The Taming of the Bastard Read Online Free Page B

trying to win her over with my
enthusiasm.
    “So does the
Sheraton in Phuket. It doesn’t mean we have to live there.”
Sometimes I hated that she was so worldly.
    “Please don’t
tell Mummy yet, Paige,” I begged.
    “Why?”
    “Because it
might not happen. I need to go and see the place, go to the bank.
There’s lots of things to organise.”
    Paige’s little
lip went out. “Like leaving us.”
    I put the
computer down and hugged her. “I can’t help that. Life goes on.
Things change. And you’re getting to be a big girl. One day soon
you won’t need me anymore. Then where will I be?”
    “You can be my
P.A. I’m going to need one. My social calendar is chockers as it
is.”
    I smiled. Only
Adele’s child could invent a job at will. “But I want to do this
job. Don’t you want me to be happy?”
    Her cherub lips
twisted and pursed. Then she answered, “Yes, but I’d rather you be
happy in Perth.”

 5 
    I was excited
for my first night out in a month and Lux Bar was the
favourite hangout of the girls I worked with. They raved about its
joys from the beginning of every shift, causing me to wonder what
could be so great about a venue where the men knew more about shoes
than I did. Not that that would take a great deal of effort. If the
shoe was glittery and sandal-like I was content.
    From the moment
we stepped inside the door I realised what I had been missing. Lux Bar was velvet, red and dark, so much so I could fall
over and nobody would ever notice. It had tonnes of seedy little
corners and booths that were so plush I wanted to sink into them
and never get up. There were men with no shirts languishing along
benches and the dance floor was like a wall of the most beautiful
chests I had ever seen. In this domain Kylie Minogue was the queen,
which in a room full of queens was not to be sneezed at. Having
only frequented venues for Under Fives in recent times, it was also
lovely to see some people my own age and a décor that didn’t
consist of Frozen posters. Pleased with what I saw thus far,
I followed the girls into the throng.
    After propping
ourselves up at the end of the bar, we ordered cocktails and three
plates of nibbles from the kitchen.
    “I’m so glad
you talked me into this.” I said, as we sat and ogled.
    “You needed it, Chica . Getting over a Sam addiction requires the support of
your friends. It’s like a Greek mourning period,” Alex replied,
unable to avert her eyes from the hard, oiled chests on the dance
floor. “Oh, look at him. It’s a grown up Justin Beiber....”
    “And thanks to
you guys, I don’t have to spend any money to get cured, either.
Thanks for arranging all this, Chan’.”
    “That’s what
friends are for,” Chantelle smiled, absently. “Oh, he’s niiiice .”
    Alex
straightened on her stool. Her eyebrows raised just enough to show
interest. “Do you think I should ask him to dance?”
    “No,” I
said.
    “What about
that one in the dark shirt? Think there’s any way....”
    “NO!”
    “Do you think
they’re all gay?” Alex gave a sad sort of pout. It didn’t
matter how many ways you told her, she seemed convinced the gay
community was an untapped resource.
    “Most likely.”
I handed her a cocktail and pushed the finger food in her
direction. “Just enjoy the view and drink your drink.”
    “It’s such a
pity, isn’t it?”
    “Not if you’re
gay. And male.” Chantelle laughed. “And we’re here to look, not
hook up. There’s a lot to be said for looking.”
    “But I’d like
to hook up. If I have to go any longer without sex my insides will
dry up. People will start mistaking me for Millie.”
    I gave a mock
gasp. “Oh, haha. I’m not that bad. I’m just focussed on other
things.”
    “Well, I want
to focus on a boyfriend.”
    “Me too,”
Chantelle admitted.
    “Let’s go to Metro City next week then.”
    “ Eww ,
let’s not. It’s like bogan paradise in that place. I’ll think of
somewhere better. You in for a