Finders Keepers Edie Baylis (phonics readers .TXT) 📖

at Darren again, then her eyes flicked to Robert talking to two women, who she presumed were Helen’s work colleagues. Maybe she was worrying too much about this whole thing?

Dulcie waved at Darren and beckoned him over. ‘Let’s see how he is.’

Teagan cringed. ‘Oh no, Dulcie, please. I don’t th...’

‘Rubbish! What I said has put you off. You’re thinking of me, but you shouldn’t! I saw with my own eyes how happy you were when you went out with that boy and how pleased you were when he sent those flowers, so don’t give me that. Ah, here he is...’

‘Hello Mrs Adams.’ Heath held out his hand to shake Dulcie’s. ‘My deepest condolences. I’m so very sorry about Helen.’

‘Yes, indeed.’ Dulcie nodded, pretending to agree appreciatively. ‘It is decent of you to pay your respects like this.’

Heath kept his smile in place, despite the presence of Dulcie’s bony hand in his making him itch. She was still studying him. He could feel it. Despite her pleasantries and actual words, her eyes spoke a different story. ‘I know I only met Helen a handful of times, but I wanted to be here.’ He glanced at Teagan. ‘How are you, Teagan?’

Teagan coaxed her mouth into a slight smile. ‘I...’

‘Teagan’s been a saviour and I wouldn’t have coped had it not been for her wonderful support,’ Dulcie cut in, placing her hand on Teagan’s arm. ‘But I’m afraid all of this business with Helen has interfered with you two love birds.’

Blushing furiously, Teagan couldn’t bring herself to look at Darren. ‘Dulcie, I...’

Heath made himself stare at Teagan longingly like he was supposed to. ‘Teagan’s a very special woman and I’m hoping we can pick back up where we left off at some point soon.’

Teagan fought to keep her feet rooted in position, rather than running in the opposite direction. God, this was embarrassing.

‘There dear, you see?’ Dulcie said, inwardly smiling at Teagan’s awkwardness. ‘I told you there was no need to worry. He’s still interested.’

‘I...’

‘Ah, Robert!’ Dulcie exclaimed. ‘Have you met Darren Harding? Darren, this is my son, Robert.’

Extending his hand as Robert approached, Heath tried not to take it personally that this man dwarfed his own six foot height. ‘Nice to meet you, Mr Adams, although I wish it was under happier circumstances. My condolences.’

‘Thank you, Mr Harding.’ Robert shook Heath’s hand just that little bit too hard. ‘Do you work at Shepherd, Percival and Proctor?’

‘No, I met Helen when I was interested in a property she was advertising an...’

‘Darren also knew Teagan from school. Isn’t it a small world?’ Dulcie gushed. ‘They’ve been dating.’

‘Dating?’ Robert said, his eyes on Teagan. So this was a boyfriend? ‘How very... nice...’

Teagan burnt with humiliation. This was dreadful. She wished Dulcie would be quiet and then felt immediately guilty. Poor Dulcie, she was such a sweetheart thinking of others even on a day like today. She wasn’t to know how desperately awkward this was.

‘I was just saying to Darren how amazing Teagan has been,’ Dulcie continued animatedly, looking for any slight reaction from Robert. ‘Oh Robert, you should have seen the beautiful flowers this lovely young man sent Teagan only the other week! Absolutely gorgeous! Oh, love’s young dream, eh?’ She clutched Heath’s arm and winked conspiringly. ‘My son’s only ever been interested in working and computers! I think I’ll be about 95 before he gives me grandchildren!’ Did you hear that, Teagan? Robert’s off limits.

‘I’m sure Mr Harding isn’t interested in my bachelor status, mother,’ Robert growled. There was something odd about this Darren Harding character. Had he seen this guy somewhere before? ‘What school did you say you went to, Mr Harding?’ he asked, studying the man suspiciously.

Heath blinked. Shit. Which school did Teagan go to again? Oh God, he couldn’t remember. Fuck. ‘I... erm...’

‘What a strange thing to ask,’ Dulcie snapped. ‘You do talk drivel sometimes, Robert!’ She turned to Teagan. ‘So, when are you two going out again?’

‘Erm, I don’t know,’ Teagan said a little too sharply. ‘Would you excuse me?’ Grabbing her handbag from the table, she hurried off in the hope of finding the Ladies cloakroom, unable to remain in that awkward, crucifying situation for one moment longer.

While everyone else’s attention was centred on Teagan’s abrupt departure, Heath’s eyes tracked back to where he’d seen that invite on the table. He’d seen it while Dulcie was talking, but now, being as everyone else was otherwise preoccupied, he had the opportunity to take it.

Moving carefully to one side, Heath reached behind him, using his own body as a screen and stealthily snatched up the invite that someone had carelessly left lying about. Careless because he’d seen the print at the bottom of the card in black and white. An RSVP to Robert Adams with an address underneath, clear as day. Robert’s address...

Shoving the invite into his trouser pocket, Heath turned to Dulcie and smiled cordially.

LENA GRINNED. THE FUNCTION for that West Ham footballer last night had been a resounding success. The press were out in their droves and the place was bursting from the rafters. Consequently, she’d spent as much time mingling in the VIP suite as protocol allowed.

It had been annoying because there were several footballers present that she wouldn’t mind a bit of a tumble with. One especially had been giving her the eye. He’d even offered her a few lines of powder of which she’d had to regretfully decline. She’d have gone for it had she not spotted Gwen. With her cat-like vision, Gwen would have clocked her taking a snort even if she were on the bloody moon! But Lena knew how she had to play things at the moment and it wasn’t worth rocking the boat. She had, however, found her way into several of the official photographs, making sure the reporters got her name down in their notepads too.

She flicked through the latest issue of OK magazine and her eyes lit up. Fabulous! They’d got the story out already. Flattening the double