His American Fling Read Free Page B

I don’t have it.” Maggie went quiet, “I’ll think of something, I always do." She took another drink and then a deep breath of desperation.
    Fiona had simply taken all of this in, sizing up Maggie as she listened. She liked Maggie even though she seemed so blatantly American. Maggie had that, “determined to make lemonade out of lemons," attitude that was so annoying. "What are you going to do?" Fiona asked.
    "Not sure. I tried a homeless shelter , but they said I’m not British. They suggested a hostel, but they were all full."
    Fiona was a sophisticated woman from a family of politicians, who had recently divorced, moving out of the home she shared with her husband and back into her old flat that she had rented to her cousins. "I’d offer to let you stay with me, but I already share my flat with my cousins." She turned and looked at Henry and Campbell and then focused on Campbell who was looking very uncomfortable with the fact that she had fixed her gaze on him.
    "Campbell, you have room, and you live by yourself. Surely you can let her stay until she can either find a job or get that damn cast off?"
    Campbell felt beads of sweat form on his forehead. He stammered and squirmed a little in his seat, "Oh, I don’t know. I’m not very good company ..."
    "Nonsense, you’re always asking if any of us know a good maid." Fiona fixed her huge green eyes on Maggie and with her broad, thin, mouth barely moving asked, "You can cook and clean, can’t you?"
    Maggie turned bright red, "I can see that Dr....I mean Professor Adair doesn’t need any company. It’s okay, I’ll figure something out."
     
    Fiona kicked Campbell in the shin and gave him a look that said it all—if he didn’t step up to the plate, he was going to suffer. Campbell knew all too well that Fiona could and would make him suffer.  She was one of the few who had some control over his social life since Fiona often organized the activities of their social circle. Upsetting her could mean that she might “forget” to include him. Or, on overnight outings, she might arrange for his accommodations to be close to the railroad track. The last time he upset her, he ended up sitting all weekend next to Peter, a boring twit that they tolerated because he had always been around. As children, Peter had been with them at the Dragon’s School, Eaton, Cambridge and med school. But Peter was, well, just ‘there.” Campbell didn’t want Fiona upset with him.
    "No," he practically yelled, "you should come and stay with me until your cast is removed or you get another job. I do have the room." He said this, but he was shooting daggers at Fiona when Maggie wasn’t looking. Fiona just smiled, finding the entire evening rather amusing.
    Peter butted in, "Maggie, where are you staying tonight?"
    Maggie was clearly uncomfortable, "I thought I’d try knocking on a few B & B doors."
    The entire table turned to Campbell who furtively looked at all of them. He closed his eyes briefly in resignation and then piped up, "By all means, come and stay at my house tonight."
    "That’s really nice of you. Are you sure?"
    "Yes, of course." Campbell watched Fiona and Henry give each other big grins. His friends were always amused at how private Campbell was , and they knew that this turn of events was going to make him miserable. They relished the fact that Campbell was twisting in the wind.
     
    When Maggie excused herself to go to the bathroom, Campbell exploded, "This is bollocks!" He looked from Fiona to Henry. "You must get me out of this mess. I will never forgive either of you. Sticking me with that gormless Yank is hitting below the belt."
    "Don’t be a pillock! It’s only for a few weeks. You could use some female company." Henry said.
    "I have Fiona." Campbell said defensively.
    Fiona’s brow scrunched together, and she narrowed her eyes, "Me? You don’t have me. We’ve been best friends for years, but we don’t have each other. You need a woman in the biblical