What Lola Wants (London Dolls Book 1) Read Online Free

not so sure.” Seeing his sister take burlesque center stage might be more than Lola could handle after the day she’d had. He scanned for another option. An Irish Pub across the way seemed viable until lads spilled out onto the street yelling out their favorite teams and singing game songs. Must be a footie match playing on the big screens behind the bar. Ugh. Well, maybe she’d prefer that over burlesque? “There’s a pub across the street. It’s a little crowded.”
    “Are you kidding me? Look at the place, heaving with animals. I’d rather deal with strippers than lager louts. Besides, now I’m curious.”
    “Are you sure?”
    She glanced across the street then back at the glamour of The Doll House. “Sure, why not.”
    “Come on, then, let’s get you that drink.” And a side of shock.

Chapter Three
     
     
    He held the door open for her.
    “Empty pockets and my ex clearing me out wasn’t quite the way I imagined my time off. But, like hell I’m falling at the first obstacle,” she said out loud, tears streaming down her cheeks.
    “Take a deep breath.” He released the door and rubbed the small of her back, his gentle kindness giving her the will to keep focused. Hope burned a tad brighter. “He may have your bank account, but that doesn’t mean he knows where you are, or that he followed you to London.”
    “But what if he has followed me here?”
    “I’m sure he hasn’t. The missing money could simply be a bank error. Let’s not jump to conclusions yet, okay?”
    Wiping her eyes, she pasted on a smile. “I hope to hell Jane can forgive me for not calling in four months because I’ll need a place to stay. Think she’ll have room for me?”
    “We share a flat at the moment, but I guess it would be fine.” He paused then shrugged. “Just for a few days.”
    “You share?”
    He nodded. “Don’t start. I’m in between homes at the moment.”
    “Yes, with the upcoming wedding I’d imagine so. So, do you reckon Jane’ll mind?”
    “I’m sure she will love having you stay. Come on, let’s grab that drink and report the theft.” He opened the theatre door and ushered her inside.
    The sweeping staircase with its gold handrail screamed decadence. Geometrical art deco lights fixed to the walls illuminated the red carpet with a soft glow.
    Twirling on the spot, she absorbed the opulence.
    “You okay?”
    She nodded. “It’s like I’ve stepped back in time and won the lottery all in one breath.” She curtsied. “I’m home.”
    “Not bad for a strip joint, is it?” He chortled. “Let’s leave your bags at the ticket office.” He grabbed her suitcase and travel bag and handed them to a short woman, who Lola guessed to be in her late forties. Maybe younger. It was hard to tell. She was done-up like a five-year-old playing fairy princesses, wearing a pink bobbed wig and a white corset and tutu. Worse still, she had “doll” makeup on. Cliché ballerina face with rosy cheeks, overdone blue eye shadow, and painted on eyebrows and false lashes. Perfect for stage, but up close, it held more of a will-crack-if-you-smile appearance and added maybe ten years to her.
    “Miss, can I use your phone, please?”
    She creased her brows, the heavy makeup cracking under the pressure. “No. For Dolls only.”
    “I need to call the police.”
    “Don’t care. You’re not using this phone unless you’re a Doll.”
    “You can use my mobile to report Al,” he offered. “Quit nagging Pocket Polly before she throws us out.”
    The overdone Doll pulled a hand to her mouth. “Oh, sweetheart, you have a crazy ex? I’m so sorry. Of course, you can use the phone.”
    “Polly, that’s the first time I’ve heard you be nice to anyone outside your little circle,” Dennis joked, thumbing her to-do notepad left out on the counter.
    “Hey, give me a break. Look, her heart is broken.” She slid her notebook out of reach then placed an old rotary phone on the counter. “You go ahead,