Out of Step Read Online Free Page A

the walls which was not obscured by stuck-on children’s paintings appeared to be covered in childish scribbles in pencil and felt-tip pen.
    A box of toys at the far end had overflowed, and bits of Lego and heads of Play-People crunched underfoot rather like extra large grains of … sugar? No, that
was
sugar.
    Hmm, Elly thought rather grimly. ‘Needs some attention’? Or ‘Ripe for development’? How could one put it politely?
    ‘Nice and warm in here,’ she said, as Rob came downstairs again with both children.
    ‘Yes, we’ve got a woodburner. Sit down, Josh, or I can’t get these boots of yours off.’ He pointed it out.
    In Elly’s limited experience, woodburning stoves had only three settings – too cold, too hot, and out – but she said, ‘Lovely.’
    ‘Pop upstairs and get yourself some dry socks, yes?’
    ‘I want
you
to come.’
    ‘Sorry,’ Rob said yet again. ‘Back in a mo.’
    ‘Hayhoe,’ Elly said as he came downstairs again. ‘Are you by any chance related to …’
    ‘Yes,’ he cut in, rather wearily, it seemed to her. ‘But unlike my father, no, I don’t act.’
    ‘Oh dear. You’re obviously very tired of that question.’
    ‘Just a little.’
    ‘My apologies. Does he ever visit you here?’
    ‘Hardly ever. He has a busy schedule.’ He pronounced it ‘skedule’ with some distaste, as though quoting. ‘Andbefore you ask, he eats wannabe actresses for elevenses.’
    ‘He does not,’ Joshua protested. ‘He has coffee and shortbread.’
    ‘Hungry!’ Rosie piped up, amidst the laughter.
    ‘Forgive me,’ Elly said. ‘I’m not used to being seen through so speedily.’ She waited for a standard compliment, but it didn’t come.
    ‘So, do you really want to sell this drawing, or was it just…?’
    ‘Oh yes, definitely.’ She hastily offered it to him again.
    ‘For how much?’ he asked, without taking it.
    ‘Forty pounds.’
    He pursed his lips. ‘Bit steep.’
    ‘Daddy, Daddy, Rothie’s
hungry.’
    ‘All right, poppet. We’ll have something very soon.’
    ‘Pity Nell isn’t here,’ Elly said. ‘As well as being an artist she’s also a brilliant cook.’
    ‘Why didn’t she come with you?’
    ‘Shy, I suppose. Reluctant to trespass again.’
    ‘Oh … is she the woman who’s been down here a few times in a blue Citroën?’
    ‘The very one.’ A brilliant idea struck Elly, and she acted upon it instantly. ‘Actually, I think she rather fancies you, but for God’s sake don’t tell her I told you so! Look, don’t feel obliged to buy the pic. I’m not trying to do a hard sell. I’ll just write down her name and phone number, shall I? Then you can take time to decide whether you really want it or not.’ She put the drawing under her arm again, opened her shoulder-bag and wrote on a small notepad, tearing the page off and giving it to him.
    ‘Eleanor Chant, eh? Well… thanks.’ He stuffed it into a pocket in his faded cords.
    ‘Well, mustn’t hold up your …’ Your what? It was eleven o’clock.
    ‘Breakfast. We’re a trifle disorganised this morning.’
    ‘… Breakfast, then. Sorry to have bothered you.’
    ‘Not at all.’
    ‘Bye.’ She got into her car and drove off up the track, thinking: Well, well, well! I hope I’m right. Could be just what Nell needs after the ghastly Martin – an intelligent, non-macho, well-spoken New Man!
    Nell jumped up and down to keep warm. It was far too cold even to do any preliminary sketches as she had planned, and she was cross with herself for having agreed to come at all. When Elly finally drove up and stopped beside her, she saw her drawing was still lying on the passenger seat.
    ‘Told you so!’ she said, picking it up as she got in.
    ‘Aha! But it’s not the way you think,’ Elly countered, raising both eyebrows in an ironic glance.
    ‘What isn’t?’
    ‘Well, I may be wrong, but I got the distinct impression that Mr Rob Hayhoe liked your picture so much that he hasn’t bought it on