Miranda's Big Mistake - Jill Mansell [105]
situation. Because I've never' - thump - `had any other' - thump - `choice.'
`Oh.' Miles was still laughing and rubbing his arm. `Should have said.'
Miranda shook her head, marvelling at his lack of intuition. Otherwise known as male-ness.
`Should have known.'
`But you were right. It was more fun.'
`Only because you did have the choice.'
Miles nodded, put his arm around her indignant shoulders, and kissed her on the cheek.
`You're right. I'm a thoughtless pig, and I'm sorry. Let me get tickets for the semis.'
Pride welled up.
`I still can't. Work.'
If Fenn could hear her now, Miranda thought, he'd be astounded.
`The final, then.' Miles hesitated. `I wouldn't be able to make it, but you could bring a friend.'
Of course he wouldn't be able to make it. Daisy would be back by Sunday. Feeling like a small child being placated with sweets so the grown-ups could go off and enjoy themselves, Miranda shook her head.
`Don't worry, I couldn't make it on Sunday either.' `Tell you what. You cancel your arrangements and I'll cancel mine.'
Oh yes, terrific idea.
`Daisy wouldn't be thrilled.'
`What's Daisy got to do with it?' Miles grinned at her. `I'm racing at Silverstone.'
It was eight o'clock by the time they reached Tredegar Gardens. Expecting a goodbye peck on the cheek and a vague see-you-around, Miranda raised her eyebrows when Mile jumped out of the taxi with her and paid off the driver.
`Are you Miles Harper?' The cab driver peered at him suspiciously; with that Legionnaire's hat and those dart wrap-around glasses it was impossible to tell, but on the journey back from Wimbledon he had definitely heard then talking about next Sunday's Grand Prix.
`Don't I wish.' Miles's reply was cheerful. `I wouldn' say no to his money.'
It wasn't him. Disappointed, the driver said, `Not t(mention the birds.'
`Oh, I don't know. I don't do so badly.' Miles grinned.
Miranda, hot and dusty and desperate for a shower thougi she was, thought indignantly that there was no need for the driver to look at her with quite such blatant disbelief.
`It was the hair,' Miles told her when the cab ha(moved off.
`Why aren't you going home?'
`Friendly.' He hauled the backpack containing their ten and sleeping bags on to his shoulder. `Because I'm not bore(with you yet.'
`I might be bored with you.' Miranda's tone was challenging.
His mouth twitched.
`No you're not.'
Chapter 43
Inside, the house was empty. So typical, thought Miranda. Where were Florence and Chloe when you were bursting to show off to them? It was like waking up on Christmas Eve, finding Father Christmas in your room and knowing that in the morning nobody was going to believe you.
`Nice place.' Miles gazed with pleasure around Florence's bohemian sitting room.
Patting the back of the sofa, Miranda said encouragingly, `Sit down, put the TV on if you want. Give me ten minutes to shower and change, and we'll be off.'
Miles didn't sit down.
`What's your room like?'
Eek!
`Messy. Very messy. This one's much nicer.'
`Don't be so boring. I like messy rooms.' His mouth twitched at the corners. `You can explore in them.'
There was clearly no stopping him; he was already heading up the stairs. Running after him, Miranda panted, `Better put on your Indiana Jones hat, then. And no snooping.'
Miles raised a teasing eyebrow as she pushed open the door to her room.
`Not even in your knicker drawer?'`Especially not there!'
He grinned.
`Is that where you keep all your old love letters?' `Actually it's where I keep my knickers.'
And pretty old some of them were, too. The thought of Miles Harper having a good rummage and dragging out her precious I Love Bros pants with the pictures of Matt and Luke on the front wasn't a relaxing one. If she wanted to enjoy her shower she was going to have to cart the whole drawer into the bathroom with her.
`I won't snoop,' promised Miles. `How about a look at your CD collection - would that be safe?'
Actually, not very. Matt