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.‘Very perceptive.I like that in a woman.’She dropped her head and looked at him sideways.It was a surprisingly childlike gesture for a woman who must be in her early thirties.‘I’m sorry I was a bitch,’ she said.‘But I was on my backside in the middle of the road with limbs all over the place and …’‘It was a good look for you – sorry, didn’t quite mean that the way it sounded – I’ll shut up.Maybe I should ask Duchess out.’‘I think they’ll excommunicate you for that.’‘No, that’s allowed too.It’s more common than you might think.’She started to laugh, a soft, almost soundless mirth that shook her shoulders and made her breasts bounce inside her shirt.He was staring again.He leaned back in his chair and looked up.A small flock of starlings was moving across the sky.As one, the birds changed direction and, for a split-second, formed what could almost be a heart-shape in the air before switching again and heading away from them.‘I’m not a churchgoer,’ she said after a moment.Harry shrugged.‘Nobody’s perfect.’‘I’m serious.’ She was too.She’d stopped smiling.‘I really don’t believe in God,’ she went on.‘Won’t that be a problem? While we’re watching this romantic comedy or eating pizza or whatever?’‘I’ll do you a deal, Evi,’ he said, knowing that, in truth, the deal was all but done and all he had to do was close it.‘Another one?’ she asked.‘The first one worked out OK.I got you back on the horse and you were still speaking to me.So the new deal is, I won’t try and convert you.You don’t try and analyse me.’‘How did you know?’ she asked.‘How did you know what my name is and what I do?’Harry pointed at the sky.The starlings were still there, hovering overhead, as though they knew what was happening on the ground and were hanging around to see the outcome.‘All-knowing-one on speed-dial,’ he said.‘How about Friday?’She didn’t even pretend to think about it.‘OK, that would be bugger, I mean, sorry – I have to work.I’m seeing a family in Oldham at their house.I won’t be back till late.’‘Well, Saturday then – oh no, sorry, I mean bugger – I have this church thing.Heptonclough – where we met, you’ll remember – are having their annual harvest shindig.You know the sort of thing, ceremonial cutting of the last wheat, dancing around naked as the sun goes down and then the harvest feast in one of the big houses.’‘Sounds a riot.’‘Well, quite.They’ve asked me to read a traditional prayer over the crop and say grace at the dinner.I’m invited to bring a guest, but maybe …’ Harry stopped.Taking a date to his first official function? Was that really a good idea?‘I think it could be fun,’ said Evi.‘And I’d get to see you in action.’Harry realized he really didn’t want his first date with Evi to go wrong.He gestured at his clothes.‘I’d be wearing the, you know, the regalia – dog collar, ceremonial robes.At least till after the formal stuff.’‘Can’t wait.’ The starlings were starting to move off, twisting back in their direction every couple of seconds, as if to check it was all still going well.And it was going well.Except he might just have messed it up.‘Now you’re starting to sound kinky,’ he said.‘Says the man who wants to date my horse.’‘Saturday then.Can I walk you to your car?’She pushed herself upright.‘Thanks,’ she said.‘It’s next to that flashy blue thing with the soft top and all the chrome.’1525 September‘YOU LOOK MUCH BETTER, GILLIAN,’ SAID EVI.‘I’D HARDLY have known you.’‘Thank you.I do feel better.’Gillian’s hair was freshly washed, her clothes seemed cleaner.There was even a touch of make-up around those strange, silver-grey eyes.It was possible to see, this morning, the attractive girl she’d been before her life had fallen apart.‘And you’re still getting on all right with the medication?’ Evi asked.Gillian nodded.‘It’s amazing, the difference it makes,’ she said.Then her face darkened.‘I spoke to my mum about what you’d given me and she said I’d become addicted.That I’d have to take pills for the rest of my life.’Well-meaning relatives with fixed views didn’t always help.‘Don’t worry about that,’ said Evi, shaking her head.‘Addiction is always a risk but it’s one we’re very careful to guard against.The medicines I’ve given you are a temporary measure.I’ll be aiming to wean you off them gradually, once we both think you can cope without them.How are you finding the AA meetings?’Another nod.‘They’re nice.Nice people.I haven’t had a drink in fourteen days.’‘That’s brilliant, Gillian, well done.’Astonishing, the difference in the girl.Four weeks ago, Gillian had barely been able to string a sentence together.‘Can we talk about what you’ve been doing over the week,’ suggested Evi [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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