The Blame Read Online Free Page A

footsteps. All of them nodded in greeting and the supervisor stepped forward to shake Laura’s hand.
    He was a stout man in his forties with a swarthy complexion. He wore a tweed flat cap, a hand-knitted jumper and paint splattered jeans.
    “ Dona Laura, boa tarde. ”
    “ Boa tarde, senhor Manuel. How did the work go today? Well, I hope.”
    “ Sim, senhora. We have made great progress. The villa is now all done, but do not go in today. Wait until tomorrow so that everything can dry properly.”
    “I can’t wait to see it!”
    “We will start on the barn on Monday.”
    “Good. What about the electrician? Did he show up?”
    “No, I am afraid not. I tried calling him but I kept getting his voice mail.”
    Laura let her breath out loudly in exasperation. “That man drives me crazy. You’d think that with this recession, it wouldn’t be so difficult to get hold of people who want to work. We still have the outdoor lighting to sort out, and he has to have a look at the video intercom system. It’s not reliable at all.”
    “I know, Dona Laura. If he does not show up on Monday, I will try to find someone else.”
    “Yes, I think that would be best. By the way, could you let us have the Bobcat key again this weekend?” she asked, jutting her chin at the skid-steer loader that was neatly parked in the driveway. “We’d like to do a bit more landscaping.”
    “ Sim, claro . Just make sure you do not hurt yourselves.”
    “Don’t worry. We’ve become proficient at driving it around. I want to work on the pond at the far end of the quinta. ”
    “But you already have a pond over here. Why do you need another one way on the other side of the property?”
    “This one is a fish pond. The other one is for frogs, newts and, hopefully, herons and mallards,” she grinned. “I want to move those huge boulders to make a rocky outcrop to make it look more attractive.”
    Senhor Manuel shook his head as he bent down to pick up his toolbox. Why anyone would go to so much trouble for a bunch of lousy animals was beyond him. Seeing him crouch and knowing what was coming, Laura quickly averted her eyes. Why was it all the tradesmen who came to her house sagged their jeans? Not as a fashion statement, but simply because of a bad fit. And she wanted to keep seeing hairy backsides like she wanted more cellulite.
    “Come on, princess, let’s change into something more comfortable. Here, take these leggings and this sweater, and don’t forget to put your uniform in the wash. Don’t leave it lying around on the floor!”
    Laura went into her bedroom, kicked off her shoes in relief and wiggled her toes. The person who invented high heels should be shot. A man, no doubt, who’d never had to wear them himself. No matter, now that she was home, she could change into the real her: hiking boots, a sweater and khaki cargo pants with multiple leg pockets for keeping cell phones, keys and remote controls.
    She threw herself down on her bed and stared up at the ceiling, allowing the riot of emotions to wash over her again. No, no, no, this wouldn’t do. She was acting like a silly teenager drooling over some high school heartthrob.
    Pull yourself together, woman! You have a life, you have responsibilities ...
    As if to drive that point home, Vanessa set up a loud chant in the kitchen.
    “Mommy, I’m hungry! Mommy, I’m hungry!”
    “Okay, okay, I’m coming! Shame, you poor child. Didn’t they feed you at school today?”
    “Yes, but the food was horrible, not as bad as yours, but still horrible.”
    “Oh really, milady? Is that a fact? Well, in that case I’ll just have to tickle you and tickle you until you take that back!”
    Laura lunged forward, grabbed her daughter, pinned her down on the kitchen floor and tickled her till she shrieked with laughter.

Chapter 5
     
     
     
    After leaving the motorway, David drove along the narrow country lane that led to the quinta . The weather seemed to have cleared up nicely. Although