Anchored Read Online Free Page B

forcibly stated.
    “Mia, settle down, I’m only teasing. It’s not like you get many men calling you here. Surely if he means nothing to you it’d be easy to talk to him for a few minutes.”
    “Yes of course but—”
    “Okay that settles it. You will answer the phone for the rest of the day. I’ve got work to do.” Jackie laughed and walked off.
    Mia could hear Jackie humming and felt annoyed. Why was she so uptight about his call? He was only being polite and it meant nothing.
    The morning couldn’t be over soon enough for her. Her nerves felt ready to snap, and she was tempted to take the phone off the hook. 
    She jumped as the phone shrilled beside her and dropped a stack of papers she’d been sorting.
    “Good afternoon, Bluehaven Preschool.”
    Silence greeted her as she waited for a response. When no one replied she said, “Hello, is anyone there?”
    “Hello Mia, it’s David O’Malley. How are you?”
    “Hello Mr. O’Malley. I’m fine thank you. How can I help you?” Mia knew she sounded businesslike but couldn’t help it. What did he want?
    “I haven’t seen you out walking and wondered if Bruno and I had scared you off.”
    “Not at all. I liked Bruno,” she informed him.
    “So it must be me you’re scared of. I don’t bite either you know.”
    She could hear the humor in his voice. “I’m sure you don’t Mr. O’Malley.”
    “David please, Mr. O’Malley sounds like my father. Mia, have lunch with me today? I’d appreciate seeing you to reassure myself you’re okay,” he coaxed.
    “That’s not necessary. I’m fine.”
    “It’s only lunch. What time is your break?” 
    Mia felt eager to end the call. “I’m sorry. I already have a lunch date. Thank you for the offer but I must get back to work.”
    “How about tomorrow then? Or dinner? I’m interested in getting to know you, just say the time and I’ll be there.”
    Mia mulled over the offer and gnawed her fingernail. “I’m sorry Mr. O’Malley but I’m very busy at the moment so— ”
    “I’ll keep asking, Mia. Every day I’ll phone until you go out with me. Come on, give me a chance, I think we could be friends.”
    “I’ll think about it. I need to go. Goodbye.” Mia hung up the phone and her hand went to her mouth. She hadn’t handled that well. What must he think of her?

Chapter 6
    Black Forest chocolate was the last item Margaret needed, Mia’s favorite. She thought of the pending conversation with Mia and her hands trembled. Parking the car Margaret raced across the street to the shop.
    Phil Paterson had wanted to talk and now she felt rushed. Opening the car boot she lifted the lid of the picnic hamper and gasped at what she saw.
    The chocolate slipped to the ground unnoticed as she stepped back. Margaret’s hand went to her stomach and she retched.
    Stunned, she pulled her mobile phone out of her pocket and called Jonathan. Tears blinded her and she collapsed on the curb.
    “Margaret, what’s the matter?”
    “How could someone do something so disgusting? What sick mind would—why is this happening to me? First the eggs, and now this. I don’t understand.” Gasping, Margaret dropped her head between her knees.
    “What’s going on? Calm down and explain what’s happened,” he demanded.
    Margaret stammered, “Someone put a dead cat in my picnic hamper.”
    “You can’t be serious. Where’s the hamper?” he exclaimed.
    “In the back of the car. Jonathan, can you come? I can’t get back in the car.”
    “Maggie calm down. How did they get into the car? Didn’t you lock the door?” His voice was calm and Margaret took a deep breath.
    “No. I was only going to be a minute. I ran across the street to Phil’s shop to get some chocolate.”
    “You should always lock the car. Wait there.”
    “Mia will be wondering where I am,” she sobbed. “I told her I’d pick her up at twelve.”
    “Give her a call and tell her something came up and you can’t make it. Don’t tell her what