To Have and to Hold by Jane Green

Author:Jane Green [Green, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Contemporary Women, Romance, Contemporary
ISBN: 9780767912280
Google: pcVuCKFUlKUC
Amazon: 0767912276
Publisher: Broadway
Published: 2004-05-17T23:00:00+00:00

17

Living in a big city, it’s easy to forget just how black the night sky is. As dusk turns to darkness in this small town in Connecticut, Alice gazes up at the stars, mesmerized. Candles have been lit, lanterns switched on, and the children have either dropped off to sleep in various strollers or are transfixed by Shrek on a huge television screen in the basement playroom.

The women have draped brightly colored cable-knit sweaters around their shoulders or pulled thin quilted jackets on to keep out the chill in the night air, but people are now starting to move inside to the kitchen and the family room, the men settling down on the large squashy sofas, the women fulfilling a housewife stereotype by huddling together in the kitchen, scraping plates and loading the dishwasher as they discuss which schools their children are at and whether they are happy there.

“Hey, I didn’t see you there.” Gina picks up the last of the bowls on the table outside when she notices Alice lying on a rattan lounger.

Alice turns her head and smiles. “Just thinking how incredible it is here. Look at that sky. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to the darkness in the country.”

Gina smiles and perches on the edge of the lounger. “How many times do I have to tell you this isn’t the country, it’s the suburbs.”

“Not for me it’s not. You don’t find deer and raccoons in the suburbs in England.”

“No? What do you find?”

“Rows of semidetached houses mostly, and the odd souped-up Ford Escort.”

Gina laughs. “Sounds beautiful.”

“Just gorgeous,” Alice laughs. “Definitely worth seeing on your next trip.”

“So.” Gina lowers her voice conspiratorially and leans in to Alice. “What do you think of the neighbors?”

“All of them or any in particular?”

“Just generally. They’re nice, aren’t they?”

“Sally’s lovely. I can’t believe what a wonderful spread they had, and how relaxed everyone is.”

“I know. Sally and Chris are great. Who else have you talked to?”

“I spoke to Kay a bit.”

“Ah. Kay.”

Alice perks up. “Now, why do you say, ‘Ah, Kay,’ in that tone of voice?”

“What tone of voice?” Gina feigns innocence.

“Oh, come on. Tell me. Is she a bitch?”

“Not a bitch.” Gina turns around to check there’s no one within earshot. “I just think she’s incredibly insecure.”

“Insecure? But she’s gorgeous.”

“I know, but did you see what she was wearing? Those heels? For a Sunday night barbecue? Please! And she flirts with all the husbands.”

Alice breathes a sigh of relief. “You mean she’s not planning on having an affair with Joe then?”

“Probably. And George, and Chris, and Sam, and pretty much whoever else happens to be male.”

“I thought she was flirting with Joe and I got completely paranoid.”

“God, no need to get paranoid. George thinks it’s funny. Actually I think he’s quite flattered, but that’s just Kay. She needs to feel attractive.”

“Doesn’t her husband mind?”

“James? Actually I think he’s something of a flirt himself.”

“Oh.” Alice’s face falls. “He didn’t flirt with me.”

Gina laughs. “Don’t take it personally. He doesn’t practice when husbands are in earshot.

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