’s not all that easy…We know a lot about it, you see.” She glanced again at Helena, who nodded encouragement. “Helena and I are both currently without husbands.”
    “Mine died,” said Helena, “and Marjorie’s just, well…”
    “Went off with another woman,” said Marjorie. “They do that, you see—they go off if you’re unlucky.”
    “Water under the bridge,” said Helena.
    “Yes,” agreed Marjorie. “No sense in dwelling on the past.” Then she added, “She was a little strumpet, you know. And interested in one thing, and one thing alone.”
    “Two things, if you count money,” added Helena.
    They were silent as the waitress brought Flora’s tea and a large plate of sandwiches.
    “I can’t eat all of those myself,” said Flora. “I hope that you’ll help me.”
    Both Helena and Marjorie took a sandwich before Flora had a chance to help herself.
    “So kind of you,” said Helena.
    “Yes,” said Marjorie. “So kind.”
    “Marjorie may have some ideas,” said Helena, through a mouthful of egg sandwich. “She’s very good at doing these things.”
    “What things?” asked Flora.
    “Finding suitable men,” answered Helena. “Arranging little lunch parties.”
    “I enjoy it,” said Marjorie. “I’ve successfully brought together three couples over the last eighteen months. That’s a better record than some professionals have.”
    “Professionals who run marriage bureaux,” explained Helena. “Sometimes those places make grossly exaggerated claims. They charge ridiculous fees and then they come up with some very unpromising material.”
    Flora wondered why Marjorie had not yet found a man for herself if she was so good at it. “But in your case?” she said, looking at Marjorie.
    “Oh, I’m extremely fussy,” said Marjorie, quite cheerfully. “I’m looking for a particular sort of man—and I’m in no hurry.”
    “Whereas I am,” said Flora, half-seriously.
    Marjorie wiped a crumb off her lips. “It so happens that I’m having a little lunch party