Stealing the Show by Christina Jones

Author:Christina Jones
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781783753413
Publisher: Accent Press
Published: 2015-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eighteen

The pair of high-heeled golden mules was possibly not the most sensible footwear for trekking over Blenheim’s South Lawn, Adele conceded as she wobbled in Peter’s wake. In fact, she thought, tonight might turn out to be a bit of a disaster all round.

They’d booked into the Bear at Woodstock, along with Clem and Marcia. It was truly sumptuous and Adele adored the elegance. She didn’t, however, adore Marcia’s constant company.

Neither was she really looking forward to meeting Nell. It had been easy to talk on the phone, but face to face was an entirely different matter. The purchase of the Crash’n’Dash still gave Adele nightmares – and its delivery to Haresfoot was looming ever closer. And she’d never been any good at lying. Nell was so astute, she would sense something was up straight away, she just knew it. And then what was she supposed to say? Admit that she’d just spent a terrifyingly large amount of money on a ride that at least one of her children didn’t want, and none of them – or, even worse, Peter – knew about?

No one knew about the Crash’n’Dash – except Clem and Ross, of course – and, should such momentous news break tonight, it wouldn’t do Peter’s heart any good at all. Adele had confided in Priscilla during a hot flush, and Priscilla had responded with a disdainful stare and stalked dismissively away, her tail ramrod straight. Adele was beginning to wonder whether she might not have made the biggest mistake of all time.

Her hormones had started playing up as soon as they reached the Bear, egged on, she had no doubt, by nerves and guilt, which was when she’d discovered that she’d left her supply of evening primrose at Highcliffe. Peter, bless him, had volunteered to go into Woodstock for fresh supplies. In the middle of a real drencher he’d returned with Yeast-Vite. And, to cap it all, there was this hoo-ha about Claudia and Sam and one of the gaff lads. Ross had made some pretty scurrilous allegations and Marcia’s eyes had flickered with predatory pleasure as she recounted them.

‘Poor Adele.’ She had oozed saccharine sympathy. ‘Your children are such a worry, aren’t they? Thank goodness mine are no trouble. No trouble at all. Never have been. Still, once your Nell has married Ross he’ll soon bring her to heel, you mark my words.’

Adele had thought she’d like to see him try, and experienced the first flicker of doubt over the suitability of the match. Oh God – it was too late now. She’d bought the Crash’n’Dash – Ross Percival would be only hours behind it.

Then tonight, when she’d come downstairs at the hotel still fastening her rather outrageous Isle of Bute topaz earrings, Marcia had clasped her claws together and shrieked. ‘Oh, I say! What an unusual frock! Is it British Home Stores?’

Adele, who had lost over half a stone at the Body Beautiful, and had been very proud of the fifties-style, gold lamé creation which

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