Much Ado About Nothing Read Online Free

naturally.
    â€˜Excellent.’ Pedro plans ahead. ‘And Benedick does have
some
good qualities, you know.He could make a decent husband. So let’s get him to the altar whether he likes it or not!’

    Fast forward to the next day. The event managers have taken away the flowers and dismantled the marquees. And here come slimy John and that nasty Borachio, noting that things haven’t exactly gone their way.
    â€˜So Claudio got the girl after all,’ John moans.
    â€˜Not if I have anything to do with it,’ Borachio promises.
    â€˜Well, I hate Claudio’s guts, so anything you can do to wreck his happiness will be good news to me.’
    John hates his brother
and
he hates Claudio. Don’t ask me why. The hairs at the back of my neck stand on end, and I’m guessing this is the beginning of something really nasty.
    â€˜I know a girl called Margaret,’ Borachio explains. ‘I can arrange for her to come to the window of Hero’s bedroom. Your part isto tell your brother he made a mistake when he agreed to help Claudio propose, because it turns out that Hero’s a slapper.’
    John frowns. ‘Where’s the proof?’
    â€˜I’ll make up something, don’t worry. And this will throw a spanner in everyone’s works – Pedro’s, Claudio’s, Hero’s. Plus, it’ll probably be the death of old Leonato.’
    An evil light comes on in John’s brain. ‘So give me the details,’ he whispers.
    Borachio obliges. ‘OK. Tell Pedro and Claudio that Hero is having an affair with me, and you feel so bad knowing about it that you have to spill the beans. Then bring them to Hero’s window the night before the wedding and show them proof. They’ll hear me call Margaret “Hero” and she’ll say, “Borachio, my love – blah blah!” That should do it…’
    The plan goes down a treat with John, and he promises Borachio a big bonus. The two men go slinking off into the shadows like cats that got the cream. And now I’m scouting around by thepool looking for my next big scoop – could it be coming in the shape of Benedick, the love cynic? He’s muttering to himself again:
    â€˜It’s weird how a kid like Claudio can be such a Jack-the-lad one minute and falling head over heels the next. I don’t get it. A few days ago it was all free kicks, penalties and the offside rule. Now it’s romantic music and sleepless nights spent wondering what to wear for his wedding. Once upon a time, he spoke in plain English, now it’s all flowery stuff. Well, I tell you it’ll never happen to me. I mean, I’ve met loads of girls – gorgeous ones, clever ones, even nice ones. And I’m nowhere near falling in love with any of them. She’d have to be all three rolled into one for it to happen, plus she’d be mega rich, classy, talented, never answer back, and I don’t care if she’s a blonde or brunette! Watch out, here come Leonato, Pedro and the lovesick kid!’
    Benedick takes cover behind a trellis, where he reckons he can’t be seen. Wrong! Pedrowinks at Claudio, while he works out how to use Leonato’s sound system. Soon he’s playing a track from a World’s Best Love Songs CD.
    Benedick’s pulling puking faces behind the screen, then he gets ready to listen in on the guy talk.
    Pedro kicks off in a loud stage whisper. ‘So, Leonato, are you absolutely sure that
Beatrice is in love with Benedick
?’
    Claudio pretends to be amazed. ‘Wow, you’re kidding!’
    â€˜It’s true!’ Leonato insists. ‘Even though she makes a big show of hating his guts…’
    Benedick almost knocks over the trellis in shock. ‘Is it possible?’ he whimpers.
    â€˜Actually she’s crazy for him,’ Leonato goes on, and here’s what happens next:
    PEDRO: Are you sure she’s serious?
    LEONATO: Absolutely