Cindy Jones Read Online Free Page A

Irish stew, chops, onions, celery, and carrots? The most basic revolting meal you can put in front of anyone!”
    â€œSounds great.” Cindy grabbed for the prescription pad and a pen. “Keep talking. I can buy the ingredients on the way home.”
    At school, Miss Hopkins detained Cindy after her class. “Your cat followed me home and refuses to leave. Would you drop by and collect him this afternoon?”
    Cindy nodded obediently. She had wanted to see Jennifer Morgan, but Horace was more important. However, after school at the shopping center, she spotted Jennifer in front of the local fitness center.
    â€œHi, Jennifer.”
    Jennifer Morgan spun around at her name. Cindy waved and pushed her bike through the crowded street to reach her.
    â€œWhat luck seeing you!”
    â€œIt’s Cindy Jones, isn’t it?”
    â€œI had to shop because I’m making an Irish stew for tea,” Cindy explained. “What are you doing here?”
    â€œI teach Brio beat classes.”
    â€œWhat’s a Brio beat?”
    â€œCome and have a look,” Jennifer invited, as she opened a door.
    Cindy wheeled her bike inside and down a long passage and propped it against the wall. She followed Jennifer into a large room with a polished floor, smelling of dust and disinfectant. A group of boys and girls waited around dressed in leotard or shorts.
    Jennifer vanished into a small cubicle and came out wearing a black leotard. She switched on a tape with a loud, catchy rhythm to it. The class formed into lines. Jennifer waited a few seconds and then nodded.
    They started dancing exercises to the catchy beat of the music and Jennifer’s yelled directions. Cindy felt conspicuous standing watching, but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. When Jennifer signaled a break, everyone flopped down on the floor, laughing and talking. Jennifer reached for a towel and wiped the sweat from her face.
    â€œThat looks fun!” Cindy burst out. “No wonder you have such a terrific figure.”
    â€œLike to try it?”
    â€œLove to.”
    â€œI teach Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Classes between four-thirty and seven o’clock.”
    â€œI’ll be along on Monday afternoon.” What luck bumping into Jennifer, Cindy gloated. She would never have caught her at the Plumstead’s place. “You must have a late dinner those nights.”
    â€œNo problems,” Jennifer explained cheerfully. “I grab something take-away.”
    â€œWhat about coming home tonight to my place and trying my Irish stew?”
    â€œDo you think the Professor would mind an extra person?”
    â€œHalf the time he isn’t home for dinner.”
    â€œIn that case,” Jennifer said with a smile. “I accept your kind invitation with pleasure. I get sick of take-aways.”
    â€œWe live at Six Turkscap Drive,” Cindy said. “See you some time after seven.”
    She wheeled her bike back into the street and rode towards Miss Hopkins’s prim little flat, whistling to herself. Everything was turning out nicely.
    She would cook a nourishing Irish stew for her father and Jennifer. Her father would enjoy her cooking and Jennifer’s company, realize it was nice to eat home, and fall in love.
    Miss Hopkins answered her door carrying a large towel-wrapped bundle with a long dripping tail hanging out the bottom end.
    â€œCome in Cindy. Horace fell into my washing, which was soaking in the trough. I’m trying to dry him.”
    â€œHe wouldn’t have fallen in, Miss Hopkins,” Cindy explained. “He just likes taking baths.”
    Miss Hopkins watched Cindy scrub Horace dry. He lay across her arms, heavy and content, purring loudly.
    â€œI’m cooking Irish stew for dinner tonight.”
    â€œGood.” Miss Hopkins was wearing her glasses, and the light caught them so the expression in her eyes was hidden.
    â€œAnd I invited Jennifer Morgan for