The Perfect Match Read Online Free

sofa.’
    Nevil didn’t seem tempted by this cosy suggestion. ‘Not really. I think I should get off. Things to do and all that.’
    After they had shared a pepperoni-flavoured kiss goodbye, it occurred to her that he’d become quite busy after hours recently, and briefly wondered if he was seeing someone else. Otherwise why pass up on what could amount to an invitation to stay the night? He had already stayed a few times, so he knew it wouldn’t be awkward. But then she realised that while cheating on her wasn’t an impossibility, it wouldn’t make him so chirpy. Also, if he’d lost interest in her, he’d just dump her; he wouldn’t talk about moving in together. No, it must be something else. She didn’t intend to spend too much time worrying about it.
    ‘Oh, I am glad you’ve rung, dear,’ said Mrs Langley the following afternoon. ‘My nephew wants to meet you!’
    Bella, who had tracked down a man to fix up an irrigation system for her, was ringing to give Mrs Langley the details. She hadn’t been expecting this.
    ‘Does he? Why?’ Then she thought she knew why. It was because he thought she was persuading his great-aunt to stay in her house and not sell. ‘Does he want to tell me off?’
    ‘I don’t think so, dear. He just said, “I’d be very interested to meet this young woman you talk about so much.”’
    ‘Oh.’ She wondered why Mrs Langley kept talking about her, but was rather touched. ‘So how is it going?’
    ‘Well, we’ve decided he should stay with me whenever he needs to be in the area. He might work here permanently He’s been here three nights already.’
    ‘And that’s all right for you?’
    ‘Do you know, I rather like it! It’s nice to cook for someone other than myself and he’s very handy about the house.’
    ‘Well, that’s good. So he’s not bossy and overbearing then?’
    There was a pause. ‘No, he’s not, though he does have an air of authority, if you know what I mean.’
    ‘But he’s not trying to bully you into selling?’ Bella persisted.
    Another pause. ‘No. He wants to know how well I manage. But in a concerned way, you know?’
    Bella didn’t know but she was reassured.
    ‘And I’d really appreciate it if you’d come and have a drink with us – before dinner. My nephew works very hard and could do with some young company.’
    ‘Well, I am young,’ Bella agreed. ‘And I’d be delighted to come. Only I’d be coming for
your
company.’
    Mrs Langley laughed. ‘You realise there won’t be cake?’
    Bella chuckled. ‘In which case, Mrs Langley, I’m afraid I have to refuse—’
    ‘Please call me Jane! I think we know each other well enough by now.’
    ‘All right, Jane. I’ll come, even if there isn’t going to be cake.’
    The arrangement was made and Bella went to join Alice in her sitting room. Nominally, Bella had the morning room for her own use but she hardly ever went in there, except to clean it or on the rare occasion Nevil stayed over. She and Alice liked to spend their evenings together, if they were both in.
    Now, Alice was sitting in front of the television although it wasn’t on. Bella was surprised to find her here. She was more often to be found in the garden at this time of day, especially when the sun was shining.
    ‘Do you need a cuppa? Glass of wine?’
    ‘I’ve had an email,’ said Alice.
    Bella waited for more detail but none came. ‘And? It’s not like you’ve never had one before, is it? Although if it’s offering you a trillion US dollars if you send all your bank details, it’s probably a scam.’
    Alice laughed. ‘No! It’s a proper email. From a person.’
    ‘So?’
    ‘It’s from a man.’ Alice swallowed. ‘The man I met on the train . . .’
    ‘Which train? When? You’ve never told me about this!’ Bella wasn’t so much shocked as slightly taken aback. Why hadn’t Alice mentioned it before?
    ‘It was the other day. I didn’t mention it because I suppose I felt a bit