A Twist in the Tale (2011) Read Free Page A

reading classes at night school.” Tania said, tears streaming down her
face.
    Feeling
totally embarrassed I said, “I feel a right Charlie.”
    My
good friends thought nothing of my mishap though and shouted in unison, “Hi,
Charlie, come join the party.”
        
     
     
     
     
    Promising
Weekend
     
    “I’m
telling you, Sue, I reckon he’s going to pop the question.” Julie pointed out.
    “What
question might that be as if I don’t know?” I sighed and gazed out the café
window, watching lovers walk by hand in hand, laughing and smiling at each
other.
    “This
is the way I see it, a man doesn’t tell his girlfriend they’re going away for a
dirty weekend without some ulterior motive.” Julie winked and gave a smug
smile.
    “Who
mentioned anything about it being a ‘dirty’ weekend?”
    “A
romantic weekend for two in Scotland, that’s what you said, right?”
    “That’s
right. What’s dirty about that?” I asked, glancing out the window just in time
to see another couple playing tonsil hockey at the bus stop opposite.
    Julie
shook her head and scowled. “Ooh…you can be so bloomin’ naïve at times.”
    “God,
you really are the easiest person on this planet to wind up.” I teased. “It’s a
simple weekend away. Anyway, my Rob wouldn’t know the meaning of romance if it whacked
him round the face with a wet fish half a dozen times.
    “Okay,
Miss Know-it-all, what do you think is behind this grand gesture then?”
    “I
couldn’t tell you. I gave up trying to figure out Rob years ago. All I know is
that he’s acting a little odd lately. But you know Rob he’s odd at the best of
times.”
    “Aha!
It is as I predicted, Watson, this weekend your beloved will be asking you to
marry him.”
    “All
right, Sherlock, get back to smoking your pipe and give it a rest. Take a leaf
out of my book, don’t waste valuable time trying to work Rob out.”
    Lunch
appeared and ended the conversation as Julie liked her food too much and wasn’t
keen on multi-tasking. After all, her stomach’s needs far outweighed mine.
    Which
gave me time to mull over what she’d thrown at me. Did Rob intend asking me
to marry him? I went over recent conversations we’d had while I tucked into
my Chilli.  Only last week he’d asked what my favourite colour was. Oh my God,
what if he’d been referring to what colour stone I’d prefer. Now you’re
being ridiculous.
    Rob
was the kind of guy who had a heart of gold but needed constant guidance. His
mates call me a nag but I know what’s best for Rob. If I didn’t give him
a friendly shove of persuasion then nothing would get done around the house.
    He
wasn’t the marrying kind though. He took pleasure reminding me weekly about
that. No Julie’s mistaken, she has to be.
    We’ve
been living together four years and have had many ups and downs during that
time. More downs than ups at the beginning of the relationship but we’d come
through the rough times, in fact, they had probably made us stronger. I’d
learned a few years back to accept our relationship for what it was and not
what it could be.
    He’s
a good bloke, I mustn’t grumble. It’s not as if he spends every waking moment
down the pub with his mates. On Fridays he hands over the same amount for
housekeeping he gave me at the start of our relationship, it’s not his fault he
hasn’t realised the cost of food has shot up over the last four years.
    Our
sex life is the same as it’s ever been, according to my friends their sex lives
dwindle after a couple of years with the same bloke. But once a month is fine
by me.
    The
only negative thing about living with Rob is the amount of football I’m
subjected to, it’s a blessed relief when the summer comes around. Then, I’m in
competition with the MG kit car he’s building in the garage. Another couple of
weeks and it should be completed maybe that’s when he’ll turn his attention to
me.
    “Sue…Earth
to, Sue? Are you reading