We'll Meet Again Read Online Free Page A

the result was stunning. The boned bodice fitted like a second skin and quite suddenly Meg had a figure that, if not exactly hourglass, was what could be described as shapely without fear of exaggeration. ‘I’ve got a bust,’ Meg said happily. ‘And a waist too.’ She did a twirl and the material swirled around her like the petals of a tea rose. ‘It’s beautiful.’ She bundled up the skirts and emerged into the salon like a butterfly bursting from its chrysalis. ‘What d’you think, Aunt Josie? Isn’t it gorgeous, Addie?’
    Madame folded her thin hands in front of her. ‘In view of Mademoiselle’s tender years, perhaps it is not quite suitable, madame? The colour is not quite right for an ingénue.’
    Josie rose to her feet, taking her cheque book from her handbag. ‘It’s certainly eye-catching, and if Megfeels good in it then that’s the one for her. Shall we get down to the vulgar business of the price, madame?’
    ‘Pa will have a fit when he gets the bill,’ Adele said in a low voice as they left the shop. ‘That’s my allowance gone for the next twenty years.’
    ‘Nonsense,’ Josie said, chuckling. ‘The ball gowns are my present to you both. I’ve no children of my own to spoil so I think I might be allowed to indulge my beautiful nieces once in a while. You’ll both look absolutely stunning, and David’s friends will fall at your feet.’
    ‘His friends?’ Adele was suddenly alert. ‘Are they joining us for lunch?’
    Josie smiled and nodded. ‘We’re meeting your escorts for the ball at lunch. David will introduce you but I’ve already met Walter. He’s a charming young man who’s studying medicine, and there’s Frank Barton.’ She shot a mischievous look in Adele’s direction. ‘You’ll like him, Addie. He’s good-looking and frightfully well off. He could have been ordered for you straight from Harrods.’
    Adele blushed and frowned. ‘Don’t be mean, Aunt Josie. You make me sound like a gold-digger.’
    ‘Not at all, darling. I know you for a sweet girl and I’m sure Frank will see that too.’ She turned to Meg, her expression serious for once. ‘Now, Meg, I know you’re inclined to speak your mind, so I want you to be very careful what you say. David’s other friend is everything that Walter is and Frank too, so I’veheard, but there’s a subtle difference. I want you to think before you speak and treat him exactly the same as the others.’
    Meg stared at her in surprise. ‘What’s wrong with him? Has he got two heads or something?’

CHAPTER TWO
    As she left the bright sunshine and entered the cool interior of the Mitre Hotel it took Meg several seconds to grow accustomed to the dim light in the oak-beamed vestibule. ‘It’s really old,’ she murmured, gazing around in awe.
    ‘It was a coaching inn until 1926,’ Josie said with a knowledgeable smile. ‘There, girls, that’s your history lesson for today. My darling husband would be proud of me. He always says I have the attention span of a goldfish and this proves him wrong. Anyway, let’s go and find the boys. I believe I’ve worked up quite an appetite for lunch.’ She led the way through the reception area to the restaurant, giving her name to the maître d’hôtel. With a courtly bow, he escorted them to a table at the far end of the room.
    On seeing them David rose to his feet, and forgetting decorum Meg rushed over to fling her arms around him. ‘It seems ages since you were last at home. I’ve really missed you.’
    Laughing, he slipped his arm around her shoulders. ‘I’ve missed you too, Meg.’ He held his hand out to Adele. ‘You’re not going to make a show of me in front of everyone, are you, Addie?’
    She smiled. ‘No, of course not, but it’s lovely to see you looking so well, David.’
    ‘My turn,’ Josie said, moving forward to kiss his cheek. ‘Aren’t you going to introduce the girls to your friends? I know Walter, of course.’
    There was a hint of coquetry in