Firestarter Read Online Free

the sort of thing he might well do. Chocolates or Premium Bonds respectively would make much more sense to her.
    Afterwards they'd gone out for a meal. The food was delicious and presented in such an artistic way that it more than made up for the paintings seeming a bit messy. They were joined by two acquaintances of Tony's. The men were very serious and spoke about the grown-up subjects of corporate insurance and carbon trade exchange in such detail they made up for any childishness, not just in the artwork but in the world ever. Still, Tony seemed interested, so she smiled and nodded, particularly when the waiter suggested another bottle of Chablis.
    Since then Tony had been too busy with work to go out socially. He'd phoned several times though. He always called her if he knew she'd gone out. That was because he cared about her and wanted to know she'd got home safely. It was not, as Kate insinuated, because he was checking up on her.
    A week later, Alice had a surprise as she finished work. Tony was waiting outside.
    'I realised I've been neglecting you lately,' he said as he opened his car door for her.
    'I know you've been busy with work,' Alice said, trying hard to sound sympathetically understanding rather than neglected. 'Have you finished the latest project?'
    'We have, so I'll be back to normal hours for a while now.'
    Alice almost asked, 'Normal for you, or actually normal?' but stopped herself just in time.
    'So, where shall we go?'
    'My place, Kate's coming to tea.'
    'Ah. Lovely.
    When Kate arrived she showed him the photos she'd taken at the show. 'There you go, eggs on plates.'
    Tony studied the images. 'No doubt about it, those are eggs on plates.'
    'Surely you didn't doubt something Alice told you?' Kate asked.
    'Of course not. There's no reason for me to is there?'
    'Show him the Highland cows,' Alice said. 'The calves are so cute, Tony. Look at that gingery one, he was my favourite.'
    Tony looked at the picture of Alice cuddling the animal, her arms lost in its deep fur, and its huge tongue attempting to lick her hair. 'So I see!'
    'And there's his mum.'
    'You're very close. Are you sure it was safe?'
    'Deffo. They're gentle and anyway, they're tied up.'
    'OK.'
    Alice knew that if he'd gone to the cattle lines at all, he'd have picked his way through the straw on the ground, keeping as far away from the animals as possible.
    Tony smiled tolerantly at the images of Alice on a helter-skelter and eating candyfloss. 'You seem to have acted like big kids,' was his opinion.
    'That's part of the fun,' Alice said. Maybe it was as well he hadn't come with them, it wasn't really his sort of thing.
    'You know what fun is, Tony?' Kate said. 'It's that thing other people have when you're not about.'
    'Yes, I know what it is and I'm glad Alice has her charming sister to help her indulge whilst I'm busy.'
    Kate showed him a picture of Alice in the fire engine. 'The firemen were happy to help too.' She didn't even try not to smirk.
    'Anyone want a drink?' Alice asked brightly. If she acted like they were all getting along, maybe it'd come true.
    It didn't work. Kate soon left and Tony continued to sulk. She knew he loved her, but wished he'd show it in a way which didn't involve jealousy or buying her things.
    'Have you thought any more about moving in with me?' he asked, proving she should be careful what she wished for.
    She had, mostly trying to figure out why she was so reluctant. Tony's flat was plenty big enough for them both and he'd promised to have it redecorated to suit her.
    Tony had lots of good points. He was generous. He cared about her safety, insisting on paying for taxis whenever she went anywhere without him. He'd wanted her to take one to work when he realised how far off the road, and therefore the bus route, the premises were. Her parents liked him. They'd suggested she not rush into anything though.
    'My contract for this place has another six months to run. Maybe after that?' Alice