Dead Secret by Noelle Holten

Author:Noelle Holten [Holten, Noelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780008383671
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Chapter Forty-One

With the pressure of the case, Maggie needed a break, so when she received a text from Julie Noble just before she left work, to go out for dinner and a film, she accepted. Her brother was always nagging her to put herself first and it would be a good thing to do something for herself for a change.

Maggie looked at herself in the mirror for the hundredth time. Was her hair right? Too much make-up? Too little make-up? She held up a frilly blouse, usually kept for special occasions, against the black V-neck sweater she had on.

Fuck sake. She threw the blouse on her bed. She had no idea why she was making such a big deal or why her stomach felt like a million pins were poking her. The nerves were kicking in and if she spent any more time overanalysing things, she feared she would cancel altogether. This was one of the reasons she enjoyed just staying home. Leggings, a T-shirt, and her hair in a bun – heaven. Julie’s text had been casual – no expectations – yet Maggie all of a sudden felt self-conscious and angsty. Like a bloody teenager getting ready for a first date.

Fuck it. Jeans, black sweater, and boots – her leather jacket to finish the outfit. That’s it. No fuss. She mussed her hair, deciding to leave it down but pocketing a pony band in case it started to annoy her. She looked on her dresser for her favourite perfume – Olympéa by Paco Rabanne – and spritzed a few times on her wrists, neck, and sweater before heading downstairs.

‘Well, what do we have here?’ Her brother whistled. She hadn’t seen him when she stopped at the bottom of the stairs to put on her boots.

She gave him the finger. ‘Just meeting a friend for dinner and a movie.’

‘Wait … did I hear right?’ He pretended to stumble backwards as if he had been punched in the stomach. ‘You’re actually going on a date?’ He clapped.

‘Bugger off. It’s just two friends meeting – not a date, okay? I feel enough pressure as is without thinking I have to impress someone.’ She bent down and put on her boots, hoping her brother would leave it at that.

‘Well, whatever it is, enjoy yourself. Nothing wrong with having a bit of fun. I guess I better find myself a girlfriend soon.’

‘Huh?’ She looked up.

‘You know … so we can double date.’ He winked.

Maggie picked up the soft cat toy from the foot of the stairs and threw it at Andy. When it hit him, he grabbed his chest as if he had been shot.

‘Ow. No need for violence. If I’d known that bagging yourself a girlfriend was going to make you so moody, I would have stayed on holiday a little longer.’ He turned and as he walked back towards the kitchen called out: ‘Don’t behave!’

Maggie smiled as she walked out the door. She’d decided to drive to the restaurant – with a

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.