Just Like a Woman Read Free Page B

to school again, and the next and the next. Her skip returned all the way up the path until she reached the front door; until it was pulled open and the eyes were on her, the tongue lashing.
    ‘Tell me what you did!’ The itchy-scratchy voice lassoing her into the house.
    Taking the keys from the ignition she looked up and saw the curtain sway. She swallowed the home coming lump in her throat, took her deep breath and stepping out of her car, knocked her head on the top of the door, when her mobile rang. Why was it ringing? Sarah’s heart raced, and her hand shook. Surely her mother could see her? No one else ever called her. She didn’t think anyone else had her number. The only reason she had the phone was due to her mother’s insistence, so she could keep in contact throughout the day; if her mother needed her at any time, or wanted to know where she was.
    Looking at it ringing in her hand she could see it read, ‘No Caller ID’. She pressed the answer button and put it to her ear.
    ‘Hello?’
    ‘Sarah?’ She instantly recognised Stephanie’s voice.
    ‘Stephanie? Is there a problem? I didn’t forget to pay?’
    ‘No, Sarah, everything’s fine. Is it convenient for you to talk for a moment? I’d like to speak to you about an idea. Something came into my mind after you were gone. I hope you don’t mind me calling you. I know it’s not very professional, but it was an idea that I thought might help you after what you said today. I would very much like to help you Sarah.’
    ‘I can’t be long. I’ve just got home and mother’s waiting.’ She looked over at the window, feeling the blue eyes questioning her, and closed the car door. Cupping her hands over the phone she whispered, ‘She can see me.’
    ‘That’s nice.’ Inwardly Sarah sighed as Stephanie continued. ‘Um, this is a bit delicate, and please don’t take offence if it’s not what you want. But you see, I’ve this male client, and I know you two would really hit it off? Look, putting it bluntly Sarah, would you like me to arrange a date for you? He’s a really nice man, but a bit older than you. But I am sure you would like each other. And it would be good for you.’
    Sarah leaned against the car, her eyes on the house. How was she going to explain this to her? Someone phoning her. Her mother would not let this go easily. The phone was burning from the heat of her face. She cleared her throat, trying to think.
    ‘Um, I don’t know. Do you mean a date? A date? No, I don’t think so. No.’
    ‘Don’t say yes or no yet, think about it. He really is a lovely man. He’s in a band. Well, actually not so much a band as he’s a musician.’
    ‘What d’you mean?’ The curtain twitched again, she could feel the impatience radiating towards her. What was Stephanie talking about? She brushed her forehead with her free hand.
    ‘I know he’d like you and I’m sure you’d like him. It’s just you said you’d like to meet a man.’
    Sarah tried to concentrate, but she could see her mother’s shadow, stationary at the window. A date with a man!
    The curtain twitched.
    ‘Stephanie, I’ve got to go.’
    ‘You may have heard of him. He’s quite famous.’
    Sarah turned away from the house. If she couldn’t see her mother, she could ignore her for a few moments.
    ‘He’s Robert D’Lyn? ‘Stephanie persisted. ‘Robert D’Lyn, you must have heard of him?’
    Robert D’Lyn? She recognised the name but couldn’t put a face to it.
    ‘Um, Stephanie, I really have to go.’
    ‘Yes of course Sarah. I hope you don’t mind me suggesting this. It’s just that I know he gets very lonely as well. I know he won’t mind me telling you. And you’ve so much in common. Think about it. And I’ll see you next week. OK?’
    Sarah put her phone back in her bag, her ear and cheek blood hot from the conversation. Taking her time to lock the car, thoughts of all she had to tell her mother were clouded by the usual day dream building in her