The Unexpected Consequences of Love Read Online Free Page A

to the grounds of a hotel.
    Okay, the sound of screaming kids would be a giveaway too. Turning right, Tula took the quieter option and admired the hotel’s grounds as she wandered through them. Nice place. And here was a secluded bench, set back in a honeysuckle-strewn archway. Perching on the wooden seat, she took out her phone. A text would be way easier but such a cop-out; only a complete amateur would think of texting in sick. Patrick was suspicious enough as it was.
    No, it had to be done properly, voice-to-voice.
    Well, croak-to-voice.
    She pressed Call and heard the phone start to ring two hundred miles away in Birmingham.
    Now, how would Kate Winslet do this?
    â€œBailey’s Bar.” Patrick’s manner was as brusque as his personality.
    â€œOh… Patrick, is that you?” Tula adopted an agonized whisper, as if she were incredibly brave but doubled over in agony and unable to crawl out of bed.
    â€œTula, what’s up?” His voice became even more brusque, if that was possible.
    From the back of the hotel, a tall male figure had emerged and was making his way across the lawn in her direction. Not deliberately in her direction, thank God; he was just heading for the path that led down to the beach. Half turning away so as not to make eye contact, Tula whispered, “I’m so sorry, Patrick. I really don’t think I’m going to be able to—”
    â€œWhat? Speak up, girl. I can’t hear you.”
    That’s because I’m being ill, you idiot .
    â€œI’m not going to be able to work tonight.” She raised her voice but kept it in death’s-door mode. “I think it’s food poisoning from the prawn curry I had last night… Oh, Patrick, I thought I was going to die; I’ve never felt so terrible in my life…” Out of the corner of her eye she saw the man passing by and swiveled around still further.
    â€œSo where are you?” Patrick demanded. “In the hospital?”
    Honestly, would he only be happy if she was in the intensive care unit on life support? “No,” she croaked, clutching her stomach in order to sound more convincingly ill. “I’ve just been throwing up all night and all morning. Pretty much nonstop. I mean, if I feel better in the next few hours I’ll come in for my shift. You know I hate to let you down, but the way I’m feeling at the moment, I can’t see it happ—”
    â€œSo you’re not going to be in,” he interrupted curtly. “Well, that’s just great. What about tomorrow night?”
    Miserable bastard. Such compassion. “I expect so… If it’s just a twenty-four-hour thing, I should be better by then…”
    â€œWell, make sure you are,” Patrick snapped. “And you’d better not be messing me around.”
    Honestly, what a cheek. Irritated, Tula croaked, “I’m sick , Patrick. Don’t try and make out I’m not. Have I ever let you down before?”
    Since there was no answer to that, because she hadn’t , he snorted and hung up.
    Tula watched the man from the hotel as he headed down the steps in the direction of the beach. Broad shoulders, dark hair, rather nice view from the back. She wondered briefly whether the front matched up.
    Anyway, blackberry ice creams. Relieved to have the dreaded phone call out of the way, she slid her phone into the pocket of her shorts. Then, spirits lifted, she set off in the direction of the esplanade.

Chapter 4
    Lying on her back, Sophie closed her eyes and reveled in the blissful sensation of the sun on her eyelids. She really should do this more often. Somehow, spending a whole day on the beach always felt like a luxury she couldn’t afford to indulge in; building up the business invariably took priority. If Tula hadn’t come down today, she would have kept herself busy with work.
    But she was glad she hadn’t. Taking a few hours off made a nice change.