A Spanish Engagement Read Free Page B

reassure her that it’s in Molly’s best interests to be with me.’
    The taxi drew up almost level with the unsmiling woman. Carmel McCormack was plump and in her early sixties; she had white hair tied in a bun and she was wearing a floral summer dress. She looked like a very pleasant woman, except for the irate expression on her face.
    ‘Anyway—’ Carrie reached hastily for the door handle ‘—thanks again for the lift.’
    Max watched as she climbed out onto the pavement;observed how the little girl’s face lit up when she saw Carrie, and how she ran joyously to be picked up by her.
    As the taxi started to move he suddenly noticed that she had left her mobile phone on the seat. He told the driver to stop the cab and then wound down the window. ‘Carrie, you have forgotten your phone,’ he called.
    She looked around and then walked over to take it from him. ‘Thanks.’ She smiled. ‘My mind is definitely not with it at the moment.’
    ‘That’s understandable.’ His eyes moved to the little girl who had her arms wrapped tightly around her neck, then to the woman who was looking on so disapprovingly from behind. ‘Hope all goes well for you, Carrie…see you later.’
    Carrie watched as the taxi moved away from her. What did he mean by ‘see you later’? she wondered. She probably would never see him again. They were just passing strangers, and she didn’t even know his surname. For some reason a pang of regret stole quietly into her thoughts. He had been so handsome and understanding…and so incredibly easy to talk to. She didn’t remember ever opening up to a stranger the way she had to him.
    But as she turned to face Molly’s grandmother she quickly squashed the emotion. She had enough problems in her life without a man complicating things. She needed all her concentration now for Molly.
    ‘Carrie, you are late picking poor Molly up.’ Carmel’s voice was sharp.
    ‘Only five minutes, Carmel. It’s nice to see you,’ she added hastily. ‘I didn’t expect you until tomorrow.’
    ‘I managed to get an earlier flight. My husband will follow tomorrow.’
    Carrie nodded and wondered suddenly if the woman had turned up earlier in the hope of catching her out. ‘How is Bob?’ she asked politely, remembering that Tonyhad told her his father-in-law had suffered a heart attack earlier in the year.
    ‘He hasn’t been at all well.’ For a second the angry lines on the woman’s face softened. ‘Otherwise I would have been here sooner.’
    ‘I’m sorry, Carmel. It must be a difficult time for you,’ Carrie said softly.
    ‘It hasn’t been easy,’ Carmel admitted with a sigh. ‘I felt bad about not getting here for Tony’s funeral…and I’m worried sick about Molly, the poor little soul.’
    Carrie looked down at the child in her arms and cuddled her even closer. ‘You’re doing fine, aren’t you, Mol?’ The little girl nodded and then struggled to get down as she saw one of her friends.
    ‘I meant what I said in my letter, Carrie,’ the other woman said without hesitation. ‘I don’t think that you adopting her is a good idea.’
    Carrie felt a dart of fear at the brisk certainty in the other woman’s voice. ‘I don’t think we should talk about this now, Carmel. But I have to say, I don’t understand your objections.’
    ‘Well, they are quite clear-cut. My granddaughter needs a stable home life, and I’m not so sure that is with a single girl who jets off around the world at the drop of a hat.’
    ‘I don’t jet off at the drop of a hat, Carmel,’ Carrie said gently. ‘I just do my job and then I’m back to take care of her. I also employ a perfectly good nanny to help.’
    Other mothers were passing them on the pavement, looking curiously in their direction, and, conscious of the fact that this was not the place for such a discussion, plus worrying that Molly might understand what they were saying, Carrie moved forward. ‘Come back to my apartment. I’ll make us tea