Rune Read Free Page B

words bounced and bounded with excitement.
    “You did,” she managed to stutter. “It was yesterday.”
    “Yes, so? You don’t think I didn’t know that?” he spluttered.
    Jess smiled; she knew her father, he was the worse fibber on earth, and it was beyond him. “No, Dad,” she lied with ease; she’d never hurt him. Her mother, yes; her dad, no.
    “Anyway, I’ll be there in the next half hour or so to give you my present.”
    “Thanks, Dad, see you whenever.” Jess dropped the phone; she knew his idea of time and it was too much of an effort. Her head hurt, her brain had exploded, and she didn’t know how the hell she would cope with a wicked Dom.
    The afternoon passed in a blur. Jess finally shifted her ass and showered. She stood beneath a spray of icy cold water waiting for it to blast her back into the real world. Her nipples had peaked, her skin blistered, and her hangover remained.
    It lingered, resembling a stubborn germ.
    Jess clutched the mug of strong coffee, taking sharp sips, and stared across at Kitty. She looked worse than she felt, if that was possible.
    It was only the arrival of George that broke her out of her lethargy. The loud hoot of his horn ripped through her head. She knew what she intended doing to that frigging object.
    “My father is here.” The words slipped out slow.
    Kitty nodded. “I know, do you think I’m deaf?” Then yelped at the movement and threw another tablet down her throat.
    Within seconds, the door slammed open, and he made his announcement. “Happy Birthday, baby!” The words exploded across the room, resembling the sonic boom of an aircraft.
    Jess raised her head, blood shot eyes met his, and she gave a weak smile. “Hi, Dad.” Please no more yelling, not just yet.
    And did a double take. Jess debated reporting him to the RSPCA for cruelty to the squirrel sitting on his head. Was she hallucinating? What the heck was wrong with her parents? Both appeared to be trying to hold back time. “Dad, what the hell has moved into your skull?”
    George blinked and dragged in an affronted breath. “It’s my new hair piece; got a problem with it?”
    “Well um no, but—” she shuddered and slapped a hand over her mouth. Jess was determined to use a bit of decorum. Yet she felt torn between telling him the truth and offending him or leaving him looking like an idiot.
    “It cost a lot of money, and I mean a serious amount.” He passed her to stand in front of the mirror. And carefully adjusted it, his tiny eyes glimmered, a frown scrimped over his forehead. “I bought it off the bidding channel on TV. It’s a much-sought-after toupee.”
    “Yeah, I bet, money well spent,” muttered Kitty. Her cheek rested on her hand, her eyes dipped closed.
    George nodded with a toss of his head and almost lost his wig. He grabbed it, holding the elusive piece of hair in place. “Had a bad night?”
    Jess couldn’t be bothered to explain. She had trouble stringing words together and, as much as she loved her dad, wished he’d piss off.
    George studied them; he sucked in his rotund belly, or tried to, then gave a low rasp of air. “Here, it’s a cheque for you to spend on whatever you want.”
    Jess hyperventilated; a twirl of excitement churned in her stomach, and she tried to work out what to buy first. She dropped back to reality, her eyes widened. “Fifty quid?”
    “I know it’s a lot of money, but try to spend it wisely.” His chubby face folded into a moon based smile.
    “I will, Dad,” she said. Heck, no wonder Doreen had left the tight-fisted bastard. Yet she reasoned at least he’d given her something, she’d had nothing off her mother. Although, by now, she should be used to it.
    Kitty flicked her a wink. “What’s first on the list?”
    “No idea.” Jess didn’t have to guess how far the money would stretch because it wouldn’t even come near to putting a dent in her overdraft.
    George bounced on the spot, the balls of his feet slapped on the