Maker of Footprints by Sheila Turner Johnston

Author:Sheila Turner Johnston [Johnston, Sheila Turner]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781780732114
Publisher: Colourpoint Books
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

20

THE TAIL LIGHTS of the taxi accelerated away and left Dianne at her gateway in the soft mizzle of rain. She pulled up the handle of her suitcase and hauled it up the drive. There was no car and the house looked empty. Where was he? How could he do this?

Her father had come with Luther to the airport. His last words stayed in her mind.

“You belong here, Dianne. Come back soon.”

She waved to him from the departure gate. He looked forlorn, smaller than Luther who stood, unsmiling, beside him.

Now here she was, back at an empty house, in a city she did not like, in the rain, and the person who was the only reason for her being here had let her down – again. It was almost as cold inside the house as outside. She left her suitcase at the bottom of the stairs. Paul could take it up for her. That was what he was supposed to do: look after her, carry things for her. Pick her up at the airport, damn it!

The Christmas decorations were still up. The tree still stood in the window, dull. Dianne looked around, temper flaring higher. This should all have been put away by yesterday at the latest. It probably never occurred to him. She yanked a piece of tinsel from the tree and threw it on the floor. A mug with dregs of coffee in it sat on the small table. She snatched it up and went into the kitchen.

Unwashed dishes were piled beside the sink. She counted. The mug she had in her hand was number five. Toast crumbs littered the ledge. She stopped. There was something curled up in the sink. It was black and had eyes. It was looking at her. She stared at it, transfixed. The green eyes blinked. “Miaow,” it said, and stretched a white paw lazily towards the tap.

Dianne’s hand flew to her mouth. A cat! There was a cat in the sink. She set down the mug carefully and backed out of the kitchen, shutting the door firmly.

Arabella wasn’t sympathetic. “Well, what do you expect if you leave him alone for days? He’s a man. And a kitten might be fun.”

“But the place is a tip, Bella! And he left me alone.”

Bella’s deep chuckle came down the line. “Well, darling, you weren’t exactly alone now, were you?”

Dianne pouted. “Whatever happened was Paul’s fault.”

“He mightn’t see it that way. Some old fogies might say you and Luther getting jiggy again is adultery, you know.”

“Oh, Bella! That wasn’t adultery. That was just Luther. Jason or Alex or Toby would be adultery…”

Bella’s giggle interrupted her. “Toby wouldn’t be adultery. Toby would be a big disappointment, darling.”

“OK. Maybe not Toby. But Luther and I…”

“… go back a long way. I know.” Bella paused. “You never should have left him, Di.”

Dianne’s voice was brittle. “He’s still there, isn’t he?”

“But for how long?” Bella’s tone was serious. “Luther’s like you, ruthless when he wants something. If he doesn’t get it, he doesn’t give up.

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