Miranda's Big Mistake - Jill Mansell [20]
At least he'd offered, he told himself. When Verity pressed him for the gory details tonight, wanting to know who'd left who and if Greg had run off with another woman, he'd be able to say, `She didn't want to talk about it.'
`So.' His tone was hearty; he rubbed his hands together in a let's-change-the-subject way. `How about this little get-together tonight then? You'll still come, won't you? You and Verity could have a good old chat-'
`Thanks,' Chloe blurted out, `but I'm not really up to it at the moment. I wouldn't be much fun. Another time, maybe.'
Bruce put on his understanding face. At least he knew now why Chloe - certainly no slouch in the looks department - had been looking so pallid and puffy-eyed of late.
`Of course,' he assured her. `Don't worry about it.'
`But… um, if you ever need a babysitter I'd be happy to do it.' Chloe knew she was gabbling; still, now seemed as good a time as any. `As much babysitting as you like, actually.' May as well be upfront about it. `The thing is, I could do with the money. Oh, I'm not asking for a pay rise,' she went on hurriedly, intercepting the look of horror on Bruce's pudgy face. `It's just, paying the rent on the flat is going to be a bit of a tight squeeze. So any extra work I can do… well, it'll come in handy.'
`Right, I see.'
Bruce's tone was guarded.
`I'm not looking for another proper job,' Chloe rushed to reassure him. `I love working here.'
True. Well, fairly true.
Anyway, changing jobs now would mean she wouldn't be entitled to any maternity benefits.
Bruce visibly relaxed.
`Okay, I'll let Verity know. I'm sure we can work something out. And you get on well with Jason,' he added encouragingly. `That's a plus.'
It was more than that, it was a downright miracle. According to Greg, if Bruce and Verity wanted to earn themselves a quick buck they should cart their beloved son along to the headquarters of the nearest condom manufacturers. Feature
Jason in a series of adverts for their product, Greg had declared - often - and condom sales would go through the ozone layer.
`If you don't get one of these,' he had intoned, dangling an imaginary condom from his fingers then affecting a look of horror, `you'll get one of these.'
And I laughed, Chloe remembered.
Well, it had seemed funny at the time.
The trouble was, it wasn't actually funny at all.
Bruce left the back room and Chloe went back to unpacking lampshades.
Bundling a mountain of bubble-wrap into an empty box, she forced herself not to think about Greg.
Two minutes later she lurched back on her heels in shock.
God, how could I have been so stupid? How could I have offered to babysit for Verity and Bruce?
Bruce was all right, he was only a man. Men never noticed anything.
But stick-thin, eagle-eyed Verity was another matter altogether, Chloe realised with a sinking heart.
One look at my stomach and she'll be on to me like a shot.
Oh help, I need to sign up for Creative Bluffing classes, she thought helplessly. I'll have to tell Verity I've joined Overeaters Anonymous.
Chapter 9
`This is the right building,' said Miranda, pushing her way through the revolving door. `I can feel it in my nose.'
`Sometimes I worry about you.' Bev ran an anxious hand over her hair, checking her sleek chignon was still secure after its encounter with the howling gale outside. `God, what a night. You'd better not have dragged me here under false pretences,' she warned. `If there aren't any decent men here, I'm going straight home.'
Miranda crossed her fingers as they followed the trail of Elizabeth Turnbull's perfume up three flights of stairs. Her extravagant promise to Bev that there would be sackfuls - if not wagonloads - of gorgeous spare men at this evening's party was gnawing slightly at her conscience.
But if she hadn't said it, Bev wouldn't have come.
And since Florence had insisted that she take the spare ticket-for-two, Miranda had been desperate. The prospect of bowling up at a cocktail party on your own where the only people you