Good at Games Read Free Page B

into her vast purple shoulder bag and whisked out a family-size box of Kleenex. “Crying your eyes out and getting rain all over yourself from my raincoat—that’s a sure way to come down with pneumonia. There, there, my darling, you cry as much as you want to. Just make sure you’ve got something warm on first.”
    â€œThis isn’t a bra and panties,” said Suzy, wiping her eyes and sniffing loudly. It was actually a white Donna Karan cropped tank top and matching micro shorts. “And I’m only crying because I’m glad to see you.”
    It was true. These were the first tears she’d shed since learning of Blanche’s death. Slightly guiltily, Suzy realized that she was closer to Maeve than she’d ever been to her own mother. If anything should happen to Maeve, she would be distraught.
    â€œLet’s get you out of this.” Amid much creaking of plastic, Jaz helped with the removal of the coat. “Why don’t you two sit down and have a chat about things? Was it a good vacation then, Maeve?”
    Maeve, who had been visiting her enormous extended family in Dublin, gazed fondly at Jaz and said, “Great, love. The very best. I’ll tell you all about it later. Are you two off now?”
    Fee and Jaz were both heading tactfully for the door. Fee held up the red velvet dress.
    â€œHave to finish this.”
    â€œAnd I’ve got a meeting,” said Jaz. “I’ll be back by eight.”
    There was no need to elaborate; they knew the kind of meeting Jaz meant.
    â€œGood lad.” Maeve nodded approvingly, knowing full well that it drove him mad.
    â€œDon’t do that.” Jaz sighed. “If you call me a good lad again, I shall have to hit you.”
    â€œHah,” said Maeve, winking at Suzy and Fee. “I’d like to see you try.”
    * * *
    â€œYou should have let me know about Blanche earlier,” Maeve scolded when the other two had left. “You know I’d have come straight back.”
    â€œAnd ruined your break.” Suzy gave her a look. “That’s exactly why we didn’t tell you. I’ve been fine, really.” She smiled. “Still, I’m glad you’re here now.”
    Maeve gave her another perfect hug, the kind Suzy had spent so much of her childhood missing out on. This one lasted for several minutes, which was heavenly and just what she needed.
    At last, Maeve broke away and said cheerily, “Now then, my darling, I picked you out a little present this morning! Just a little something to cheer you up.”
    You could love someone to bits, Suzy had long ago discovered, yet still inwardly cringe when they opened their mouths and certain words came trilling out. Mentally, she braced herself, while Maeve bent over her bag and got down to some serious rummaging. Maeve’s passion for thrift shops wasn’t so much the problem as her tragic taste in “little presents,” which she bought at the drop of an orange knit cap.
    â€œMaeve, you shouldn’t have,” said Suzy, although this was advice that Maeve—sadly—continued to ignore.
    â€œNonsense! The moment I spotted it, I knew it was right up your alley.” Maeve gave her a kiss and watched with pride as the tissue paper fell away.
    It was a brooch. A huge Perspex brooch with a photograph of a young Donny Osmond inside. Donny was baring his teeth in one of those unforgettable Osmond smiles and holding out a bunch of red roses that looked suspiciously fake.
    Fresh tears pricked the back of Suzy’s eyes. She was touched by the gesture but still mystified.
    Why? Why is this brooch right up my street?
    â€œDoesn’t he have the most gorgeous eyes?” Maeve said happily. “It was like fate, I’m telling you, finding it there in that shop.”
    â€œFate…?”
    â€œSure, and weren’t you only telling me last week about that policeman fellow you thought was the