The Final Curtain Read Online Free Page B

Max saw that her flower had begun to turn green and flung it behind her back.
    Ella picked her way through the crowd with a big-toothed smile usually reserved for Miss Universe contests.
    â€˜Isn’t this nice to have the old team back together again?’ Ella’s flower was as bright as an overripe mango.
    Max tried to dodge out of her way but was too late. Ella had launched into an all-embracing hug, her perfectly springy curls tickling Max’s nose.
    â€˜It’s hard to imagine anyone else I’d rather bewith.’ Max wormed her way out of the hug.
    â€˜I know you don’t mean that,’ Ella smiled, ‘but thanks anyway.’
    â€˜Toby,’ Linden said, ‘this is Ella.’
    Toby took her hand and kissed it. ‘Linden told me about you, but he forgot to mention how pretty you are.’
    Ella giggled and flicked her curls into the air. Max burned.
    â€˜So it’s only natural for you to be seen with the most handsome man in the room,’ Toby continued.
    Max stared at him. ‘Don’t you have someone else to annoy?’
    â€˜Nope. Lucky for you, I’m all yours for the whole night and for tomorrow’s training session, too.’
    â€˜That’s supposed to be lucky, is it?’
    â€˜Most girls would think it is.’
    â€˜I guess I’m not most girls.’ Max shook her head.
    Ella had cupped her hand and was whispering into Linden’s ear. ‘That’s exactly what I was thinking,’ he laughed.
    â€˜This is going to be a fun night, don’t you think?’ Ella’s Miss Universe smile returned even bigger than before.
    â€˜I couldn’t have more fun if I jammed my head in a door.’ Max kept her flower firmly behind her back.
    â€˜Sorry?’ Ella asked.
    â€˜I need to go to the bathroom.’ As Max turned away she swung her flower in front of her.
    â€˜Don’t be long,’ Toby said. ‘You know you can’t stand being away from me. In fact … Stop!’
    He was too late. Max had turned directly into a tray of Irene’s famous blue honey mash and caviar canapés. The silver tray crashed to the floor with a clang , along with Max’s ego.
    Ella reached into her bag for a hanky, but Toby and Linden grabbed her arm and stopped her.
    â€˜She prefers to deal with these little mishaps on her own,’ Toby whispered.
    Max’s flower darkened. ‘Why do I have to run into the tray with the fish eggs?’
    She plucked the waiter’s napkin from his arm and tried to wipe off the slimy goop but only succeeded in creating a long fishy smudge down her dress before she gave up, gathered as much dignity as she could and walked towards Steinberger. She stole one last look at Linden and her heart stumbled. His eyes were focused on Ella as if she was the only person in the room. Both boys wereholding their sides and laughing as she threw her arms into the air with another of her stories.
    Max held her nose against the pong of her fish-egged dress and turned into the crowd.

The Administration Manager of Spyforce was a man of professionalism and excellence. With his impeccable organisational skills, he was largely responsible for even the smallest detail of Spyforce’s anniversary party. Max found him standing beside a fountain of bubbling, warm chocolate. She picked a plump, juicy strawberry, swiped it through the melted chocolate pool and took a bite.
    â€˜Steinberger, is there any chance …’ Max noticed something odd about him. His breathing was strained and his fingers gripped a glass of orange juice so tightly it looked as if he’d squeezed the blood from them. His eyes were wide and slightly panic-stricken.
    Max sighed. There was only one thing that could turn this man from a fountain of sophistication to someone about to collapse into a gibbering, gasping heap: Frond, the head of the Plantorium, who was standing with a group of agents nearby.
    She wore her red