The Boleyn Effect (The Boorman Ending) Read Online Free Page A

hello?'
George smirks.
    'I'd rather you got me a
drink,' I answer.
    My insides are twisting
and turning with nerves. This is definitely out my comfort zone.
These charity events are where all those with cash make themselves
feel good by donating something while making those ever important
contacts. It's a fake world in my opinion, but it's also the world
where George has grown up and to him this is normal. That I have to
remember and he's not like them. He's not the bad guy. Plus, it's
not all about me. He mixes in my circles and I must do the same.
Soon, he returns with two flutes of champagne.
    'Right, where is that
womanizing bastard...what?!' he asks looking down at my shocked
face. 'I'm just saying,' he mutters.
    The night continues to
draw on and there seems to be no sign of this Harry Cobain much to
both George and mines annoyance. I've already downed plenty of
champagne, which is never a good thing in my case. We've taken part
in the overpriced raffle where I won some expensive pamper goodies
and of course we've been unable to avoid the Gaskills.
    'That dress looks
expensive,' Gaskill sneers.
    'It was,' I answer
smartly.
    'Well I think the colour
suits you,' Mary offers.
    Mary Gaskill is George's
stepmother, but she is the only mother he's ever known. When it
comes to his real mother it's an off limits topic. Even with me.
Compared to her husband, she’s always kind to me. Well to my face
anyway. She's never looked down her nose at me, but I wonder
sometimes whether the reason is purely so she doesn't lose George.
She's by no means stupid and knows how to get what she wants in a
less aggressive way. But still my blood pressure rises being around
them. I hate the way I'm looked down upon. Excusing myself, I move
away.
    'Hey, where are you
going?' George asks.
    'I need some air and it's
very clear that he's not here,' I snap.
    George raises his hands in
defeat and lets me go. He knows better than to argue or follow. We
are both as hot-headed as the other and know the limits well
enough. Plus, my ego is taking one hell of a battering. I am all
trussed up for no-one's benefit.
    I stomp outside and
leaning against the wall I allow my temper to cool. The night air
causes me to shiver and curse the fact I didn't bring a Shrug or
anything.
    Now in the night air, I
realise that this might be a blessing. After all, if there's no
meeting with Harry Cobain then there will be no challenge to win
and I won’t have to fight not to become the next Mrs. Gaskill,
gold-digger extraordinaire. So what, I won't get the slate cleaned.
I'll just have to work harder to pay George back.
    'You look like someone
who's had enough of the party.'
    Sighing, I turn around.
I’m in no mood to be chatted up by some smart arse in a
tux.
    'Well it's full of men who
all need dick extensions with their equally plastic wives,' I
snap.
    His mouth drops open for a
minute as does mine. It's not like me to be so vulgar, but
champagne always goes straight to my head. Then amusement plays on
his face at my obvious trip-up.
    'That is very observant of
you, and you're right it is full of men needing dick extensions as
you so eloquently put it. But may I assure that I have no need for
such things.'
    'I'm so sorry, I'm just
having trouble keeping my tongue under control and I'm sure you
don't,' I bluster, while blushing.
    I'm not sure whether he's
flirting with me or just defending himself and it puts me on the
back foot for a moment. This is an unusual feeling. I am too used
to being one step ahead. With a raised eyebrow, he opens his mouth
to speak, but someone catches his attention. He looks back at me
and a large smile warms his face.
    'Well I sincerely hope
that you can put up with us a little longer and come back to the
party,' he says.
    'Maybe I will.'
    I watch while he walks
away and then I hear Great Peter from the Minster ring from over
the Walls. Screw it! If he's not there now then this Harry isn't
going to turn up. I may as well as go home and making